Post Concerto Competition Thoughts

January 14, 2008 at 2:37 AM

First of all, thank you to all of you who have cheered me on, gave some last minute advice on public performing, nosebleed shifting, and virtual "pats on the back" after it was all said and done. It is wonderful to have a community such as this, and I appreciate the support.

I called my pianist to congratulate her on coming in 2nd. She also accompanied one other musician. She told me she was surprised that I didn't place. Apparently she has accompanied many musicians for competitions such as yesterdays. This compliment from her means a lot to me.

Now, the real fun starts. Even though I didn't place in the competition, I've made a new friend and I'll be making my first ever recording with a pianist on a piece we have both been working very hard to make "performance ready" (you guessed it, Bruch). She also wants to join my quartet group, and play Hummel with me on piano as I begin process of learning it this week. (Hummel was in the running as a competition piece). Maybe I'll name my new big shiny black thing in my living room Max, after the composer of the first piece played on it.

I took a 25 year long break studying viola seriously, then picked it back up again only 4 years ago. Four years ago I couldn't shift out of 1st position, vibrato was a foreign word, rhythm problems all over the place, and few solo experiences. Flash forward to yesterday: I performed a piece that had me shifting up to 6th position, using my newly found vibrato, with much better intonation and rhythm; in public; in front of judges!

I'm amazed that I actually pulled off what I just did.

Back to practicing Hummel..... I've got 2 years to get it ready for the next competition.

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Post Concerto Competition Thoughts

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