Mid-life what???? No, not yet!

September 27, 2008 at 4:32 AM

Not long ago I got a call from my father asking me what online shop I wanted a gift certificate from for my birthday. He also reminded me that I was *just* 2 years away from my 40th birthday. (something along the lines of "I can't believe my daughter is turning 40!") YIKES!!!! Wasn't it just yesterday that I turned 30? And that picture in my case from the Sewanee Music Festival couldn't have been that long ago! It was only 1981!!! Thanks for reminding me dad!!! :(

That conversation DID remind me of my musical goals at that magical time: Bach by 40 (all the cello suites learned to some degree of proficiency), shifting to the nether regions, intonation, and vibrato.

I have about a dozen of the Bach Suite movements remaining to learn, I'm a little behind schedule there. My vibrato made huge leaps and bounds, it is now down to getting that first finger to vibrate in first position to reach my original goal. I can now shift to the very end of the fingerboard on the higher strings (I won't talk about being able to get the note in tune consistently yet up there) - but at least I can make it up that far! My intonation and tone gets better bit by bit every day. I've realized I'll never achieve "100% perfect" intonation as a normal human.

Surprisingly, I've started on a few of my "bucket list" pieces: Rebecca Clarke Sonata and Brahms Op. 120 for instance. Pieces that I didn't think I'd be able to even attempt for another 10 years. I just attempted the most unique bowing technique I've ever seen in my life!
To top things off, I'm actively involved in 2 community orchestra's, an armature chamber group, private lessons, and :::gasp::: string camp!

Am I having a mid-life crisis? No not quite yet. But I am having the time of my life right now!

From Terez Mertes
Posted on September 30, 2008 at 6:38 PM

Sounds to me like you're in pretty good shape in life - especially as evidenced by your last line. : )

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