September 8, 2006 at 5:07 PM

The International Violin Competition is awesome. I never even knew such a competition existed, so thanks, v.com bloggers for clueing me in. I also ditto everything Jennifer said in thanking the folks that made it available via the internet. Technology at its best! I particularly enjoy watching the performances. I'm a visual learner and have focused on watching bow arms and vibrato. I think Anna Tifu from Italy is my favorite so far, but I haven't had the chance to watch all the finalists yet.

My community symphony began rehearsals again last week. We have grown! There will be about 20 violins this year as well as 6 violists, 6 cellos and 2-3 bass players. We had a rather large turn-over in orchestra teachers in our school system last year, so those new teachers have all joined the symphony plus we had some talented folks move to our area. The brass and woodwind sections were already strong, so the growth in the strings has really made a difference in our sound. Our first 2 concerts (the same weekend) will be in churches - Sacred Music in Sacred Places. We're copying something the Atlanta Symphony did a few years ago when Symphony Hall was being refurbished. The music is really fun to play because it's not too difficult for me.

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