Valentine's Day with the Philharmonic Quintet of New York

The Philharmonic Quintet of New York rocked out at The College of New Jersey's Mayo Concert Hall on Valentine's Day 09. The concert featured wind players from the New York Philharmonic (Robert Langevin-flute, Sherry Sylar-oboe, Mark Nuccio-clarinet, Judith LeClair-bassoon, Erik Raiske-horn) and TCNJ piano faculty member Tomoko Kanamaru.

One highlight of the evening occurred when the lights unintentionally dimmed to blackout (a friend thought he was having a stroke!) during the first (yet almost always performed last) piece of Ibert's Trois pièces brèves and the ensemble kept right on playing. A bit of humor and levity is always a welcomed asset to a concert.

A not so pleasant moment was a dropped program, jingling keys, a closing hall door, or all of the above making a huge racket during Nuccio's clarinet solo. Listeners on the other side of the hall said he made some great faces in response to the added ambient noise.

Encores were aplenty and so were the mustaches. I was really excited to hear a selection of 6 Bagatelles (Ligeti) performed since I had heard an archived performance of the PQNY a couple days before on the radio from a performance at the 92nd St Y with the same encore.

Budapest Festival Orchestra at Carnegie Hall

Thanks to John for taking on playing the Pajama Game on Broadway and not being able to use his ticket to see the Budapest Festival Orchestra on Friday night. Good gig for him and a nice chance for me to check out the orchestra. How could I pass up an opportunity that involved Mahler #1? Let me just say that it's hot when you have the seven scored horns +1 and even hotter when you have them bells up. BUT it's even better when all 8 horns are standing with bells out. Very impressive. When I played this with Harrisburg Symphony I had no idea if the horns standing in the last movement was written in the score since I was sitting in front of them. I'll have to go back and take a look at the score.

So I did find it interesting that the ensemble all entered the stage together (no pre-gaming) before the performance and right after intermission. I haven't seen a mass exodus onto the stage since high school. Violins, celli, violas and 2nd violins graced the stage when looking from left to right. One harp (though I thought it was scored for two) and the basses were straight back between the percussionists. Very interesting. The horns were on the left and other brass on the right. The winds were between them.

It worked and the audience really enjoyed the performance. Still...they are not NY Phil.

Wozzeck

Tonight I had a chance to see Berg's Wozzeck at the Met. It was my first Met opera. Todd was sick, so I gave his ticket to a man looking for a seat for the performance. Great stuff. Nice man, though Todd mentioned that his friend John knows of this guy who often is asking for tickets outside of various venues....hmmmm.

What a Difference a Few Hours Make

My first fall in NY. No I didn't crash to the sidewalk trying to dodge the patches of ice that collected near every street corner in the city. I don't think winter has officially arrived, so I am still holding onto the season of pumpkins, cider and scantily clad drag queens. But the air is winter-like and we have snow on the ground.

I am sitting high above W. 4th St in the Kimmel Center's 8th floor lounge overlooking Washington Square Park and its beautiful arch. The traffic is slowly moving south on 5th Ave, like cattle returning to the pasture or perhaps going to slaughter. Depends on how you look at it. How many people are driving home tonight and how many are moving away from home towards destinations unknown to me? I really have no way of knowing.

5th Ave gives you a choice. At the arch you can go left of right because the park is unmoving, planted right where 5th Ave should be or you can go east. Which way do you want to go? Which way do you need to go? Again, it all depends.

The sky is dark and I can feel the cold seep in through the glass. The Christmas tree and the arch are illuminated and the various lamps (adorned with their weatherproof colorful lampshades) are glowing below. A few hours ago a magnificent sunset cast soft shadows on the architecture of the city. The Empire State Building is in the foreground echoed by the Chrysler Building way off in the distance.

Now the sun has set and the only color is from the artificial lights of cars, apartments and buildings decorated for the holiday season. Sometimes a camera flash is seen or if you look close enough a lighter ignites a cigarette.

I guess it's time to go home.

Backstage

Please note that any recorded instrument sound (horn for example) did not sound THAT bad in person!!!!

Can You Hear Me Now?

Have you missed me while I've been in NY? Well, now you can hear my voice.

Sometimes I feel like nut, sometimes I don't.

The joy of a falafel sandwich.

ta`amiyya (When in Egypt: Arabic طعمية)
פלאפל (Hebrew)

crisp
smoooooooth
crunchy greens
such soft dough purse
fills my tummy
with warm
yummy

goodness

The Cube and 10 Basses

Did I mention the cool cube at Astor Place? Todd found out about it and told me about it, so we went together to push it around. Check out the link to see it. This is located right above the Public Theater, so we get to see it all the time. It's soooo cool and heavy!

Back in the land of Starbucks the jazz combo has been replaced by 10 upright basses, aka the NYU Bass ensemble. They just finished a stirring rendition of the Mario Brother themes. I am now situated where they are playing, right next to a window, and it seems that those on the outside are totally fascinated by the scene. I think this is rightfully so. How often do you see that many basses in one gathering?

Loving the Hot Chocolate

After the wind ensemble rehearsal (which I attended late due to tech class) I finally decided to suck it up and get a hot chocolate from Starbucks which is located on 4th St to the east of Washington Sq park. I'm a huge bum but I couldn't pass up the chance to do some tech homework while listening to the pleasant sounds of NYU Jazz department's finest aspiring musicians. No joke, it's quite nice here esp. since so many people are MPAP related. If you are unfamilar with this place, you can just hang and you can get on the NYU wireless network. Sweet.

Katie S, the genius behind the musical Fruitflies, is here to catch See What I Wanna See, so I am meeting her and Todd after the show.

The Day to Day, Play by Play

If I don't keep track of what I am doing, who will remember it for me? Last night it rained and rained and rained. What a mess. Todd talked with Bob Malach and found out that Bob was playing at the Metropolitan Cafe which is around 53rd and 1st. No cover, no min. Sweet. So I met Todd after his show, and we hopped on the 6 uptown.
We ended up taking the taxi from the subway stop at Lexington because the rain was sooo bad and we were minus one umbrella.

We arrived at the cafe and lucky us....though billed as blues night, they were not playing blues at all. At the break we had a chance to talk with Bob. The last time I saw him was in Philly when he was playing with Mike Stern at Zanzibar Blue awhile ago. If you get a chance to talk with him or hear him play, do it.

The Day Before Turkey/Tofurkey Day

Happy Bird Day, well almost. I am currently in the Ed building on the campus of NYU sitting in a practice room ready to begin my daily flute exercises. I have to say that having a laptop here is the best thing EVER, so I thank Todd for letting me borrow the iBook. I had to walk around a bit to find a room that would work out the best since some rooms connect better than others.

The one thing I have trouble getting used to is the amount of musical theater/broadway music being practiced. I mean, people aren't doing it for fun or to procrastinate, rather they do it cause that is "what they do."

Considering it's the day before the Turkey cookoff, there aren't that many people here. Someone's playing sax down the hall, there are some pianists and I hear some vocalists.

NY is cold today, too. Todd ordered another comp. ticket to see "See What I Wanna See" for this afternoon, so I went. Interestingly I met a very nice guy named Zach who is a musician and also works at the Public Theater. Musicians rock.

Then Todd, John (an amazing woodwind player from the show) and I went to Veselka in the East Village. I love their fries. After that the guys went on their way back to the theater and I walked back here, totally suppressing the urge to stop at the Space Market to get some coffee.

I guess I am going to get to work.

Todd and I are thinking about going to the T. Day parade tomorrow morning, but I heard it was going to snow. Hmmm.

Hanging in the Bronx

Today is Wednesday. The weather was wonderfully warm and sunny in the morning, but it's now raining. I'm doing my Tech class homework and watching the TV plus trying to study my part for the Vaughn William's Symphony #2.

I met a very wonderful person who is the director of the music division at the Bronx House Community Center. Hopefully I'll have the opportunity to teach flute and piano there! The people seem very nice and it I think they offer a wonderful service to the community.

I met a very nice guy on the train ride back, too. I guess he can be added to the other people I've met lately on train rides that captured my attention. Going to NY on Monday night I met Anthony, going home a week or so ago I met Ross and a lady who was going to Newark, then there was the fun guy from Richmond, Virginia and the interesting man from the Trenton area who was heading home. People are really amazing. I mean, sure we all could be crazies, too.

MVC aka DMV: Part II

Umm....I didn't go. So I HAVE to go tomorrow morning since it expires tomorrow. Oh did you all "Fall back?" Happy Halloween!

MVC aka DMV

Ahhh...it's time to renew my license. I've been putting it off for weeks, so I HAVE to do it tomorrow. Do I have my 6 points of identification/verification? AHHH. Ok, I think I do. What a mess. Passport=4 points, Current Photo License=1 point and Social Security Card=1 point. That seems ok to me.

My First Flash Drive

Well, it is time for me to get serious. Really. I purchased my first ever USB Flash Drive from Circuit City today. I took Todd's suggestion and bought a 512MB thingy (real computer literate, right?) and I now feel more serious about this whole computing thing. Floppy disk, what? Of course I've been going quite mad lately with all of the extra myspace.com profiling. It is really a waste of my time? I think today it is sooo much easier to have a presence and leave something behind via computers. I mean, look at all of the communities out there that can connect easily! Individuals can make a statement for anyone to see. We can all be "published." I've learned more about those I know by reading profiles and I find it amazing. I think we are busy people and I personally don't have time to hang around, but I can still appreciate and learn about those I am connected with.

So there. In case you are wondering, I have two places at myspace now. One is so I can post music clips and the other is just a personal space. I am so tempted to blog on myspace, but I like my home here, so I guess I will just stay here.

A funny story. I went out last night (Friday) to go to Barnes and Noble to find a book on Photoshop CS2. I took the 1 up to Lincoln Center rather than go down to Astor Place and found an amazing textbook that is going to really change how I work with the program. ANYWAY, I walk onto the train and am stuck right in front of this dude playing the flute. Ok, so that's not TOO unusual since people play all the time. I found it a bit weird because he was on the train (and the passengers couldn't get away), but that's not the really impressive part. The fact he could stand and play (Mozart in D first movement) while the train stopped and started, was quite amazing to me. I guess if you do it long enough, you don't loose your balance as much. I think there is some lesson to be learned there.

Just an additional note: If the links don't work the first time, try refreshing the page or clicking them again. I've been having some problems.

NJ

I'm back in NJ. Todd and I caught the 3:33 train right after my lesson. We just made it since I had to wait for the 1 to get from Lincoln Center to Penn Station. It seemed that it took forever, but I met up with Todd on time!

Tonight I spent so much time coding and just trying to get my site working properly. I think it is looking better. Doc Silvester sent me a copy of David DiGiacobbe and me playing the Doppler Andante and Rondo with the Eastern Wind Symphony earlier this summer. I am very excited with how the ensemble sounds on the CD, so I am very thankful he thought of sending me a copy. He's so sweet!

The Week in Review

Welcome to the week in review. Some really fun things happened lately. I am back in NJ for the weekend since I have an audition tomorrow morning and had to fit some students in.

Yesterday was spent running around NY. I had my first lesson with Brad Garner at Juilliard at 3 (he's amazing), hauled myself down to NYU to pick up some music left for me at the office and stopped by the library, traveled back uptown to pick up a book that arrived via USPS on 38th before the post office closed at 6 and arrived home to take a second shower, eat, pack and clean lots of dishes before I caught the 8:03 NJ Transit train back to Hamilton, NJ. It doesn't seem like a lot, but it just takes time catching the subway and walking around. At least I feel healthier.

On Monday the 12th I had my Richmond Symphony piccolo audition. Unfortunately no one in my group went onto the next round even though I heard some amazing players warming up. As usual, auditions are difficult to judge how you do since the panel may have something (or someone) specific in mind for the job. So I shrug and learn what I can from that experience. I definitely enjoy auditioning and have enough calmness not to go and kill myself afterwards if I am not moved up.

I tried to get back in time for my class at NYU, but that wasn't happening since we all had to wait until the final flutist was finished and a decision was made about who they did or did not want to hear.

On Tuesday the 13th Wind Ensemble met for the first time at the Catholic Center. Man, it was hot where we were and the lighting was awful. The room smelled like feet. Nasty. I learned that the group is fairly new in development, so I think there is potential. I am the piccoloist, so that should be exciting. Unfortunately they didn't have the C piccolo part for Gould's Symphony for Band and I was stuck trying to transpose the Db picc part as well as reading cues in the I and II flute parts. I think they are supposed to get me the C part next week, so I am looking forward to that.

Repertoire class on Thursday with Keith Underwood was very fun, too. We are split up now from 1-2 Grads and 2-3 Undergrads. Poulenc was discussed and some Dutilleux was played. Seems like tongue placement is still the current topic of conversation. Super Chops. Breathing. Super Chops.

Tomorrow night I am traveling with the Groves to check out Todd's faculty jazz concert at University of Delaware and then back to NY on Monday morning. Then the whole thing starts back up again.

FTP Problems

I had some technical difficulties posting since I changed my Yahoo! password but NOT my FTP password at Blogger. So note to self, change passwords all around or you will get ERRORS!!!!!!

September 11th

Today is 9.11. Means a lot to us Americans. Insert a moment of silence...here.
(moment of silence)

(after the moment of silence)
I am back in NJ preparing for an audition tomorrow in Virginia, so I am packing some stuff up and getting ready to drive for a very long time. I'm kind of bummed because I think I am going to have to miss a class at school since I won't be getting back until the late afternoon tomorrow and by the time I get the train and arrive in NY....it may be too late. I hate having to miss things, but I didn't know I was going to take this Theory class until last Thursday and I already missed the first class last week since I was going to take it next Fall. I passed out of Theory I and II, but as expected I have Theory III to contend with. So the professor suggested that I enter his class this semester. He also teaches my Seminar in Theory class that involves Shenkerian Analysis, so I guess now is the best time to take Theory III.

I also ended up canceling my audition with the Delaware Symphony since I had some class stuff I just can't afford to get out of on Tuesday.

I guess I wouldn't mind as much if I didn't have expected conflicts coming up in October with rehearsals with the Pottstown Symphony. I guess that is the most difficult part of trying to take classes and also work.

Did I mention I passed the entire music history part of the exam? It was intense and very comprehensive, but I finished it all (with the listening portion stuck in the middle) in an hour. I am just glad that I reviewed a lot before going into it. Bravo to me remembering the "members" of the Second Viennese School.

Hmmm, what else before I get going. Flute rep. class is going to be great. Keith Underwood is awesome. I counted about 23 flutists taking the class, so we are breaking the class up to undergrad and graduate/doctoral students. Someone mentioned that there may be 29 flute majors, so that's crazy. I heard that there were only 12 flutists or so last year, so I wonder why there are so many this year.

So far everyone I've met seem to be very nice. There's one flutist who is a first year graduate student and looks very similar to Lauren Kessler, a bassoonist and former student at TCNJ.

Interesting.

I guess I'll write more later when I return to NY. Out..........

I Have No Class

Hey, this is my followup to that last post about Central Park. My first day of class as a NYU grad student began today. Granted, I still have to figure out how to pay this additional $10,000 that the loans don't pay for, but I am sure to find a way. Ensemble lists are not up, though I felt I harassed enough people about it. It's just that if I am not needed this Friday, I could go play with Orchestra Society instead, but since I don't have a clue, I had to decline. How sad.

My first real academic class was Introduction of Schenkerian Analysis. I think it is going to be a very interesting class.

Lish out.....

Parking

We went to the park. Walked from 40th to 87th. Well, it was more like a winding way through Central Park. The goal was to get to the reservoir since it's so large and right in the middle. At least now we know where we can run (in a counter-clockwise direction only, mind you) in an organized fashion.

I think it's just a wonderful place. So many people enjoying themselves. So many dogs! I can't believe I walked that much. I don't think my butt is getting any firmer. Too bad.

7 Things about Me ('Cause that's all I can think of right now)

1. I enjoy silly string.

2. I just finished reading Harry Potter VI and Kate Chopin's The Awakening.

3. I am currently reading Ned Rorem's diary. Ummm, the composer...not my next door neighbor.

4. I hate when Seinfeld comes on, but love watching it.

5. Teen Titans is one of my favorite animated shows on TV. It's up there with King of the Hill, Family Guy, American Dad, Tiny Toons and Dragon Booster.

6. Reiner cherrys are the best thing to grace the produce section of the market.

7. I too have a Ranch tooth.

Sighting

Tom Scerbo and I finally had a chance to hang in NY. Turns out that Scerbo is friends, buddies, pals, etc. with Opie, from the Opie and Anthony Show on XM Radio and we caught up with him while dining at the same restuarant in Little Italy on the 21st.

Movies

So I caught this movie (yesterday?) called Julie Walking Home. It stars Miranda Otto who played Eowyn in Lord of the Rings. I think that's why I started watching since she was familiar, but I wasn't sure why I knew her face...until about an hour into the film. Plot is simple. Julie's young son is diagnosed with cancer and she travels to Poland to see if a healer can cure him. In the background is the rocky relationship with the father of her two children as well as commentary on modern medicine and religion.

I recommend seeing it....since I don't know anyone who has and I have some opinions on it. It was released in 2002.

Sighting...or was it?

Hi from Manhattan. Traveling back from dinner, there was a celeb. sighting going past the Port Authority back entrance on 9th Ave. Gilbert Godfrey......or was it? Hmmmmm.

PRADA!

Allison (my best friend from high school) and her husband Chris traveled to Italy for two weeks in mid-May. I had a chance to see her last night and she brought gifts for graduation and from her trip! Wow! How nice!!!!

Along with a great manicure and pedicure set (and paying for my meal), she brought a beautiful letter/envelope set made in Italy and a awesomely cute black nylon Prada cosmetic bag with authenticity card/envelope and all!!!! This is quite an amazing gift since I could never afford to get one on my own. As you may know, even the smallest of bags are $$$$$$$$$, so I appreciate her generous and fun gift.

Just thought I'd share that will everyone. I'm so thrilled! :)

Sounds of NY

So far I noticed three distinct sounds that drift into the apartment.

First, the neighbor's alarm. Without fail it incessantly beeps for an hour or so. Todd thinks our neighbor hits the alarm off button, but not the actual side button that turns it off until it must be set again. So the alarm goes off since he's not there. Or perhaps he's doing it to annoy us. Shrug. I think there will have to be a discussion if it continues and if I don't become desensitized to it.

Something must be said about the pigeons of New York. Considering NY is infamous for its pigeon and rat population, it is just perfect to find that the apartment has a trio of pigeons of its own....somewhat ratty looking things. I like my pigeons robust and healthy. Two look ok, the third has seen better days. It's almost like being in New Jersey, but instead of beautiful yellow, red or blue birds, there are average looking pigeons. Don't get me wrong, I really like them. They are just funny to look at.

I believe they must hang out on the roof because I watched their silhouettes as the sun was setting. One of the fat ones was chasing and playing with the thin one. Is it mating season?

The final sound (since we are at the back of the building) is that of the restaurant sounds below us. There are a couple nice places and some tiny bars. The food smell sometimes floats up here and the sound of dishes. Kind of nice. Makes me hungry.

Ogden

Dear Ogden,
I didn't know you went away. Mary Ann let me know, so let me say that I am lucky to have met you. Even though we didn't have a chance to meet again at length, it was nice hear you play the piano and to read your emails. Nice to know someone out there was thinking. A Poet. A Writer. A Musician.
You will live in my memory.

Practicing for What?

And the point of practicing is what? To get better? To achieve greatness? To accomplish whatever it is I couldn't accomplish yesterday?

So music people out there. Do you agree that practice rooms are our cubicles, often without any windows...lucky there is a door to escape. Tuned pianos? Thank goodness for the Tuning CD!

No fun pictures around unless you are a string player and you litter your cases with them. Kids, pets, partners. Places you've been, places you'd rather be.

I don't have a ficus in my practice room. Maybe I could get a cactus and watch it grow. I have wildlife though. Dust bunnies. They roll around whenever I move my bags or spill music all over the floor. And of course there's Little Eddie the Betta fish. He's cool, but can't come up to school with me.

It's not that the Tch 4 piccolo part isn't difficult. It's the aura around it.
OMG OMG...not that!

The point of practicing is to get better. To achieve greatness. To accomplish whatever it is I couldn't accomplish yesterday.

What Happened in January

Sooooooo.......we have snow. It snowed and snowed a couple weeks ago. I really tend to dislike the cold weather, but after a very long time waiting for the right moment, I finally bought some ear thingys. Kind of like earmuffs but they wrap around the back of your head. Much better. I also bought this hoody thing that is just a...hood. Bad on the hair, but so excellent to tackle the cold.

Harrisburg was great. Todd and I headed out there to catch David DiGiacobbe perform the Liebermann flute concerto with the orchestra on Sunday afternoon. We stayed overnight at the Travelodge on Saturday night and hit up the Bob Evans and watched ice skating. I filled him in on the tendencies of Sasha Cohen, which was echoed in the announcer's commentary. Focus focus focus. Oh, I think we watched some rerun of the dog show that was aired earlier that afternoon.

Sunday we hung out that the East mall. It was our first trip ever to Bass Pro Shops and Outdoor World. David told me later that it just opened. I just have to say that it was a weird and crazy experience. They have a huge aquarium there and dead animals. I felt like I was at a museum!! Taxidermy is creepy! Very scary to know that you could get any type of hunting equipment and potentially kill animals. I guess if you are going to eat what you hunt, that's ok...but the sport aspect kind of freaks me out.

Then we went to the concert. David was great and did an incredible job. Enough said. It was also a super chance to check out the orchestra since I'll be playing with them in May. The Forum is a very interesting venue, too. I liked it alot.

2005 Rolling Along

Happy New Year! 2005 is finally here.

Today is Mummer day in Philly!!!!!! Hey, the parade is nationally broadcast for all to see. Todd is playing at Ludwig's Beer Garten, 13th and Sansom, not too far from the chaos of the Mummer's Parade on Broad Street. Luckily the weather is beautiful with temperatures in the 60s.

New Year's Eve was quite nice. I played with the Lancaster Symphony at the American Music Theater in Lancaster, PA. It was so great to play with David DiGiacobbe and Becki Simon Brown. David's flute playing is extraordinary and I love Becki's piccolo sound!

I had a chance to reunite with some friends I hadn't seen in awhile. Amy Christmas was playing clarinet and Jon Schubert was the bass trombonist. Violist Geoff Baker and oboist Tara Schauble, fellow White Dog "members" from Orchestra Society, were also performing.

After the concert Geoff and I wanted to head into downtown Lancaster to check out what was going on, so we traveled back to the hot EconoLodge! to change. We go ready, piled into his car, but unfortunately it didn't want to start. So after calling AAA, trying to find an open pizza place, and waiting for a tow, it was a bit after midnight. I hope he returned home ok and that his car will be fixed soon.

Meanwhile back in New Jersey....

Todd was playing sax with the Greater Trenton Symphony as well as the after concert party (I guess that's what it is), so we had a chance to chat in the weeee hours of the morning. What fun!!!!!

So what were the highlights of this past fall?

Some things that make me smile: Playing piccolo with the Pottstown Symphony, premiering new works by Chuckk Hubbard and Yoel DeJesus, playing with James Lubrano for Steinway/UNICEF's Peace Piano Tour at the Kimmel Center and conducting TCNJ's Concert Band. Jenga at McK's. Fun WE, Band and Orchestra concerts at TCNJ and a great EWS concert at NJPAC. Playing a great jury. Allison's wedding. Wed recitals, especially being part of Matt Anderson's Piece for Five Cell Phones. Orchestra Society. Man...fun stuff.

So the Semester Ends........

It's all over! Fall 2004 finished. I drove home tonight after hanging out with Caryn, a wonderful percussionist at TCNJ. I stopped off at Wendy's and picked up some nasty bad-for-me food (chicken strips for now and a baked potato with bacon and cheese for later). Now I'm relaxing (watching Trading Spouses-crazy show!) before I start in on cleaning the mess that has been building up since Thanksgiving break.

Dude, when are they going to have a rasor that has five blades? That's just insane, but maybe it really is better.

Today was woodwind jury day. Katie S. and I attacked the Nielsen flute concerto and it went well. It's nice to receive an A from everyone and so wonderful to get comments and an A+ (if that were a possible grade) from bassoonist Mark Gigliotti since I don't think he often writes on the jury forms. Anyway, it was a fun day.

My B-Day and Events Since Then

I've been listening to a lot of 91 FM (WHYY) talk radio lately on my way to and from school. Interesting stuff.

Right now I am at Todd's listening to a recording of Bach Sonatas for flute and harpsichord (transcribed from the violin sonatas) performed by Robert Stallman and Edwin Swanborn. Very nice to hear something different.

My birthday came and went almost as quietly as I would have liked. That week of the 5th was fun. I conducted the TCNJ concert band for the second time (I have since worked with them two more times, lastly for about an hour with Doc Silvester observing since George Balog had to go to a Boheme Opera Company rehearsal last Thursday).

Wednesday was a great TCNJ flute studio outing to Wendys. Man, those girls can really eat!

Friday was really fun. I had an "outing" with those who are older than myself rather than 10 years younger. So I went to Orchestra Society and tripped through Dukas' Sorcerer's Apprentice. Ok, it wasn't that bad, but man it gets crazy!!!!!

I guess that's it.

She Wasn't Surprised

Today was the bridal shower for my best friend from high school. She was so far from surprised! Go figure. It's hard to keep things a secret. I thought it went very well and am getting more excited for her wedding. I just have to get my bridesmaid dress altered.

All About Saturday

It is now about 1 am on Sunday. Yesterday was fun. I had a lesson with David Cramer in the morning. He's so amazing and has such wonderful advice. I then headed back into Jersey to teach until 5.

I had some last minute shopping to do for a surprise luncheon tomorrow afternoon at the Valleybrook Country Club. Gift wrap, a card, etc.

Then Todd decided to drag me out on a date, something that I rarely have time for these days. But note...it was an actual date. He made reservations at Zanzibar Blue in Philly since his friend Bob Malach was playing tenor sax with guitarist Mike Stern. The other musicians were Victor Bailey (bass) and Lionel Cordew (drums). We had a great dinner, Todd had a chance to reunite with Bob, and I had a chance to meet the amazing Bob for the first time. How nice!

No really, the music was great. There were rowdy fans there. Freaks. It was hot. Al-riiiiggght.

But I have this "thing" tomorrow for my friend, so I am off to bed. I can't write what it is just in case she may read this.

The Poor Broken Flute

It's Wednesday night. I had a chance to get some WAWA coffee and pretzels (the best around in SJersey), catch the end of CSI: NYC, and a bit of Family Guy (my brain is rotting) with Todd. What a productive evening. No, really...it was.

Quintet was challenging. Flute choir was great fun since there are so may flutists involved.

So my flute woes. The footjoint was always a bit loose going on and it happened to slip off (arg) into my bag during a practice session at one of the music schools I work at. So the D# key was all out of wack and affected the low C, C# and B keys. What a great chance to check for any additional leaks and get a new headjoint cork, too. Todd took the flute in for me last Friday with his contra alto clarinet...or something like that. It seemed that all of my pads are leaking and all have to be attended to. So adjustments were completed on Monday and left to set. Tues came and it was still bad. Today it is still bad. Luckily Todd's letting me use the back up Powell, but I still miss the Yamaha. I think Todd will pick up our stuff on Friday since I have class, but I need to have the flute back for my lesson with D. Cramer on Saturday. Sigh. At least it will be wonderful when it returns!

When Tuesday Became Monday

Today,well yesterday (when it was Tuesday), was actually Monday at TCNJ since the school did not hold classes Labor Day. Makes sense. So, Tuesday followed the Monday schedule. For me, I had a chance to practice, take my orchestra audition, attend wind ensemble, eat nasty chicken fingers at the Stud (or canteen according to Dr. Tate), check the orchestra results, and finally go to orchestra. A very good day. I then drove home (ugh...This construction traffic around exit 34 is really bad at night), caught some food at Kaminski's, helped Todd put together his UDel Syllabi for his students and checked my email.

I'm really excited that my History of Jazz textbook arrived today. I checked on-line for it and Barnes and Noble is selling it for $85. I think our bookstore has it for around $70. Anyway, my book was $30 from half.com and is in great condition. The purchase really made my day.

Time for bed. I have to wake up earlier than I did yesterday. Sleeping just feels sooo good. Again, thanks to Jack (and now my flute friend Jenn S.) for letting me know that there people out there who actually read this!

What's That Funk?

Eating frozen red grapes. My new favorite snack. Actually I used to eat them a lot when I was younger, but recently revisited the tasty and healthy treat.

The computer/studio room smells weird. I have a feeling something died, but I'm looking around and I don't see anything decomposing. Little Eddie is happy in his new two gallon tank, so it's not him. We did have a mouse in the garage, so maybe it's dead. Nasty. Of course, I do have some shoes here, so they could be the rank smelling source, but they don't smell bad up close.

Man, I have to find out what's stinkin. Sometimes it's a leftover SlimFast can. Man, they reek.

Miss Saigon

Tonight was my last evening playing Miss Saigon in South Jersey at the Lenape Regional Performing Arts Center. We had a guest come sit in with the percussionists. He played the show for about 10 years on Broadway and is a former teacher of one of our percussion guys.

Generally things went well. The audience seemed to love it. The pit was a bit out of hand since they had played the show earlier that day and had fun during their break before the 8 pm show.

Cast party was interesting, too.

Friday the 13th

So today is Friday the 13th. Nothing bad happened. Actually, it's about 1 am Saturday the 14th. I had a chance to go shopping today for clothing. I haven't made a "bulk" purchase in awhile. I just can't buy one shirt one day and then another a couple days later. So I went for seven new shirts or so. Honestly, it's been like a year! I would like to go on a bigger shopping spree for this fall, but no $$$$$$. It's funny how I will spend $ on music, but feel bad about putting $ towards clothing. Sigh.

Time for bed. I have to wash whatever I am going to wear tomorrow night in the pit for Miss Saigon and I also have to teach in the morning. Then perhaps a little more shopping. There's supposed to be a kicking cast party after the 8 pm show, so maybe I'll have a new outfit to wear.

Kill Bill

Just finished watching Kill Bill Volume 2. I saw KBV1 the other day. Nice stuff that QT. Did you know you can get Reservoir Dogs at Target for $7.50? That's amazing to me. Has it been around that long?

The Delaware Jungle

Today was an interesting one. I had a chance to go to UDel with Todd since he had to teach a student there around 10:30 am. Never having been in the music building, I thought it would be fun to go and practice there; however, getting up again at 8:30 was really terrible. I just don't think I am a morning person.

BUT, I went anyway and really did get a lot accomplished. UDel's practice rooms were humid and uncomfortable (some problem with the air conditioning earlier in the week or something), but I really liked the large window and the natural light that was available. I guess you just have to be there to appreciate it. At TCNJ our practice rooms are in the basement behind a door that leads to a hallway of multiple rooms all with their own windowless door. Even the tutorials on the second floor are without the benefit of sun. How sad. No wonder I get so pasty when I am there.

We arrived home. I went to teach, ate dinner over Todd's, watched the news about NJ's governor being gay and took a nap. I'm here now, watching CSI and trying to find the parts for various music I need for a possible audition with the Allentown Symphony over in PA.

There is a good chance that I may be able to graduate a semester early. I hope it works out. The school originally said that I had to complete a certain amount of CREDITS in flute lessons (without the ability to double lessons in one semester) to graduate, which would take five semesters; however, now the school has been "transforming" its curriculum (advanced lessons used to be 3 credits for a performance major, but are now 2 credits) and I may need a certain amount of SEMESTERS of lessons. I just completed lessons this summer, so that could count towards an early graduation.

The only issue I have is just preparing for a senior recital this semester rather than in the spring (sophomore and junior have been completed) and that I will be doing graduate school applications/tapes. But if it works, then I have all spring without classes, just to focus on the actual material for the auditions that can very well be material from my recital. Blah Blah Blah. I am totally talking to myself.

The Beginning

Well, this is the start of an additional way to procrastinate. Sure glad that there is a spell checker. Between the dirty keyboard and my tendency to reverse letters and flat out misspell things, my posts could be quite impossible to understand.

Today I had a chance to get my oil changed, though I really should have had two (or three) of them by now. Then I battled with my flute for awhile. I highly dislike the time period right before school starts since I need to find an audition piece. So many choices and only 5 minutes to present my skills at the actual audition/s.

Then I started to clean up this room and catalogue my music in the Fluteworld catalogue which is fairly new. That's about it. Luckily I have a monotonous tone of the TV humming away in the background to keep me company.

I have to go see what else this site can do for me. Maybe I'll post more if it works.