One thing I have learned over the past six months of fatherhood is that schedules are important. Before we had Annie, I was sure that parents who suggested that their baby had the same nap times, feedings times and bed times were being way too detailed in their schedule. Now I realize how important it is - sorry for you doubting you - even though you don't know who you are.
Speaking of schedules, it's been a bit of a shock to get back into my own routine this September, perhaps part of the reason is the schedule isn't completely locked in yet is that I've had three weekend choir retreats in a row, for three different choirs Even though most of my daily activities are planned by course calendars and regular rehearsals, it's still been challenging to plan the "grey" time in the calendar to make sure I'm ready for the next scheduled activity.
I haphazardly put in my google calendar my intention to go to the gym three times a week - that hasn't happened yet. Not to make excuses, even though I'm rather good at doing that when it comes to the gym, but I'm just in the middle of the "first-week-of classes-let's-share-all-our-germs" flu. I think the rough part is over, but there are still some lung issues to clear out before I can participate in anything cardio-like.
The one night a week I'm hoping to keep as an unscheduled night, or free from work anyway, is Tuesday. It is currently the only night a week where I am actually home, with the family. Traditionally, we have made this a Movie night, but lately it's become the night where we catch up on things we have let our PVR record. Tonight, I'm taking a few minutes to add to the blog - maybe this will also be a blog night?
The other thing I'm trying to be more conscious about is at what time of night does my work stop - how late is too late to answer an email or respond to a text? What expectations am I setting for myself, and others when I respond to emails in the middle of the night (or on Tuesday nights when I am supposed to be spending time with loved ones in the house!)
I'd be curious to know from your freelance types how you manage your schedule, how you balance regular events with irregular events and work with family. Do you have a night a week where you intentionally don't book anything just to be home? Do you have a no-text or email cut-off time at night?
Speaking of which, it's Tuesday night, and Annie is in bed. Time to close the computer and spend the next hour trying to agree on a movie.
Showing posts with label miscellaneous. Show all posts
Showing posts with label miscellaneous. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Friday, January 13, 2012
Ring out the old; Ring in the new
2012 has creep-ed up on me, and as I look through my blog posting history of 2011, it's a surprise that google has allowed me to continue residency in this place. Perhaps a simple New Year's resolution would be to put out a post once a week, heck, even once a month would be an improvement!
Before I look at what is to come in 2012, let's look back at 2011, picking up somewhere in September.
It's been, to say the least, a very busy season. I've participated, either as a chorister or conductor, in seven different concert programs. One with Scona Chamber Singers, three with Da Camera Singers, and four with Pro Coro. Ok, I cheat a bit - Da Camera and Pro Coro collaborated on a concert the week before Christmas, and I just counted that one twice - but I had to double up rehearsals with the two different choirs, so it is fair to count it twice.
A very exciting year for all three choirs though, let's stat with the youngest, Scona Chamber Singers. this is our third full season as an ensemble in Edmonton - specializing in early music repertoire. We have a very close association now with Early Music Alberta, also in its fledgling state as a society, just a year and a half old. In October, we mounted a one to a part concert of the madrigals of Monteverdi and Gesualdo. It was a great collaborative effort from the five of us who sang. And a great reminder to me of just how difficult the music of Gesulado is! We were successful, two years in a row now, at securing a bit of grant money from the provincial arts granting organization, and continue to receive support from both my church concert series, as well as Early Music Alberta. I think, in due time, this ensemble will flourish - but it will continue to take some work.
Da Camera is celebrating its 50th anniversary as an ensemble. No, there are no original members in the choir anymore, however we are having a great time going through archive material, and notifying past members to come back in March to join us for a weekend of socializing, and most importantly, singing! Already, since September, we have performed three concerts. One complete a cappella concert of new music and past commissions of the choir, then a collaboration with Alberta Baroque Ensemble, and then the aforementioned collaboration with Pro Coro Canada.
Pro Coro Canada is having an exciting year as well - six concert with six different conductors. The first three were concerts that featured candidates for the position of Artistic Director of the choir. This was an absolutely fascinating process for me as a chorister in the choir. The opportunity to observe three different conductors styles and expertise was as much of a great an experience from a musical standpoint as it was professional development. I learned something from all of them, and took features of conducting style, repertoire selection, diction lessons, and rehearsal planning, and brought them with me to my own ensembles. It was invaluable as a conductor to be able to be a part of this. There is still an official gag order on the selection itself, but no matter which direction the choir takes, we will be in very good hands.
The rest of my choral season of 2012 will bring more memorable moments, and another extremely busy period for the next few months. First, Scona Chamber Singers will present a concert of music from the Sistine Chapel this coming Sunday. We will feature music of Allegri mostly, including a complete performance of his Missa 'che oggi il mio sole (as well as the famed Miserere Mei), but a few other great composers as well. We'll meet again in mid-April for a concert as part of the 2nd annual Early Music Festival, however, my involvement will be limited - more on that later. Pro Coro has concerts in mid-February and early April to round out their season, but the most involved work for me will be with Da Camera.
Our anniversary concert weekend is slated for the first weekend of March. We have invited all almuni members of the choir to join us for the chamber performance of Carmina Burana. The response has been great, and we expect around 90 singers for this performance. However, only a week before that, we will be performing with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra in a choral concert, with a few other local choirs, in a performance of the Poulenc Gloria, as well as works of Bach, Mendelssohn and Schubert. All this music needs to be learned in two months, or about eight rehearsals (including Carmina!) so needless to say, it's going to be busy. After that weekend is done, we revisit Rachmaninoff's All Night Vigil with Spiritus Chamber Choir of Calgary for two performance (one here, one there). At least that's not until May, so a few months to put that back in our ears. We performed it about six years ago, so it should come back fairly quickly.
AND (if I haven't mentioned this before) in mid-April, Kathleen and I will welcome our first child into the world. So ... 2012... Here we go! I hope you're ready!
Before I look at what is to come in 2012, let's look back at 2011, picking up somewhere in September.
It's been, to say the least, a very busy season. I've participated, either as a chorister or conductor, in seven different concert programs. One with Scona Chamber Singers, three with Da Camera Singers, and four with Pro Coro. Ok, I cheat a bit - Da Camera and Pro Coro collaborated on a concert the week before Christmas, and I just counted that one twice - but I had to double up rehearsals with the two different choirs, so it is fair to count it twice.
A very exciting year for all three choirs though, let's stat with the youngest, Scona Chamber Singers. this is our third full season as an ensemble in Edmonton - specializing in early music repertoire. We have a very close association now with Early Music Alberta, also in its fledgling state as a society, just a year and a half old. In October, we mounted a one to a part concert of the madrigals of Monteverdi and Gesualdo. It was a great collaborative effort from the five of us who sang. And a great reminder to me of just how difficult the music of Gesulado is! We were successful, two years in a row now, at securing a bit of grant money from the provincial arts granting organization, and continue to receive support from both my church concert series, as well as Early Music Alberta. I think, in due time, this ensemble will flourish - but it will continue to take some work.
Da Camera is celebrating its 50th anniversary as an ensemble. No, there are no original members in the choir anymore, however we are having a great time going through archive material, and notifying past members to come back in March to join us for a weekend of socializing, and most importantly, singing! Already, since September, we have performed three concerts. One complete a cappella concert of new music and past commissions of the choir, then a collaboration with Alberta Baroque Ensemble, and then the aforementioned collaboration with Pro Coro Canada.
Pro Coro Canada is having an exciting year as well - six concert with six different conductors. The first three were concerts that featured candidates for the position of Artistic Director of the choir. This was an absolutely fascinating process for me as a chorister in the choir. The opportunity to observe three different conductors styles and expertise was as much of a great an experience from a musical standpoint as it was professional development. I learned something from all of them, and took features of conducting style, repertoire selection, diction lessons, and rehearsal planning, and brought them with me to my own ensembles. It was invaluable as a conductor to be able to be a part of this. There is still an official gag order on the selection itself, but no matter which direction the choir takes, we will be in very good hands.
The rest of my choral season of 2012 will bring more memorable moments, and another extremely busy period for the next few months. First, Scona Chamber Singers will present a concert of music from the Sistine Chapel this coming Sunday. We will feature music of Allegri mostly, including a complete performance of his Missa 'che oggi il mio sole (as well as the famed Miserere Mei), but a few other great composers as well. We'll meet again in mid-April for a concert as part of the 2nd annual Early Music Festival, however, my involvement will be limited - more on that later. Pro Coro has concerts in mid-February and early April to round out their season, but the most involved work for me will be with Da Camera.
Our anniversary concert weekend is slated for the first weekend of March. We have invited all almuni members of the choir to join us for the chamber performance of Carmina Burana. The response has been great, and we expect around 90 singers for this performance. However, only a week before that, we will be performing with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra in a choral concert, with a few other local choirs, in a performance of the Poulenc Gloria, as well as works of Bach, Mendelssohn and Schubert. All this music needs to be learned in two months, or about eight rehearsals (including Carmina!) so needless to say, it's going to be busy. After that weekend is done, we revisit Rachmaninoff's All Night Vigil with Spiritus Chamber Choir of Calgary for two performance (one here, one there). At least that's not until May, so a few months to put that back in our ears. We performed it about six years ago, so it should come back fairly quickly.
AND (if I haven't mentioned this before) in mid-April, Kathleen and I will welcome our first child into the world. So ... 2012... Here we go! I hope you're ready!
Saturday, April 23, 2011
A Free Write for Sabbatum Sanctum
It might seem that I had given up blogging for Lent. My last post was a short video I posted way back on March 2nd. I have noticed, and perhaps my more faithful readers would to, that my postings over the course of the last eight months have been significantly lower than in previous school years. Today, while I enjoy the quietness of Holy Saturday, watching the Jays vs. Rays game, I'm going to try a free write in this post in the hopes that it might spur a rebirth of posts in the coming weeks.
I'm not 100% sure why I have found posting more difficult this year, it certainly isn't a lack of things to write about. In many ways, it's been the busiest year of my working career. I'm balancing a part-time teaching load at a local private university college, a half-time church position, a community chamber choir, a professional early music ensemble, plus various other singing and chorus prep work with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, including a very intense four rehearsal chorus prep for the Duruflé Requiem just last month. Perhaps, looking over this list above, this could be why the posts were so few and far between.
Even as I write this, I am still three services away from the end of Holy Week and Easter services, then I head off on a five day bus tour with the above university college choir through northern parts of British Columbia, then back for a intense week to prepare for the first annual Early Music Alberta Festival, and then one week later the last Da Camera concert of the year. At least my grades are now submitted, and the term is over.
Normally by this time of year, I would already be playing golf on a regular basis and most of my activities will have been completed. We have had the pleasure of an extended winter in Edmonton this year, there is still plenty of snow on the ground in shaded areas, so the start of golf season is delayed by nearly a month. They only nice thing about that is I'm just plain too busy to play, so I can wait out the next few weeks before the courses open without feeling envious of those who have the time to play.
We are also into the last few weeks of a federal election here in Canada. I'll refrain from posting political comments here, as I've been vocal enough on my facebook about the current situation. I will be happy though to see the removal of the election signs in the few days after May 2nd. One of the best bylaws we have in our little hamlet is that all signs have to be down within two days of the election.
That's enough rambling for one day. I hope in the next few weeks (perhaps not until after the tour, unless I decide to blog on the bus) to put a few posts up about the season I had this year, wrapping up the individual projects and looking ahead to the next season.
In the mean time - off the to the driving range to see if I still remember how to swing.
I'm not 100% sure why I have found posting more difficult this year, it certainly isn't a lack of things to write about. In many ways, it's been the busiest year of my working career. I'm balancing a part-time teaching load at a local private university college, a half-time church position, a community chamber choir, a professional early music ensemble, plus various other singing and chorus prep work with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, including a very intense four rehearsal chorus prep for the Duruflé Requiem just last month. Perhaps, looking over this list above, this could be why the posts were so few and far between.
Even as I write this, I am still three services away from the end of Holy Week and Easter services, then I head off on a five day bus tour with the above university college choir through northern parts of British Columbia, then back for a intense week to prepare for the first annual Early Music Alberta Festival, and then one week later the last Da Camera concert of the year. At least my grades are now submitted, and the term is over.
Normally by this time of year, I would already be playing golf on a regular basis and most of my activities will have been completed. We have had the pleasure of an extended winter in Edmonton this year, there is still plenty of snow on the ground in shaded areas, so the start of golf season is delayed by nearly a month. They only nice thing about that is I'm just plain too busy to play, so I can wait out the next few weeks before the courses open without feeling envious of those who have the time to play.
We are also into the last few weeks of a federal election here in Canada. I'll refrain from posting political comments here, as I've been vocal enough on my facebook about the current situation. I will be happy though to see the removal of the election signs in the few days after May 2nd. One of the best bylaws we have in our little hamlet is that all signs have to be down within two days of the election.
That's enough rambling for one day. I hope in the next few weeks (perhaps not until after the tour, unless I decide to blog on the bus) to put a few posts up about the season I had this year, wrapping up the individual projects and looking ahead to the next season.
In the mean time - off the to the driving range to see if I still remember how to swing.
Monday, April 12, 2010
Winding Down and Counting Down
The Winding Down:
Holy week has come and gone, and with it six large choral/organ services in seven days, two trumpets, one ham, scalloped potatoes, and a fair amount of chocolate and jelly beans have been consumed. (OK, I didn't consume the trumpets, perhaps some extra punctuation was warranted there).
The last full day of classes was today, although my last teaching day was last Thursday, so just a few reports to mark and a final exam to set and mark left!
Two shows with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra to sing this week. A fun concert of pops, everything from "O Fortuna" to "Clang Clang Clang went the Trolley", then RES cools down for the year, with only a few rehearsals before break.
The Counting Down:
Da Camera has a few big shows in May. We are teaming up with a sister choir from Calgary, the Spiritus Chamber Choir (their director and I are good friends, and were roommates for sometime around 8-10 years ago). We do one show in Calgary on the 8th, then reprise the show in Edmonton on the 9th.
"Podium" then begins on May 20th in Saskatoon, where our two choirs will meet again to perform a portion of our program at the national choral communities conference. Always a great conference to meet with the conductors from across Canada, hear some great choirs, and attend great sessions on choral music.
My hope is to get over my little case of blog-block by then and be back here in more regular intervals, perhaps highlighting a few of the sessions and choirs that will be featured in Saskatoon.
Miscellaneous:
A typical Edmonton spring weather is having trouble deciding between abnormally warm temperatures, and chilly cold temperatures, sunshine, rain and snow (yes, still snow). Although, not enough rain or snow according to the farmers. It seems the drought will continue this year as it is already dryer now than this time last year. A full fire ban has been in effect already, which is earlier than I can ever remember. Golf season is around the corner, but just when you think the corner is getting close, another night of snow happens (and then drys up by the end of the day). So I'm hopeful that I will be on the course soon.
In fact, the clubs are already in the trunk!
Holy week has come and gone, and with it six large choral/organ services in seven days, two trumpets, one ham, scalloped potatoes, and a fair amount of chocolate and jelly beans have been consumed. (OK, I didn't consume the trumpets, perhaps some extra punctuation was warranted there).
The last full day of classes was today, although my last teaching day was last Thursday, so just a few reports to mark and a final exam to set and mark left!
Two shows with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra to sing this week. A fun concert of pops, everything from "O Fortuna" to "Clang Clang Clang went the Trolley", then RES cools down for the year, with only a few rehearsals before break.
The Counting Down:
Da Camera has a few big shows in May. We are teaming up with a sister choir from Calgary, the Spiritus Chamber Choir (their director and I are good friends, and were roommates for sometime around 8-10 years ago). We do one show in Calgary on the 8th, then reprise the show in Edmonton on the 9th.
"Podium" then begins on May 20th in Saskatoon, where our two choirs will meet again to perform a portion of our program at the national choral communities conference. Always a great conference to meet with the conductors from across Canada, hear some great choirs, and attend great sessions on choral music.
My hope is to get over my little case of blog-block by then and be back here in more regular intervals, perhaps highlighting a few of the sessions and choirs that will be featured in Saskatoon.
Miscellaneous:
A typical Edmonton spring weather is having trouble deciding between abnormally warm temperatures, and chilly cold temperatures, sunshine, rain and snow (yes, still snow). Although, not enough rain or snow according to the farmers. It seems the drought will continue this year as it is already dryer now than this time last year. A full fire ban has been in effect already, which is earlier than I can ever remember. Golf season is around the corner, but just when you think the corner is getting close, another night of snow happens (and then drys up by the end of the day). So I'm hopeful that I will be on the course soon.
In fact, the clubs are already in the trunk!
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Dusting off the blog
Over fifteen days since my last post - so I figured at the very least, a few updates on what's been happening in my life as of late. I have a few other post subjects brewing - so hopefully I can put them into words in the next few weeks. My apologies to my ChoralBlog contributors for my hiatus there, but I will be back soon!
The Heinrich Schütz concert I was blogging about in my last post was an incredible success, which now fulfills our commitment to mount two concerts in the 2009/10 season. At this point, we don't have plans to do another until the fall, although, most of the singers are pressuring us to do another in the spring. There is a slim chance of this - most likely it would be a small ensemble concert, or a quintet show of some kind. I plan to meet with my co-artistic director this week and see what is possible. It is a lot of work - but a heck of a lot of fun at the same time, and we are filling the void of early music in the city right now.
This week, something completely different. I'm singing in the chorus for two Edmonton Symphony concerts, featuring a reprise of John Estacio's "The Houses Stand Not Far Apart". Which, in my opinion, is one of the most exciting large scale choral/orchestra works written in the last decade - with much lasting potential. The second half of the program is Beethoven's Ninth. Quite an honour for John I think to be paired with this orchestral standard. However, I think that Beethoven would also be honoured.
Funny to think that in my 38 years, it is my first Beethoven Nine! This is my last year with Richard Eaton Singers, and although large symphonic choirs are not for everyone, I highly recommend that EVERYONE who plans to make a living in choral music should spend some time singing in one of these choirs. In the last five years, I have sung - Brahms Requiem, Verdi Requiem, Beethoven Nine, Elgar Dream of Gerontius and a few other works that can/should only be performed by a large choir. I also sang the ubiquitous Messiah performances and one St. John Passion, which purists would say should only be attempted by "period" sized ensembles. However, singing them in large choirs is kind of like riding a Moped - they are tons of fun - just don't tell your friends.
In a few weeks we'll be presenting our next concert with Da Camera Singers. An afternoon of music based on Love and Roses, suitably placed on February 14th. Trying to think up some creative marketing ideas, and perhaps some door prizes that might include chocolates, roses, wine, or all three (an a free Eulogies CD - after all, nothing says "love" like a CD about ... death!) A day after this concert, I fly to Toronto for two weeks to adjudicate some junior piano at Kiwanis. Should be a good time - yet, a lot of work, and ... a LOT of sonatinas. Look for a few blogs from my Fairmont hotel room in T.O. during that time.
Currently, I'm waiting at my house for UPS to arrive with our Amazon.ca shipment. Yes folks, we are finally getting Rock Band II for our Wii.
I'm a really really really good drummer.
The Heinrich Schütz concert I was blogging about in my last post was an incredible success, which now fulfills our commitment to mount two concerts in the 2009/10 season. At this point, we don't have plans to do another until the fall, although, most of the singers are pressuring us to do another in the spring. There is a slim chance of this - most likely it would be a small ensemble concert, or a quintet show of some kind. I plan to meet with my co-artistic director this week and see what is possible. It is a lot of work - but a heck of a lot of fun at the same time, and we are filling the void of early music in the city right now.
This week, something completely different. I'm singing in the chorus for two Edmonton Symphony concerts, featuring a reprise of John Estacio's "The Houses Stand Not Far Apart". Which, in my opinion, is one of the most exciting large scale choral/orchestra works written in the last decade - with much lasting potential. The second half of the program is Beethoven's Ninth. Quite an honour for John I think to be paired with this orchestral standard. However, I think that Beethoven would also be honoured.
Funny to think that in my 38 years, it is my first Beethoven Nine! This is my last year with Richard Eaton Singers, and although large symphonic choirs are not for everyone, I highly recommend that EVERYONE who plans to make a living in choral music should spend some time singing in one of these choirs. In the last five years, I have sung - Brahms Requiem, Verdi Requiem, Beethoven Nine, Elgar Dream of Gerontius and a few other works that can/should only be performed by a large choir. I also sang the ubiquitous Messiah performances and one St. John Passion, which purists would say should only be attempted by "period" sized ensembles. However, singing them in large choirs is kind of like riding a Moped - they are tons of fun - just don't tell your friends.
In a few weeks we'll be presenting our next concert with Da Camera Singers. An afternoon of music based on Love and Roses, suitably placed on February 14th. Trying to think up some creative marketing ideas, and perhaps some door prizes that might include chocolates, roses, wine, or all three (an a free Eulogies CD - after all, nothing says "love" like a CD about ... death!) A day after this concert, I fly to Toronto for two weeks to adjudicate some junior piano at Kiwanis. Should be a good time - yet, a lot of work, and ... a LOT of sonatinas. Look for a few blogs from my Fairmont hotel room in T.O. during that time.
Currently, I'm waiting at my house for UPS to arrive with our Amazon.ca shipment. Yes folks, we are finally getting Rock Band II for our Wii.
I'm a really really really good drummer.
Friday, May 29, 2009
Inspecting Bruckner
Currently, I am sitting on our front porch with my two cats, keeping them out of the way while a home inspector does his job to clean up the one condition on a pending offer on our house (fingers are crossed in the hopes that by the end of the weekend, we'll be actively looking for a new place to live!)
Since I'm being held at bay for the next two and half hours, I figured it would be a good time to begin a blog post about the concert I am doing tonight.
"For Music" - Mark Sirett. A Canadian Premiere. Mark currently lives in Kingston, where he was born, but has an Edmonton connection. He studied and taught at the University of Alberta before finishing up his DMA at the University of Iowa. This work was written for the University of Iowa in celebration of their centenary celebrations. So, a Canadian composer's work, which has been performed only once - and not in Canada! Apparently the Iowa performance failed to make an archival recording, so this will also be the first recorded performance of the work. Very exciting!
Len's love of Bruckner is no secret - considering the title of his Julius Herford Dissertation Prize winning thesis on Bruckner's Te Deum. The work proved to be a mammoth undertaking. Incredibly challenging for the choir (and conductor). But it has also proved to be very rewarding. There is a lot of exposed unaccompanied choral work, in particular in the Kyrie and Sanctus, which if the choir loses pitch would be disastrous (fff brass entrances would for sure be cringe worthy if the choir had gone astray).
We've had a good week in terms of rehearsals - both an effective orchestra rehearsal on Tuesday and a successful dress rehearsal last night (despite showing up at the church and finding no music stands). The only thing left to do now is to perform - which I'm very much looking forward to doing. Not just because the music is fantastic, and the experience will prove to be very fulfilling. But also because it marks the last performance I have to do for the season.
Oh, and it seems we have find a new place to live by July 16th!
Fun times ahead!
Since I'm being held at bay for the next two and half hours, I figured it would be a good time to begin a blog post about the concert I am doing tonight.
inspector interlude - inspector is talking about our tilty front porch - and describes it as "cool" - which I think is a good thing!On the program tonight:
"For Music" - Mark Sirett. A Canadian Premiere. Mark currently lives in Kingston, where he was born, but has an Edmonton connection. He studied and taught at the University of Alberta before finishing up his DMA at the University of Iowa. This work was written for the University of Iowa in celebration of their centenary celebrations. So, a Canadian composer's work, which has been performed only once - and not in Canada! Apparently the Iowa performance failed to make an archival recording, so this will also be the first recorded performance of the work. Very exciting!
inspector interlude - a large ladder has been brought out, and the inspector is currently on the roof. I hope he admired the work I did to seal the roof between the house and the attached carriage house.Second work on the program: "Five Mystical Songs" - Ralph Vaughn Williams. As an Anglican music scholar, I find it difficult to stray far away from this repertoire. This will mark the second time I've conducted it. And learning from previous youthful mistakes - I will not be conducting the last movement "one to a bar". I'm working with local baritone soloist Michael Kurschat, who funnily enough was also the baritone soloist when I last conducted the work about five years ago. We've both grown quite a lot in our musicality and interpretation. Michael and I have been friends for a long time - and it is a pleasure to work with him again.
inspector interlude - buyer overheard saying "I'm not sure if our sectional couch will fit in this living room". I'm not about to go in there and tell him how much trouble we had getting our in there - not to mention the damage to the walls that moving an old upright piano in and back out again did.The featured work on the program is Bruckner's Mass in E Minor. Scored for wind ensemble and double chorus. I was not familiar with this work until I began to study it for this performance. To be honest, aside from the RVW, I didn't provide much input in the selection of the repertoire for this program. I'm filling in for Leonard Ratzlaff's sabbatical year, and chose much of the program - built around the Bruckner. The Sirett was a perfect fit - it takes care of the Canadian Content that all choirs need here for funding options, and has an orchestration which compliments the Bruckner.
Len's love of Bruckner is no secret - considering the title of his Julius Herford Dissertation Prize winning thesis on Bruckner's Te Deum. The work proved to be a mammoth undertaking. Incredibly challenging for the choir (and conductor). But it has also proved to be very rewarding. There is a lot of exposed unaccompanied choral work, in particular in the Kyrie and Sanctus, which if the choir loses pitch would be disastrous (fff brass entrances would for sure be cringe worthy if the choir had gone astray).
We've had a good week in terms of rehearsals - both an effective orchestra rehearsal on Tuesday and a successful dress rehearsal last night (despite showing up at the church and finding no music stands). The only thing left to do now is to perform - which I'm very much looking forward to doing. Not just because the music is fantastic, and the experience will prove to be very fulfilling. But also because it marks the last performance I have to do for the season.
inspector interlude. Seems to be going very well. Had a nice chat with the buyer - they are buying the house for their daughters to live in while they are going to school. The parents are close to retirment and will be living in their camper for a while, traveling North America. How fun! From all accounts - it seems like a done deal - although I'm keeping my fingers crossed still.I still have a pretty heavy June ahead with examining trips to Ottawa and southwestern British Columbia. In the middle of that - our church has a royal visit! The countess of Wessex will be visiting our church the morning of June 7th. I fly back from Ottawa late in the evening of June 6th. Wheeee!
Oh, and it seems we have find a new place to live by July 16th!
Fun times ahead!
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Victoria Day Weekend!
Ah yes - we are just two days away from the most anticipated long weekend on the Canadian Calendar. Victoria Day!
Highlights of past Victoria Day weekends (AKA "The May Long" or in Ontario, the "May Two-Four"- referencing the approximate calendar date with the number of bottles in a case of beer) include:
One question though:
Can someone explain to me then ... HOW CAN WE DO ANY OF THIS WITH THIS FORECAST??
Highlights of past Victoria Day weekends (AKA "The May Long" or in Ontario, the "May Two-Four"- referencing the approximate calendar date with the number of bottles in a case of beer) include:
- celebrating the weekend at popular camping destinations in South-Eastern Ontario.
- enjoying warm spring days and cool brisk evenings.
- enjoying cold beer on the aforementioned warm spring afternoons
- taking in the best of the early golf season on the links.
- wearing shorts and showing off the pasty white winter legs
- enjoying being outside when it's too early for mosquitoes and black flies, and the bees and yellow jackets are too busy with pollinating flowers to worry about bothering us.
- it's also the first official weekend of our agricultural growing zone to plant flowers outside without the risk of damaging frost.
- Tulips should be fully opened, petunias in near full bloom, green tips on trees begin to expand into full foliage.
One question though:
Can someone explain to me then ... HOW CAN WE DO ANY OF THIS WITH THIS FORECAST??
Saturday, May 9, 2009
A quietness in the Blogesphere ...
Sorry my posts have been so very sparse as of late - It is not for lack of material either.
I just finished a two night stint conducting the offstage chorus for an ESO production of Holst's "The Planets" Approximately 30 bars of music at the end of Neptune, where I actually control the entire orchestra, albeit a good 80 feet away from the stage, and no one sees me do it, except for the choir. A fun experience all around - worth a longer blog post - perhaps tomorrow.
I'm also preparing to conduct two concerts in the next few weeks, a royal visit at my church in early June - two cross-Canada examination trips, and have already started the beginning of golf season (I played 18 holes in the cold in about two and a half hours last Wednesday morning, and haven't been able to even walk properly since. I did break 90 though!)
The reason I've been so quiet as of late though is because we've been getting ready to sell this. It's a great little house - and we will miss it terribly - but no room in it for my grand piano! We had four showings this weekend - so our hopes are running a bit high right now - however, I'm certain it's going to be a long process.
More blog posts here and on ChoralBlog this week - I promise! Mainly because my back is just too darn sore to play golf for a few days yet - and the weather for this week looks ... well ... shitty ... for golf anyway. I do think it's perfect for people to come and look at our house though!
I just finished a two night stint conducting the offstage chorus for an ESO production of Holst's "The Planets" Approximately 30 bars of music at the end of Neptune, where I actually control the entire orchestra, albeit a good 80 feet away from the stage, and no one sees me do it, except for the choir. A fun experience all around - worth a longer blog post - perhaps tomorrow.
I'm also preparing to conduct two concerts in the next few weeks, a royal visit at my church in early June - two cross-Canada examination trips, and have already started the beginning of golf season (I played 18 holes in the cold in about two and a half hours last Wednesday morning, and haven't been able to even walk properly since. I did break 90 though!)
The reason I've been so quiet as of late though is because we've been getting ready to sell this. It's a great little house - and we will miss it terribly - but no room in it for my grand piano! We had four showings this weekend - so our hopes are running a bit high right now - however, I'm certain it's going to be a long process.
More blog posts here and on ChoralBlog this week - I promise! Mainly because my back is just too darn sore to play golf for a few days yet - and the weather for this week looks ... well ... shitty ... for golf anyway. I do think it's perfect for people to come and look at our house though!
Monday, April 13, 2009
A Miscellaneous Easter Monday
I have been a rather neglectful blogger as of late.
Here are my excuses:
Blogging topics in the back of mind that you might look forward to:
Here are my excuses:
- From Thursday night to Sunday afternoon, I have played, conducted and sung at five church services. Which included everything from Mozart's "De Profundis" motet to Handel's "Hallelujah" Chorus, two trumpets and anywhere from 10 to 30 choristers depending on the service. It was glorious and rewarding, but tiring.
- I have approximately 200 assignments to mark (US = "Grade") from my two courses at U of A, and one final exam to set.
- I have a board meeting tomorrow night, and a budget meeting on Saturday, where I have to present my season for 09/10 and all expenses involved.
- My wife and I are currently preparing to sell our house, which includes a list of painting, repairing and various cleaning activities. (Today, our black cat, Sarah, walked through the white paint tray. Paw prints through on the hardwood and coffee table had to be cleaned). She still has white highlights in her fur. I kind of wish I had a picture to show you. It's actually quite funny now - not so much earlier.
- Golf season is quickly approaching. Mild weather lately has melted what is left of all the snow we have, and the grass is turning to the greener colour needed. Windows have been opened, sunroof has also been slid back. The driving range nearest to our home opened last Friday! However, the forecast for tonight and tomorrow is SNOW (10-20 centimeters is predicted). Oh well, the clubs are still in the basement for now. Probably a good thing though (see point two and three).
Blogging topics in the back of mind that you might look forward to:
- The much anticipated blog about conducting competitions, and the challenge of grading conducting assignments in the college and university environment.
- a new approach to marketing concerts, with ... beer.
- my obsession with American Idol this year (have you heard Adam Lambert? My predicition - the most famous person to ever come out of the American Idol camp - even if he doesn't win - which would be an incredible failure on the part of the American viewers)
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