One of my new favourite violinists, Janine Jansen, playing the Mendelssohn violin concerto. *Insert contented sigh here*
I Heart Khachaturian July 31, 2010
I’ve tried to choose something else for my audition preparation, but I keep coming back to this one. It’s apparently not a “good audition piece,” but I say, who cares?!? I think its the way that I’ll play it that will win me an audition. I hope. Eventually.
Day 12-ish June 13, 2010
I’m alive, and surviving. Phew! I am sad to report that the last few days have been a little tougher, but that is to be expected. I’ve been craving alone/quiet/resting time, and have been more emotional than normal. Not bad enough though to have to rush to the doctor, so I’m “happy” with that. I’ve also been working a lot though and have had company staying with us, so maybe I’m just tired and cranky. 
Convocation is on Monday, and it will be great. I have my mother-in-law and her husband staying with us right now, and Christopher’s dad and my parents arrive tomorrow. I’m not all that excited for the ceremony, but I’m so excited to be around family again 
Christopher’s mum has SPOILED us so far! She’s been a big help with getting ready for house showings and the open house, has given us far too much for graduation gifts, and has been so supportive in general. She gave me a suprise today by picking me up from work and helping me pick out a beautiful top. She also is putting together a photo montage of pics she’ll take at the convocation, and has helped Chri buy an Ipod touch. To be honest, I didn’t expect any graduation gifts, so I am oh-so-happily surprised. Flying out here was gift enough for me! Tomorrow will be even better when my parents and father-in-law arrive.
I haven’t had time to practice lately… It’s been about 4 days… I’ve been too busy with house showings, family, and work. I’ve started Pagannini’s 9th caprice though, have been doing crazy hard technique practice, and have been brushing up on some Bach. I have …almost… chosen a concerto, and then I’ll be ready for lots and lots of practicing in the near future. I’ve written it here, so now I must do it. You can all remind me if I seem to be finding more excuses to put it off. Just give me a week or so until all the family visits are over
Day 3 June 4, 2010
So far, so good. It’s still early in the process, but at this point I feel good and not crazy. Thanks to everyone for your support
In other news, we are beginning the moving process, so our house is up for sale. We have done a lot of painting doors, walls, and trim, fixed up the old hardwood floors, and staged, staged, staged! It’s been on the market for about 10 days, but so far no offers. Not to brag or anything, but our house looks amazing. We had a ton of showings for the first several days, and mostly positive feedback. The only negative that seems to be holding back the process is that we are on a slightly busy-ish street and across from an apartment building. It’s still super quiet and private, but I know that’s a concern for some people. Oh well, the right buyer will come along and enjoy our hard work.
I must start practicing again. I haven’t done much since my audition, simply because I haven’t chosen new repertoire. I’m thinking either the Beethoven or Barber violin concerto’s, but I haven’t decided yet. I think I’d like to start a new Bach as well, and a modern piece too. I should get off my butt and do that!
Good or Bad News? Good! May 28, 2010
I have too much to say today. I have been so busy lately! I thought that would end with the end of my Masters program, though that has clearly not been the case. I have updates in many areas: violin, house, plans for next year, etc., so I think I will stick to the violin/life updates and save the house for another day.
I am currently waiting at the Toronto airport for my connecting flight. A day with an itinerary of 4 hours and 9 minutes of travel time has ended up being 7 hours so far, and counting. It will likely end up being over 8 hours by the time its done! Thanks, Air Canada… Oh well, life goes on. I am heading home from my Symphony audition, which overall, I am quite pleased with. I didn’t win the job and I certainly didn’t play my best, but I am really happy with the experience. It was a great set-up for an audition – there were a whole bunch of dressing rooms, so we each got a private warm-up room for the day. That meant that I could keep busy by listening to my ipod, planning, and warming up and not get too nervous. Until, of course, my audition time came up… It was my first one for a decent full-season orchestra, so I’m cutting myself some slack. I got a little nervous and flustered, which led to my bow arm tightening and messing up a couple of entrances, plus I flubbed a few notes. Not so good. There is a lot of good news to come out of it though!
First of all, my first audition is over and I didn’t make a fool of myself! I now know what to expect in my next auditions, and can prepare accordingly. Second of all, I got a confidence boost. I listened to the others warming up and practicing, and I have to say, I’m just as good as they are. That makes me think that I will eventually land a job… And to use a cliché, I have saved the best for last. I get to move with my handsome hubby and hyper pups instead of doing the long-distance thing for the next few years.
Now that this audition is over, I can continue with my original plans for next year. I’ll be doing a lot of DIY projects on a fixer-upper house next year; lots and lots of practicing, audition preparation and as many auditions as I can; and volunteer work. I also plan on taking care of my hubby. He has been so great to me through my mental health struggles, that I’m looking forward to finally being able to take care of him a bit. He’ll be so incredibly busy (and stressed!) with his Doctorate program, so I plan on baking him yummy treats for a mid-day pick-me-up, taking care of most of the household chores, and surprising him with lunch and coffees at school every now and then. After all, I can’t get a work visa or green card, so I will have plenty of time for that!
reckless abandon May 12, 2010
I am preparing for a couple of orchestra auditions, and have been working on an infamously difficult excerpt. Don Juan. It is not easy, but I am determined kick its ass. I had a lesson today with my awesome teacher, and he told me I need to play it with “reckless abandon.” I agree. Wholeheartedly. I think I could benefit from doing other things with reckless abandon… within reason! To me, reckless abandon seems kind of like following your heart without regard to how that will affect others. It’s time I follow my own heart, though I have to admit, I will take care to not hurt or harm others in the process! I think this is an important step in healing my depression, and I’m feeling better already. I am looking forward to the journey.
Following my heart… First, that means doing my best for my upcoming auditions. Second, well, that remains to be seen. I’ll keep you posted.
Busy Bee May 7, 2010
Today is a busy day. Just one of the many-to-come from this busy month! We are listing our house to sell, and have a gazillion little fix-ups to do. I worked an early shift today until 11am, and now I’m about to get started. A few items left to do are:
- paint front door
- stain front and side porches
- install and paint quarter round in guest room
- weed front garden
- plant flowers in window boxes
- sweep & dust basement
- clean windows
- clean carpet runner on stairs
- stage, stage, stage!
The other thing that is keeping me busy is that I’m preparing for a couple of orchestra auditions that are coming up. I have lots of excerpts to learn and some serious brushing up to do on my concerto and unaccompanied Bach. I’ve actually played most of the excerpts before, but as 2nd violin so I don’t know the 1st parts yet.
I’d better get practicing. And painting.
Good, Bad, and Ugly February 16, 2010
Good
I just had a great lesson. I understand spiccato bowing now, and apparently I was already good at it, and I understand how to have strength in my sound while having a good bow path! For those non-string players, these are good things!
Bad
I still haven’t found a new violin, nor have I sold my current violin. Sigh. I think I will have to go back to that one shop and see if they still have the french violin that I really liked…
Ugly
No motivation! I know it’s part of the depression, but I feel kinda lazy. I never feel like doing much, and it is hard to make myself practice. I have just one short month or so until my next recital, and I NEED to get my butt in gear. I trying to give myself very specific, daily goals to achieve this, but it’s not always going well… I am going to set up some practicing dates with friends, but other than that, do you have any suggestions to help me get off my butt?
Epiphany Fail January 13, 2010
What: 8-year old boys violin lesson.
Situation: I find out that this boy has been diagnosed with ADD.
My thoughts: Aaaah!!! This explains so much! Now I know why he’s not understanding, no matter how I teach him. Thank goodness I’ve dealt with this before and have studied how to teach kids with ADD!
Results: This boy is learning so much more, and is understanding what I’m teaching!
Epiphany: I always knew he had trouble focusing, so why not try my “ADD-friendly” teaching methods with other students who have trouble focusing?
Experiment: Another 8-year old boy with trouble focusing, with whom I tried these techniques.
FAIL: Turns out that this kid doesn’t have trouble focusing, he’s just a brat.
