It’s Good To Be Getting Back To Normal

07. July 2008 · 3 comments · Categories: Ramble

… whatever normal means!

I had four students today. Tomorrow I have five. Wednesday there’s only one, but there are three on the calendar. (Vacations, you know?) So life is starting to feel more like it did before the wedding, minus performing and “universitying”. “Normal” is great for a number of reasons. I love teaching. I love my students! The post-wedding blues weren’t fun and this distracts me. I feel more vital when I’m teaching.

And of course I have a bit of income coming in. (Sure could use that “stimulus check” which has still not arrived here.)

It’s also good to have students who are encouraging and fun to work with after having to resign from SCU. That was a bit of a sad thing last week, and I am still struggling a bit with how that all happened.

Teaching today wasn’t entirely perfect; it was 90 degrees, and we don’t have air conditioning. Tomorrow it is supposed to be 96. We still won’t have air conditioning. Wouldn’t you know? Playing oboe makes us get warmer than we would be if we weren’t playing. I have a fan aimed directly at my students and I hope that’s helping, but I do feel for them as they work so hard for lessons.

William Tell Overture

07. July 2008 · Comments Off on William Tell Overture · Categories: Links, Other People's Words, Ramble, Videos, Watch

I read the following:

3. Then introduce the really popular classical music: the chase scenes from the William Tell Overture come to mind (not the beginning piccolo foolishness), along with many of the other pieces in this collection.

So I had to go listen to the Overture again … where is the piccolo part this writer is talking about? Part 1 is the celli, yes? Part 2 is the storm. Is that what he or she is referring to? (What a kick that the umbrellas come out at just the appropriate time, eh?)

Part 3 is, of course, the English horn part. With a dash of flute thrown in for fun. 😉

(I prefer the “other note” for the EH solo, but I’m guessing I’m in the minority there.)

And the final portion is what the writer calls the chase scenes and I’d call the Lone Ranger part.

There sure are a lot of young looking players. Or maybe I’m just older. (Naw. Couldn’t be!) And the baton seems so far ahead of the players. Maybe it’s just something in the video, but the players seem to be timed correctly, so I dunno.

But I’m still wondering what piccolo part the writer is referring to. Maybe he or she will fill me in since I’ve linked to the entry. We’ll see! 🙂

And for fun …

Repair Quickly

07. July 2008 · Comments Off on Repair Quickly · Categories: News, Opera, Repair Quickly!, Videos, Watch

I had read this earlier, but neglected to write about it. Joan Sutherland has broken both legs. Yikes. I’m sure everyone wishes her a speedy recovery.

Saying Goodbye

07. July 2008 · Comments Off on Saying Goodbye · Categories: Announcements

I will not be returning to Santa Clara University. I doubt anyone reading this was planning on attending the school (the music department is quite small), but if you were, please know I won’t be there. At this point I don’t know who they will hire. They will be posting the opening soon, along with all the other part time positions at the school (their new policy is to advertise all part time positions every year, and all current instructors will have to reapply).

I will miss the one oboist there who will study with me. (I’m so sorry, Caroline.) But it was time to say goodbye.