Entry tags:
Entry tags:
Porgy and Bess
I had a concert last night. My school orchestra (we call it the Philharmonia) performed excerpts from Porgy and Bess. I've been enjoying playing the pieces, as they are quite different from the usual Classical fare, and extremely well suited to the story they portray. George Gershwin knew what he was doing when he wrote this, and did it well with this opera.
Performing this piece reminded me of why I enjoy playing with a large group so much. As we went through the beginning of the first act, there is a classic buildup in volume and speed. One of the themes of the opera is the music imitating a train, which is a lot of fun. So here we are, piano leading to choir giving way to brass and finally joining in with strings. The moments of that were almost perfect in their synchronicity. Everyone was playing the same music, listening to each other, and watching our conductor for the beat. The feeling of collective gathering was palpable to me, and the music was so clear. The first time that ever happened to me I got chills, a large emotional reaction, and was rather scared of it, actually. It took me several years to understand that these rare moments of clarity in music are something for which to strive.
It is a shame we cannot do that more often, but it is a college orchestra that tends to disappoint those with high expectations more often than not. Still, though, we had it that time, and that will encourage me until I feel it again.
Greeny
Performing this piece reminded me of why I enjoy playing with a large group so much. As we went through the beginning of the first act, there is a classic buildup in volume and speed. One of the themes of the opera is the music imitating a train, which is a lot of fun. So here we are, piano leading to choir giving way to brass and finally joining in with strings. The moments of that were almost perfect in their synchronicity. Everyone was playing the same music, listening to each other, and watching our conductor for the beat. The feeling of collective gathering was palpable to me, and the music was so clear. The first time that ever happened to me I got chills, a large emotional reaction, and was rather scared of it, actually. It took me several years to understand that these rare moments of clarity in music are something for which to strive.
It is a shame we cannot do that more often, but it is a college orchestra that tends to disappoint those with high expectations more often than not. Still, though, we had it that time, and that will encourage me until I feel it again.
Greeny
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The Lack of Stress is Simply Astounding
I worried about today for the entire week preceding it. Would I get to play in my flag football game?
At first, no, because we had an orchestra rehearsal.
Then, amazingly, yes, because our conductor rescheduled.
Then...maybe, because I got sick on Friday. Finally, it all came down to knowing when the game was going to be played. When, you ask? 6:30pm. The earliest a game can be scheduled, and we've not had one at 6:30 all semester. I didn't remember. So, after band practice, where not knowing when the game was created a lot of misplaced relaxation, then I called our manager. This was at 6:25. Oh yeah. Thank goodness band practice is nearer to my University than my parents house. I got there late, but I got to play, and support the team at our last game.
Perhaps the least stressful thing would have been to skip the game, but I am glad to have played. Endorphins are wonderful, and this is the last semester I get to do this. We lost, as usual, but we played hard, and enjoyed it. Now that the season is over, I just have to convince my roommate to start playing racquetball with me again.
Today, to quote my most recent favorite knitting blog (archives get some people through the day), was "like buttah". Church was great. I finished my most urgent homework reading at lunch, talked to my older sister, and managed to get to band practice on time. Then the slight stress of football intervened, but now I have two whole hours to practice and read for tomorrow. Great stuff.
Oh yes, and I'm feeling much better, obviously. Why do I feel like I'm being sarcastic without meaning to? Le sigh.
Off I go, once again, into the sound of music.
Greeny
At first, no, because we had an orchestra rehearsal.
Then, amazingly, yes, because our conductor rescheduled.
Then...maybe, because I got sick on Friday. Finally, it all came down to knowing when the game was going to be played. When, you ask? 6:30pm. The earliest a game can be scheduled, and we've not had one at 6:30 all semester. I didn't remember. So, after band practice, where not knowing when the game was created a lot of misplaced relaxation, then I called our manager. This was at 6:25. Oh yeah. Thank goodness band practice is nearer to my University than my parents house. I got there late, but I got to play, and support the team at our last game.
Perhaps the least stressful thing would have been to skip the game, but I am glad to have played. Endorphins are wonderful, and this is the last semester I get to do this. We lost, as usual, but we played hard, and enjoyed it. Now that the season is over, I just have to convince my roommate to start playing racquetball with me again.
Today, to quote my most recent favorite knitting blog (archives get some people through the day), was "like buttah". Church was great. I finished my most urgent homework reading at lunch, talked to my older sister, and managed to get to band practice on time. Then the slight stress of football intervened, but now I have two whole hours to practice and read for tomorrow. Great stuff.
Oh yes, and I'm feeling much better, obviously. Why do I feel like I'm being sarcastic without meaning to? Le sigh.
Off I go, once again, into the sound of music.
Greeny
Entry tags:
A week, almost.
Honestly, now that I'm back in the habit, everything seems blogworthy. A lot has happened.
Sunday: I jammed my third finger playing flag football. I pulled three flags that night, so it might have been worth it.
Monday: Played my violin on aforementioned finger. Learned on Thursday that doing that probably wasn't smart, but it didn't seem to hurt much.
Wednesday: Forgot it was Wednesday, consequently did not attend to my regular non-class activities. Felt very tired despite enough sleep.
Friday: successfully navigated classes, got sick on the way home from school. Threw up later that night.
Saturday (present): am still afflicted with the flu. It's not that bad. I am just un-enthused about eating for fear of throwing up again, and feel rather achy.
I am trying my best to complete some homework, etc. Hopefully this illness passes in time to play flag football again tomorrow, and deal with the orchestra concert coming up Tuesday.
Until the next time,
Greeny
Sunday: I jammed my third finger playing flag football. I pulled three flags that night, so it might have been worth it.
Monday: Played my violin on aforementioned finger. Learned on Thursday that doing that probably wasn't smart, but it didn't seem to hurt much.
Wednesday: Forgot it was Wednesday, consequently did not attend to my regular non-class activities. Felt very tired despite enough sleep.
Friday: successfully navigated classes, got sick on the way home from school. Threw up later that night.
Saturday (present): am still afflicted with the flu. It's not that bad. I am just un-enthused about eating for fear of throwing up again, and feel rather achy.
I am trying my best to complete some homework, etc. Hopefully this illness passes in time to play flag football again tomorrow, and deal with the orchestra concert coming up Tuesday.
Until the next time,
Greeny