Dec.17-18th: All this is 1 weekend!

I had a very busy weekend that wrapped up a year of many performances (don't believe me, look in the archives). It was fleeting but it was fun and I hope I served the audiences well.

Dec17th-- Mitch Thomas and Friends Advent Concert: 2:30p-4p

I do this every year and it keeps getting better. Mitch is a household name in my area for theatre, public speaking, and sacred concerts. I play at least 5 concerts a year with him as well as a weekly service at AUMC during the fall/winter. This concert featured young and older singers, a blend of traditional carols, musical numbers, and a heart-wrenching story about a young baby fighting brain cancer (true story, and we pray he gets better and stays strong).

Dec. 17th-- MaineStream at the Ramada: 9p-12:30a

After a long hiatus, the band MaineStream finally got a gig at the infamous Ramada Inn. It was not serious until the costumes came on and the lasers shined in our eyes. Planning was put into this and we had to deliver.

I was in charge of 3 keyboards, and I didn't have my list of patches since I chose to do a few general things for the songs. I bought a special midi pedal but I didn't have time to program it for this concert--- and I couldn't have something fail on me in the heat of battle.

We all wore "costumes" to look the part of a happening Top 40's band. We changed for each set so I never got too comfortable. We worked through song changes throughout the night-- extended beginnings and endings-- mysterious sounds from a massive amount of electronics. Overall, from what I hear, it was a good show. I looked down on several dancers and I received a few winks-- but the piano nerd doesn't get 20's thrown at him unfortunately.

Dec. 18th: Augusta Symphony: Handel's Messiah

I was able to play Handel's Messiah once more before the end of the season with the ASO. I was still in dire need of strings that didn't come in on time, but I made the best of it. We only had 4 singers with an audience participation for the chorus numbers. Having played with Bates (and with their budget), this performance didn't have the pizzazz of harpsichord, organ, professional players and a choir of 50. I still enjoyed it and I was able to make a small audience thankful-- that is all that matters!

Thank you

Dec. 10th Student Christmas Recital

On Dec. 10th at the Auburn United Methodist Church (http://auburnmethodist.org/), there was held a small student recital. I had held a very small (4 student) recital in the lobby of this building the year before, and was asked about doing it this year-- I didn't want to let anyone down. This year I was able to get the main foyer and  initially many students wanted to take part in the event. I had also planned to have musical and technical help with the day, since I couldn't manage that many people all at once.
Things do not always go as planned. The week leading up to the concert had several cancellations, my tech and musical help backed out, and emails were not responded to. This is something I am accustomed to, so I made the best of it, setting up equipment and calming nervous students and anxious parents. A few last minute performers joined in and it made the recital all that more exciting.

The parents brought baked goods and I brought my famous cocoa assembly line (with whipped cream and candy canes). Everyone thanked me for my efforts and the lengths I went to prepare it-- I was just proud of everyone who performed and their courage to get in front of an audience of 40. The students made the show and I was glad to provide them with a platform-- I only wish I could have done more.

Thank you for all that participated and watched!

Messiah part 1 at Bates and The AVCO string quartet at The Royal Oak Room

This weekend (12/2-/4) was busy with classical music-- which is how every weekend should always be.
Friday and Saturday at 8pm was Handel's Messiah Part 1 conducted by John Corrie with the Bates College Choir and a small orchestra (including me of course).

It was exciting, well executed, and the music was uplifting to say the least. I still get to play this music in two weeks with another orchestra so I have an excuse to keep the music in my head.

BTW-- for ballet dancers, The Nutcracker is the seasonal show that one can rely on. For orchestra members, Handel's Messiah is our seasonal standard. I play with musicians that personally own their own copies of the music (with marks from 10 years passed), and some feel right to show up for the performance only. This year marks my third year playing the Messiah-- I look forward to many more!

On Sunday I took part in something I have been inquiring about (even on this blog) for some time-- a string quartet! Former members of Androscoggin Valley Community Orchestra met together to play chamber music for the retirement of a Head Start program coordinator. We played at the Royal Oak Room in Lewiston and it was a good experience-- and something we all agreed should be repeated-- and it will should a need arise (we are all busy). I did get to find out that my Schellinger violin is in need of new strings-- my Obligatos are dead and cannot hold a pure note for too long. Good string quartets usually agree on  strings to use-- I sent out my opinions to the group-- we will see what happens when a new gig appears. Keep in mind that strings for classical instruments are very expensive-- I am looking at around $65 for 4 strings- and this is somewhat of a bargain (with hopes that my violin accepts their sound). For cello-- well, get a loan!

More concerts coming up. I will keep readers in touch!

Thanks!

The Amazing Borromeo String Quartet!

http://www.borromeoquartet.org/

Tuesday night (Nov 29th), I was able to see an amazing group of brilliant musicians playing music that is dear to my heart-- this was the Borromeo Quartet from New England Conservatory. They graced the Olin Arts stage at Bates college playing Schoenberg and Schubert (the latter I am very familiar with).

What can I say about a concert? How does it affect me? I always like to be in awe of musicians now and then. In my world, I can be the best, but I prefer to see others that trump me on certain instruments and are able to get to a higher plane-- I can see where my journey will eventually lead.

This quartet played with emotion, incredible dynamics (soft as a mild scratch of bow and loud as a screech), and an intimacy that made everyone feel as if we were back in time in the composer's own quarters. I was not surprised to find that they play on instruments that are the biggest names in the world: Stradivarius, Guarneri Del Gesu, Zanetto-- a cello made for a king in 1576. The instruments could well have been 5 million a piece (seriously)-- and well deserved on their part.

I went home humble, possibly a bit jealous, but reserved to practice more diligently. Someday I hope to be on the world stage like they are. Coincidentally, I was on the same stage they played last night rehearsing the Messiah. The closest I can get at the moment is that I share with them a love of teaching-- they are all on the board of New England Conservatory-- my first choice of school back in 1997-- until money forced me 45min north to a far lesser program (take this in the spirit in which it is written). I will still get down there someday-- and by next month, a few big steps in that direction will be taken. More on that later...

Thank you Borromeo Quartet!