Week of Concerts

Last week was my week of concerts! I had two Women's Choral Ensemble performances and a band concert. Most of the performances were good. There was one mishap during a Women's Choral Ensemble performance, but it can't be perfect all the time!

I'm really excited to continue performing next term in both Women's Ensemble and in Concert Band. I've had such a taste for both that I never want to give them up! Surprisingly enough, I love playing the piccolo! I almost would jump at the chance to play piccolo on any piece. Next term is going to have some tough pieces on flute and piccolo in Concert Band. Bring it on!

To Flute or Not to Flute...

is never a question! When the opportunity arises, always play the flute. Although, I find I always want to practice my flute AFTER I eat a meal! Go figure.

I had my first flute lesson this afternoon. Man, it was a tiring two hours!! Usually, lessons only go for one hour, but my teacher and I were having such a good time getting started that I think we forgot that time existed! I think I'm really going to enjoy this teacher. She is a WSU graduate and has a fun personality. She's a little scatter-brained, just like me! We should get on just grand. She actually is friends with one of my former flute teachers. The music world is certainly a small one!

I'm starting preparations for an audition at USU in February. It'll be a long, hard road full of wrong notes and learning. And I do mean every word of that. With only twelve weeks to learn two pieces, I am a little concerned I won't make it. However always the optimistic one, I'll work my hardest to get there, and that hard work will not be for naught.

Taking a break from music is not a good thing. Really, taking a break from any skill for a long period of time doesn't help in the long run. I've reverted back to some old habits and sloppy aspects in my flute playing. My teacher and I determined that I open my jaw too much to focus my sound. (Normally, it is quite the opposite in flute players; they don't open enough!) So, I have to consciously think about closing my jaw as I'm playing. On top of that, my teacher has me learning another tonguing technique. I had initially learned one way with another teacher, but my current teacher is having me switch back. I guess knowing how to use both will help me in the long run.

Who knew a flutist actually has to think about their tongue position while they play?! That is the hardest part; no one can see into your mouth to analyze the tongue position. I have to describe where I feel it to my teacher, and she, in turn, has to try to help me understand where it needs to be. Crazy and exciting stuff!

Things to Look Forward To

As the time to jump into music classes again approaches, I am again reminded of all the work I will gladly need to put into these classes. I have a lot of review work to do these next two months before I jump back into Music Theory and Ear Training! Fun, fun, fun!

I was driving home from the Adult Session of Stake Conference and I heard the song So You Want to Write a Fugue? playing on the classical radio station. This is a crazy song! It reminds me of what I have to look forward to in my theory classes- all the analyzing, making sure there aren't parallel fifths or other rules broken in my harmonizing.

Enjoy!

P.S. Just ignore the subtitles! Also, click on the first video. I couldn't figure out how to get rid of the second one. I'm still learning.

Extra! Extra!

Some very exciting news is hot off the press!

I have been given a scholarship to take flute lessons next term! I was shocked to learn that I got it. I didn't really think I would, but I suppose it helps that I'm currently taking classes from two of the teachers on the decision board! :)

Also, I'm switching my major back to music. Crazy, I know! Music is one of the hardest majors because of all the "unfair" credit classes (i.e. ear training for two credits when the work is at least four credits). I'll be majoring in flute performance. I'll finish my first year music classes this year and transfer to USU eventually. My education goal is to double major in Flute and English when I get to USU. We'll see if that's what really happens. Hey- I'm a young single adult and a girl; I have the right to change my mind!

Have a great day!