Another Semester Over

I finished my fifth and final paper today at noon. It was due at 12:30. The Procrastination of Heather once again worked a miracle! And I don't think its half bad either. I got A's on the first two I handed in last Friday. Hurray!

NOW, I can finally enjoy Christmas. NOW I can actually go shopping (have not bought ONE gift - except my dad's iphone with my sisters, but that was August and I didn't shop for it), walk around, enjoy friends and family. However, all of that mentioned will have to be enjoyed in Milwaukee, including Milwaukee friends and Milwaukee family, in the few days before the 25th hits, like normal. I leave tomorrow at 7:20 am for home. I hate having the end of the semester in December. It just seems wrong.

On to the one thing I can enjoy before leaving Boston - Emily (violist) is having a chamber music reading party tonight. I will go to that, come home late, pack, get a couple hours of sleep (last night was around 5) and head out the door at 4:50 AM! Whoo-hoo!

Snow Day!

This morning could have been really painful. I got home from a party last night around 2, and needed to wake up at 7 for a gig at 9 forty minutes away. I did get up at 7, looked outside, and almost fainted - I couldn't see across the street, it was snowing so hard. And I had to take the B line to Chestnut Hill, walk to the D line (about four blocks), take the D line inbound to Brookline Village, and wait for my ride. But I was good - I took a shower, put on tights, two pairs of socks, pants, two sweaters, and was about to start looking for a second scarf when my phone rang and my gig was CANCELED! It has been rescheduled for Jan 12, so I will get the money someday.

Now I'm drinking hot chocolate, enjoying my free morning. I'm done with paper 3, so only two more to go! I will head to library when it calms down outside a bit and finish paper 4, so that paper 5 will be all thats left!

Papers

Done with 2 out of 5! Moving right along.....

The blizzard yesterday left us with over 6 in of snow, covering Boston beautifully. It was a PAIN yesterday to walk back and forth from jury to CFA to library, all while snowing quite heavily, but I somehow made it. I love snow.......we're expected to get another Nor'easterner (sp??? check Boston weather channels for correct spelling) Sunday morning, which was the final decision for Molly to change her plane ticket to Indy from Sunday EARLY morning to tomorrow. I'll be home next Thursday for Braun family fun! Which includes a LOT of euchre....yay!

Molly and I had Chinese last night.

This was my fortune cookie:

"Vacation can wait. Start your projects now."

Even the Chinese fortune cookie gods are telling me to get my papers done.

I'm seriously procrastinating again.

Molly is about to yell at me (she's a good girl - next to me writing her paper).

AGHGHGHGGHGHGHGGHH!

Procrastination

I am sadly procrastinating at the moment. I turned pages for Molly this morning for a recital permission, and now, with 4 hours before my lesson, I should be practicing like mad, but I really. Am not. In the mood.

Things have been ok. Thanksgiving was very pleasant at Heidi's as always. This was my 6th one there - every year since I started college. Whit made a fabulous dinner, and then we all made strips of construction paper listing twenty things we're thankful for. Then we linked all the strips together to make a paper chain, and it is all different colors and really beautiful. It was a nice thing to do.

I'm auditioning for the Britten-Pears orchestra next Wednesday at NEC. This was a VERY last minute, quick application decision, but if I get in and it worked out, I would be going to England to perform! I need to do something this summer, and CCE looks like it might have a mini-reunion as well, in California. It always amazes me how much time and energy throughout the year musicians spend on music festivals. We have to apply usually by December, do auditions in the winter, make a choice in the spring, attend them in the summer, and by October (only a little of a month after summer) the cycle of "what will I do next summer?" returns again. As much as I enjoyed and appreciated last summer off, the musical-festival-itch has returned.

Last week had a sentimental and emotional moment. I decided to order Papa Johns pizza for the first time since Eastman. I logged into my account, and had to update all my info - address, phone number, etc. Everything was still listed as the Eastman dorm, including my dorm phone number. All those nights of sausage with half mushroom pizzas, sitting on Mary's floor eating, came flying back.

Also, Kimby looked FANTASTIC last week on Stacey London's Fashionably Late! Whoo-hoo Kimby! You're a star!

Ok. Brahms is calling my name. I can hear him. Good lord.

Happy Thanksgiving!

I am so thankful for all of you!!!!!

Craig Smith

The last entry was about birth. This one is about death. The cycle of life continues.

Craig Smith, the founder of Emmanuel Music in Boston (the only church in North America to play a Bach cantata EVERY Sunday) died last night at the age of 60. He had diabetes, and had been in declining health for awhile. I had to do emergency babysitting tonight for Adelaide since my sister needed to go to a gathering of his friends and colleagues tonight, and Whit had BPO. She's been a part of Emmanuel for 10 years now, and knew Craig very well. David Hoose and him were very close friends, and he almost cried in orchestra today (as well as was the person to first tell me).

I only worked with Craig twice last year, while playing at Emmanuel on Sundays. I am so happy to have had that opportunity. The Boston music community and the music world has had a great loss.

Emily Ruth Keener

She's here! And absolutely beautiful!

Congrats, Mary and Daniel!

My parents just left. Always sad to see them go - we had such a good time!

Now back to real life and actually having to spend MY money on food instead of them taking me out. Bummer.

Mary, I am thinking of you and praying hard! Good luck tonight at 10 pm to you and Daniel. I can't wait to hear about how beautiful Emily is!

My parents are coming tomorrow.

I am sick. Sick sick sick. I just chugged some dayquil, and let me tell you - it was gross.

All those within 3,000 miles are required to attend tomorrow night's performance of:

Grieg String Quartet, Op. 27
Performed by:
Heather Braun, violin
Tatiana Daubek, violin
Alyssa Hardie, viola
Nick Hardie, cello

In the flyers we are called the "Student String Quartet", because everyone else performing is faculty. We are all blond in this group. How fitting for four blondes to play a Scandanavian composer!

It has been quite some time again since I've written here, but there is nothing of news or anything even remotely interesting going on in my life right now.

I'm exhausted. I'm going to bed.

Reunion in Houston

I'm going to Houston Jan. 3rd - 7th.

David and I expect others to join us if possible.

Thank you.

Vermont Withdrawal, Mac issues, Fortune Cookie?

I am back in Boston from Vermont since Sunday night, and am having serious withdrawal problems.

This was one of the most fun tours I've had in awhile. We spent the whole week in Vermont, had bbq, made dinners together, drank wine, talked, laughed, played great music, etc etc etc. I miss it dreadfully, especially since today was one of those stupid BU Monday's since yesterday we had no school so today was a Monday schedule. Meaning orchestra. Meaning orchestra AGAIN tomorrow. YUCK YUCK YUCK. Vermont was so beautiful - the trees were simply incredible, there is nothing else like it. The air is so clean and fresh, and everything seems so much more peaceful. I love the city, but someday I'm buying a house in Vermont. (HA! Yeah right. If I ever leave school first.)

If I could ever take the time to figure out my camera with my computer, I would put pictures up on facebook. I'm just so scared though that once I hook up my camera, my computer will explode. Just give up and die in a show of sparks and smoke. It has been acting slower and slower lately - my trusty iMac, though it still NEVER freezes (ok, except that one time in Eastman dorm with some burned CD and I was having a literal heart attack right there and then and almost passed out on the floor, with David and Mary feeling no sympathy and only laughing at me) is quite the old apple these days. Five years. Thats a long time. I don't want to get rid of it yet, not to mention I have NO money for a new computer right now. Maybe I'll ask the family to contribute funds toward it for birthday and Christmas instead of presents. Hmm....must ponder that one.

Molly and I went to Chinese for lunch today and my forture cookie said that something big was awaiting me today. Specifically today. Its now 10 pm, and nothing has really happened.

Did I mention that I really miss Vermont?

1. I am in Manchester Vermont. It is like a vacation. It is a beautiful fall here with the green mountains changing from being green to being orange, red, yellow, and everything in between.

2. I have heard enough discussions about oral sex while here to last me for the rest of my life. Good lord.

3. Its too hot here, too. Today was 80. Its VERMONT in OCTOBER!

4. I played a volleyball game today for the first time since freshman (high school) team tryouts.

5. I don't want to go back to school on Sunday. Can I just stay here, please?

This will be fast, I have class with Sheveloff in 7 minutes.

School has officially settled in and become crazy once again. My chamber music group is doing Grieg Quartet for the Grieg festival here at BU on Nov. 8th - its a big honor that we were asked, and I'm VERY excited.

I leave for Manchester Tour (my FIFTH!!!!) on Sunday afternoon. I have to race back to Boston on Tuesday afternoon for the orchestra concert that night, then leave at 6 am on Wednesday morning to get BACK to Vermont early enough for 10 am rehearsal. Thankfully, Tatiana, who is the other violinist in my quartet now and who was at Manchester with me in 2004, is also doing the tour and has to come back for the BU concert. And she has a car. Thank heavens, otherwise I'd have to rent one and THAT would be expensive.

It is TOO hot here.

My craziness on the first weekend of December (see previous post) has subsided, not exactly the way I wanted to, but alas, I cannot do everything. I had to get out of a big quartet gig because of Molly's recital and the dress rehearsal for the orchestra concert in Symphony Hall, but its good that I did, because two days later I got asked to sit concertmaster for that concert. I will be poorer, but I guess I AM a student. Sometimes it still really stinks to be a student.

However, I do love being a student with Peter! I've had two lessons EVERY week and am progressing well. Brahms is coming along. I love it.

I must go now and listen to Schubert lieder.

Today was another one of those blow up days, where it seems like nothing else could go wrong, and then does. I hate these kind of days.

December 1st-2nd is looking to be like the weekend from hell. Somehow, EVERYTHING has been scheduled that weekend. AND ITS ONLY SEPTEMBER! How did this happen???? I now have to figure out a way to make everyone happy, which is impossible. Good grief.

Its cold suddenly, in Boston. It was even cold in southern Indiana this past weekend. The wedding went so well - all my grandmother's four children and their spouses, plus 10 out of 12 grandkids, plus 2 out of 3 great-grandbabies were there - she was supremely happy, strutting like a mother hen with us all following her to a pew in church Sunday morning. I hadn't been to that part of Indiana since I was 16 - crazy how fast the past 7 years have gone. Of course, the best part was seeing my parents and Holly and Hannah. Christmas cannot come fast enough.

Interesting Day

First, I got up at 7 (a rarity) and successfully made it out the door around 8:15. As Molly and I walked to the train stop, we heard one coming, so started to run. About halfway there, I tripped, and fell BADLY on my left knee. Everything went in slow motion as I was falling, and a bit of my life did flash before my eyes, PLUS my violin was strapped to my back and this is my NEWLY ADJUSTED violin which I'm sure is now all messed up again.

I digress. My palms were a little sore, but not bad. My knee however, is a bloody mess, AND the knee in my jeans now has a hole. (sigh) Now both of my jeans has holes. I need new jeans. My ego was badly bruised, as there were a ton of people around. It was incredibly embarrasing. Incredibly. I got to school and cleaned myself up. I was very woe-is-me all morning It hurts when I bend it.

Then, I practiced, which went well. Brahms concerto is coming along. Had a nice lesson at 11, with Peter, who has now scheduled THREE lessons for next week. Good lord. I was information overload as it is today with just an hour with him. Its going to be three next week? I should actually be happy, and stop complaining - at Eastman I never got enough lessons (second semester senior year I think I had 9, and they were never really a full hour) - now I'm getting more than what is the maximum.

Then, the stupid scheduling office people were once again NOT in the schedule office. Ah, for the good ol' days of reserving rooms online. Give me that any day. This having to go to school and talk to someone about it business is crap. I waited for a half hour for them to return, meanwhile scheduling stuff with my new quartet. We are going to do Grieg quartet for a Grieg festival in Nov here at BU (its a Grieg year - who knew??). Fun fun fun.

The schedule guy came back, and I reserved a room for studio on Monday night.

Then, I needed to go to Cambridge to pick up music for my Cantata Singers gig next weekend. When I did B minor mass with them last spring, Hoose brought me the music. No such luck this time. I got on a 66 bus, and began the trip. About halfway there, we stopped in traffic for a good 5 min when the firetrucks and ambulances came. Started moving again after another 10 min, and sure enough, on the right, are paramedics doing cpr on a guy covered in blood. I could see the whole thing. It looks like he wasn't wearing a seatbelt, stopped suddenly and flew into his windshield, because there were no other cars in the accident and the windshield was broken on the driver's side.

Suddenly, my knee didn't seem so bad, and I felt like a jerk because I'd complained about it already to about three different people. Its just a scraped knee.

Soon enough, I got to Cambridge, picked up the music, and came home.

Since then, I have been doing laundry (the f*%&^ing dryers aren't working again - everything is wet and cold), packing, and moving my newly painted dresser into my room! It looks really amazing - hopefully i'll figure out my camera with my computer soon so all can see. I love it! And it is the PERFECT size for where my bookshelf used to be. The curtains for my room went up last night, and they are also very nice.

Can you tell I don't have italics? I have to resort to capital letters.

Tomorrow night I'm going to Indiana for my cousin Josh's wedding. I haven't been to the area where my dad's family lives since before junior year of high school. I have to run directly from orchestra to the airport, land in Indianapolis at 11ish, my parents will pick me up, we'll go get Hannah at Butler, go BACK to the airport to pick up Holly coming in from Phoenix at 12:30 am, and then drive the 3-4 hours to the southern part of the state. Its going to be fun, but exhausting. Oh, and then we have rehearsal for the wedding at 8 am.

This is a very long, and I realize, very boring post. I will close for now.

First Day Back to Orchestra

Ugh. Dvorak 6. Double ugh

However, this weekend was very successful. Molly and I now have curtains hung in the living room, her room, a rug, and I finished putting primer on my dresser. I was frustrated at the hardward store yesterday, however - I picked out the color to paint my dresser, called Asperations, a bluish green color, and was told the paint guy was sick and to come back tomorrow. Forget it. Not going back to Cambridge for paint. Too many other things to do. So I will go to the one near Harvard and Comm Ave and get it there. Good grief. I did pick out curtains for my room, too, after a whole year without. They will go up this week.

Yesterday we also went to the Greek fest in Sommerville, which was so fun! There was a TON of amazing food, music, and dancing! I loved it.

My chamber music situation is driving me nuts - Peter still hasn't figured out who to put me with. Grrrr. I want to get it all figured out and settled ASAP. CCE members are welcome to come help me out! :-)

Things and Stuff

While talking on the phone last night with Kimberly (for almost two hours!), she asked me if I have a new roommate. I suddenly realized that many of you may not know that I have a new person living with me. Her name is Molly Wood, and she is a 2nd year Masters collaborative piano degree. She moved in Sunday with a flurry of activity, and we started to scrub this place down like you've never seen before. Hopefully we'll be done by the end of this weekend, and at the end every room with be cleaned and reorganized, including my room. I have a new dresser (found it at the back door trash dump - its old, and needs paint, but its good wood - cedar - and the drawers are dovetailed - I am quite excited) that will go in the place of my bookshelf, which is now in the living room. Fun fun fun!

At my lesson yesterday, while I was playing along, there was a knock on the door and who should it be but Ari Striesfeld (http://www.jackquartet.com/index.html)!!! I had forgotten that he is now in my studio. He graduated from Northwestern for his masters, and he and his girlfriend (who is going to Longy) have moved to Boston for DMAs. It was SO good to see him, and recall past CCE days at Soundfest. Happy times.

My first official class is today at 1 pm with Joel Sheveloff. Its a History of Song class. Obviously, its not very specific to my type of instrument, however Sheveloff is suppose to be this great prof that everybody is constantly talking about and I needed the credit so low and behold, i'm taking it. I figure violinists are always trying to sound like a voice anyway - maybe this will be more helpful to me than I originally thought.

Next on my call list - Paul and Mary!

First lesson in four months tomorrow.

First day of school (for me) - Wednesday.

(sigh)

Here we go again.

AHGHGHGGHGH!

School starts for me in SIX DAYS!!

AGHGHGGHGHGHGGH!

What happened to my summer?

What happened???????????????????????????????????

(I am NOT ready OR happy for this, if you can't tell.)

DUBAI (Reuters) - A one-legged Emirati father of 78 is lining up his next two wives in a bid to reach his target of 100 children by 2015, Emirates Today reported on Monday.

Daad Mohammed Murad Abdul Rahman, 60, has already had 15 brides although he has to divorce them as he goes along to remain within the legal limit of four wives at a time.

"In 2015 I will be 68 years old and will have 100 children," the local tabloid quoted Abdul Rahman as saying.

"After that I will stop marrying. I have to have at least three more marriages to hit the century."

The United Arab Emirates newspaper splashed its front page with a picture of Abdul Rahman surrounded by his children, the eldest of whom is 36 years old and the youngest of whom is 20 days old. Two of his current three wives are also pregnant.

Abdul Rahman said his large family lived in 15 houses. He supports them with his military pension and the help of the government of Ajman, one of seven emirates that comprise the UAE, which includes the Gulf trade and tourism hub of Dubai.

Islam allows men to marry up to four women at a time, though most marry only one. The UAE is a Muslim country but is home to migrants from around the world.

Not Much To Say

Except:

Yesterday, I ran into John Williams. I was backstage at Ozawa, and literally almost mowed him down. Then I realized who it was, and did this awkward giggle thing. Good lord.

Tonight the BSO are doing Bluebeard's Castle (remember that from 20th cent. history?) and Brahms 1. I heart Brahms 1.

We (David and I) are having dinner tonight with the Messingers (I asked to bring him, told them he was from Eastman, and of course they were estatic), my lovely sponsors for the past two summers who bought the building with Javas in it so the Eastman Community Music School could have a building and actual Eastman students wouldn't have to fight them for the Annex 7th floor rooms on Saturday morning. Very nice gift.

I love Beethoven 9.

And I love all of you!

Gavid Derstein

I am in the computer lab.

The amazing and talented David Gerstein is also here.

And would like me to post a blog entry about himself.

So here it is.

I am at Tanglewood, and David picked me up yesterday.

Today we had rehearsal, and David took me to it.

Just now, David and I drove to Target.

David broke ANOThER pair of sunglasses yesterday while fleeing from a bee at high speed.

I think David is waiting for me to finish theis computer thing so we can go do something else instead.

Ok. Goodbye.

(PS - Things are well here. I have my own room, which is wonderful, and the weather has been perfect. And we're doing Beethoven 9.)

A more full update.

Thankfully, today was MUCH cooler in Boston than it has been for the past couple days. It has been terrible here - I miss Vermont and its clean, sweetsmelling air and lovely breezes and gorgeous mountains very much. The Vivaldi on Thursday went very very well, and I wore my senior recital outfit - but - and don't be disappointed - wore a black tank top UNDERNEATH the scandalous top. I figure I was lucky enough for nothing to pop out the first time - will never wear it to perform without something underneath ever again. It still looked quite nice, if I do say so myself. That is still my favorite outfit of all time.

I can't believe its August already. Where did the summer go? It seems like only yesterday I was all excited about all the free time I'd have, all the time off to REALLY practice well, the trip to Phoenix and Milwaukee, and the studio class Heidi and I were going to have with some other BU people here for the summer to make sure we really practiced. I probably don't have to tell you that the grand proportion practicing and studio class never happened. I did practice, and have basically figured out the Brahms concerto, but not nearly the way I wanted to, nor did I have one lesson with Peter in June. He's been gone since then, so I'll probably see him a week before school starts, the first time since mid-May.

This past weekend has been depressing. Friday I got home from Vermont and basically just felt pretty down about a lot of things, prompted by the fact that my first boyfriend ever, Tim, got married on Friday. He had asked me LAST July to play for it, and I never called him officially to tell him no OR responded to the invitation (which honestly I feel bad about, but it would have just been weird to be there - boyfriend #2 of mine was the best man). I just looked through some photos on facebook, and it looked like a very nice wedding. I'm not quite sure why I'm depressed about it - we broke up before my junior year of high school, so long ago, and we would have never worked, although we did become very good friends while I was still in high school and at Eastman - I saw him every time I went home, and always had a good time. I am, though, very happy for him - his wife, Staci, is beautiful and sweet (met her at Mayfair - can't ever enter that mall without seeing ONE person from Wisco).

However, the MORE depressing thing about this weekend was the gig I played for yesterday. It was TWO HOURS AWAY - we were a half hour away from TMC - and outdoors. The sun was in my eyes the whole time we played, and twice my music blew over even though I had about 5 clips on it - thats how hard the wind was blowing. Then we played the cocktail hour in a tent that must have been set up right over a large mosquito birthing area, because I now have (and I counted) 9 bites below my ankles (one on my left pinky-toe), 2 on my right arm, 1 on my left, and 1 on my neck that when I scratch looks like a hicky. Lovely. The cellist was awful and kept getting lost through Haydn flute trios. (sigh) Sometimes I feel like a music whore - will do ANYTHING for a check. That is NOT a good thing.

Third depressing thing this weekend - getting hit on at the cafe at the train stop corner yesterday morning. The first time this particular person tried was in May - his son-in-law is a rapper and this guy wants me to teach him music theory and play for some of his songs. I am too happy to announce to the world that I am a violinist - I am so proud of it, but then this kind of thing happens. BOOOOO.

However, my weekend is looking up - I just stopped at Blockbuster on my way home, picked up a movie, and took it to the counter. The worker there informs me that its not on their inventory for some reason, so I get it for free, and have to bring it back on Thursday. Hooray! The movie gods are in my favor. Also, Heidi came by this morning and dropped off a huge fan for the next Boston heat wave, as well as a VERY nice coffee maker. Whoo-hoo!

Time for dinner.

This is an update a long time in coming. It won't even be a full update, since I have rehearsal in a half hour.

I'm currently in Vermont, the second time in two weeks, to play Vivaldi 4 Violin Concerto at the Manchester Music Festival. The concert is tomorrow night, and I am soloist #4. I got here Monday, and have been treated wonderfully and graciously ever since. I love it up here - the people are wonderful, its nice to get away from the city, and it takes me away from my slightly more boring summer life. Last week I was here too to play for their orchestra concert. Next week though I will be back in Boston for good.

I can't believe August is already here. This month has two big changes - my niece Adelaide is turning 4 on the 6th, and my baby sister Hannah is turning the big 2-0 on the 12th. No more teenagers for the Braun family. Sad day.

There shall be more update soon. That is a promise.

A List

1. Am home from Phoenix since Tuesday evening. Was suppose to return Monday evening, but my flight was canceled, so enjoyed one more night with Holly drinking wine, watching tv, and in general enjoying the 116 degree heat.

2. Am now at my sister's embarking on the night before another weekend of cat-sitting. Went to the beach today with Heidi and Adelaide. Saw many jellyfish, although apparently they are not the stinging type. Got hot but a little bit more tan after my scorching sun burn from the Grand Canyon last Saturday. It looks better than it did.

3. Am guilty of not returning phone calls to Kim and Mary. Apologies.

4. Am playing in a quartet-reading party next Tuesday. Was invited by Raphael Hillyer, the 93-year old original violist of the Juilliard String Quartet. Am slightly freaking out. Have to prepare the Mozart "10 Celebrated" 1st violin parts by Tuesday.

5. Am visiting TMC on Monday night, to see their orchestra concert and liven up the place, since, according to David, it is dull this year. Maybe some (now $5) champagne is in the works? Remains to be seen.

6. Am still jet-lagged from flying cross-country. Cannot believe it really is only 10:15 in the west right now. My body clock is all messed up, not to mention my brain from all this 3-hour subtracting I've been doing lately.

7. Am deciding that I while I am glad I took the summer off, I shall not again next year unless I will be sure of being busy and playing violin lots. Not enough going on for me. I prefer to be busy. I am happier that way.

8. There is no 8.

Hope everyone had good July 4ths!

I'm still in Arizona - we are currently preparing for a trip to Sedona, where we will see Romeo and Juliet by the Shakespeare festival there (Kim, I'll let you know how it is! We can compare productions!) and spend the night. Then tomorrow we head to the Grand Canyon. We were there two years ago, and I loved it then. I particularly love the signs that say "hiking the canyon may cause fatigue, dehydration, heart problems, or death." Thats pretty much saying it all. Anyway - it will be VERY fun. I'm excited. We'll be back in Phoenix tomorrow night. Hannah leaves Sunday evening. :-(

Hope all are happy and well in Lenox, Milwaukee, Oregon, Rochester, Denver, San Diego, and Philly (or is Paul in Europe right now?.

Hello and Happy 4th from Phoenix, Arizona, the hottest place on the planet (or so it feels)!

I got here yesterday. So far, we've been doing a lot of eating, drinking, swimming, and playing Trivial Pursuit (Millenium Edition). I won the first time, Holly the second. Now Bridget Jones' Diary watching. Perfect for three single women. :-)

Hannah wants the computer. I shall go and write more later.

Its a HOT day in Boston today - it'll get up to the 90s. I need to buy a fan ASAP. I don't have one at all, so have been suffering without one.

I've been home for a few weeks since the last post, but nothing has really happened. I played with the Granite State (NH) Symphony Orchestra this past weekend - we did William Tell, a Beethoven piano concerto, and Brahms 1. My standpartner was awesome - he is an old friend of my sister's, from London, and fun to talk to. When I first sat down, he said "You must be Heidi's sister! You studied with Kopelman! Was he just incredibly fabulous??? I am SUCH a groupie of his!"

Unfortunately, I had to tell this person that Kopelman, while being one of the greatest violinists of his generation, has not become one of the better teachers. He took this in stride and I think understood.

David and Brian were here last week. We had a sightreading party at my place, followed by wine and food. It was a very enjoyable evening, and the next morning I had to say goodbye, which made me slightly teary. This is my first summer off from music festival for about as long as I can remember. I miss Tanglewood a lot right now, but I know I made the right decision.

Time to go get ready for another scorcher day.

Brewers 7, Cubs 5 YAY!

Hannah and I went to a Brewers game tonight!

We had so much fun!


And we got a little crazy and bored after sharing two beers.....

But got some cotton candy then and had a bit of a sugar high....yummy.



We called Mary and David while there! Sorry Mary - they lost - yay David - they won!!!!

Thats a picture from the weekend of Sara's recital. We were having fun with her toys.

Anyway - home has been nice. Tomorrow is more merrymaking with the family, including mini-golfing tomorrow night. Then Friday its back to Boston.

Hello from Milwaukee, WI.

I arrived home yesterday after a pleasant and fast trip from Boston to Baltimore to here. Except that Air Tran did NOT have any Cherry Coke, after advertisements everywhere that they are now serving it on all their flights. I asked for it, and was denied. They did have Cherry Vanilla Coke, but I can't stand the Vanilla part. So I declined and had water instead. A diasppointment.

Anyway, last night and today has been in general very nice with the fam. I've graded for my Mom, cleaned the entire basement with my dad, and watched a few episodes from season 4 of Friends that Hannah bought last month. I must say its nice to see something different than the first three seasons. They have been watched a little too much.

I will be here till next Friday. I have brought the violin and will practice at least three times. That is a must (usually I never practice when I'm home, or very rarely - its very hard and I get so distracted by other things). I will also go through entire boxes from high school that need to be organized - it is time to go through them and keep what I want and pitch what I do not want. Today I went through my BUTI box from 2001. Happy memories.

Maybe a trip to Chicago next week to visit Gave is in order? It wouldn't feel like a visit at home without my biannual trip on the Milwaukee to Glenview, IL train!

"At the end of the ceremony something fun would be cool (aka non-classical)."

This is an excerpt from an email I got from a bride for June 10th. (sigh)

Do people think we have NO fun when we play classical music?????? They must think we lead the most mundane, boring lives. Good grief.

100th post on Blogger - A List

10 Reasons Why I Love Boston:

1. The MBTA, otherwise known as "the T" or "train". It is a pain sometimes, but as one who grew up in a town with NO trains and only one car in the family, then went to Rochester, I love being able to go different places without relying on gas (we are KILLING our planet) or anyone else, for that matter.

2. The Boston Common/Public Garden. In spring, they plant all kinds of flowers, which smell wonderful. There are swans, ducks, and geese everywhere to watch, not to mention recently all the baby swans, ducks and geese to adore.

3. Random people. Usually, this is a bad thing. I have been groaped, kicked (accidentally, but still), and hooted at (recently, "hey sexy, why are you rude? why don't you come talk to me?"). However, every once in a while someone nice comes along. Today, while at the Arlington stop, a lady came and asked me where I got my white skirt. It is a Gap skirt I bought two summers ago for TMC and wore also for the Schumann Quintet performance. This woman seemed perfectly sane, had a little girl in her hand and went on about how nice it looked and how she had been looking for one just like it. It was a pleasant conversation.

4. The weather. I am a northern girl. I like winter to be cold and snowy and summer to be warm and breezy. There are all four seasons in Boston, and I love that.

5. My sister, her husband and my niece. I've babysat Adelaide a lot this past week. She is a crazy little girl, but SMART SMART SMART. We had so much fun at the park the other day, where there is a sprinkler thing. My sister and her husband have been good to me, and my sister and I have become even closer since I moved here. Plus she gets me gigs.

6. The Museum of Fine Arts. I have been there twice this past semester, with plans on attending more this summer. Why? Because I like art, I love the MFA, and BU students are free. Yes, my dears, FREE.

7. Peter and the Muir. I have a wonderful teacher, and wonderful coaches.

8. There are so many cute little restuarants everywhere that are good.

9. It is a city mostly populated by students, so when school is out - its much less hectic. I don't mind the hecticness for the most part, but I HAVE been enjoying the less insanity on the B-line especially lately.

10. It is where I have wanted to live since I was 9, and I am here.

Oh, and before I forget:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GAVID!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WHOO HOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Now you are 23 too! HAHAHAHAHH!

Long Awaited Update

The end of school has finally come, and my life has finally gone to a much less busy pace.

1. End of School Year: My final stuff included playing for a chamber music recital. The violist in my quartet, Emily, had her DMA chamber recital, and although it was her recital, it was quite a stressful event for me as well. I did the B-flat Mozart duo with her and then my group from the semester did Brahms a minor. Woah. It went really well though - Peter was VERY happy - although he did say that he wished my solo playing had gone farther this year. I really can't wait till the day arrives when I don't have to practice concertos anymore. I throw myself so much better into chamber music than concertos. I also played for the BU President's gala a few days after the recital, with an AMAZING free dinner to boot. Yum.

2. Rochester Visit: Last weekend I rented a car and drove from Boston to Rochester for Sara's recital. First, renting a car is a LOVELY experience. I loved driving, I loved being able to bond with the road, and it was such a quick trip - only 6 hours. By train it takes twice as long. I got to drive through the Berkshires, and wave to the exit where Tanglewood is. I arrived in Rochacha at about 4:30 on Friday, had a quick rehearsal with the gang, hung out and rehearsed on Saturday (including a lovely walk with David to the Eastman House - we sat on the porch rocking chairs - it was such a beautiful day), played the recital, and Sunday morning I left for Boston. It went by too fast, and I forgot how much I missed Eastman and everyone there. It was SO good to see David, Brian, Hannah, Sara, Marisol, Arthur, Stanley, etc etc etc etc. They all love and understand me so well. Sara's recital was simply incredible - she sounds absolutely fantastic. It was an honor to play for her. (Kim, Mary, Paul, Kitty, and others - you were sorely missed!)

3. Now: Since Monday, I haven't done much. I've babysat a bunch, and do more of that later this week. A week from tomorrow I go home for about a week to see the fam, which I am looking forward to. My summer plans are simple: relax, practice (I need to fix my intonation once and for all), and make money. I possibly have a part-time job teaching English as a second language, a whole bunch of gigs here and there, teaching two students on Saturdays, babysitting, and enjoying my break. This summer is officially my break from schedules and summer music festivals. I plan on going to TMC often to visit David and Brian and other folks there, and will go to Phoenix for 4th of July to visit Holly and see Hannah, who is also coming.

Now I will go shower, grab my violin, and head to BU. I also plan on a trip to Barnes and Noble today - I have a gift card that is calling my name, and with so much more free time for awhile for the first time since I was about 12, books are the name of the game. Now all I need is a porch on my apartment - too bad I don't have that. Oh well.

Hooray!

No more papers!

Only chamber music and Elijah!

After a fast and furious typing session on Wednesday night, I got up at 7:30 and headed over to the library yesterday morning for my final research class and to hand my paper in. Its actually not a terrible paper - I think its better than some of the ones I did at Eastman.

This week has also been long because of the Concord Chorus gig I have. They are doing Mendelssohn's Elijah. I actually think its an amazing piece, although it is VERY long, and the violins have literally NO breaks until the middle of the 2nd part (the women acappella aria). There are a TON of notes and most of them are fast and furious. But I'm having a wonderful time. The only other problem is that all of the rehearsals/concerts are far away - 1.5 hours. Yuck. Yesterday we had 6 - thats right, 6 - hours of rehearsal until 10 pm. After getting only 5 hours of sleep the night before, I was pretty tuckered out. I had a lesson this morning at 10 am, too. Ugh.

But all of this doesn't matter because MY RESEARCH CLASS IS OVER!!!!!!!!!!!

And - spring in Boston is so nice. Thank goodness for sun and warmth.

More Paperness

Thats right folks:

I'm not done with my paper yet. I found out late on Monday night that the presentation was due Tuesday, but the actual paper is not due till tomorrow. With Elijah late night rehearsals, a quartet concert tonight, a lesson this morning, and in general craziness/tiredness, I have started, but have a long way to go. (sigh)

HELP!

Severe Procrastination

My research project is due tomorrow at 9 am.

So far, I have done a bibliography, outline, and abstract.

Those were due at 8 pm tonight, and after freaking out, spending three hours at the library and typing furiously between 6:45 pm and now, they are done and over with on time.

Now I'm feeling lazy - its only 8:25 pm, I can TOTALLY write a 10 page paper and 10 minute presenation by tomorrow at 9 am.

Ummmm........

(Why why why can I never start anything early???????????)

C-housers: I need you!!!

I just got home from Anaar's recital, and started going through my daily check-up on blogs. I am happy to see Emily V. now has one too! Yay for Emily!

Anyway, she posted a picture of Rostropovich playing cello next to (what looks like - I may be wrong) the Berlin Wall. He has died, and although I am not a cellist and only heard him once, and never met him, I'm suddenly very sad. Brian's story about meeting him reduced me to tears. I'm not sure why I'm reacting this way - but I knew he was an amazing human being and every musician I know respected and admired him.

My Rostropovich story is this: I saw him play with the BSO at my first summer at BUTI, playing Lalo concerto. A couple of my cellist friends went backstage to meet him afterwards, and returned with only wonderful stories and smiles.

On to other things:

This week I have had rehearsals for a gig tomorrow playing with the Marsh Chapel (BU's chapel) Choir. We're doing Bach's Easter and Ascension oratorios. The Easter one though has such happy memories for me. Remember, Kimby and Paul, when we did it with Tom Folan for the Bach festival thing, soph. year? The weekend where Paul went to the hospital and then came back the next night only to throw a fabulous party with Belgian beer?

Good times.

Spring is coming. Can't believe its already been a year since we have all said goodbye.

"I think your violin is sexy."

This is a comment I received today. Random. Just so there is no confusion: this person means the actual wooden instrument.

Well - I guess I can treat it like a sexy accessory now.

PS - thank goodness Gavid and I solved the phone tag issue today! Next person to conquer with phone tag: the now 12-weeks pregnant Mary Keener.

I am back in Boston, after a week in NYC and a day in Vermont playing a concert for Manchester. While the time there was very relaxing and wonderful, I am so happy to be home. Ari and Joana, the director of Manchester and his wife, treat me so well and fed me all week long. I love playing with them, and even got to do some babysitting for their 2 year old, Michael, who is a very smart, serious, cute little boy.

The rest of the semester is busy still, yet everything I have left has little pressure. I have to do my research project, have a chamber music concert in May (Brahms a minor and Mozart B-flat violin/viola duo), orchestra concert Friday, and a couple gigs here and there. I'm so happy the recital is over - thanks to all for well wishes. It went smoothly, and its OVER. Hooray!

The weather in Boston has changed from 40 degrees and raining last Monday to 80 degrees and sunny yesterday. Apparently it was a record of some sort. It was actually HOT, which I haven't felt in a LONG time. Its not going to permanently last, as tomorrow will be 55 and raining, but it felt nice in the meantime, and tomorrow's weather can definitely be said to be neither too cold nor too hot.

I'm at the library now waiting for stuff to print, since my printer at home is officially broken. My dad spent half of his time here last weekend trying to fix it - reinstalled it, printed test page after test page. Apparently it shouldn't have been working for a long time, because the version of Mac I have and the printer aren't compatible. I was lucky for awhile, and the luck has run out. Too bad - now I'll have to print everything from here and while thats fine, its just inconvenient.

Tonight is babysitting little dearie, Adelaide. I have a lesson today too - with nothing to play, Peter and I can have a long talk about the "future." Scary.

Shameless Concert Plug

(In the spirit and style of David's.)

My first Master's Recital
April 16th, 2007
8 pm
Concert Hall
College of Fine Arts
Boston University (855 Comm Ave)

I think the only person who reads this blog who actually lives in Boston is Liza. And she ISN'T COMING. Everyone else lives in either Houston or Rochester or Philly or NYC or Milwaukee or England or LA or Madison or Denver.

Oh well.

I want it to be over. Thank goodness - in exactly 24 hours from now, I will be finishing up Nielsen. THANK GOODNESS.

Shameless Concert Plug

(In the spirit and style of David's.)

My first Master's Recital
April 16th, 2007
8 pm
Concert Hall
College of Fine Arts
Boston University (855 Comm Ave)

I think the only person who reads this blog who actually lives in Boston is Liza. And she ISN'T COMING. But Lisa might. Whoo-hoo! Anyone else lives in either Houston or Rochester or Philly or England or LA or Madison or Denver.

Oh well.

I want it to be over. Thank goodness - in exactly 24 hours from now, I will be finishing up Nielsen. THANK GOODNESS.

Things I Need Before April 16th

I need Mary to come clean my apartment - my parents are arriving tonight at 8 pm.

I need more time to practice for my recital.

I NEED NEED NEED to memorized SOLIDLY the last mvt. of Nielsen.

I need to find all my W2 forms and get them organized so my dad can help me with taxes this weekend (I have a GREAT DAD!!!!!).

I need to send an email out to remind people around Boston about my recital since I forgot until today to make posters. Too late. Oh well.

I need to do an astounding amount of laundry.

I need a nap (had an 8 am coaching with Steve Ansell this morning - UGH - good thing he's a morning person, cause we sounded pretty awful, but he took it pretty well).

I need to know what the Nobel Prize city is for my crossword puzzle of the day. Its escaping my mind right now.

I need to get quarters for said amount of laundry. Thats about $5 worth of quarters.

I need to figure out what my parents and I will do for dinner tonight - should I buy groceries and cook to prove I am a good, money-saving daughter who doesn't eat a lot of pbj (had it twice for dinner this week - am one more away from being OUT of pb) or do I say I have no food and let them pay for dinner somewhere else?

I need to cry - its been a stressful week.

I need to find DH and apologize (even though I sent an email and ITS NOT MY FAULT).

I need a hug.

Happy Easter!

Its been a long time since the last post. All I will say is: my recital is in a week, I leave for NYC/Vermont in a week and one day (playing Beethoven 59/2, Mozart B-flat piano trio and Gioninni piano quintet), the Symphony Hall concert is this Tuesday, and I had a lesson every day except Monday this past week with two on Friday.

Christ is arisen
From the grave's dark prion,
We now rejoice in gladness;
Christ will end all sadness.
Lord, have mercy.
All our hopes were ended
Had Jesus not ascended
From the grave triumphantly.
For this, Lord Christ, our thanks shall be.
Lord, have mercy.
Alleluia!
We now rejoice with gladness;
Christ will end all sadness.
Lord, have mercy.
~CW 144

Anybody want to come to Boston the first week of May? My brother-in-law is contracting a gig, and needs people. You would stay with me, of course. :-)

Call From Europe

Yes, thats right....the one and only Kitty Cheung called me from London last night! We talked for about twenty minutes, and it was SO good to hear her voice!! We had not spoken since May on graduation day. And - it appears that Jen Volmer is engaged (did everyone else know about this too or was I the ONLY one not to know????) and her wedding is in June, so Kitty and Grace are coming to the States for it and want to stop in Boston, and of course, stay with me! Hoorah! That will make up for the road trip I will be missing out on with David and Brian on their way to TMC.

I am doing Bach's St. Matthew's Passion this week with the Back Bay Chorale. Last week I did Bach b minor mass with the Cantata Singers. Next week I'm doing some new opera thing called Boston Construction
with a group called Boston Cecelia. It is a busy three weeks of gigs for me, but worth it - last week and this week I am playing some of the most glorious music ever written. The "Erbarme dich" (Have mercy, Lord) aria at the middle/end of the Passion broke my heart the two times we've done it - it takes place after Peter has denied Jesus three times, and has a sobbing, sighing quality. My sister is concertmaster and sounds absolutely beautiful (its a big violin solo).

I'm thinking that Boston Construction will not be so successful in breaking my heart. I'm sure the effort will be made, however - I think its about the Big Dig here that took 15 years.

In other news, little Butler (where Hannah goes) is in the Sweet 16 for the NCAA men's basketball tournament, and my little sister is going to the game tomorrow in St. Louis! I am incredibly jealous - she is a lucky duck!

Liza is gone again for trombone choir. Mutzi misses her terribly, I think, but I leave my door open so that she doesn't get too lonely at night, and I played with her for a half hour last night with a pink feather thing - she goes nuts. She loves it. She's also taken to pushing a piece of food out of her bowl and batting it around the room as it slides across our slippery hardwood floors and then eating it. I think she misses the little creatures she used to chase as an outdoor cat.

I am procrastinating. Now I'm off to school to learn the last mvt. of Brahms a minor quartet before rehearsal.

I'm Sorry

Ok....

This is an apology blog for unreturned phone calls.

Paul, Mary, and Kimby, I will be calling soon. Things are busy and insane, and my body is really screwed up from the violin. Apologies especially to Paul, who I have not spoken to since November, and he left me such a nice message a week ago!

How my day went yesterday: wonderful.

Why: I had the day off - did not touch a violin - and it finally is getting warmer in Boston.

How I am now as I head to bed: A little tired....but happy its spring break.

Will it be fixed: I hope spring break will go on longer than time seems to be passing.

What I will do in the meantime: watch a movie with Liza and her friend.

DAVID'S ENCORE

Attention All -

David Gerstein will be performing the classic "Ants" by Traditional at his first master's recital as an encore.

It goes something like this:

(pluck A string) Ants, ants, ants
(pluck D string) Digging in the dirt, dirt, dirt
(pluck G string) Going underground, ground, ground
(pluck C string) All the way to China, China, China.

Thank you.

Shostakovich is Over

Thank God.

We pulled off the concert last night. I'm not sure how. Peter sounded wonderful for the Dohnanyi, even though he was making up parts of it. He memorized the whole thing (4 mvts) in about 24 hours. He has a fever, chills, and is losing his voice. But he still did it, and is still teaching today until 8 pm. I just had a lesson with him. I really hope he doesn't give me what he has - I need the next week to practice, not be sick.

My parents were here for 24 hours. It was so good to see them, and they were happy to be here, although some things did not work out as they had so desperately hoped. But there was a meeting, so I am hopeful that there will be better times coming.

My solos in the Shostakovich went well. Peter was happy, but apparently thought I was rushing in the third mvt, while I had asked DH SEVERAL times during rehearsal if I was rushing, to which he kept saying no. (sigh) I would have preferred to be not rushing, but whatever.

Now for a much easier week ahead. The two weeks of nerves/craziness is over. Hurrah!

February is over. It went by way too fast. My recital is now officially NEXT MONTH. Eek.

Time really needs to slow down. Its going too fast. Its March, soon it will be June, then August. The next six months need to stretch out into the next six years. I can't believe I'm almost halfway done with my masters.

I am so bad at speaking in public. My face gets flushed and I stammer. Its terrible.

I just presented for my editions project for my research class. To see how it went, go to the first sentence in this post.

Grrr.

However, today is the one day of this week I'm not going insane. Tomorrow and Friday are crazy. Thursday is not terrible, but more busy than today. How does this happen????

The weather is becoming much warmer these days, although tomorrow will be colder again. But not as cold as it HAS been.

I need a break from life.

My arms are very sore. Too much playing.

The Shostakovich in orchestra is going fairly well, at least for me. The solos are HARD, but I'm making it. Had rehearsal with the principal bass player yesterday for the second solo in the first movement. Went well.

It is becoming very clear that when Mutzi is not pregnant and has pretty much recovered from surgery, she is a very spirited, playful, funny cat. She's also been following me and Liza around - this morning I walked out of my room and saw her sitting outside the bathroom, waiting patiently for Liza to finish her shower. Very cute.

Since my birthday last Thursday, there have been many ups and downs.

1. Thursday was an up AND down. My birthday was absolutely nuts. I was once again suppose to do accompanying auditions, but both of them were canceled because of the huge storm that hit Boston on Wednesday. So I was running around trying to figure out what the hell was going on. That, plus I had a lesson with John (last name ommited here in case he googles himself), the principal oboist of the BSO since I'm doing the Bach Violin/Oboe Concerto with Kari, a student of his. He worked on his oboe the ENTIRE time. And then reeds. Then his magnifying glass thing was sitting in the sun and almost set Symphony Hall on fire. But then I had a great lesson with Peter and life was back to normal.

2. Friday was up. Orchestra went fairly well, we had another great coaching on the Brahms a minor, and then I went to Heidi's for my family bday party. She and Adelaide made angel food cupcakes and stuck candles in them and sang to me. Then Adelaide and I blew out the candles. Then I read Adelaide three bedtime stories, talked to Heidi and Whit about life in general while drinking nice red wine, and promptly feel asleep VERY peacefully.

3. Saturday was another up, a BIG one. Liza and my first BU party was a success. Although the excuse was because of my birthday, it was good to finally plan and have a party, and technically, was my first bday party since I was 10 years old and went bowling with St. Johns girls. All the liquor was consumed, most of the food was eaten, and a general good time was had by all that did not stop till around 2:30. Liza and I cleaned up quickly afterwards (chocolate cake stuck to the floor is somewhat bad, especially with a curious Mutzi around) and I fell asleep again.

4. Sunday was up, because I got many things accomplished, but down because I was in a weird mood. I'm not sure how to explain it. Maybe because it finally sunk in that I was 23.

5. Monday was another down. I slept for most of the day, and then had rehearsals, but practiced and played in general very badly.

6. Today, thus far, has been up. I got up in time for good warm-up before my lesson, had a LONG, good lesson, and just ate my last chicken salad sandwich for the next 6 weeks. Thats right Mary Keener - Ash Wednesday is TOMORROW! After tonight's hamburger trip to McDonalds, I will be an official vegetarian for the next 6 weeks. Take that.

Today in quartet rehearsal, I asked about a first ending in Brahms a minor quartet and if we were taking the first repeat "in life." What I had originally meant was are we taking that repeat always (we're playing it for the violist's DMA chamber recital). But upon further consideration of that comment, I began to think.

Wouldn't it be nice to have "first repeats" in life?

When you reach the halfway point in your life, you are suddenly back to being born again, like returning to the beginning of the exposition.

You can vaguely recall the mistakes you made during the first time round in the exposition/first half of your life, so you can correct them the second time around. This is the best part of having a first repeat.

You can change phrasing, dynamics, anything to add color and make it different the second time around, therefore not boring.

(sigh)

I hate my alarm clock.

I had set it for 8 am. AM. I woke up at 10:57, three minutes before my lesson was suppose to start. I decided I might at well just call my teacher and tell him the truth, which he thought was wildly funny. I love my teacher.

However, now I'm confused, because at first I thought, "I must have accidentally set it for PM instead of AM." But when I finally checked, it IS set for AM.

(sigh) What the hell happened?? Grrrr......

In other news, they are still replacing the windows in my building, or at least I hope they are, because there has been loud noises coming from downstairs and then every once in awhile, the sounds of glass breaking. If thats how they replace windows, its news to me. Now I'm starting to worry that there may be broken glass in my apartment and I don't know it (they replaced ours over winter break). Since i haven't cut up my feet yet, I guess I'm ok, but I'm still a little worried.

As you all probably know by now, David has left me on facebook to return to his first fiancee, Sara Ballance.

May they find a lifetime of happiness.

Thank you.

Last night, I received a phone call from Prof. Sheila Kibbe, the head of the piano accompanying program here at BU. She had two auditionees today that were not told to provide their own violinist for two of the audition requirements, Beethoven D Major and Brahms A Major violin sonatas. Could I possibly play for them tomorrow?

Woah. I've never done either of them, but I agreed to, and, after skipping class this morning and practicing the first movements of both sonatas, I had rehearsal a bit ago with each pianist. I don't sound that great, but at least I'm playing the right notes, rhythms, and dynamics. The first pianist I rehearsed with is from Korea, and speaks barely a word of English. It took five minutes to get across to her that we only had to do the first movement of each sonata. We played through each, but how do you rehearse with someone in only twenty minutes that doesn't speak English? The second pianist is American and a senior here at BU. With him, we could talk about things here and there, and it was much easier. I feel bad - with him it sounds much better after such little time, but with the girl, it just took too much time to translate. Its unfair. (sigh) Oh well.

Tonight is the orchestra concert. Pavane, American in Paris, Mozart piano concerto, and a new piece by Headrick. Everything should go well except for the Gershwin....its a little shaky, as Kimby could attest to from hearing our rehearsal last Friday.

Its cold here. So cold.

I'm procrastinating. I should be doing research for my class for the assignment due Thursday. I am not in the mood. I should be practicing if I'm not going to get motivated at the library right now. Its cold outside. I don't want to go back into the icy wind.

Quite the dillema.

Sad Day

Kimby has left Boston. She left early this morning. I was so sad to see her go - we had such a nice week together!! We even had beers at Cheers - unfortunately, I had to admit to David on the phone while we were there that nobody knew my name. If I went more often, though, I bet they would. Its actually not as expensive as I was expecting. For a place that has been made incredibly famous by a television show, I thought a beer would be about 10 bucks. Turns out - only $5.95. Shocking.

Life must return to normal for me. I don't have any other close friends visiting Boston for auditions, but Liza does have quite a few over the next few weeks. Also, the suspense is building as we still are not 100% sure that Mutzi (her cat) is pregnant. She has gotten quite fatter over the past three weeks, but maybe thats just the fact that once, as an outdoor cat, she got a lot more exercise and a lot less food, and now, as an indoor cat, she gets NO exercise (since she really doesn't seem to get the concept of playing with cat toys) and a lot MORE food? Who knows.

I am doing Brahms a minor quartet this semester with the same people who made up the strings (minus bass, obviously) in my octet last semester. We had a long rehearsal this afternoon, and it went very well. However - I miss CCE. Kimby and I did viola duets last night for a LONG time, and it was hilarious. We did a bunch of Pleyel, to honor CCE's gigging extravaganzas. I love Pleyel, and I know absolutely nothing about the guy. I should do some research.

Kimby is coming tomorrow! Hooray!

Starbucks, of all places, has been good to me lately. On Sunday, while waiting for my tea, an employee came up with shopping bags filled with discount Starbucks holiday gifts that he was giving away - for free. So I got a tea cup and saucer and two shot glasses, all with Christmas trees on them, but hey - they were free, and I love Christmas trees. THEN, today, they were giving away free bags of coffee. I got two. Yay for Starbucks!

This week is turning out much better than last. I had a very good lesson yesterday, figured out recital stuff (April 16th - exactly one year minus one day from my senior recital. Amazing), played successfully in two studio classes today, and.....did I mention....

Kimby is coming tomorrow! Hooray!

It is COLD in Boston!

However, still no massive amounts of snow. There's a little here and there, left over from earlier this week - maybe Boston can give some of their snow removal money to Denver, since we haven't really used any of it yet, and Denver seems to need it more than we do.

It has been a very long week. Thank goodness its Friday. My violin is ok now - I had to leave it overnight at Ken Meyer's, the biggest string guy in Boston. The entire left side seam had split open. My bow also was having problems - the hair was too short for the dry weather, but now that is also fixed. Thank goodness. I babysat Adelaide yesterday, and she had a bit of a breakdown. Sometimes its hard to wake up in the living room after a nap and its dark and cold and Mommy is nowhere to be seen. She was crying so hard she was having trouble breathing - she's ok, but it was scary for me too. Heidi said its been happening a bit lately, after naps, that she gets upset. Poor baby. Its hard being three.

Things have started to get moving and busier than they were a week ago, which I'm thankful for. I'm playing Sarasate's Navarra with Tatiana, an old friend from Manchester, for her degree recital. We had our first rehearsal last night, and it went well - such fun, happy music!

I have my first gig at the Four Seasons tomorrow afternoon. Very posh. Musicians aren't allowed to carry cases through the main lobby....we have to go through the employee entrance. Ooooh la la.

Not to worry....things are calming down now. I am off to get my violin repaired momentarily.

And there is SNOW outside!! A fresh, clean slate is outdoors. I'm taking it as a positive omen.

My research class, however, is going to be a big pain. Its only becoming clearer with each class.

Don't you just love those days when everything seems to explode? Continuously? Without stopping?

Ravel's Pavane for a Dead Princess = Heather getting choked up and teary.

The second day of the semester has come and gone, and with it this afternoon's first rehearsal of American in Paris. I forgot how much I like the sound of saxaphones in an orchestra - its ok to shoot me for saying this, but I like them in orchestrations. I think they help with the clarinet sound. Needless to say, the first run-through was a bit of a disaster. The one thing saving it all though is that I look up during tuning and there I see Liza Malamut on trombone. Thank goodness for a friendly Eastman face while playing something from one of my favorite Eastman orchestra concerts. Besides, its good to see Liza in orchestra!

I'm on a nostalgia kick - can you tell?

The cat Liza brought, Mutsy, seems to be adjusting to life as a Boston cat. She loves the couch and chair I got from Heidi and Whit. Most of the time thats where she is, although she was investigating my room when i got home yesterday. She is a cute little thing, petite with orange stripes. She meows loudly, but so far, not so that it wakes me up, which is a good sign. Nate met her today and gave his approval. It is nice to have a cat to come home to.

It seems that our little apartment is going to be busy busy busy during audition season. Kimby will be here for few days at the end of January - first day of February, as well as many others from Eastman (and also Rich, Liza's boy toy) throughout the month of February. It'll be very nice.

Another Semester

Ugh. I'm so sick of school. I'm sick of classes. I should have tried to get a performance diploma instead of a master's degree - I don't mind orchestra too much to hate it, love chamber music and love my teacher and still need lots of help from him. But research classes that are taught by a 45 year old doctoral student? Who seems to want to punish others for the fact that her dissertation isn't done after 10+ years?? Come on. Give me Paul Miller any day. And Paul - she's 45. Not a young strapping 30 like you. It could always be worse.

I'm sick, AGAIN. I talked to my parents last night and got an email from my mom this morning very concerned about my health. I'm not sure why I got sick this time - I think maybe since I was around so many germs last week for the education concerts? Who knows. I need to take more vitamins.

Star Trek Voyager has reentered my life. I miss that show badly.

In other news, I just found out the program for the first rotation of orchestra here. Some Mozart piano concerto, a world premiere by some guy I've never heard of, and: Gershwin American in Paris. AND: Ravel Pavane. (sigh) How am I going to get through American in Paris without Kimby to make faces at in the viola section? How am I going to get through the Ravel without David to make faces at in the cello section, and without remembering the whole French concert in general? Boo hiss.

Another Wednesday.

I wish I could motivate myself to do more with this blog or even post items that are of relative interest and could be debated...but somehow it just never happens. I'm so impressed with David and Sara's blog look. (sigh) Maybe someday I'll get the motivation to be more creative. For the time being....this is it.

I've been in Manchester since Sunday, having as usual a very relaxing, enjoyable time. The only problem is there is NO snow! Its VERMONT! Today at the school we were at, we saw posted in the front that the annual school sking trip has been canceled for tomorrow because of the lack of snow. Apparently its too warm to even use a snow machine to make snow - once they make it, it has to be cold enough for it to STAY frozen. Although today and even yesterday have been much colder than Sunday and Monday were, the Vermont industry has to be suffering during their most popular season - winter. Now would be a bad time to own a ski resort in this part of the country. Not bad though if you live in Colorado...poor Mary and her stuck car!

The playing here is going well. We're doing some Vivaldi, Boccherini, Beethoven (Op. 18 No. 4 scherzo mvt. - fun!) and the Russell Peck piece. The director (Ari) and his wife (Joana) are always so good to me, and I have made a new friend, Oren, a guitar player. He's living here at Festival House with me in the apartment over the offices while I get the rest of the house basically to myself. The kids we're playing for have all been VERY good audiences, and I am putting my Music For All talents to use by introducing the Beethoven (where is our next composer from? did you know he was deaf? a scherzo is like a musical joke! listen as we pass off the theme from one to another...etc etc etc). Thank you Elinor Freer.

Alas, it must end soon. Saturday I return to Boston, and Tuesday begins the new semester.

In Boston Once Again

I have been home since Thursday afternoon....and I must say I am happy to be here. The only problem is that it was 60 degrees today. SIXTY. That is not right. We are killing our planet, slowly but surely.

Tomorrow I take off once again for a week in Manchester, VT, which is like my third home (here, then WI, then VT). I'll be there performing with a string quartet for various community ed concerts throughout the western Vermont area. We are doing a whole slew of stuff, including a piece by Russell Peck called "Don't Tread On Me or On My String Quartet." From the looks of the score that I got today in the mail, it seems kinda jazzy and very syncopated, with lots of Bartok pizz (yay! Although Bartok pizz continues to scare the hell out of me - i'm always afraid I'll snap too hard and my bridge will go flying).

School starts in a week and a half. Ugh.

Happy New Year to all!

Break at home thus far has been nice. Holly and Hannah are also here with me and my parents, and they have been quite wonderful sisters. We've been doing the usual Braun things - euchre, junk food, tv, playing violin for church, and our second-annual event of New Years Day at noon - polar bearing. Jumping into Lake Michigan. On January 1st.

The way I see it, doing something crazy on the first day of the year promises for more crazy, exciting, fun events for the rest of the year. Last year didn't turn out too bad, and I did it for the first time last year. And this year there was a bonus - the one and only Gavid Derstein. He actually went in with me, Holly, Hannah, my dad, and my cousin Rindee. There are pictures on facebook to prove it. There shall be more, as soon as I figure out how to with my new camera.

A few days ago I was in Chicago to visit David, Brian, and meet up with Mary and Daniel while they were in town to see Mary's family. It was a very wonderful reunion, and all parties seemed happy in their new lives away from Eastman. Its amazing to think only a year ago we had only one semester left. Now everyone's lives are very different.

On Thursday I return to Boston. This is good.