Back in Boston

After a wonderful, lovely trip to Milwaukee for two weeks of family, games, food, and fun, I am back in Boston. Usually I am more than ready to come back to school after a brief stint at home, but for whatever reason, I really wasn't tired of being home yet when it was time to leave. Yet here I am, in cold, slushy Boston, with a week yet of break before the work returns next week, and I am very happy to be home.

I'm more than a little nervous about this upcoming semester because of the Theory Pro-Seminar class I am taking. Its a required class for doctoral students, and should be taken before the theory exam is attempted, so I'll probably try and study some this summer as well and then hit the test at the end of September. Only a third of the students who take this theory exam on the first attempt actually pass it - its assumed you will take the exam at least twice before passing. Scary. Anyway, its been a long time since the days of Paul Miller and rigorous Eastman theory classes, so this could be a daunting task.

I've been assigned to lead the next BU orchestra concert, and we're doing an entire concert of British music, which I suspect is our conductor's favorite pastime. Holst, Britten, and Elgar. Elgar Symphony No. 2, to be exact. I've listened to some of it and it actually sounds like Strauss to me - big sweeping lines in the strings with lots of volume and pomp. Ha.

I got an excellent blue fleece, non-static hat from Heidi for Christmas this year, so my huge white knit one will take a hiatus while I wear the pretty blue one. My head is so big, its hard to find hats that fit, but Heidi did it! Also received are some fantastic arm warmers that Molly knitted for me. They are absolutely incredible. I will now be putting both lovely presents on as I attempt the slush and gloom outdoors to go practice.