Summer Keys Recital

Summer Keys, Lubec, Maine.

This was my first time at a music workshop.
I've been off the cello wagon for a couple of years.
Hopefully, I can get back into practicing now.

The week of group and private cello lessons culminated in a recital.





Could have been better, could have been worse. Was pretty nervous as it was a new performance venue for me.  Also had a long wait as performer #20 of the 23 pieces that were played that evening.

A big takeaway from the recital was that one must learn to accept praise and applause graciously.

Uh oh, Nonet.

Well, the good thing is you can't hear the cello :)

One Down One To Go

We had about 10 minutes to rehearse before the recital with the guest violinist. Last movement went too slow but we'll get another chance to play on Friday. I'm surprised at how well one can hear the cello part even with the mute on :)

Changing My Mind.

Okay, I re-watched the vid of the Schumann and decided that I'd post it anyway for your amusement or cringing (you have been warned).   

Afterall, this blog is all about not being perfekt! More practice!!!

Funny Recital

Better to laugh than cry, right? The Breval should have been better. As you can tell from the video there's all sorts of rhythm, intonation and other issues. We don't even start together. However, it had its moments. At one point the pianist gets all the attention. The Schumann suffered a different fate, it started out well enough but then the violinist got lost and that threw me off as well. I won't post that video, it's too embarrassing :)

Quick Recital

Our group went first. Nothing horrible happened. Hubby said my rhythm was solid. Afterwards, we did some sight reading for fun. Teacher says my counting has gotten better. So much for tonight's excitement.

Back to School Recital

SMA had their "Back to School" recital today. I played two easy pieces and managed not to flub. There must have been about 70 people in the audience. Maybe I'm finally getting used to playing in public.

Boring stats:
Cello Practice Weeks 41 - 43
Bow exercises 9
Thumb 2
Trill 2
Vibrato 2
Bach Minuets 4
Breval 1
Piano practice 3

I'll be out of town from 8/23 to 9/11. First to Baltimore and New York City, then back to Miami for one day before I run off to Bulgaria with hubby for a week.

Playing from Memory

I have to be honest and report that today's SMA recital had 4 pieces in which I attempted to play without a score. I managed to miss notes in every single one of them. There was an amazing passage during Minuet 3 where the cello was prominently missing :)

Today's Recital

Less said the better. Lost my place, hit bad notes, etc. etc. Some days you can do no wrong, today wasn't one of them.

SMA & MDC

Saturday, I played with SMA at BCC Library and managed to hit most of the important notes despite not having practiced all week. Folks told me that the cello sounded nice. I have another week to rehearse for the next concert.

RE: MDC's production of "The World Goes Round", I suspect only the first two rows in the audience actually heard me play the banjo. There was talk of getting me miked but it didn't happen.

First Public Performance

Today I had the privilege to accompany a few graduating kids at the Suzuki Music Academy in Davie. I fumbled through a Bach minuet and the Chorus from "Judas Maccabaeus", but I really fell apart during "Deck the Halls" when I was told to move center stage. The limelight was just too bright. Ah well, could have been worse. I'm going back to rehearse again next Saturday as the real xmas concert is December 15th and I'd like to be able to hit more notes, plus it would be nice to memorize my parts so I can play without the score like the rest of the kids.