Heylo...I've been really, REAAAALLLY busy and haven't had time to blog here. Apologies. First of all, thank you to everyone who's provided insight on what I could possibly do to help me decide :)
I've been running from rehearsal to rehearsal to concerts to functions, etc etc. Went to watch Strains of Majesty on Friday, Phantom yesterday, and went to Braddell Heights Symphony Orchestra today.
Strains of Majesty was with Nina Kotova playing the Dvorak Cello Concerto. Can you believe she has both a Strad AND a Guarneri? I don't know which instrument she played on that night, but the miking was quite bad because the balance with soloist and orchestra wasn't quite there. Props to her for making herself heard though. After that was Beethoven Symphony Number 3: Eroica, initially dedicated to Napoleon, but Beethoven removed the dedication after Napoleon crowned himself emperor. Not one of my favorite symphonies as it was a bit drawn out, but the first movement is really cool.
As for Phantom of the Opera...I guess I went in expecting too much, or I'm just a spoilt child because I've seen the Broadway version. They changed the lyrics on a few of the songs...I guess it kind of worked but growing up with the original lyrics, it was a bit weird. Not to mention my seat was awful considering I paid 80 bucks. Needed to buy binoculars to see. The conductor was conducting the music a bit too fast (to the point where the actors and actresses were stringing their lyrics together). Christine...I hate to say it, but she was sharp the whole show. I don't know if it was because of a sound problem or anything...but it was just sharp. Enough to make me shuffle in my seat everytime she sang.
On the other hand, the phantom was very, very good.
I figured I needed to get myself built up stamina- and skill-wise for orchestra playing again, so I've opted to help out Braddell Heights Symphony Orchestra, who're having a concert on May 20th. They're playing Saint Saens Symphony no. 1, Dvorak Carneval, and Haydn Cello Concerto. The symphony is a bit boring, the cello concerto is very good...like, the soloist is phenomenal. Very clean playing and he gets all his notes out. Carneval...ugh. Just...ugh. It's in cut time and it's high and I'm gonna have to practice it a lot if I want to get it ready by the 20th.
There's an SNCO performance in the beginning of June as well as on July 7th as well, so I have to prepare for those as well. On TOP of that, I have to prepare my solo piece for my Rochester Orchestra audition. Sigh...that'll be nerve-racking because I can't imagine what I'd do if I don't get in...ugh...
Well that's about it for now...have to work tomorrow. Medical appointment tomorrow afternoon, driving in the afternoons on Tuesday and Wednesday (thus half days off as well), and a full day off on Thursday for my.....DRIVING PRACTICAL EXAM. Woohoooooo!! Hope I pass! That's all!