This morning I was inspired and excited to rehearse given the lovely snowfall blanketing the area. Snowflakes that drift slowly to the ground are magical and make the world seem a more peaceful place. It really is like being in a snow globe. From my practice room, I could see two dogs running and rolling and nipping at each other’s heels in play in the freshly fallen snow. However, upon singing the first few notes, I became wholly uninspired. Crummy voice can do that. Perhaps I didn’t get enough sleep last night, though I thought I had. I have been sneezing a bit, so I suppose my vocal folds could be a tad swollen. Whatever the reason, my sound was far from pretty. It wasn’t a flat or dull sound and the range was there, but it was just blah. And a blah sound is rarely pleasant to work with.
I really wanted to be excited and motivated to practice because I’ve actually … Read more »
For about five years, the cute, local Shakespeare Now! Theatre Company sponsored this fabulous, free annual event called the Sonnet-thon, at which all of Shakespeare’s sonnets would be read in succession, each by a different individual, with the talents ranging in age from 5 to at least 90. I found myself reminiscing about this event recently and missing it. It was cancelled a few years ago because, apparently, coordinating the talent took quite a bit of time and gathering an audience proved to be challenging, despite convenient performance locations like the Rabb Lecture Hall at the Boston Public Library. Listening to and reciting the sonnets was great fun for me because I love Shakespeare, not to mention good practice and education. Here is one of my favorites, Sonnet 128, and not just because it has the semblance of musical reference:
How oft when thou, my music, music play’st,
Upon that blessed wood whose motion sounds
With thy sweet fingers … Read more »
It’s been a busy 24 hours! Last evening, after a nearly-two-hour MBTA ride to a town only 6 miles away (thanks MBTA!), I met the Fate Scores ensemble for a rehearsal of the short film score fALATIMI. I was a bit hesitant because, despite my practice, I was concerned about my part. Especially mm. 18. (Damn measure 18!) However, after meeting everyone, I was pleased to find out they, too, were concerned with aspects of their parts. With that sense of communal relief, we got down to business.
Fumito (Marimba), Christian (Piano, Composer), Me, Hannah (Violin)
Count, ladies!
Rehearsal was efficient and we wrapped in good time. There are assorted other smaller rehearsals between now and the recording session. However, I am confident I can solve my musical challenges before the session. Oh, recognize that outfit? Yep. I was dressed for Surrogates callbacks.
This morning, I joined Albert for an early morning road trip to … Read more »
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