The envelope was large, brown, and addressed by hand.
“Dear Georgeann,
“Congratulations! After careful review of your application, the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra is pleased to offer you admission to the second annual BSO Academy …”
I’m in. Continue reading
Filed under Fun Stuff, Opportunities to Play, Personal Journey
The statistics show many of you coming to the blog arrive as the result of a search for Steve Richko, the very talented jazz pianist who passed away unexpectedly last fall. Thanks to Tim Hoy and Cliff Monear at the Steinway Piano Gallery of Detroit, Steve’s final performance has been captured on film. This concert, featuring Steve, Cliff, and Tad Weed, took place just a few days before Steve’s death. Continue reading
Filed under Fun Stuff, Musicians of Note
I spent a couple of hours this weekend playing string quartets with a group of people who get together every week just to have fun with music. These long-time friends have been meeting regularly for several years, ever since a child’s wedding surfaced a sudden need for a string quartet to play.
One of the regular first violins was away on vacation, so I sat in to fill the spot, sight-reading all along the way. (Mozart at first glance – now THAT’s a mental workout!). Continue reading
Filed under Fun Stuff, Music and Aging
Last week, when a group of musicians gathered to play together in a friend’s living room, I learned that some of my acquaintances get together every Saturday morning and play string quartet music. I was invited to join in, and in the process learned that the group was about to lose one of its viola players. At 93, she’s decided she just can’t keep up any more. Her departure is a blow, since viola players are traditionally in short supply. Continue reading
Filed under Fun Stuff, Personal Journey
Australia will host the next edition of the YouTube orchestra, and musicians have until the end of November to submit their auditions. The Strad had an article announcing the competition. Selected musicians will play with Michael Tilson Thomas at the Sydney Opera House next spring (or is that fall down under?). Continue reading
Filed under Fun Stuff, Inspiration, Opportunities to Play
This past Saturday, October 16th, was a full-immersion music day, and boy, was it fun!
About two dozen musicians gathered at the home of Judy Moslak, one of the founders of the Orchard Lake Philharmonic Society. Judy has just obtained a beautiful two-manual harpsichord, and it sounded wonderful as the group played a number of selections from Bach. Continue reading
Filed under Fun Stuff, Personal Journey
Just for fun. Johann Sebastian Bach meets the Pink Panther. Sort of. Continue reading
Filed under Fun Stuff, Inspiration, Musicians of Note
Midlife Musicians 