Long time no see!

[Sarah H. (aka Judy)]

It has been a long time since I've been on! I've been pretty busy lately. I can't remember the last time I was on, so I'll just start with last January and go from there. Speech and Debate season ended at the end of January, and I've been working pretty hard on some music stuff since then. I've been playing Carnival de Venice by Genin on flute, Clair de Lune by Claude Debussy on Piano, and singing Quella Fiamma by Bennedetto Marcello. In February, I traveled with my choir, then travelled with my school's orchestra (of which I am not a member) for AA Orchestra Festival. Later that week, I travelled to Spokane, Washington with my band for all Northwest Band tour. While there, we got to perform with the Dallas Brass, and we performed by ourselves in a room about the size of a closet. Just our band alone was over the maximum occupancy of the room. We also got to see world famous deaf percussionist Glenn Evelyn live. When we got back, I relaxed a little, but left again for a collegian level mass choir with members from around the state. In february, I managed to miss 11 days of school...this is especially bad because there were only twenty days of school in february. When March arrived, things slowed down quite a bit. Mostly I prepared for District Music Festival, a time when music ensemble members can perform in solos, bands, choirs, orchestras, and other ensembles for the chance to go to state. Before District, my band performed with the Dallas Brass, yet again. Finally, this last Thursday and Friday was District Music Festival. thursday I performed with my band and choir. In band, we played Nilesdance by Holsinger, and that kid must have been quite obnoxious. In addition to that, we also played Prelude, Siciliano, and Rondo by Arnold. We got a 1, which is a superior rating, so that was exciting. My choir sang as well, and we also got a 1, but I don't enjoy my choir as much this year. I also performed my piano solo on Thursday...it was supposed to be memorized and I forgot the last two pages. My adjudicator graciously gave me a 2 despite, which is considered excellent. On Friday, I performed a vocal solo which got a 2 as well. My flute solo was Carnival de Venice by Genin, and it got a 1. When I sat down someone said I was the Van Halen of the flute, but I would much prefer to be the Steve Vai of the flute. My duet and quartet went well and both got 1's as well. Finally, there was a girl from another school whose duet partner didn't show up, so I played with her. It was funny because I'd never met the girl before, I sightread the piece for my performance, and we got a 1. It was hilarious! That's pretty much what I've been up to lately. I don't have another major competition until fall, so I'm going to relax a little before I start preparing. it should be great.

[Sarah H. (aka Judy)]

Thank you...I actually just had my choir auditions, so hopefully next year I'll be in Symphonic Band (I'm already in that one) and then Delphian choir is the top full choir. The other one I want is rhapsody choir, which consists of only a few people, and it's more jazz choir based...you have to be in Delphian to take rhapsody, and rhapsody is a lot more exclusive...but I would still love to be in it! Wish me luck!

[stevene]

As a musician who has walked that road, I feel a certain je ne sais quois as I read your blog, a mixture of envy and pity. I never participated in solo competitions other than my main instrument, but as a senior I was in every musical ensemble the school had EXCEPT marching band. So I know where you are coming from.

Keep up the good work, Mademoiselle Rampal!

[Sarah H. (aka Judy)]

Thank, I appreciate it. how have you been lately? I feel bad not to have kept up with anyone...fill me in on how you've been recently.

[Jen Avila]

Hi There! Glad to hear an update! Looks like you have been a TAD busy! LOL. :) Glad to know you are doing well though.