Knock, knock

Hope no one minds if I come in for a minute - I've not been in this forum before.

Are there any marimba players in here? I'm accompanying the Concerto for Marimba and Orchestra by Ney Rosauro next week - just the last movement, but I think it's great. I'm doing it with a professional percussionist and am very nervous as we won't get a rehearsal until a couple of hours before the concert Does anyone know it?

I think I saw Evelyn Glennie play a Rosauro marimba solo on telly ages ago. Can't remember much about it, but I remember it sounding great, so I imagine the concerto will be quite something.

Not much help so far then But if you're secure in the accompaniment - and assuming the pro is secure in his/her playing - I don't think there's going to be much of a problem. The rehearsal is DEFINITELY NOT GOING TO GO RIGHT, but that's what rehearsals are for. Since you've been asked to do the job you must be up to it, and it won't take long for you and the pro to sort out whatever needs sorting.

Hope the gig goes well.

Spent a happy few hours putting the marimba part into Sibelius so I could play it back and practise with it. I often do this - I know it's not the same as doing it with the soloist but I get to know what I should be hearing from the soloist while I'm playing - feeling confident on that bit.

No, I didn't get asked to do it. I'm accompanying a couple of other people for the concert, the organiser somehow got the percussionist to agree to play, and then told him that I would play for him without asking me first!! So I just get told that the percussionist is going to ring me. Although I'm really cross that it's assumed I'll play for anybody the organiser chooses to get for the concert, I'm also really looking forward to playing with a professional for a change. I've done loads of accompanying so I don't think I'll let him down but I'm always on edge when the only rehearsal is immediately before the concert.

OK, since you've been *told* to do the job you must be up to it

If you don't have much experience of accompanying pros, you're in for a really good time here. Pros are (generally) very very easy to work with - they want the job to be done as simply as possible, they're not stressed about the fact that they're doing this, and if there's an opportunity to head off to the pub they'll be halfway through the first pint before you've noticed they've gone.

I really think you're going to have a great time doing this.

Have you done the concert yet? How did it go?

It's tomorrow night. I'm accompanying 4 people for the concert - a flautist, a saxophonist, a singer and the percussionist on the marimba. Have had a run through with all except the marimba. Hoping that sonataform is right and it'll be fine doing it with a professional. Can play it more or less up to speed with my Sibelius version so keeping fingers crossed.

I'm sure it will be fine! Let us know how it goes!

I've just got back from the concert. The Rosauro went absolutely fine - in fact of all the items I accompanied it went by far the best. Soloist was excellent, really easy to play with, and he seemed pleased with what I did too.

Glad to hear it. I said it would be fine!

Excellent, well done. This is the sort of result that could lead you to getting more professional accompanying gigs, if you want them.

Thanks for the encouragement