Had the first rehearsal with orchestra for our performance of Britten's War Requiem on Friday today - such incredible sounds! Even if I would rather be playing than singing



I'm not sure, but I've been here for 9 months now and the feeling hasn't worn off Hope you enjoyed the open day!

What made me happy was that I gogt a belated Father's day present from my boys (19 and 16). Abd surprisingly for them (hope they don't read this!) it was something that required a lot of thought and effort.. it was a new camera! The Lumix G3- http://www.panasonic.co.uk/html/en_GB/Prod...5154/index.html

The idea, they told me, was that because it has a sophisticated video mode, I could use one of my Mike stands to fix it up to record me practising guitar, and then analyse what I'm doing right or wrong!

I may also use it for recording a short piece to put on You Tube.

So a brilliant (late!) Father's day present, and one that I should be putting to great use very soon!

They're repeating James Naughtie's series 'The making of music' on Radio 4, it's on now.

It'll have to be Pixie*Porscheless then!

The post - some gorgeous one-off buttons, made by a crafter in the north-east from sea-polished scraps of china and glass that are washed up on her local beach. Absolutely lovely.

Some really great feedback from my last lot of assessments.

Excellent !

I know what you mean about thought and effort - it's not that they don't care, but their brains aren't often in gear at the right time, and so when you're presented with something like this, it means all the more! Have fun with a great present




They sound beautiful. If you feel like posting pictures....

Thanks

Pupil (aged 7) who was very dodgy in her exam prep has worked very hard this week and .... phew..... she was a lot better.... 2 weeks before the exam.....

.....only 2 more pupils in the same situation who I need to get on with the work, then I be able to stop worrying about this exam session!

I'll try - although haven't taken any yet. I'm not sure if I'm allowed to post a link to the online shop on here - but I can pm you with a link, and you can see similar ones. : )

Thank you

My grade 6 student's final pre exam lesson. She's made more improvements in her already good pieces since last lesson.

A long standing pupil who has just passed Grade 5 was thinking of giving up at the end of this year. She will be taking her Bac next summer and was thinking that pressure of school work would be too great for piano to continue. She arrived today with her inscription form for next year completed and said that she wanted to continue for the pleasure of playing. She also asked if we could do at least part of the lesson in English to help her with her Bac. I was delighted because I really thought I was going to lose her.

I should say so : congratulations!

A few things made me happy today;

delivery men for starters; post man delivered my new Scale's book and my new rovner ligature:- both of which are brilliant the lig made such difference i didn't think it would do much tba

then the argos man delivered my new bedroom rug which is Yummy and a new desk chair.

then had some lovely peace and quiet lounging on the sofa readin my scale's book catchin breeze from the open window listening to the radio. managed to L8r do half hour Scale's practice without coughin to death.

took one of my rats out to meet nature in my back garden she loved climbin the apple tree best. then i did abit of embroidery and am now layin in bed readin some theory.

all in all a very jolly day just i shame i have to go back to work tomorrow.

Well done Clari Nicki1

Mine is .... A fabby duet session got some stuff recorded too which is good as my duet partner is moving to Cambridge in a few weeks

Anyone point me to somewhere good for her to play? She's about my level though has played to approx diploma level in her degree a few years back...

My digital piano for it means that I can play Bach past midnight, and thus go to bed happy.

Why is there no like button?!

Sadly, I think my neighbours would murder me if the flute (which they object to at the most reasonable of times) came out now. On the plus side, I did have a nice diiner out with friends, followed by a long game of Yahtzee at home (characterised by some of the lowest scores every recorded on our sheets, which was the cause of a lot of laughter).

Probably worth her contacting Cambridge Symphonic Winds. They want G8+ and play lots of good original compositions for wind band (they hire from a group I play in). I know a couple of people who play in it who are really friendly and have heard good things about the band.

I've only heard one of their concerts but the sound was fantastic

Been out on my bike for the first time in weeks. My mother has had to very suddenly go abroad on a family matter, so I am looking after her cat. Simple plan: cycle to her house (a mile), feed cat, cycle home. The cycle home just took 10 miles and was indirect, that was all.
So got home and got ready for work (from home today). Have sat down in a Proper Office Chair, which work provided me yesterday (on site) so this is my first day working from home sat in it. And it is just wonderful! My back is aching slightly, but I know that's because I must have got accustomed to being in the wrong position and now being supported is a shift of muscles and a slight ache. But so comfy

Thanks I'll tell her that

the week that would never end has ended

Discovering that Dark Chocolate was medicinal!

LOL!

Nice weather.... makes me happier....

Half an hour in the garden waging war on The Bramble.

An amazing telephone conversation with a lady who owns a Pier

Mowing the lawn. It now has super stripes and clean cut edges.

Modern surfactants and high-gloss kitchen cabinets. Chez corenfa is less grubby now.

Looks like it'll stay sunny this evening... *fingers crossed*

enjoy your ball as I roast in West Road with the family... Hubby is singing in a Concert.

CLeaning out the Green house/shed. as phase one to having my own music room but gawd its hot

Great parade this morning followed by a fantastic afternoon at the band pool BBQ - awesome!!!
Now where's my bed?????

Getting through an enormous and hugely stressful day.

Now doing best impression of piece of wet rag...

Seeing Jenson Button drive the new MacLaren supercar, Danny MacAskill doing the most amazing BMX stunts up close and some BREATHTAKING freestyle motocross jumps. Oh and not having any family rows during the above!

Going out today and properly catching up with a friend, we had hours of chatting & laughing together. It was so lovely. A great weekend, very relaxing, and topped off by a good piano practice last thing tonight.

Wednesday is the day I finish my current project that I have been working on for 8 months!!! It's my exhibition of paintings in Edinburgh.

Everything is nearly ready. I am SO relieved and happy


All I have left to do is wrap some work ready to travel, pack my 'box' (spare hanging kit, visitor book, blu-tac ) and decide what to wear for the Preview Party.

WHAT AM I GOING TO WEAR!!!!!!!!!! ARGGGHHHHH (*slips off to write in the other thread......*)

I have ordered a new Gewa Violin case for Mrs . Deliberately with a red inside as it will form part of my Ruby anniversary present. Odd thing to give I suppose, but I'll get some jewellery as well.
She is really keen to get going again after many years of hardly playing at all, but has been too preoccupied with 'Mums' illness for several weeks. and been in Suffolk for most of last 12 weeks, still is.

Had a lovely weekend away at Santa Pod.

That sounds absolutely lovely! The violin case will also be full of (regretably invisible) encouragement and support from you, which I think is often the best present to receive

This is fab, Enjoy.

I've got some music connected friends in Edinburgh on Facebook. PM me and I'll give you their details.

Excellent. I had a brilliant time at the European Championships there some years ago. Just love those Fuellers.

I think that is a really special present, especially with the thought that has gone into it, and she will treasure it for ever, and be reminded every day. Perfect !

I'm happy that I've just had a long typing chat with daughter on facebook before she goes camping tomorrow and has no further communication with me for 3 weeks....although it's made me realise how much I'm missing her already!!

I'm now a MEng (Hons) !

Great news! a huge well done to you, and many congratulations!

Congratulations!!!

My "happy" is being with some musical friends with whom I go back very very far and remembering how well we get on. I don't get the chance to be around this group of people very often and it's lovely to see that we still get on in the same way and can spend hours doing silly things.

To be honest, I've probably milked congratulations on this particular topic dry already! (Thanks .)

But it was fun to ponce around in robes all day, and we had a huge dinner with all my housemates families this evening (all four of us graduated with the same degree and firsts today, so it was a big celebration). I was really worried it'd be kinda awkward (none of the families had met before!) but it came off really well. So shattered now though.

Hey- well done you- I hadn't heard your news and getting a first is great!

Watching a fab pianist in concert, especially the bit where he had a momentary memory lapse during one of his encores, and it didn?t matter a jot, because he was great!