good sounds.

"...Billig’s orchestra delivers a sometimes sinewy, sometimes Lalique sound that takes full advantage of Chris Jahnke’s new orchestrations. The aural soundscape ranges from a powerful wall of music to subtle tinkling pieces of percussion. You haven’t heard the score before like this." -South Florida Theater Review

Les Mis meets Suzuki

Before I begin the story intended for this post, allow me to quote an audience member from this evening's show, who noticed instruments in the pit upon getting to his seat in the front row. He turns to his companion and says, with a bit of surprise and distaste "I guess there's music in this play."

Play? This show's an opera. Its ALL music. I hope he enjoyed it.

Ok, now to the point. At intermission today, a little girl (probably 5 years old?) leaned over the pit and asked me if I knew Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star. I did, of course thanks to Suzuki, and she asked me to play it. So, partially swallowing my pride, I started playing (with as much professionalism as I could muster) the Suzuki Book 1 classic and then asked her to sing along midway through.

Two observations:
1. I made this girl's night.
2. That song was easily the most beautiful thing I played all night. Take that as you will.

After the show, her dad leaned over the pit and said "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star!" as if to compliment me. I'd bet this little girl's personal serenade meant more to her than the actual show itself.

Advice from the road: It's about the little things. Making a little girl's day can make your day, regardless of how silly you may feel in the moment.

time to fly: Ft. Lauderdale

Working in the theatre is great. While there is little stability, I get paid to work for basically 3-4 hours per day.

This makes touring wonderful. In Philadelphia, I spent days exploring the city. Now we're in Ft. Lauderdale, which means NO exploring, just sitting by the pool. ALL DAY LONG. That's right. I have to work today, and I've already spent several hours by the pool and will be hitting the beach later. Its a lovely life.

The performing arts center here is enormous. It's like playing in a giant cave. It seems relatively modern, which is much different than the Academy of Music in Phila.

This post is short, there's no point in sitting in the hotel room to write when there's a beach right outside my window.

Later.

new home: Philadelphia

So Paper Mill ended well, with the exception of the epic snow blizzard, but everyone survived, and we're now in Philadelphia playing at the Academy of Music.

Some thoughts:
1. The Academy of Music is beautiful. I hate to use a musical theatre reference, but think Phantom of the Opera beautiful, COMPLETE with a moving chandelier. Also, the pit is huge. major plus. Oh, and the musicians get a dressing room. another plus.

2. Philadelphia is wonderful, compact, quaint, and fun. And there's SO much to do.

3. Snow on tour is a blessing and a curse. While it makes everything beautiful, you can't play in the snow on tour, so it just gets annoying...Also, it can make shows messy. A snow day in the theatre is MUCH more complicated than a snow day at school.

4. We're staying around the corner from the Curtis Institute. If you're a working musician, don't walk by their practice rooms. It will make you want to cry and consider never playing your instrument again. but then it will make you thankful you have a job.

Two shows today!

Things to listen for when YOU see the show: (these are back, don't worry) Listen for the bass clarinet/viola line that happens after Eponine dies when Valjean approaches the barricade. Its SUPER awkward and difficult to play but sounds real cool.