I love trains.
Today's post finds me aboard the Pacific Surfliner heading from San Diego to Los Angeles to spend the day with friends in West Hollywood.
Trains are, to a degree, romantic. Maybe I'm easily caught up in a feeling of nostalgia or just easily won over by the love of things from a different era. But all that aside, the train is romantic! I'm seated on the upper level of this double-decker car with a fantastic view of the sunny, southern California countryside. There's something cinematic about trains that appeals very much to our American voyeuristic culture. I liken it to people watching, only zoomed out a bit, snapshot after snapshot of American life: a man on a balcony, friends kayaking, a child and grandmother running to catch a train.
The whole experience seems rather fitting for Labor Day, seeing America at play. Now all I need to do is catch a glimpse of a barbecue and I'll be set.
Enjoy your day.
Monday, September 3, 2012
Thursday, August 30, 2012
The Return
...and I'm back. Hopefully this time for good...
I apologize for the lack of posts over the past year or so, it had been a period of challenging growth, leaving me little energy to write. Plus, who wants to read dark, depressing posts all the time? Actually, you should be thanking me for sparing you.
I'm still with Les Mis, that hasn't changed. Thankfully, I'm back on viola. You know, that whole "once a violist, always a violist" thing is actually true.
I recently had the privilege of taking an audition for the Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra. No, I didn't win the job, so all of you Les Mis fans have nothing to worry about. I'm not going anywhere any time soon. But let's get back to that audition. It was a grueling process, as auditions are. You spend every waking moment thinking about and hopefully practicing for the 5-10 minutes that you're in the room with the audition committee. It seems like an awfully big sacrifice for such a small window of performance time, I know. In fact, it's easy to come away with a great deal of negative thoughts about the experience.
Let's go there for a second. Auditions can be a horrible expense, both financially and emotionally. You have to pay to fly there, pay to stay in a hotel for several nights, give up all your free time for months prior as you prepare (this involved me spending a week of family vacation stuck in the hotel room driving my neighbors crazy with Strauss, Brahms, and Walton for hours a day...), and did I mention the stress and anxiety that manages to pervade every moment of every day leading up to the actual audition? So, yes, it sucks.
But let's think of all the positives. The audition was in Washington, DC, which is one of my favorite cities. Furthermore, it was at the Kennedy Center, which is like heaven for artists. So, I was nervous and stressed, but I got to be somewhere I loved. Then, I was eliminated after the first round, which meant I only played 3 excerpts (out of the 28 I had prepared). Too bad all the cool things to do in DC are FREE... After what was a stressful, but formative audition, I got to play in DC for the rest of the weekend and even got to catch up with long-lost childhood friends. Maybe I should just make it a rule that I only take auditions in cities that I like? Thus, what could have been a depressing, stressful experience, became a fun-filled, theraputic weekend.
Was I disappointed that I didn't advance or win the job? Yes, a little. But let's be realistic, there were about 100 excellent violists auditioning for 1 spot. I was just happy I didn't fall flat on my face in the audition room. It's a start to feel like you can make it through the excerpts without making a complete fool of yourself. Also, remember I'm a theatre player, orchestral stuff isn't exactly my cup of tea. (Speaking of tea, now that I'm back on viola, I can consume as much tea as possible during the show! No more worrying about caffeine affecting my playing, there's just so much less pressure.) The day was a great accomplishment for me emotionally as well, as I left the audition room at peace with the situation. To make it through without beating oneself up over the "failure" of not winning is a great accomplishment.
All of this being said, will I start auditioning all the time? No. But there may be a few in the future and I'm glad to be approaching them with a little less fear than before. I mean, the only way to get better at auditioning is just to do it over and over.
So, if you're an aspiring string player, my only advice is to just throw yourself into audition situations. You're not going to overcome anything by avoiding it. And if you are scared, at least the auditions are blind, so if you do screw up, you just walk away and no one has to know who you are.
Alright, it's show time kids. Enjoy your evening.
Later.
I apologize for the lack of posts over the past year or so, it had been a period of challenging growth, leaving me little energy to write. Plus, who wants to read dark, depressing posts all the time? Actually, you should be thanking me for sparing you.
I'm still with Les Mis, that hasn't changed. Thankfully, I'm back on viola. You know, that whole "once a violist, always a violist" thing is actually true.
I recently had the privilege of taking an audition for the Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra. No, I didn't win the job, so all of you Les Mis fans have nothing to worry about. I'm not going anywhere any time soon. But let's get back to that audition. It was a grueling process, as auditions are. You spend every waking moment thinking about and hopefully practicing for the 5-10 minutes that you're in the room with the audition committee. It seems like an awfully big sacrifice for such a small window of performance time, I know. In fact, it's easy to come away with a great deal of negative thoughts about the experience.
Let's go there for a second. Auditions can be a horrible expense, both financially and emotionally. You have to pay to fly there, pay to stay in a hotel for several nights, give up all your free time for months prior as you prepare (this involved me spending a week of family vacation stuck in the hotel room driving my neighbors crazy with Strauss, Brahms, and Walton for hours a day...), and did I mention the stress and anxiety that manages to pervade every moment of every day leading up to the actual audition? So, yes, it sucks.
But let's think of all the positives. The audition was in Washington, DC, which is one of my favorite cities. Furthermore, it was at the Kennedy Center, which is like heaven for artists. So, I was nervous and stressed, but I got to be somewhere I loved. Then, I was eliminated after the first round, which meant I only played 3 excerpts (out of the 28 I had prepared). Too bad all the cool things to do in DC are FREE... After what was a stressful, but formative audition, I got to play in DC for the rest of the weekend and even got to catch up with long-lost childhood friends. Maybe I should just make it a rule that I only take auditions in cities that I like? Thus, what could have been a depressing, stressful experience, became a fun-filled, theraputic weekend.
Was I disappointed that I didn't advance or win the job? Yes, a little. But let's be realistic, there were about 100 excellent violists auditioning for 1 spot. I was just happy I didn't fall flat on my face in the audition room. It's a start to feel like you can make it through the excerpts without making a complete fool of yourself. Also, remember I'm a theatre player, orchestral stuff isn't exactly my cup of tea. (Speaking of tea, now that I'm back on viola, I can consume as much tea as possible during the show! No more worrying about caffeine affecting my playing, there's just so much less pressure.) The day was a great accomplishment for me emotionally as well, as I left the audition room at peace with the situation. To make it through without beating oneself up over the "failure" of not winning is a great accomplishment.
All of this being said, will I start auditioning all the time? No. But there may be a few in the future and I'm glad to be approaching them with a little less fear than before. I mean, the only way to get better at auditioning is just to do it over and over.
So, if you're an aspiring string player, my only advice is to just throw yourself into audition situations. You're not going to overcome anything by avoiding it. And if you are scared, at least the auditions are blind, so if you do screw up, you just walk away and no one has to know who you are.
Alright, it's show time kids. Enjoy your evening.
Later.
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Do what you do.
I was reading over my blog posts from the past few months and I realized I've strayed a bit from the blog's original intention. In fact, why don't you take a look at the top of the blog just so you're refreshed on the intention as well. I'll wait.
Go back a read it one more time, just for good measure.
Good. You see the subtitle up there? "a string player's guide to artistic survival." Well, here's a post that deals with that specifically.
If you've gone to music school, you'll get this, we're trained as players to be perfect. Sorry, not to be perfect, but to be obsessed with perfection. We run these horrid lines through our heads while we perform like, "I'd be such a better player...if I could just nail that passage...if I could just play with better intonation...if I could just have better bow control...if I could just vibrate every note...if I could etc etc etc." And we think that's supposed to help us become better players, right? Wrong.
I'm not saying that these lines aren't helpful if used in the practice room. After all, that's what practicing is for. We practice to achieve perfection, right? Or is that just another lie we've created? True, we want to eliminate errors from our playing, for it is the errors that take away from our overall ability to connect and communicate with our listeners. Pause for a moment. Go back and reread that last phrase: to connect and communicate with our listeners. That is our goal as players. It is NOT to achieve perfection. It is connect and communicate with our audience.
So from this young string player to any young musician reading this, my advice is to play passionately. Pour your heart and soul into your playing. Make mistakes, make them big, loud, and ugly. Allow your early work to be raw, because when you're young and passionate, you can get away with it. Start out too fast, be too rough, make mistakes. Because it is through these mistakes that true progress is made. Learn what stands in the way of your connection with the audience and work to fix that. Don't strive for perfection. Perfection only gets you to the finals of an orchestral job. While it might help you win the job, it does not make you a good player. Haven't we all sat through technically perfect performances and tried so hard not to fall asleep? Perfection only goes so far. It's passion that takes both you and the listener to that place of musical nirvana we all seek.
So do what you do, and do it with passion. Embrace your youth, make mistakes, and take ownership of your work. Love what you do.
There's plenty of time to iron out the wrinkles. Save the ironing for the practice room, not the performance hall. Make your work speak.
Go back a read it one more time, just for good measure.
Good. You see the subtitle up there? "a string player's guide to artistic survival." Well, here's a post that deals with that specifically.
If you've gone to music school, you'll get this, we're trained as players to be perfect. Sorry, not to be perfect, but to be obsessed with perfection. We run these horrid lines through our heads while we perform like, "I'd be such a better player...if I could just nail that passage...if I could just play with better intonation...if I could just have better bow control...if I could just vibrate every note...if I could etc etc etc." And we think that's supposed to help us become better players, right? Wrong.
I'm not saying that these lines aren't helpful if used in the practice room. After all, that's what practicing is for. We practice to achieve perfection, right? Or is that just another lie we've created? True, we want to eliminate errors from our playing, for it is the errors that take away from our overall ability to connect and communicate with our listeners. Pause for a moment. Go back and reread that last phrase: to connect and communicate with our listeners. That is our goal as players. It is NOT to achieve perfection. It is connect and communicate with our audience.
So from this young string player to any young musician reading this, my advice is to play passionately. Pour your heart and soul into your playing. Make mistakes, make them big, loud, and ugly. Allow your early work to be raw, because when you're young and passionate, you can get away with it. Start out too fast, be too rough, make mistakes. Because it is through these mistakes that true progress is made. Learn what stands in the way of your connection with the audience and work to fix that. Don't strive for perfection. Perfection only gets you to the finals of an orchestral job. While it might help you win the job, it does not make you a good player. Haven't we all sat through technically perfect performances and tried so hard not to fall asleep? Perfection only goes so far. It's passion that takes both you and the listener to that place of musical nirvana we all seek.
So do what you do, and do it with passion. Embrace your youth, make mistakes, and take ownership of your work. Love what you do.
There's plenty of time to iron out the wrinkles. Save the ironing for the practice room, not the performance hall. Make your work speak.
Monday, March 26, 2012
Catching up...
It's been a while since I've posted...
I'm on my way to New York for the day to see Newsies. My show is currently in Boston, so we're not that far from the city. Well...it isn't that far assuming all transportation works as planned... We were supposed to take the Bolt bus this morning, however it was significantly delayed. So, we hopped a train and should be arriving in the city shortly!
I can't begin to express my excitement for seeing this show! I saw Carrie last week, which was fantastic, though certainly not uplifting. After playing Les Mis almost 500 times, this boy could use a dance number or two. Thankfully, Newsies is packed with them.
Don't take this the wrong way, because I love Les Mis, but being on the road is challenging. I am very much looking forward to moving to New York, whenever that happens. However, I will gladly go back on tour for two shows: Phantom and Porgy and Bess. Now, if the show today is spectacular, as I am assuming it will be, I may be adding Newsies to that list of shows I'd leave New York for.
Keep doing what you do.
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Wishes
Never forget what you wished for as a kid. It just might come true.
I spent several days last week at Disney World while the show was in Orlando. I love Disney, I can't begin to explain it's tremendous impact on my life. My family has gone so many times. Everything about Disney is magical, that's what makes it special.
But this year, while I watched Wishes, I was struck by a realization that brought such joy. Remember those dreams you had when you were a kid? Some were completely ridiculous, some were fantastic, and some were going to come true, whether you knew it at the time or not. I probably dreamed to be a Disney prince or something when I was little...but as I got older and kept coming to Disney, I started dreaming about my future. I started wishing things about my career. This time as I watched Wishes, I realized that the dreams of a younger version of myself had come true and I had been too caught up in the drama and stress of everyday life to notice. I took a step back yesterday while watching Wishes to see that a significant dream of mind had come true.
Do I have many more dreams? Yes I do, and as dreaming leads to achieving, more dreams are born. Yet, it was refreshing and delightful to see some Disney magic in my own life.
So, here's to more dreams come true. And here's to being aware of them as they happen.
I spent several days last week at Disney World while the show was in Orlando. I love Disney, I can't begin to explain it's tremendous impact on my life. My family has gone so many times. Everything about Disney is magical, that's what makes it special.
But this year, while I watched Wishes, I was struck by a realization that brought such joy. Remember those dreams you had when you were a kid? Some were completely ridiculous, some were fantastic, and some were going to come true, whether you knew it at the time or not. I probably dreamed to be a Disney prince or something when I was little...but as I got older and kept coming to Disney, I started dreaming about my future. I started wishing things about my career. This time as I watched Wishes, I realized that the dreams of a younger version of myself had come true and I had been too caught up in the drama and stress of everyday life to notice. I took a step back yesterday while watching Wishes to see that a significant dream of mind had come true.
Do I have many more dreams? Yes I do, and as dreaming leads to achieving, more dreams are born. Yet, it was refreshing and delightful to see some Disney magic in my own life.
So, here's to more dreams come true. And here's to being aware of them as they happen.
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
another blog...
Seeing as this blog has become a place for artistic musing more than travel updates, I've started another blog specifically for travel details.
http://pitcountry.blogspot.com/
I'll be updating this one weekly with details of the previous week's city. Well, right now I have a lot of catching up to do... I have a whole year of tour to catch up with first... so posts will be coming often, perhaps daily until I've caught up. But check it out. It's a bit of an artist's travel guide.
Don't worry though, this one's not going anywhere. I mean, an artist needs a place to spill some of his thoughts, right?
http://pitcountry.blogspot.com/
I'll be updating this one weekly with details of the previous week's city. Well, right now I have a lot of catching up to do... I have a whole year of tour to catch up with first... so posts will be coming often, perhaps daily until I've caught up. But check it out. It's a bit of an artist's travel guide.
Don't worry though, this one's not going anywhere. I mean, an artist needs a place to spill some of his thoughts, right?
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Resolve to...
Be open, be cool, be honest.
That's my 2012 resolution. I'll explain what it means, give it some thought.
Be open: Life has a way of throwing things at you, especially when you're not ready. Life gives you joy? Relish in it. Life gives you hardship? Grow through it. Be open to those around you, be open to everything life throws at you, be open to all the beauty in this world.
Be cool: I don't mean cool as in popular. My best friend lives by this mantra: Cool head, warm heart. Keep a cool head about situations in your life. People love to complain, as if complaining will solve their problems. Sensor the negativity around you with a cool head. If things are bad, fix them. If people are upset, do what you can to help. But don't let all the negativity of the world get you down. There's too much out there for one person to do. Do what you can, but always remain cool. Plus, keeping a cool head allows you to think things through more clearly. Remember that.
Be honest: Of course, be honest with those around you, but more importantly, be honest with yourself. Know your strengths and your weaknesses. Know your vices and know when you're about to lose control. Be honest with yourself. Don't disillusion yourself with ideas that are false. Know who you are and where you've been. This will make things clearer as to where you are going.
Be open, be cool, be honest.
Try it.
That's my 2012 resolution. I'll explain what it means, give it some thought.
Be open: Life has a way of throwing things at you, especially when you're not ready. Life gives you joy? Relish in it. Life gives you hardship? Grow through it. Be open to those around you, be open to everything life throws at you, be open to all the beauty in this world.
Be cool: I don't mean cool as in popular. My best friend lives by this mantra: Cool head, warm heart. Keep a cool head about situations in your life. People love to complain, as if complaining will solve their problems. Sensor the negativity around you with a cool head. If things are bad, fix them. If people are upset, do what you can to help. But don't let all the negativity of the world get you down. There's too much out there for one person to do. Do what you can, but always remain cool. Plus, keeping a cool head allows you to think things through more clearly. Remember that.
Be honest: Of course, be honest with those around you, but more importantly, be honest with yourself. Know your strengths and your weaknesses. Know your vices and know when you're about to lose control. Be honest with yourself. Don't disillusion yourself with ideas that are false. Know who you are and where you've been. This will make things clearer as to where you are going.
Be open, be cool, be honest.
Try it.
First post of 2012
Ok, for some reason, every time I type 2012, it wants to come out 2010. Something is off here...
Hello from San Antonio, TX. This week's travel day wasn't very long, only from Dallas, TX. I took mostly smaller highways though and got to see some beautiful countryside. I wasn't highly fond of Texas from what I saw in Dallas, however the drive through hill country to San Antonio was beautiful and gave me a new respect for the state. Granted, the state is HUGE, so I can't judge it from the tiny bit I've seen. Next week's travel day is a bit more intense...18 hours from here to Knoxville, TN. Thank God for the Harry Potter audio books. Seriously.
San Antonio is a great city from what I've seen. Not the most classy or quaint, but the Riverwalk sure does make up for a lot. Take a run and head north on the Riverwalk. You'll pass several locks and the art museum up on the hill. It's a beautiful trail. And I got to run outside in January! Don't get me wrong, I love winter, but running outside in 60 degree sunshine in the beginning of January is pretty great.
Hello from San Antonio, TX. This week's travel day wasn't very long, only from Dallas, TX. I took mostly smaller highways though and got to see some beautiful countryside. I wasn't highly fond of Texas from what I saw in Dallas, however the drive through hill country to San Antonio was beautiful and gave me a new respect for the state. Granted, the state is HUGE, so I can't judge it from the tiny bit I've seen. Next week's travel day is a bit more intense...18 hours from here to Knoxville, TN. Thank God for the Harry Potter audio books. Seriously.
San Antonio is a great city from what I've seen. Not the most classy or quaint, but the Riverwalk sure does make up for a lot. Take a run and head north on the Riverwalk. You'll pass several locks and the art museum up on the hill. It's a beautiful trail. And I got to run outside in January! Don't get me wrong, I love winter, but running outside in 60 degree sunshine in the beginning of January is pretty great.
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