Tonight I had an incredible concert experience. I am playing with the Kalamazoo Philarmonia and tonight we put on a concert titled Among Friends in which we played Overture by Grazyna Bacewicz, Piano Concerto No. 1 by Pytor Tchaikovsky with the wonderful soloist, Weiyin Chen and following intermission we played Enigma Variations by Edward Elgar. I didn't play on the first piece so I relaxed (as much as I could) back stage. I tried to stay downstairs in the warm-up area but I got so anxious that I would miss my piece or they would somehow change concert order and I messed up. So I went upstairs and listened backstage, they sounded great! Then we played the Tchaikovsky piano concerto, which was fantastic, Weiyin Chen played in such an emotive way. I especially loved the third movement with the syncopations between piano and orchestra. But the real reason I'm writing this entire post was the Enigma Variations. Fourteen continuous movements that are supposed to flow onto eachother as much as possible. I had adjusted my reed during intermission as I was playing rather sharp and a sharp second bassoonist could be a disaster. So we're going along and I'm thinking wow we sound great together, Connie (principal) and I, as well as Chris on Contra. Then we got to the ninth variation titled Nimrod, its a beautiful slow flowing adagio and I began to cry. I cried because I'm so happy and thankful for everything that I've had in my life but especially that this is exactly what I want to do until the day I die and I'm so lucky that I can do something that brings me so much joy. But...... then I started to go flat so I had to reign it back in.
In another bassoon world, I just completed my senior recital last weekend (as well as subing for the KJSO - Kalamazoo Junior Symphony Orchestra). The recital was fantastic we opened with Sonata for Piano and Bassoon by Nancy Galbraith, followed by Etude No. 3 by Franz lizst arranged for bassoon by Kristian Roones (Excuse the improper 'O') which kicked my butt, then my prized posession Guttersnipe by Paul Hayden, intermission, the first ovement of the Mozzart Bassoon and Cello Sonata, and two bassoon quartets; Profkiev's Scherzo and The Wolf and Peter by the Bubonic Collection.
It was so good! The Galbraith went well, caution to all that play - the third movement is tricky and sneaky, the Lizst will always be a difficult piece, especially for unacompanied bassoon in extreme ranges, the Guttersnipe was so fun! I started in the catwalk, moved to the mezzanene, played a recording of me playing that we took earlier in the week while I ran down a few flights of stairs to get backstage, all over the staging area WITH LIGHTS COORESPONDING TO WHERE I WAS PLAYING TOO!! The ensembles were really enjoyable, the Mozart for me and the bassoon quartets for me but also very entertaining for the audience as most of them knew the excerpts from Peter and the Wolf that were quoted. PLUS we played the Grandfather solo on a Sopranino Recorder!! It was hilarious. Then we went and ate a ton of great food and drank lots of great wine and just enjoyed family and friends.
Hours practiced today ...... atleast 1 + 3 hour concert
Don't forget about yourself,
EM
Saturday, November 16, 2019
Thursday, August 22, 2019
Beginning of the end
Wow, so much has changed!
Which is usually how I begin most of my posts. I’m sorry I don’t post enough but it’s been one heck of a year. Just this past summer I’ve moved into an apartment with my boyfriend... I know BIG STUFF. But it’s super exciting getting to know someone you love in a ore natural habitat, how they function as a morning or not so morning person, do they leave the toilet seat up or down, do they clean up when they’re done making a meal. And I’ve also learned when to pick and choose your fights, because even though we love each other it doesn’t mean we always agree on everything.
I had the awesome opportunity last year to go to IDRS (International Double Reed Society) conference in Granada. It was a great deal of fun and I met so many people that I decided to do it again this year in Florida. I. Had. A. Blast! I also turned 21 this year so I felt I could keep up with the adults more rather than being in that awkward in between stage, but half the time they outlasted me! I had chosen to stay in an extended stay hotel because I would be able to make my own food. It also allowed me some needed alone time to do nothing.
As always at IDRS I went to see my friend Bernd, whom if you don’t know is an incredibly friendly guy who makes the Moosmann brand bassoons from Germany. We had a conversation and I am working on taking out a loan to upgrade to a higher leveled bassoon (from an M24 to a 200CL). This is almost pristinely perfect timing in my life because I’m also preparing for grad school. THIS IS REALLY SCARY BUT SUPER EXCITING! because I have no idea where to go lol.
Nonetheless, I am auditioning for large ensembles with Dr. rose next Wednesday and I’ll start practicing tomorrow (Friday)..... haha oops. But in all reality I attended the new bassoon institute in Maryland this year under the National Music Festival (of which ya girl was a competition finalist!) and the number one thing I took away from the festival and possibly all ‘new’ music is to play without regrets, and to play freely. When you let go of all the things musicians tend to worry about (intonation, timbre, dynamics, blend, does my body look really weird right now, does the director even know I’m playing...) you become what I call a badass bassoon player. Your tone will improve, your intonation, and you’ll feel better about what’s coming out of your horn. So go ahead and try it!
Hours practiced....0
Don’t practice too much,
EM
Which is usually how I begin most of my posts. I’m sorry I don’t post enough but it’s been one heck of a year. Just this past summer I’ve moved into an apartment with my boyfriend... I know BIG STUFF. But it’s super exciting getting to know someone you love in a ore natural habitat, how they function as a morning or not so morning person, do they leave the toilet seat up or down, do they clean up when they’re done making a meal. And I’ve also learned when to pick and choose your fights, because even though we love each other it doesn’t mean we always agree on everything.
I had the awesome opportunity last year to go to IDRS (International Double Reed Society) conference in Granada. It was a great deal of fun and I met so many people that I decided to do it again this year in Florida. I. Had. A. Blast! I also turned 21 this year so I felt I could keep up with the adults more rather than being in that awkward in between stage, but half the time they outlasted me! I had chosen to stay in an extended stay hotel because I would be able to make my own food. It also allowed me some needed alone time to do nothing.
As always at IDRS I went to see my friend Bernd, whom if you don’t know is an incredibly friendly guy who makes the Moosmann brand bassoons from Germany. We had a conversation and I am working on taking out a loan to upgrade to a higher leveled bassoon (from an M24 to a 200CL). This is almost pristinely perfect timing in my life because I’m also preparing for grad school. THIS IS REALLY SCARY BUT SUPER EXCITING! because I have no idea where to go lol.
Nonetheless, I am auditioning for large ensembles with Dr. rose next Wednesday and I’ll start practicing tomorrow (Friday)..... haha oops. But in all reality I attended the new bassoon institute in Maryland this year under the National Music Festival (of which ya girl was a competition finalist!) and the number one thing I took away from the festival and possibly all ‘new’ music is to play without regrets, and to play freely. When you let go of all the things musicians tend to worry about (intonation, timbre, dynamics, blend, does my body look really weird right now, does the director even know I’m playing...) you become what I call a badass bassoon player. Your tone will improve, your intonation, and you’ll feel better about what’s coming out of your horn. So go ahead and try it!
Hours practiced....0
Don’t practice too much,
EM
Monday, February 4, 2019
Let me know if you like to think of titles, because I'm bad at it
I'm sure I'm surrounded by idiots....
This semester I have to take a required music class, that's fine, that's been my life for the past 3+ years. But there are normal people in this class, non-music major people. NON-MUSIC MAJOR PEOPLE. And let me tell you, a lot of these people aren't the most informed personal on behavior. Specifically, within a class and the needs for respect towards a teacher. Not talking when she's talking, reserving specific questions for after or outside of class. NOT WASTING THE TIME OF EVERYONE IN THE CLASS DURING THE ALMOST TWO HOUR CLASS.
I don't like it.
In new words I got a new job as a lifeguard at the Borgess Health and Fitness center. Its super cool because I'll have great hours 5a-9a Monday - Thursday and Tuesday and Thursday 4p-6p. BUT I get weekends and evenings off. I'm also trying to save up for a 25k bassoon. So if you feel the need to give, I'm all ears :D
Don't practice too hard,
Emily
Hours - 1
This semester I have to take a required music class, that's fine, that's been my life for the past 3+ years. But there are normal people in this class, non-music major people. NON-MUSIC MAJOR PEOPLE. And let me tell you, a lot of these people aren't the most informed personal on behavior. Specifically, within a class and the needs for respect towards a teacher. Not talking when she's talking, reserving specific questions for after or outside of class. NOT WASTING THE TIME OF EVERYONE IN THE CLASS DURING THE ALMOST TWO HOUR CLASS.
I don't like it.
In new words I got a new job as a lifeguard at the Borgess Health and Fitness center. Its super cool because I'll have great hours 5a-9a Monday - Thursday and Tuesday and Thursday 4p-6p. BUT I get weekends and evenings off. I'm also trying to save up for a 25k bassoon. So if you feel the need to give, I'm all ears :D
Don't practice too hard,
Emily
Hours - 1
Thursday, January 10, 2019
Alright
Alright,
To begin with I believe 'Alright' is becoming my new favorite word. It makes a great conversation starter weather you use your upset alright or just the polite alright rather than saying 'um.' But I'm not sure if replacing a brain stutter, or a pause of saying the word 'um' with 'alright' is better because its still a filler word to give you time to figure out what to say.
ANYWAY...
The start to the new semester has been... just.... wow. I'm super excited to be back to music school because Dr. Rose is back!!! AND I'm taking Spanish again, except this time its Spanish lit and its a ton of reading... not in my primary language. Oh and also I'm working 25-30 hours a week as a barista at Starbucks, that's new as of last fall, October. Which means I wake up at 5am every day, most days I work from 6a-9a prior to going to class and some days they even have me come in after class in the evening to help close so I can get as many hours as possible. And even when I don't work I figured it'd be best for me to still wake up at the same time because now; I have time to blog and finish readings that I didn't have time for earlier this week and possibly even get in a warm up before classes start. I'm not sure how long this overachiever Emily will last - hopefully its all semester because I see healthy habits forming if I can keep going to bed around 8 or 9p....
On the other hand I am completely worried about this semester, I'm taking 17 credits but most of my classes are 'me' classes such as Orchestra, Private Lessons, Modern and Jogging (which I found out is a lecture, a lab and then we finally run... inside...). Which all of these classes for me are an incredible amount of fun so I don't mind doing some work for them. But then I also have to take Counterpoint (how to write music part against part and following the correct rules), World Music (WHICH WE HAVE A 1250 WORD PAPER DUE ON MONDAY!!! WHICH ALREADY HAS TO DO WITH CHOOSING YOUR FATE OF THE TOPIC FOR YOUR FINAL TERM PAPER!),
im only slightly worried
I'm also taking Spanish Lit which is going to be... lit. But Between World music and Spanish Lit I have an UNGODLY amount of reading to do....
In my non academic life (non bassoon life - we'll get to that later), I am making time to go to the gym and church once a week with my mom Saturday evenings and I'm super excited because A) I get to go to the gym and will have a motivation buddy and B) I feel that I really want some more knowledge about church and I want to learn more on the history and subjects of it.
I recently submitted my application to be a camp counselor at Interlochen Fine Arts Camp for this summer, and I'm submitting applications to both Sarasota music festival (which would be awesome because if you get in its free and I could study with Frank Morelli - New York phil and Julliard, and Hot springs which is in Alabama, also a great music festival many people from Dr. Roses studio have attended.
Anyway I'm off to an early morning warmup,
Have a great day!
Em
To begin with I believe 'Alright' is becoming my new favorite word. It makes a great conversation starter weather you use your upset alright or just the polite alright rather than saying 'um.' But I'm not sure if replacing a brain stutter, or a pause of saying the word 'um' with 'alright' is better because its still a filler word to give you time to figure out what to say.
ANYWAY...
The start to the new semester has been... just.... wow. I'm super excited to be back to music school because Dr. Rose is back!!! AND I'm taking Spanish again, except this time its Spanish lit and its a ton of reading... not in my primary language. Oh and also I'm working 25-30 hours a week as a barista at Starbucks, that's new as of last fall, October. Which means I wake up at 5am every day, most days I work from 6a-9a prior to going to class and some days they even have me come in after class in the evening to help close so I can get as many hours as possible. And even when I don't work I figured it'd be best for me to still wake up at the same time because now; I have time to blog and finish readings that I didn't have time for earlier this week and possibly even get in a warm up before classes start. I'm not sure how long this overachiever Emily will last - hopefully its all semester because I see healthy habits forming if I can keep going to bed around 8 or 9p....
On the other hand I am completely worried about this semester, I'm taking 17 credits but most of my classes are 'me' classes such as Orchestra, Private Lessons, Modern and Jogging (which I found out is a lecture, a lab and then we finally run... inside...). Which all of these classes for me are an incredible amount of fun so I don't mind doing some work for them. But then I also have to take Counterpoint (how to write music part against part and following the correct rules), World Music (WHICH WE HAVE A 1250 WORD PAPER DUE ON MONDAY!!! WHICH ALREADY HAS TO DO WITH CHOOSING YOUR FATE OF THE TOPIC FOR YOUR FINAL TERM PAPER!),
im only slightly worried
I'm also taking Spanish Lit which is going to be... lit. But Between World music and Spanish Lit I have an UNGODLY amount of reading to do....
In my non academic life (non bassoon life - we'll get to that later), I am making time to go to the gym and church once a week with my mom Saturday evenings and I'm super excited because A) I get to go to the gym and will have a motivation buddy and B) I feel that I really want some more knowledge about church and I want to learn more on the history and subjects of it.
I recently submitted my application to be a camp counselor at Interlochen Fine Arts Camp for this summer, and I'm submitting applications to both Sarasota music festival (which would be awesome because if you get in its free and I could study with Frank Morelli - New York phil and Julliard, and Hot springs which is in Alabama, also a great music festival many people from Dr. Roses studio have attended.
Anyway I'm off to an early morning warmup,
Have a great day!
Em
Wednesday, December 5, 2018
Future plans and Finals week!
Hello all!
It is the super crazy time of the year between Thanksgiving break and Holiday break where most college students on a semester schedule have two weeks of school followed by finals week. And let me tell you... its one heck of a time, and not a good one. Now on top of that being a music major one typically has a holiday concert and this year, which happens every two years; the Moscow Ballet goes on tour with the Nutcracker Ballet and comes to Miller auditorium and asks the University Orchestra to 'accompany' them by being the live pit for the ballet, they also include the Children's Chorus of Kalamazoo (PS its happening tonight December 5 at 8pm in Miller auditorium!) But other than that I think I'm handling it all pretty well, I'm well ahead and feeling decently about homework, I need to study a little more, especially for theory.
ONTOP of finals week and Nutcracker and standard homework I decided that now would be a great time to start researching Summer music festivals and grad schools for bassoon. (Which if anyone has any input I'd love to hear it - contact me at emastenbrook911@gmail.com). But I've decided to apply to the Sarasota Music festival in Florida and the Hot Springs Music festival in Arkansas.
Anyway TTFN
Emily
Hours practiced today - 2
It is the super crazy time of the year between Thanksgiving break and Holiday break where most college students on a semester schedule have two weeks of school followed by finals week. And let me tell you... its one heck of a time, and not a good one. Now on top of that being a music major one typically has a holiday concert and this year, which happens every two years; the Moscow Ballet goes on tour with the Nutcracker Ballet and comes to Miller auditorium and asks the University Orchestra to 'accompany' them by being the live pit for the ballet, they also include the Children's Chorus of Kalamazoo (PS its happening tonight December 5 at 8pm in Miller auditorium!) But other than that I think I'm handling it all pretty well, I'm well ahead and feeling decently about homework, I need to study a little more, especially for theory.
ONTOP of finals week and Nutcracker and standard homework I decided that now would be a great time to start researching Summer music festivals and grad schools for bassoon. (Which if anyone has any input I'd love to hear it - contact me at emastenbrook911@gmail.com). But I've decided to apply to the Sarasota Music festival in Florida and the Hot Springs Music festival in Arkansas.
Anyway TTFN
Emily
Hours practiced today - 2
Monday, October 29, 2018
STRESS
I guess I don't really get stressed, I get frustrated. And lately I've been having an issue with understanding how things are supposed to work within the music school and all of the requirements with it. I've been without and unguided by Dr. Rose for two semesters and I miss her dearly. And in doing so it has been a requirement for me to fumble and figure out the requirements semi on my own and its SUPER hard! And I'm just not ready to handle everything in the growing up and be an adult life as well as this.
Don't practice too hard,
Emily
Hours - 2
Don't practice too hard,
Emily
Hours - 2
Thursday, October 25, 2018
Make Beautiful Music
On Tuesdays and Thursdays I have a class named Aural skills Improv. This is a class in the music repotoire that helps build those vocal listening to music relation skills not all of us are born with, to hear intervals and see rhythms better. In Aural IV (Improvisation) obviously the class explores improvisation. Today we were to improvise on this poem;
The first soft snow!
Enough to bend the leaves
of the Jonquil low.
-Basho Matsuo (1644-1694)
My improvisation lab is composed of a bassoon (thats me!) a vibraphone, a cello, and a violin. Interesting group but we're all pretty great musicians and mellow people so we blend together really well. We chose this poem and decided to interpret it as such:
The first soft snow! = Winter (C pentatonic)
Enough to bend the leaves = seasonal depression weight (A minor)
of the Jonquil low = Spring arriving (F major)
As you see we predetermined keys per each portion and line of the poem creating a form for our improv to follow and make it easy for us to determine three separate parts.
And let me tell you it was such an amazing improv! It sounded like a professionally composed piece but way better because we were each our best musician creating what we knew how to create to the best of our playing. One cannot play how I imagine something to sound better than I. After we finished the class had to guess what our ideas of the poem were that we were trying to impersonate. And they guessed adjectives such as, soft and light, maybe even happy for the winter portion. Once we revealed that it was in fact about winter a girl in the class loudly and humorously exclaimed that it was true! So incredibly true and it must have hit a chord within her because it brought tears to her eyes.
This is exactly what I want to get out of playing, the idea of reminding someone of a memory so fond that it brings tears to their eyes from happiness. It was such a cool thing to witness.
Emily
Don't practice too hard,
Hours = 2 hr 40min ensemble
The first soft snow!
Enough to bend the leaves
of the Jonquil low.
-Basho Matsuo (1644-1694)
My improvisation lab is composed of a bassoon (thats me!) a vibraphone, a cello, and a violin. Interesting group but we're all pretty great musicians and mellow people so we blend together really well. We chose this poem and decided to interpret it as such:
The first soft snow! = Winter (C pentatonic)
Enough to bend the leaves = seasonal depression weight (A minor)
of the Jonquil low = Spring arriving (F major)
As you see we predetermined keys per each portion and line of the poem creating a form for our improv to follow and make it easy for us to determine three separate parts.
And let me tell you it was such an amazing improv! It sounded like a professionally composed piece but way better because we were each our best musician creating what we knew how to create to the best of our playing. One cannot play how I imagine something to sound better than I. After we finished the class had to guess what our ideas of the poem were that we were trying to impersonate. And they guessed adjectives such as, soft and light, maybe even happy for the winter portion. Once we revealed that it was in fact about winter a girl in the class loudly and humorously exclaimed that it was true! So incredibly true and it must have hit a chord within her because it brought tears to her eyes.
This is exactly what I want to get out of playing, the idea of reminding someone of a memory so fond that it brings tears to their eyes from happiness. It was such a cool thing to witness.
Emily
Don't practice too hard,
Hours = 2 hr 40min ensemble
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