Well, it is a little premature for me to be 'summing up' the term, with still 2 days to go. But it seems like the weather might have re-defined my life this week, and it seems pretty unlikely that I'll be making it into the academy any day soon.
It's in some way, a blessing, because the madness was getting a little out of hand. I was chasing my tail, feeling that I was one step behind all the way. Not having time to see the people I should see; I only had 20 minutes with the talented Jonathan, conductor; but I will be seeing him in January for sure. Spending too much time with people I shouldn't see; ah the wolves at my door! and just getting a little overwhelmed really.
I had 2 gigs on Saturday. It's funny, because the first one was (in my mind), a low profile xmas launch shopping centre gig. Solo piano / vox, 11.30-4.30. I should have spent more time going through my xmas tunes, but time was not on my side. So I turned up to the gig, looking pretty, but totally unprepared! I had borrowed a book of 'carol praise' from my student Adam, and figured I'd be tinkling in the background, do a bit of xmas sight reading, and noodle my way through some jazz...cool.
When I arrived, and there was a beautiful Steinway Grand set up in high profile on a stage (I kid you not!), I wished I'd done more preparation!
But I guess in the end, you can't replace experience, and I played well (thanks Steinway), and sung some great tunes. I guess you might say I rose to the occasion. Which I am quite proud of really.
when I came back from a break, Santa (who was set up opposite the piano), said 'look on your stool' - and there was a single white rose, with a note simply saying "like an angel". How cute is that? (especially as my angelic qualities are not my most prominent!!!)
I shared the gig with a ballon modelling elf and 2 ice people. 1 on stilts, 1 ground level doing contact juggling with crystal balls.
Now, I had some pre-conceptions about these acts, but they were blown away on the day. the professionalism and quality of the work they delivered was outstanding, and I was quite enamoured with their talents. I might be slightly miffed that the ballon modelling elf demanded a higher price than me, but I guess that's part of being a musician. Peace beyond passion and all that.
Then I went on to a wedding in the evening with Tim, Steve, Alex and the nice drummer (?), which was cool, but a mf of a get in. Oh loving your beautiful wedding venue with bridges over water to get in....but not with 2 keyboards and a PA at -2 degrees MF! Plus, it was that standard wedding blah. Running late, saying the right words, but not really giving a shit. Still, I had a nice gig, and got to hang out with my muso buddies, which was cool. Was a late night tho ;)
I have missed too much this week due to external influences. It's a bummer. Should have been at LVP extended rehearsal on Monday evening, but couldn't get into town because of tube strikes. Then I missed Tuesday because of snow. Drove in a circle trying to get home and ended back at Crystal Palace afterall. I guess I just couldn't get away!! 5 hours to get nowhere? Well, time to think is an environment that often eludes me, so I guess it was invaluable in some ways (would have been better if I hadn't needed a wee!) I didn't really want to stay out on Tuesday night, but the only place I could get to was Alex's, so there I went. At least it was warm. I watched a movie - now that's a proper treat! i couldn't concentrate on work, so in the end, I stopped pretending to work, and took the chill time for what it was.
Was glad to get home today and pick up my kids and have some normal time together. it's snowing hard, so I guess it sledges and hot chocolate tomorrow. So much for the composer. Tomorrow I am mum, and that will be nicer and less complicated than all the other things I have been this week!
I have started on my chroma composition tho, and am making headway into my accordion piece, so i"m still doing it, despite the world!
Nunight people. Tra la la xxx
No comments:
Post a Comment