International Youth Symphony rehearsal - Day 7

Yesterday was kinda difficult. Lots and lots of detail work. Hardly any run-throughs. But, we got a LOT accomplished and feel like we're ready for the concerts. Now, I know you are probably bored with all my rambling about rehearsals, but this is mostly for my benefit, so I can remember everything. This past week and a half has been one of the toughest, but one of the most rewarding times of my musical life. I have learned SOOO much and have built new friendships. I have a renewed appreciation for Mozart and Beethoven and have learned a lot about the specific symphonies we're playing by listening to other people's parts, seeing how everything intertwines and "clicks" when it's played right, finding patterns and reasons for certain themes and statements and so many other things. I have learned the difference between "correct" and "right." "Right" has a deeper meaning and it's not just mechanical, but heart-felt. I could go on and on, but I will leave it at that for now.

I taught 3 students later in the day and after my second one, I should have had about a 10-minute break until I had to leave for my last student at her house. So, I was going to take that opportunity to get gas on the way since I was super low. Anyway, I accidently went 10 minutes over with my second student (I never do that without knowing it,) so when I realized it, I quickly ended the lesson and scrambled out the door. I go to the cheapest gas station around and there was a line longer than I've ever seen. At this point I'm very worried. I've wasted the precious time I had just GETTING to the gas station and I don't think I'm gonna make it to the student without running out of gas, but there are no other cheap gas stations around. So, I decided to say a quick prayer and head to my student's house. Fortunately, I made it, but by the time I got there and got ready for the lesson, I started 15 minutes late (something I HATE doing, but she was very forgiving.) After the lesson, we spent 15 minutes scheduling the rest of the month (since I have Les Mis conflicts coming up) and payment and such. So, I leave and go get gas on the way back while the idiot light is blaring at me. Douglas had ordered pizza during my student and wanted me to pick it up afterwards. So, after I get gas and pick up the pizza (almost an hour after it was done,) I ended up arriving at home 45 minutes later than I should have. So, we ate pizza at 9:15 before I had to go to bed at 10. Sheesh!

International Youth Symphony rehearsal - Day 6

Today was interesting. At one point, the conductor had us play our parts as a quartet (meaning first chair of 1st violins, 2nd violins, violas and cellos instead of everybody.) Since I am first chair viola, that meant I had to play my part alone in a quartet, which was really nerve-racking. It was the hardest movement, too! Then we played the same thing as an octet (adding one more of each instrument) and that was better. It sounded really neat that way. The conductor was trying to make a point by saying we all need to have confidance and be able to hold the parts really tight just as if we were the only ones playing. During our last break, Katie (bassoonist) and I explored the school to see what all there was (and since we wouldn't be there for much longer) and when we came back, the rehearsal had already started. Yikes! So, we got to hear what some of the Mozart symphony sounded like without playing it. So, we snuck in and took our places. Luckily, the director didn't say anything. My back started to hurt again (pretty bad this time) but I got through it. At the end of rehearsal, the director gave us a long pep talk to get us pumped up and then told us to go socialize! So, we got to get out of rehearsal early. The international students were going to Souplantation for lunch so a few of us decided to join them. Then I came home and taught 4 students. And, of course watched America's Got Talent! Now, I get to repeat it all again tomorrow!

Natan (Israel), Marie Luise (Germany), Martin (Bulgaria) at Souplantation

International Youth Symphony rehearsal - Day 5

Today's rehearsal was filled with tons of detail work. It was not as hard as last week and I didn't have as much back pain. I think I'm getting conditioned to it. I was still a little tired afterward but it wasn't too bad. Also, it was only 5 hours long instead of 7 so that made it easier.

Well, I might as well promote the concerts since I've been blabbing on and on about rehearsals. Why not hear the final product? There will be 2 concerts and they will be great!

International Youth Symphony pool party!

Yesterday, I went to a party with the orchestra at one of the host family's house. Their house is incredible! It's absolutely huge and immaculate and the pool is awesome! It was just warm enough to feel great! It has a water slide and a water fall. I haven't had this much fun swimming in a long time. After swimming, we had dinner, which was lasagna, garlic bread, salad and lots of desserts. Then we learned how to dance! We learned waltzing from the Germans and Austrian and salsa from the Venezuelans. As we left, we stopped in the garage and admired the 3 Ferraris!

Here's pretty much everybody (I am one of 3 Americans)


Countries represented: Germany, Austria, Belgium, Holland, Italy and USA (I'm the top right)

Countries represented: Germany, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Turkey and Holland

Countries represented: Turkey, Switzerland and I don't know who the 3rd person is. Possibly from Israel

Countries represented: Venezuela and USA

Countries represented: Italy and Turkey

The Venezuelans teaching salsa dancing

Not one, not two, but three Ferraris!

Altar Boyz

Last night, we went to see Altar Boyz at the Welk Theatre. It was fun! It was basically like a rock concert. It's about a Christian boy band and it has some really funny parts. Afterwards, we went to the cast party and I ate lots of chicken. They didn't have any at the last cast party I went to, so I was really happy they had some this time. It was a little too spicy for my taste, but I just doused it with ranch and it was tasty!

If you want to see Altar Boyz, the info can be found at www.welktheatresandiego.com/default.asp?idno=9738

International Youth Symphony rehearsal - Day 4

Today was a short rehearsal. It started at the same time but ended a little after 10, making it about an hour and a half. We basically ran through both symphonies and did some minor detail work. The time flew by. I came home and took a nap (finally!) It was great. I finally felt rested after the whole week. I taught 2 students later in the afternoon and just relaxed the rest of the evening.

International Youth Symphony rehearsal - Day 3

Today's rehearsal was pretty good (another 7-hour one.) We ran through the symphonies and did a lot of detail work. My concentration level was not so good after lunch, but I didn't make any major mistakes. I also had a headache. Afterwards when I came home, I felt absolutely exhausted. I don't remember ever feeling that drained in my whole life (including all-nighters.) I felt like I hadn't slept in days. It made me really moody (my poor husband.) I finally took some Excedrin for my headache before my students. Combining Excedrin with exhaustion is one of the strangest feelings I have experienced. These long days have been very hard on me physically and emotionally. I haven't been able to take naps after rehearsal (even if I had time) because then I wouldn't be able to get to sleep at night. So, even though I've had pretty much enough sleep, the combination of getting up early and rehearsing until I feel like I'm gonna crack up and then coming home and keeping myself awake so I can teach feels like I've been doing everything half-asleep (including driving. Yikes!) I've done the summer camps before (and many other things that have kept me a lot busier than this) but this one is the hardest. Probably because of the longer rehearsals at the beginning. At least the 7-hour days are now done. Even with all my complaining, the camp has been so rewarding. I look forward to the rehearsals because I get to interact with students from all over the world and make beautiful music. I have a new appreciation for Beethoven and Mozart and all the amazing composers. It's given me a different perspective on music and just life in general. And it will only get better!