International Youth Symphony concert - CCAE

So, we started out the day with a "dress rehearsal" at the California Center for the Arts Escondido, which isn't really a dress rehearsal; you just wear street clothes and practice onstage. Sorta like a sound check. We pretty much ran through the symphonies and that was it. It started at 2 and was supposed to go until 4 but we ended around 3:15 and gave the rest of the time to the Venezuelan quartet in our group who was also performing. We watched them for a bit from the house and then a bunch of us decided to go eat someplace. I brought my change of clothes with me just in case I didn't want to go home in between, even though it's only 10 minutes away. I'm glad I did. We all walked to Sizzler across the street (there were like 20 of us) and then walked down Grand Ave to Cruisin' Grand. Escondido does this every Friday night April through September where people bring their old classic cars to show off. It's really fascinating. The foreign students hadn't seen anything like it so we had fun. While we were walking, someone drove past on a motorcycle and they had their radio blaring. As they drove past, the music from the radio went down in pitch (just like a Europeon siren) and it sounded funny so I commented about it and everyone laughed and agreed with me. I felt at home with a bunch of musicians who have the same corny sense of humor that I do. When I'm with other friends, they just think I'm a nerd. :) About 6:00, we walked back to the center to change into our concert black and warm-up for the concert. The concert started at 7:30 and it went really well. We were all able to follow the director well and there were few mistakes. The only major mistake was that during one of the symphonies, Natan (2nd violins) dropped his bow on the floor. It was funny, but at the same time it wasn't because it kinda disturbed the mood of the piece. That doesn't happen very often. I've lost the grip on my bow, but luckily, not in a concert; only at home when I'm practicing. The first half of the concert consisted of Mozart's Symphony #35 and Shostakovich's Quartet #8. The second half, we played Beethoven's Symphony #4. After the concert, the Venezuelans started playing quartets backstage in the warm-up room as we were packing up so we suggested they go out to the lobby and play for everyone. So they did. They played 2 quartets and were a hit! Thanks to everyone who came! I love playing for an audience. Afterwards, I came home and watched the rest of the Olympics Opening Ceremonies and found out I missed all the good stuff. Well, at least what I saw was neat.

Inside the concert hall after the rehearsal. I'm in the balcony closest to the camera.

The Venezuelan quartet rehearsing onstage

This was after the rehearsal before dinner. Most people brought a change of clothes and Christophe and Lorenz didn't want to bring two pairs of shoes. So they made a fashion statement.

Magda, Andrea, Lauren and Martin in a 1930 Model A Ford

Dejana, Maria, Daniel and Christophe wanted to cruise, too


Daniel, Giulia, Natan and Martin backstage


Martin and Katie looking cool


Kimberley and her flute


The Venezuelans are goofy. Omar is being flirty


Of course I had to get a picture with them


Me and Katie with our instruments


Me and Dejana


I bugged Andrea as she was warming up


Me with Lauren and Magda


This was as we were getting the announcement that we were going to start the concert soon


I think this is my favorite picture of all time. Roberto, Willie and Omar are brothers from Venezuela and make up 3/4 of the quartet. This is how goofy they always are. And then we have Lauren in the background


Onstage right after the concert. There I am in front.
(Notice how the director looks drained)


Here's a better view of us.


And this was taken from the balcony. Here is our whole orchestra.


The quartet serenading the guests in the lobby after the concert


Here is the front of the program


The program order


This was also in the program. This way you can get a better idea of who I'm referring to in the pictures.


I found out we were in the paper! I'm on the far right.

Have you ever wondered what it sounds like in a warm-up room?



After the concert, the quartet serenaded us backstage (sorry the sound quality isn't the best)

International Youth Symphony rehearsal - Day 8

Yesterday was bittersweet. We did some last-minute detail work and some run-throughs and then it was over. As much as I'm looking forward to sleeping in and giving my back a rest, I have really enjoyed making music with some great people from all over the world. Our conductor tells us that some of the greatest moments in making music come from the rehearsal room and not the concert. That's so true. We all appreciate when a soloist plays something beautifully after struggling with it or hearing a final product after working so hard. I just wish the audience could experience what goes on in the rehearsal room so they would appreciate the concerts all the more. As you can see, we've had a lot of fun:

Christophe (Germany), Lorenz (Austria), Magda (Poland), Marjan (Belgium),
Kimberly (Holland), Marie Luise (Germany) and me


Daniel (Israel), Giulia (Italy), Omar (Venezuela), Magda (Poland), Willie (Venezuela)
and Roberto (Venezuela) in front


Willie (violinist) attempting to play cello. It was actually quite funny


Willie playing Roberto's cello and Roberto posing on top of the trash can


After rehearsal (some continue to play)


Packing up


Getting ready to leave


And this is where it all took place - in a middle school classroom

I'm sure most people won't find this as funny as we did. He's actually playing real cello pieces, but not in tune or smoothly. It sounds as if a beginner is playing, but really advanced stuff. It's a really funny combination. The background noise is people practicing in the rehearsal room.

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