It's better already

I haven’t even started the vacation and my perspective has changed already. Maybe that’s because I’ve finished playing 2 of 5 services/concerts. I’m looking forward to a few days away. But, before I take off, here’s the info on the Noon concerts:

Friday, March 6, 2020 at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Salinas, CA at Noon: Oh, I C

I’ll be playing a short concert. I challenged myself to put together a collection of pieces in C Major from different centuries. Pack a lunch, come on down, and find out what music spanning hundreds of years has in common.

Friday, March 13, 2020 at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Salinas, CA at Noon: It’s all relative

I’ll be on the bench for a 20-30 minute program of pieces in a minor. I haven’t decided yet if there will be a Bach Prelude and Fugue in the exploration of keys. It would be obvious to include an example of the form.

Friday, March 20, 2020 at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Salinas, CA at Noon:  It’s about 4 foot or 8 foot.

The music this week will highlight the 4 and 8 foot stops on the organ. We’ll have fun listening to how a piece can sound different on the same instrument.

I hope this tempts you to take a break and join us. Bring a lunch if you wish, or just come to sit a spell and listen. See you there!

Substitutions

Since my injury, I’ve been on a journey of last minute gigs for organ jobs. I’m the substitute in the wings colleagues call when life happens. Almost each time it is for a happy event: babies coming early, winning a trip to a wonderful location (Paris!), and receiving a gift of time with a treasured friend. Sometimes the events are not so cheerful. Last week I received one of those breathless "I have good news and a request" calls. I filled in Sunday, will fill in Wednesday and a few Fridays. More information on those Noon concerts in a later post. Right now I must gather my music and shoes and get busy!

Good thing I finished all the samples for the workshops last week!! Pictures have already been shared as much as I’m allowed. You’ll just have to sign up for Sunnyvale Lace Museum or Shuttlebirds Tat Days to join in more fun with those patterns. Classes are filling, so get your application in (scholarships are available for new tatters).

In the Program

Those local to Monterey may have figured out that I review concerts for a website. I don’t consider myself a journalist and I ALWAYS ask for my text to be proofread before submittal. As my daughter said once I don’t “grammar” well. She admonished me to stick to playing music and tatting lace. Don't let a teenager limit you. 

I was pleasantly encouraged to read a column by a restaurant reviewer this week. Raul Nava will be writing for the Monterey Herald. In his column, he wrote of his vision. He wishes to “avoid the traditional parade of critical commentary on dish after dish.” That sums up my vision for my reviews. 

I could write words detailing every mistake, expressing my own personal bias, or slamming the venue. But, I like encouraging people to play music, buy tickets to hear music, and to explore compositions they haven’t yet come to love. Sure, I’ll be attending concerts that will be a negative experience. I’ve played some concerts and services that I’d really, really like a do-over! Sure, recordings are available for free. I recommend newbie concert goers listen to the music at least once before settling in their seat and perusing the program.

I’ve decided that will be my “by-line” for these reviews: In the Program.

I hope if you see me at a concert, you’ll let me know you read this blog and give me feedback. Oh, and invite someone to explore the music with you. There are plenty of people out there who hesitate to attend a concert, and would be glad for the encouragement!

Thank you

I enjoy saying thank you. 

Especially when I can do so with a small tatted gift. I am grateful for these generous fiber friends: 

Cleda, Mary, and Dawn. 

The gamps you loaned me for the Blackwork program were studied and provided much inspiration. I hope you enjoy a small token of my thanks.

Blackwork imaginings

My idea:

Work a background using the fill-in techniques for my next tatted piece on a musical composition.

Think it will work?

Now to chase away the complacent practice habits

Recently, a colleague of mine played the Fugue in F Major BWV 540. I learned the Toccata that precedes this romp through the key with a b-flat….and others. The challenge was issued to learn the Fugue. I think that’s a great idea! Just after I sort my threads, organize my button and ice drop stash, and maybe even sort the pile of papers that has been growing for a while.  

Oh, and for those keeping track…. The Blackwork program was a success. I came home with less stash than when I started this adventure! Several experienced stitchers were thrilled to pick out a chart and fabric. I call that a win!!

Recommended for listening:
filmed in the church JS Bach worked in: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I-ummko047I&vl=en
a great explanation if you understand German: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9noAW3m4dc
for a female performer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Wb6wRRzM-U

Samples are ready

Remember when I mentioned I will be leading a project inBlackwork? 

Here are two samples I stitched up:

The bookmark is worked in cotton and silk threads. 

The color study is all cotton threads.

I learned a lot working on these. I hope to learn more next Monday.

Now to prepare the handouts……

I have been complacent

This thought bubbled to the surface as I flipped through the Feb. 2020 American Organist issue. This magazine is “professional reading” for me and usually can be read cover to cover in a few minutes. Frequently, I stop the skimming and read thoroughly. What caught my eye this month? The article originally written in 1944 by E. Power Biggs “Modern Renaissance of the Organ” reprinted with an introduction by Rollin Smith. For the organists who automatically do a small trill with their feet whenever E. Power Biggs is mentioned, this article came from The Etude magazine secured expressly for them by Myles Fellowes from A Conference. Yes, those people! 

For the non-organists, E. Power Biggs was heard each week playing all manner of organ music. (The 1940’s was the heyday of organ concerts. One could hear local performers each month along with nationally broadcast shows on the new technology of the time: the radio.)The excerpt from his talk is a bit of a call to action. 

Here’s what caught my eye:

It’s very easy just to react to the demands we perceive. Change the crying baby’s diaper. Feed the hungry teenager. Dust the shelf, vacuum the rug, scrub the bathtub, bag the groceries, answer the email…. Create the birthday/Christmas gift. Replace a worn pair of earrings.

It’s a whole different thing to make sure the important things are done. What’s important? 

Well:

Learn the recital piece you really love to hear and play it! (Sacred and secular)

Tat the design you see in your mind and share it! (Tatted pieces and the pattern)

Fix the worn out window weatherstrip (save on the energy bill too)

The article ends with an admonition to make sure we remember to fit in “further exploration of the astonishingly rich organ library.” I would add to explore the astonishingly rich creativity we have in each of us. So, I'm off to get those chores done and make sure the important things get some time and energy.