Can you sing a better song?
One that tells me who you are?
One that tells of things
That no one's ever heard?
I want to hear a newer song
One that hasn't ever played
One that never could be made
Except right now.
Friday, August 27, 2010
House concert and Dinner
On Wednesday my teacher gave a recital at his house with his grandson (a talented young cellist). I don't have a car so five of the students of Paul car-pooled with one of the students who does. About 25 people went to the recital and there was an amazing dinner afterward that Paul's wife made. The recital room: my teacher and his grandson  |
The house
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
More Good News!!!!
On Thursday last week I auditioned (singing) for the Baroque Ensemble here at SFCM. I think probably 70 or more singers auditioned - there were two days of auditions... And I got in! I was chosen as one of the singers to perform on the fall concert, which is going to be lute-accompanied songs. Every year the Baroque Ensemble puts on a Baroque opera in the Spring, and a concert in the fall. They chose about 15 singers for the Baroque opera, and then five more for the concert, (of which I am one!). So this will be a lot of fun. We will study Baroque ornamentation and stylistic practices of the period, so we can sing the music in the correct manner. :-) This is a picture of the posting on the bulletin board at the conservatory yesterday, announcing which singers who auditioned made it into the Baroque Ensemble... and my name was there on the fall concert list! :-D  |
Van Ness Street
Locked...
Approaching the church
I walked all the way to church the first Sunday I was here. It was about a 30-35 minute walk, so I wore jeans and tennis shoes and brought my dress and dress shoes in my backpack. I thought maybe I had walked too far when I could see the water of the ocean! But about two blocks later I found it. It's hard to see in this picture but the church building was actually really pretty...  |
Friday, August 20, 2010
Wonderful day...
I have to tell you (or somebody... or everybody) I am so happy! Today I auditioned for roles in the San Francisco Conservatory Opera. My audition went well I think... I sang the "Hello" song from Menotti's opera, The Telephone, and one verse of the "Doll Song" from Offenbach's Tales of Hoffman. I also had my first voice lesson with Jane Randolph, whom I will be studying with while I am here at the conservatory (in addition to my wonderful current teacher in L.A. who got me to where I am now with my voice - Dennis Rupp).
This was my first meeting with Ms. Randolph - She had never heard me sing before. But she seemed happy to take me as a student, and said she thinks that I'm (in her words: ) "very bright, so this is going to be fun!" :-D I just found out that she also was/is Frederica von Stade's teacher (famous mezzo-soprano). Here's a link to one of Stade's videos, and a link to an interview she had where she talked about going to a lesson with Ms. Randolph:
http://ginnyprior.com/2005/12/07/the-world-is-frederica-von-stades-stage-but-alameda-is-home/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8Jvr5lg8vE
So, this WILL be fun I think! I feel so blessed to be in this place right now. We will see what else this year holds in store! :-)....
This was my first meeting with Ms. Randolph - She had never heard me sing before. But she seemed happy to take me as a student, and said she thinks that I'm (in her words: ) "very bright, so this is going to be fun!" :-D I just found out that she also was/is Frederica von Stade's teacher (famous mezzo-soprano). Here's a link to one of Stade's videos, and a link to an interview she had where she talked about going to a lesson with Ms. Randolph:
http://ginnyprior.com/2005/12/07/the-world-is-frederica-von-stades-stage-but-alameda-is-home/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8Jvr5lg8vE
So, this WILL be fun I think! I feel so blessed to be in this place right now. We will see what else this year holds in store! :-)....
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Orientation Week
Okay - I finally got a password and access to the computer lab at the conservatory - so I am back online! I edited out all the weird little blurbs from the pictures that I sent to my blog from my cellphone - so they should look better now.
Today I auditioned for the chamber music class at the conservatory... It went pretty well, I think. I guess they usually only admit like four people into the class each semester, so we will see what happens.
This week has been so busy with so many things! Tomorrow I will be auditioning in voice for the baroque ensemble... Hopefully that goes well, as well! I'll be singing "Tornami a Vagheggiar" from Handel's opera, Alcina. Then Friday I will take placement exams for an Italian class.
I had my first lesson with my teacher, Paul Hersh, yesterday! He is really great and the lesson went well. We worked on the first movement of the Ravel concerto. He said he has never learned the Ravel himself, but he sight-read the orchestral reduction on the piano very well while I played my part and then we worked on the interpretation. He has high expectations of me (which is good!), but I am going to have to work and practice really hard!!!
I also talked to a voice teacher today, Jane Randolph, about the possibility of studying voice with her as an elective. She is going to call me later tonight.... ! :-D I'm excited about that, too.
Lots of things happening... I'm gonna go and practice!
Today I auditioned for the chamber music class at the conservatory... It went pretty well, I think. I guess they usually only admit like four people into the class each semester, so we will see what happens.
This week has been so busy with so many things! Tomorrow I will be auditioning in voice for the baroque ensemble... Hopefully that goes well, as well! I'll be singing "Tornami a Vagheggiar" from Handel's opera, Alcina. Then Friday I will take placement exams for an Italian class.
I had my first lesson with my teacher, Paul Hersh, yesterday! He is really great and the lesson went well. We worked on the first movement of the Ravel concerto. He said he has never learned the Ravel himself, but he sight-read the orchestral reduction on the piano very well while I played my part and then we worked on the interpretation. He has high expectations of me (which is good!), but I am going to have to work and practice really hard!!!
I also talked to a voice teacher today, Jane Randolph, about the possibility of studying voice with her as an elective. She is going to call me later tonight.... ! :-D I'm excited about that, too.
Lots of things happening... I'm gonna go and practice!
Thursday, August 12, 2010
My first day in San Francisco
This morning my flight to San Francisco left at six a.m. ! I was so tired on the flights over - but I forgot to bring my pillow so I couldn't lay my head down and sleep on the plane like I usually do. But when I finally made it and got registered for my room I was pleasantly surprised to fing that it was quite sunny - considering that my rooms only window faces a brick wall and another person's window! After taking a nap for an hour or two I went over to the school and got a keycard so I could practice...which I did. I was so happy to be playing that perfectly tuned grand piano in that beautiful room! I sent a bunch of picturesFTP my blog today from my cellphomr...sorry for all the weird little messages it adds. I have a feeling this might be a very good year ahead... Tomorrow I meet with my new teacher for lunch, and after that we will probably have a lesson. Wish me luck! Goodnight.
The window and desk
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