How to Make a Flute

This is how Brannen Brothers makes their flutes. I was told my flute took about 300 hours to make because gold is more difficult to work with than silver. I love my Brannen flute!

Kingly Reunion

I am so grateful to be back "home" at the San Gabriel Civic Auditorium.

After a hiatus of about 7 years, musicals with a professional orchestra will once more be heard in that grand hall thanks to Bill Shaw and the San Gabriel Valley Music Theatre.

I have played many, many shows in this pit:

It was wonderful to see conductor Richard Allen (left) and director Bill Shaw (right) at rehearsal today:

I am so glad to be in "Siam" this week.

I love my job.

APU Flute Juries

Why are these people smiling? They have just successfully completed their spring semester of applied flute lessons. Well, all except Joel. He just received his Doctorate from USC. I'm smiling, too! Congratulations to all.

How My Garden Grows

I got out in the garden for the first time in weeks this morning.

We had planted some sunflower seeds in peat pots a few weeks back.

I planted them outside.

I've never had much luck with seeds.

I think the neglect factor does them in.

I'll let you know if this batch survives.

Meanwhile, take time to smell the roses...

Isn't It Romantic

My romance specialist was out of town again yesterday.

He left me this:

My husband is the greatest!

Last Week of School

It's the last week of classes at both of my schools.

I think we all pretty much feel like this:

One more day of lessons, a graduate recital, and some juries and I'm done being a flute professor until September.

I think we're all in agreement. It's time for a break.

I'll miss my students, but not the commute.

We've all earned many naps.

Hmmm, maybe I'll start right now.

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz...

Quintet Road Show

The APU Faculty Woodwind Quintet hit the road today.

We visited Valley Christian High School to play for their orchestra class.

Nathan is the band and orchestra director.

He is an APU grad currently working on his Masters:

Here are Rufus and Jenny before the concert:

Stephanie always sounds great:

Jane is ready to go:

I'm still a little hazy from last week's work:

We've got a few more road shows coming up.

I'll keep you posted.

Jesus Freak

I love this song!

Saito Homa 2007

Fire and Opera

This was my view this morning:

The venue was still quite soggy from yesterday's soaking.

Here is where I did my FlutePraying:

Notice the condition of the stage.

This was after the crew spent over 2 hours wiping it down.

The wonderful orchestra contractor made sure the muddy paths were covered with boards so we wouldn't be wearing the red clay for the rest of the day:

This was what the steps to the stage looked like when I arrived:

The excellent crew labored hard to get them cleaned up:

I've never been in fancier port-a-potties:

The stage covering was still so wet that there was fear of dripping on the instruments:

We were all given towels.

I never had to use mine:

Our marvelous conductor is on the left:

This is the view of the altar from stage left:

The green branches to the right of the drum are what burned:

My next stop was in Long Beach:

It was back to the car park for the final opera performance of this run.

Here's my work space:

The crew worked hard to set this up:

My dear brother Ken was able to attend:

Who knew a parking garage could look so cool:

Here are my instruments at the ready:

I have tomorrow off.

I'm going to sleep until Monday.

Next up: The King and I

I'll keep you posted.

Garage Opera in Long Beach

The crew was still working hard setting up when we arrived for opera rehearsal in the Lincoln Park Garage.

They had to tear down at Sinai Temple this morning, then set everything up again in Long Beach.

We spent the rehearsal adjusting to the acoustics of our latest opera venue.

I like my new parking place:

An added perk is that I was home 10 minutes after the rehearsal was over.

Stay tuned for tomorrow's double header.

Fire and Rain

What a difference a day makes.

The orchestra for the Fire Ceremony dress rehearsal was relocated inside due to the rain.

Here was my "spot" for the day:

We were grateful that someone finally recognized our "talent":

The orchestra venue was in the temple itself.

As we got ready to play, worshippers were filing by:

Our music is in the yellow folders:

The worshippers were waiting in line to go to this spot directly behind us...

...to visit this:

We had our own "shooter":

When the time came, we had a live feed to the ceremony site via big screen.

Remember the pre-records we did last week?

They paid off.

We got to go to lunch right after the 2 live intro pieces while the pre-records were played during the ceremony.

Here is the all important food location:

We were provided with delicious vegetarian food:

This was our view during the ceremony:

It was a good day for some mint tea:

I poked my head outside to get a picture of the smoke from the fire in the ceremony:

We then shuffled back to the temple where we waited to see if our 1pm-5pm rehearsal was a go.

Then the glad tidings arrived!

We were released for the day.

We hopped on the waiting buses, scampered into our cars at the shuttle site, and headed HOME.

I'm going to get seriously reacquainted with my pillow before my 8:30 opera rehearsal tonight.

We're in a new venue.

Stay tuned...