The 101st season of the Long Beach Municipal Band started at 1:30 this afternoon with our first rehearsal. Besides reading through our concert music for tomorrow, we got WARDROBE:
My men's small shirt means I can eat anything I want this season and NO ONE WILL EVER KNOW!
I actually like this shirt which is fortunate because I've got 2 of them.
Our first concert is tomorrow, June 30 at 6:30pm in Los Cerritos Park.
The first Long Beach Municipal Band rehearsal is tomorrow, with the first concert of the season on Wednesday. Bob and I will be occupied with 4 concerts a week until August 13. We're both working most weekends as well. On Tuesday, August 17 I'm undergoing major surgery with a 4 week recovery that puts me directly into the new semester at APU.
With all that in mind, I've been keeping my eye on the AP (Annual Passholder) rates for the Grand Californian Hotel at the Disneyland Resort. Last year's stay was so peaceful and restful that we've been longing for a return visit. Yesterday we struck gold with a room rate only $4.00 more per night than our incredible rate from last year. We've signed up for 5 nights starting at the very end of August. I'll be able to continue my recovery in style, and we'll both be able to soak up the peace and grace that is the Grand Californian.
When beginning a long period of hard work ending with a serious medical procedure, it is wonderful to have an escape planned!
Joel and I are planning another recital for Spring 2011. We can't help it. We love collaborating.
That means, however, that we actually have to choose repertoire. So far we have commitments vague promises from Phil Shackelton and Mike Lee for new pieces written just for us. Those pieces, as magnificent as they will be, do not a complete program make.
I was perusing Flute World and YouTube for inspiration this morning and came across the second movement of a beautiful piece:
The other movements are equally lovely. I checked with Joel, and we both agree that Summer Music by Richard Rodney Bennett is a go for the program.
Bob and I had a relaxing, refreshing time away from it all on our 7 night cruise. We're waiting comfortably in our cabin until it's time for our group to leave the ship. This is the view from our balcony. So nice!
The 2010 Spring Semester wrapped up for me this past Saturday with 4 hours of woodwind juries. The students played well, and the time was made even more enjoyable by the enthusiasm and musical insight of my colleagues. I made the FINAL COMMUTE home, turned in my final grades, and did the happy dance. Well, I would have done the happy dance if I hadn't been so fried from the pressure and stress of the last week of classes. Instead, I took a nap. Geezer!
Anne Frank rehearsals begin next Thursday. Without the commute and long hours of teaching, I've got plenty of time to work out, clean house, AND practice opera. What a concept. Of the three, practicing is the only thing that gets done with any regularity during the school year.
Bob and I are especially looking forward to our anniversary cruise a week from Sunday. As I mentioned before, the pleasure of anticipating this cruise has been worth the price already.
One of the things I've come across in my months of anticipation is this video of a cabin similar to ours on the Mariner of the Seas. I especially appreciate the, um, enthusiastic camera technique:
I have to say, he captures my feeling of excitement if nothing else.
