I realised that it's been a while since my last post so thought i'd better get my act together!

 

Things have been increasingly busy as the Ruth musical draws ever closer (premiers on Easter weekend), I am helping where needed with the odd bits of teaching vocal harmonies and solo lines. I've found it interesting because what I have learned from how to present oneself in a performance situation transfers obviously to any vocalist and (hopefully!) the recipients of my advice have found comments useful. The best thing I find is to trust yourself and let go to the music, which I know we all struggle with on occasion (myself included!). I recommend a great book 'The inner game of music' by Barry Green & W.Timothy Gallwey. It's full of fantastic advice, tips, and activities for overcoming performing anxieties.

 

Other activities include arranging my latest piece (that will be part of a dance suite) 'Fuerza Tranquila' (quiet strength) for Cello and piano. I wrote this a short time ago, initially for alto sax and piano, but after answering a reply on a performers/composers forum, an American duo named 'Cross Island' contacted me eager to try the piece on cello / piano. After arranging the part (thanks to Suzanne for clef preference advice!) they have tried the piece together and seem very taken up with it, so much so that they asked if they could perform it in a showcase concert featuring women composers on 20th March in Jericho, New York. I'm looking forward to hearing a possible recording because, having visited their website, they do seem to be a duo that places utmost importance on reaching people emotionally through their music, which is close to my own heart as you know. Visit their myspace page here; http://www.myspace.com/crossislandensemble

 

A sad little bit of news now, one of our cats; Sam sadly had to be put to sleep on Tuesday due to failing kidneys (he was 11). The house seems somehow odd despite the presence of our rather amply insulated other cat (Leah, but also known as her latin equivalent; 'fatimus catimus'!). Sam was very intelligent, loved listening to classic fm, particularly Debussy and Chopin, and loved to sit next to me sometimes as I played piano (would soon scarper if I so much looked at the sax or clarinet!) so he will be greatly missed......

 

Thanks for visiting, and remember....2 new tracks have been added on my music player; 'Fuerza Tranquila' and 'Beka's jazz waltz'