Author: artsyhonker

Monday again…

Byartsyhonker October 6, 2008 0 Comments
...and I'm having "one of those days". I woke up with my head full of a bad cold, dithered around far too long before leaving the flat, only to get to Trinity and find no practise rooms until later in the day than I'd planned to stay, and my arranging class cancelled. I don't want to cancel my teaching, but if my voice continues to get worse and my general feeling of wooziness does not abate, I...

Horn class; concerts to attend

Byartsyhonker September 29, 2008 0 Comments
I'm behind on posting again, no surprise there then...Horn class last Wednesday was good. Martin Owen came to run a session on note production: the basic message was to use air support, rather than the tongue, to start notes. This is less tiring than relying on the tongue and, practised over time, leads to better sound and better pitch control.We spent most of the class playing through various...
Byartsyhonker September 24, 2008 0 Comments
I had a good, if slightly busy, weekend. Saturday I went to a concert: the London Gallery Quire were singing and playing at Newington Green Unitarian Church. That's only a short bus ride away from where I live so I went along to listen. I was pleased with what I heard: the performance was lively and enthusiastic, with all members of the quire clearly enjoying themselves. As they rehearse...

First week of classes

Byartsyhonker September 18, 2008 0 Comments
Monday was good: it had the first Arranging class. We have a different lecturer for this module this year, and I'd been a little nervous about whether lessons would be as well-organised and straightforward as last year. I needn't have worried: the module leader (who taught us last year) has put together a little booklet for us that lays things out quite sensibly, and the lecturer seems to have...

Induction Week is over

Byartsyhonker September 12, 2008 2 Comments
Induction Week at Trinity is over. I'm all, er, inducted. The course handbooks are on USB keys this year. This makes them easier to lose, but more useful in other ways as there's 900MB free on the things.I'd grown rather accustomed to having the place mostly to myself over the summer. I'm not used to having to queue for a cup of tea, or actually seeing other students around. I'm sure it will...
Byartsyhonker September 1, 2008 0 Comments
September already!What does September have in store? Flanders and Swann say mist and mud, enough to chill the blood, but I'm rather looking forward to this month.Well, there's the concert a day after tomorrow. I'm really hoping we'll get some audience. I've been at a bit of a loss as to how to promote it efficiently: the location is pretty much ideal for someone who works in the Square Mile and...

Concert; long time no post

Byartsyhonker August 26, 2008 0 Comments
It's been a while since I've written here. Since getting back from Somerset I've been gradually getting back into my practise routine, and planning some of my academic projects for this year. I need to spend more time on that latter and will likely document some of it here in the near future. In the meantime, though, a plug for a lunchtime concert!St John on Bethnal Green Lunchtime ConcertThe...

Charterhouse International Music Festival

Byartsyhonker July 29, 2008 0 Comments
Since 22nd July I've been at the Charterhouse International Music Festival. I've been having quite a wonderful time! The weather has been excellent so far, if perhaps a little warm for playing. Last night brought thunderstorms and today has been far more comfortable. I'm enjoying lots of playing, and catching up on some much-needed sleep. The horn teacher has some useful things to say and I'm...

Chamber music

Byartsyhonker July 9, 2008 0 Comments
Saturday's concert went well, I thought. The audience was quite small, mostly due rather rainy and unfriendly weather in the morning. Playing in that particular space was interesting: I found the piano very loud and could hardly hear Anna on the violin but apparently three feet away the balance was good. I think we played reasonably well: not everything was technically perfect, but that isn't a...

Getting ready…

Byartsyhonker July 4, 2008 0 Comments
Concert tomorrow, informal, 10.30am, St. John on Bethnal Green. As I haven't played a 'proper' self-organised concert in some time this is a good step back into performing. I've just been printing off some programme notes that Anna wrote, and starting to get a bit excited.We did figure out a name for the trio, in the end: we're now the Lichtental Trio, after the part of the forest where Brahms...