Ressurecting the dead

My lesson Thursday went well I think. I still haven't finished the Gibran piece, haven't gotten much further than I was thursday, honestly, but it's coming along. At least it should be in some state of doneness soon.

I'm thinking of ressurecting the orchestra piece from last year as one of my other two new compositions for my portfolio. I was digging through old stuff today to try and get some idea what I might write (I often dig through old stuff when trying to get ideas...see if I can't take some aspect of an abandoned piece or sketch and build something out of it) and I think I'll work on finishing the orchestra piece. I like the beginning, I think it's pretty solid, and then it gets less clear, ending with a bit that will be tossed aside, perhaps for use in another piece because it sure doesn't belong in this one. Having not really looked at it in several months, I'm less caught in the middle of it and more sure of what does and doesn't work. A fresh start, if you will.

In other news, I have gotten a day at a music store on this side of the hill, which will be fantastic, so long as I can fill the day with students. Also, had a student at Dan's school approach me about composition, asked me to look at a piece of his. I'm a little apprehensive about the whole thing, I know there are things I can help him with (ie, not writing eight-note chords for marimba when it is 1. not necessary given the harmony, and 2. impossible to play) but I just don't feel confident teaching compostion. I know I felt the same way when I first starting teaching clarinet, and I know I don't have a lot of confidence in myself, so I'm not really surprised. I know that if I'm ever going to get said confidence, I'm going to just have to take the plunge and do it. The kid is only now taking theory, which explains a lot of his piece (in all honesty, it looks not unlike something I would have written pre-composition lessons) and there are things that show me that he's not all that familiar with some of the instruments he's writing for. And I really appreciate Hdez's constant harping on marking the music, it's hard to realize how much information is given in markings until they aren't there. And it's not that I think this kid's writing isn't good, it's just uninformed, he's just a beginner, and I am not sure how to approach that. I am thinking that I will probably be emailing former comp teachers for advice before meeting with him.

Also, I am auditioning for the orchestra at CSUwhere? on both clarinet and bassoon. Figure that would improve my chances of getting in. PLaying the Stravinsky for clarinet, and not sure what for the bassoon. Need to find something that is not too hard for me...but not totally sucky either. We'll see.