The longest blog ever

Or how I was musicked out in a week.

Tuesday: Composers Inc

It certainly wasn't the worst, though I can't say it was the best either.

I'll be upfront and honest: I was totally in a pissy mood, which probably affected my opinions about everything. Getting to tell former teachers and stuff that you failed for the third time to get into grad school can't make you feel that good, know what I mean? So I was bitchy and moody, and probably not much fun. Oh well.

So to the concert: the first piece...was kind of dumb. obviously about bees, but otherwise...well, not so exciting. I really liked Hdez's piece, for clarinet and piano, I especially liked the faster parts. There was the eight cello version of Reich's Cello Counterpoint...which was Reich to be sure. It sounded a bit bass heavy, though that could have been where I was sitting. There was a piece by a former teacher of mine, it was a little too long, I think, but my main problem with it is that it was written 22 years ago, and this was supposed to be a new music concert. I wasn't a big fan of the Ettelson award winner, it was not entirely dissimilar to the first piece (how's that for a double negative, eh?).

Wednesday: Orchestral Reading

I had my piece After the Rain read by CSUEB's orchestra. The reading went well, but the day was a disaster. I was completely underprepared, which was completely my fault. I finished the parts that day, without cues, and with apparently a lot of mistakes, which I didn't catch until the orchestra started playing. I spent half of the reading trying to get past the fact that I made so many errors. Despite all of that, I thought the orchestra read the piece well. It certainly helps to hear things in real life, though it would have been nice to have been listening from in front of the orchestra rather than from within the orchestra, but that's a whole other rant.

Friday: Kronos

thursday nothing exciting happened, but Friday I went to see my brother in Davis, and to catch a performance of the Kronos Quartet that night. Hanging out with my brother was great, the kronos performance was...alright. There were a lot of tape peices, but not cool tape pieces, tape pieces where the tape part could be done live, which just seems dumb to me. I'm not a big fan of electronic stuff, but it should at least actually NEED to be electronic. That's all I'm saying.

Saturday and Sunday: Fresno New Music Festival

Woke up earlier than normal to catch a ride with Hdez in the mini down to Fresno. Once there, much composery geekiness ensued, including bringing the greatness of theory card games to the fresnoites. Heard a lot of music, some which was good, some which was not, but an educational experience either way. Saw a percussion ensemble concert, and I was not as put off by it as I usually am by percussion ensemble concerts...maybe I finally get it. Saw another group with a clarinetist who was so out of tune, I could hardly get past it to pay attention to the music. The singer was good though, and I liked some of the pieces I heard. I especially one which used as its text quotes from presidents; I love it when music makes me laugh. Went out later, talked with some people, mostly students, and had some good beer. On Sunday I attended a rather boring meeting (as it did not pertain to me in the slightest), heard a student composers recital (interesting to hear what my peers are writing), and learned to drive a stick. I have to say, I am most pleased and proud of the last one. I didn’t break the mini, and it was fun.

The rest of this week had less music, though today I sat in on counterpoint, composed, actually practiced clarinet (and learned a new note!) and started analysis (and I do mean started…as in not far into it). Rather productive, if I do say so myself.

There was much other greatness this week, I’m sure, but I can’t seem to recall it all at this moment. What a packed week.