I Love You, You're Perfect Now Change!

"I Love You, You're Perfect Now Change!" is the musical that my project group is putting on in April/May 2012. We have been doing fundraising and as part of it, last week we held a bake sale. We are also holding a lucky coin competition, this involves people buying a raffle ticket for £1. The winner then wins 30% of the takings. The 70% of left is used for the hire of the venue scores etc.

Community Music

Yesterday in Community Music I held a small workshop. As part of the course we have to do this. I had the class sing a South African song called Shosholoza. It went well but I it would have went a lot better if I had been more confident singing in front of a small group considering I am not a first study singer. I was given good feed back and I can use this then next time I do it(if there will be another chance for me to do that workshop again). 

World Skills -Glasgow

Was at Glasgow University today with the Stevenson College Concert Band. We were performing at the Scottish world skills ceremony in the Buit hall. It was a good performance, especially with the audience joining in with the YMCA from the Shrek Party piece that we played.

I am really enjoying performing this year and as I have had several opportunities to play in events other than the annual college concerts.

Theory

Had my first theory class of the year sitting grade 7. The lecturers have decide that it would be better to do the Trinity grade exams instead of the ABRSM. We were given one of the Trinity past papers and it didn't seem to be that bad. 

Classical Concert/Academic timetable

Thursday evening was the Classical concert and it was another success. Everyone played really well and all ensembles were sounding better than before. :D

The three week performance block has paid off. With at least two hour rehearsals for each ensemble.

I really enjoyed myself whilst performing. This is why I chose to do music performance because of how fun it is to play amongst other dedicated musicians.

Now its back to our academic timetables, the second six week block. To I began with Analysis. It's a little bit confusing but I am sure that I will eventually get to grips with it. (Hopefully).

This was followed by tutorial were we voted for our class reps for the year. Since the class reps done such a good job last year, the majority of the class voted for the same people again. Lets hope you guys do another good job this year.

Concerts

Tonight the college had their first concert of the year. It was a mixture of Blues, Soul, Folk and Jazz music. I played in the jazz band and it was a great gig. 
Tomorrow night it is the Classical concert. I am playing in the saxophone ensemble, concert band and singing in the choir.
I shall let you know how it goes.


Do you have any exciting performances comming up?

Performance Week 2

Last week was the second last week of the first performing block. Again another busy week. 
On Monday I arrived back from France so I wasn't in college but with the playing I did in France makes up for the missed rehearsals in college(I hope).

Tuesday morning I began with the sax ensemble in which I am playing soprano sax. We have been reheasing two pieces of music, Hit Me and The Lone Ar-ranger Goes Sax Mad! That one is my favourite as its lively and has several little catchy tunes.

Wednesday's reheasals began with choir in the moring in sectionals (male and female) for the first hour then the second hour we all gathered as a choir again and sang the songs we are playing at the concert on Thursday 3rd November. Followed by the Jazz band rehearsal in the afternoon. This is consiting of two bands. The main big band and an upside down band. Now I can hear you saying an upside down band, what's that?
Well our upside down jazz band is set up like this:

• Clarinets playing the saxophone parts
• the saxophones playing the trumpets and trombone parts
• rhythm section-piano, drums, guitar and bass guitar.

 Thursday was another short day with the concert band rehearsal we played through Second Suite In F by Gustav Holst.


Finally at the end of the week on Friday I had another Jazz band rehearsal. Playing through three of the pieces we have- Splaky, Take The A Train and Jumpon At The Woodside.

Verdun, France

I had an awesome time in Verdun. Although the weather was very cold it was good fun. In the afternoon of Saturday 22nd October the Capital Concert Band played in two outdoor venues in the afternoon. In the freezing cold. It was so cold that it was not suitable for the double reed instruments to be played.

In the evening we played in a concert for Peace for the 95th anniversary of the Verdun battle. Here we played a repertoire of music from marches to film music. Along with the French band and a German band. Both of who were very talented. Once each band had played their repertoire all three bands played 5 pieces together. With 150 players on a small stage it was very warm and exciting. There was not enough seats for everyone so all of the brass section had to play standing.

It was an experience and it has made me more determined to succeed in my career as a musician. Touring the globe would be amazing. I can now tick France off my list.

Performance Week 1

Well its the end of the first week of the performance block and what a busy one it has been.


It began on Monday morning with a concert band rehearsal. Was good seeing lots of new faces, especially seeing all the new saxophonists. I have never seen so many in one band before.
After lunch there was a singing workshop for beginners to advanced students. Me being neither a first or second study singer I thought I would give it a bash. As I stood singing my song I realised that I wasn't as nervous as I thought I would have been. I'm looking forward to the next workshop.


Tuesday morning began with the sax ensemble. Nine saxophones this year. It was sounding pretty good. I can't wait for the next rehearsal. This was followed by the new jazz band which is a really big band. In fact it is so big that we have enough players to make two bands.


Wednesday I had the day off so I was able to relax.


On Thursday we had our second concert band and jazz band rehearsals along with the first choir rehearsal. There are plenty more students in the choir this year. I have no idea how we are all going to fit into the church when we sing at our concert.


Next week it's the October week and I am off to France to play with my windband at a peace concert I'm looking forward to it and I will update you when I get back.