Let's start with the concerts. Monday was the first Wind Symphony concert of the season. I only played on one tune, which was kind of a bummer. But on the other hand, I am not sure I have the time to practice much more than that. We will have to see how I do on the next concert, where I play much more. The concert itself went pretty well. There was a really funky cello concerto on the program that everyone really liked. You can check out a recording of the concert here:
http://new.livestream.com/accounts/1927261/events/3377045
The concert on Friday was an interesting affair. The Mosaic Concert, as it is called, was a showcase of all that Boyer (the college of music and dance) has to offer. The show ran seamlessly from act to act, featuring the Wind Symphony, Symphony Orchestra, a variety of vocal ensembles, instrumental and vocal soloists, jazz ensembles, and dancers. The dance department seems to have gotten the short end of the stick for the program, only being allowed one short performance while the music side of things dominated the show. I wonder what that is. Anyway, at the last minute, I was asked to play with both the Symphony Orchestra and the Wind Symphony for the show, which made the rehearsal schedule for the week pretty intense. To make matters worse, the rehearsals all week were at the Temple Performing Arts Center, which is not in the same building as the majority of the School of Music spaces (including my office, where I keep my horns). So, practically every day this week, I had to cart both my contra and baby bassoon across campus. I never realized how heavy my contra is in its case before, only having had to carry it short distances before. Carting it across campus, with the baby bassoon in my other hand was quite the forearm workout. But, there is good news! I found a company which makes a carbon fiber case which fits a contrabassoon and baby bassoon, has shock absorbing wheels, and backpack straps. Check it out:
Bad news: it costs $3376.38! I don't know which is worse: the effort of carrying my horns around in their original, super-heavy cases or knowing this awesome case exists and that I cannot afford it!Moving on...
... to statistics. As you know, I had my first statistics test last week. And I got it back this week. Look!:
I had an eye-opening project in my Psychology of Music Learning and Behavior class this week, though it was eye-opening for me in a way that was probably not the intention of the project. We had to pick a piece of music we believe to be polarizing and interview people to see how different folks respond to the same piece of music. I found, as I interviewed people, that I was not as in-depth with my questioning as I should have been. I almost felt like I was inconveniencing people, asking them to take time out of their schedules to participate in my project. I also had trouble keeping a "research poker face" and not letting my bias show in my statements and questions. This is the first "field research" I have done in a formal setting. I was surprised at my reaction to it. I figured I would have been better at asking questions. But, now I know my natural tendency and I can correct for it next time.
Unfortunately, I do not have any research upon which to report this week. Being sick, I didn't get the opportunity to do much reading. I know you all are super sad. I will make up for it next week!
Last week, our Ravens had game-time woes. This week, the Orioles seem to have caught the malady. Come on, now. Dropping the first two games of the series? That is not the way to the World Series. It's time to get it together. On the bright side, though, how about those Ravens this week? Granted, it was against the Bucs. But, I'll take the confidence boost. And the Steelers lost. And the Bengals tie. These are all good things!
I must conclude now so I can finish my midterm for Child and Adolescent Development (and go to the store to buy more tissues... I hate being sick!). Send me healthy vibes!
That is all for now.
Future Dr. Mitch, out!
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