I think it's about time I put in a little something about my life beyond my children. Our little (but growing) town is trying to start up a fully professional symphony orchestra. There are many talented musicians in the area and there is an established large city orchestra about an hour out-of-town (where many of our string players will be coming from).
This coming Sunday the orchestra board will be holding auditions for all instrumentalists for the upcoming 2006-2007 season. The inaugural performance will be on April the 4th in the theater downtown. This appears to be a big deal and hopefully the group will indeed succeed and become a thriving organization.
I plan to audition for a spot as a flutist. I have not auditioned for something in a long time. I have selected a concerto piece I played for my senior recital in college (11 years ago!) and I will be playing one of the orchestral excerpts that they require as well. I feel pretty good about my playing. I have played on-and-off for the last 10 years--of course nothing like I was in college when I would practice anywhere from one to four hours in a day!
The exciting thing about this is that it is going to be professional and each concert (they plan to have four concerts a year starting off) will be a paid gig. And they will be playing challenging orchestral work--something I have missed doing all these years.
I've always wanted to play in a major orchestra. One of my dreams--before I became absolutely passionate about raising a family and being a stay-at-home, homeschooling mommy--was to be a flute professor at a university and to play in a symphony orchestra full time. But I gave that up when I married Steve. I could never have continued devoting my life to playing the flute and had a life as a wife and mother. I couldn't be passionate and successful at both to the degree to which I desired.
Well, this little orchestra is nothing major, but this might be my chance to play professionally. It might be a wonderful opportunity for me. I still love to play my flute and I feel confident about my playing. I may not play on the scale of a top musician, but I'm sure I'm above-average.
Oh, and by the way, Steve is also auditioning for a trombone spot. So we'll see what happens. We should know results by the end of next week!
Feb. 15, 2006 - Untitled Comment
How exciting!!! That is one of my dreams as well. I have now played the flute for longer than I have NOT played the flute-- so I guess that means I'm getting old...I mean, old-er, right?
Keep us posted! It's funny I pulled a piece out the other day that I hadn't played in a good 10 years...a little rusty but not too bad, if I do say so myself. My fingers aren't quite as quick as they used to be but I find it much easier to read and interpret pieces than back in my early days. Now I give occasional lessons and play at weddings...lots of weddings...I can play Canon in D in my sleep.
By the way, what piece are you playing for your audition? I'm terrible at auditions...good in concert and practice but auditioning a piece-- not my best.
Love,
Marsha
Feb. 19, 2006 - That is so awesome!! Good for you!
I hope it all works out for you :) I am teaching my kids to play guitar, fiddle and piano. Music is so important, a beautiful gift for your children to see how important it is to you personally. That will be their greatest inspiration. I gave up music while in highschool and have regretted it ever since. I won't let my kids make the same mistake. My children and I especially love the flute piece in Marshall Tucker's "Heard it in a Love Song" and "Can't You See" - a far cry I know from orchestral music LOL but we just love it ~ Daniela
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