The Geek Strikes Again

So I'm going to a bass recorder workshop tomorrow. Not just a recorder workshop, but a bass recorder workshop. I'm thoroughly looking forward to it (with the exception of having to bring my left leg along), and the person running it is said to be a great teacher, so I have high hopes.

I finally got my Orff pictures organized, so perhaps I'll post a few Orff posts. I'm the one on the right--it looks like I'm eating my recorder, or that I've got it shoved up my face. Anyways....

Recorder Geek am I

I did it! I went and checked out the local American Recorder Society chapter and I was so blessed because walking in the door right behind me was someone I knew from church! Yes, I was the youngest person there, but that was ok, and now I actually have music to practice--something I haven't done for five years. Yeah, I'm excited. Goodnight!

Mondays

Well folks, it's 8:30 and I'm ready for bed. Gotta love the good old school schedule. Today was the first Monday of the school year and it was very productive. Hip hip hooray! This is quite momentous as productive Mondays are not my forte.

And now for something completely different:

I've decided (if I don't chicken out of it) to go and check out the local American Recorder Society chapter. It meets every other week, so I think that might be doable as far as being "out on a school night" goes. As much of a recorder geek I am and would like to be playing something other than beginning string music, I am hesitant as this is completely out of my comfort zone. The whole going and not knowing anyone there does not sound like fun and I'm not sure if I will last until 9:45. So...we'll see. It would be a good networking opportunity (in addition to the playing part). So...unless the Lord makes it very clear that I'm not to do this, I think I will be dragging myself to the first meeting tomorrow night. Me and my bass, that is (and the other four recorders I'm neglecting to mention.) Yes, in my geekiness, I will show up to the meeting with not one or two recorders, but my bag containing the whole consort.

Package...

I got a package in the mail from Lydee today--a very excited event as I never get packages. As I am opening it (with a rather excited anticipation), I suddenly saw the brown spine of a library book, and low and behold, it was the Hugh Orr Soprano Recorder book we got out of Sibley--a book I'd rather not see again as it promotes the playing of high G's and A's on a soprano recorder, a dangerous endeavor for all those involved. Thanks for the package Lydee. It gave me quite a chuckle!

So yeah....

I miss Orff and playing recorder. As intense and stressful as it was at certain points, I did thoroughly enjoy it (and learned a lot). Probably one of the most satisfying parts was simply making music with other music geeks. After five years of teaching and not being part of an ensemble where I have something to practice, I am itching to play music of a much harder level than beginning strings. I think that is partially why I am the recorder geek that I am. And yes, in the end, I did get to play harder recorder music (Telemann Canonic Sonata #3--basically a canon on steroids), so that was a blessing as well. My next step is to see how well I can play that on bass (instead of alto).

Let's see...having Lydee here for two weeks was awesome...without a doubt the biggest blessing was getting to know the people in the class. Having lunch and sharing many conversations M.H. was a highlight. It worked out well, because she was usually grading papers and I was looking for a spot where I wasn't going to have to interact with many people. Yes, I am an introvert at heart and need time to regroup after spending hours with a large group of people. Perhaps this is why I come home many times absolutely exhausted after teaching. Anyways, it is exciting to get to know people and start to build new relationships as you never know where the Lord will take you with them. I am hoping that He will give me the grace to keep in touch with the people I have gotten to know over the past two weeks, because this is usually not one of my strong points. Seeing that it is 11:00 and I have to get up early, it is time for me to sign off. Have a goodnight!

The Ending

After going back to Eastman tonight and spending quality time with my alto recorder, things are starting to look up. Can't tell you how nice it is just to play outside of the context of 20 people trying to play high G and A on a soprano recorder. I was ready to light the fire under my soprano recorder after class today. The good Lord created alto recorders for a reason, and now I know why! Have a goodnight!

Dude!

Sub Contrabass Recorder by Adriana Breuknik

Featured on Cover of Spring 2001 Recorder Magazine

**I think I am too short to try this recorder, but boy would it be fun!