Happy, Happy, Joy, Joy . . . and Solo and Ensemble

Yesterday was one of the most hectic days of my life. starting the beginning of 8th period when I had to go to Mrs. Miner's to play for her Music Appreciation class. When we got in there our violist, Denali, was not there, I got Mr. Watts and we went to locate her. Finally we had everyone there and we began to do our little explanation of our instruments and the accompanying solos. After we were done I headed back to Geography. In the commons I saw Clayton, I was surprised, I didn't think it was already 2:10, but yet it was. Oh No! I ran to Carter's and got my stuff, and then ran to my locker. I got my stuff into my backpack and realized that my research for third quarter was in my Geography binder which I had left with Sara because she needed to write down the notes she had missed on Tuesday. I ran back to Carter's and looked through my papers and it wasn't in there.

It must have been in my music folder which was packed up in my cello case. I let Ms. Turneau know and I ran down to the Band room and got my research. As I raced back up to the commons they were loading the bus, I ran to the bus. I literally felt like was running every where like a chicken with her head cut off.

On the bus ride down to Centerville I got to relax a bit. Then we got there and I ran around again trying to make sure that everyone was behaving and in the right places. Our game went nicely. In first quarter we tied with 6 each and in 2nd quarter the same with 6 each. And then our third quarter (Morgan, Emily, Micki, Josh, and myself) came in and we had to pull our team out of a tie. So we did. we scored 18 points and Centerville scored 16. Then in fourth quarter we really pulled ahead and won 50 to 27 (you can lose points in fourth quarter as well as earn them. That's why Centerville earned negative points in 4th quarter)

Any way when we won we were pretty unsportsmanlike but you can imagine our joy when after 6 straight losses we finally won. On the bus ride back Micki, Kailey, Josh and I played the chain game which was lots of fun.

When we got back I had to literally run and get my dress shirt on and get my cello out. When we got back it was about 5:08 and my ensemble was at 5:15 and I had to hurry. My solo was directly after that. The Ensemble went pretty well, we played Allegro in C Major by Mozart but it was alright. Then my solo. Sara was my accompanist and I played Sonata in C Major by Jean Batiste Breval the rondo grazioso portion. It went pretty well as well. I'm soooooo glad it's over.

Then last night I read the night away. I was totally and completely exhausted. So glad that this absolutely hectic day is OVER!!!!

Orchestra

May 12, 2010

On they come

First cellos then basses

Mixture all low

Then the violas

With violins right behind

They find their seats

Arrange the stands

And then they sit

And wait

A cellist is watching

A spot off the stage

Then suddenly she leans forward

And whisper’s across

“Concertmaster!”

The concertmaster stands

And puts bow to string

And drawing across

A note gushes forth

One pure note

And then they all

Join and the note is a chord

At once they all stop

And the cellist is watching once more

Quickly she stands

And the orchestra follows

As onto the stage

The conductor comes bowing

She then seats the orchestra

And takes her place

She flips through the music

And raises her face

All bows come up

And sound comes forth

As she moves her hands

The violins with melody pure

The cellos, violas and basses

With harmony clear

Sound comes forth and starts very soft

Increasingly it grows until

The sound is thundering

Just over your head

The song starts to slow and

And then it speeds up

Until it seems the

Bows don’t touch the string

The once again

The bows start to slow

And the music begins to soften

A sense of longing fills you

As quietly and sweetly now

The orchestra sings

It almost seems a lullaby

And the music sways

Sweet serenity

Then the bows sustain a note

For now the song is over

The conductor slowly lowers her arms

And raises the orchestra

She turns around applause breaks out

Thundering, crashing

Rolling in waves

She bows and leaves the stage,

The orchestra following close behind

And longing yet again sets in

As you yet realize

The magic is lost

Never to be regained again

Solo

May 14, 2010

you slowly take out your instrument

and tighten your bow

that feeling of butterflies

is all too real

your shaking all over

and you know that it shows

because just out there

are people

yes people

people you know

or people who are your friends

you want to impress

you want to do well

what happens if you don’t?

Your shaking so badly

you can barely think

and then it’s your turn

your teacher said your name

you walk up, adjust the stand

and get a chair

you say your name and

what you are playing

you sit down and start to play

you wince as some note or rhythm goes amiss

finally it’s over you sit

but still your shaking

and nervousness persists

for so it is with solos

Keep in mind that the poems are written from the point of view of a cellist (which I am) in a violin or viola solo they'd stand up.