Today, during "concert band" (it's a flute, trumpet, and alto sax), the flute player was absent. I got the flute that's been rented to play it. I've been teaching the kids Sousa's "Washington Post", from a score in all B-flat parts ( Read more... )

At Chatham, I teach what's called "Talent X", which introduces the different instrument families to the young kids who attend. I, of course, teach the brass instruments. Amy G., who teaches woodwinds, (and happens to be the daughter of my CMU composition professor) is an oboist, which means she also plays English Horn. Well, I got to play it ( Read more... )

( Koto behind cut. Cut to koto? Say it 5 times... )

Today we met up with fiannaharpar's dad while he's in town for a few days. We had dinner with him last night, and went to the Phipps Conservatory today followed by dinner at Mitchel's (formerly Charlie's, formerly G's) for wings and bar food. It was fun, and nice to watch him interact with Pookie ( Read more... )

This past week I have been showing my campers in Talent X Brass (introducing little kids to and teaching them about brass instruments) uncommon instruments. I'd already shown them the basics- trumpet, trombone, French horn (lent graciously by another instructor) and tuba (also graciously lent by a counselor who's looking to get her masters degree ( Read more... )

Having seen a bass flute in my recent issue of PMEA magazine, I went to Google images to show my curious daughter how frickin' cool they are. I was then trumped, double trumped, and triple trumped by what I saw. At a site called Contrabass.com, there are oodles of subsonic instrumental debauchery that fascinated me. The site is horribly put ( Read more... )

Today included a trip up to Cranberry for CostCo goodies and, of course, a trip to see Nanny. (my MIL) This afternoon featured basement shopping because a lot of old stuff was going to be given away if not taken first, so our daughter now has a chalkboard easel, and a poster of Snow White from the '70s that used to belong to my Sister-in-law. But ( Read more... )

It's 8:24AM and pooky's still in bed, sleeping. I checked on her around 8, intent on getting her up, but since she was still snoozing, I figured I'd let her sleep. I really don't think she's had a chance to catch up on sleep, and hopefully this'll make her feel well rested ( Read more... )

I am on spring break.

I am helping sk4p empty his house of our stuff.

I am going to get a saxophone today, along with other things.

And, there's a 12 pound package of meat that arrived from my parents this morning. Included are: venison backstrap, venison sausage (german and polish), and chipped BBQ beef from Joe's Barbeque in Alvin, Texas. Oh. My ( Read more... )

Remember this post? Where I shamelessly divulged my instrumental acquisitional desires? Well, as it turns out, our friends Paul and Mary who are moving (you may know them better as Tofi and Genvieve) found Paul's old alto saxophone waaaaaaay back in the attic. It was offered to come live with me.

:-) *bounce*