A little update on school before I start Part 3 proper. I really don't know what is going on in school. I guess, that explains everything about school so that is the end of the school update.
Festival Orchestra The festival orchestra was formed just for the Gala concert. Participants are from NUSSO, Slovakia, Scotland, England and other places. The repertoire was extremely difficult and I really don't think I could play any songs decently. The selected repertoire was;
1) An Orkney Wedding with Sunrise (Scottish music) 2) Max Bruch's Violin Concerto (An emotional piece) 3) Brahm's Symphony Number 2 (extremely demanding!)
Seriously, at the end of 5 rehearsals, I still don't really get how the songs are supposed to sound like. Glad that by the 6th, things seem to pick up on its own. Attended masterclass under this Double Bass teacher called Pete. An extremely interesting old man indeed. He taught us to read out loud Cho-co-lates or Straw-ber-ries when we play triplets and say out lettuce when we played the quaver rest. An example of one lesson will sound like this,
He corrected our posture and fingerings and so much more. Really learnt a lot from him. Will always remember to Watch, Listen and play with my heart! What is more? I manage to have the honour to share the same desk with him on the Gala concert itself. Back to the rehearsals for the festival orchestra, practice like 8 hours everyday for 5 days such that I thought I have become a music student. It was all good fun though.
Gala Concert I must say that the Gala concert was very well received. Cheers and applause were extremely loud with a few people giving us a standing ovation with so much enthusiasm. Was a really touching scene for me as well as the Festival Orchestra. Besides, the principal of my section actually commented that I did a good job, really a first. Feel more at ease with the Double Bass after Pete's lessons and I guess it was a good learning experience for me, and the rest.
