there's only one you in the entire world, with your particular stories, your sense of humor, your life experiences...so go on, share your unique thoughts and stories, your insights and wishes.
Today, another "Clarinetísimo" festival came to an end...
It's been a week full of partnership, music, learning, useful workshops and exhibitions, interesting conversation amongst colleagues, sharing tricks and tips, laughing, eating, getting to know one another, practicing, training, dealing with reeds and squeeks!
What's not to love about being connected in such a special way to a diverse group of people?!
I am extremely happy :D A bit exhausted, but super satisfied with this year's outcome! Can't wait for"Clarinetísimo 2011" ;)
Last night, I was a bit...hmmm...on the down side : p
And as I got home and poured myself a glass of wine, Anys calls me: "I have 2 VIP tickets to go to Luis Fonsi's concert tonight, and I have no one to go with. Would you like to come? You have 30 minutes to get ready!"
WHAT?!
Ok, so I tremendously dislike big crowds, the reason why I hadn't even thought of going to the lovely Fonsi concert. But, come on! I could not turn down a last minute offer like this one!
So, I went, and loved every second of it. I wasn't even jumping or screaming, like all the other girls were. I was mesmerized; just standing still, gazing at his little body, which was there, so REAL! Artists can become something so mystical, you know?
Anyways, I've loved his songs and his sweet voice for years; so I was totally HAPPY for being there last night.
He sings beautifully! Although his stage presence is not very powerful, his voice is impeccable, and he's flirty and cute, and all that good stuff girls like in a boy artist; so it's all good ;)
Loved last night! Thanks for thinking of ME, Anys!
Last night was such a wonderful, soulful evening! First the Kalma concert: DIVINE! Then off to Casa de Teatro where I got to see my friends doing their thing: JAZZ & BLUES mixed in with contagious, tropical beats!
It made me so happy to be surrounded by people that appreciate GOOD music. Casa de Teatro is a hub of culture! It's one of my favorite places in this city; although, I don't go as often as I should. Interesting events are always taking place at Casa de Teatro, supporting and exposing local artists.
Last night, Cayena displayed its power of performance, its musical quality, its diversity, its astonishing charisma and, (BONUS!) its unexpected sense of humor! There were many great things going on on that stage: interesting colors added by the lively percussion player; phenomenal improv's by the trumpet and trombone players; the drummer's impeccable discharge of rhythms; outstanding compositions by the guitar and bass players; and overall, so much SOUL! When can I get more of this, pleaseeee?!
It was a pleasure to witness such upscale musicianship. Check 'em out if you reside in Dominican Republic!
Off the plane from Spain, and I was back to my LIFE! Performing, helping out my teacher with a clarinet music festival he was organizing, hanging out with my girls Lau and Alaimette, and back to the wonderful little routines of my life. CLARINETISIMO was a success! 5 days full of clarinet masterclasses, concerts, exhibitions, talks, and collaborating with other colleagues, held at the National Conservatory of Music here in DR. as a I think my profe's standards for the festival were met, so he is very happy; hence, so am I ;)
I was so happy to see that more students are picking up the clarinet and are motivated to keep playing, learning and growing as musicians. Our instrument is not very popular around here; I've been actually a bit worried about the future of the clarinet in this country. But the experience of this festival made me feel a bit more optimistic. I hope for these young clarinetists to keep on studying and to become a generation of important clarinet growth in the DR. I've heard, although not very much believed, that I am one of the few professional clarinetists in the history of this country! Doesn't that sound kind of like a big deal?! But then again, anything in a small place can EASILY be a big deal. However, now, I not only believe it, But I've come to learn that it is totally certain. In a way, I feel a little honor of having made a bit of history in my country ;) but in another way, I feel a bit dumb for not being more serious about my career in the last couple of years. I know I could be so much better, and could have done SO much more with my talent and the opportunities that have been presented to me. I don't regret anything in my life; but I am fully aware of how some decisions in my past could have taken me to higher places. My profe says is not to late...hmmmm.
Then again, it all sums up in the same old question! Where is it that I want to go with my life...and the answer is...................................................................... ;)
Every two years, Santo Domingo gets the chance to have a huge, international symphony orchestra.
People come from all over the world and share the stage with us for 2 weeks of superb concerts. Friendships are made, colleagues share insights and advice; lots of things are experienced and learned.
An event very well worth the efforts of FUNDACION SINFONIA whose staff is responsible of putting it together. It's the first time I am in the country for this, so I've been VERY excited! I was going to perform at the first concert, but due to bigger events in my life :( I wasn't able to.
However, I have spent the last couple of days being part of the audience for the first time in the 2 years that I've been working with the orchestra. I have loved dressing up and coming to the theatre every night to listen to great classical music!
So many things have happened these past few days! Where to start......????
Well, for starters, last sunday I got a gig playing "PETER AND THE WOLF" in Santiago (a town 2 hrs north of the capital, the 2nd capital of DR). "Pedro y el Lobo" (in spanish) is a fantastic children's story, composed by the russian Sergei Prokofiev in 1936. Prokofiev wrote both the music and the text. A narrator tells the story accompanied by an orchestra. Each character in the story is represented by an instrument which plays a specific theme every time the character comes into scene. I play the clarinet, so I was the CAT!
Click here to listen to the themes, especially the cat's theme ;)
It was certainly a good experience! I enjoyed it and played it decently, I believe.
Secondly, I've been wanting to write about my new hobby/business/craft! ABOTONADA by NenyGQ ;) Visit my other blog to learn about what I've been dedicating lots of my time to, lately http://abotonada.blogspot.com/. ABOTONADA is the solution that I have found until I move to Cali and open my Etsy shop. The blog is in spanish, so for the non-spanish speakers, basically, I LOVE BUTTONS and have found a cool way to use them! I found a little treasure the other day that inspired me to make these bracelets, and I'm enjoying it so so so much! I have lots of buttons; new ones, old ones, found buttons, purchased buttons, and buttons borrowed from my grandma's collection ;) I've already gotten orders! Today I have 4 bracelets to make, YAY!
Also, last wednesday, I received a phone call for another gig! A local band was to have their debut concert and wanted me to do the background vocals and play some clarinet on a couple of songs. I was so excited! It's a form of gig that I hadn't really tried before, but it sounded so like ME! The band has the lead vocalist's name, JOSE BRACHE, and a friend of mine is the musical director and the man of all the arrangements. I loved all the songs when I heard the CD, and spent the last 3 days playing the disc over and over, so I could internalize the music and learn the vocals.
The concert was last night...and it is unfortunate that the turn out was really low, in terms of the amount of people that attended. I guess the band spent so much time taking care of the musical aspect, which was FANTASTIC by the way, that they did not attend the marketing aspect of the whole deal sufficiently. So much work, and such a gem, not to be appreciated because of the word not having been spread. However, THE SHOW MUST GO ON! We went on stage, the curtains opened, and with the very few people that were there, we gave a very nice performance ;) At least, I enjoyed it FULLY! It was once again, another FABULOUSexperience in my life! Ahhhhhhhh, love those ;)
I haven't written in a couple of days...please forgive my silence...but I'd been busy (something that seldomly happens). I've achieved one of my short term goals for the year, and it gives me such a satisfying feeling!
Alden, a friend from Cuba who's an amazing clarinetist, came to Dom. Rep. by an invitation that I made work through a whole lot of errands! He gave a wonderful recital, "UNA NOCHE DE CLARINETE", where we performed together and, as it always happens, I had a blast on stage! He gave a delightful masterclass at the National Conservatory, from which I unexpectedly learned so much! I mean, I organized the event, but I didn't expect to actually learn things from it! Lastly, we performed the Mendelssohn Concerto for 2 clarinets and piano at a mini concert held at the Conservatory, sharing stage with musicians from NY that were also visiting and performing.
Everything went smoothly, I can not complain, although I have ;) But nothing went too wrong, and all the little goals were met...so I am ECSTATIC!
After 11 days of music, clarinet conversations, rehearsals, performances, and lots of driving and eating out, I took Alden to the airport yesterday...and after a bit of nostalgia, suddenly my life came back to me...I went to my french class last night, today I will resume my work at CRESCENDO, and I can now sit and write in my blog again, among other things...I'd kind of missed it ;)
