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.
I feel like looking for images that will inspire more positive thoughts of him.
You see, we have this LOVE-HATE relationship. He has shown me the best AND the worst feelings, situations, and emotions of the whole of me.
He has taken me places; has introduced me to some of the greatest people in my life; he has given me the unconventional lifestyle I'd always desired; has brought me love.
He incites goose-pumps when emotions take over me; makes me lose track of time; he speaks of me like nothing else in my life ever does; he's with me all the time, anytime...always.
But...he has also shown me tears, frustration, pain, maddening moments and quite a few embarrassing situations.
Nevertheless--as my friends usually point out--as much as I whine and complain, I MUST acknowledge that if it wasn't for him, I wouldn't be ME today. He is the biggest part of me...and there's much love for him in my heart. I've often felt lost, not sure of where to go or what to do with him. But I don't seem to be able to let go off him!
MY CLARINET :) he reminds me of ME...in all it's complexity...soothing sounds can be made. Tough and soft, moody and gentle; all at the same time. Me.
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" ;)
I just realized that I haven't blogged about a colorful, meaningful new fragment of my life: PALETTE!!
Three girlfriends from the orchestra and I have brought our talents and our instruments together to create a peculiar combination of sounds, colors, looks, personalities and repertoire in this all-girl quartet! It is certainly in the beginning stages, so there's still a LOT to be done. But here's a recording we made to audition for a gig, which we got *wink, wink* and so far, have gotten very nice feedback :D
I lived a truly magical experience today :) These are the little things that have been happening in DR that have kept me happy, satisfied, and wanting to stay for longer! A couple of days ago, before starting yoga class, the director of the centre introduced us to a new student. Everytime she introduces me, she HAS to mention the fact that I'm a musician and that I play with the symphony. She sounds so proud that it makes me blush all the time! Reminds me of my dad ;) Anyways, that day in particular, she probably noticed herself how excited she sounded introducing me, and went on to say: "Hey! I have an idea; bring your clarinet one day and play for us. Let's make it something special; we'll decorate and invite students from the other classes. Mother's day is approaching! Maybe we can offer a little concert as a gift to the mothers at the centre!" She went on and on with ideas, and got ME all excited! "LET'S DO IT!", I said. Before I knew it, the day of the mini concert came (today!) and I hadn't even decided what I'd play. About an hour before the time I had to be at the centre, I picked out a couple of excerpts from clarinet concert and solo pieces, mixed them all together, wrote down a list of order, and got dressed to go! The whole vibe I'd pictured was a hippie, chilled environment, and that's exactly how I dressed. I got to use these funky pants I bought in Spain, topped with my abosulte favorite: a wifebeater ;)
When I arrived at the centre, they were so excited to receive me. My yoga instructor approached me and told me to close my eyes for the surprise. With my eyes closed, he took my hand and led me to the outside terrace where we take our classes. When I opened my eyes, I saw exactly what I wanted to have seen! It was MAGICAL! He did a great job setting up a mini stage with the right kind of mood for what we wanted to share this night.
(right: I got pretty flowers! awww)
I talked to the audience, introducing each piece of music, some experiences, and just had lots of fun playing for them. The terrace was only lid with candles. I told the audience to sit back and relax listening to an instrument not too common to just sit and listen to around here. "Enjoy the KALMING notes that I will be playing for you tonight", I said. I sat down and played for about 45 minutes.
When I finished playing, they applauded with so much excitement. I could see the eyes lid with emotion and appreciation. It is truly FULFILLING to touch people in this way...
(right: me and my yoga instructor on his fab stage set up!)
I then offered them an extra little gift dedicated to all mothers, and sang a beautiful song I'd learned at CRESCENDO (my other job). Here's the song: "Señora, Señora". I was a little suffocated from having just played (it was so hot!), so I sound a little shaky and out of tune, jeje but the words are beautiful! Sorry for the non-spanish speakers :-/
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...................................................................... ;)
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 ;)
Have I mentioned how much I adore "THE HOLIDAY" movie with Kate Winslet, Cameron Diaz, Jack Black and Jude Law? Ok, I'm fully aware of how so not intellectual I will probably sound with the following statement, but......"The Holiday" is hands down the movie that I have watched THE MOST in my life...over and over and over...I can recite the whole script and still enjoy it as if it were the first time! The dialogues are impressively smart and witty, funny and oh, so entertaining (in a mature, adult kind of way). Oh! And the soundtrack is stunningly beautiful, stirring my emotions from the opening scene 'til the end.
This scene (among lots of others) is one of my favorites ;) Jack is playing the piano (he's soooo sweet in this movie!), making up a melody for a friend's event. When Kate (Iris) comes in the room, she sits next to him and he says, "I also wrote one that sounds like you.......Iris, if you were a melody.....(plays the melody in piano).......I used only the good notes"....AWWWWWWWWWW! Isn't it an amazing line?!?!
A friend just called and asked me to be part of something very special......He will be giving his girl THE ring on Sunday night, and has asked me to play the clarinet for them at some point during the dinner!!!!!!! Isn't that cool? I felt so honored that he wants me to be part of such a climactic event!
So thinking about what to play, this scene from "The Holiday" came to mind...wouldn't it be nice if I come out and say, "L***, if you were a melody, you would sound like this..." and then, play something beautiful?! Then, her man would come out, go down on one knee...and you know the rest...kiss, kiss, kiss and tears of joy! YEY! Now..........what melody can I play? So the thinking begins...gotta get creative;) Isn't that always exciting?!
NOTE: So this is them the day of (photo below)! I ended up playing a fragment of Albinoni's Adagio. I walked towards them, playing this stunning melody, and it was a magical moment...she cried...and guess what?! Afterwards she asked, "was that Albinoni's Adagio? It's like one of my favorite pieces in the world!!"
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 ;)
So after 2 years of not practicing or even playing at all my black tubed friend (the clarinet), I was very set back :S and not only in my technique, but worse of all, in my developed ability to focus and concentrate while practicing my music and my instrument...it was like I'd enter another REALM and could not even hear my roommate if she called!
But I've lost that! It's been so hard for me to get into that shape again this past year...but just last week, I made it my goal, to practice everyday again, and slowly begin to enter that realm...
People say I have a lot of soul, and I do feel something rather special when I perform...but, as my music theory teacher Fertitta said one day in class "technique without talent (soul) is boring...but talent (soul) without technique is a catastrophe..."
Uuuuuuuuyyyyy, it has taken me a while to believe so, totally ignoring the fact that I have been playing the clarinet since I was 10 years old (14 yrs now!). I studied music all through my school years (6th to 12th grade). I went to college and graduated with a Bachelors degree in Music Performance.
Yet, none of this has ever convinced me...but why?
I think it might have something to do with the fact that I know I have a lot of soul, but I despise the fact that I don't have an ABSOLUTE PITCHED ear. "When you have absolute pitch, literally a fraction of a second after a note is played, you know exactly where you are on the scale" I've always felt less of a musician because I don't have this gift :S I've trained my ear, and have been able to pass my music courses with very good grades, but nothing ever close to this absolute recognition. Some of my musician friends tell me they go crazy when they hear a symphony, because they can hear all notes. They hear all the names of the sounds being produced! WOW...now I'm not so sure that is great after all :p
Anyways, everyone that knows me knows about my love/hate relationship with the clarinet. I LOVE music! But I don't necessarily love playing this instrument.
People often ask me why I chose the clarinet. Well, I was 10 years old, and was given a list with all sorts of instruments to choose from. I opted to go for one that I had no clue about. I wanted to do lots of exploring! And there, so early in my life, I can pinpoint this pattern of mine, of always wanting to take the "road less travelled"...so cliché, I know, but I love this truth!
I graduated college, and felt free to put away the clarinet and explore other things. Two years of total uncertainty, of failed NORMAL job searching, and an unpaid internship later, I came to the Dominican Republic for my cousin's wedding, and one of those other clichéd quotes became a reality for me: I was "in the right place, at the right time". The 2nd clarinetist of the National Symphony Orchestra in DR was retiring and I was invited to audition for the position. I AM OFFICIALLY THE CLARINETIST OF A PROFESSIONAL ORCHESTRA...
*sigh*
Once again, "the world turns, and it turns a lot!" for me, as Pushy once told me.
Today...I feel love for him.
You see, we have this LOVE-HATE relationship. He has shown me the best AND the worst feelings, situations, and emotions of the whole of me. 
