First off, apologies for the depressive last post. Not like me. But I suppose I am only human.
Gram and Pops came for a surprise visit right after that post, and that was a much welcome treat. They helped get settled into the new place and fix it up a bit. I got to take them to the see the school and show them a tiny bit around. It was extremely cold then, though! Winter storms back home kept them here a couple days longer than they planned, but I don't think they minded much. ;)
Week one of classes was a bit on the rough side...many loose ends and unanswered questions, but week two seemed to help iron some of that mess out and begin reassembling the puzzle. I have a new pianist, lessons with Jayne are going wonderfully, began teaching voice lessons for my pedagogy practicum, and although quickly demanding much of me, my classes are already on a roll. (Ornamentation and Recit may be the death of me, but I will conquer!...somehow...) My voice student is so sweet, and I think she will be fun to work with. I was like "little Jayne" when I assumed the role of "teacher" for, technically, the first official time. Going to be a learning experience, but I am actually enjoying it. I contribute my preparedness and foundation to my own education. I have been very lucky thus far to have/had the teachers, coaches, experiences, etc. that I have.
Jayne sang in a recital last Sunday...I seriously must be the luckiest girl on the planet to get to study with this woman. So talented and one of the sweetest, most down-to-earth people you'll ever meet. She sounded absolutely stunning. Like an angel. And she was so adorable afterward with I saw her to congratulate her.
My repertoire for this semester makes me smile...and some of it makes me want to run away in fear! haha! (I declared in my lesson on Thursday that I wasn't so sure I wanted to be a coloratura...but we don't get to decide that...the voice was already predestined...) Handel, Purcell, Brahms...I cannot believe I have gone this long and never before sung Brahms! AH! His melodies and harmonies are simply so beautiful that sometimes I just don't believe they are real. Mmm. Seriously. Listen to this:
And that's just a folk song setting! Gorgeous. :) Also, I can't help but think of the "Raisin Brahms" commercial every single time I open my music. Hehe!
"JOHANNES BRAHMS?!" Hahaha! I think I drive my roommate crazy when I play that, but it will always be funny! ;)
At the end of the first week of classes, my friends Francesco, Edwin, and I decided to take an adventure to the original Cheers bar for dinner. Such fun! Delicious, too! I also received my chamber music assignment for this semester...soprano (me), harpsichord, and trumpet...and...the best part is that Jayne (my teacher) is our coach! Win! (That's kind of like getting a second voice lesson each week, since she can work with me on my technique all the while. YAY!) I am the leader, though, so that means I get all the fun of booking rooms, rehearsal times, and all those unmentioned logistics. Scheduling and coordinating various people's schedules is kind of the bane of my existence. =P However, I think it is going to be great! Jayne and I are working on picking out the rep, but it is going to be some Handel, Scarlatti, Vivaldi, and/or a bit of Bach. So good for me...but I also foresee some possible tear-shed from it. Oh, well. Che sera, sera...
P.S. Downton Abbey...I'm obsessed! So much drama! And Mr. Crawley is so gorgeous...I want him to just come marry me since he won't marry Mary! Ah, stupid girl! haha! My roommate probably gets more entertainment out of watching me watch the show than I do watching it. (Yes, I squeal, shriek, mutter obscenities to the the TV through gritted teeth, and tell the characters what I think.)
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