I had a much needed sleep, read more of Gatto’s book, then finally sat to thinking about what to play for the Christmas Eve service. I spent some time working out a medley of carols using oboe, voice and tin whistle. We had a candlelight (electric) Christmas Eve service, which was nice even though it was actually an Epiphany service. My playing was rather interesting. Things I rely upon as a performer and assume will always be there are not as they once were due to my long break from practicing and performing. It’s nothing I can’t get back, but it was educational for me. I’d planned for a semi-improvised medley, but I’d thought out most of it before hand. However, in places, especially the end, I truly improvised something totally different from what I’d planned. I’d like to say it was from divide inspiration, but it was from forgetting what I was going to do. I got myself into a bind at the end when I closed out with the wrong tune. That would be no big deal, but I was on whistle and the tune was in F, which meant I had to fake B-flats and F-naturals. I survived remarkably well, but it was good lesson in humility. I think it’s rather appropriate considering the holiday.
(More)It was a bit of a crazy week since we were using class to try to pick someone for the recitation contest. There was less than perfect communication on the matter, so that added to some confusion and frustration on everyone’s part, but in the end it worked out okay. I have a different idea of what is fair and what makes sense, but I didn’t have too much trouble being submissive in this matter. It’s a good thing they give me so much freedom in class, though, or I’d go crazy!
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