Tuesday, June 5, 2018
Update coming
It's been a while - my apologies. It's time to update the website. In the meantime I have started a Facebook page - Twinkling Strings.
Update coming soon.
Monday, December 1, 2014
A few changes
My sincere apologies! It has been almost two months since I have posted anything.
The reason, I think is quite an exciting one.
Friday 21 November, on a rainy Friday afternoon, I got married! :) Happy day surrounded by wonderful people.
I guess you will all be wondering what the music component was - well...my very good friend Hemi played solo guitar for the processional (a surprise to my husband the exact song choice), our dear friends from Opoho church who form part of the music group played a selection of hymns before the ceremony, Mozart Piano concert 21 second movement with piano and flute for signing the register, and we walked out to "Let's Go Fly a Kite" from Mary Poppins. The song after the recessional was a favourite of mine - Feeling Good with Helen Bevin doing the most fantastic viola solo.
Our first dance was to Sinatra singing "Always".
No string quartet, no bridal march, no Pachelbel's Canon - all lovely at weddings, but as we have played them so many times in our own string quartets, it was lovely to do something different.
We had two wonderful photographers capturing the day and they have sent through a photo we can share online. If you choose to send this on, please do not crop in any way.
After two weeks off teaching (a week to prepare and a week to recover) it is now the final weeks of teaching for the year!
The reason, I think is quite an exciting one.
Friday 21 November, on a rainy Friday afternoon, I got married! :) Happy day surrounded by wonderful people.
I guess you will all be wondering what the music component was - well...my very good friend Hemi played solo guitar for the processional (a surprise to my husband the exact song choice), our dear friends from Opoho church who form part of the music group played a selection of hymns before the ceremony, Mozart Piano concert 21 second movement with piano and flute for signing the register, and we walked out to "Let's Go Fly a Kite" from Mary Poppins. The song after the recessional was a favourite of mine - Feeling Good with Helen Bevin doing the most fantastic viola solo.
Our first dance was to Sinatra singing "Always".
No string quartet, no bridal march, no Pachelbel's Canon - all lovely at weddings, but as we have played them so many times in our own string quartets, it was lovely to do something different.
We had two wonderful photographers capturing the day and they have sent through a photo we can share online. If you choose to send this on, please do not crop in any way.
After two weeks off teaching (a week to prepare and a week to recover) it is now the final weeks of teaching for the year!
Friday, October 3, 2014
More events
What a fantastic end of term we had. Rather tiring with so much going on, but also very happy to be a part of some fantastic music making.
Half way through the school holiday break, and there is no sign of things slowing down yet.
Tomorrow, 5 October at the Sargood Centre at 3pm the Cellists of Otago present their concert: Voices of Peace with special guests Stephen Diaz (counter tenor) and Nick Cornish (oboe and saxophone). It's not every day you get to hear 14 cellos!
Arts Festival Dunedin is about to launch, with some rare gems on display 10-19 October. http://www.artsfestivaldunedin.co.nz/ for more information.
The Royal NZ Ballet returns to Dunedin for Christmas Carol in November accompanied by the Southern Sinfonia. Dickens' fantastic tale of Christmas past, present and future set to wonderful music from a live orchestra. How many traditional carols can you identify? http://www.rnzb.org.nz/shows-and-events/the-vodafone-season-of-a-christmas-carol/about/
University students are starting to bury their heads in textbooks, senior secondary school students are thinking about the approaching external exams too. The weather oscillates between beautiful spring/summer days to the forecast of snow and chilling southerly winds that accompany them. However, there is also that sense of optimism in the air. Days are longer with daylight savings, birds are singing again. There is hope, there is joy and life is pretty good!
Half way through the school holiday break, and there is no sign of things slowing down yet.
Tomorrow, 5 October at the Sargood Centre at 3pm the Cellists of Otago present their concert: Voices of Peace with special guests Stephen Diaz (counter tenor) and Nick Cornish (oboe and saxophone). It's not every day you get to hear 14 cellos!
Arts Festival Dunedin is about to launch, with some rare gems on display 10-19 October. http://www.artsfestivaldunedin.co.nz/ for more information.
The Royal NZ Ballet returns to Dunedin for Christmas Carol in November accompanied by the Southern Sinfonia. Dickens' fantastic tale of Christmas past, present and future set to wonderful music from a live orchestra. How many traditional carols can you identify? http://www.rnzb.org.nz/shows-and-events/the-vodafone-season-of-a-christmas-carol/about/
University students are starting to bury their heads in textbooks, senior secondary school students are thinking about the approaching external exams too. The weather oscillates between beautiful spring/summer days to the forecast of snow and chilling southerly winds that accompany them. However, there is also that sense of optimism in the air. Days are longer with daylight savings, birds are singing again. There is hope, there is joy and life is pretty good!
Tuesday, September 23, 2014
Upcoming concerts
Some fantastic concerts coming up!
Thursday 25 September
Southern Sinfonia Academy
6:30pm George St Normal School
FREE!
Strings and wind students Grade 3-6
Music by Bartok, Mozart, Manookian, Ed Sheeran and Howard Shore
Thursday 25 September
Dunedin Youth Orchestra
7:30pm Knox Church
Entry is by cash door sale only; $15 adults / $10 students and seniors / $5 high school students / children FREE
Music by Verdi, Beethoven, Stevenson, Sam van Betuw and more
Friday, October 3
Karla Norton Masters Recital
7:00pm Marama Hall - University of Otago
Karla is the recipient of the Southern Sinfonia Scholarship 2014
Music by - Stravinsky, Psathas and Beethoven
Hope to see you there!
Tuesday, September 9, 2014
Spring has Sprung and there's a buzz in the air...
The sun shines, the birds and bees are busy and spirits are starting to lift again. There's that sense in the air that there are things to do.
This week I am helping Columba College with their production of Wizard of Oz. Back in the orchestra pit and back playing violin. I have discovered that I'm completely fine within the staff, however ledger lines are challenging as I prefer to read the notes in the alto clef. Hmmm...I think this means I am a fully-fledged viola player.
Next week, 20 September is the Southern Sinfonia's final subscription concert of the year. Brahms violin concerto with soloist Martin Risely and under the baton of Hamish McKeich. Final piece in the programme is Rachmaninov Symphony #2. It's a huge programme...but what a finish!
On top of that pupils are preparing to play in the Saturday Morning Music Classes Demonstration Concert in the Town Hall 21 September, and I have a string quartet that day - phew!!
Southern Sinfonia Academy's final concert of the year is Thursday 25 September at George St Normal School...and then I think the collapse in a heap for the first weekend of the school holidays may be on the cards!
It's been a busy term (hence the lack of posts) but lots happening, and lots more to look forward to.
Watch this space for Term 4 goodies :)
This week I am helping Columba College with their production of Wizard of Oz. Back in the orchestra pit and back playing violin. I have discovered that I'm completely fine within the staff, however ledger lines are challenging as I prefer to read the notes in the alto clef. Hmmm...I think this means I am a fully-fledged viola player.
Next week, 20 September is the Southern Sinfonia's final subscription concert of the year. Brahms violin concerto with soloist Martin Risely and under the baton of Hamish McKeich. Final piece in the programme is Rachmaninov Symphony #2. It's a huge programme...but what a finish!
On top of that pupils are preparing to play in the Saturday Morning Music Classes Demonstration Concert in the Town Hall 21 September, and I have a string quartet that day - phew!!
Southern Sinfonia Academy's final concert of the year is Thursday 25 September at George St Normal School...and then I think the collapse in a heap for the first weekend of the school holidays may be on the cards!
It's been a busy term (hence the lack of posts) but lots happening, and lots more to look forward to.
Watch this space for Term 4 goodies :)
Saturday, July 19, 2014
Take a breath...
My apologies for taking so long to write again. It's been a busy couple of months with performances and I'm just starting to catch my breath again.
School holidays are about to end, which means that we now look forward to a brighter, lighter term. Lighter as the days get longer, but maybe not so much lighter on the playing and practising side.
The Sinfonia had a wonderful concert with Karin Schaupp playing the beautiful Rodrigo Guitar Concerto. If I wasn't full of a head cold, it would have been even better! Sometimes it's wonderful to be a string player, where blocked sinuses and a hacking cough don't get in the way from playing in concerts. With a box of tissues (duct taped on three sides to blend in to the stage thanks to our Production Manager, Wether's Originals in the box so as to not make a noise with wrappers (and be a little more discreet) and a water bottle - we got through. By the time it came to the performances, the worst was over - but there is always that horrible feeling that you will spoil the moment with a splutter or sniff.
The Sinfonia Academy also pulled off a successful concert at the end of the school term. I really enjoy these evenings as the students demonstrate their ensemble skills to invited guests. This term was shorter, with only 7 weeks (two of which I had Sinfonia) and in that time they managed to present a range of pieces from Celtic Roots - a jig and reel, to some von Weber, Haydn and to finish a little Pomp & Circumstance. This forthcoming term we have a few weeks longer, so am looking forward to what can be pulled together with a greater time frame.
Other events this term includes the Columba College production of Wizard of Oz. For this I am playing violin again as a pupil will play viola. Smaller orchestra required. Should be great fun! I enjoy playing in musicals. The music is just as demanding as a full orchestra concert. I think my favourite is still Les Miserables.
Just to end the term emotionally exhausted, but musically fulfilled, the Southern Sinfonia's third International concert features Brahms violin concerto and the mighty Rachmaninov Symphony No 2. Definitely a concert not to miss!
Well, more bowing to put in a violin part, some orchestra arrangements to complete and a few preparations for the forthcoming term.
Happy practising!
School holidays are about to end, which means that we now look forward to a brighter, lighter term. Lighter as the days get longer, but maybe not so much lighter on the playing and practising side.
The Sinfonia had a wonderful concert with Karin Schaupp playing the beautiful Rodrigo Guitar Concerto. If I wasn't full of a head cold, it would have been even better! Sometimes it's wonderful to be a string player, where blocked sinuses and a hacking cough don't get in the way from playing in concerts. With a box of tissues (duct taped on three sides to blend in to the stage thanks to our Production Manager, Wether's Originals in the box so as to not make a noise with wrappers (and be a little more discreet) and a water bottle - we got through. By the time it came to the performances, the worst was over - but there is always that horrible feeling that you will spoil the moment with a splutter or sniff.
The Sinfonia Academy also pulled off a successful concert at the end of the school term. I really enjoy these evenings as the students demonstrate their ensemble skills to invited guests. This term was shorter, with only 7 weeks (two of which I had Sinfonia) and in that time they managed to present a range of pieces from Celtic Roots - a jig and reel, to some von Weber, Haydn and to finish a little Pomp & Circumstance. This forthcoming term we have a few weeks longer, so am looking forward to what can be pulled together with a greater time frame.
Other events this term includes the Columba College production of Wizard of Oz. For this I am playing violin again as a pupil will play viola. Smaller orchestra required. Should be great fun! I enjoy playing in musicals. The music is just as demanding as a full orchestra concert. I think my favourite is still Les Miserables.
Just to end the term emotionally exhausted, but musically fulfilled, the Southern Sinfonia's third International concert features Brahms violin concerto and the mighty Rachmaninov Symphony No 2. Definitely a concert not to miss!
Well, more bowing to put in a violin part, some orchestra arrangements to complete and a few preparations for the forthcoming term.
Happy practising!
Saturday, May 3, 2014
Performance season
As the leaves turn and the nights get cooler, every musician starts to realise their performance diary is rather full!
In the summer, aside from a few weddings, there is little happening. However as Autumn is upon us, daylight savings has been and gone, the clocks have been moved back, we start to make ourselves more and more familiar with the practice room.
Thankfully, it's not all about solitude. In the winter months we have many opportunities to collaborate with other players, be it chamber music, orchestra or playing for ballets and shows.
This school term is a glut of performances from Rockquest and Big Sing, through to Chamber Music Contest and later on, the secondary school music festival.
I have had a look through to the end of the month, and there is a performance every week!
This week the Royal New Zealand Ballet is in town for Coppelia. This is the first ballet I remember. I seem to recall most of my time looking in the orchestra pit, rather than the stage. I think my mother knew then, that music would take precedence over dancing (however I can still skip with pointed toes...graceful!).
Church Fair on Saturday 10 May at Opoho Church will be fun! A few of my pupils and I will do some busking, and hopefully pick up something yummy too!
Cellists of Otago have their concert in the Sargood Centre on Sunday 18 May. I'm helping with a tango (on viola...not up to scratch with my cello playing).
The following week is a little reprieve, except a sectional for the Southen Sinfonia's International 2 concert with Bella Hristova in the Town Hall playing Bach/Stokowski Toccata and Fugue, Anthony Ritchie's violin concerto written for Bella and finishing with Sibelius Symphony No 1. Should be a great concert.
So, with that in mind, I should take myself back to the practice room for an hour or two, before a string quartet engagement tonight.
Life of a musician - busy, but so much fun!
In the summer, aside from a few weddings, there is little happening. However as Autumn is upon us, daylight savings has been and gone, the clocks have been moved back, we start to make ourselves more and more familiar with the practice room.
Thankfully, it's not all about solitude. In the winter months we have many opportunities to collaborate with other players, be it chamber music, orchestra or playing for ballets and shows.
This school term is a glut of performances from Rockquest and Big Sing, through to Chamber Music Contest and later on, the secondary school music festival.
I have had a look through to the end of the month, and there is a performance every week!
This week the Royal New Zealand Ballet is in town for Coppelia. This is the first ballet I remember. I seem to recall most of my time looking in the orchestra pit, rather than the stage. I think my mother knew then, that music would take precedence over dancing (however I can still skip with pointed toes...graceful!).
Church Fair on Saturday 10 May at Opoho Church will be fun! A few of my pupils and I will do some busking, and hopefully pick up something yummy too!
Cellists of Otago have their concert in the Sargood Centre on Sunday 18 May. I'm helping with a tango (on viola...not up to scratch with my cello playing).
The following week is a little reprieve, except a sectional for the Southen Sinfonia's International 2 concert with Bella Hristova in the Town Hall playing Bach/Stokowski Toccata and Fugue, Anthony Ritchie's violin concerto written for Bella and finishing with Sibelius Symphony No 1. Should be a great concert.
So, with that in mind, I should take myself back to the practice room for an hour or two, before a string quartet engagement tonight.
Life of a musician - busy, but so much fun!
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