Flute

Phenomenon (Part 2)

July 28, 2007

As I mentioned previously, on July 15, 2007, I was honored to spend the day with Sir James and Lady Jeanne Galway at the Master Class in Napa. The way such a class works is this: The first portion of the class is a general lecture and group warm-up. Those desiring to be “participants” submit a professional-quality recording in advance and Sir James selects four players to whom he will give instruction while the audience members — “auditors” — watch and learn.

JHSEsq attended the Master Class in Napa with Sir James Galway

Based upon the various videotapes of other classes that I have watched, as well as interviews, information posted on his website and the e-mails that Sir James sends to our discussion group, I knew that the opportunity to attend the class represented a once-in-a-lifetime chance to learn from a world-class flutist who has no equal.

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Phenomenon (Part 1)

July 28, 2007

“It was a dark and stormy night” here in Northern California. The drive from Lodi to San Rafael in the late afternoon wasn’t bad, but the drive back home to Lodi was miserable because of the steady, hard downpour which made it extremely difficult to see and fairly treacherous since portions of the freeway were beginning to develop standing water since so much water was coming down quickly. In short, it was a miserable trip.

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I’m home!

March 31, 2007

Backstage at Carnegie Hall before the March 28, 2007 performance.There are no words adequate to describe what a thrill it was to perform there. Here are a couple of photos of the marquee in front of the hall: Yes, we had a fabulous time.Lots of fine dining, three wonderful Broadway shows, sightseeing galore, and walking, walking, […]

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“So what’s the deal with the flute, anyway?”">“So what’s the deal with the flute, anyway?”

March 3, 2007

“So what’s the deal with the flute, anyway?”">

“So what’s the deal with the flute, anyway?”" />

Accompanying me on my upcoming trip to New York City to play at Carnegie Hall will be a very dear friend, my college roommate. We will celebrate the thirtieth anniversary of our friendship this year and I had a milestone birthday a couple of months back, while she will mark that same milestone later this year. We decided that this would be a great opportunity to take a trip together and have some fun.

Some months ago, as we were cementing our plans, she asked me, “O.k., so what’s the deal with the flute, anyway?” I’ve gotten the same question from a good number of other folks.

To sum it up succinctly: Playing the flute is the achievement of a lifelong dream.

When it was time to start band in the fourth grade, I wanted to play the flute. Well, that’s not quite right. I longed to play the flute. Yearned. Dreamed. I begged my mother to let me take up the flute.

The answer? “No.”

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Sunday Scribblings #49: Superstition

March 2, 2007

Sunday Scribblings #49 — Superstition I am not a superstitious person. Friday the 13th is just another day, I don’t throw salt over my shoulder, I step on cracks, and black cats don’t faze me. There is, however, one thing that I confess to being superstitious about: The way I warm-up when I first begin practicing […]

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Blog Your Blessings Sunday: Carnegie Hall, Here We Come!

February 25, 2007

Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.* 1 Corinthians 10:31 This week, I am thankful for an opportunity that I have been given: On March 25, 2007, just over one month from today, the Delta Winds (a conglomeration of members of the Stockton Concert Band, Lodi […]

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Photo Hunt: Silver

January 26, 2007

This week’s theme: Silver I know, I know … it is exactly what you expected to see, right? Well, the theme is silver and my flute is a hand-made, professional model silver flute with a platinum riser. So I’m sorry that I’m very predictable this week. I will try to be more inventive next week […]

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Sunday Scribblings #40: Destination

December 31, 2006

December 31, 2006Prompt #40: Destination Two-word answer: CARNEGIE HALL! Yeah, it was just too easy. I am performing with The Delta Winds on March 28, 2007, at Carnegie Hall in New York City. We had our first rehearsal last week and received our music. Yes, I am one of those playing first flute, as well as in […]

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