| 3/24/99 Aced my technical skills test! Well, I got 640 out of 800. But, considering last semester, when I got 470, I improved a hell of a lot. And we're graded on improvement. It's virtually impossible for me to get 800 on this test, because I can't single-tongue when the metronome's set at 144 beats/minute. My tongue is big and slow and, well, hell, I can double-tongue as fast as anything, and I can double tongue so slowly that the single tongue doesn't matter in a practical setting, but when it comes down to the technique test, I will always be at least 30 points short. That and I never practice lip slurs. Occasionally, that comes back to haunt me. But, dammit, I was impressive today. Professor Sinder and I discussed a few projects today. Now that the recital's over I need a goal. And now that I've quit my retail job, I need something to write about in this-here journal. Here are the possible stress agents--I need to choose one or two that I want to stress about for the next month or so: Not-so-optional I have-to-have-to-have-to start doing well in my set theory class. By all official records, I'm doing fine; I got an 80 on the midterm and I have the option to re-take it (which I will--I'm such a hindsight opportunist.) And I've done most of the assignments and gotten high 90-like scores on them. But I have a paper due next month and a composition project in lieu of a final, so I have to get my ass around and be able to sound like I pay attention in class. My master's orals will be in the next 3-4 weeks. I must arrange for a committee, find out my assigned questions from each member and get to work. Prof. Sinder will likely ask me something about low brass pedagogy, which is my big subject, so no problems there. I just need to do the work and go over my education notes and such. And come up with good student-stories to tell. I have to find a theory professor who's willing to show up and ask me questions about something. Probably a piece I'll be required to analyze and discuss. The third committee member sits there and looks imposing, or something--that one's just for show. Better start packing. I'm moving to Georgia, here. Need to get rid of years and years' worth of junk. How about an online garage sale? Optional stress agents The Recital, Part II. That's right, I'm coming back for more! I may give a recital in my hometown for all those slackers (translated: people with lives) who can't drive up to East Lansing whenever I wave my little fingers. I'd need to add at least one piece (to make it worth the trip--my original program was only a tad over an hour long,) and organize the hall, the programs, the reception, the accompanist, etc. Did I say I'd never do this again? Did anyone actually believe that? I've been thinking about re-starting this project I put down a few years ago--I'm transcribing Telemann's 12 Flute Fantasies for low brass. I've never cared so much the trombone editions that are out there, and (naturally) I believe I could do better, so I'm doing my own edition. (point: if I don't like editions, who's going to like mine?) I completed one Fantasie a couple years ago and Sinder's on me to do a few more before abandoning the project again. Now that I'm going to have some free time, I just might. He also encouraged me to transpose them down a bit to be played on a small tuba, since the previous editions never really considered the tuba when they published--how rude. I keep meaning to compose a few more etudes and try to publish them, probably in a book of some sort. The etudes I've written so far are fiendishly difficult; they'd be best used by college students for rhythmic and interval practice. I dabble in serialism. Everything I've ever written in traditional tonal styles sounds asinine and contrived. So why am I not doing well in set theory?? Anyway, I should try to write things more accessible to younger students and use them in my own teaching. What a great idea.... I keep telling everyone that I write reviews of euphonium compositions for the TUBA journal. Yeah, I do...that's why I haven't e-mailed the suervisor for that job yet. The reviewers get to keep all the music they review, which is pretty damn cool. That stuff would be expensive if I actually had to pay for it, and I'd never buy it, since I'm one of those people who doesn't buy what they can't see first. I hate those people. How about writing some more damn poetry?? It's about freaking time. I've poured my creative juices into this diary, for pete's sake, and I don't even get any mail from you ingrates. *sniffle*
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