Why can't I play?!

The past few days have been my regular routine of waiting for the next concert on the itinerary, making friends, and educating myself a bit.

I have been watching a video on technique suggested by the nurse on campus, and i have been talking to my friends about their technique to see if i can pick up any useful tips. I have played maybe 40 minutes today, in 2x20 minute sessions, without pain. I became frustrated, however, when my friends who have played since they were 5 and are older than me, tried to help me but i didn't understand. Hopefully i will be able to finish my time here by rethinking my piano technique...This is hard work, but is definitely worth the effort if it means i can play again!

Concerts have been nice. Last night was the winner of the concerto competition concert. She played the first movement Beethoven's 4th symphony. While his 3rd and 5th are my personal favorite, she did an exquisite job of communicating with the orchestra, and it was clear that she definitely has the "pearly touch" that is so valued in the piano community. Other than her concerto, The orchestra played Excerpts from Cinderella, the ballet by Prokofiev. I really enjoyed hearing a ballet other than Romeo and Juliet, the one with which i am more familiar. Thanks to Disney, I think of Cinderella as having a light hearted soundtrack. Instead, the music was dark, even when happy, and it was so rich. The Cinderella Waltz was a perfect example of a singing melody with a bittersweet tone. My favorite movement was Midnight. Prokofiev did a fabulous job, especially in this movement, of practically choreographing the ballet with his music; it was so easy and entertaining to listen to and imagine the dancers were actually on the stage.

After heading to a popular ice cream spot (where I enjoyed "Music Camp Obsession"...coffee ice cream with chocolate cake, fudge, chips, and other chocolate items) I went to a jazz concert, where Saxophonist Joe Lulloff soloed with the band while they played for two and a half hours! The band of maybe 15 high schoolers filled an auditorium of 1800 people who paid 25 dollars each to sit there! The amazing part of it is that almost every concert is like that!!

Tomorrow. Dad and Ryan are coming to visit me! We will see Strauss' Alpine Symphony and a Saxophone concerto. Later in the evening is the piano competition. I will be leaving then and visiting Biltmore on Monday and returning to Brevard on Tuesday! Have a nice weekend!