Let this be a lesson to all of those who have their heart in two places.
August 13, 2015 and back in the USA! I can't believe it is nearly a year since I wrote in my cello blog. I had the most wonderful personal sabbatical (OK, call it a 10 month holiday), made many new friends, played marvelous music, travelled in England, Italy and Budapest. The list goes on so long, that I am writing a book about it. It would take hours to tell people more than what I just wrote, that's just the tip of the iceberg.
My next challenge is to decide how to manage my life. I learnt a lot about myself, and realized that I really belong in two places, both of which I love very much. Chapel Hill has been my home for 35 years, but England has always been my homeland. I really need two homes where I can toggle back and forth, in other words, having my cake and eating it, as they say. The main obstacle of course is financial. England is unbelievably expensive, and having lived in a beautiful home in a beautiful town in a beautiful state, I am not willing to live in student accommodation. Salisbury is a lovely town in an county of outstanding beauty, but the housing wasn't that great for what I could pay. One room in a small apartment was nearly the same as my house mortgage here in the US! It was OK for the time I was there, but not for the future. I guess I have been too spoilt.
My next challenge is to decide how to manage my life. I learnt a lot about myself, and realized that I really belong in two places, both of which I love very much. Chapel Hill has been my home for 35 years, but England has always been my homeland. I really need two homes where I can toggle back and forth, in other words, having my cake and eating it, as they say. The main obstacle of course is financial. England is unbelievably expensive, and having lived in a beautiful home in a beautiful town in a beautiful state, I am not willing to live in student accommodation. Salisbury is a lovely town in an county of outstanding beauty, but the housing wasn't that great for what I could pay. One room in a small apartment was nearly the same as my house mortgage here in the US! It was OK for the time I was there, but not for the future. I guess I have been too spoilt.
2104 Summer in the UK and Rome.
Summer in England and Rome from June 17th - July 22, 2014. A few days in England before flying to Rome for my grand-daughter Zoe's ballet recital. The Italians are very serious about their recitals and although Zoe is only 6 years old, she was expected to look like a pro, with her hair slicked back just like a prima ballerina! There were 25 "acts" representing the studio with children from 3 years old to teenagers. Zoe danced in 4 of them, classical (Nutcracker, 2 dances), jazz (a number from the movie Foot Loose), and "Timber, a cowboy act by rapper Pitbull! The teachers joined in at times too! Each act was costumed, with different themes according to the music selected. Great variety of musical and dance styles. A typical Italian evening, the show was to begin at 7:30pm at the Teatro Dell' Angelo, but actually started at 8:00pm and continued until 10:30pm. But that's the Italian way, and when in Rome ........ Everyone had a great time, we were so proud of Zoe.
I went to two concerts during the week, both in the same place, the church of St. Agnes of Agone in the Piazza Navona. The concert tickets included tours of the church, it was interesting to hear 2 different guides talking about the history, learnt twice as much! The church was owned by the Pamphili family, and when one of them became pope, it became his private church, a retreat from the Vatican. Although not as splendid as St. Peter's, there is beautiful sculpture work by Bernini and Borromini throughout, as well as paintings. There is a shrine to St. Cecilia, patron saint of Music. The concerts were held in the Sacristy, not generally open to the public except for smaller concerts, it has perfect acoustics, bringing out glorious sounds from the lower strings, viola, cello, bass, and warm tones from the violins. The first concert featured music from the 18th to the 20th centuries - Piccinni, Vivaldi, Rossini and Respighi. I especially complimented the violist on his beautiful playing of the solo in the Respighi Passacalia. The cellist and bass were no slouches either. In fact the whole ensemble was excellent, great tempos and easy interactions between the players. A really fine concert. Two days later I returned to the church to hear a vocal quartet with Medieval, Renaissance and Baroque instruments. Another marvelous ensemble. The first half of the concert was in the Sacristy, the second half in the Sanctuary, also with great acoustics. I'd love to hear the Verdi Requiem in there.
Our final musical event on Zoe's birthday was to the Tokyo Ballet at the Caracalla Baths, just south of the Circus Maximus. The second largest Roman public baths, built in Rome between AD 212 and 216. They would have had to install over 2,000 tons of building material every day for 6 years in order to complete it in this time. Between huge pillars, a stage had been constructed for the dancers. It was a magical experience - starting at 9pm in the dusk and gradually getting darker, with the lights coming on. The program featured 3 ballets - a set of Greek Dances by composer Mikis Theodorakis, Variations by Chopin on a theme by Mozart, ending with the Rite of Spring which was quite ferocious. However it needed more color and scenery, it was rather bland with the off-white costumes.
I went to two concerts during the week, both in the same place, the church of St. Agnes of Agone in the Piazza Navona. The concert tickets included tours of the church, it was interesting to hear 2 different guides talking about the history, learnt twice as much! The church was owned by the Pamphili family, and when one of them became pope, it became his private church, a retreat from the Vatican. Although not as splendid as St. Peter's, there is beautiful sculpture work by Bernini and Borromini throughout, as well as paintings. There is a shrine to St. Cecilia, patron saint of Music. The concerts were held in the Sacristy, not generally open to the public except for smaller concerts, it has perfect acoustics, bringing out glorious sounds from the lower strings, viola, cello, bass, and warm tones from the violins. The first concert featured music from the 18th to the 20th centuries - Piccinni, Vivaldi, Rossini and Respighi. I especially complimented the violist on his beautiful playing of the solo in the Respighi Passacalia. The cellist and bass were no slouches either. In fact the whole ensemble was excellent, great tempos and easy interactions between the players. A really fine concert. Two days later I returned to the church to hear a vocal quartet with Medieval, Renaissance and Baroque instruments. Another marvelous ensemble. The first half of the concert was in the Sacristy, the second half in the Sanctuary, also with great acoustics. I'd love to hear the Verdi Requiem in there.
Our final musical event on Zoe's birthday was to the Tokyo Ballet at the Caracalla Baths, just south of the Circus Maximus. The second largest Roman public baths, built in Rome between AD 212 and 216. They would have had to install over 2,000 tons of building material every day for 6 years in order to complete it in this time. Between huge pillars, a stage had been constructed for the dancers. It was a magical experience - starting at 9pm in the dusk and gradually getting darker, with the lights coming on. The program featured 3 ballets - a set of Greek Dances by composer Mikis Theodorakis, Variations by Chopin on a theme by Mozart, ending with the Rite of Spring which was quite ferocious. However it needed more color and scenery, it was rather bland with the off-white costumes.
December 23rd, 2013, after a hectic month of music performances, another trip to Rome for 3 weeks. Walked around the city for hours, visiting churches with their Nativity scenes, an Italian tradition. So much easier in the winter to explore, cooler weather and fewer tourists after the New Year. Concerts every night, and although I didn't go to all of them, heard some very fine performances in overwhelming churches. After a while, it just seems quite natural to see Michelangelo and Bernini statues, 11th century frescos, paintings by Rubens, Raphael and zillions of others in the churches and palazzos. Italians do love to collect paintings, neighbors and friends had them all over their apartments, but not all were Raphaels and Michelangelos! I loved the Villa Medici and the Villa Borghese which I had not been to in June. Dan and I explored the Trastavere area (similar to the Rive Gauche in Paris) and stumbled on an exhibition of Verdi. Fascinating collection of opera costumes, one made for Pavarotti in the role of the Duke of Mantova in Rigoletto, when he was considerably lighter than in later years! Manuscripts and letters galore, a treasure trove. I'm sure musicologists came from all over the world to visit this exhibition. We also went to Rome's music conservatory, the Saint Cecilia Academy where there is a small but very interesting musical instrument exhibition.
Returned to the US on Jan. 11, 2014
Longer blog on http://2013ChristmasinRome.blogspot.com
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June 2013 off to England for a week visiting with a school friend places in Cornwall where I spent a lot of my childhood. A marvelous week ending up at Dartington, then off to Rome, Italy, where my son, daughter-in-law and grand-daughter relocated to in January. It was very heart-wrenching not to be going south to Nairobi, but wonderful to be with them again. Zoe had gained a lot of confidence in her Italian preschool, and although a little shy about speaking Italian in public, did not hesitate to let the grownups know if we were mispronouncing words! We rented a car and drove to the district of Puglia in the south of Italy, for a week's holiday in an agritourismo farm out in the country. It was a great spot, convenient to beaches on the Adriatic and Mediterranean seas, where we took day trips. Incredible towns, Lecce and Torento in particular with narrow streets, churches with 11th century mosaics.
Back in Rome for wanderings through the Borghese Gardens and the Palazzo Doria Pamphilij, to mention just a few places. Very hot, but escaping back into the cool of the apartment just a few minutes from the Vatican, made it bearable.
After 3 weeks in Rome, I returned to the UK to spend a week visiting family and friends. With concerts and visits to stately homes, the week sped by and it was back to the US.
www.britcellistinUKandItaly.blogspot.com
***********************************
December 2012 brings another trip to Nairobi, so I will continue on with my cellonewsfromkenya blog. This time I will be coaching the cello section of the Kenya Youth Orchestra during their week-long residential course. From what I have seen on the video, those residential courses are hard work but fun.
*********************************************************
June 2012 I will be travelling - first to the UK, then to Kenya, on to Israel via Istanbul, returning to the UK via Rome and finally back to Chapel Hill.
Follow my blog http://cellonewsfromkenya.blogspot.com
In April, 2012, my son and grand-daughter went to a concert by the recently-formed National Youth Orchestra of Kenya. Hearing about it from them and seeing the program, I thought it would be a interesting to meet the director and to share with my students how other young musicians in a different country are making music.
On June 13, I met with Jim Pymell, conductor of the Nairobi Orchestra and the NYOK. I had brought over some orchestra music that Donna had donated, thank you Donna so much, along with some string ensemble pieces I had for younger groups. He was very pleased to get everything, as sheet music is hard to obtain and very expensive to buy and mail.
Later, I went with Jim to a rehearsal of the Nairobi Orchestra which he also conducts. It is a full orchestra, comprised of players from the community - teachers, conservertoire students, some advanced NYOK players and advanced adult players. One young cellist, Simon, was taught by my friend Gillian who started the string program at Mount Kenya Academy. As I taught Gillian when she was in the Piedmont Youth Orchestra in Chapel Hill, I am a sort of cello Grandmother to Simon. The current teacher at Mt. Kenya Academy is an American, she is going back this summer to Raleigh where her sister's husband works for Jerry Pasciewicz. Small world! They were preparing an ambitious concert for that weekend -Tchaikovsky 5th Symphony, Peer Gynt Suites no.1 and 2, and the Coleridge Taylor Petite Suite de Concert. Jim had invited me to play, but sadly I couldn't. My family had booked a beautiful cottage on a lake for that weekend, and I couldn't miss that. I was impressed by the sound of the small string section, a very sweet warm sound. There was some beautiful playing by the French Horn section and the ensemble was well together.
The next day, on June 14, I had a meeting with Elizabeth Njoroge who heads the non-profit organization, The Art of Music, www.artofmusic.co.ke founded in 2009. This is the umbrella organization that supports the National Youth Orchestra of Kenya, and the Ghetto Classics. Elizabeth explained something to me which I think is a brilliant idea for starting up a youth
orchestra in under-served areas. They auditioned everyone throughout Kenya who wanted to play in an orchestra, and chose the best. Many of them came from private schools or had been taking private lessons, and had a high level of technical ability, but not much opportunity to play in a full orchestra. These then had several week-long training workshops, and have given concerts already throughout the country. In turn, these student players get to mentor students who are just beginning to play in the Ghetto Classics. That way, the younger players see from the advanced players what can be accomplished by self-discipline and work. The idea is to give them a way to better themselves and their community. The Ghetto Classics program was originally started in 2009 for 500 wind and brass players, with instruments and tuition paid by funds collected by The Art of Music foundation. They are now starting a string program and have been given a grant by the Polish government to purchase instruments, strings and accessories. How I wish I could stay to help them out.
There is no cello teacher for them - other teachers and the Youth Orchestra mentors do the best they can. The children have nothing, even the $3 a term is beyond most of them, yet
they come just to listen to the music and to be in that environment. Because of theft, only one of each instrument is left in the school where the lessons are taught, the children can practice daily one at a time. Unfortunately, I was not able to go with Elizabeth as planned, to Korogocho, one of the biggest slums, to see the weekly program in action. She called this morning to say the children were taking exams and were not having their weekly classes. I was so disappointed as I will not be here next week, as we leave on Sunday for Israel.
At the Nairobi Orchestra rehearsal, I met David, a violin teacher at the Conservatoire. He asked me to help out with some students who were able to meet on June 19th. The Conservatoire orchestra (a full orchestra) is on a tour to Mombasa soon, and they have a good program - Egmont Overture, Mozart Clarinet concerto, Sleepers' Wake and lighter pieces such as La Camparsita. I was delighted to work with them and on Monday, I went over to the Conservatoire. They were a good group and after an initial shyness were very friendly and willing to learn. I went through as many pieces as I could, working on the passages which featured the strings.
There was a cellist, Catherine, who asked for a lesson after the rehearsal, which I was happy to give. She is taking her Grade 5 Associated Board exam in July and wanted some help. There are no cello teachers in Nairobi who have gone past Grade 5, so she has mostly been doing it herself. The Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music is an English-based organization stemming from the colonial times when the sun never set on the British Empire. Students from all the colonial countries would prepare for the same curricula and the English
examiners would fly out once a year to conduct the examinations. This is still going on in many Commonwealth countries, and it does give the students a level of achievement to attain for high school graduation (Grade 5) or entrance to a music school/university.(Grade 8).
The examination consists of 1 piece from each of 3 lists - baroque/classical, romantic, contemporary. Catherine had chosen a beautiful aria from a Handel opera arranged for cello, the Schubert Swansong, and a March by Gordon Jacobs. In addition there is a written
theory section, scales and sightreading. All very thorough. Many music students,
even adults follow this system, it's an easy way to rate oneself if you are going on a music course. I was very impressed at how much Catherine had done by herself. We discussed some things she was unsure of - bowing techniques, hand and arm position in 4th position and playing more confidently in some orchestra sections where the cello is prominent. She has promised to email me about the exam and how she did.
For the rest of my travels, go to -
www.cellonewsfromkenya.blogspot.com
Returned to the US on Jan. 11, 2014
Longer blog on http://2013ChristmasinRome.blogspot.com
*****************************************************
June 2013 off to England for a week visiting with a school friend places in Cornwall where I spent a lot of my childhood. A marvelous week ending up at Dartington, then off to Rome, Italy, where my son, daughter-in-law and grand-daughter relocated to in January. It was very heart-wrenching not to be going south to Nairobi, but wonderful to be with them again. Zoe had gained a lot of confidence in her Italian preschool, and although a little shy about speaking Italian in public, did not hesitate to let the grownups know if we were mispronouncing words! We rented a car and drove to the district of Puglia in the south of Italy, for a week's holiday in an agritourismo farm out in the country. It was a great spot, convenient to beaches on the Adriatic and Mediterranean seas, where we took day trips. Incredible towns, Lecce and Torento in particular with narrow streets, churches with 11th century mosaics.
Back in Rome for wanderings through the Borghese Gardens and the Palazzo Doria Pamphilij, to mention just a few places. Very hot, but escaping back into the cool of the apartment just a few minutes from the Vatican, made it bearable.
After 3 weeks in Rome, I returned to the UK to spend a week visiting family and friends. With concerts and visits to stately homes, the week sped by and it was back to the US.
www.britcellistinUKandItaly.blogspot.com
***********************************
December 2012 brings another trip to Nairobi, so I will continue on with my cellonewsfromkenya blog. This time I will be coaching the cello section of the Kenya Youth Orchestra during their week-long residential course. From what I have seen on the video, those residential courses are hard work but fun.
*********************************************************
June 2012 I will be travelling - first to the UK, then to Kenya, on to Israel via Istanbul, returning to the UK via Rome and finally back to Chapel Hill.
Follow my blog http://cellonewsfromkenya.blogspot.com
In April, 2012, my son and grand-daughter went to a concert by the recently-formed National Youth Orchestra of Kenya. Hearing about it from them and seeing the program, I thought it would be a interesting to meet the director and to share with my students how other young musicians in a different country are making music.
On June 13, I met with Jim Pymell, conductor of the Nairobi Orchestra and the NYOK. I had brought over some orchestra music that Donna had donated, thank you Donna so much, along with some string ensemble pieces I had for younger groups. He was very pleased to get everything, as sheet music is hard to obtain and very expensive to buy and mail.
Later, I went with Jim to a rehearsal of the Nairobi Orchestra which he also conducts. It is a full orchestra, comprised of players from the community - teachers, conservertoire students, some advanced NYOK players and advanced adult players. One young cellist, Simon, was taught by my friend Gillian who started the string program at Mount Kenya Academy. As I taught Gillian when she was in the Piedmont Youth Orchestra in Chapel Hill, I am a sort of cello Grandmother to Simon. The current teacher at Mt. Kenya Academy is an American, she is going back this summer to Raleigh where her sister's husband works for Jerry Pasciewicz. Small world! They were preparing an ambitious concert for that weekend -Tchaikovsky 5th Symphony, Peer Gynt Suites no.1 and 2, and the Coleridge Taylor Petite Suite de Concert. Jim had invited me to play, but sadly I couldn't. My family had booked a beautiful cottage on a lake for that weekend, and I couldn't miss that. I was impressed by the sound of the small string section, a very sweet warm sound. There was some beautiful playing by the French Horn section and the ensemble was well together.
The next day, on June 14, I had a meeting with Elizabeth Njoroge who heads the non-profit organization, The Art of Music, www.artofmusic.co.ke founded in 2009. This is the umbrella organization that supports the National Youth Orchestra of Kenya, and the Ghetto Classics. Elizabeth explained something to me which I think is a brilliant idea for starting up a youth
orchestra in under-served areas. They auditioned everyone throughout Kenya who wanted to play in an orchestra, and chose the best. Many of them came from private schools or had been taking private lessons, and had a high level of technical ability, but not much opportunity to play in a full orchestra. These then had several week-long training workshops, and have given concerts already throughout the country. In turn, these student players get to mentor students who are just beginning to play in the Ghetto Classics. That way, the younger players see from the advanced players what can be accomplished by self-discipline and work. The idea is to give them a way to better themselves and their community. The Ghetto Classics program was originally started in 2009 for 500 wind and brass players, with instruments and tuition paid by funds collected by The Art of Music foundation. They are now starting a string program and have been given a grant by the Polish government to purchase instruments, strings and accessories. How I wish I could stay to help them out.
There is no cello teacher for them - other teachers and the Youth Orchestra mentors do the best they can. The children have nothing, even the $3 a term is beyond most of them, yet
they come just to listen to the music and to be in that environment. Because of theft, only one of each instrument is left in the school where the lessons are taught, the children can practice daily one at a time. Unfortunately, I was not able to go with Elizabeth as planned, to Korogocho, one of the biggest slums, to see the weekly program in action. She called this morning to say the children were taking exams and were not having their weekly classes. I was so disappointed as I will not be here next week, as we leave on Sunday for Israel.
At the Nairobi Orchestra rehearsal, I met David, a violin teacher at the Conservatoire. He asked me to help out with some students who were able to meet on June 19th. The Conservatoire orchestra (a full orchestra) is on a tour to Mombasa soon, and they have a good program - Egmont Overture, Mozart Clarinet concerto, Sleepers' Wake and lighter pieces such as La Camparsita. I was delighted to work with them and on Monday, I went over to the Conservatoire. They were a good group and after an initial shyness were very friendly and willing to learn. I went through as many pieces as I could, working on the passages which featured the strings.
There was a cellist, Catherine, who asked for a lesson after the rehearsal, which I was happy to give. She is taking her Grade 5 Associated Board exam in July and wanted some help. There are no cello teachers in Nairobi who have gone past Grade 5, so she has mostly been doing it herself. The Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music is an English-based organization stemming from the colonial times when the sun never set on the British Empire. Students from all the colonial countries would prepare for the same curricula and the English
examiners would fly out once a year to conduct the examinations. This is still going on in many Commonwealth countries, and it does give the students a level of achievement to attain for high school graduation (Grade 5) or entrance to a music school/university.(Grade 8).
The examination consists of 1 piece from each of 3 lists - baroque/classical, romantic, contemporary. Catherine had chosen a beautiful aria from a Handel opera arranged for cello, the Schubert Swansong, and a March by Gordon Jacobs. In addition there is a written
theory section, scales and sightreading. All very thorough. Many music students,
even adults follow this system, it's an easy way to rate oneself if you are going on a music course. I was very impressed at how much Catherine had done by herself. We discussed some things she was unsure of - bowing techniques, hand and arm position in 4th position and playing more confidently in some orchestra sections where the cello is prominent. She has promised to email me about the exam and how she did.
For the rest of my travels, go to -
www.cellonewsfromkenya.blogspot.com
Nairobi Conservatoire students. Cellist Catherine is on the left.
