Small/Cunningham Wedding

Yesterday my friend Aline and I had the priveledge of performing for the wedding ceremony of Mirinda Small and Jay Cunningham.  It took place in the Fort Wright Chapel in Spokane.  It is a cute little chapel and was a lovely ceremony.  Overall, the musical aspects of the ceremony went off pretty well with only one small hitch.  The ceremony itself was very nice, and spiced with humorous comments from the officiant.  He was quite a character.  It was a nice tone to set to the beginning of a marriage – full of laughter, joy, and love.  It was a fun wedding to attend and participate in, and I wish Mirinda and Jay the best as they begin their married life!

Spokane Symphony Audition

Yesterday afternoon I auditioned for the substitute list for the Spokane Symphony.  I took a lesson last week with Mateusz Wolski, the concertmaster.  The lesson went well and helped me get more prepared for the audition than I would have been otherwise.  Overall I felt pretty good about the audition.  There were a few rough patches, particularly in the concerto that I played.  My finger slipped off the fingerboard at one point, which shook me up a bit.  The excerpt that I was having the most trouble with went the best of the three things I played.  The other excerpt wasn’t as smooth as I know I can play it.  Auditions are always interesting.  I felt I played better at my audition for the Mid-Columbia Symphony than I did yesterday.  I didn’t get nervous for this audition until I was on the stage.  Most auditions for professional orchestras are blind (there is a curtain between the auditionee and the people hearing the audition).  Since yesterday’s audition was for the sub list, it was not a blind audition.  I’ve decided that I prefer blind auditions.  I seem to be able to control my nerves better when people aren’t staring at me.  But, it’s all a journey and a learning experience.  I still haven’t heard anything from them, which I’m inclined to think is not a good thing, but they are in the middle of preparing for a concert, so all is not lost.

Taylor Proposal

Last night I provided music for a proposal.  The now groom-to-be, Michael, had planned out the evening weeks in advance.  I acted as a strolling violinist, while twelve servers brought twelve red roses to the table.  At the end, their server brought out the ring on a plate and Michael got down on one knee and proposed.  And she said yes.

Playing in a restaurant was a new and different experience.  There were some interesting logistics involved, but it all worked out fine in the end.  Overall it was  good experience, and it’s always fun to add the extra something to a special evening.