So, now the flute course is almost over, and I have no idea of how to summarise the experience in a at least slightly complete and accurate way.
Chronologically?
Monday:
Started very early to drive around 4 hours to the "College campus" where the course was held. A beautiful campus in the countryside. Both the room, the food, the surroundings were really excellent.
After an assembly for everyone, we in the amature group (25 - 30 persons) went to the music building for our first session. To make the description short, I received more music scores then I usually play through a whole semester.
Slightly terrified I tried to locate the rare spots I would be able to sightread. I was astonished to hear my stand partner hit every note (util I realised that she was a was a "college" student in music). I quickly realised what a great help this was, since it did wonders for my chance to not get lost in the score. After dinner, around 7 pm, we gathered for the large flute choir and - guess what - received more music. Those who wanted could borrow bass and alto flutes. By know I was wondering what I had got into. Everyone seemed to have so much experience, and I could never have guessed that flutes can create so much sound.
We are warming up by playing twinkly twinkle little star by ear, and this time I am alarmed by
not having music.
Nevertheless, my ear is apparently better then I thought, because it went fine.
Tuesday:
Very busy day, with frequent breaks for meals and coffie. (We all apprechiated the great food here.) Except for playing and practising, we also had the opportunity to shop or look at music from the larges music store in Sweden, or try out flutes. There was also a technician available for check-ups.
The great event on the Tuesday was the teachers' consert in the evening. Simply amazing flute playing! What a night! There even was a contra bass flute, which was extraordinary to see and hear. We also got to listen to Jean Ferrandis (who was having master classes with the pro group students). I have never ever heard such flute playing. As an encore, all the teachers played La Cucaracha outdoors under a tree as the sun was slowly setting.
Wednesday:
Now my back is hurting even though I have a decent playing position, but I am thrilled about that all teachers take such a care in making sure we have a really good position. The details help, and now I can really feel when I slip out of a correct position and feel a lot more relaxed when playing.
In the amature group we play around with harmonic series on the low C.
I don't get into the Chamber music groups. (My sight reading is apprently not sufficient) But I get compensated by getting more individual lessons. In the evening some other students pass by my practise room, and I do get to play nice trios and duets which I know from my own books, and have a great time.
Thursday:
Today we get to learn modern music. How to make all these strange sounds, like tounge stops, whistle tones, and much more. It's actually quite fun and interesting to improvise.
I also get a self esteem boost, because I am able to help the only one in the group that probably has less flute experience then me, with how to get the low C to sound good. (I actually think you guys gave me advice on this at some point. Thanks!)
I start to be able to follow the score better, and have decided I WILL learn some fast 8th note runs in my Scaraborough fair part.
Friday:
The concert day. I had not realised what a big deal it is. Now I'm getting nervous. At breakfast some classmates are showing me the ad about the concert in the newspaper. And at morning rehersal we actually get new music, a Mozart andante, and find out that Jean Ferrandis is going to be a solist with us. By now I surprised myself by thinking, "well, this IS kind of sightreadable". Who on earth hands out new music on the day of a concert?
In the amature group we practice a modern improvisation "In the C" to be performed amid the audience.
Wow, my first public performance and I get not only to play with an amazing musician such as Ferrandis, but also start my public appearance by playing modern art music. This I never expected, and please help me not to get lost and play into the solist's Cadenza!
The amature group had also some Master classes with our own teachers, and some of the playing was really, really good. I heard several pieces I want to learn some day, and many of the tips was interesting. Additionally we had a great lecture on flute mechanics, in order to make us more informed flute buyers.
The concert went well. I got lost many fewer times then I thought I would. (Ok, the nice conductor would simply not allow us to get lost.
) I did not hit too many obvious wrong notes, though it took it took me half a piece to realise I had forgotten that the D were supposed to be sharp. Glad the D:s played by mistake were not loud. Overall I think we sounded nice, and even better than in rehersal.
The refreshments in the garden afterwards while chatting to the other flutists was also very fun. Now I have to quit and get some sleep before the course ending tomorrow, and I guess noone would anyway continue reading after all these length! Good night dear flutists and flute players.
