The Path Of Life

I have been so busy wrapping up different music jobs and practicing that I haven’t had a spare minute to write on the blog. (So sorry folks.) To catch everyone up on all the latest...

Last Saturday and Sunday I played Handel’s Messiah with the Marion Civic Chorale and it went fairly well. Messiah is always difficult for any musician; and this oratory in particular is always taxing on oneself. I think we all did the best that we could, and with God’s grace made it through without any extreme difficulty.

On Tuesday I played with my orchestra at the Freedom Library right here in Ocala, and it went very well. There wasn’t a huge crowd, but that’s not what’s important. We had a wonderful time playing together, and we have only one more gathering before we break up for the holidays.

I have a wedding to play on Sunday afternoon, and I still haven’t gotten the music to it. So I have to sight read the whole wedding. I look forward to it. Only God can guide me through this one. I will have faith and trust in Him to direct my paths.

“Preserve me, O God: for in thee do I put my trust. O my soul, thou hast said unto the Lord, Thou art my Lord: my goodness extendeth not to thee; But to the saints that are in the earth, and to the excellent, in whom is all my delight. Their sorrows shall be multiplied that hasten after another god: their drink offerings of blood will I not offer, nor take up their names into my lips. The Lord is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot. The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage. I will bless the Lord, who hath given me counsel: my reins also instruct me in the night seasons. I have set the Lord always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope. For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. Thou wilt show me the path of life; in thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. Psalm 16: 1-11

Last Handel Rehearsal

Practice went well tonight. It was our last rehearsal before the concerts Saturday and Sunday, so we went through the entire program with the chorus. One of my classmates from the college was there to sing for the chorus, and it was fun to work with her. We’re doing a lot of skipping in our performance of the Messiah, and I’m not really sure why. When we originally got our music 6 months ago, there were some pieces missing already. But now we’re skipping from #12 to #44 and that’s a bit of a stretch. But who am I to complain? Less work for me. Usually I don’t like cutting up music like that, but I hurt my shoulder the other day and appreciate any slack I can get for now.

Sorry I haven't e-mailed some of you. My e-mail is not working, thus the reason why I haven't written. So sorry.

Frank will be home soon, and I need to get some chores done. Till next time.

College Concert at the Appleton

My orchestra played for a church service today, and that went well. As soon as the service was over I had to run to the Appleton Museum and play with Miss Rosa’s college kids for their concert. Both engagements went well, and I was out a total of 9 hours. I am so tired from running circles all day that I got home, took a bath, am writing this real quick, and am going to crash. Frank didn’t have to work this morning, so I left the man in bed when I left at 9:15 this morning.

When Frank and I re-arranged out room, he never got around to plugging in the DVD player. So after I’m done with practicing music and my chores, I’ve been reading a lot. I enjoy watching movies, but it gets a bit much after a while. So I’ve just been reading a lot instead. Reading is better anyway.

I usually write more, but I am so tired from today – it was draining to say the least. I would gladly do it again though.

Tomorrow is the last rehearsal for Handel’s Messiah, so when Frank leaves for work Monday afternoon, I’m going to have to get on the button and PRACTICE! There are a few spots here and there that could use some brushing up.

Christmas Concert

The concert tonight was an absolute smash, and everyone did so well in their performances. It has been our best concert to date, and I am so excited at how well everyone is doing. There were a lot of people in attendance, and that was a surprise to all of us. Ocala was having their Christmas parade, so we expected a handful of people. But we had a great turnout and everyone sounded great.

My solo went well, as did Alex’s and Mr. Roger’s. I thought I would be a lot more nervous, but when the moment came, I didn’t feel the slightest twinge. After performing all these years, I’ve finally come to the point where I don’t loose my head. I’ve gotten a lot more confident in myself since I got married…I am not as shy as I was, and at least now I can do simple things that I never did before because I was afraid to. Things like making phone calls, doing my own shopping, making arrangements for this and that, etc. I can actually do things for myself without hiding behind someone else.

Dr. Spencer, his wife, and daughter came, as well as Pedro & Johanna and their 4 children. Even the clerk from the Ocala Library Bookstore was there! I hadn’t seen most of these people since before I got married, so it was good to catch up with everyone. Dr. Fishel, good doctor that he is, wanted to know all the details leading up to my marriage, and we had a good talk about everything.

The night was a complete success, and we all had a wonderful time. If we keep practicing and improving, we’ll be able to do a little traveling and who knows? Maybe we’ll go overseas someday.