Greetings from spring!

Hello all!

Just a quick update...I am currently in sunny Florida. There are no complaints here. During the last month I have been in six cities. It is nice to have a chance to relax a bit. My apologies for taking so long in updating. Make sure to bring the evocative and thought provoking ideas flowing.

Young artist video of the week

Hello Bloggers,

I think that it would be a good idea to post exceptional performances on a routine basis. If you have any suggestions for a performer video of the week do not hesitate to contact me. Here is a link to a video of my friend Hong Xu at the Cleveland International Piano Competition. Both the playing and the stage presence are a little unorthodox. However, I like it.

Oh, by the way, this picture was taken at the Jacksonville Landing. This is a tribute to Christmas of 2008.

A return to the Blogosphere

Well, it has been quite a while since I have updated this blog. In short, I have moved from Charleston to Florida (With a few trips to Rochester, New York, Raleigh and D.C. in between.) It is the start of a new year and I hope a good one. This spring will begin the D.M.A. circuit of auditions for me. I remember being a freshman and thinking that getting into a good undergraduate program would be the only challenge that i would have to face. How foolish of me! Well...Life can be challenging but it sure is fun.

A rant on the monstrosities of conservatory bureaucracy...

I just learned that a person that is very close to me might have to leave the Eastman School of Music because the school considers the funding for its construction projects more important that its funding for the students...My ire was raised by the shortsightedness and stupidity of this.

Musical institutions (Conservatories) have gotten to a point where they care more about the preservation of public image than they care about the music (or the talent of the students). This is an incredible irony when one considers that the word conservatory literally means a place of conservation...I suppose the big wigs at these institutions take this to mean the conservation of the schools funding for their administrative bureaucrats rather than for teacher's salaries or their student's scholarships.

I financially struggled to finish my degrees (with many a skipped lunch). Through loans the school system insures that I still have to pay for schooling after I'm done. Now, after I have finished school, I look back to see if things improve. Instead of improvement I see: significantly raised tuition (in the case of Eastman more that 5,000 dollars this year), an increase in the cost of text books (this applies not only to music, but to all fields of study), no improvement in practice facilities (where the students actually work...at Eastman they have mold, poor ventilation, dilapidated pianos and lack of availability) and an increase in spending on major (and often unnecessary and superficial building projects for glass facades). My question is...how are administrations not able to see that music schools exist to harbor talent. How are they able to justify hiring administrative assistants and assistants to the administrative assistants when they pay some of the most highly trained professionals in the field (the conservatory teachers) close to poverty level and they squeeze the last dollar from their talented students. If that is not the definition of avarice I don't know what is!

It is not my tendency to rant...however, I predict dire consequences for the old guard conservatories if this trend continues any further. Many newer music schools would be glad to have the talented students and many students would be grateful not to be burdened with debt upon graduation. I enjoyed four wonderful years at Eastman (and two at Juilliard). My teachers were extraordinary and my colleagues were exceptional. In short, I love the school and hate the institution!

Being away from home can be really difficult sometimes.

This shot is of the College of Charleston...It gives one a flavor of the incredible beauty of this city...In fact, there is a decree that every building must be repainted every five years. It makes the appearance of everything here spic and span...However, I must say that it must also make a hassle for the home owners that live in the city.

I must say that I feel very peaceful here. However, every so often I get an anxiety attack about home and family. There is the normal set of financial troubles associated with billings going there and not having easy access to my NY bank account....More importantly though I think that I really miss seeing my family, friends and church. It seems very difficult to be mentally and spiritually grounded when one is constantly moving...Is this the price that one pays for constantly being on the go?

In other news I will be heading down to Florida tomorrow...My cousin is going with me (he is a piano tuner.) We will visit my grand parents there and hopefully get a chance to tune their piano (goodness knows --- it needs it). :)

I only practiced four and a half hours today...Why do I feel guilty?

I have noticed a disturbing phenomenon among a large group of musicians...I find it particularly disturbing because I fall into the same trap. Why do many of us evaluate our day based on the quality of our practice? If I practice well I feel that the day was a "good day". Inversely if I practice badly I feel guilty and the day seems like a "bad day". I think that this is neither healthy or conducive to the production of good art. Please give some input...It would be fantastic!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(By the way...The dog in the picture is deaf...It has absolutely nothing to do with the blog content. However, It somehow perfectly fits my mood at the moment.)

Lets see if blogging is as much fun as I think it will be!

Well...The time has come for me to be assimilated into the Borg...or should I say the Blog! It seems like an eternity has past since I graduated from School and so much has happened since then. This Blog is an opportunity to share some of the opportunities, opinions and adventures in my life. If anyone would like to: step into my shoes, state opinions or build a network of classical musicians on the web I will bid you welcome!