I am eager for my next long-distance trip. The past couple of days have been nice, but I'm ready to go somewhere again. I'm ready for the adventure of student teaching. I miss being in Hong Kong. It was such a great experience, in some ways more valuable than my trip to Florence.
I have learned so much in the past week. I will not forget this experience anytime soon. I wish I had more to say in this last post, but I have said so much already in the previous week.
Goodbye until the next adventure!
-Thomas
Thursday, July 17, 2014
Monday, July 14, 2014
Final Day and Journey Home
The final day of the trip proper, in which we spend a full day in Hong Kong, was really quite good. It revolved around celebrating the preceding week, socializing with all of the other participants on last time, and final goodbyes.
The directors and the guest groups were invited to a special Dim Sum lunch at a great restaurant that overlooked Victoria Harbour. This was particularly good, given that the choices were made for us as far as what dishes would be brought out to the four large tables. After lunch, there was time to rest and prepare for the final concert that evening before the final small recital. This one featured David Rey of the Geneva Brass Quintet performing solo repertoire arranged for brass quartet accompaniment. This was very enjoyable especially in that he performed many standard pieces of literature for the solo trombone.
After this was several hours of free time for many of us. For me, this was time to rest as well as begin packing for the next day. I was surprised how easy it was to pack everything, but I guess it helped that not many of my things ventured far away from my suitcase. If you ever have to pack a large amount of clothes for a trip (including dress clothes), I recommend that you look into the bundle method. This saved me a lot of hassle involving ironing and caring for my clothes after we arrived, due to the fact that they were in great condition overall after transit.
The final concert was just plain fun. For me, this trip is end to my full-time playing of the trombone. I am so fortunate to have this opportunity to wrap up 10 years of trombone playing. I will miss it, but it is time to move onto the next part of my life. Anyway, the concert was amazing. All of the participants were divided into eight ensembles, all of which taking turns during the concert playing one or two pieces for the remaining attendees and audience members. I had already played both of the pieces my group (Dragon Choir) with the CSU ensemble, but it was such a fantastic experience playing it with an internationally constructed group.
MONDAY MORNING
With little hassle, we made it to the airport and onto our first flight from Hong Kong to the SEA-TAC airport in Washington. We are entering the second hour of a six-and-a-half hour layover here before our final four-hour flight to Atlanta. This is my first time experiencing a sunset and then an immediate sunrise on a single flight. It is also an odd sensation living the same morning twice.
I am about to finish this up and go walk around to avoid falling asleep/into madness.
I'll see you when I get back to consciousness Tuesday or Wednesday. I'm not entirely certain of which one yet.
The directors and the guest groups were invited to a special Dim Sum lunch at a great restaurant that overlooked Victoria Harbour. This was particularly good, given that the choices were made for us as far as what dishes would be brought out to the four large tables. After lunch, there was time to rest and prepare for the final concert that evening before the final small recital. This one featured David Rey of the Geneva Brass Quintet performing solo repertoire arranged for brass quartet accompaniment. This was very enjoyable especially in that he performed many standard pieces of literature for the solo trombone.
After this was several hours of free time for many of us. For me, this was time to rest as well as begin packing for the next day. I was surprised how easy it was to pack everything, but I guess it helped that not many of my things ventured far away from my suitcase. If you ever have to pack a large amount of clothes for a trip (including dress clothes), I recommend that you look into the bundle method. This saved me a lot of hassle involving ironing and caring for my clothes after we arrived, due to the fact that they were in great condition overall after transit.
The final concert was just plain fun. For me, this trip is end to my full-time playing of the trombone. I am so fortunate to have this opportunity to wrap up 10 years of trombone playing. I will miss it, but it is time to move onto the next part of my life. Anyway, the concert was amazing. All of the participants were divided into eight ensembles, all of which taking turns during the concert playing one or two pieces for the remaining attendees and audience members. I had already played both of the pieces my group (Dragon Choir) with the CSU ensemble, but it was such a fantastic experience playing it with an internationally constructed group.
MONDAY MORNING
With little hassle, we made it to the airport and onto our first flight from Hong Kong to the SEA-TAC airport in Washington. We are entering the second hour of a six-and-a-half hour layover here before our final four-hour flight to Atlanta. This is my first time experiencing a sunset and then an immediate sunrise on a single flight. It is also an odd sensation living the same morning twice.
I am about to finish this up and go walk around to avoid falling asleep/into madness.
I'll see you when I get back to consciousness Tuesday or Wednesday. I'm not entirely certain of which one yet.
Saturday, July 12, 2014
Day 6- Late Edition Version 2
The day started out as any has so far: an early walk to breakfast and then a warm-up session with another faculty member. Today's warm-up centered around ensemble playing, seeking to strengthen harmonic intonation and listening skills across the group.
Group pictures were taken and a shirt run-through of the mass choir piece (Elsa's Procession to the Cathedral) before choir was done before a lunch break.
I spent the afternoon after a hearty lunch exploring the Wan Chai Market again and finishing the shopping I intended to do. The smells here are so overpowering with how different they to what I am used to in the States. The sheer amount of fresh food, plant and animal, is amazing. By fresh, I mean that stand operators will put living fish out on the bins and sell them directly from there. Bartering has been so fun, talking stand owners down to a reasonable price. One particular lady had no interest in haggling with me and missed out on selling me a couple of items. Smiling and being generally pleasant will help you with your goal. Also not being "married" to any one item helps. If a stand owner thinks you are too interested in an item, they will purposefully try and get you to take it with a higher price.
Our concert was tonight, and it was one of the most fun performances I have had in my entire college career. We were all connected and very interested in working together as well as we could. Our performance with the American Trombone Choir was very fun, playing in a large group is always fun.
The evening was not without its problems. Two of our members' phones were stolen during the concert. Luckily it was only those two, but it reminded everyone that personal item security is very important, even if it is near the end of the trip.
Group pictures were taken and a shirt run-through of the mass choir piece (Elsa's Procession to the Cathedral) before choir was done before a lunch break.
I spent the afternoon after a hearty lunch exploring the Wan Chai Market again and finishing the shopping I intended to do. The smells here are so overpowering with how different they to what I am used to in the States. The sheer amount of fresh food, plant and animal, is amazing. By fresh, I mean that stand operators will put living fish out on the bins and sell them directly from there. Bartering has been so fun, talking stand owners down to a reasonable price. One particular lady had no interest in haggling with me and missed out on selling me a couple of items. Smiling and being generally pleasant will help you with your goal. Also not being "married" to any one item helps. If a stand owner thinks you are too interested in an item, they will purposefully try and get you to take it with a higher price.
Our concert was tonight, and it was one of the most fun performances I have had in my entire college career. We were all connected and very interested in working together as well as we could. Our performance with the American Trombone Choir was very fun, playing in a large group is always fun.
The evening was not without its problems. Two of our members' phones were stolen during the concert. Luckily it was only those two, but it reminded everyone that personal item security is very important, even if it is near the end of the trip.
Friday, July 11, 2014
Day 6- Wagner and Wagner
To cover old business really quickly: A few of us went to the Wan Chai Market yesterday to explore locations in which the locals shop. It was an interesting experience, especially how few tourists there were there. On our way there, we passed by a Rolls-Royce dealer AND a MacLaren dealer. The sheer fact that I could see one made me envious of the person who would eventually buy one of those. Oh well....
Anyway! Today was about final preparations for tomorrow night's CSU choir performance. I am still very excited for our portion, as well as performing at the end with the American Trombone Choir. The director of that group is quite a character and a showman, I can't wait to see what he does.
Speaking of which, today was his masterclass. His name is Irv Wagner and is credited with revolutionizing brass playing in Asia. Before his involvement in China, there was little to no amount of hard articulation technique in brass playing. The fact that one person could be credited with changing this is astounding.
Tonight's performance of the Geneva Brass Quintet was amazing. Their connection, like the the Japanese group, was so enticing. They have a group rapport with each other and demand one with us. Their attitude was so positive, only wishing to give us the best time possible. This was a great experience and a good refresher after all of the concentrated trombone we have been receiving this week.
Thursday, July 10, 2014
Day 5- Late Edition
Today was chock full of trombone playing. The morning started out with another warm-up led by a guest faculty member. This one was less about a relaxed start to the day as it was about maximizing flexibility and ease of playing across the partials. This one was valuable because this has always been a weaker point in my playing. I can hit the notes as I need to, but ease of playing across them has always been less easy.
After this, we split into our small participant choirs. Our group, under the direction of Dr. Pollard, is doing very well and I am excited to work with him.
Lunch was enjoyable, again. Not as fun as the Dim Sum, but still good and exactly what I need for the afternoon's activities.
Our CSU rehearsal went well, everyone hitting their marks consistently with a level of teamwork that has been missing since we arrived, due to our exhaustion.
The first afternoon performance was the O/C trombone quartet. The name stands for "open to close". All of the members live in Tokyo. Their group precision was amazing. They played with such a high level of awareness of each other that I had trouble figuring out who played what part merely by listening. Each member had solo lines throughout and displayed their individual skills, which were considerable. It was inspiring just how connected these people were.
The evening concert was a series of concerti by the staff members at the conference, showcasing their respective skills. This was a satisfying concert, especially considering how well Dr. Palmer did on The Grondahl Concerto.
Our concert is Saturday, and I could not be more excited or ready.
Wednesday, July 9, 2014
Day 4: Exploring Wan Chai and Repulse Bay
We spent the morning and early afternoon traveling and exploring the southern portion of Wan Chai. Our first stop was the top of Victoria Peak, the highest point in Hong Kong. We took a couple of group pictures of the CSU group (the Swiss, Japanese, and American Trombone groups were also there) and played on of our songs while being video recorded.
After this, we went to a Buddhist temple in Repulse Bay known as Kwun Yam. There is a beautiful golden Buddha statue as well and several wonderful lion and dragon statues.
After this we went to the Stanley pier/market, where we explored the shopping center. The scenery was wonderful and seeing something like a mall brought the U.S. and Hong Kong closer together.
On our way back to the hotel to prepare for the afternoon's conference activities, we passed by multiple estates owned by the richest people in Hong Kong. It was interesting to see just how large these houses are and the multitude of vehicles they own.
The afternoon's activities at the conference centered around rehearsals for our concert on Saturday. I am extremely excited for this, as it is the central point of our trip here.
After this, we went to a Buddhist temple in Repulse Bay known as Kwun Yam. There is a beautiful golden Buddha statue as well and several wonderful lion and dragon statues.
After this we went to the Stanley pier/market, where we explored the shopping center. The scenery was wonderful and seeing something like a mall brought the U.S. and Hong Kong closer together.
On our way back to the hotel to prepare for the afternoon's conference activities, we passed by multiple estates owned by the richest people in Hong Kong. It was interesting to see just how large these houses are and the multitude of vehicles they own.
The afternoon's activities at the conference centered around rehearsals for our concert on Saturday. I am extremely excited for this, as it is the central point of our trip here.
Tuesday, July 8, 2014
Day Three- Dr. Palmer Masterclass and Markets
Today was an adventure. The day began with our first SliderAsia staff member leading the student body in a 9 a.m. warm-up session. He expressed the importance of relaxing while playing and not introducing any tension in our playing. He also expressed that we should start at a medium tempo, and a generally lower range of comfort.
After this, we proceeded to the various choirs we were assigned to. I have the honor of playing under the direction of Dr. Pollar, the bass trombonist in the Metropolitan Opera and the head of SliderAsia. We are going to be playing O Magnum Mysterium and One for the Road. The players oin my group are fantastic and are very interested in making the music as good as we can.
For lunch, we travelled to a dim sum restaurant and partook in many Chinese delicacies. I particularly enjoyed the squid and the cow tripe.
After Dr. Palmer's masterclass, in which many good experiences by the conference attendees were had, a few of us travelled to Kowloon and explored two of the many large open-air markets. I purchased gifts for friends and family and enjoyed the crowded atmosphere.
Dinner followed this, experiencing Chinese curry and Japanese udon soup.
Tomorrow, the CSU group and the American Trombone Ensemble travel up to Victoria Peak to look over the city during the morning. I am extremely excited for this event.
After this, we proceeded to the various choirs we were assigned to. I have the honor of playing under the direction of Dr. Pollar, the bass trombonist in the Metropolitan Opera and the head of SliderAsia. We are going to be playing O Magnum Mysterium and One for the Road. The players oin my group are fantastic and are very interested in making the music as good as we can.
For lunch, we travelled to a dim sum restaurant and partook in many Chinese delicacies. I particularly enjoyed the squid and the cow tripe.
After Dr. Palmer's masterclass, in which many good experiences by the conference attendees were had, a few of us travelled to Kowloon and explored two of the many large open-air markets. I purchased gifts for friends and family and enjoyed the crowded atmosphere.
Dinner followed this, experiencing Chinese curry and Japanese udon soup.
Tomorrow, the CSU group and the American Trombone Ensemble travel up to Victoria Peak to look over the city during the morning. I am extremely excited for this event.
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