Tenor Viol's musings

[Tenor Viol]

Last week was another summer school. This time tenor and baritone saxes had an outing as well as the cello.

 

[Vetinari]

Why is there a white band aid over your mouth?

 

[Targa]

Why is there a white band aid over your mouth?

I thought he'd had his teeth done.

 

[rhysonsax]

Why is there a white band aid over your mouth?

Smoking in the unconventional sideways mode ?

Rhys

 

[Tenor Viol]

Why is there a white band aid over your mouth?

... it's my stand light

 

[Vetinari]

It's a well timed photo.

 

[Tenor Viol]

As I've got the tenor sax on my lap, it must be just before we started playing the piece by Holst.

 

[Tenor Viol]

I'm hoping that my musical world is about to get a re-start. I moved house two months ago now and I've moved 150 miles north - so it's all new groups for everything.

I'm not going 'big bang' with starting multiple groups at the same time - I'm going to go a little slower.

First up will be an orchestra up in Carlisle, which starts on Tuesday - which is nearer than Chester used to be.

I need to collect my cello from the luthier first. I took it in for a routine check-up as it hasn't been done for 6 years. It's turned into a very expensive bill. The bridge was bent caused by the pressure of the strings. Visually I thought the bridge was OK - I did eye it from time-to-time. I should have used a square... as I didn't, I didn't see it curving towards the tail. This means a new bridge (£500) a new sound post (£120), adjusting the action, some touch-ups, and the bow needs re-hairing... so the bill is going to run to around £800. Sigh... as if moving house wasn't expensive enough!

 

[Tenor Viol]

On reflection, I am having a break from posting. Those who are connected via other media, feel free to contact me there.

 

[Tenor Viol]

JBT was a big fan of my posts and the photos that I post of both my musical activities and my peregrinations around the UK and beyond. John was keen that I post them. It was always hoped that John would be able to visit the UK and there was an open invitation from me and others to be hosts and guides. Sadly, it is not to be.

In memory of John, one of my most recent photos from this last weekend, where in my new home on the Lake District we had the first serious snow of winter.

The hill is near where I live and only a short walk from the house. It's not a big hill at about 330m / 1,100' high and it is covered in mixed woodland. The winter scene is a mix of hoar frost and snow.

 

[Tenor Viol]

Having moved to the North Lakes, what are the music options?

I'm taking it slowly so I am not jumping into every available option on day 1. The first thing I did was find a local luthier to get my cello looked at as it was in need of a routine check-up and my bow needed to be re-haired.

I joined an orchestra in Carlisle and had my first concert with them a couple of weeks ago. The programme was the Poet and Peasant overture by von Suppé, Bruch violin concerto #2, and Dvorak Symphony #9.

I've joined a choir, but it's a bit odd in that it only does one major concert a year in the spring in Carlisle Cathedral. That will be a programme of Fauré and Elgar.

There is no wind band or similar that I've found in the immediate area. There is what looks like a decent option near Kendal, which is 30 miles south of here. It's all motorway to get there, so it's not a difficult journey (although last weekend that section of M6 was closed both ways due to snow...). I'm considering joining them in the New Year.

Oddly, I've not found any daytime groups - usually there are some about.

 

[Tenor Viol]

Recorded evidence of me playing cello in orchestra

The acoustic is rather poor though (typical Victorian church)

 

[Tenor Viol]

First outing of the year was with cello playing in a string orchestra workshop. There were about 50 players in all. We played Ireland's Downland suite and some of the Mendelssohn Octet.

View: https://youtu.be/3s29g45nB7s

 

[Tenor Viol]

Having retired in 2021, albeit in effect it really started in 2020 in my sabbatical year, which Covid messed up, I proceeded to do a full-time degree in photography, which I completed last summer. I then caused chaos by moving house.

My aim with my photography is to get to exhibit work and hopefully to sell some. In addition I intend to do small-scale self-publication of photobooks (I'm not talking expensive hardbacks here, something nearer to a zine). I also intend to do some coaching/tutoring.

I've now received my first photography distinction after my degree, which is the licentiate distinction from the RPS.

Music-wise, my next concert is this weekend in Carlisle where I'll be playing cello in orchestra for a programme of opera music, with two guest soloists. Programme does include instrumental items as well.

Saxes need an airing...

 

[Tenor Viol]

Caught in the act

 

[rhysonsax]

Caught in the act

View attachment 25732

Very smart indeed and it looks like the rest of the orchestra were too.

That reminds me that I have a bit of a bugbear about the lack of dress codes and resulting impression of "couldn't be bothered" in some of the music groups I have played in or watched. It doesn't have to be regimented or overly dressy and could be "wild and wacky" if that suits the occasion.

Maybe I should start a thread on this topic.

Rhys

 

[wakyct]

I proceeded to do a full-time degree in photography

I see there's a few various photography related threads here but is there a photo sharing thread? Probably more than a few of us who might like it...

 

[Tenor Viol]

Very smart indeed and it looks like the rest of the orchestra were too.

That reminds me that I have a bit of a bugbear about the lack of dress codes and resulting impression of "couldn't be bothered" in some of the music groups I have played in or watched. It doesn't have to be regimented or overly dressy and could be "wild and wacky" if that suits the occasion.

Maybe I should start a thread on this topic.

Rhys

I think it's a fair point. Having a consistent 'look' helps add an identity - could be "black with a splash of colour", or full glam rock if that's your thing... A phrase I heard used recently which I think has some merit here is that too many seem to dress as if they're still ten years old...

 

[skeller047]

About 20 years ago I was asked by my corporate masters to get a small band together for an awards ceremony. Using other employees of the corporation. It was an internal ceremony, not public.

Given my training, after rehearsals I told the other guys “Lets wear black suits”. The piano guy, kind of a hippie who had pretentions to be a combination of Keith Emerson and Chick Corea, said “I’m not wearing no monkey suit”, we finally agreed on black pants and a solid color shirt. Color the musician’s choice.

This attitude is IMO not good. I have been enjoying watching YouTube of late, lots of jazz stuff, and notice a trend of jazz players wearing suits and ties. I like it. It shows a respect by the musician for both the art and the audience.

 

[Jeanette]

I see there's a few various photography related threads here but is there a photo sharing thread? Probably more than a few of us who might like it...

No I don't think there is other than the pets and wildlife. Feel free to start one. Either just a general photography or subject specific 😁