Day 353 - Music marathon

And there was much singing and playing of the piano. And it was loud and they enjoyed it. I was wrapping presents at the time. So glad not to live in a silent house.

Day 264 - Day of Triumph

O triumphant day! The day that Maxim was accepted into the Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School. Year 10 2010 is going to be an exciting year.

Day 253 - Dichotomy

A strange picture, in my opinion. The cadet uniform doesn't sit well with the music making. Yes, I've heard of army bands. It's just that cadets has not been Mr 16's favourite activity. The uniformity, the yelling, the endless marching for no particular reason, punishment for a hair out of place... Compare that to the freedom of musical headspace.

Day 251 - Audition day

So relieved that Mr 16's audition for the Victorian College of Arts Secondary School is over. Now I can unfocus and refocus. Breathing easily. Mr 16 was happy and enjoyed a drive through Maccas lunch on the way home. Parents weren't permitted past a certain point in the school building but I managed to take a picture from the front entrance of the ceiling. Then a second picture through the window in the cafeteria.

The next photo is a bit of a worry. See the red tower in the photo below. Apparently this expels all the underground exhaust. I wonder where I can research this.

Day 250 - The pantry of my mind

Feeling stressed, Mr 16's physical wellbeing is unclear, and I'm unsure about how to proceed with the audition tomorrow. If he were worse, I'd have rung today to ask for a later audition, but he's borderline. Going to bed and hoping to sleep. Maybe the morning will make things clearer. Meanwhile, the pantry has been a source of temporary comfort.

Day 248 - Nothing much

Well, at least I got out of the house for a bit longer today, and even drove my car - felt a bit weird. Starting to feel a little more normal. Mr 16 had the second of his two sessions with the composition team that was chosen by the 3MBS competition. This time it was in the Bishop's Parlour - love the way they've retained the original names at The Convent. He came out excited, chatting happily about the constructive criticism the students shared when looking at all the compositions. I was even more convinced that he would thrive at the Victorian College of Education Seconday School (VCASS) where he would be doing this kind of thing every day.

Still tense as the audition day (Tuesday) approaches, and true to my compulsive/obsessive nature, I become more panicky that he'll catch my virus and not be able to hold the violin.

Coming back with Mr 16 from dinner and a relax at my mother's place, we found Mr 19 and a friend baking muffins at 10 pm. You can read more about that here, if you like.

Day 246 - Still smiling about yesterday

Last night my younger son competed in the school's annual soloists competition and won. It's so good to see him happy. He doesn't always see his abilities realistically, and would never have expected to win this. The competition was fantastic - a wonderful group of talented musicians. It would have been difficult to judge; Max Cooke was very positive and constructive in his feedback. I hope this experience lifts my son's confidence for his audition into VCASS next Tuesday. I also hope he doesn't catch my virus.

I borrowed the photo from Guest Photographer.

Day 233 - Scales

Last night we enjoyed a (mainly) soloists concert at Mr16's school. It was a good chance for him to get performance practice before his upcoming audition for Victorian College of the Arts Seconday School. I've been following the news about Melbourne University's takeover of the Victorian College of the Arts. Even Geoffrey Rush has stepped in. From the ABC news:

'Oscar winning actor, Geoffrey Rush joined the chorus of voices railing against the planned integration of performance and fine arts courses into the so-called Melbourne Model, led by Melbourne University.
Opponents say the changes would force students to take more generalised, theoretical subjects and would reduce their ability to specialise.'

I'm not sure if that's true or what the implications will be, but I know there are many people who see it as a bad thing.

Day 221 - The Convent

No longer a convent, these grounds are home to many different organisations. The weekend market stalls here attract crowds, the cafes - including one where you can choose the amount of your 'donation' - provide a relaxing social environment especially for young families. Today I dropped off my younger son here to attend a day-long workshop for young composers, the 20 in Victoria chosen by the radio station 3MBS. 4 composers of different styles will be taking the workshops. We're looking forward to the promised recording of the young people's compositions.

Day 200 - Ripponlea at night

Last night I enjoyed an evening concert at the historic Ripponlea. A beautiful setting for music that transported me to another zone. The program included Bortniansky, Tchaikovsky's 1812 Festival Overture on piano! Borodin's Polovtsian Dances from Prince Igor to name some. Rohan Murray on piano (brilliant) and my dear friend, Nicholas Cowall, conducting. Melbourne Cappella very talented

Day 188 - Birthday present

My husband is celebrating his 50th birthday tomorrow, and we've prematurely set up his present. I love other people's presents - what joy! Not even my birthday and I'm enjoying good quality speakers. No need to feel guilty, I say. Music should be enjoyed by everyone.

Day 121 - Piano for leisure

My younger son often unwinds by playing on the piano, providing me with music as I cook dinner. We're looking forward to a visit from a good friend tonight (from Sydney). Unwinding at the end of the week over spaghetti bolognese and red wine, good conversation, and a few laughs.

Day 97 - Music camp

Just back from music camp, and 15 year old got straight onto the piano for a little improvisation. I do love to hear music in the house. Not to mention variety - one son likes classical music and the other one likes jazz and contemporary music. Luckily nobody likes country and western.

Day 92 - Love of music

My 15 year old son loves nothing better than immersing himself in music composition. He says that time flies when he's engaged in this. According to Ken Robinson in his book 'The element', he is in his element, immersed in something he's passionate about. He says that time moves differently when he's composing, flying past unnoticed. When the Christmas holidays started, he composed non-stop for a few weeks before coming up for air.

Day 34 - Violin practice

Here's Mr 15 doing his violin practice. He's changed to a new teacher and has to step up his daily practice to at least 2 and preferably 3 hours a day. Not sure how he's going to fit homework in.

Day 24 - Summer School concert

Tonight we went to the concert which is the culmination of 5 days of rehearsal attended my younger son, Maxim, at the annual Summer School. Tonight's program for the symphonic orchestra was Sibelius and Tchaikovsky.