Letter from Jack (11/24)

Dear Concert Orchestra,

I hope that this short week finishes well for you and that you have a restful, rejuvenating break. I’ll be cherishing the chance to live my life on a different schedule for a few days, and I hope you do the same.

Music making usually becomes more sacred to me during break time. It’s easy for our practicing to go onto our “to-do” list and fill out slots of time set aside for work during the day. During a break, I find myself coming to music more naturally, and without a sense of obligation. I like to clear off my desk and clean all of the clutter out of my office to create a nice, neat area for work. I’ll leave one of my GTCYS scores right in the middle of my desk, and I’ll open up my case and leave my violin next to my music stand. I’ll put a piece of music on the piano stand.

Then, for as long as I can, I won’t go into my office.

I’ll do other things- like watching TV, spending time with friends, playing a video game, or reading a good book. I know that my music is waiting for me, and that anytime I want to I can walk into my office and spend time with Walton, Prokofiev, Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, or Larsen.

Usually after one or two days away, I’ll get up the next morning and go right to my instruments. There’s a freshness in the air when I do this. It helps remind me that making music is a gift. I’m a lucky guy- because it’s also my job!

I know that you are all at different places in your relationship with music. For some of you practicing may seem like a bit of a chore- and that’s okay! Set the timer, do what you need to do, and then move on to something else.

For those of you who love your instrument but have been feeling the struggle of “obligations” over the fall, I invite you to approach music making like a gift. Take a day or two away, and who knows? I find that when I return to music after a short break, hours of music making can go by and I hardly notice…

For your practice, please do focus on Prokofiev and Walton. We will focus on these next week.

Here’s the schedule. Note WINDS, BRASS, PERCUSSION dismissed around 8:15 pm:

MONDAY, December 1st:

6:45-7:15: Prokofiev, Troika

7:15-7:45: Walton, Movements II and IV

(Brass to rehearse fanfare over a 10-15 minute break)

8:00-8:15: Walton, Movement VI

8:15- 845: STRINGS ALONE: Walton movement 3 and 5

Safe travels, and best wishes for a wonderful break!

Jack.