Peter & the Wolf & Saturday happiness

We had a very sweet rehearsal last night. I think this concert will be so sweet. It is such a fun and beautiful piece to play and for this piece in particular, the awkwardnesses of the student symphony, our missed notes, just add to the completely beautiful piece of music and theater that Peter and the Wolf is. And we have a great narrator (Bill Chalmers) and a great illustrator (Toe) to accompany us.

Ursula stayed last night, too, and after rehearsal, over red wine and dark chocolate, we watched the Peter & the Wolf DVD that my friend Jim gave me - it's the European one, the animated version, really a great production. Ursula repeated from something she had heard once: "All music was once new." That's a thought-stopper.

So now after a very nice little visit, I have my space to my own and will get in a solid practice - which I have not had now for several days, what with rehearsals and company (it's hard to get solid practice time in on the trombone when you are rehearsing for Peter & the Wolf - all of my 18 or so notes - :) - well, 18 notes is exaggerating low, but I don't exactly play a lot - I consider this good practice for playing trombone in symphony music - you need a lot of counting practice!).

Now, for goals: After I walk over and check the mail and swap out laundry at the cleaners, I will:

• Warm-up, with pedals
• Play my Jolly Good Fellow in my two octaves to aid my "high" practice
• Play through all of my Peter and the Wolf (those 18 or so notes)
• Work on the Beeler exercises

Saturday. Heaven.