It feels so good to relax! After a few crazy weeks of practice, travel, and performance, I'm able to go in to slow-down mode and relax until my performance schedule gets going again in September. I'm looking forward to a few weeks to travel freely without my cello. In the spirit of cello-related travel, I present my list of interesting (paraphrased) questions/comments that I received from fellow Delta Airlines travelers regarding my cello:
1. That a guitar? (most popular) - 8 times
2. So, you have to buy a seat for that thing? (close second) - 6 times
3. I bet you could fit a body in there! - 3 times
4. Would your travel buddy like a drink, as well? (from flight attendants, har har) - 2 times
5. :::BANGS on the case with fist::: What the HELL is this damn thing?! (Intoxicated woman) - 1 time
6. Ohhh, we had another one of those things [cellos, I assume] on this same flight yesterday! Maybe you know her? She had a white case... (flight attendant) - 1 time
This was a surprisingly lax trip as far as guitar questions go. And not one person came up to me and said, "Do you play the cello?" Success!
As mentioned, I'm really looking forward to this break! I'm going to reacquaint myself with Bach, begin learning the Haydn D Major Concerto, and start looking around for new music for the next 'Queering the Pitch' concert that I'll present in December-January. (though on a much smaller scale than this tour!) If you know any gay or lesbian composers who might be interested in writing something - or who have already written a work for solo cello - let me know! I'm always on the lookout for good music!
I was lucky enough to play fantastic concerts in San Francisco and Winter Haven, FL this week. It was a real treat to play at the SF LGBT Center. I'm a fan of getting out of the concert hall and experimenting with new venues, so I really loved the opportunity to play in this place where worthwhile work is being done. I can't wait to begin an ongoing relationship with the Center. For those who read my last post about playing for small audiences, you know that I had a bit of a difficult time connecting to the five people who came to my first SF concert. This was not the case at the LGBT center as we filled the room and everyone was so gracious and attentive. Nobody left! Huzzah! I felt much more alive playing this music for so many people. It was great to see so many face that I knew and so many more that I didn't know. I received wonderful comments and even signed two autographs (THAT was uncomfortable!!!)
Six concerts down, about 10 more to go September-November! So exciting!
In other news, I'm looking for a new PR person to replace what I currently have. Someone with better skills at getting the word out would be great. I plan on basing my career out of the Bay Area and the west coast in general, so I need someone with ties out there!
I think for now, I'll sign off from the blog and drop out of sight in life too!
Best to all,
JD
Friday, July 15, 2011
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Small audiences and large dreams
Last night, July 11, I played a concert at the First Unitarian Universalist Church of San Francisco. It was a different kind of experience because the audience was so small - five people, only. It turns out that doing no publicity tends to result in no attendance! Who knew?! It was interesting to play for such a small crowd because the concert experience becomes much more intimate. Instead of lecturing on the music from the notes I've taken, which are very general in nature, I thought I'd talk a bit more about how each piece of music relates to the other, and how they all harken back to Bach.
The audience was nice, and they gave some nice comments after the fact. Still, though, I prefer performing to a larger house, like the one that I had in Atlanta and will hopefully play for tonight at the SF LGBT Community Center.
In a somewhat unrelated topic, I'm happy to report that I've received a post-doc fellowship to be "redeemed" within three years (need to finish this doctorate straight away, then)! This has caused me to start looking at my future a bit more closely. Would I like to live on the West Coast? (Yes!! Please!!) Do I prefer cities in Northern California (like San Francisco), SoCal (LA), or the Pacific Northwest (Seattle, Portland, et al)? What do I really want to DO with my life? I was pretty sure that I had it all figured out until recently: teach at a college/university, perform in a string quartet and do some recital work, and probably teach privately on the side. It all seems fine and dandy, and would make my life utterly complete, but is it reasonable in this country, culture, and economy? Despite my big dreams, I still have bills and lots of student loans to pay! Also...eat. Dreams are wonderful, but I don't know if I'm the type of person who is willing to just take a leap and see where I end up. I'm also only now becoming more entrepreneurial. I have a long way to go! My heart is palpitating just thinking about it!
I received a comment at one of my recent concerts about how the "new" music that I'm performing makes some members of the audience uncomfortable. To paraphrase, "It makes me squeeze my hands in to fists," he said. Since I have always thought that my career was going in a 60/40 new music/traditional music direction, that comment caused me to rethink a bit the path that my career was taking. When the audience doesn't like what you're performing, is that reason enough to change? Or does one just have to go further to really sell the music to the audience. Is personally enjoying what I'm playing enough to get by? Or does my enjoyment need to REALLY shine through and be passed on to those listening? I guess I had always hoped that the music would speak for itself and that audience enjoyment would come just from listening.
My friend, the fantastic cellist, Jennifer Bewerse, is so wonderful at connecting with her audience and expressing every emotion in the music, no matter how new, obscure, or - frankly - terrible. I'm envious of her ability to do so; perhaps that's what I'm missing. Maybe tonight, I'll try to lift that invisible iron curtain a little more and really pass on my passion for this music to those listening. After all, this is a San Francisco audience - listening to music by gay composers at that! - and I think they will really be drawn in to what they hear! This is something to ponder...
In the name of Bach,
JD
The audience was nice, and they gave some nice comments after the fact. Still, though, I prefer performing to a larger house, like the one that I had in Atlanta and will hopefully play for tonight at the SF LGBT Community Center.
In a somewhat unrelated topic, I'm happy to report that I've received a post-doc fellowship to be "redeemed" within three years (need to finish this doctorate straight away, then)! This has caused me to start looking at my future a bit more closely. Would I like to live on the West Coast? (Yes!! Please!!) Do I prefer cities in Northern California (like San Francisco), SoCal (LA), or the Pacific Northwest (Seattle, Portland, et al)? What do I really want to DO with my life? I was pretty sure that I had it all figured out until recently: teach at a college/university, perform in a string quartet and do some recital work, and probably teach privately on the side. It all seems fine and dandy, and would make my life utterly complete, but is it reasonable in this country, culture, and economy? Despite my big dreams, I still have bills and lots of student loans to pay! Also...eat. Dreams are wonderful, but I don't know if I'm the type of person who is willing to just take a leap and see where I end up. I'm also only now becoming more entrepreneurial. I have a long way to go! My heart is palpitating just thinking about it!
I received a comment at one of my recent concerts about how the "new" music that I'm performing makes some members of the audience uncomfortable. To paraphrase, "It makes me squeeze my hands in to fists," he said. Since I have always thought that my career was going in a 60/40 new music/traditional music direction, that comment caused me to rethink a bit the path that my career was taking. When the audience doesn't like what you're performing, is that reason enough to change? Or does one just have to go further to really sell the music to the audience. Is personally enjoying what I'm playing enough to get by? Or does my enjoyment need to REALLY shine through and be passed on to those listening? I guess I had always hoped that the music would speak for itself and that audience enjoyment would come just from listening.
My friend, the fantastic cellist, Jennifer Bewerse, is so wonderful at connecting with her audience and expressing every emotion in the music, no matter how new, obscure, or - frankly - terrible. I'm envious of her ability to do so; perhaps that's what I'm missing. Maybe tonight, I'll try to lift that invisible iron curtain a little more and really pass on my passion for this music to those listening. After all, this is a San Francisco audience - listening to music by gay composers at that! - and I think they will really be drawn in to what they hear! This is something to ponder...
In the name of Bach,
JD
Saturday, July 9, 2011
San Francisco
So here we are! San Francisco! I arrived at SFO on Thursday evening from ATL. It was an interesting trip, to say the least. After having no sleep for the previous 28 hours, I was pretty delirious in the airport. I was looking forward to a nice long nap on the flight, but that proved to be impossible with a dozen screaming children and a lady who had received a few too many libations sitting directly behind me.
Usually, this wouldn't be such an issue, but some passengers felt it necessary to continue to pound on my cello case, asking what it was. Needless to say, I had to stay awake to keep from finding my poor case in shambles upon arrival at SFO.
Yesterday, Friday, was a fantastic day in Napa with some dear friends. It was nice to spend a day away from the cello in wine country. Today, tomorrow, and Monday will be the last few hours of prep before the concerts that I have here in the Bay Area. I'm looking forward to the dress rehearsals that I have in the spaces and the concerts. Hopefully there will be some adventurous people in the audience!
My friend, Joey Brunelle, is working on a music video project and generously asked me to be involved, and I'm looking forward to playing some Rorem (or Bach...who knows!) for cameras. It should be an interesting experience being a part of something professional - a big change from my one-man dog and pony show!!
I hung posters around the Castro and along Market Street today advertising my concert at the SF LGBT Center. Hanging posters is terrible, I have to say! People stare, as though they weren't aware that someone actually has to hang this stuff - those flyers don't just hang themselves, people! It was nice to be out in the city early today. I spent a few hours walking around, covertly hanging some cool flyers and advertising things on telephone poles, bulletin boards, and anything with a moderately flat surface. The weather here is fantastic, and there wasn't a tremendous amount of fog this morning either!
In any case, concerts are coming up. It should be a fantastic time. For more information, as always, visit my website and Facebook page! Everything you wanted to know about me, AND MORE!
Until the next posting,
Justin
Usually, this wouldn't be such an issue, but some passengers felt it necessary to continue to pound on my cello case, asking what it was. Needless to say, I had to stay awake to keep from finding my poor case in shambles upon arrival at SFO.
Yesterday, Friday, was a fantastic day in Napa with some dear friends. It was nice to spend a day away from the cello in wine country. Today, tomorrow, and Monday will be the last few hours of prep before the concerts that I have here in the Bay Area. I'm looking forward to the dress rehearsals that I have in the spaces and the concerts. Hopefully there will be some adventurous people in the audience!
My friend, Joey Brunelle, is working on a music video project and generously asked me to be involved, and I'm looking forward to playing some Rorem (or Bach...who knows!) for cameras. It should be an interesting experience being a part of something professional - a big change from my one-man dog and pony show!!
I hung posters around the Castro and along Market Street today advertising my concert at the SF LGBT Center. Hanging posters is terrible, I have to say! People stare, as though they weren't aware that someone actually has to hang this stuff - those flyers don't just hang themselves, people! It was nice to be out in the city early today. I spent a few hours walking around, covertly hanging some cool flyers and advertising things on telephone poles, bulletin boards, and anything with a moderately flat surface. The weather here is fantastic, and there wasn't a tremendous amount of fog this morning either!
In any case, concerts are coming up. It should be a fantastic time. For more information, as always, visit my website and Facebook page! Everything you wanted to know about me, AND MORE!
Until the next posting,
Justin
Friday, July 1, 2011
4th of July weekend!
The fourth of July is always an exciting time of the year! Usually, I'm in the midst of summer, wondering what I should be doing. This year, however, I'm in working on and performing my Queering the Pitch recital tour.
I'm taking a break this weekend to celebrate the Fourth! My family has been going to Ocracoke Island, NC for decades and I'll be driving to meet my parents and younger brother for a few days before I fly off to San Francisco. I'm bringing my cello, so it's not a great vacation, I still have to practice!
On Thursday, I jet off to California to play two concerts, three outreach gigs, and a jam session with Classical Revolution in the Mission. It will be good to be back on the west coast for a few days, though I'm staying a bit too long. Perhaps a trip to Napa, busking in the parks, and dress rehearsals will keep me out of the house and make my trip feel less...intrusive? :)
All-in-all, I'm looking forward to the next three weeks of travel, concerts, friends and good wine. I can't wait to meet new people and play for some awesome audiences.
Next time I update, I'll be in the air!
Justin
I'm taking a break this weekend to celebrate the Fourth! My family has been going to Ocracoke Island, NC for decades and I'll be driving to meet my parents and younger brother for a few days before I fly off to San Francisco. I'm bringing my cello, so it's not a great vacation, I still have to practice!
On Thursday, I jet off to California to play two concerts, three outreach gigs, and a jam session with Classical Revolution in the Mission. It will be good to be back on the west coast for a few days, though I'm staying a bit too long. Perhaps a trip to Napa, busking in the parks, and dress rehearsals will keep me out of the house and make my trip feel less...intrusive? :)
All-in-all, I'm looking forward to the next three weeks of travel, concerts, friends and good wine. I can't wait to meet new people and play for some awesome audiences.
Next time I update, I'll be in the air!
Justin
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
QtP - Concerts 1 and 2
The first two performances of Queering the Pitch are over, and next week it's off to the west coast to begin some exciting performances in the San Francisco Bay Area! This weekend I performed Bach, Saint-Saens, and Muczynski for a service at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta where I played my Atlanta concert Monday night. During the service, I heard a fantastic meditation from a member of the UUCA congregation, Russell Washington. His speech, "I am what I am (be what you are)," was wonderfully moving. Read and listen to it HERE.
The performance went well; there was a sizable audience in attendance and I received a number of wonderful comments afterwards.
This weekend, I'm spending a few days with members of my family in both Atlanta, GA and Ocracoke, NC before heading off to San Fran. In SF, I'll be busking in the Castro, hopefully spending some time playing at Maitri, and performing two recitals, at UUSF and the LGBT Center. If you're from the Bay Area, please consider attending one (OR BOTH!) of these performances. If you have friends in CA, let them know! Details HERE and HERE.
One of the joys of traveling is schlepping my cello through airports and onto planes. There are always enjoyable comments from fellow travelers about my 'travel buddy,' the 'guitar' that is strapped to my back. I'll be keeping track of the best and brightest comments. :)
For now, keep on keeping on!
Justin
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Six days!!
Six days from now is the first 'Queering the Pitch' recital in Atlanta! I'm super excited to get started with performances! Yesterday I played the complete program for David Starkweather, Megan Chisom, David Peyton and Ryane Dunnagan. Playing for colleagues is always much more nerve-wracking than performing for an audience. After listening to the recording, I've set out a practice plan for the next six days!
I'm also getting ridiculously excited for my west coast trip and the performances that I have planned over the next three months. Ned Rorem's, After Reading Shakespeare is really growing on me. I'm really loving the beautiful, lyrical lines that Rorem spins throughout the piece. It's really an exciting, roller coaster work. I'm sure that audiences will love it!
Gallery: Suite for Solo Cello is equally as wonderful and I think audiences will really cling to the angular rhythms and beautiful harmonies. It goes without saying that Benjamin Britten's Third Suite for Cello is a modern masterwork that ranks up there with any and all of the Bach Suites. It is my favorite of Britten's works to play, and I think that comes through in the passion that is written in to the piece.
Did I mention that I'm getting excited?! Only a few days away from the premiere! Will you be there?
Click HERE for more information on the June 27 premiere recital and HERE for information on me and the trip!
Warmly,
Justin
I'm also getting ridiculously excited for my west coast trip and the performances that I have planned over the next three months. Ned Rorem's, After Reading Shakespeare is really growing on me. I'm really loving the beautiful, lyrical lines that Rorem spins throughout the piece. It's really an exciting, roller coaster work. I'm sure that audiences will love it!
Gallery: Suite for Solo Cello is equally as wonderful and I think audiences will really cling to the angular rhythms and beautiful harmonies. It goes without saying that Benjamin Britten's Third Suite for Cello is a modern masterwork that ranks up there with any and all of the Bach Suites. It is my favorite of Britten's works to play, and I think that comes through in the passion that is written in to the piece.
Did I mention that I'm getting excited?! Only a few days away from the premiere! Will you be there?
Click HERE for more information on the June 27 premiere recital and HERE for information on me and the trip!
Warmly,
Justin
Friday, June 10, 2011
Operation: Total Practice Seclusion
I'm back in Athens today after a long two weeks out of town. On my flight yesterday, only two people asked me if my cello was a guitar. Only two! People must be getting more aware of the cello! There were a few lines:
[about my cello in the seat next to me] "Hey, is that your travel buddy there?!" Har har.
[TSA] "Pretty big viola!" Ooops.
Today begins my practice immersion week where I'll be secluding myself in my practice room with the goal of complete mastery of the Rorem After Reading Shakespeare. This is different from my usual tactic because I'll be taking a total time-out from the real world. No phone calls. No internet. No TV. Nothing.
This thing will be done soon! If you miss me durin this time, visit my website, Facebook and Twitter to keep up on my life!
[about my cello in the seat next to me] "Hey, is that your travel buddy there?!" Har har.
[TSA] "Pretty big viola!" Ooops.
Today begins my practice immersion week where I'll be secluding myself in my practice room with the goal of complete mastery of the Rorem After Reading Shakespeare. This is different from my usual tactic because I'll be taking a total time-out from the real world. No phone calls. No internet. No TV. Nothing.
This thing will be done soon! If you miss me durin this time, visit my website, Facebook and Twitter to keep up on my life!
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