Opportunity

Teaching in St. Andrew's

This summer has the potential to be packed with music making. I say "potential" because none of this is confirmed yet, but I am hoping to head off to the UK in mid-July to attend the Minehead and Exmoor Festival. I contacted the director, Richard Dickins (whom I have played under before) and he is putting me in touch with someone who can tell me whether or not they need violinists. You can check out more about the festival here.

I am also hoping to attend the Dartington Summer School for a chamber music course, as well as the Canford Summer School for a string orchestra course, both for one week each. Unfortunately, I found out about these slightly late, so my attendance depends on whether or not the schools will accept a late application and fee! It will be very exciting if I do get to attend!

On another note, my LRSM exam is this Saturday. I haven't been feeling very well for the past few days and am hoping that my performance doesn't suffer because of it. I did find an accompanist, thank goodness! We had a practice Sunday evening, but because I wasn't feeling well, I really am not sure how it went! I was lightheaded and really stuffy the whole time and it wasn't a pleasant experience for both of us! I do think the main thing to sort out is tempi and dynamics. Hopefully we will get two more afternoons of practice before the exam and we can work on that a little more! Please do remember me in your prayers on Saturday as I am sure I will be nervous! I feel as though I haven't prepared well for this exam. I had a good two months where I was practicing for three hours a day and doing well, and then work and other life caught up with me and I haven't practiced as hard since. I have finished my program notes but need to do a complete analysis of the pieces to make sure nothing is going to catch me out on the viva voce. Prayers and thoughts are much appreciated!

Please can you also remember my students at St. Andrew's as they will be doing their academic exams next week. Two weeks from then they will be taking their ABRSM exams and some of them are under a lot of pressure!

Funny thing, my devotional yesterday was all about music. I'll post some of it here:

Certain songs can only be learned in the valley. No music school can teach them, for no theory can cause them to be perfectly sung. Their music is found in the heart. They are songs remembered through personal experience, revealing their burdens through the shadows of the past, and soaring on the wings of yesterday ... Your Father is training you for a part the angels cannot sing, and His conservatory is the school of sorrows. Others have said that He sends sorrow to test you, yet this is not the case. He sends sorrow to educate you, thereby providing you with the proper training for His heavenly choir. In the darkest night He is composing your song. In the valley He is tuning your voice. In the storm clouds He is deepening your range. In the rain showers He is sweetening your melody. In the cold He is giving your notes expression. And as you pass at times from hope to fear, He is perfecting the message of your lyrics. O dear soul, do not despise your school of sorrow. It is bestowing on you a unique part in the heavenly song.

Lamb of Sorrows, what a Savior! Let us trust in Him when all seems full of despair and He will raise us up on eagle's wings to sing our song to the Father!