It's all been worth it :)

Today has been pretty darn productive- work in the morning, got home and had lunch, ordered lush retro goodies, rehearsal, and a fantastic concert! This week has been tiring, physically and mentally, but the end result tonight was pretty amazing!
We have had a guest conductor this week- Cristian Brancusi, working on Verdi- Overture “La Forza del Destino”, Gershwin- Rhapsody in blue, and Saint-Saens- Symphony No 3 “Organ Symphony”. The concert tonight was just amazing, and for me a great preliminary of what is to come of my university life. 
On the flip side, I will be heading to Canterbury for a couple of days tomorrow. It is going to feel pretty strange, as I have really made myself at home in Chichester, and it will be the first time I'll be there without being a student. 
It will be a great opportunity to meet with old friends, and to start making peace with the place. I need to start remembering all the good memories I had there, as well as the bad ones. These next couple of days will be making good memories with people I truly care about, and isn't that what life is all about?
I am really sad I won't be able to see them all in one go this time, but hopefully there will be other times. 
I also am really excited to go on tour to Guernsey with the Chi Uni Pops Orchestra. I have only ever been on tour once, and even then, I'm not sure if it really counted. I was seriously worried about the camping side (after a camping trip with my dad when I was 7 years old, and dad forgot to mention it was with a whole load of boy scouts. I promised myself I would never camp again.) Now that dad got me a pop up tent and a sleeping bag, I feel a lot better about the whole situation. Not sure how I will cope with having quick showers, but I'm sure I'll get there. I still haven't really thought about packing, but I'll sort it when I'm back from Canterbury. I'm sure it won't be the night before...
Anyhoo, I need some sleep. Night everyone, have a great week! x

Catch ups and a birthday...

I asked for one candle.
Not exactly what I meant... 

So it was kind of my birthday today. I spent most of it rehearsing with Chi Uni Symphony Orchestra, and got a rendition of 'happy birthday' from them all, which was really sweet. It has definitely made me realise I have made the right choice. People there are supportive, kind, and so helpful as a whole. Obviously the friends I made in Canterbury are equally as supportive, but it is just on a bigger scale here. My confidence in my playing is coming back, and I'm enjoying rehearsals, yet also have a good time doing it, which frankly is what music is all about :)
I have also- eventually- arranged my trip to Canterbury to see my friends. I kept saying I would be up to visit, but life kept getting in the way. I don't think I'll be visiting the music department, I think that would be pushing it a bit, but to see my friends will be amazing. I have missed them so much, and am excited to go out and pretend to still be a student for a couple of days nights, and hope my facebook will cope with the aftermath. :P It will feel strange to be out with the Canterbury crew being 22/not technically a student. For all I know, I may not be cut out to do this clubbing malarky anymore. Poor things, they must feel like they will be going out with an OAP!
I think I am just not used to being 22 yet. It has been a very grown up affair this year for the first time ever, and loved coming home to open my presents, rather than opening them in a mad frenzy first thing in the morning.
All in all, a successful birthday. Here's to being 22; another crazy year down, time to buckle up for the next! x

First rehearsal...

Today I had my first rehearsal with the Chichester University Symphony Orchestra. I was so incredibly nervous yesterday. I found out that Crispin, our conductor, has worked with Menuhin and Bernstein, and had a stress attack/ panic attack/ hyperactive moment for about half an hour afterwards :p
This morning though, I felt so calm and at ease thank goodness. I took my place at the back of the first violin's, (I didn't want to seem up myself) got introduced to the leader, who then made me sit at the front desk with him! Definitely an interesting start to the orchestra, but very fun as well. It made me focus, be determined, and play to a higher standard. When Phil (the leader) started asking me questions, and said I was good, it was such an honour to be complimented by such an amazing violinist as him :)
I also really enjoyed playing as part of the viola concerto as well. It was really nice of Phil to say that I could play in the smaller string section, though I was a bit worried by what the others thought of it.
It is so difficult to gauge how people are going to react to you. You don't want to come off as being a know-all, but equally you don't want to be known as a weak musician. It is also difficult to work out your boundaries in an orchestral setting, and whether your opinion should be heard, and how the leader reacts to comments, etc. For me personally, I wanted to keep my head down and get on with it. It isn't my place to say anything, I don't know how the orchestra works. I also don't think I know anything compared to Crispin. If you have worked with the calibre of people he has, you know your stuff.
Today was another example of how Chichester is giving me better opportunities. The level of playing is high, the conductor has worked with legends, and the leader likes my playing.
All in all, I think I've had a rather successful day :D