Yesterday afternoon we finished a 4 day Flutewise course at Ovingdean Hall, Brighton. One course member said it was THE best one ever, but we always say that. It was pretty special.
Our guest teaching staff were from Slovenia and they were totally amazing. Matej Zupan was joined by husband and wife team Ana and Blaz Pucihar. Ana and Matej are both extraordinary flute players and Blaz is a pianist/composer of the highest order. Blaz didn’t actually manage to be our pianist on our course, he had to be our ‘Korgonist’, but more of that later.
It was a fabulous course with lots of wonderful music, new warming up ideas, ensemble work, games and performances. Abbie Burrows and James Cairns were there as ‘house staff’ and we were delighted to have Gareth McLearnon from Pearl flutes turn up on Saturday and stay the whole day.
All the young course members were amazing, not only with their flute playing skills but in everything we did. You should have been there to see the ‘Purple Cow’ performances! Wicked!!
Of course I had a few problems. It wouldn’t be a Flutewise course without them. The piano was one (more sometime soon) and the other was discovering water pouring through the ceiling in the entrance hall on Saturday morning – haven’t I had that one before???
Anyone who was there – your comments are welcome. If you weren’t there, your comments are also welcome.
Yes, I’m back from my lovely holiday in Spain. The weather was wonderful and we stayed in a very, very nice hotel. I cultivated quite a good crop of freckles and a healthy tan, but it is already disappearing. I need another holiday!
Since I’ve been back I’ve been trying to catch up with lots of Flutewise work. The computer is nearly fully functional again. It has two new huge hard drives and a new operating system. I have lost a few things, but we don’t think anything vital. It could have been so much worse.
We’ve got a course starting on Thursday at Ovingdean with Matej Zupan, Ana and Blaz Pucihar from Slovenia. I’m so excited as I expected everyone who is coming is. Today I’ve been sorting out flute choir and small ensembles music. I think everyone should enjoy what I’ve chosen.
Tomorrow I need to sort out the piano (having it moved and tuned) and bedrooms.
The big job I have to do is the next magazine of course. I’m way behind because of the computer problems but I’m not letting myself worry about it as that won’t help matters. I was going to do some work tonight as I’m in on my own, but all the lights have fused and I’m sitting here in candle light! It’s very romantic, but not good on the eyes. And no, I haven’t a clue how to mend a fuse, I’m a flute player!!!!!
Thanks to everyone for the comments on photocopying. I’ll sort out the prize soon.
While I’m away here is something to write about and discuss. What are your thoughts on photocopying music and copying CDs? Do you think it’s OK? Why? Or why not?
I’m offering a prize to the most thoughtful or interesting or funny or prolific …… of a nice flute CD (original of course, not copied). The CD is worth having, Madrid Sessions by Philippe Barnes and Tom Phelan. Excellent flute and piano performances of original material/arrangements by Philippe (I used to teach him) and Tom. If you don’t believe me ask Gareth McLearnon.
I look forward to reading your thoughts on the subject when I get back.
It’s getting better every day! Andy has really worked hard and I’m sure all will be back to normal very soon, whatever ‘normal’ is.
Would you believe he downloaded 23,398 emails last night!?!!! – and very few of them were spam. That’s going to keep me busy going through them. My database is also back.
Now I can relax and go on holiday. We’re off to Spain for a bit of sunshine (hopefully). I’ll be back in less than a week.
Today Andy & I drove up to Kingston with our very sick Mac Pro for an appointment with the Mac Genius, James Preedy. Sadly, James confirmed our worst fear, the hard drive is dead.
It’s not the end of the world. The computer is working now. Andy is busy reinstalling all of the software. Most things are backed up, but we think we’ve just lost my current files (for the next magazine) and our recent photos.
Good things often come out of bad. It has made us review how we back everything up, we had a nice drive up to Kingston and back and we had a good chat – and it was really good to see James again.
Tomorrow is my birthday and very, very early on Sunday I’m off for a short holiday to Spain. I’ll try to post something tomorrow to keep you busy.
Yesterday afternoon we finished a 4 day Flutewise course at Ovingdean Hall, Brighton. One course member said it was THE best one ever, but we always say that. It was pretty special.