NO TURNING BACK

Once a person's religious practice turns from the spiritual to the political,
Once a person's view of "others" is seen through the lenses of hate, distrust, judgement, and moral approbation,
Once a person becomes the only custodian of morality and ethics,
That person has decided not to follow Jesus, but to ignore his example,
There is no turning back,
No turning back.

PROJECTS, PROJECTS, PROJECTS!

It seems that some times I bounce between projects, while at other times, I put all projects on the back burners as I concentrate on one. Right now, I'm sort of juggling five projects.  The first is a recital. I've been working on this recital for years.  It seems like every three or four months I change some of the repertoire. I think I've got my program settled, but who knows? Then, I've got a project dealing with musical adaptations of Moby-Dick.  Beyond that, I'm working on a program of piano music composed by people with physical and mental disabilities. This, I hope, will turn into a long-term project. There is also a novel I'm plugging away at.  I consider this as much therapy as creative writing. Finally, I'm slowly developing my personal take on the Great American Songbook.  

As frustrating as it is, getting around to everything, it's nice to wake up each morning with some project to look forward to.  

LEARNING FROM DOING

I recently gave a presentation to a local piano teachers' association. As excited as I was to give this presentation, I was even more nervous for two reasons. First, I had not given a presentation in several years and thought that my very rusty skills would show. (Enter ego.)  Second, the topic I chose for the presentation was one that the teachers might not enjoy. You might ask why I would pick a topic that might not be well received?  

The title of my presentation was: "Stories without Words:  Exploring the Narrative Side of Piano Performance." The intent behind my presentation was to demonstrate ways a pianist can act as a narrator.  I relied heavily on a wonderful book I discovered while doing research for another project. The book is Improving Your Storytelling by Doug Lipman. The biggest mistake I made in the presentation was one that I tend to make over and over again.  I tried to cram too much into a 45-minute presentation.  I had, of course, practiced giving the presentation (but only to an imaginary audience) but did not do enough "weeding" of material.   

I think my audience was sympathetic, but I am not sure many them wanted to buy what I had to sell. The overarching message of my presentation was teaching students to play the right notes at the right time is not enough. That can be a daunting task, especially if students are attempting to play works that are far above what they can really master. Of course, the other problem is that for many piano teachers, their bread and butter student is one who has a very limited amount of time to devote to piano study, what with soccer, school, social life (Facebook) and other acitivities that fill their days.

After the presentation, which received a tepid applause, only one or two teachers bothered to talk to me. These, of course, were teachers, who really "got" my point. 

I immediately thought of ways could improve my presentation in ways that might improve the receptivity of teachers.  Perhaps I'll get to give it again.  I think it is not only a valid topic to explore but an important one as well. 

THINKING OUTSIDE THE PLANE

I've never been much attracted to science fiction.  Aside from  the standard Jules Verne and H.G. Wells fare, I've never explored this genre very much.  However, as I browsed the "Dover Thrift Editions" section of a local bookstore, my eyes were drawn to a slim book entitled Flatland.  I read the blurb on the back and decided it might be an interesting read.

Flatland is a two-dimensional place where the inhabitants--lines and polygons of various shapes --live their lives within their realm of perception.The central character in this story, A. Square, ventures into both a one-dimensional realm (Pointland) and a three-dimensional one (Sphereland) and even envisions four-or-more dimensional realms. 

Written by a teacher, Edwin A. Abbott, Flatland entertainingly mingles abstract concepts of mathematics and geometry with social satire, and even a bit of theology, all couched in what for me is a very lively story. 

He takes the idea of anthromorphing beyond the realm of animals and even plants to that of geometric figures. While the book is admittedly geeky and might not appeal to those not mathematically inclined, it is in the great traditions of C. S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien

BEGINNING A NEW CHAPTER

The chapters in our lives are never of equal length.  Dozens of meaningful events can be crammed into a small space while other times in life might seem like an ocean of non-events. Having spent a wonderful year in New York City I now face life in Raleigh without the anchor of teaching to keep me moored.  It is far too easy to let one day melt into another, one week into another, and one month into another.  At the same time, there is a certain joy in not having to bend to a fixed schedule or complete half of a daily "to do" list.

It is my hope that this journal will reflect good use of idle time.  Reading, listening, practicing, traveling, and helping others will all find their way into my life but in perhaps less of a structured way than  previously. 

Let the new chapter begin!