10.09.2004
music
I've missed singing... I mean, like, proper chorale singing. I've done a lot of nice orchestral choral works with the Boston Symphony, and it's been a real blast; but there is something about an organ or a piano and some voices that's just gorgeous. Went to the Keble College open rehearsal today: I really like them; they're one of the better non-auditioning choirs in Oxford, but they rehearse on Thursday nights, which is a conflict with a major seminar in my department. Got accepted, as I said, to The Queen's College Chapel Choir. Also got accepted, today, to the St. John's College Chapel Choir. St. John's is run by two law students and a politics student. Queen's is run by a member of the music department faculty. *But,* St. John's pays £64 per term; two services per week, while Queen's pays £50 per term; three services per week. Tough choice. Essentially, it's the battle between "do I want better music?" and "do I want the money?" I feel like I'm some twisted Fox reality show: money? music? money? music? It's so hard to decide... So I went to the Keble College organ scholar to ask his advice and non-partisan guidance. Without a doubt, he went for Queen's: a decision I am making now. The catch, of course, is that I've auditioned for Queen's so long ago (Thursday) that I don't even know if that space is open. If it is, great. And if it isn't, then St. John's it is. And great. No problems either way.
Problems lie in my bassoon playing, as my reeds are still adjusting to the constantly shifting weather. My audition's tomorrow at 1:40, so wish me luck all.
My advisor and I hammered out my courses for the next two years, with one thing still up in the air. He thinks that I might like to go to Athens to study there for a term. I would enjoy that, but I can't think about not being at Oxford while I *begin* my time here. So I'm holding off a bit. As for my first course, I'm being graded on the Thucydides and Greek History option, with my first paper due one week from Monday. The question is as follows: "Consider the formation, nature, and history of the Delian League (to 449BC). Is it plausible to identify stages by which it became an Athenian Empire?" Short answer, yes. Oh... You'd like 1,999 more words? hmm...
So I spent a lot of time in the library yesterday and today. It's so cool: I've got Oxford University library books on my desk right now. Wow... Of course, the euphoria will subside and I'll have to read them now. That was fast...
Problems lie in my bassoon playing, as my reeds are still adjusting to the constantly shifting weather. My audition's tomorrow at 1:40, so wish me luck all.
My advisor and I hammered out my courses for the next two years, with one thing still up in the air. He thinks that I might like to go to Athens to study there for a term. I would enjoy that, but I can't think about not being at Oxford while I *begin* my time here. So I'm holding off a bit. As for my first course, I'm being graded on the Thucydides and Greek History option, with my first paper due one week from Monday. The question is as follows: "Consider the formation, nature, and history of the Delian League (to 449BC). Is it plausible to identify stages by which it became an Athenian Empire?" Short answer, yes. Oh... You'd like 1,999 more words? hmm...
So I spent a lot of time in the library yesterday and today. It's so cool: I've got Oxford University library books on my desk right now. Wow... Of course, the euphoria will subside and I'll have to read them now. That was fast...
