Days 19 to 24

My pledge to write a bit for the blog every day has faltered but you'll be pleased to know my practise hasn't! It is far easier to sit and play for a bit than it is to turn the computer on so I have managed to do at least 10 minutes each day this week. It's not been amazing practise and I can see why motivation can easily be lost at this level. Progress feels very slow and while I am still enjoying my pieces I want to be able to add another one or two.

This week has been filled with rehearsals and next week will be filled with performances of one kind or another so I think my plan will now be to keep the practise up and do the blog at the weekend.

So a highlight from the last six days was a sax quartet gig yesterday for a party. Joining us on baritone just for the evening was Liz, who is a freelance player often found playing with Ska bands. She is learning the trombone and is one of the CWB members who dared each other to do their grade 1 exam. She said it is going well and now when she practises it doesn't feel like she's been punched in the mouth as she did in the early days. That's progress!

As I've been thinking about this blog post another donation has come in so I'll get practising and write up Day 25 later on!

Day 18

A good rehearsal with Palace Band this morning. All of the adult groups I work with are enormous fun. They work hard but get a lot of pleasure from playing, rehearsing and meeting other similar minded players. The cakes in the mid-morning break are also well worth the early start for the trip to London on a Sunday!

When I started the harp in 2011 I had to learn new techniques, get used to making lots of mistakes, overcome difficulties that others found easy and how to feel nervous when performing something more unfamiliar than usual. This helped me to understand just how band members, often highly qualified or experienced in other fields and professions, feel when taking part in a concert. Understanding that things take time to learn is at the forefront of my mind now. I know how the pieces I have been working on should go but my fingers have not yet got the co-ordination, or the co-ordination is there but it lacks speed. After getting home I had some lunch and got a good 40 minutes in going over Cross Currents and Scarlatti slowly at first then seeing if I could build up speed. This practise session is dedicated to sister Viki and nephew Josh so I finished off with a rough run through of the Indiana Jones theme as that's one of Josh's favourites! Thanks for the donation Viki!

Day 17

After a lengthy lie in I got up and only really had to time to do some prep for a rehearsal on Sunday before going out for a rehearsal in the afternoon then home for dinner and back out for the concert. In the very short time I had I did the opening of Cross Currents just so that I could say I'd done something!

 

The concert was great. Debussy Prelude a l'apres-midi d'un faun is one of my favourites, then Wagner Wesendonck Songs. I hadn't known those before. They were lovely but full of suffering and sad and melancholy subjects. Fortunately the second half livened things up with Stravinsky's Symphony in C. Stravinsky is well known for his time signature changes and one of the movements goes something like 3/8, 5/16, 3/8, 2/8, 7/16, 5/16. It's concentration all the way in this even if your own notes are really easy. The first movement contains one of the longest passage that Stravinsky wrote without a time change. It's all in 4/4 but the notes are not easy in this one so you still have to concentrate!

Day 16 - Young Voices

Just back from the Birmingham Indoor Arena having seen my nephew Josh in a choir of nearly 6000!

Earlier this evening I met up with family and we set off for the Young Voices concert which takes place across five nights in Birmingham, then again in Manchester, Sheffield and London, each performance made up of a brand new group of school children. Josh had been looking forward to this for weeks and was apparently very excited when he set off for school this morning. The school group had been learning several songs and medleys for weeks and along with groups from schools all over the Midlands took up half of the arena and made quite a noise both when singing and when screaming! The two hour extravaganza featured an urban dance troupe, several singer song-writers and Mic-Lowry a vocal harmony group from Liverpool. It was a brilliant spectacle! We couldn't actually see him but to know he was part of the screaming mass of children when the lights first went down was really special! There has been something in the news recently that half of school children don't know who Mozart was but hopefully these few thousand now know as one of the numbers was the Dies Irae from the Requiem. However (and purists - look away now) this one was accompanied by the rock band and renamed Rockquiem! The Dies Irae has incredible energy anyway and the rock band worked rather well! Dad asked me if I thought Mozart would have approved. I said I couldn't be sure as I didn't think the electric guitar was invented during Mozart's time but he was quite outgoing so probably would have done!

At the end I managed to get Josh's mum, my sister Viki to cough up a donation so they will get a practise session dedication over the next few days.

Day 15

Some Thursdays are full and today I didn't even have enough time to turn my computer on (which is why this is being written on Friday!). A measly few minutes managed on the harp doing some scales but I did get a brochure for the Edinburgh International Harp Festival through the post so flicked through that just before bedtime. This is a massive operation taking place at a large school on the edge of Edinburgh and there is so much going on in 5 days in April. There are performances from soloists, small ensembles and large ensembles, workshops and courses on everything from composing and arranging for the harp, jazz improvisations, introductions to the music of Paraguay or Quebec, lectures and a host of other activities. Sadly I won't be able to go this year but Ill put it on my bucket list for future years. Further details are here:

www.harpfestival.co.uk

Day 14

It's been a busy day. In short I got 15 minutes done on the harp. Last night's rehearsal with the wind ensemble was very productive and I've been all allowed to take my harp to a future rehearsal to play to them. Mary, one of the clarinets also asked me if I would be interested in helping provide some music for a Taizé service. I'd not come across this before but it is a form of worship where music features heavily. One of the attractions, for me at least, is that the service is designed to happen with as little rehearsal as possible! I'm all for that! She gave me some music for a couple of songs all of which would be easily managed on my harp so I'll learn the melody and chord sequence and the idea is that each verse is slightly different as the hymn or piece goes round and round. I'm not ecclesiastically-minded and am more drawn to Eastern philosophies than more organised practises but do enjoy the spiritual side of things especially if there is plenty of music so this should be an enjoyable experience. The church, in Thaxted should also be a stunning place to play. That is in February so more on that when it happens.

Day 13

I had shorter sessions of work today, home and away, so managed three shorter practise sessions throughout the day, all very nice. I've started working on some exercises that might be useful for the next couple of pieces that I want to work on. One involves three-note chords and the other has broken chords so I've devised some ways to get used to those.

The CWB blog was fun to do yesterday but they are not the only group supporting MSF in February and I will aim to post features on the other performers before the day. Prime Brass, who played at the 2011 event are appearing along with soloists Steve Bingham on violin and Marie-Noelle Kendell on piano. The ticket price will be worth it just for those!

I also discover there is going to be a performance of All Together Now, the large ensemble piece written by Simon Brown for the Clueless in Competition later in January. One of my schools has arranged a charity concert which is in memory of a former pupil. This particular event only comes around every few years and it is a privilege to be asked to play. I am already performing the first movement of the Beethoven Trio for clarinet, cello and piano and there are other serious items on the programme but as so many of the music staff are involved in GOAT Reunion the director of music has deemed it appropriate for us to play. He will also be joining us on his trombone. There has been no mention of a rehearsal yet but that may be because no one thinks it necessary...or that it may not actually make any difference.

 

As various groups start back and half term holiday plans are being made I am starting to offer short recitals and working on my technique so that I make it very difficult for people to refuse! This evening I will be coaching one of my woodwind ensembles so will pick the right moment to test my persuasion skills!

Day 12 - Happy Birthday to CWB!

Today's blog features a special guest interview with Viv, conductor and co-founder of Cambridge Wind Band (CWB). CWB are performing in the Clueless in Competition, not because any of them are clueless (far from it. There are more PhDs than GCSEs in this ensemble) but to ensure that the audience leaves West Road Concert Hall having heard some competent playing from people not on their third or fourth instrument. Viv is also conducting the Long Winded ensemble hoping to lead them to victory in the GOAT Reunion competition.

For me CWB has a rare distinction in that it is one of a handful of groups where I have been in the audience more times than I have played with them. Concerts I have attended have been full and the band has built up a massive fan base mostly due to the quality playing and varied programmes that appeal to all. There is also a huge sense of enjoyment from the players themselves, something that audiences easily pick up on. Concerts usually start at 3:30pm and this allows children and grandparents to come along without it being a late night. It also helps beat the Cambridge Curfew (Park & Ride buses finish at dusk I believe) so those who don't want to have to drive all the way into Cambridge don't have to. I'm led to believe this wasn't the original reason for the mid-afternoon start. Really it is so the players get to have lunch with their friends, play an enjoyable concert, go home for dinner and manage to get settled on the sofa with a glass of their favourite tipple just as Casualty comes on. A perfect Saturday!

Cambridge Wind Band

Viv and I share a packet of Danish pastries (from Waitrose, of course) as I ask her more about how the band started. Viv explains she was in a rehearsal with Sarah, a clarinettist with a interest in trying the tenor sax. "It came from an off the cuff remark. We were talking about wind bands and I said I would love to conduct an adult band. Sarah immediately said 'if you conduct it, I'll do the administration'. With an offer like that how could I refuse". It came just at the right time. Many local players had continued with their Grade-One-A-Thon instruments and several other players had taken up family instruments so were keen to play in a friendly group. Also, despite there being a huge number of orcehstras and ensembles already in Cambridge places for flutes and clarinets are scarce and often over-competitive. There are no formal auditions for CWB but players need to be around grade 6 to 8 and be able to commit to rehearsals and performances. The first rehearsal was on 12 January 2012. Viv fondly recalls "What the hell were we doing starting a band in January? It could have snowed!" In the end there was an almost complete band and around three quarters of the original members still play three years on.

Several of those that joined found it actually gave their instrumental playing a new lease of life. One brass player had got to grade 8 at school but hadn't played in 20 years. After joing the band he went to get some lessons and was amazed at how quickly it all came back! Almost all sections are now full (although if you are a trumpet of percussionist there may be a space). Even the tuba space is currently filled. Viv says there was much celebration in the house when a tuba enquired. Especially as he sounded amazing!


I ask Viv what the highlights have been over the last three years. I was concerned at the lengthy pause before she answered but rather than there being very few there were actually many highlights and she was just pciking the best one or two. Top was "the fantastic cameraderie". Another enjoyable moment was "listening back to the recording of the November concert and thinking 'they've come a long way in three years'".

They're going even further this year with a big concert on Saturday 18 April which will feature something for everyone, old and young, including music from ET, Batman, Pirates of the Caribbean, Frozen, War Horse, Les Miserables, Selections from James Bond and Pixar. More info at http://www.camwindband.com/ and tickets can be booked through

https://www.adcticketing.com/whats-on.aspx?date=18%2f04%2f2015

but if you can't wait until then come along on 22 February.

So today's practise session is dedicated to the Cambridge Wind Band! I did my scales in one breath and worked on articulation in Showing Off!. There are four bars in the Scarlatti that are still a problem even at a slow speed so I started doing that with a dotted rhythm and I finished by improvising a version of Happy Birthday. Thanks to Viv, and to Sarah N for the photos!

Day 11

Every instrument has its own society or association and the harp has at least two that players can become a member of. Today I was with the Clarinet & Saxophone Society who meet quarterly to discuss the magazine, events and the general running and progress of the society. The societies are important as they provide all sorts of benefits for members such as services, playdays and events, support for communities in remote areas and magazines and journals with useful information and articles. Members include professional, student and amateur players. I met up with Viv early this morning and we got the train down together. Viv is conducting the Long Winded group at the Clueless in Competition and she is also the conductor of Cambridge Wind Band who will be performing in the second half. I took the opportunity to interview Viv about the band and that interview will appear on tomorrow's blog!

It was a long day so only a little harp practise managed and even then it wasn't proper practise, just playing through of two pieces. Still it was enjoyable and I'll get back onto it tomorrow.

Day 10

A busy day taking the car in for a service and catching up on admin tasks from last week. Last time I kept a daily blog the progress was noticable and the specific aim of developing these brand new techniques while learning three pieces and scales was very easy to talk about. This time the progress appears to be much slower and while I enjoy the practise (45 minutes managed this evening), either detailed work on a bar or two or just playing through to check memory, there is not a great deal to write about and I just want to say the same as I did yesterday. So there may be more brief blogs containing very basic factual information than last time but I'll make sure I record all of my practise to fulfill my pledge of practising and blogging every day.

Tomorrow is a single reed focussed day in London so the harp practise at the end of the day might be just what I need when I get in!

Day 9 - Business as usual

35 minutes managed after a late lunch. Showing Off, Scarlatti and Cross Currents were all practised although they are very slow. This is a time to be patient and at some point hope that as all the work is consolidated and my fingers find they can play much more quickly.I focussed on performance directions today. Cross Currents has some clear dynamics so I started putting those in. Showing off has a performance hint which reads 'chords should be big and lush!'. I tried to make my chords sound as lush as possible although this word always amuses me as it is the one word the editor of Clarinet & Saxophone magazine doesn't like and has banned us from using. And he lives in Wales! I am hoping to sneak it into an article or review in the future but as least here its meaning is clear.

Day 8 - My first sponsor!

Today's practise session was dedicated to Pat who is also taking part in Clueless in Concert. She took up the trumpet in the 2011 Grade-One-A-Thon but has switched to the violin for this concert. Pat has also decided to take the grade 1 exam in March and I look forward to accompanying her (on the piano) for that one. I will sponsor Pat but will offer a higher amount for each mark earned when she does the exam! Her husband Martin has carried on with Pat's own instrument, the flute, and I will write them a little duet to say thanks for the donation.

Pat looking angelic

Pat's practise session was a good half hour this morning and after deciding that the Scarlatti is well on it's way I had a closer look at the first page of my second piece, a playful piece called Cross Currents from a suite called East Coast Sketches by Christopher Wright. It has lots of cross rhythms switching from 6/8 to 3/4 time. I've sorted out my fingering and have slowly worked through the first section. So a good session with a small feeling of progress!

Day 7 - Back to Work

The blog is a little late going up as it's been back to work. Up and out by 7:30am, then two scools and some private pupils back at home, a hasty tea then out to an orchestral rehearsal. Only 5 minutes was managed on the harp so I ran through the Clueless piece to imporve my sense of direction...more difficult when you have plent of rest bars.The good news is that I have had my first sponsor so tomorrow's practise session will be a good one!

Back in December I discussed with Thanea the speculation over when the first Grade-One-A-Thon was. I have a little research to do on this but have been gathering stories from other GOATees. I gave a lift to a couple of friends and on the way home chatted about the Grade-One-A-Thon. Berdel, my fellow clarinet for the evening, had taken part in a grade-one-a-thon while at Manchester. Apparently they do it every year. Their format was to take the exam then whoever had the highest mark did a concerto with the orchestra of Goats. As they were all music students they were plenty of arrangers willing to put together repertoire that was manageable by all. Berdel chose the cello and loved learning it (everyone who takes up the cello gets a dreamy look in their eye when you ask how it's going). The year that Berdel entered the winning entrant was on the oboe. Just imagine that, a grade 1 oboe doing a concerto. Heavenly!

Day 6 - Sounds of the World

The GOAT Reunion Orchestra rehearsal on Sunday led me back to that eternal question: just what is music?

How do we define a sound as being either musical or a racket? Does the context matter or is it all really just noise? I'm reading a book at the moment which investigates and explains sounds found in the natural landscape, animal kingdom and man-made world. It also includes a little on how to listen. When I've finished reading it I'll talk more about that but here is one example. My robin has taken to singing at night and the book explores the theory that there is so much noise pollution in urban areas that some birds and animals are adapting their ways to cope. Robins sing at night simply because it is the only time they can be heard. He's not loud but I can hear him as I nod off to sleep. Last time I heard birdsong while trying to drop off to sleep was the morning of an assignment deadline at college but that's going back a few years now.

With noise and sound on my mind at the moment this appropriately popped up on the social media today:
http://aporee.org/maps/

I started off listening to the waves on the beach of an island just off the coast of China, then I went to Brazil to hear some Carnival and a spot of the rainforest, stopped by Cambridge to hear the church bells on a Sunday morning, heard some screechy birds in Australia and street sellers in Nairobi. Half an hour later I got distracted by a descending minor third chime (the door bell) and I went to let my pupil in for their clarinet lesson.

I'm currently listening to some street musicians in Georgia. Fortunately I did my harp practise before discovering this website and managed a good 40 minutes. The tempo marking for 'Showing Off' is quite quick and way beyond me at the moment. I don't think it needs to go that fast all the time as showing off involves lots of deliberate extravagent movements to attract attention, at least that's how I understand it! Anyway I will probably need to get a move on for some of the phrases. So it is slow but because the chord sequence is quite straight forward and it's not too long this one is almost from memory. Even if my fingers don't know what they're doing my brain can see what notes they should be finding. The Scarlatti is going the same sort of way. The four bar phrases follow established patterns and there is a lot of repetition making it easy to remember. I'll keep plodding on with these for now focussing on a few bars in a bit more detail each time. I also ran through the Bach C major Prelude which is partly for fun and partly for a family wedding I will be playing at in the summer. This one is almost there as I did an abridged version last summer but it has a lot of lever changes so I'm keen to get those mastered.

Still no sponsors but I have had a few pledges and I've not pushed my campaign into all the places it could go so that will be an aim for the next few days. Any donation, large or small, or the purchase of a concert ticket will guarantee the dedication of a practise session and a mention on the blog and will ensure my continued improvement both for helping my team to victory at Clueless in Concert and for reaching the right standard for Grade 6! The link is
https://www.justgiving.com/Stephanie-Reeve1/

Day 5

While most people went back to school or work today I went on a little trip to Colchester to interview a clarinettist and conductor for a future article. Having had experience as a performer, educator, ensemble conductor and festival organiser he had much to say and my next job today is getting that transcribed to turn into a feature for the Clarinet & Saxophone magazine. I can't reveal too much of what he said but one little nugget was about keeping the music the most important thing in a performance. Don't compromise how it should go if your technique is not up to standard but allow your technique to develop and improve in order to play the music. There was much more of course and we had a discussion on squeaks but you can find out more if you become a member of CASS in time for the Spring issue!

Writing the blog in 2011 turned out to be great practise at gathering thoughts and getting ideas written down and this developed into reviews and features for the magazine. More recently the editor has started a feature intended to fill the important back page that finds out a little more about the members, particularly those who are not professional players. Having an interest in amateur music making and adult learning this was right up my street and as the members I met were so interesting, often having wonderful stories or useful insights, it went way beyond one A4 side and had to be promoted to an earlier page leaving my editor with the headache of filling the back page once again.


I did my practise as soon as I got in, about 20 minutes today as both of my first fingers are slightly sore from going at it a bit too much yesterday probably. I did a gentle run through of Showing Off, an even gentler run of the Bach then I had a quick look at the outline of the study I want to do. This is particularly harpy as the melody is within semiquaver (for the non-musicians they're the fast-ish ones) patterns so will need to be brought out.

No photo today so here is the poster advertising the concert.

Day 4 - The Rehearsal

I was rudely awakened at 8:30am by my alarm clock then around 9am I remembered why I'd set it so jumped eagerly out of bed! After breakfast I got my harp and music packed away, added a mince pie to my lunch and set off.

I sensed the atmosphere was buzzing as I signed in but it turned out to be the brass rehearsing in the drama studio. As I had a cup of tea word was filtering through that Brassed-Off were surprisingly good. When they finished the woodwind went to rehearse and I met the other clarinets, Helen, Kate and Sue, and assessed their chances of helping Long-Winded to victory. One had signed up to play just two days ago, one had only played for 20 minutes before today and the other had played a little. Ah, well the clarinet is not that hard really. Realising I was the guest clarinet I was asked “How do you stop it honking?” Experience generally sorts this one out but even over a lifetime of playing the squeaks pop out occasionally and reasons are many and varied. My stock reply is “if you have to ask you'll never know” but I didn't feel this would help matters so I suggested if they did squeak to look at their neighbour and tut loudly. They then decided they would look at me if any of them squeaked. Our maestro was Viv, a sax and clarinet player and conductor of Cambridge Wind Band and she perfectly managed the balance between keeping the session light-hearted and getting some effective rehearsing done. She was also able to advise on avoiding the squeaks and some suggestions made a big difference. Sensing the general level she was able to stretch players but suggesting they do the articulation that was written. This was risky as it involved a higher level of concentration but it paid off and we noticed the difference. All instrumental pieces have been written by Simon Brown and he was there to hear his creations come to life.

Viv, before rehearsal. (Note the music on the iPads on the stands in front. Very impressive, until it got to the page turn!!)

Lead horn Guy, taking things seriously...as usual

After the rehearsal I swapped details with the clarinets if they needed any further help. I had been sitting next to Helen who looked familiar. I discovered that Helen is from Northampton (all the best people are) and I soon learnt that she is the sister of the head of music at one of my schools so that explained the resemblance. Small world!

Lunch was a chance to catch up properly with everyone and hear about progress. There was a discussion about exam dates and the idea of doing a grade 1 was discussed, fuelled by the "I will if you will" type of talk that often preceeds some sort of regrettable incident. I offered to accompany anyone and was immediately accepted by Pat who is learning the violin. Pat and husband Martin featured on one or more of the 2011 blog and while Martin is continuing with the flute Pat is on a violin that has almost certainly seen some professional action. I look forward to following their progress.

After lunch we gathered in the main hall to hear Janet Hearn from MSF talk about the charity, how it operates and what money goes on. As an independent charity they have no affiliation with any political party or government. The advantages are that they can go immediately to any area that needs their help without waiting for funds to be released. All of their income is from private donations and of that just 3% goes admin. A tiny amount goes on fund-raising but over 90% goes where it is needed. I'll look up what the minimum amount is in order to be a charity but I have a feeling it is well below 90%. There are five scenarios that MSF will go to, natural disaster, war zones, areas where there is malnutrition and two others. Having been a nurse with MSF for 15 years Janet has travelled abroad 9 or 10 times and gave us some examples of the scenes she had dealt with. She talked of patients with serious limb injuries where treatment is to repair externally so screws are fitted. One asked if they could have the screws when they were taken out. Janet asked why and he replied he wanted to make a musical instrument out of them. For us as musicians this was poignant. There was more but I think it probably needs a separate post or two in the future.

The choir rehearsal was led by Silas who warmed us up then worked through the two pieces. During  the break the room was reset and we finally saw the whole orchestra. There will be four harps, myself, Helen and Robyn from the 2011 Grade-One-A-Thon, and Adrian, who is editor of Early Music Magazine and is the fiancé of Cat, a harp and recorder player who I know from one of my schools. Adrian is using Cat's lever harp and has had a little guidance from her. Robyn is currently in Canada so will practise hard when she returns and will join us on 22 February. The orchestra is conducted by Russell Keable who uses a wonderful mixture of encouraging sarcasm and dry humour to make us improve. The first run through was pretty good and we were all pleasantly surprised that we got through with no casualties. Russell gave us his philosophy which is to take the audience on a journey through the music so to make each bar lead to the next. By keeping the audience engaged in this way they would sense it would take no time at all. Good advice! We got to a section with the brass and Russell rehearsed a few bars where the horns and trombones were not quite together. Russell praised the horns for their contemplative rendition, then turned to the trombones commenting that their urgency complemented the horns very well and now the only way to improve it was to meet somewhere in the middle! The trumpets next entry was described as 'dominant' so the brass must have gone away brimming with confidence.

Of all six tubas Kirsty had to have the biggest

Anticipation...

The final rehearsal was Highly Strung, just strings, harps, guitars and piano and Russell stayed to take us through the piece. Steve Bingham will be our conductor and 'motivator' on 22 February but Russell ensured we all knew what we were doing. He said he thought we were by far the best section and would win easily but he then revealed he hadn't heard the other two groups.

2011 Grade-One-A-Thon harpists

Excitement was high and we left with resolutions to practise, and most importantly to raise awareness and sponsorship to help MSF as much as possible. I will continue my tactic of dedicating a practise session to anyone who sponsors me, no matter how big or small the amount, and I'll just practise for myself on the quiet days.

A small halo of harps

Day 3

Tomorrow is the first rehearsal for the concert on Sunday 22 February. Each group has just an hour rehearsal time so hopefully all players have learnt their parts and it should all join up seamlessly. I know my harp part now and my fingers feel prepared for whatever rehearsal techniques Russell Keable is going to throw at us. More worrying is that I am section leader for clarinets in the Long-winded ensemble so have to be prepared. Having seen very little of my clarinet over the holidays I had a blow today and felt worn out. My lip often gets tired at the end of a long session but the lip was going by bar 104 (near the top of page 2). I managed a little bit more so should last that session but it reminds me I need to be back to full stamina before my next rehearsal which is this Wednesday.

Also on the agenda tomorrow is the full orchestra rehearsal where we all join together to play a piece that combines all three team pieces in one grand finale. They've given us an hour and 15 for this so perhaps they are expecting this to be 25% more difficult. We are also all expected to sing in a choir which has two pieces to learn. I'll be with the altos for this. Although I've been out visiting friends today and have another social event to go to shortly so I might be with the tenors. Tomorrow's schedule also includes a speaker from MSF so we will hopefully find out a little more about how the charity operates and where our sponsorship funds will be going.

Harp practise was good today and I managed another 30 minutes. I am concentrating on two pieces at the moment. The study, which is part of the Trinity syllabus, is particularly enjoyable as it has big lush chords and some very harp like moments. It's written by harpist and Trinity examiner Danielle Perrett and is called 'Showing Off'. With a title like this I'll do my best to capture the essence of this grand piece!

I am also working on a Scarlatti Sonata which is quite sweet although will need to go a lot faster. Over the weeks I will be using the metronome to see how well I am doing.

I'm needed at 10:45 tomorrow morning so I'll try and get a bit of playing done before I go out. In the meantime I'm off out for party no. 4 of the weekend (which started on Friday). Hopefully I'll be home by midnight this time...

Day 2

It's been a busy day as I've been babysitting, organised some music for a rehearsal (which took longer than I'd planned) and I'm off out to a party at fellow GOATees Kirsty (Tuba) and Derek (Euphonium)'s place in a few minutes. I did manage 30 minutes so today's blog is more a photoblog. You can see what I did on the notebook. I've also printed out my sponsorship form and will keep this with me wherever I go.

Evidence of practise from today

Happy New Year!

With a sense of déjà vu I am writing a blog post about my harp on New Years Day. This is to launch my participation in the latest GOAT (Grade-One-A-Thon) event entitled GOAT Reunion: Clueless in Competition.

I took part in the 2011 Grade-One-A-Thon working towards and successfully passing my harp grade 1 exam in February 2011. I took part in the Clueless in Concert at the Corn Exchange and had a lot of fun along the way as well as understanding what it is like to have to learn something from the very beginning. Over £80,000 was raised for Spinal Injuries Association. There are no exams this time and particpants have the choice of playing a GOAT instrument from the 2004 or 2011 Grade-One-A-Thons, or they can take up a brand new instrument and learn it to a standard to cope with the performance pieces. The main event is a concert on Sunday 22 February at West Road Concert Hall where all GOATees take part in their respective ensemble. As a string player I will be with the Highly Strung team. I will also be making a guest appearance as solo clarinet with the Long Winded team. Finally Brassed Off complete the line up. Each team performs their piece then the audience decides who is the winner before all three teams join together for the massed ensemble piece. As before there are several groups lined up to recalibrate the audience appreciation of quality music and there will be more about those in future blogs.

The GOAT Committee have chosen Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF) as a charity well worth supporting. The Ebola virus was one of the worst stories to hit the headlines this year and MSF provided medical aid in western Africa as well as in many remote and dangerous parts of the world. As an independent humanitarian medical aid organisation they are "committed to providing medical aid where it is most needed, regardless of race, religion, politics or gender and also to raising awareness of the plight of the people we help."
www.msf.org.uk/

I have chosen to continue with the harp as I have put so much time and energy into it since the first rehearsal in January 2011. Music for the concert was sent out just before Christmas and as the GOAT pieces are for grade 1 players I have to confess I did get them to a moderate standard pretty quickly. As well as working on those for a few weeks I have set myself a personal challenge and will be working toward my grade 6 exam. I won't be entering for it this term as this requires some serious practise and dedication that just won't fit with my current lifestyle but the summer term might be a viable option. I will aim to practise every day working on my three pieces, scales, exercises and all the rest. I will also aim to tune my harp a little more frequently and I will aim to cut my nails a few days before they really need it, rather than a few weeks after as is my current habit!

As before any sponsors will have a practise session dedicated to them and they will feature on the blog. My justgiving page is here: www.justgiving.com/Stephanie-Reeve1 or I can add any cash donations to my final total.

Today's practise was a good hour and featured a warm-up picked up from Catrin Finch, some exercises developed from Rohan, my harp teacher, and some pieces written by Danielle Perrett, another harpist whose name I can easily drop into conversation.

Finally here is a festive picture of my practise room: