Grade 6!

This is about as live as the blog will ever get! I am currently in the waiting area having done the exam although have waited until after lunch to post my exam review. Everything went very smoothly, Cambridge traffic was not that unhelpful and both myself and my clarinet pupil Hannah, also taking her grade 6, got here on time. Anne and Rohan are also here as they are stewarding and have pupils of their own so between candidates we catch up on the gossip and share exam experiences.

Updating the blog

I had a little warm up first thing and as there were others before me I had to wait around. While I accompanied Hannah (she played really well) Rohan tuned my harp. Sadly I haven't used Rohan and her harping skills as much as I should have. She always gives good, clear advice in lessons and I go away with plenty to think about and work on. Still, she tunes a harp efficiently so I am grateful for that!

I don't think the examiner realised it was going to be me doing the exam but managed not to look too surprised as Anne introduced me "This is Stephanie and she is going to do her grade 6 harp". I sat myself down and played the Scarlatti from memory. This went pretty well, no major mistakes but a few finger catches made some extra buzzing noises and while I definitely got loud and soft dynamics they were still a bit bumpy, so not completely solid. The Haiku I think was ok, one or two tiny hesitations and I really went for the big sound in the middle section, perhaps a bit too much judging by a violent buzz. Manha da Carnaval went much better than I could have hoped for. It had one or two hesitations but the bits where I have to stay focussed, where I have memorised a few notes, all went without incident.

It was then onto technical exercises and I started with Showing Off. I did this one without music and after the first few chords had been played with as much panache as I could muster I skipped a chord in my head and ended up one ahead. I left it as it was, did the twiddly bit and then played the same chord at the right time. I can analyse exactly what I played and know what I should have done but that is just part of the exam pressure. Mistakes that have never happened before crop up just when you least expect it! Still it got me focussed for the rest of it. The examiner picked Two Into One, the piece I have spent the least amount of time on and was writing the final fingerings in this morning. I got through it and there was some substance to it.

Sight-reading was ploddy and with plenty of mis-hit notes but I like to think I got the character. I probably shouldn't give the style away but I recall the shape of the melody and the tonality. Hannah and I compared exams afterwards. She doesn't like sight-reading so busks the notes and rhythms and concentrates on the dynamics. When she told me this I realised I didn't remember whether there were any dynamics on mine, let alone actually having done them!

Improvising was, er, improvised! The trouble with the lever harp is that improvising chromatic changes requires quite a lot of practise as you either have to be really quick with the lever changes, or be prepared with octaves. I tried to be prepared with the octaves but still got a little muddled. I busked through it, not completely satisfied but as I finished I dampened my strings, looked up and said "or something like that". The examiner smiled and said "thank you very much" and I was free to go!

I told Rohan, Anne and Hannah how it had gone and had a biscuit which was today's reward. I actually enjoyed it and think Hannah was amused to see her teacher taking a similar level exam! I just hope my blasé attitude won't make her any less conscientious about her own playing! Results will hopefully be available in a few days so tune in soon to find out how we both got on!

Grade 6 final preparation

I have my grade 6 exam tomorrow and after catching up on some last-minute-end-of-term admin I played my three pieces and three studies through to Chris late this evening (he couldn't find an excuse quick enough to escape) and that little session pretty much equalled what I have done since the Fete de la Musique! 8 performances (playing, school concerts, garden parties or conducting amateur groups) in the ten days leading up to the exam have taken their toll on my final preparation so I don't feel as ready as I would like. There should be no major breakdowns but it certainly won't be flawless! Anyway it's too late to do anything more so I will just go for it. I'll have another run through tomorrow morning. I could have kept the date quiet but Chris's parents Judith and Martin sent me a 'Good Luck' card so I realise I have mentioned it to a few people. Thank you for the message!

If I thought I was slightly unprepared I have to remember it could always be a lot worse. In other former GOATee news Jan, head of music at one of my schools and 2011's Top Flautist (see Blog posts in 2011!) has now decided to go for her grade 3 flute exam. She is entered for the final session at the end of term and has been practising her scales. She made a decision on which pieces to do and only got round to ordering the music last week! Nothing like leaving it until the last minute to get the job done! I am delighted to report that I will be accompanying Jan for the exam so I will report back after our first rehearsal.

In more Fete de la Musique news I was sent the following from the Saffron Walden Reporter! All those involved that I have been in touch with since thought the day was a roaring success so I am sure it will be talked about for some time to come.

Another clipping for the scrapbook!

Fête de la musique

The big black cloud overhead as I set off didn't look like a great start but the weather forecast still said cloudy but dry. I made it to Pat and John's in the centre of Saffron Walden nice and early and dropped off my harp and bags near another pile of instruments for Walden Winds. I took the car up to Aunty Ann and Uncle Chris's, had a cup of tea and wandered back into town to find my venues and get my bearings. The town was fairly busy with a few musicians and green-t-shirted volunteers being briefed, enjoying the sunshine which had now appeared.

Tourist Information window

I met John just after 11 and he carried my harp through to my first venue, outside The Courtyard Cafe. There were already a few people at the tables and I met Isabella, one of the organisers. I kicked off my programme at 12 starting with an easy Grandjany tune. So far so good! There was a burst of applause from my designated volunteer although no one else joined in at that point so I carried on. 15 minutes later and I realised I'd got through almost all of my programme for this set so I had to go into the next set to get up to 25 minutes. However the applause had grown to at least two tables so I was feeling encouraged. I finished and got another round of applause from most of the tables around! I packed away and heard the first piece by the next act, a young cellist with a young accompanist playing a slow piece, possible by Faure, from memory and very musically played.

Outside the Courtyard Cafe

As he started his second I headed off to the Adnams Cellar which has it's own courtyard. A singer / sax player was performing to backing tracks, all slickly arranged and well played. I spotted a few friends and a few of the Walden Winds members and eventually my family arrived. I set up, got introduced and then it fell quiet...a little too quiet for my liking. It was more like a recital than a background performance and I remember thinking I hadn't signed up to this. I had been hoping to give very informal run-throughs of my grade 6 pieces without too much attention from by-standers so that did make me a little more nervous and there were stumbles and improvised poly-tonal accompaniments for a beat or two. I don't get this on the clarinet but as Doris (bass clarinet in Walden Winds) has said to me before "Now you know how we feel". Yes, thank you Doris!! Also the band in the Market Square were more than adequately amplified and I heard strains of a semi-familiar tune drifting through while I tried out one of my grade 6 pieces. Anyway at least those who came to more than one of my sets heard slightly different versions (combination of right-wrong notes) each time!

Ann and Chris bought me a pizza athough cousin Debbie stole a slice and we sat on the common eating lunch. I had a wander round hearing a few other groups and soaking up the atmosphere. Next stop was Jubilee Gardens where Walden Winds were due to play. We got set up and as we started playing Walden Winds became Walden Windy! A few loosely pegged sheets came away from stands and we missed a few bars here and there but otherwise it was an enjoyable performance. As we were at the top of a hill a few people at the bottom couldn't quite hear us as the sound didn't carry that well but those that moved up the hill then stayed when they could hear the standard!

Walden Winds

We finished and a sitar player took over showing just what a varied festival this was.  I said bye to the family and took the opportunity of a break to wander round hearing some of the other groups. I saw a lot of familiar faces enjoying the music including friends, pupils, colleagues and quite a few teachers from current and past schools, one of whom I'd not seen for four or five years. Some people had itineraries and had their whole day planned while others arrived and just wandered around. I headed back to John's place to find him having a rest. We chatted for a bit then it was time to go to the Cross Keys for my final set.

Roving Assistant!

There had been a little panic beforehand as the pub was very busy and we weren't sure if I would be heard but they had set aside some space for me and after the first piece I checked with Walden Wind member and fete volunteer Adam who was eating with his family and he said it carried fine. Others were eating their Sunday lunch and a small crowd gathered around me just to listen. About halfway through I spotted Beth and Maya, two members of my junior fan club. Both are promising musicians on piano and Beth also plays the cello. I played Evening Song for them as it was a tune they had both learned on the piano so I knew they would recognise that! A photographer from the Saffron Walden Reporter took a few shots so while I focussed on hand positions I forgot about notes so created yet another variation on the Bach C major Prelude. After 30 minutes I had run out of music and concentration was waning so I packed up and had a drink with Doris and Adam and his family. John was on another duty (at the Rock venue which was a few minutes out of town) so I took my harp and roved myself back to the Market Square to get the key from Pat.

After losing my assistant I had to do my own donkey work

After collecting my car (and getting tea and cake at Aunty Ann's!) I headed back to the Market Square to catch the end of The Hooligans (fantastic sound) and the start of the Grand Finale which was The Reavey Brothers and Friends. Two of the Friends were in the band that played at mine and Chris's wedding, one of whom Dan, is a fellow teacher. I also recognised Chas on trumpet, another teacher. They were excellent and the packed Market Square was in for a treat. I stayed for a few numbers then headed off into the sunset. It had been an amazing day and congratulations and a massive thank you to Pat, Isabella and Louise, the chief organisers and all the volunteers and helpers, who made sure the day went incredibly smoothly! Thanks also to all of the venues that provided space, refreshments and power to many of the performers and finally a big congratulations to all of the performers who provided such a varied programme throughout the day!



 

A packed Market Square

Grand Finale

Harps at the Grafton Centre

After dropping Chris off near Bury St Edmunds so he could collect his car from a garage I came home via Cambridge to hear the young harpists Bonnie and Rosie who were playing at the Grafton Centre. I did a little bit of shopping then found the harps outside the cafe area. The harpists were on a break so I said hello to mum Nyree. Also there was Frankie, a colleague from an old job, herself a musician and teacher so we caught up on the gossip and from Nyree I found out more about the harps and Diabetes UK, the charity for which they were raising money. I gave a donation and played Barcarolle on the 1815 Dodds harp. It had a beautiful ringing sound and a lovely soft feel to it, very easy to pluck. The sound was much like a harpsichord but with a greater resonance. It was very clear! I then tried the much newer (1885) Erard, again it had a lovely sound, louder and fuller than the Dodds.

Playing Grandjany on the Dodds & Son 1815

The Dodds was a single action meaning the pedals only have two positions, while the Erard was a double action so the pedals have three positions (double meaning the pedals move twice). Nyree has several more historic harps at home and has considerable knowledge about them all. Sadly I couldn't quite remember everything but it was great to see these two instruments as examples of the development of the harp. The Dodds was recently restored at Pilgrims (the makers of my own harp) and it is always lovely to see old instruments brought back to their former glory, and more importantly, being played and heard!

Dodds

Erard

One of the security team came over wanting a go so as I was almost in position I ended up giving her a very quick lesson. She enjoyed making a sound but her was restricted by her immensely long nails. I did fear she might do some damage, either to the nails or worse to one of the strings!

Bonnie, Rosie and friend Rachel returned and played a few pieces, solo and then a trio and other people stopped by wither to listen, chat or have a go. Dad Richard was also around and I noticed he had the perfect t-shirt. Apparently I was not the first to say to him "I want one of those for my roadie!" I now doubt that I will be the last either!

Just as I was leaving some friends of the girls arrived, at least one of whom was a harpist, so the playing continued. Their harp interests are not just in historic harps as Bonnie has been working on electronic looping techniques with her harp so I was given a link to listen to. I hope to hear more about that in the future. Many thanks to Nyree and the girls for being so welcoming and letting me play, and for taking the photo of me. I hope they raise a good amount for Diabetes UK!

Harps at the Grafton Centre and Fête de la Musique

The summer always brings a mix of outdoor festivals, fetes and open-air concerts. There are at least two free events going on this weekend. On Saturday two young harpists will be playing at the Grafton Centre in Cambridge from 9am to 4pm (or until blisters permit!). Bonnie and Rosie, two of Rohan's pupils, will be raising money for Diabetes UK and will have two historic harps with them. One is a recently restored 200 year old Dodds pedal harp. They have a JustGiving site if you do want to support them.
Http://www.justgiving.com/harpsisters
Then the big event is in Saffron Walden this Sunday 21 June. The Fête de la Musique is a free festival that takes place on Midsummer's day in over 90 countries. This is the first time Saffron Walden has held such an event. The finishing touches are being added to the programme and final preparations are being made to the venues. The three main organisers Isabella, Pat and Louise are working non-stop to ensure the smooth running of the day. The publicity campaign has been building up and Pat has already mentioned me in a BBC Essex Radio interview, although not by name she hastened to add, having mentioned the sorts of acts that were on she said "we've even got a roving harpist!". I will add that to my C.V.

Preparation for my little performances are going well and I think I have decided on a running order. As well as entertaining the crowds of Saffron Walden I am aiming to get a couple of play-throughs of two of my grade 6 pieces and a piece I am hoping to play at a family wedding in August. I have to remember not to take them too fast, and to leave them until later in a set as my fingers need to have warmed up. I do think I have enough music to be able to go on for two half-hour sessions before I will need to repeat any of my programme so that is a step up from the last few events I have done.

I have three venues, starting at 12 in the Courtyard, then at 1pm I move to the Adnams Cellar. After conducting Walden Winds outside the Museum at 2:30 I have a break until 4:50 where I head to the Cross Keys so I finish my set in the local tavern. I couldn't have planned it better myself! I will be roving with a glamourous assistant as I have the support of one of the many volunteers, John, who will be helping me cart all of my gear from venue to venue.

There are plenty of other groups, all listed on the website, but I should give a special plug to the Grand Finale performance which will be in the Market Square from 7 to 8:30pm. The Reavey Brothers and Friends include Tom who plays in the band Mind The Gap! They were the final band to play at mine and Chris's wedding in August 2012. Dance along to a mix of soul, funk, disco, boogie-woogie and ska.

The programme and a map are downloadable from here...:
http://www.saffronwaldenartstrust.co.uk/fete-de-la-musique/

...and there is more information on the website about the day. I hope to see some of you there!

Fête de la musique - Saturday 21 June, Saffron Walden

Part of the preparation for any exam or performance requires a practise performance in a relaxed setting and I have a fabulous opportunity to perform at a festival taking place in June. The Fête de la Musique, a free music festival, is taking place in Saffron Walden on 21 June and gives local amateur musicians the opportunity to perform at various sites across the town. The festival takes place on 21 June each year (or when the day falls on a Sunday) and now over 400 cities are now involved. It started in France in 1982 and aims to bring free music to people all across the planet. Walden Winds will be performing on the bandstand and I will be doing two sets on the harp. I have started revising my favourite pieces to get my set list in order and will add two of my grade 6 pieces (Scarlatti and Manha de Carnaval) as they would be just right for open air performance.

There are over 70 groups or acts and 290 performers taking part and I will be appearing in The Courtyard from 12 to 12:30, then outside the Adnams shop from 1 to 1:20. I will then be appearing with Walden Winds on the Bandstand in Jubilee Gardens from 2:30pm.

http://www.saffronwaldenartstrust.co.uk/fete-de-la-musique/

April and May update

It has taken a while but I have finally got myself into a practise routine and have made the entry for grade 6 so there's no turning back now. Progress is really steady with just small improvements every week or so. There is a lot to get through so I tend to spend a few days focussing on one piece and one exercise then when I have had enough of that I turn my attention to another piece and exercise. I think ideally I should be working on all three pieces and all three studies, maybe to different extents every time I practise, but it feels like such hard work that I lose enthusiasm if I overdo it. However the sponsors have been great for keeping going and there have been two more since the Reunion concert and I dedicate the whole of April's practise to my partner in various forms of musical crime Caroline. As well as music Caroline and I have an interest in miniatures and we met up to go to the Doll's House exhibition at the V&A Museum of Childhood. An fascinating collection! May's practise goes to Susan, another Palace Band member. A few weeks ago Susan and I went to see the clarinettist Martin Frost. Schubert, Schumann and a modern piece which ended with a bass drum being struck by Frost. Very theatrical!

Miniature Music at the V&A Museum of Childhood

Also on my list of dedicatees is Celia George, the photographer who was at the GOAT Reunion concert. I made a donation to MSF in return for two photos she took of me in rehearsal. She is a photographer working in Essex and other parts of Anglia. More details at www.colourfullifephotography.com/

Clueless in Competition rehearsal

There has been another exam result in from the Grade-One-A-Thon. Saxophonist and Ska specialist Liz passed her grade 1 trombone with flying colours. She even played her trombone on a couple of gigs in the build-up to the exam!

While the grade-one-a-thon is replaced by other happenings and events the MSF are still working across the planet in areas that you or I would probably never dream of going to. I have received the latest copy of their journal Dispatches which contains reports from those right on the front lines of various campaigns. It is a mixture of amazing success and utter despair and tragedy with all the emotions taken to their extremes. As well as ebola diseases such as tuberculosis and malaria along with injuries in conflict zones are the most mentioned. In one part of Papua New Guinea medical staff can't reach some TB patients because the rivers are filled with crocodiles and taking a boat is too dangerous. The solution appears to be a sort of drone which can be sent to a community and returned with samples for testing. They have now sent teams to Nepal to try and help victims of the devastating earthquakes earlier in May. Their work continues and any donations in return for my efforts on the harp are very welcome indeed!