Now it’s only a week till Christmas! Time is flying! I’m heading back home on Wednesday and will hopefully after two days of travelling make it to Föhr in one piece on Friday afternoon.
This week the weather was even worse and it’s one of these weeks you’re better off staying inside. Nevertheless I managed to get some stuff done, starting with a super interesting meeting with the manager of a festival here on Uist. The amount of information I got through this was incredible and I am extremely grateful for the opportunity. It is so helpful having someone who has already done it for a few years telling you all the things you need to look out for and keep in mind. The good thing about this festival here is that the basics are almost the same as at home. Because Föhr is an island as well, it will have the same issues and advantages as the festival here and there is a lot of similarities in the organization which is very beneficial because it means I can take this festival as an example but still make my own thing. Now, with all these information, I am prepared to go back home and tell people about the idea, get people involved and start of the whole thing! Can’t bloody wait! There are a lot of new ideas that came with that, which will be more organization, more time consuming BUT totally worth it! So keep an eye out for more details that will probably start off in the New Year. Let’s do this!
Tuesday, even though the weather was still incredible horrible, we had a wonderful gaelic singing workshop and because the weather didn’t stop being horrible the next day it was a day to stay inside. As for my goals for the week I did quite alright I suppose. I managed to write out all the tunes I was planning on so now it’s only one more choir piece I need to work on, but it’s not needed just now but next spring, which means there is still time and I can relax now! Although I must say writing out music is one of my favourite things to do to be honest! Most of the tunes I learn by ear, so sheet music is not necessary but sometimes it’s helpful to have it. The tunes I wrote down I didn’t even got taught by someone but I picked them up from a recording. It’s funny because even though you know exactly how to play the piece, writing the music out is a different thing! It takes a lot longer than you think, figuring out the exact time signature and the length of the notes. But then in the end, seeing the whole piece, what a nice feeling! Writing harmonies is a similar thing but in my eyes even more difficult because you don’t just have a melody line but three other harmonies that need to all fit together and support the melody line but shouldn’t steal the “spotlight” from the melody line. It took me a while to get round that and find suitable harmony lines but I managed quite alright and it is very satisfactory hearing the whole piece in the end. Really excited for it to be performed now! I hope to get the piece in the repertoire of our choir for the June concert next year. Let’s see!
My other plan for this week was to get the mixing of the recordings done, which I …. didn’t do. I don’t even know why but I suppose I just had a really chilled week and stayed in because of the weather so yeah here we are. Never mind. The plans are to do it today and we’ll see whether that will work out or not.
Friday a friend organized a lovely Open House party at hers that ended with some great folk and good tunes and the craic continued on Saturday when we went to the Cidsin in Grimsay, for the Boat Haven Open Day. It’s lovely to see so many folk coming together and what a great atmosphere with some great tunes! Good times!
You won’t believe this BUT I have not watched a single Christmas movie! Unbelievable I know. Therefore I finished the series I started on Netflix recently and I can’t believe it’s over now. Do you know that feeling when you are really addicted to a series and can’t stop watching it but then you also don’t want it to be over? Well yeah I finished my series yesterday and now I don’t know what to do with my life. Right ok, it’s maybe not that bad because there is tons of other series on Netflix I haven’t seen, but I think you get the point.
Another thing that kind of really turns all my plans upside down, is that when I get home I will play organ in at least two church services on Christmas Day and a few more piano and organ things during Christmas and New Year, which I didn’t know until last week. Our choir conductor and organist had an accident and is not able to play organ for the next few weeks which means there needs to be some replacement especially during the festive season, which is where I come in. This means tons of chorals and pieces to practise on both organ and piano for next week. I thought I would come home for two weeks to get some relaxing days, but clearly not. On the other hand, what would life be without a full diary eh? Current two week holiday status at home: two days without any appointments.
That’s me done! Ready for holidays (well more or less) now and some quality time at home! I will see yous on the other side. I will probably not write another blog before Christmas but will definitely write one blog during the Christmas and New Year time.
The same procedure as every year Miss Sophie? The same procedure as every year James!
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year everyone!
Lots of love, take care &
Cheerio bye,
Emilia
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