Quote of the Week

Nothing is more admirable than the fortitude with which millionaires tolerate the disadvantages of their wealth.
- Rex Stout
When a thing ceases to be a subject of controversy, it ceases to be a subject of interest.
- William Hazlitt
Any intelligent fool can make things bigger, more complex, and more violent. It takes a touch of genius -- and a lot of courage -- to move in the opposite direction.
- EF Schumacher
Me no Genius
- BassBassDude

SPO Rehearsal

This rehearsal went a lot better and with a lot more members present. From my perspective, I felt I kept up very well and I'm finding that I can hold my own with a bit of confidence. I just have to be careful that I don't stick out like a sore thumb in my section and try to create a nice tone. Overall, I'm happy with the way things are going and look forward to the next rehearsal and the following concert on February 4th.

Quote of the Week

Laws are like sausages. It's better not to see them being made.
- Otto von Bismarck
Don't knock the weather. If it didn't change once in a while, nine out of ten people couldn't start a conversation.
- Kin Hubbard
Nine out of ten people would agree that you cannot trust stats.
- BassBassDude
A conference is a gathering of important people who singly can do nothing, but together can decide that nothing can be done.
- Fred Allen

Yoshihiro Gavotte-Rondeau from Partitas J.S.Bach by Solo Double bass

I enjoy watching this player's energy.


From what I understand, Yoshihiro doesn't read music. Fun watching, though.

visit www.youtube.com

Quote of the Week

Rage is the only quality which has kept me, or anybody I have ever studied, writing columns for newspapers.
- Jimmy Breslin
Love is not blind - it sees more, not less. But because it sees more, it is willing to see less.
- Rabbi Julius Gordon
Man is the only animal that laughs and has a state legislature.
- Samuel Butler
Man, am I tired
- BassBassDude

Rehearsal Recap

With winter finally arriving last night in Toronto, it made for my very first Scarborough Philharmonic Orchestra to be very interesting. Last night's snowfall proved to be tough for many of the orchestra members to venture through and were unable to make it to the first rehearsal of the year. Having so many people away was only one of last night's obstacles. The concert coming up is a Pops concert. Unfortunately, a good selection of music parts were missing and so we had to pass on a number of songs. From my perspective, sight-reading music was not and is still not my forte. Being a Pops concert, I thought that I would be able to get through with no trouble at all; I was mistaken. The music moves quickly with many key changes and tempo changes. Although I had dropped many notes, I still felt as though I was doing well. At least I know where my weaknesses are. Since moving into fifths, my strength lies in the key of C, F and G. When the songs quickly moved into Db and Ab, I found myself taking a few 'mental breaks'. Anyway, I had a good time and I will sound better next week.

Quote of the Week

"First you're an unknown, then you write one book and you move up to obscurity."
- Martin Myers
"Just because you can write a book, doesn't necessarily mean that you can read."
- BassBassDude
"By all means marry; if you get a good wife, you'll be happy. If you get a bad one, you'll become a philosopher."
- Socrates
"I can think of nothing less pleasurable than a life devoted to pleasure."
- John D. Rockefeller

An Inconveninent Truth

Over the weekend, I had the opportunity to watch "An Inconvenient Truth". If you haven't had a chance to watch it, you owe it to yourself to watch this film. I've always been a supporter of having a better environment, but it seems that more action needs to be taken by every one and should be taken seriously. Arguments opposed to global warming and the increase of CO2 in the earth's atmosphere are handedly squashed within this film. From a purely production level, it is interesting how the film was put together. Within three days, crews worked to put together a make-shift forum and shot Al Gore's presentation as a live television production.

Visit climatecrisis.net

Coming Up... Practice

Well, this weekend I'll basically be working on the exercises that I had before here. Also, This Monday will be my first Scarborough Philharmonic Orchestra. We'll be working on a Pops concert that will be coming up in February. More on these and other events in the near future.

Amateur - Lasse Gjertsen

I just thought this was pretty funny and cool.



The magic of editing.

Happy New Year!

Here's to the year that has passed and to the one that holds much promise. Happy New Year!