Hello All,
These last few days in Pittsburgh have gone quick. Friday night, Kylee and I went to the Three Rivers Arts Festival to hear Carolina Chocolate Drops. For a free concert they were excellent. I had heard them before on Spotify and they are a talented folk group based out of North Carolina. Much of their music is based on folk, bluegrass, and country music, though they cover many other genres. I will definitely continue to listen to them.
Saturday morning, I had my last lesson with Pete, my teacher at Carnegie Mellon. It was a good lesson, as I wanted to play a few things for him before heading off to Masterworks. I tell ya, it has been a great two years studying with him. Four years ago, I went to his house to take a lesson during Thanksgiving, then came again around Easter time, then attended CMU for my Master’s. He’s the biggest reason for me coming to Pittsburgh, and my time studying with him has been better than expected. I have received a lot from his coachings and even more so from hearing his playing. (I personally think he has the best Bolero out there). It also has been a real treat to be around other members of the PSO brass section. Such a tremendous amount of knowledge within this group, this it’s hard to top a better place for education.
Saturday evening, Kylee and I went to here the Pittsburgh Symphony perform some Strauss and Brahms.
Til Eulenspiegel
Death and Transfiguration
Brahms Violin Concerto in D (Joshua Bell, soloist)
Don Juan
Talk about some heavy metal music! Very powerful moments during the concert! The ending of “Death” was so inspiring, and I’m looking forward to playing it at Masterworks. The Brahms is still my favorite violin concerto all around. It was the first non-trombone concerto I listened to when I was a kid, and it’s still a gorgeous piece! Hearing this orchestra is a real treat, not just because they play awesomely loud, but because they are so musical! It keeps my dream of being in an orchestra very high.
This morning, Kylee and I went to our church one last time. Ironically, this was the first time we were able to go together as a married couple on a Sunday (the past year, we would go on Saturday evenings so I could gig at another church on Sundays). And man o man, I am definitely glad to call Allegheny Center Alliance Church my home church in Pittsburgh. It’s mission describes the church best: “Following Jesus in Diverse Community.” Pastor Rock Dillaman has been there for 28 years and is doing a great work leading that church while reaching the North Shore. It is safe to say that he is my favorite pastor, and I will continue to listen to his messages via podcast.
Whelp, time to continue packing and getting ready for a great summer at Masterworks!
From
Jer
Micah 6:8