"You close in two weeks." "F*ck!"

[jaala]

Stephen Hatfield, a man who is talented and ebullient practically to the supernatural point (not to mention a flamboyant performer), visited Kingston. He worked with the Queen's Choral Ensemble for one rehearsal, and worked with then led the Cantabile choirs at their first concert of the season (which I saw).

Choral Ensemble director (straight but delightfully flamboyant himself at times): "Contrary to what the women's chorus says, Stephen and I did not go out dancing on Sunday."

*

Once we got our rehearsal schedule and I realized how many conflicts there were with my existing schedule, I had to quit the opera chorus. (I also realized that even if the rehearsals had not conflicted with QMT and church choir commitments, I simply can't handle eight more hours of rehearsal per week.) Bah. Though she doesn't need more ASMs, the Stage Manager knows I want to do something to help out so she'll pass my name around to all the design/tech/computer/publicity people. (Or at least she says she'll let everyone know...)

*
A raccoon fell from a nearby tree onto the roof of our house. Several hours passed before I realized the scrabbling noise on my window was the sound of an incredibly fat raccoon attempting to climb down it. As I watched the silhouette in the dark, he/she did eventually muster up the courage to make a leap of faith back into the tree.

*

Crazy for You is progressing quite nicely; it's beginning to remind me of the productions by my arts high school musical theatre class. (*sigh* Wow, I miss those.) The musical director actually makes the orchestra and cast fix problems. There is the fact that I could do a better English accent [in my sleep] than the two people playing "English" characters, but we'll let that pass.

*

Tracy Michalidis and Michael Therriault (think Stratford Festival, The Producers...) were special guests in DRAM 216: Musical Theatre and the Drama department student council invited other students to come watch... and even though I'm not in the QMT cast I still got the forwarded message... so of course, I went! We learned all sorts of fascinating inside information about the musical theatre world. (I love that stuff!) For instance: when playing a role in a big-time production that has already been created by someone else (usually on Broadway), the actors are required to replicate the original stage movement by following a grid on the stage; typical notes are things like, "You need to be more on C2." Ick.

It was an added bonus to get to hear the professor's lecture about the history of Canadian musical theatre. I found it amusing that the actors paid more attention to the lecture than many of the students in the class. They could answer questions better too. Actually, I could answer many of the questions. Is that frightening?

The subject line was Mr. Therriault's summary of his response when he found out The Producers was closing two months earlier than planned. Another interesting exchange...

Prof: "And can you tell me who won the Dora award this year for best actor in a musical?"
Tracy: "Oh! You're making him blush!"
a couple of girls in the class (quietly): "Awww..."

*

Other drama news: I saw the Drama Department's fantastic production of Ben Jonson's Volpone. Unfortunately, none of the photos on the drama website convey Mosca's devilish charm, nor the nimble way he commanded the entire stage. His performance was the highlight of the piece amidst many other very strong performances.

There were a lot of closing night pranks that were really obvious to the audience. This was fine during the comedy scenes so long as it didn't disrupt the flow of the action too much. Unfortunately, it rather wrecked the gravitas of the climax of one of the few serious scenes in the play. At least the actors made an admirable effort to stay in character even as they were goofing off...

*

I was an usher at Angela Hewitt's concert here (inaugurating our new grand piano), which unfortunately meant that I had to miss most of the first half. Her rendition of the slow movements of Beethoven's Sonata in D major (Op. 10, No. 3) and Appassionata sonata were sublime. It was physically impossible to keep from weeping.

*

Mid-terms:
Introduction to Islam - 90%
Vocal Techniques - 85%
Ear Training - 97%
Medieval Music - 42%

I studied the most consistently and intensely for the latter exam. Notice any disparity?

*

The Choral Ensemble concert took place last night. It's indescribable joy being part of a good choir again. Mum came to visit me yet again and see the concert, stayed the night, and helped out with some chores and errands. (My, but she's well trained!) She says she quite enjoyed the concert; she also says our pitch was good in the a cappella pieces, and she's a cello player. I thought it went pretty well too.

*

A friend of mine , another transfer music student (new this year) from a Maritime university, wants to start up a folk music group. Nifty! He recently became a fan of Stan Rogers, a topic of much geekery between us.

In Atlantic Canada, everybody at least knows who Stan Rogers is. Dr. E once instructed the vocal jazz group, "You know! Stan Rogers! Hhhuh!" Around here... Dr. Sirett (abovementioned Choral Ensemble director) is a Stan Rogers fan and a couple people at the Fort knew part of the chorus of "Barrett's Privateers".

*

Two major papers are due on Monday. I'm doomed.

Comments

[michaelsjournal.livejournal.com]

You mean there are Canadians who don't know who Stan Rogers is?! What kind of traitorous bastards are they?

Also, by now you should know better than studying intensely and consistently -- it'll just stress you out, and then you'll get jittery and nervous. That's what happens to me, anyway, so I don't study anymore.

Thank you for updating. I'll sleep soundly tonight.

Incidentally, when are you off for Christmas? If you're willing to come down to Toronto, and scheduling permitting, we should go otu for dinner, and maybe something at the Performing Arts Centre. If you're especially charming, I'll even forget to ask you to pay me back for the tickets.

I'm curious about the disability services issue. Let me know what happens with that...

[chryckie.livejournal.com]

Canadian... Stan Rogers?
*reads*
Nope.