Curry Mile

Wow its the end of a really interesting week:) Have been taking it a bit easy this week but now that I know what is expected have to get moving. Need to spend at least an hour a day looking at music. With all the language song classes, I will bring in some old repertoire for now and then start looking at new things esp things to do for the mini recital I'm planning mid 2006. Maybe some American music?

We've been working hard on Beethoven's 9th and after rehearsal last night I joined a couple of the singers for a drink at the uni bar. Some suggested curry for we went down to Rusholme's "curry mile" which has the largest concentration of Indian eateries in the UK . We ate alike pigs and had a great time getting to know each other. Really lovely folk. Went back home and crashed at another scottish girl friend's room for some hot chocolate and a chat. Hmmm gotta watch those calories....I know I know....will try and post some photos next week.

Have got a cheap bus ticket to London for seven pounds return so will be going up this weekend to visit my aunt and family. After that must concentrate on building repertoire....

Parlez Vous Francais?

Nearly through my first week of lessons. Its really intense. Now I know why the course is so expensive. Its really full of lessons and chances to sing for different teachers. We have our normal lessons once a week and I meet my teacher for the first time yesterday. She seems really nice and also picked up quickly on some of my bad habits. Also we have song classes in French , German, English and Italian so we have a chance to sing something.Plenty of opportunity to get help but must be brave enough to stand up and sing in front of your coursemates.Most of whom are really very good. I sang my habanera at one of the team voice classes and the teacher had a lot to say about my French. I guess I've been going by what I hear rather than studying the actual phonetic sounds of the language. Think its going to be my biggest challenge learning to pronounce the words in the diff languages correctly. Will concentrate on Italian and French this year and hopefully German and maybe Russian next year. The long and short of it is plenty of hard work and daily practice.

Beginning to feel at home

Singing for the board went ok. Was a little nervous and so voice could have been more projected but they were very encouraging and said there was good potential to be developed. Felt better after hearing that. Must work hard this year to get good enough to try for some of the opera roles in the college productions next term.

After a week of lugging heavy bags and hunting all over the city for things I needed , my apartment finally feels like a home. Ready now to face the first week of term. Already getting a stream of emails about practice schedules and music to prepare for upcoming classes. Went gallivanting around the city with a coursemate today which was nice. Home now and am about to start cooking..yes..I know...quite proud of my survival skills. Most of what I've drummed up on the stove has been quite tasty if I may say so myself. Am starting to work off my bursary tomorrow from 10-6 manning the desk and taking down names for the string auditions:) Which means I will miss church.

I went to the main cathedral in the city for service last Sunday. It was beautiful church (with no heating so it was really cold inside.There was a lovely boys choir tho. Was very traditional and the sermon was good but ....just did not feel like fit. Asked the pastor if he knew of any charasmatic churches and got a blank look. Generally not many people here go to church at all. sigh....also before service, a scruffy couple came and asked me for money in the church itself. claimed it was to feed the poor...hmmm...not a good sign. Gave them 2 pounds and committed it to God. Otherwise not a single person came up to say hello.

Praying for a good church.Theres a new church I want to visit that not far from our college...they were handing out leaflets on the main oxford road...guess it'll have to wait till next weekend. Also need to find a weekend to go down to London and visit my aunt

Orientation week

Wow! its a lot like uni in some ways but way more presurizing in others. We were all a little lost at first so we got to meet each other quickly trying to share info and get around. Its really people of all shapes and sizes from all over the world. And since we are all musicians, its generally a mix of quite outgoing characters. Folks also dress up a lot more at the conservartory. Esp the singers. No tshirts and jeans!The staff are quite friendly and are ready to talk to us about what we need to do. Which by the way is quite a lot.
Got my timetable today and its full. Am singing for the vocal and opera staff on fri and am quite nervous. I booked a practice room today and tried out the arias. Keep telling myself to just do my best and that's all I can do for now. This week has been quite demanding. Aside from setting up house, I have to select all my academic modules, register, set up my bank account. On top of everything else, I found out that I need to send in my registration for the masters course by the 1st of Oct to be considered. Phew, but I like hectic and am excited about the courses I picked and can't wait to start next week. Meeting my voice teacher next week for the first time too.
Been oo busy to attend the orientation parties but doubt many of the postgrads will have to time to go too. The weather has been really nice and cool not too cold...long may it last...

phew! I'm back on line

I'm back and in manchester. Took a while to get my internet sorted out in my room. Its a nice room took quite a few trips to the shops to get all the stuff i need. Pots pans, toiletries etc but I'm finally all settled into my room:) still finding places for odds and ends so its a little messy but here it is....

3,2,1, take off

Well, it finally here. I'm leaving for RNCM and my postgrad dip in 2 hours. Kinda tied up with the final packing and good bye phone calls. not freaking out yet. Hope the boxes get there ok and that the room is fine. Have to rush out and buy a quilt and pillow... and hairdryer. Have the weekend to sort the rest of the unpacking out. Term starts on Monday. Looks like it will take a week or two to organise my internet connection so will have to go cold turkey from my email etc...how will I last:)

Lots of hugs to judes for the help with the DHL. Saved 75% . The NJ girls also out together the sweetest collage for me to take with me. Lots of people also coming down to the airport to send me off. So touched. Must do them proud.

Nearly on TV

Got a call that we would be on tv tonight as aca fest would be featured on channel news asia. So rushed home to catch the half hour show. Sat through golf tournament results and male pole dancers at a shopping centre. Then the show ended. Sheesh...they must have cut our segment... how dare they...hmmm...maybe its tomorrow???

Aca Fest 2005

Upbeat is singing for A Capella Fest 2005. 3 songs from our prev concert. Am doing the show and then rushing to a classical concert at NAFA featuring SY and NY. Will I make it there in time? Let you know later. On a brighter note, get a chance to wear me pretty new black dress. Had it made for the Beethoven's 9th in Manchester. What can I say... one of my fav parts of performing is the pretty outfits.

Bye bye car

Boo Hoo sold off my darling lime green Renault today. Will miss her dearly...Handing over the keys on Monday so have a few days left with my girl. Finished stuffing everything into the 6 dhl boxes..phew..No gotta send them off and hopefully get them on the fri I get there as planned. Its just next week....wow! so far so good. anyhow gotta sort out some orientation mail for freshies week. good grief...feel like a teenager.

News on my Teacher

Finally got a letter about who my new teacher will be. Shes a british soprano called Lynne Dawson. So exciting. Have decided to sing the
(1)Habanera) Bizet - From the Opera Carmen
(2)Chacun A Son Gout (Prince Orlofsky's Song) J. Strauss - From the Opera Die Fledermaus
for the board at the RNCM when I go. Hope it goes well.

Met up with old friends from my NJ choir days for seafood yesterday. Always great to meet up and catch up. They've been so supportive. Coming for all my concerts and shows. So blessed:)