swing away

Here I am again. Someday I will get back into this whole blogging thing. Jack says he misses my blog, so I know there is at least one reader out there!

What's new here? It's almost Easter, which means plenty of work at church. I'll be over there today getting things ready to go, so I can simply get ready in the morning and show up, instead of showing up at 6am and racing around to get things ready to go. Getting up early on Sundays can be brutal. Plus, I always have the following conversation with the Semi Stoned, Yet Really Annoying Starbucks Guy:

SSYRASG: Good morning! Welcome to Starbucks! Can I interest you in a Grande Chocolate 'n Niblets Latte to start off your day?

ME: Um, no thanks. I'll take a tall coffee with light cream

SSYRASG: Would you like a low fat cheesecake pop or a lemon poppyseed cluster to nibble on this morning?

ME: No thanks. Just the coffee

Then I drive around to get my coffee. Because up until a week ago it was winter-y, my skis and ski gear live in the car, in case of spontaneous skiing adventures.

SSYRASG: I see you are going skiing this morning!

ME: (Note: It is 6 in the morning, pitch black, and I am wearing a dressy outfit) Nope! Just headed off to church! (like I do EVERY Sunday when we have this conversation!!!)

The most recent development in my life has been my decision to apply for the job of Music Director for the Boise Philharmonic Youth Orchestra. The qualifications they are looking for include

1) A masters degree in conducting

2) Be a violinist

3) A history of working with youth

Well! I am only qualified on 1/3 of the criteria! Why not apply?

You can't hit a home run unless you swing, so I sent in all my application materials. I had to come up with conducting footage, so I bribed a bunch of friends to get together and play a couple things. The "Beer Symphony Orchestra" recorded The Magic Flute and a couple of Bartok dances. Nothing amazing, but if you can't conduct something basic, there's no way you can conduct something really complicated.

I think if I can get to the part in the audition process where you get to actually rehearse the orchestra, I have a pretty good chance to win the job. It's just getting all parties involved in the decision making to take me seriously. Which may be challenging, since I don't really take myself too seriously.

We will see what happens next! Stay tuned!