| | OMG....2006 International Saito Conducting Workshop goes down as the
most important, memorable, monumental event of my life up to this
point. Hands down, from now on life will be different. It was one of
the most amazing experiences to work with one of Japan's greatest
conducting teacher, Professor Morihiro Okabe, and one of Canada's
greatest music educator, Wayne Toews. Both of these people have had a
profound effect on my musical development. I had an opportunity to have
both of them sign my copy of the Saito Method book so that's my newest
treasure/prized possession. It was a very tough week to get through
though because of the scheduling. 8:30am starts everyday and ending at
9pm at night most nights. That is quite a lot of conducting per day.
Times that by 7 days in a row and you have a crazy intensive week.
Thank goodness I don't feel sore from this 6x7 hours worth of
conducting in my arm/shoulder/hand/wrist. I do come back as a better
person and conductor though. I have gotten a lot of very encouraging
comments from people including Wayne himself, who told me that I have
the technical work down, it's just a matter of building on that from
here. I think I will consider spending more time with him in Saskatoon
at some point to further my training. Who knows, maybe someday
i'll have an opportunity to go to Toho Gauken in Japan where it all
started. I did meet some Vancouver ppl while I was there, in which I
believe i've made important contacts. Gerald is from West Van and
conducts choirs and he was really impressed by my abilities and offered
me an assistant conductor position in one of his choirs. Still gotta
work that one out with him. Jim is from the military and is the band
director for the military band in Vancouver. He is considering going to
UBC for a DMA in conducting. So that's cool too. Stephen is a
composer/piano teacher and he's got skill too. Wonder what could happen
from knowing him since he's a composer. Wayne suggested a SFU prof
called Owen something..., might ask if he could teach me in Vancouver
while being away from Saskatoon. Ken Hsieh was there too. He's
assistant conductor to the VSO right now. He had some good things to
say as well which i'm happy for. Professor Okabe is like 80 something
years old but he's such a character. Hilarious sense of humour and he
dances for goodness sakes. But when he starts to teach, wow you can see
the experience in everything he does. Truly a master. What a priviledge
to have met him and work with him. I got it on video and pictures so
talk about once in a lifetime chance kinda thing. Well i'm excited cuz
I wanna keep going on this and ppl are encouraging me to continue as
well because of what they saw in my abilities this week. It really is
one of those God moments I tell you. Thinking back, how many things had
to coincide and work itself out for my to go on this. Was able to get
out of summer school one week early, found the money to pay for it,
flights was at it's cheapest (in fact right up to when i was about to
click BOOK, it cancelled and said my total $ changed and it turns out
it went even lower) c'mon...that's just toooooo cool. And my goodness,
now after I've come back, I wouldn't have let myself missed this
opportunity. Hoping that they'll do something next year in Saskatoon,
in which case i'd be going for sure. Anyways, sleep time had a long day
travelling. Update later
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| | Posted 7/30/2006 4:57 PM - 82 Views - 6 eProps - 2 comments
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