Practice Journal

1 hr 54 min btsw, slurs to 70 bpm

Today I covered a lot of ground. I like that my tone is increasingly reliable and centered below the staff. I also have more stability and ease in my embouchure and airstream. I'm not sure if one of these came first, but I know that sound, stability, and relaxation all go together.

The holidays end today and work starts tomorrow. I will face the old challenge of practicing when I'm tired from working/teaching. I feel more prepared for this than earlier in the year. "Making time for practice" ... the universal challenge.

My current practice goal is a mini-recital at Carey Baptist Grammar School, date tentatively 23 October 2008. Repertoire hasn't changed in the last six weeks:

Wagner - Two Songs (The Angel, Stand Thou Still)
Galliard - Sonata II in G Major
White - Tetra Ergon (i, iv)
Guilmant - Morceau Symphonique

The target audience is high school students, so the repertoire reflects that. The Guilmant and Galliard are typical works for that age group.

Next rehearsal with piano is tomorrow. Lots of work to do!