My Blog

Its down to the end of the semester. I only have one more week of "work" and then I’m off for the summer. I will still be working all summer but it will be all performing. Some teaching at a 3-week festival back here in good old Indy but that will be totally different than the school year. I’m really looking forward to it actually. Its been a good year all in all, the isolation in the midwest has been good in many ways. I’m going to be more appreciative of things in the future, like the lack of chain restaurants and going to restaurants and bars that are non-smoking. Amazing what you take for granted until you don’t have it or do.

I’m heading to Oklahoma for May and half of June to play a bunch of gigs and prepare for the Oklahoma Clarinet Symposium, aka "Dorkfest". Then I will return to Indiana until July 9 which at that point I will head back to OK for some gigs. At the end of the month I will move to Potsdam just before heading to Atlanta for the International Clarinet Association conference. I will return to Potsdam around August 14 and begin to settle in for the semester which doesn’t even start until August 28! Talk about a LONG summer!!! I love it!

Now to make some long term life plans, like recital bookings, CD projects, articles to publish, master classes and recruiting trips, whew its going to get crazy fast! I’m looking forward to settling in a place, rolling up my sleeves and getting to work. I will finally have a "home base" and not be moving around every year.

Time to get back to packing up the extra bedroom. I figure if I start now, by July I’ll have less to do. Plus I’m bored to death and packing feels very clensing.

I got the offer today! As of August 2006 I will be the Assistant Professor of Clarinet at the Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam. I can’t even express how excited I am to be moving back to NY state and to be given the opportunity to serve on the Crane faculty. I know it is a wonderful opportunity to work on the clarinet faculty there to build a strong and competative studio. I can’t wait! Now I just have to get through the summer! I have 2 conference recitals and a bunch of gigs to keep me busy so I think its going to be exciting!

I will be in Rochester for graduation in May so if you are walking - I’ll see you there!!! Needless to say this is a big weight off my shoulders and now I am just enjoying a little relaxation and family time and saving up some energy for all the travelling I will be doing this summer!

I hope everyone else is doing well! If you are ever up in the North Country don’t hesitate to contact me!

I just returned from what is termed the "North Country" or Northern New York, my interview was yesterday and it was intense. I feel fairly optimistic about it and that I did the best job I could have under the intense circumstances. It all depends on how the rapport was with the other candidate. I felt that I really connected with everyone on the committee, the students, the administration and I was so impressed by the program there. The students are so enthusiastic, inquisitive and ready to learn. It was really exciting. The faculty is very knowledgeable, kind and open and the town while small is very charming. I guess what will be will be, I had a nice visit up there and hope it works out. Otherwise - plan B, C, D…who knows.

For now - I’m exhausted, I think its sleepy time and I’m setting NO alarm tomorrow. I set it for 8:15 today and still woke up at 6:30.

GOOD NIGHT!!