Well Im back from Brazil where I had a fantastic time. The International Music Festival in Gramado took place last week. After a 26 hour day of getting there with two plane delays I woke up to this view from my bedroom window:
and breakfast was:
So I didnt mind too much that my luggage took two extra days to find me. After food like this I sincerely doubted my clothes would fit anyway...I immediately began looking for stores that sold affordable "stretch pants."
Teaching from 9-12 every day was so much fun. The students were of all levels from very beginning to professional level and, while I had to rely on all my ideas to help everyone, somehow we all managed to have a great time!
Another great pleasure was making so many wonderful new friends from the orchestras of Brazil who attended as faculty teachers.
We performed a chamber music/ solo concert Wednesday evening at a lovely church in the center of town. I performed Frank Levy's solo sonata and my own transcription of Summertime (since it was actually summertime there now!)
so here they are:
some press:
http://www.gramado.rs.gov.br/noticias/id/professor-americano-de-viola-visita-a-prefeitura-de-gramado
Each evening a concert took place in the outdoor Galleria in downtown Gramado where the young children gave concerts of both classical and folk music. The audiences were so appreciative!
So many incredible meals we had! Great lunches from traditional Italian immigrant style food to evening fondue restaurants! Its a minor miracle I could actually fit into my airplane seat home!
The final event was the festival orchestra performance, led by the charismatic Maestro Linus Lerner. He led the orchestra in a week-long intensive journey of orchestra playing and did a spectacular job in the final performance!
I thoroughly enjoyed performing Bruch's Romance for Viola and Orchestra with these lovely people!
here is a rough video of the performance:
To be able to travel and perform beautiful music as well as pass on what I have learned to eager students, there is no greater way to spend a week! I look very much forward to my return!
A warm thanks goes out to the administration staff , the amazing faculty and guest artists, the incredible conductor and most importantly the founders of this festival Leandro and Allan!
with Allan the Founder of the festival
with Maestro Linus Lerner
with some of the amazing administration
Hope to see you all very soon!
Brett
Sounds like a mutual blessing - you to be there and them to have you!
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