21/4/09

So last update was Friday...Saturday was final rehearsals with Sam and Julie and coming home to practice afterwards. Also was a day of settling back into my own 'house' now the guests have left. Though I've barely unpacked - it seems a bit pointless as I have so little time left but I'm going to have a big empty of the suitcase and decide what to throw away day, maybe at the weekend.

But down to the exciting stuff - it was our Visiting Teachers Concert on Sunday, us 4 shared with Marcel Worms who has been doing masterclasses at KMS the past week. He did the first half and we did the 2nd. He's an awesome pianist. Basically he's got a project called 'New Blues' where he's got composers from all round the world to compose his a piece expressing their version of the blues from that country. So there was some awesome harmonics stuff, one where he had a shaker attached to his ankle and a drum between his knees and played all three (inc the piano) simutaneously! Amazing stuff! Our half was after a drinks break and it went pretty well. Only one little slip up in my solo which is a bit annoying but sort of to be expected I guess. And the duets went well. And we ended up playing 2 jazz encore pieces which is a very good sign! So all good fun. At the end Mr Yiga gave his usual speech except this time it was more interesting because he thanked each of us personally and Julie, Carys and I (the ones that are leaving) all got given presents! I got a gorgeous pair of earrings and a really soft lovely shawl, Carys got flip flops (people always make fun of her shoes!) and Julie, a bag. It's so nice that they got us individual things. Afterwards we all went out for pork which was yummmy! So it was a good day and fun evening.

Monday morning I was up quite early to go to the salon where I got my hair braided! Was quite painful and took a long time, but I'm finally getting used to it... It would surprise me the whole day yesterday when I saw my reflection. But toda someone said I look like Alicia Keys which makes me feel better! Not sure it will stay in until I get home as there are a couple that the knots have already started to come undone but we'll see. In the evening Marcel was doing a full cncert at the French Ambassadors again, basically played the same as Sunda but with some more. He's so fantastic! I'm definitely going to try to get some of his cds off the internet. One of those cncerts that you leave with a real buzz. Had to pinch myself that I was still in Uganda - could had been at Wigmore again! And today - just teaching this morning and relaxing/sorting out photos etc for the rest of the day. Also beginning to start thinking about my packing. Wow it's getting so close! Lots of fun to be had before then!