Sometimes I wonder how I get to this point in the year. March is usually the height of the school year, when there is a performance or recital at every turn. Expectations are high, hearts are anxious for the rush that spring is about to provide. It can be an emotionally toiling month for some. Taxes are coming due, weather is still very unpredictable, and gig season is usually picking up for many musicians. So much is happening, and there is not enough time to get though it all.
I have found a few things that have helped me get through the madness that is March, and I wanted to share them with you.
REACH OUT TO FRIENDS AND FAMILY. If you are one who is often entrenched in the depths of your own work, take the time to call a friend or relative, even if it is only for a few minutes. Find someone who is going to make you laugh, who might have a few words of encouragement if you are feeling distressed or run down. Don't wait for that person to call you, make the call yourself. One might ask, does texting suffice? NO!!!! Texting is something that many of us now do on a regular basis, but a phone call is far more intimate. It is something that will likely be mutually beneficial to both ends of the conversation.
(Photo by Jiyang Chen)
EXERCISE. If March is a hectic time for you, be sure to pencil in a bit of time to walk, jog, go for a bike ride, sneak into the back of a yoga class, dance a bit. If you are someone who is trapped in the library, locked in a practice room, sneak out for ten or fifteen minutes, especially if it is a sunny day. Your body and brain will thank you for the much needed break.
TREAT YOURSELF. Treating yourself does not mean running down your debit card at your favorite store. It could mean investing in a comfy pair of slippers, or grabbing a piece of chocolate, or meeting with a friend or loved one. It might even mean getting that set of new strings that you have been wanting to try out on your instrument. Paraphrasing a line from Fiddler on the Roof, "even a poor violist deserves a little bit of happiness in this lifetime." You might ask, do exercise and treating yourself cancel each other out? No! The two may or may not happen on the same day. Treating yourself to the fuzzy socks will not add to your calorie count for the day (the chocolate might, but you will likely be ok if you eat it in moderation.)
SLEEP. This last one might be more for myself than for anyone else. Given the stress levels that often take place when the school year ramps up, it is easy to push yourself to the limit. Practice that extra hour! Work on that movement in your chamber music rehearsal one more time! Push yourself that extra mile on the run, the next 5K is coming up! One more episode of Comedians With Cars... (one of my vices) But are you balancing the extra exertion with a consistent sleep pattern? The amount of time that a person needs will vary, but it is imperative that you continue to give your body the chance to rest and recharge.
These are all things that are valuable as aim to get through the month of March. These are certainly things that I will be doing as I get through an intense performing schedule. (Please take a look below!)
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The third recital (which also happens to be my last degree recital at the CUNY Graduate Center) will take place at the Elebash Recital Hall at the CUNY Graduate Center, at 5th and 34th Street in Manhattan. The performance will be Monday, April 4, 2016, at 7:30 PM. https://www.facebook.com/
I have found a few things that have helped me get through the madness that is March, and I wanted to share them with you.
REACH OUT TO FRIENDS AND FAMILY. If you are one who is often entrenched in the depths of your own work, take the time to call a friend or relative, even if it is only for a few minutes. Find someone who is going to make you laugh, who might have a few words of encouragement if you are feeling distressed or run down. Don't wait for that person to call you, make the call yourself. One might ask, does texting suffice? NO!!!! Texting is something that many of us now do on a regular basis, but a phone call is far more intimate. It is something that will likely be mutually beneficial to both ends of the conversation.
(Photo by Jiyang Chen)
TREAT YOURSELF. Treating yourself does not mean running down your debit card at your favorite store. It could mean investing in a comfy pair of slippers, or grabbing a piece of chocolate, or meeting with a friend or loved one. It might even mean getting that set of new strings that you have been wanting to try out on your instrument. Paraphrasing a line from Fiddler on the Roof, "even a poor violist deserves a little bit of happiness in this lifetime." You might ask, do exercise and treating yourself cancel each other out? No! The two may or may not happen on the same day. Treating yourself to the fuzzy socks will not add to your calorie count for the day (the chocolate might, but you will likely be ok if you eat it in moderation.)
SLEEP. This last one might be more for myself than for anyone else. Given the stress levels that often take place when the school year ramps up, it is easy to push yourself to the limit. Practice that extra hour! Work on that movement in your chamber music rehearsal one more time! Push yourself that extra mile on the run, the next 5K is coming up! One more episode of Comedians With Cars... (one of my vices) But are you balancing the extra exertion with a consistent sleep pattern? The amount of time that a person needs will vary, but it is imperative that you continue to give your body the chance to rest and recharge.
These are all things that are valuable as aim to get through the month of March. These are certainly things that I will be doing as I get through an intense performing schedule. (Please take a look below!)
_______________________________________________________________________________
Tomorrow, March 3, 2016, at 7:30 PM, I will be performing with the New York Concert Artists at Merkin Concert Hall at 129 W 67th St, in Manhattan. The pieces that will be performed will include Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 4 with pianist Rachel Cheung, Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 2 with pianist Vyacheslav Gryaznov, and Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 1- pianist Danilo Mascetti. All pieces will be conducted by Eduard Zilberkant.
Later this month, I will be leading the viola section of the Hudson Valley Philharmonic, at the Bardavon 1869 Opera House, in Poughkeepsie, NY, on Saturday, March 19, 2016, 8 PM. We will be performing under the baton of Randall Craig Fleisher, performing works by Igor Stravinsky, Johannes Brahms, Jennifer Higdon and John Estacio. Details for tickets can be found below:
I am also thrilled to announce that I will be performing with the Albany Symphony Orchestra for two performances on Sunday, March 20th, at 2 PM at the Palace Theater in Albany, NY. The theme of the concert is "Super Orchestra Man" and will include excerpts from several thrilling works, including pieces by Mozart, Wagner, Richard Strauss and others. Details can be found at:
What is most exciting are three thrilling recitals that I am presenting over the course of the next month. I will joining forces with Juliana Han, a fine pianist, for three performances.
The first will be on Sunday, March 13, 2016, at 2 PM at the Mastics-Moriches-Shirley Community Library in Shirley (NY), and will be hosted by Kara's Hope Foundation. https://www.facebook.com/
(Pianist Juliana Han, photo by Dario Acosta)
The second recital will take place in LeFrak Concert Hall, at the Aaron Copland School of Music, CUNY Queens College on Thursday, March 24th at 7:30 PM. https://www.facebook.com/
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