Makin' Music

Before you get the idea that we don't do anything but go on trips and go to parties, let me show some actual proof that we do work down here.
Luckily for me, I have had the past 2 weeks off from orchestra, thanks to the Amazonas Film Festival, but return next to week to play some great repertoire. We'll be playing Ravel's Bolero, La Valse, and Saint-Saens' Violin Concerto.  We've already played Brahms Symphony No. 1, Schumann Symphony No. 3, and various challenging pieces by the Brazilian composers, Claudio Santoro and Heitor Villa-Lobos, among others.
For those of you who are curious, the schedule for this orchestra is amazing. We typically have concerts on Thursday nights, and we rehearse Monday through Thursday in the mornings. I have really been enjoying this whole only having one job thing, the three day weekends, and the part where I get paid for playing trombone!
I tried to find some pics of me with the orchestra, but seeing as that would be up to Jay to take, I had no luck. But here is one before my first concert and one after the first concert Jay saw me play. By the way, we were at an all-you-can-eat pizza restaurant in the second pic. It was really good pizza actually, and they come around to your table with dozens of different types of pizzas. There is no waiting in line for your pizza, no pushing for the last piece, and you don't even have to tip. The best part was the dessert pizza... melted chocolate, fruit, yummy, warm goodness!
                                                  

Jay was also quite busy during October and part of November. After introducing himself to the director of the pro jazz band here, he was invited to their next rehearsal. That same night, he was told he would be a featured soloist with the band at the end of October. It just so happens that the third trombonist in the band had to have surgery at the same time, so Jay played his part while he recovered. In addition to having jazz rehearsals three nights a week, he also taught lessons 3 mornings a week at the music conservatory here (all in portuguese!!!). Altogether, he ended up playing several gigs with the band, and he will hopefully get more opportunities like this in the future here.

His solo features were awesome. Several of our friends came out to hear him play, and everyone loved it! And since I had the camera, we have plenty of pics to prove it :) Oh, he even got his name in the newspaper before the concert!

Teatro Amazonas at night

The soloist up front

Backstage after the concert

See, we really do work here... well, kinda!