Concert season wrap

CONCERTS FINISHED - free at last

Concert season concluded last night at MTSU and wow, what a relief.  The "big one" - Sewanee Monday night was a success.  Just under 100 attended, and I got through it pretty well.  The mental gremlins got me briefly in a few minor mistakes, but minimal and finished all pieces strong, most were near flawless.  Successfully walking away from the Rameau at halftime was a major accomplishment.  Kept the mistakes undetectable as I powered my way through the pieces with no stops, refusing to get rattled.  I held it together, received a stand ovation in what may have been the first Faculty Guitar Recital ever held in the historic landmark All Saints Chapel in the 160 yr history of the University.  The pressure was big, 90% of the people there were hearing me for the first time.   If I had blown it, it would have been difficult to ask to play there again.   One woman in her 70s said it was the best solo concert she'd ever seen on campus. 

 Played MTSU last night, was tougher.  Felt a little tightness in my forearms.  Shouldn't have played 2 nights in a row.  But it went well.  

It's really all mental.  I probably over practiced for Sewanee, put in at least 5 hrs on the day of the concert, but I really needed it to go well.  Of course, over training has been my thing, for better or worse.   

Check out the poster below, guess how old that photo is?  False advertising.