Packing...

Nearly all packed. Trying to imagine what nearly an entire day in flight will feel like, but it can't be that far from college nights I recall. I have plenty to study and memorize on the way; Chinese is a tough language to sing in; I had no idea. But it's making sense slowly.

Still can't believe it's happening. Still can't believe I have a 5 hour layover in San Francisco either... oy....

peace,
david

In the beginning...

So I thought I should share how this whole China adventure began. One of the most amazing 'coincidences' I've experienced, if there is such a thing as a coincidence. Which I doubt.

I teach voice at the University of Texas' Butler School of Music and each week I give a public masterclass each Thursday. 'Public' makes me giggle. Although it's open to anyone who wants to come learn, I'm lucky if two-thirds of my enrolled UT students attend. But once in while we get outside auditors.

One Thursday last semester I HAD to rehearse 'Danny Boy' for a concert and, since the pianist for the concert was the same as for my class, the only time available was during the weekly masterclass. So this ONE time, in the entire school year, I sang in class.

This ONE time the mother of one the BSOM's students (a violinist, I believe) was visiting with a friend of hers from China, YuanZheng. Since they had nothing better to do, they stopped by my masterclass and stayed for the whole thing. After the class we spoke and it turns out that YuanZheng is a somewhat famous soprano in China, who also teaches and was interested in coming to study with me at UT. I said that would be lovely and thought it would probably be one of those things that passes without further action. I was wrong.

Since then YuanZheng has arranged a concert for us at the Henan Museum www.chnmus.net/Template/home/chnmuse/index.html and a masterclass at her University. I fly to ZhengZhou, China, on July 19th. The concert is on the 25th, masterclass on the 16th and then go to see Beijing, returning from Beijing on August 2nd. I get my final dose of immunizations this morning, have already gotten my visa and, hopefully, will FINALLY settle on a program for the concert this evening.

Oh, and, YuanZheng has been accepted as a Visiting Scholar at the Butler School of Music for the entire school year 2010-2011!!

It's going to be an immersion into a culture I've been fascinated by for years. The city, Zhengzhou, where I'll be most of the time is near where Chinese Budhism began, it's the birthplace of Chinese Kungfu and has ruins from homes dating back five THOUSAND years. Makes the US seems so very young.

Deep peace to you,

david

First Post

With a trip to China coming up, I thought it might be a good idea to start a blog. So I guess this is only a test. Those of you with experience blogging, if you have helpful hints please feel free to email them to me or FB me.

thanks,

david