Pictures from Concert-ORCEC

My Work is Done

Well, my trip to Brazil has drawn to a close. We had an amazing concert today in a beautiful theatre that is celebrating its 100th anniversary. Tonight was a birthday concert for the hall. It was beautiful. I hope you can see some of the grandeur in the photos.

I would say there were around 700 people in the audience. Very well received concert, although there was some talking at the beginning and they clapped between movements of multi-movement works. Oh well....

The orchestra played great. There was wonderful chemistry on the stage and I think this was the performance we were all hoping before. We had a sound check at 600-630 to check the acoustics. They were GREAT!!! Perfect for chamber orchestra. On the break between sound check and rehearsal, they had a surprise birthday party for one of the violinists. They had me put on a birthday party hat and everything. It was cool to celebrate along with them.

We then played the concert and I was so proud to stand in front of the group. After the concert, they all shook my hand and gave me hugs. I gathered from the reception and warmth I received that this was a bit different from other concerts they played. I think they really played better than they usually do, but that is just a gut feeling.

THE COOLEST PART OF THE CONCERT-About 25 students from the orquestra sopros de Pindoretama came to the concert!!! Some of them drove in a bus, and others paid 10 real (about 7 bucks) to ride the bus for over an hour just to come see the concert. What a wonderful surprise to look up in the side balcony when I was taking a bow and seeing those faces again. It was so cool. They came backstage after the concert and we talked for awhile, tooks some more pictures (yes more pictures!!!) hugged alot and then said goodbye yet again. It was very special to have them there and know that they would give of their time to come see the concert.

After the concert, we went to Rodizio de massa and pizza (all you can eat pasta and pizza) for our final meal together. Unlike in America where you walk up to the food bar to get more food, here, they continually bring around a variety of Italian dishes and you just keep taking small portions of whatever they have until you are done. The food was amazing and it was a neat experience.

We talked quite a bit about what the future holds for Arley and I. We are both committed to making sure we stay in touch and try to get this book going. I said my goodbyes to Beatrice and Christina as they will not be with Arley when he takes me to the airport tomorrow morning. I will miss them both very much. We talked about how they need to come to the US sometime to stay with my family and see the US.

I meet with the Ceara Cultural Secretary at 10am in the morning. She is the one who made the official invitation for me to come here. At 1030, we are going to leave the hotel and stop by the Mercado market as I need to get just a few more things for the family.

We will be at the airport by 1130 or so and my flight is at 135. I have a six hour layover in Brasilia before heading to Atlanta and then home.

It has been a wonderful trip and I hope you have enjoyed reading about it. This will be my last blog of this trip. Thanks for reading and I will see you soon back in America.

Craig

A Day with Alan

I forgot to write yesterday about my visit to Alan's home for lunch. Alan is about 63 years old and was born in the UK. After he finished high school, he moved to Germany and started teaching english for various corporations. No university training, just his own system. He eventually got a job teaching english for Lufthansa Airlines and worked for them many years. Since he flew for virtually free, Alan has been all over the world. A very interesting man. He was at the concert on Sunday at Drago Mar and came up and talked to me. He invited me to his home for dinner so we went on Wednesday.

He lives in a very nice home by Brazilian standards. He lives by himself with three dogs. He can only stay in Brazil 6 months a year, so the other 6 months he travels the world.

He took a job in Rio about 10 years ago, and travelled to Fortaleza on vacation weekends. He fell in love with the area, so when he retired four years ago, he decided to move here to live.

We had a great time just hanging out and talking. I feel like I have a new friend and I will definitely contact him should I make the trip back to Brazil in the future.

He is going to start travelling to Pindoretama a couple days per week and teaching english to the students in the project. Very cool

A Final Day at the Beach

Arley and his family came and picked me up at noon today to spend one final day at Croco Beach. It was really nice out today. Beatrice and I swam in the ocean for a little while, but mostly Arley and I "held class." He had a lot of questions about various things regarding the american band structure so we talked for about 1 and 1/2 hours while we sat under a canopy on the beach. Had a few snacks and cervejas as well.

I am back in my hotel now at 3pm and they will pick me up at 5pm for the concert tonight. This is my last night in Fortaleza and I am looking forward to getting home soon. I sure miss my family.

It will be a great concert tonight, then some quick final shopping on the way to the airport tomorrow morning.

Hope you are all well.

1st ORCEC Concert

Bom dia
We had our first ORCEC concert last night at the State University here in Fortaleza. It was an interesting concert. They usually play the last Wednesday of each month at the university, but it is usually in their auditorium and at 930am. There was an event going on in the auditorium yesterday all day, so the concert was moved to 5pm and in another building, kind of like a commons area or entrance area for a building. VERY live. They did not set up any chairs for the audience, so they stood the entire time. It turned out to be very informal and very hard to hear our soft spots. I even cut one movement of the Elgar right on the concert as it just would not be conducive to that performance venue.

The orchestra played wonderfully, despite the poor acoustics. The video I am posting is our last piece titled Balade and Bergomask. It gives you an idea of the sound in this room.

After the concert, we went back to Arley's to change clothes. It was his mother's birthday, so we went out to eat in a neighborhood eating place close to his parent's house where he grew up. His sister, her husband, their son, his mom and dad joined us. It was great to meet his family. We went to his sisters home after dinner. His brother in law works with wood so he gave me a little wooden car for Caleb, a wooden house for Kelsey, and a wooden jewelry box for Kel. Not sure how I am going to get them home, but it was awful nice of him to do that.

Then, we went over to Christina's parents home, which is kind of in the same neighborhood. They have a beautiful home. We had some cerveja and watched futbol with her dad. Again, very cool to see where they grew up.

We got home around 11 last night and it was a great day for sure.

Bom dia

Just a quick good morning to all of my american friends. Had a great night sleep last night and am looking forward to today. It is about 1030 and Arley will pick me up at 11:00. Thought I would post some pics while I have time. Enjoy