As you know already, we are enduring a mini heat wave in the east. This is a challenging time to play outdoors and that is what the Taffanel Wind Ensemble did today for its annual performance at Spadina House's Music in the Orchard. Audience members sitting on their handy portable chairs ( I have yet to use mine but do look forward to the opportunity), lounging on blankets or chairs and benches provided by the house enjoyed themselves. The trio was the challenged by the environment.
I am very glad that I remembered at the last minute that we were playing outdoors and that we needed clips for the music. The first challenge playing outdoors is to keep music on the stands; clips are a must. This means that you can not
play music that is more than 2 pages per movement. Even clips do not seem to be able to keep the music down when the wind comes up. If the wind is strong enough, the next problem is keeping the music stand stable. Heavy black stands are sturdy enough to withstand the wind but the lighter portable ones are challenged to stay upright by the wind.
On a sunny day, musicians need to be concerned about sunburn. Once while playing outdoors, I remembered to cover all the exposed parts of my body with sunscreen except one hand, it got burned. Now, I always try to avoid the sun but sometimes the host wants the performers in a particular location. Hats are also an issue, you want to look dignified and keep you head covered and the hat attached to your head not watch it blow across the lawn. Today, I wore my sunglasses so that I would not be blinded.
Nature is wonderful when you are outdoors but sometimes, some of the nature creatures decide to be part of the performance. Care must be taken avoid swallowing insects. Sometimes, this problem can not be avoided. While performing today, I could feel some twigs hit me which let me know that the wind was coming up if the fact that my music was fluttering violently was not enough notice.
Despite all these problems, it is always wonderful to be outdoors and see audience members relaxing and enjoying our performance.
We will be back at Spadina House in a month with Otteto Prosciutto, ready to play octets. Hopefully, the weather will be a little cooler and the winds calmer.
I am very glad that I remembered at the last minute that we were playing outdoors and that we needed clips for the music. The first challenge playing outdoors is to keep music on the stands; clips are a must. This means that you can not
play music that is more than 2 pages per movement. Even clips do not seem to be able to keep the music down when the wind comes up. If the wind is strong enough, the next problem is keeping the music stand stable. Heavy black stands are sturdy enough to withstand the wind but the lighter portable ones are challenged to stay upright by the wind.On a sunny day, musicians need to be concerned about sunburn. Once while playing outdoors, I remembered to cover all the exposed parts of my body with sunscreen except one hand, it got burned. Now, I always try to avoid the sun but sometimes the host wants the performers in a particular location. Hats are also an issue, you want to look dignified and keep you head covered and the hat attached to your head not watch it blow across the lawn. Today, I wore my sunglasses so that I would not be blinded.
Nature is wonderful when you are outdoors but sometimes, some of the nature creatures decide to be part of the performance. Care must be taken avoid swallowing insects. Sometimes, this problem can not be avoided. While performing today, I could feel some twigs hit me which let me know that the wind was coming up if the fact that my music was fluttering violently was not enough notice.
Despite all these problems, it is always wonderful to be outdoors and see audience members relaxing and enjoying our performance.
We will be back at Spadina House in a month with Otteto Prosciutto, ready to play octets. Hopefully, the weather will be a little cooler and the winds calmer.
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