The change of musical seasons

I love the change of seasons. I love seeing the first snow fall of winter, the first daffodil of spring, the sunny days of summer, but most of all, I love the arrival of autumn! Autumn is my favourite season for so many reasons! To me, it is almost like a second new year. There is a change in the weather and there is a corresponding change in the focus of my musical career. Fall marks the beginning of the school year, the beginning of my teaching season, a return to classical music and also a time to think about what is coming up next.

I am fortunate to be able to play many styles of music, and I find that my career is highly seasonal. My summers are usually spent playing fiddle music for summer concerts and at festivals. My main outlet for classical music through the summer is playing at weddings, again, often outdoors. Once autumn hits, I return to my classical music roots and start preparing to play with ensembles such as Symphony NB and the Atlantic Sinfonia. I also start up my baroque string ensemble and schedule regular rehearsals with my string quartet. I really enjoy the fact of playing these different styles of music and would not have it any other way!

The return to teaching is always nice. I enjoy seeing the kids again after the summer and am constantly amazed at how much my students have grown over the summer! One of the many great things about this change for me is that it locks me into a schedule. I have the best of intentions for getting lots of things done over the summer, but once fall returns and I set up a regular teaching schedule, that is when I get the bulk of my work done.

This time of year also always sets me to thinking about what is coming up next and setting new goals. I am working on some new plans, but have nothing ready to share just yet. I think 2013 will be a great year though!

Unrelated to music, I love the colours of the leaves and the cool crisp feeling in the air in autumn. It is the time of year where you need to wear a sweatshirt or sweater, but not a jacket just yet. I am always amazed at how the seasons seem to change over night. One day it feels like summer, and the next morning it feels like fall.

I hope that you all share my joy and enthusiasm about this time of year and are out enjoying the weather!