Hello and Happy June! In a matter of days, summer season will begin. I have enjoyed the spring. I continue to be busy playing percussion in 4 bands. In my church band, in my steel drum band, in a Kirtan chanting band and jazz band. Drumming brings me so much joy.
I have also really been enjoying working on some classical repertoire of pieces that I used to play many years ago. Part of the reason I dropped some of them is because they were not appropriate pieces for my work as a therapeutic musician. Sometimes the tempo is too fast or there is some tension and release in the composition - whereas in my music for patients, I play pieces that have relaxing melodies and tempos.
One my favorites I am working on is a renaissance piece “Guardame Las Vacas” . It is the first written example of a theme and variation. I love this because one can see the form of “theme and variation” like a mythological “hero’s journey.’ The opening theme represents home and all of the variations symbolize all of the transformations, transitions, challenges one undergoes in a journey. It is most satisfying to play!
The collage pictured above is called “Liberation.” The flying penguin to me represents liberating oneself from the constraints of what is possible. It is a humorous image and yet to me it is also a serious display of inner freedom made manifest. Wishing you inner freedom and peace in this coming new season.