October, 2021

October 1st. A definite rush into the new month with a first performance at Solterra, a cohousing community on the Chapel Hill/Durham line. We had been rehearsing there regularly, and it made a very comfortable location for our performance on Sunday, October 3rd. The program was Haydn's String Quartet in C major, op.33, n.3. From Glazanov's Five Novelettes, we played two - Interludium in modo antico and Alla spagnola, ending with Gershwin's Lullaby. We had a good audience, mostly from the community, some local friends. All masked, including us.
October 4. The weekly five classes for strings at Trinity continued throughout the month, and all the classes did very well. I was sorry to say goodbye to them at the end of the month, as Bettina returned to teaching after her maternity leave. There was some talk about me returning as there are large classes. I haven't seen a contract though!
October 8. A special treat. Brent Wissick, cello and viola da gamba professor at UNC, had invited the Parthenia Viol Consort from New York to give a masterclass at Brent's UNC viol class, and also invited all the local viol players to join in the class. It was the first time we locals got together, and it was such a joy to play with everyone. The Viol Consort performed an evening concert. The Parthenia concert on the 10th which included Brent and a group of 6 singers, was outstanding.
The following week was more than hectic, but thrilling to have visits from two of my dearest friends. It had been 20 years since I saw Danna at her August wedding in Cornell, NY where she grew up. Dan, Elisa and I drove up for her wedding, and a month later Danna came down to North Carolina for Dan and Elisa's North Carolina September wedding at Wilmington. Yes, there was a hurricane, but it was 80 miles norther.

While Danna was at Duke, she played the violin for Musica gigs, and had the most beautiful sound of all. She now is a professor at Indiana University-Purdue University in the History department. On Wednesday, she arrived in Chapel Hill with her two eldest sons checking out colleges in the South! We had a long, delicious Mediterranean Deli outdoor dinner catching up. The boys were very good and understanding - playing cards, walking around West Franklin street of Chapel Hill. Danna could hardly recognize old Chapel Hill, there has been so much building of offices and hotels.

The next day, my oldest friend, Mary Frances, had come down from her retirement community outside Philadelphia. Her friend Elaine, also in the retirement community, was coming down for a niece's graduation, so it worked out well for both of them. On the Thursday, we had a grand gathering of members of our baroque ensemble, I Musici di Cappella della Collina (The musicians of Chapel Hill). The youngest - Jane H, was the harpsichordist, Jane cello -me, Mary Fran-violinist, Florence - the singer, and the oldest, soon to be 90 - Ellie - violinist (and State Senator for 18 years!) Florence's husband, Jim, joined us as he was our harpsichord carrier up and down the stairs at concerts! Jim, Kenan Professor Emeritus of Anthropology at UNC gave us all a copy of his conversational memoir, "A True Lucky Jim" describing life in several dimensions: work, family and the world. There's even a photograph of I Musici! We had a delicious southern brunch outside, no masks, just chatting away. It was a very special time together. Here we are in the good old days!

The end of the week was a sad gathering. One of our violists, Norton, died suddenly in his sleep in April 2020. There was no funeral due to the pandemic, so it wasn't until now to have the celebration of his life. Again, we were a group of musicians who know each other well and were able to attend on the 15th. Twelve violists performed several pieces that Norton knew. Included was Faure's Pavane for four violas and a Chorale Prelude on an Olde English Drinking Tune for two viola quartets scored by Terry Mizesko, Principal Bass Trombonist of the North Carolina Symphony. Also. there were two string quartets, one during the service, the second was during the reception outside - all of us had played with Norton over the years.

Another sad October remembrance. 2 years ago, my dear sister-in-law Betty, passed away. She and John, my brother who died in 2007, were the stalwarts in my life, and I miss them so very much.

October 16 gave some respite from the past week by going for a good walk along a trail with our MATA group. Keeping up steps needed to finish the Conqueror Challenge 1083.8 miles British Land's End to John O'Groats is taking its time. During the seasons, with the cold winter up north and heat in the south, has slowed us down, but we are at 1002.8 miles. However, this Saturday Oct. 30th MATA walk, I walked 13,018 steps = 5.6 miles, so we should be finished in a few days or so!!!!! I wasn't planning to do another Conqueror Challenge until the John O'Groats was finished, but somehow I bought the Amalfi Coast and my miles went to Italy for a few days instead of going to England. Fortunately it was only 35 miles, so it only took 2 weeks by myself. My medal arrived today, #5! It's a beautiful one, as the others. PS I just got back today from a favorite trail - another 13,925 steps/5.6 miles, so that's helping along.

As well as the excitement of the Challenges, I have been booking gigs again! Ensembles and clients are feeling more comfortable. A church booked three 3 engagements - a special service with 2 violins, a memorial service with a string quartet, and with the quartet again at the Christmas Eve service. I am looking for a trumpet for Easter, which is very difficult, as the best players are booked either months ahead, or they have an ongoing arrangement for every year. All of us who play in the Chapel Hill Philharmonia are keeping our fingers crossed that we will be able to perform our December 5th concert. The University keeps a tight look on everyone, and classes, performances, concerts, can be shut down in a minute. We have been very careful since we started in September.

The Saturday trail walks have been exhilarating since the heat has cooled down. The trees, especially now with their glorious colored leaves, are a delight to walk through. Also in some places, such as the Chapel Hill Community Park's Rose Garden, the roses are breathtaking. Here are a couple from this week.