http://musicbychristine.com/ivory_zone Music by Christine Arens Sun, 06 Dec 2009 20:00:38 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en I'm back, hoping that you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving and are kicking the holiday season off right! My husband Dave and I went to New York for 4 days, then "swung by" his sister Beth's house outside of Philadelphia for Thanksgiving.  What a relaxing holiday!  During the trip, I received ... http://musicbychristine.com/ivory_zone/?p=43 My husband Dave and I are leaving tomorrow for a weeklong Thanksgiving trip which includes a Broadway show during a 4-day stay in New York, and a visit with his sister Beth and her family outside of Philadelphia.  As the packing frenzy ends, I feel thankful -- a nod to this time ... http://musicbychristine.com/ivory_zone/?p=42 Over the years, I have come to the conclusion that one of the main struggles we have within ourselves is between two desires: to "fit in", and to "stand out".  I believe that all of us have both inclinations inside...but it's kind of like handed-ness -- one will ultimately show ... http://musicbychristine.com/ivory_zone/?p=41 Since my most recent creation for my upcoming CD was completed just a few days ago, I am now in the process of learning and memorizing it.  It's a really slick piece, about one minute long, with loads of energy in the writing...and it requires loads of energy, both mental ... http://musicbychristine.com/ivory_zone/?p=40 I am really beginning to love this strategy. For most of my playing and writing career, I fell into the same trap almost daily -- I would make these elaborate, ambitious lists of things I was going to do every day with a new piece, only to accomplish less than half ... http://musicbychristine.com/ivory_zone/?p=39 This morning, I had the privilege of playing a 7-foot Steinway piano in the backyard of a beautiful lakefront home, under the trees.  What an incredible setting for the beginning of a new life together!  I have played for many weddings in my career, but none quite like this.  A ... http://musicbychristine.com/ivory_zone/?p=38 It has been a crazy two days. I find that when a series of student performances happen in a short period of time, I start to run around and concern myself more with logistics than with creativity!  But I have some free time to write about my experience yesterday morning. At first, it ... http://musicbychristine.com/ivory_zone/?p=37 It is a cold, dreary day (for Florida).  Although I have the privilege of hearing two of my students perform this evening in their School for the Arts Concert (one playing Copland's "Cat And Mouse", the other the first movement of Mozart's Sonata in F, K. 189), I dread the ... http://musicbychristine.com/ivory_zone/?p=36 It's only 7:30 in the evening, but it is, of course, already dark outside. I am going to settle into an evening of creativity by the keyboard and the computer here in the studio....after I get some dinner for myself. I have spent the day teaching my students.  I heard seven of ... http://musicbychristine.com/ivory_zone/?p=35 What a gracious audience today at the Tuesday Music Club in Lakeland, Florida! Soprano Dr. Liana Valente and I premiered "Collage Of Clicking Clichés" this morning, along with five of my solo piano pieces.  They were so appreciative....what a pleasure to perform for them. I am looking forward to writing more vocal/piano ... http://musicbychristine.com/ivory_zone/?p=34