Currently Listening The Altar and the Door By Casting Crowns White Dove, Fly High see related

I leave for Korea on Aug 9. Do you know how soon that is? Way too soon! I have so much practicing to do and not enough time!

If you didn't know, the San Luis Obispo Wind Orchestra is travelling to Jeju Island in South Korea to perform in the Jeju International Wind Ensemble Festival. Wow! I believe at this point we're one of two American groups, but the only full wind orchestra (I don't know how we swung that, but I do believe we have som good connections). We will also be performing at a church in Seoul while staying at the Grand Hilton Seoul (I love Grand Hiltons...and this will be no exception I'm sure). But only after we...*drumroll*...travel to Kumgang Mtn, North Korea, where we will be the "professional centerpiece" for a small music festival. Now I don't know about the professional part. We're good, but pro? If they think so, then cool. But North Korea!! Who has been to North Korea? Not many. I'm still not sure about all the politics involved (especially after the recent events involving the shooting of a S. Korean tourist who found herself in a military restricted area...it all sounds a little sketchy to me. Someone's not sharing the whole story), but I'm sure we'll be watched carefully. The NY Phil performed in N. Korea earlier this year, so we'll be the second group. This is quite amazing. And just last night I was potentially wrangled into the wind quintet which will be performing in Korea. That has me a mite nervous because it's even more music to learn.

So I have a lot of preparation to do. Part of that involves over $300 of immunizations on Wednesday (not a fan at all - I'm hoping I'll be able to lift my arms to play at rehearsal that night). The other involves practicing a lot of music for the orchestra, plus potentially practicing quintet music. But I'm also in summer band playing 1st Flute (principal?) so I need to be strong on those parts too. Man... Oh, and I have to finish designing this concert postcard, I'll probably have to design tickets and print them, and design the concert program, all before I leave.

So if you're in SLO or nearby, come to SLO Methodist Church, Friday Aug 8 at 8pm to hear selections of our tour repertoire and generally support us. We'd love it. It's always more fun to play to an audience. :)

And ya know how I said I had so many topics I wanted to write about? They're still there. Waiting. Right now everything's chaotic though. I'm finding myself stretched thin wondering what God's doing in my life and trying to teach me with all these trials, none of which I've really spoken about here. Eventually, perhaps. All I can do is pray. Lord, I'd love a stressful dream-free night of sleep. Bummer, it's already midnight again. I'm failing at this getting more sleep thing.