Al Gore’s Oscar Speech February 26, 2007
Posted by Dale in Environment.add a comment
I can’t believe I wasted my evening watching the Oscars last night, but it was worth it just to hear Al Gore’s eloquent acceptance speech for his film, An Inconvenient Truth, winning the Best Documentary Feature award.
People all over the world, we need to solve the climate crisis. It’s not a political issue, it’s a moral issue. We have everything we need to get started, with the possible exception of the will to act. That’s a renewable resource. Let’s renew it. – Al Gore
I think it ranks right up there with Margaret Mead’s famous quote:
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. – Margaret Mead
The Trombone, more than just a slush pump February 25, 2007
Posted by Dale in Trombone.add a comment
Joe Alessi is one of my favourite trombonists, and this week he gave the world premiere performance of a new Trombone Concerto by Melinda Wagner with his own orchestra, the New York Philharmonic. (See the New York Times review here). I would have loved to have been there, but I will get a chance to hear a recording – the concert will be available in streaming audio on the NY Phil’s website, for two weeks beginning on March 8. An article by Susan Stewart, For whom the trombone tolls, appeared in The Journal News on the day of the premiere, and provided a brief introduction to Joe Alessi, the man and the musician, as well as a glimpse into Alessi’s preparation for the performance. What the article did not do was give audience members any hint of what they could expect from the piece, or Alessi’s interpretation of it. In fact, about the only thing the audience would be anticipating, based on this article, would be how and when the trombonist might go about emptying the spit from his instrument during the 24 minute work.
In any interview, whether for print or audio/visual medium, the writer will collect a surplus of material, from which a limited amount will end up being included in an article. How disappointing then, that of all the meaningful things Stewart could have written about, she instead chose to descend into a discourse on spit valves. Sure, she mentioned that composer Melinda Wagner is only the third woman to have ever won a Pulitzer Prize for composition – but what about the significance of her being commissioned by the New York Philharmonic? And how about elaborating more on why the trombone is more than “Tommy Dorsey, big bands and spit valves”, more on what Joe Alessi has done in his stellar career to improve the image of the trombone and help raise its reputation to a place alongside the more traditional solo instruments.
But no, she decides to write about spit valves.
Granted, it’s still a pretty new thing for a trombonist to be seen front and center, but the fact is, in the past decade most orchestras in North America have featured a trombonist in the solo role. (This is an even more common occurrence in Europe, thanks in large part to the incredible efforts of Christian Lindberg, the world’s only full-time trombone soloist.) While all of this has greatly raised the profile of my favourite instrument, I have no illusion that the trombone will ever appear with the same frequency as the violin or piano, but I do believe we have reached the point where it is no longer necessary for the obligatory oratory on spit valves, or the trombone’s oft-mentioned stereotypical circus trick, the glissando. Artists like Alessi and Lindberg (along with many, many others) have proved with their performances and recordings that the trombone is so much more. Can we please move on?
A Day in Crapaud February 23, 2007
Posted by Dale in Life on PEI.2 comments
The connotations brought to mind by the term “Small Town” don’t come close to accurately reflecting the truth about living in a rural community. Here’s an example – a typical day out and about in the Greater Crapaud Area:
This morning I went to Englewood School to help prepare the Thursday fruit and cheese tray (part of Englewood’s Healthy Eating Lunch & Snack initiative to provide healthy food for every kid in the school). There I met another parent, who I sort of recognized from a long time ago. As we chatted, I learned that we had attended Englewood at the same time, although she would have been several grades ahead, which is why I didn’t really know her. Turns out she lives just up the road from us, and I taught her son (who plays trombone) at the Englewood Band Camp last summer. While we sliced fruit, various teachers walked by for one reason or another, including:
the Phys.Ed. teacher: my older brother Kerry.
the Grade 5 teacher: was in Kerry’s class all through school, and is married to a guy I went to high school with. She’s also our third cousin.
the Music teacher: a friend of mine – we were in Music together at UPEI.
the Grade 4 teacher: married to one of my best friends in high school.
And the kids! Kids of friends. Kids of cousins. Kids of former classmates…
Then, somehow word had gotten to the Grade 1 teacher that I was there, so she shows up to give me homework for Riley who has been home with the flu all week.
All this happened in less than an hour, after which I head over to the Pharmacy in Crapaud. I sort of recognize the pharmacist, but can’t figure out who she is. I ask her if she has any Oscillococcinum, a homeopathic flu remedy, but they don’t carry any homeopathics. I move on to look for acetaminophen. A couple of minutes later, the pharmacist calls me from the back, “Oh, Dale! I found what you were looking for! I almost forgot – Jocelyn [the former post mistress] always used to have us keep some homeopathic remedies in stock.” Thanks! Obviously, she seems to know who I am, but I still can’t figure out who she is. Then I go to pay for my stuff, and the woman at the cash register is another of Kerry’s former classmates.
Then, I go to the library… But you get the picture. A very large percentage of people who grow up in this area never leave, or, if they do leave, eventually return. This is true for a lot of communities in PEI, which I think says a lot about the importance of connection – connection to place, to family, to community. I’ve always felt that connection, which is sometimes hard to explain to others who haven’t experienced it. Even when I did move away (to Toronto for 7 years), I always felt drawn to this place, and knew I’d come back sometime. And here I am – a 10 minute drive from my parents. And, like I’ve said before, there’s no anonymity here, but I love it. I love that everyone looks out for everyone else – for everyone else’s kids. People really care. You have to. A stranger is not just a nameless face – he/she is someone you’re connected to somehow, even if you don’t have it figured out quite yet. So we treat strangers as if they are our cousins – after all, they just might be!
Incidentally, “crapaud” is French for “toad”, but it can also mean “flawed”; specifically, flawed in relation to “gems”. How apt is that! Crapaud, the village, may have its flaws, but at its core it’s a real gem.
My Boy and Bobby McFerrin February 13, 2007
Posted by Dale in Kids.add a comment
Here’s a sample of the crazy conversations that go on in our house. Background: I introduced Bailey (who is 4) to Bobby McFerrin’s version of Cream’s Sunshine of Your Love last summer, although his name was mentioned again fairly recently because he has a song on a “lullaby” CD that we listen to at bedtime. Riley is (at times) a very mature 7. It’s supper time:
Bailey: I have to go meet my friend Bobby McFerrin.
Me: You know Bobby McFerrin?
Bailey: [whispered] Dad, it’s just pretend. [normal] It’s the little boy named Bobby McFerrin. See his head out the window over there? I play instruments and we have a band together.
Me: Really! That’s cool.
Bailey: Yeah. Do you want to know the name of the band?
Me: Sure.
Bailey: OK, but I have to tell you upstairs in the bathroom, because the name is bathroom talk.
Riley: [maternally] Well, thank you for being so polite, Bailey, and not saying it at the table.
I wish I could report that the band’s name was as funny as the lead-up. Let’s just say it wasn’t worth the trip upstairs. Bailey thought it was pretty hilarious, though. Ah, kids!
Face Recognition February 9, 2007
Posted by Dale in Uncategorized.4 comments
I have to say, I’ve been enjoying CBC’s The Hour with George Stroumboulopoulos. I find it to be a very interesting news show, talk show, whatever kind of show it is. There was an intriguing segment on one show about Prosopagnosia (Face Blindness), a disorder which affects people’s ability to recognize faces. In extreme cases, an affected individual may not even recognize members of his own family! Strombo mentioned a website which contains some Face Recognition Tests that anyone can take to assess their face recognition abilities. I love puzzles/problems/quizzes/tests, so I couldn’t wait to take the tests. (However, since my internet connection is dial-up, I had to wait to do them until I could use a computer with high-speed). Well, I finally had an opportunity to do the tests, and it was great fun! There are 5 tests on the website: Two shorter face recognition tests (Famous Faces Test and Old-New Faces Test) and one longer one, and two object recognition tests (Old-New Cars Test and Old-New Shoes Test). The average score for all the tests is around 85%. I scored 96% for the Famous Faces Test, which kind of surprised me – I had no idea I was so up on who’s who. The only error I made was mistaking Tony Blair for Jack Nicholson – sorry, Tony! The “Old-New” tests consist of being introduced to 10 people/objects, followed by a sequence of 50 images where you indicate whether each image was one of the original 10 or not. I scored above average for these as well. Oddly enough, I scored higher on the Shoes Test than the Cars Test (and don’t go reading anything into that!). And finally, I scored 100% on the longer face recognition test – now if I could just remember names…
If you have a few minutes, check out these tests. And feel free to share your results!
New Year’s Levee with Pat Binns February 7, 2007
Posted by Dale in Kids, Life on PEI.add a comment
On New Year’s Day, the kids and I found ourselves stuck in downtown Charlottetown for a little while, waiting for Sandy. There being not much to do, we made our way over to the Confederation Centre, where PEI Premier Pat Binns’ New Year’s Levee was taking place. This was actually the first time I’ve ever been to a levee, which is perhaps surprising because levees are a pretty big Thing To Do on PEI. It was an interesting experience. We arrived near the end, so there was no punch left, but there were lots of sweetbreads, cookies, etc. I told the kids they could each eat two things, and hoped they wouldn’t notice the woman who was surreptitiously stuffing sweets into her coat pockets – I didn’t know how I would explain why they could only have two things while she was allowed to take all she wanted. (I dare say there must be several interesting characters show up to these things!) While waiting in line to greet Premier Binns, I coached the kids on how to shake hands, and they did great – it was very cute – and as we shook hands with the Premier, our photo was taken. Now check this out: upon arrival, I’d been instructed to write my name on a card, which I was to give to the Premier’s aide so she could introduce us to him. Apparently, this card and the photo were cross-referenced, and as if by magic, an envelope containing the photo was mailed to us from the Premier’s office. Scary in a way, since I hadn’t given anyone my address. There’s no anonymity in PEI!
Here’s the photo:
UPEI’s New Steinway Piano February 5, 2007
Posted by Dale in Music.5 comments
Last night I played on a UPEI Department of Music Faculty Recital to welcome the new Steinway Concert Grand Piano at Steel Recital Hall. Although this was the official launch of PEI’s “newest and finest concert Grand Piano”, it has been in use since its arrival in August 2006. In fact, my sister Jacqueline Sorensen gave the inaugural public performance on August 13 with my contemporary music ensemble eklektikos. It’s kind of fun to think that we made history that night! The new piano replaces an older Steinway, built in 1888, and which is still being used by Dr. Fran Gray in her teaching studio. One can only imagine the musical history of that instrument – the performers who have caressed its keys, the repertoire that it has realized, the sounds that have soared from its strings. What rich history awaits the new instrument as it embarks on its voyage – a musical journey that will end long after those of us who nurture it through its youth are gone? Last night’s program gave a hint of what’s to come: a variety of music ranging from Bach’s Partita No. 6 for keyboard, to an arrangement of Piazzolla’s Meditango for trombone, bass trombone, tuba and piano. Here’s to a new century of music making on PEI!
Star Wars in My House February 2, 2007
Posted by Dale in Kids.2 comments
Today the kids are playing Star Wars. They’ve never seen the movies, but are fascinated by the characters, whose images they see in books, toys, etc. Luke and Oola have been leaving messages around the house to try to trick Darth Vader into a trap:
“Follow this note and follow this clue. Love, Oola and Luke.”
Precious. Darth Vader doesn’t have a chance!
