Author Archives: Dale Sorensen
How literature got me into music
As we look back on our lives we can all identify those pivotal moments – decisions or events – that led us in a completely new and often unexpected direction, and essentially changed our lives. For me, one of those … Continue reading
Posted in Crazy Coincidences, Game Changers, Life
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Serendipity in Sackville
How a series of coincidences led to me finding a long-coveted trombone recording. Continue reading
Posted in Crazy Coincidences, Trombone
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Brass Instrument Repairs
A collection of resources (articles and ‘how-to’ videos) to help the school music teacher find good information quickly and easily. Continue reading
Posted in Tip Jar
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Brass Teaching Materials
Free brass technique handouts: warm-ups, drills, exercises, etc. Continue reading
Posted in Pedagogy
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Discovering Takashi Yoshimatsu
I have a friend who, when he played percussion in the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra, sent me a CD (Chandos 9960) of works by the Japanese composer Takashi Yoshimatsu. It contains his Symphony No. 4, Atom Hearts Club Suite No. 1, … Continue reading
Posted in CDs, Composers, Trombone
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Blow-air-o: Practice Strategies for the trombone solo in Ravel’s Bolero
The trombone solo from Ravel’s Bolero is one of the most challenging excerpts in the entire orchestral repertoire, and one of the few excerpts that is required on every single orchestral trombone audition. This solo passage, lasting just 17 measures … Continue reading
Posted in Music, Pedagogy, Tip Jar, Trombone
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Green tip: Make your own foam soap (and save $!)
When choosing hand soap for a family with kids, foam soap is the way to go. Bar soap makes a slimy, gunky mess of the soap dish, while liquid soap seems to trail a stringy mess all over the dispenser and the … Continue reading
Posted in Environment
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Call for scores – The Canadian Trombone Project
Are you a Canadian composer who has written for solo trombone (with any accompaniment), trombone ensemble, or chamber ensemble featuring the trombone? If so, I would like to include information about your work in my Canadian Trombone Project – an … Continue reading
Posted in Music, Trombone
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Dear Grammie (a letter inspired by the Charlottetown Festival Orchestra cuts)
Dear Grammie, Hope you’re enjoying the Holidays! The celebrations must be incredible where you are. I know it’s only been a week since I last wrote, but a lot has happened since then. I’m sure you’ve been following all the … Continue reading
Posted in Kids, Life, Music
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Orchestra cuts to save money: Really? A closer look
Confederation Centre CEO Jesse Inman has stated that cutting 6 positions from the Charlottetown Festival Orchestra will save “in excess of $100,000 per season”. This is an exaggeration that is unfortunately being quoted as accurate by the media, so let’s … Continue reading
Posted in Music
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Why the orchestra matters
In my previous post about the proposed cuts to the Anne of Green Gables orchestra, and also in my radio interview on CBC this morning, there is one thing that I feel I have not been articulating clearly enough. The … Continue reading
Posted in Life on PEI, Music
8 Comments
Charlottetown Festival to reduce orchestra
Today (the week before Christmas) the Charlottetown Festival announced plans to re-orchestrate Anne of Green Gables-The Musical, a plan which will see the orchestra reduced by six musicians, from 19 to 13. This is devastating news – news that could … Continue reading
Posted in Life on PEI, Music
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International Trombone Week 2011
Today marks the beginning of International Trombone Week for 2011 (April 3-10), and there are many ways we can all celebrate: perform (or attend) a trombone recital, compose a piece for trombone, make a radio request for some trombone music, … Continue reading
Joy to the World
Last night I went carol-singing with some friends – that’s right, singing! Not a trombone in sight! Together with Perry, Peter and Doug, we went around Charlottetown, mainly dropping in unannounced at some seniors’ homes, but also at a couple … Continue reading
Posted in Music
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Of Mice and Men
Last night I had a dream. I dreamed that there was a mouse in our house, and when I discovered it, in my dream, I caught it by the quickest, most resourceful method I could come up with in the … Continue reading
International Trombone Week 2009
Today marks the first day of International Trombone Week 2009, and I intend to celebrate! I am going to attempt to write a post a day here on my blog, and I even have a performance planned with the UPEI … Continue reading
Posted in Trombone
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Making Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups
Considering my recent obsession with dark chocolate and my fondness of peanut butter, it’s only natural that I should want to eat them together. With Reese’s as my model, I’ve been making my own chocolate peanut butter cups, and it … Continue reading
Posted in Food, My Favourite Things, Recipes
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25 Things About Me
I was recently tagged here in the 7 Things thing, and coincidentally tagged by my wife on facebook with the 25 Things thing there. So here I am, killing two birds with one stone, and ending my blogging hiatus with … Continue reading
Posted in Life
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Windterra Wind Turbine
When we built our off-the-grid house in 2000, our power system consisted primarily of 8 photovoltaic solar panels. Since then, we have been keen on adding a wind turbine to complement the solar, but just haven’t made that step yet. … Continue reading
Posted in Environment, Renewable Energy
19 Comments
Letter to my Tailgater
Dear Tailgater: I’m not sure if you’ve noticed me here on the road right in front of you. I know I’m driving a car much smaller than yours, but I do have my lights on, so surely you see me? … Continue reading
Posted in Life on PEI
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