God...

Ive been so bad. I haven't had any desire to write. I don't know. I'm sorry.

Ok, So. Lowdown:

I was feeling good in Baltimore. I had a positive vibe... you know, "there's a natural mystic flowing through the air." My room was incredible, which I might have mentioned. Ok, so next morning I woke up, did my morning things, practiced, meditated, ear training... ate the other half of my gyro. The good stuff.

Painted my face, gathered my things and tipped the house maid because I had never done it before. I left two dollars on my bed. Green and vulnerable.

Walked over to Peabody, the weather was forgiving. Windy, but sunny.

As soon as I walked in, the main entrance hall was flooded with Somebodys wanting to be Peabodys with there flashy mallet bags and black leather jackets. I took one look at that and asked where the nearest library was. No way I was walking into that mess. Check please! Yeah, I tried to avoid the cut-throat intimidation as much as possible. There were over 50 people auditioning for the spot!! So I spent some time in the library researching Akira Miyoshi to see what I could gather before my interview with Big Bob. Found an electric piano in the back room, and worked on that for a bit, rehearsing my marimba music. When I got thirsty I walked over to the cafe, bought a tea, and stared out the window. Trying to imagine myself as a current student asking current student questions:

"How much did I practice today."
"When is Bob coming back?"
"Would I ever be sitting at this window asking these questions?"

When it came time to shine, I walked back into the main lobby and checked in at the percussion table.

"Hi, Ashley Tini, audition 3:00"
"Hi, how are you--wait didn't we talk on Facebook?"
"Oh Yeah, Hi How are you---gee Facebook."

I still get embarrassed by online encounters. I was a bit of a smart ass, I was in a playful mood, forgive me.

They sent me to take my Ear Training exam. Upstairs on the 100th floor.
I sat outside the door and awaited my doom. There was a nervous younger boy sitting on the floor by my feet, across was his supportive mother.

"Hey, auditioning today?"
"Yeah."
"Whats your instrument"
"Percussion."
"Oh! (mother chimes in) Honey, that's you!"
"Oh wow, nice, how did you do?"
"Oh I did good. How about you?
"Mine is at 3:00"
exactly what i tried to avoid:
"So, what are you playing?"
"Oh..uhh...a timpani solo, two snare drum solos, marimba."
"Oh, No, I mean...like.. what are you playing..?
"Oh...uh... you know..like---
"NEXT!!"
(Yes. thank god.)We'll good luck!
"Thanks you too."

After I aced that quiz, I returned to the percussion table. Oh hey Ashley, they are going on lunch break, so we'll set you up with a practice room, and we'll call you when we're ready.

They threw me in sauna with an old xylophone, two tom-toms, and some hanging gongs.
I went through what I could on the xylophone, and settled to just rolling on the tom-tom while sitting Indian style on the floor. Took a nap in between.

Ok Ash, now we move you to the bigger practice room. Yay.

Yay, this one had timpani, and a nice marimba. Went through everything a few times and tried to avoid the flailing mallets in the next room at 220 bpm. Went to pee, and as i returned, they called my name.

Ashley, you can set up now.

So, I set up... and waited for Big Bob.

After about 10 minutes, he walked in with his colleuge with the biggest Big Bob grin I've ever seen. I walked right up to him, repertoire in hand and introduced myself.

"Hello, I'm Ashley nice to meet you."
"Hi I'm Bob Van Sice and this is my colleague David Skidmore, pleased to meet you."
After a few seconds...
"So, you're Jon Greeney's student?! I feel old. I Love Jon Greeney, he's one of my favorite pet students. And you studied with Patty, correct?!
"Yes, and Yes." (big dopey smiles all around)
Fabulous. Well, Lets start with marimba then.

I played a very slow, very musical Bach Cello Suite.

The says..
"The sincerity in which you play the marimba is just astounding."
"Wow, thankyou."
"Just beatutiful." Lets go to the Miyoshi piece

Played that. ehhh it was ok

"Great, Can we try it a bit faster? Moderato. One, Two, Ready, And...

Eh... missed notes here and there, but slightly better musically.

"Ok great. So, Please tell me you can sight read."
"I can sight read."
"Great, can you read this for me?"

I couldn't sight read. Blew it.

"Ok. Well, lets go to Timpani."

Then I interject...

"Mr. Van Sice, I understand that you have many auditions today, but I did prepare one more Bach piece, if I could just play that for you, I'd feel more confident about my marimba playing. If that's ok with you."

"Oh, well I already know what your marimba playing sounds like, no doubt there but yes we'll see after the Timpani.

Played timpani, ehh was ok imitated him and did ok.

"You may play your other Bach."

Played my Bach, and Nailed it.

"...So, Whats your story?, my goodness.Gorgeous playing."

I told him my story and he was flabbergasted

Well Ashley its such a pleasure meeting you I'll now leave you to my friend David Skidmore, my snare drum expert.

"Great thankyou nice meeting you."

(Bob turns to walk out and as he's at the door David turns and asks me

"Excuse me, but can I ask, What Sticks are you using?"

I reply surprised and coyly

"Oh I made these."

Bob turns from the exit and asks:

"You MADE your Sticks?"

Then Bob and David continue to awe my cocobolo hand turned gorgeous works of art, asking typical questions in shock and excitment. Bob then turns to me and says:

"Boy, you aren't your average bear are you? Svet doesn't even know where his sticks are, and here you're making your own sticks! My goodness Thank you very much.

I was completely baffled as to how this situation was unraveling. I finished out the audition with Skidmore and ran out of there like a comet across an August sky.

The girl sitting at the percussion desk asked about the audition and then mentioned that she knew Patty and also auditioned at Curtis while she was a senior. (Surprised, i asked how did you know I studied with Patty?)Being a foreigner she thought I asked how did she KNOW Patty and she presumed to tell me the short story.

Thinking to myself, I guess Bob mentioned it to her as he left. I guess he was very impressed with me.

On my way to the airport, I called Bill and told him the entire story. He was equally excited!! I just couldn't believe that in everyone's doubt, I had a glimmer of hope with Bob at Peabody. I should be finding out soon so, I'll let you know


yes!

Within five minutes I called