Welcome to the life of an alto player in a treble/bass world!

Monday, August 11, 2014

This Adventure Called Life. Part 1

Hey Y'all!  I'm back!  Life has been so crazy and awesome lately.  So much going on these last 2 months.  I'm hoping, over the next few days get caught up on my posts:)

So mid-May the first thing was our studio recital.  I played Apres un Reve.  Here's a link.  Lauren Harris Apres un Reve Viola

Gabrielle, Mrs. Gordon, our teacher, and myself.

Gabrielle, Myself and Kira. 

Next up was a youth orchestra concert.

Here's a link to a Tango Quintet Myself, Gabrielle, Frank, Albert and Justin played during intermission.  NVSO Youth Quintet


One of our great friend's Frank won the Sumerford Violin Competition and so he played a solo accompanied by the orchestra.  He did great!

Then was our last full concert with NVSO.  It was a really fun concert, but it was bittersweet because it was our last:(
Rehearsal before the concert.

Albert and I.

5 minutes before the concert...Justin and Frank youtubing how to tie a bow tie. 

Rehearsal before hand.
Gabrielle's last time as NVSO Youth's concert mistress.


Frank performing his piece again.

Then quick change into black for the full orchestra.
Me, Gabrielle, Mr. Kozacek our wonderful conductor and Andreja.

Last concert of the year, last year we TP'd Mr. Kozacek's car at the after party restaurant.  We didn't want to let him down... so we pulled some more friends together, got more TP and did a better job this time.  :)

Me, Albert, Frank, Gabrielle, Andreja, Noel and Brendan.  For the record...two other people with the initials J.B. and K.B. were there.  (They took the picture:)
Next up, Graduation!  Class of 2014!!

My poster.


Kinda excited!

Roughly 150-200 home-schoolers graduated.  Talked to some old friends and made some new ones:) 

Me with AZ Senator Kimberly Yee and AFHE president Mr. Monk.

Some of the people who came.  

Alrighty.  Sometime in May, I'm not sure when, Gabrielle and I played in a few NVSO outreach ensembles.  One for a elementary school and one for the Northern Phoenix Chamber of Commerce. I only have a few pictures.





We also drove to Flagstaff to see our conductor give a lecture and conduct the NAU Chamber Orchestra.  Very neat!
Next we moved to our temporary house, because our house sold but we couldn't move to TN for another 2 months.  The day after Tata and Jakub drove to TN to start getting the house ready!
And then... Quartet Camp!  This was our 6th year doing it and it gets more fun every year!

This was probably 4 days in... we ditched our private quartet rehearsals (shh) and 3 of our groups met to practice fun orchestra music.  Gabrielle and the 1st violinist in my quartet, Cole.

One of the coolest kids i got to know, not only a great pianist but a hilarious and smart person who is great a Texas Hold Em, Cameron. 

Violinists in my quartet, Cole and Emily.

Cellist from Gabrielle's quartet, Zach. 

Dress rehearsal on Friday... Me, a good friend Sidni, Andreja and the other Gabrielle.

Dress rehearsal.

In the car on the way to the concert. 

My quartet.

Gabrielle's quartet.

 Next was us girls' trip with WVYO to play at Disney Hall in Los Angeles!


All of us on the bus at 6 am :)

Gabrielle and Campbell a.k.a. mini Gabrielle

Lots of goofiness right here! 

Santa Monica Pier!  So much fun!

Frankie's new shirt.
One of the several tables at Bucco de Beppo in Universal Skywalk for dinner.

Best buds right here.  Frank, Gabrielle, Zach, Me, Albert, Cameron, Campbell and Andreja.

Next day we went on the VIP tour at Warner Brothers Studios.  Me under the sorting hat.  I got Hufflepuff.

The Fab Four.  Our movie hats go right along with our demeanors! Albert/Actor, Gabrielle/Writer, Lauren/Director and Frankie/Stuntman

Lunch at the Skywalk. 

Waiting for the bus to go to our first rehearsal at Disney Hall!
Dress rehearsal.

Disney Hall, home of the LA Philharmonic!
Group picture outside before dinner and then concert!
Hanging out in our room before the concert.

NVSO kids at Disney Hall. Noel, Albert, Frank, Andreja, Me and Gabrielle
WVYO on Stage!


Afterwards!

So excited!


The next day we went to the J. Paul Getty Museum and a Farmers Market.  It was really fun hanging with friends:)  Aaron, Me, Andreja, Gabrielle and Julia.

More awesome friends.  Cameron, Albert, Frank, Campbell, Zach and Jen. 

Frankie, Cameron, Zach, Gabrielle and I at the culinary store at the Farmers Market.  Unfortunately they were 10,000 each so we didn't get one.

Bus on the way home that night. 

Playing poker.  I think we had 11 people playing. What a fun fun trip.  I'm still sad it's over :(




I'll put some more pictures up soon! Stay tuned for This Adventure Called Life Part 2:)

-Lauren