It is 1:30 in the morning and I desperately desire to dive into slumber...but I have had such an exciting past couple days that I need to put it into writing. Oh, and I had a giant cup of coffee...well, that was about 8 hours ago. I don't know how long caffeine effects last but that might be part of why I have so much excited energy.
I played three hours of waltzes today! Well, more like two-and-a-half, because for the last half-hour they put on recorded music so Kathleen and I could join the dancers on the floor. It was so much fun exploring different waltz feels and moods. We did not have time to rehears beforehand so I was sight-reading all of the chords but next time we can be more prepared and I'll be able to dig deeper into the music.
Ah, so, connections! I have met so many cool people the past few days/weeks. Tonight I met a filmmaker and got contact information for potential film scoring gigs. Our sound guy this evening works at Berklee gathering musicians for film score recording sessions--I talked to him about finding musicians to record for my World Music class. I also met Miranda who organized the waltz event and has an awesome organization called Miranda's Hearth. She organizes community-based art and dance events and her long-term project is to create a hotel filled with awesome people, music, art, food, fun, etc. Kathleen and I talked with her and the other organizer, Matt, about being the "house band" for their Waltzdays event every month! There is also potential for future collaboration. The community Miranda is creating is so much like what I have been thinking about lately. I want to use music and art as a way to bring community together. I can't wait to learn more about the projects that Miranda's Hearth is organizing.
Last night I danced at the JP contra and someone I was chatting with at the end, Rip Jackson, turned out to be a Village Harmony leader. He is also a composer, organist, and leads a church choir. I am very excited to connect with him and send him my music.
The past couple days I was contacting musicians to record my Celtic set and I messaged about six guitar players with no success. Max Newman who plays with Nor'Easter was one of the people I contacted and I was honestly a little daunted by reaching out to such an accomplished musician. But he called me back after I left a message, and not only that, but he sent me a text after our conversation, saying that he wanted to know more about my work and my projects, that he would love to work with me in the future and that we should play an MIT dance together sometime. It was a huge confidence booster. The past few weeks have been a huge confidence booster because I am finding so many friends and opportunities in Boston this year.
Let's see, in other news, I will be playing soccer tomorrow night...I haven't really played since I was five so it will be interesting. Also, I might start working at a bakery but that is a tentative plan so far. I loath to give up my freedom but part of me really wants the experience of a regular job. Oh, and money would be nice too...
Well, that is all I have for tonight.
Best,
Clayton
