#sfyca

[yesthisiscawtchlin-blog]

Now that the kids have arrived everything is crazy. Even the few who arrived yesterday after our magnificent communications training were tiring. I was passed out by 11:15. I don't think I remembered how intense and wonderful this experience is until everyone arrived this morning. Those that are returning are clearly ecstatic about it all, while others just aren't sure. That especially applies to bodysinging. We firmly believe at the YCA that singing is about the entire body cooperating. So every morning the kids move and sing and work on their breath and bodies. It's magical. Sitting here watching and listening is fascinating, and by the end of the the Academy I know they're going to be ridiculously in sync. They're going to fall into the routine of every day's action-packed schedule. For now I'm yawning my way through what will probably be the only see soon of bodysinging I can manage to wake up and participate in. Already I'm worried about some of the returners trying to take leadership positions that aren't appropriate, but like my brother said, I just need to wait and see. Much love.

[yesthisiscawtchlin-blog]

I just got back from the most amazing concert. I know I say that about a lot of things (amazing), but it's true. Tonight I got a chance to see the Canadian Brass, a quintet of brass from Canada. Well, one of them is Greek. His name is Achilles. How ridiculously Greek is that.

Anyways, it was astonishing. I couldn't stop smiling throughout the first half. Playing a mixture of classical and folk tunes, they presented gorgeous pieces in silly ways, playing with the smoothest and clearest tone I've ever heard. To make it even better, they got sillier through the second half. To close they did a rendition of Carmen (the opera) in which they each played an important character. it was ridiculous. I couldn't stop laughing, and with every flourish of the main theme, the main trumpet playing Carmen tossed his wig, which barely fit over his voluminous jew-fro.

For their encore they played Flight of the Bumblebee. Nuff said. After a longish day of orientation/training, this concert was a perfect closer, its encore the silly party I'm currently at in which we are drinking Cook's and reading each other poetry.

Much love.

[yesthisiscawtchlin-blog]

Ah, the old "yes this is dog" reference. It's been so long. Remember when we thought staff was going to delete unused urls that people were hoarding? That's what the previous post was from. These days I only believe staff messages that come via email. 

I'm on a bus maybe ten minutes away from Eugene, OR on my way to a job at the Oregon Bach Festival. As a senior in high school I applied to this program I had put off looking at because of a summer job I had in Cali. YCA was that program, well, SFYCA (Stangeland Family Youth Choral Academy), but no one actually calls it that unless they're official. As a high schooler it was the most amazing experience. It was choral excellence in a choir of 70, 24/7. It was exhausting and exciting, and I doubt anything will ever compare. Except maybe this time.

When I was a participant in YCA my brother (who had participated as a student) was working as an AD (Activity Director) which is basically a counselor at this super intense choir camp. You can only do it once you're 21, so this year I applied to work as an AD. And here I am, on my way to that exact job. I'm pretty sure the bus just pulled off at the exit for Eugene, so I have to wrap up. To sum up, this is possibly going to be the most amazing experience of my life. 

Much love.

[keefgirgofanclub]

HELLO INTERNET I'M BACK FROM THE SINGING. Best experience of my life (even if I have no voice now) but I did miss having constant tumblr :(