Hi all,
I've been meaning to post for a while, but unfortunately real life supercedes online life. Once I figure out how, I'll post some tour pictures.
In the meantime, the Winnipeg Jazz Festival has been going on. Last night I went with Steph to go see Michael Kaeshammer. As I told her several times, last night was the best night of my life - or at least pretty close. Michael Kaeshammer is a jazz pianist, in the boogie-woogie and stride tradition, and he absolutely blew me away with his playing. Solid tempo, soulful riffs, and a playing style so hot I thought the piano was going to burst into flames at any moment.
The pieces he played weren't that difficult chord-change-wise - most of them were 12 bar blues, but what made them so special is that he was playing unaccompanied for the first set, and his left hand work is absolutely spectacular. It was so fast that I had no idea how tendonitis didn't immediately set in for him. I guess the songs were dictated mostly by the second set, where he played with Harry Manx - a lap steel guitarist. I don't know what those things are capable of, but he didn't do anything tremendously virtuosic, so I think that's why the songs were kept easier. Easy changes, however, doesn't mean that it was easy. If you ever want to hear Michael Kaeshammer, just find me and I'll loan you one of his CDs - which are spectacular as well, but after hearing him last night, the CDs pale in comparison - although recorded jazz can never beat live.
If you ever get to see Michael Kaeshammer, do it. It'll be a night that you won't forget.
6.21.2006
5.10.2006
In Scotland!
Hi all,
I'm writing this from a library in bonnie Scotland! I'm in Edinburgh, and it's the last leg of our tour. I will post some pictures when I get home, and I've got lots!
Well, until then, cheers!
I'm writing this from a library in bonnie Scotland! I'm in Edinburgh, and it's the last leg of our tour. I will post some pictures when I get home, and I've got lots!
Well, until then, cheers!
4.24.2006
Off to England
As of yesterday, I am now allowed to do this:
Matt Neufeld, B.F.A.
Pretty neat, huh? Along with my degree, Prov gave me the Vocal Performance Award, and the Chris Derksen Memorial Scholarship. I think that's very hip.
In other news, I leave in seven hours for the UK! This year is a tour year for the College Singers, and we are touring to England and Scotland till May 15th. Pray for safety, fun, and health for all of us. For our itinerary, go here.
I'll see all of you in a month!
Matt Neufeld, B.F.A.
Pretty neat, huh? Along with my degree, Prov gave me the Vocal Performance Award, and the Chris Derksen Memorial Scholarship. I think that's very hip.
In other news, I leave in seven hours for the UK! This year is a tour year for the College Singers, and we are touring to England and Scotland till May 15th. Pray for safety, fun, and health for all of us. For our itinerary, go here.
I'll see all of you in a month!
4.12.2006
And I'm done
Wow - it's been a while since I posted. Sorry - life's been too busy to blog.
Here's what's been up in the last 3 weeks:
Approximately 50 pages of papers due.
A wedding in Saskatchewan.
My grad recital.
Spring Concert (which I wrote the final combined piece for).
Life's been busy.
However, today marked a milestone in my life: I handed in my last assignment ever at Providence College. I handed in 2 BS Methods papers today, and that was it. No fanfare, no weeping or gnashing of teeth - just a feeling of relief. And relief is what I need most.
In other news - United Kingdom in 13 days! That'll be good fun, and a great way to end my time at Prov.
One more thing: The word of the day for me is "fantastic".
Here's what's been up in the last 3 weeks:
Approximately 50 pages of papers due.
A wedding in Saskatchewan.
My grad recital.
Spring Concert (which I wrote the final combined piece for).
Life's been busy.
However, today marked a milestone in my life: I handed in my last assignment ever at Providence College. I handed in 2 BS Methods papers today, and that was it. No fanfare, no weeping or gnashing of teeth - just a feeling of relief. And relief is what I need most.
In other news - United Kingdom in 13 days! That'll be good fun, and a great way to end my time at Prov.
One more thing: The word of the day for me is "fantastic".
And I'm done
Wow - it's been a while since I posted. Sorry - life's been too busy to blog.
Here's what's been up in the last 3 weeks:
Approximately 50 pages of papers due.
A wedding in Saskatchewan.
My grad recital.
Spring Concert (which I wrote the final combined piece for).
Life's been busy.
However, today marked a milestone in my life: I handed in my last assignment ever at Providence College. I handed in 2 BS Methods papers today, and that was it. No fanfare, no weeping or gnashing of teeth - just a feeling of relief. And relief is what I need most.
In other news - United Kingdom in 13 days! That'll be good fun, and a great way to end my time at Prov.
One more thing: The word of the day for me is "fantastic".
Here's what's been up in the last 3 weeks:
Approximately 50 pages of papers due.
A wedding in Saskatchewan.
My grad recital.
Spring Concert (which I wrote the final combined piece for).
Life's been busy.
However, today marked a milestone in my life: I handed in my last assignment ever at Providence College. I handed in 2 BS Methods papers today, and that was it. No fanfare, no weeping or gnashing of teeth - just a feeling of relief. And relief is what I need most.
In other news - United Kingdom in 13 days! That'll be good fun, and a great way to end my time at Prov.
One more thing: The word of the day for me is "fantastic".
3.22.2006
StarSearch
Something important happened yesterday.
Yesterday was the annual Providence Vocal Performance competition. And I won. Go me!
If you can't tell, I'm very excited.
Yesterday was the annual Providence Vocal Performance competition. And I won. Go me!
If you can't tell, I'm very excited.
3.19.2006
Come one, come all
Hi everybody,
This is an official invitation to my graduation recital, featuring Carla Giesbrecht, alto, and Straight Ahead. My recital is at 7 PM in the College Chapel on April 6, 2006. So, if you're reading this, then you're invited!
-Matt
This is an official invitation to my graduation recital, featuring Carla Giesbrecht, alto, and Straight Ahead. My recital is at 7 PM in the College Chapel on April 6, 2006. So, if you're reading this, then you're invited!
-Matt
2.27.2006
Coming home
Hi all,
I'm currently in my last week of school at Prov before spring break. I'll be home this Friday!
So...give me a call sometime!
I'm currently in my last week of school at Prov before spring break. I'll be home this Friday!
So...give me a call sometime!
2.16.2006
Chopin!
So, yesterday I finally graduated...piano, that is. I got my brand new Grade 7 books, and I'm really excited! And, here's the best part:
It has a Chopin prelude, and I can play it!
I was reading through the book, and I came to a Chopin prelude, and I tried it, and I could play almost all of it! I'm super excited.
In other news, U of M audition tomorrow. I feel good about it. I'll keep you all posted on how it goes.
It has a Chopin prelude, and I can play it!
I was reading through the book, and I came to a Chopin prelude, and I tried it, and I could play almost all of it! I'm super excited.
In other news, U of M audition tomorrow. I feel good about it. I'll keep you all posted on how it goes.
2.04.2006
iPod!
As a late birthday present to myself, as well as a present for working a loooong day for the government a few weeks ago, I picked up a 30 gig Video iPod earlier today.
The result: I'm really happy. Now if I could find some videos to put on it instead of just 20 GB of jazz....
The result: I'm really happy. Now if I could find some videos to put on it instead of just 20 GB of jazz....
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