Houston, we have no problem!

[Rachie]

Greetings and Salutations from Houston, Texas --

I must admit that I have silently surfed the Forum for a couple of weeks now (since I received my Gold Bundle); but I can no longer resist joining such a varied and talented group of folks!

I'm relatively new to the computer and audio production side of music. My musical life, however, began fifty years ago as a pianist. I'm a graduate of the School of Music at Northwestern University; and have picked up other graduate degrees in music along the way.

Composition arrived much later in my life, with surprising and gratifying results. Performances of my works in Houston and elsewere have been encouraging. So far, I have been primarily involved in writing choral works. When I heard what EWQLSC was capable of doing, I desided to take the plunge and immerse myself in your world. Hopefully, I will get past treading the waters of familiarization, and really start to swim with the rest of you!

Regards,

Rachie

[paulwr]

Greetings and Salutations from Houston, Texas --

I must admit that I have silently surfed the Forum for a couple of weeks now (since I received my Gold Bundle); but I can no longer resist joining such a varied and talented group of folks!

I'm relatively new to the computer and audio production side of music. My musical life, however, began fifty years ago as a pianist. I'm a graduate of the School of Music at Northwestern University; and have picked up other graduate degrees in music along the way.

Composition arrived much later in my life, with surprising and gratifying results. Performances of my works in Houston and elsewere have been encouraging. So far, I have been primarily involved in writing choral works. When I heard what EWQLSC was capable of doing, I desided to take the plunge and immerse myself in your world. Hopefully, I will get past treading the waters of familiarization, and really start to swim with the rest of you!

Regards,

Rachie

Hey, in the mid 1970's I lived in Evanston while I performed at the Conrad Hilton Hotel (piano) in Chicago. I lived there for 2.5 yrs and regularly I would sneak into the piano practice rooms and Northwestern. Did you know or take lessons from Alan Swain in Evanston, too? How about the great concerts at Amazing Grace in Evanston. I loved seeing Gary Burton every time he appeared, and Keith Jarrett, too.

-Paul

[pietro7050@verizon.net]

Welcome Rachie,
With all of your experience, I am looking forward to hearing some of your work. Try not to let the technology get between you and your work. Sometimes the frustration with the technological aspect becomes all consuming, at least in my case. Nonetheless, these are great tools we have at our disposal. Hope all goes well for you.
Pietro

[Rachie]

Paul,

It sounds like we missed each other at NU by several years. I graduated in '68. However, I do remember those practice rooms in the "Great White Elephant" as we used to call it. While I was there, I studied piano with Lawrence Davis (relatively new to the faculty, at that time) and Gui Mombaerts who was head of the Piano Department.

I do miss Evanston, the Lake, and (of course) Chicago -- so much to do there, and so much music.

Thanks for the welcome, and talk to you again, soon.

Regards,

Rachie

[Rachie]

Pietro,

Thanks for the welcome -- and the advice. It reminded me of an experience I had not too long ago:
I was writing an Alleluia to complete a choral work with orchestra. I was so concerned about how I was going to crank-out practice CD's for some of the choir members, that completing the piece got pushed into a corner. Fortunately, I prioritized myself and managed to complete everything.

You are right about this tool set: It has so much potential; but I intend to take my time in learning how to use and manage what's there. Hopefully, with advice along the way from experts like you and others in the Forum, that learning process will be easier.

Regards,

Rachie

[Gedren]

Hello and welcome, Rachie! :)

[fongi]

Hi Rachie and welcome, forgive me for asking but is Rachie another way of saying Racheal or are you a guy ? it´s just that it´s an unusual name Chris :)

[Dean Krommydas]

If that picture is of Rach maninoff.... maybe the "Rach" part is homage to him? I dunno...

Welcome Rachie!

[Rachie]

neo (and fongi),

Neo, you have guessed it! Rachmaninoff - the composer and the pianist - seems to continue to be a powerful influence. I contemporized his name a bit as a sign-in. A memorable teacher (and good friend of mine) Ruth Slenczynska told me many insteresting stories about him. When she was a little girl, she was quite a pianist already; and Rachmaninoff and she toured together across the U.S for number of years. Many of the things he taught her, I tried to grab up like a sponge while studying with her.

Sorry fongi. Perhaps a "Rachael" is soon to arrive on the Forum scene; but I am a guy.

Thanks to both of you for the welcome!

Rachie

[Rachie]

Gedren,

Thanks for the welcome. I must tell you -- I have visited your myspace website; and you have a world of talent both as a performer and a composer. I'm sure there are many in the forum who are very pleased that you are a member.

Regards,

Rachie

[Dean Krommydas]

neo (and fongi),

Neo, you have guessed it! Rachmaninoff - the composer and the pianist - seems to continue to be a powerful influence. I contemporized his name a bit as a sign-in. A memorable teacher (and good friend of mine) Ruth Slenczynska told me many insteresting stories about him. When she was a little girl, she was quite a pianist already; and Rachmaninoff and she toured together across the U.S for number of years. Many of the things he taught her, I tried to grab up like a sponge while studying with her.

Sorry fongi. Perhaps a "Rachael" is soon to arrive on the Forum scene; but I am a guy.

Thanks to both of you for the welcome!

Rachie

heh heh...I had a sneaky suspicion that was what it was. Rachmaninoff happens to be one of my favorite/most influential composers as well...so that was an easy intuitive response for me. Arguably I think he has composed some of the most beautiful/moving music ever written...yet to be matched.

I am really good friends with a Russian Orthodox priest located in Southbury Connecticut...and it just so happens that he has a parishoner that was a student of Rachmaninoff's when he lived in Southbury. She is like 80 something years old...but still alive and the next time I go for a visit I plan to meet with her and see how much she may remember from her youth. ANd even if she doesn't have much that she can recall or share about him...I still feel like it is something i absolutely must take advantage of.

ANyway...take it easy and thanks for sharing! I think it's incrredible that you have such a tremendous resource in Ruth! I am insanely jealous but happy for you! :)

[Halvor_H]

Hello Rachmaninoff, and welcome to the world of electronic musak....

[fongi]

neo (and fongi),



Sorry fongi. Perhaps a "Rachael" is soon to arrive on the Forum scene; but I am a guy.

Thanks to both of you for the welcome!

Rachie

Don´t be sorry I was just curious tha´s all !

[Nash]

WELCOME TO FORUM!!!!!

Have fun!

Nash