post-audition wrap

phew, it's done...

what a day. talk about an emotional roller-coaster... i wrote the theory placement exam in the morning, that was a breeze (although i still don't know what scale degree the mediant is).

then i wandered around a bit, walked through a shopping mall, bought myself some nice pj's, and checked into a local Second Cup for a chamomile tea and a piece of carrot cake. i read my book for a few hours, and took the time to write up my audition programme since i knew they'd want to have it written out.

julia had suggested i drink some hot cocoa before the audition (not the regular hot chocolate, but real cocoa). i found a great place on ste catharines, across from the paramount theatre, that serves hot cocoa and i got myself a double. ooooh, that was yummy and sooo rich - good place to go back to, that's for sure.

i headed back to the music building and changed into a lovely black dress for my audition. i sat around, waited for my time to come, then got myself a seat just outside the audition room. i chatted with a nice young guy who was due to audition before me, then wished him luck as his turn came up.

i repeated to myself "i am good" and "i can play a good audition" and "i am relaxed" and so on, until i was called in. i started with brahms, then they asked me to play beethoven and finally the bach. i didn't get to finish any of them - they stopped me before i could finish brahms and beethoven, and to my utter chagrin, i found i was unable to deliver when it came to the bach fugue. i tried two or three times, but kept fumbling in the same spot - a new spot, i had never fumbled there before. but all in all, it went quite well. still, i couldn't believe i'd screwed up the fugue, i love that piece...

i found out one of the judges actually lives in my backyard and has been hearing me practice for the past few months. she recognized my playing on the pre-recorded audition, and again today. isn't that funny - it's a small world, and you never know who's listening.

julia called me at about 9:30 tonight and told me she had just spoken to one of the judges. it seems i made a pretty good impression, regardless of the trouble with bach. she is quite confident that i have done well enough, although i still need to get the official invitation to enroll for studies in the fall. she wouldn't have called just to make me feel better, so i'm hoping that this is all a really positive sign, and feel encouraged about my performance earlier today.

so, officially, i will know the judges' decision by the end of march. geez, waiting is the hardest part! but no matter what, having done this today changes everything after this. wow, what a day...

:)