KENDRA EMERY
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Fall in ct

11/17/2015

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Hello all! First, let me start by saying, I acknowledge the fact that I owe you an update on Vegas and how life back in the southwest is treating me. However, I do believe my recent trip back to CT merits more discussion at this time. So, check back in a week or so and maybe I'll give a more proper life update then. 

Daryl and I took an overnighter last Wednesday and landed in CT on Thursday morning. Dr. Colette Hall picked us up at the airport and took us back to her place, the photo below is the view from her porch, lovely isn't it? We immediately jumped into rehearsals. Fun fact, we rehearsed Russ Podgorsek's recent saxophone duo "Kaidan" in the apartment he used to live in when he lived in Hartford. The same apartment I hung out with him at on my first visit to Hartford when I was considering going there for grad school. Small world eh?
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The next few days were a series of rehearsals squeezed in between Colette's work schedule and my social outings. It was so nice to see all the past students and friends who were able to make time for me! I really appreciate and miss all of you. 

Friday morning we had a coaching with David Macbride on his new saxophone duo "A Path" (audio below) which we premiered the following Sunday. The coaching was lovely. Imagine playing in a window filled room with a gorgeous wooden arched ceiling while the wind rustled the colorful leaves outside.  The screen door was open so the sounds of nature were strong and now I feel like the piece should always be played outdoors. 

Colette and I played 2 concerts on Sunday, featuring music from the composers we selected from the score call we did back in February. The morning concert was at the South Congregational Church of Glastonbury. We played "Adages" by Sy Brandon, "Flight of Fancy" by Matthew Orlovich, mvt. 1 of "Kaidan" by Russell Podgorsek, "Rough and Tumble" by Martin Jones, and closed with "Black" by Marc Mellits. The last piece was not from our score call, but who doesn't love it? The congregation was very kind and welcoming. It was a lovely concert and we are so grateful to them for having us.

For our Saturday afternoon concert we played at the Universalist Church of West Hartford. As many of you know, this place has been a host to many of my concerts and events over the last few years. I am so thankful for Ted Hine, he is so gracious in sharing his space there and giving new music a home.

We had a couple repeats on the afternoon concert including "Flight of Fancy", and "Black". We also played the first 2 of 3 movements of "Kaidan". We had 2 pieces by Princeton composers who I got to meet about 2 years ago when I went there  to premiere Alex Dowlings' "Alphabetics" and Emma O'Halloran's "Drip". We did a workshop performance of "Breath(e)" by Dave Molk, the piece will be officially premiered in January by the  Epoch duo. We had a lot of fun with "Dart:  Don't  Be His Shadow" by Quinn Collins.  The centerpiece of the concert was the premiere of "A Path" by Hartt faculty David Macbride. I have been a big admirer of his music for a long time and getting to premiere such a lovely piece was a great honor. Now I just need to meet some classical saxophonists in Vegas so I can play it again. If you are out there I am sending out the Bat Signal! Contact me!
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Kendra Emery, David Macbride, Colette Hall
It was great to go home, to my old home, for a bit. But the last couple days were cold and I am happy to be back in Vegas where people are complaining about it getting cold, if only they knew. Thank you  again to all the composers who submitted to the score call, not just the ones we selected to perform the music of, we appreciate your bravery and willingness to share your music. And now, I will leave you with some ear candy. Live recording of the premiere of "A Path" by David Macbride.
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