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Playing Music; Unlocking Mary
Dynamics are a funny thing. They're absolutely essential to making music. Without them—without that natural rise and fall of intensity—music is bland and lifeless. Every phrase becomes the same color. Until I was about fifteen years old, I had been playing notes, not music. And honestly? I played those notes pretty well. I had a nice vibrato. I could keep a steady rhythm. I could play fast. I could play slowly. Technically, I was doing just fine. But I was missing something.
Mary Flanagan
Jul 265 min read
The Most Beautiful Smile
I'd been homeschooled my entire life when I walked into my first Middle Level Honors Orchestra. While I did participate in band at the local high school, my dad was the band director, so even there I was surrounded by family. This would be my first experience truly on my own, surrounded by complete strangers. My audition had earned me the position of Principal Second Violinist—the leader of the second violin section. Objectively, it was something to celebrate. Emotionally, it
Mary Flanagan
Jul 194 min read
Panic Attacks
It is my turn. I'm 15 years old. My legs are literally shaking. My palms have turned ice-cold. I never sweat when I’m nervous. I just go glacial. I have always been SCARILY, almost disturbingly good at faking it. I walk to the front of the church and stand in the center. I smile at the audience, willing them to see someone poised, confident, and completely calm. I nod to my accompanist and position my bow. Breathe. Sniff and lift my violin in time with the pianist..... I begi
Mary Flanagan
Jul 113 min read
Humorous stories of stand partners gone by....
Over the years I've had many stand partners. For those unfamiliar with the term, a stand partner is the person who sits next to you during rehearsals and concerts in an orchestra. The funny thing about stand partners is that they're usually a surprise. You don't know who you'll be sitting next to until the first rehearsal. On a good day you're paired with someone you like and get along with. On a bad day, you're seated next to someone who outplays you by a mile...or someone y
Mary Flanagan
Jul 44 min read
The Violin My Dad Bought For Me
"That's a gorgeous violin!" I remember telling my stand partner at a Mankato Symphony concert several years ago. She smiled proudly. "Thank you! I just had it made to my specifications. My grandma passed away and left me an inheritance of $35,000, and I used it to order a violin built exactly the way I wanted." My eyes wandered over the shiny varnish, the perfectly fitted strings, and the gleaming chin rest. I held her beautifully balanced, feather-light bow in my hand and sw
Mary Flanagan
Jun 274 min read
Observing the Rests
Silence. Filling every concert hall before the first notes ring out. Silence. Uniting audiences of every political affiliation, race, language, age, and background in concert halls around the world. Silence. Uniting musicians of every political affiliation, race, language, age, and background as they look to the conductor and await the first upbeat. Silence communicates and carries as much anticipation, yearning, and emotion as the music it precedes—or follows. People often s
Mary Flanagan
Jun 183 min read
The Second Audition
I've had many frightening auditions in my life. In fact, auditioning as a teenager was stressful enough that I can honestly say it left some lasting scars. Ironically, the most successful audition of my life was also one of the least stressful. I was 14 years old, auditioning for the Minnesota All-State Orchestra for the first time. When I walked onto the stage, the auditorium lights were dimmed so I couldn't see the judges. For whatever reason, that made all the difference.
Mary Flanagan
Jun 123 min read
When the Conductor Looks at You
There is a moment that not many musicians talk about. In fact, I've never heard anyone talk about it. You're performing a Beethoven symphony. You're sitting in your section, one musician among many. You look up at the conductor—as every musician should, and as every excellent musician does. And then it happens. You catch the conductor's eye. He looks back at you. For a brief moment, your eyes lock. Sometimes, if you know the conductor well, there is a look of understanding. S
Mary Flanagan
Apr 252 min read
New blog posts weekly on Friday nights, posted minutes after writing and from my couch, front porch or backyard by a campfire.
Most likely me in my comfiest pajamas with a late night cup of coffee in hand.
My adhd will be in absolute overdrive. It's an extremely messy and chaotic/albiet peaceful headspace.This is truly my "me time," and I suppose the argument could be made that this is my hobby, if even I have one.
For now, my intention is to keep all my blogging focused on the theme surrounding my children's book/series I'm working on. Keeps me focused on one topic. But don't worry, there is plenty of material!
Mary
XOXO
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