At the Sydney Opera House – first stop on arrival!
I’m about to leave Sydney, New South Wales, after 14 amazing days here. I had hoped to write blog posts throughout this trip, but my host, John Lynch, recently moved to a new apartment, and his Wi-fi was only connected yesterday. I have been journaling, however (the old-fashioned way), and have a detailed personal record of the trip. So I am sharing highlights here. For now, I’m killing a little time at Sydney International Airport waiting for my flight to Los Angeles/JFK, and this seemed to be a good time to catch up.
This being my first trip to this part of the world, I was really taken with the country and her people. I especially enjoyed the morning “cafe culture” on Crown Street in Surry Hills, the neighborhood of Sydney where John & Mark live. I immediately embraced the “flat white,” a type of coffee made with espresso and hot steamed milk, but without the froth characteristic of a cappuccino. Starbucks recently introduced this in the US, and I actually tried one before traveling, not knowing that it would be my morning staple here. A bakery of divine proportions was only a block from the apartment, and quickly became my morning haven. I developed a special fondness for their chocolate raspberry muffins. I made a point (on the first day, in fact) of getting to Luna Park, and riding the only roller coaster (a wild mouse) in the Sydney area.
Second stop – Luna Park!
But I was drawn again and again and again to the area downtown between the Royal Botanic Gardens and the Circular Quay, which included the Sydney Conservatorium of Music (partially built under the Gardens), and the Sydney Opera House. Of over 1000 photos I took on this trip, a substantial number of them are of the Opera House. Its magnetism was amazing.I took the public tour last Friday and was fortunate to be on a tour that allowed photos inside, a rarity. I’ll write more about it later.
John is the new conductor of the Wind Symphony at the Conservatorium, and is proceeding by leaps and bounds to bring the wind band to a new level of artistry here in Australia. In this role, he has learned to know many band directors in the area, and he used these connections to help provide some musical opportunities while I was here. I conducted rehearsals with three ensembles: the St. Aloysius College Symphonic Wind Ensemble, the Newington College Wind Symphony, and the Sydney Youth Orchestra Wind Symphony.
Conducting the Newington College Wind Symphony
All three experiences were exciting and I was thrilled to have the opportunity to conduct while visiting Sydney. I also made a presentation to John’s undergraduate conducting class last Friday, and really enjoyed working with those students as well. I made acquaintance with several musicians and new friends. I’m looking forward to staying in touch with my new mates!
It’s been a great trip and I’ll be looking forward to sharing more once I’m home. I have to sort through 1000+ photos to find those I want to share.
Time to board my home for the next 14 hours! More from White Plains when I return.
Recent Comments