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I would appreciate knowing more about your piano playing sometime. But, that would probably best to be done by starting a new thread.

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My piano playing? It stinks. Well, OK - I can play, some days better than others. Non-musicians think I'm great, but a real musician would know better. LOL.

Yes, I'm a musician. :) (If our profiles came back, I think it's in there.) I just got really burnt on everything I was doing so I up and quit. Piano's what I started on as a kid, but it kind of went down the tubes. But I also started clarinet later, which became my main instrument and I was always better at that than piano. I also used to teach it - I once took a "leave of absense" but never returned to it. I have several other instruments around, but these days I pretty much just mess on the piano cause it's easy to sit & play and not mess with reeds or get holes in my fingers from the guitar.

As for Quad... very cool. Was that Holst's 1st Suite I heard? I have a recording of me doing that nifty solo clarinet part on the 2nd movement. However, it stinks cause it was just a little portible cassette recorder. And you made me pull out my CD of Cleveland Symphonic Winds with Frederick Fennell and listen to it and waste all my free time. :-) (I just hadn't heard the Holst for so long... well, I was compelled.)

But I got spooked by that audition thing. I only had to audition for one thing and it scared the pants off me. I think I've got the Voxman around somewhere, but I lost half my stuff when I moved. Just curious to see what those etude requirements are. Not that I'm going to audition, mind you. I'd be too pooped from the drive to play when I got there. :-)

I do have to admit that it made me miss it.

Hey, morgaine300!

Thanks for starting this thread!

Our profiles are still there, they can be seen if you use the default skin. That skin is considerably more colorful than the other one. Or, are there even more skins?

Yes, I think that's the last movement of Holst's 1st Suite. I kind of wish that I'd been given another sound example to put on the site. On of the trombone players does a "clam" on that mp3. I do have other cd's of the Wind Ensemble performing. I think that I'll change the sound file on the site in the near future. I've got one with me on a bongo solo!

I'm stuck right now on a Windows '98 machine on a phone line. Something's got ahold of my main computer, so things are really slow right now. Once I'm back up to high-speed, I'll be updating the Wind Ensemble site. Hardly worth the effort right now, because of being on a phone line and getting disconnected so much.

I think that I played in a massed-band thing directed by Frederick Fennell when I was in high school.

I've worked with Hymie Voxman a number of times when accompanying one of his students who taught at Augustana College, here in Rock Island. I would play for all of her recitals. She's not teaching there anymore and I really miss performing with her!

I think that Hymie is still alive, but not sure. I think that he would have to be in his 90's! He's an incredibly polite and nice guy!

So, how far away do you live from where I live, please?

Thanks!

I found what you had written about you in your Profile, morgaine300! It can be seen, if you use the default skin.

Thanks!

Well, I didn't notice anything about a trombone at all. But I'll look forward to hearing your bongo solo.

In high school I still only played piano and guitar so I was never in any bands. I was in the choir - in fact, for a long time I considered myself more of a vocalist. However, I haven't done any serious singing for a long time so I've lost a lot of that too. (I seem to have lost a lot of a lot of things, huh?) I have a basic level of vocal talent, but was never one of these people who could just open their mouth and sound wonderful. I always had to work at it really hard and always keep on top of it, and since I haven't seriously practice since way back when, my voice really isn't so hot anymore. I've actually tried to do a bit of that on my own recently cause it ticks me off that I can't sing anymore.

The band stuff came later. I have had the privilege of meeting several band composers, because one band that I was in for about 15 years had a guest composer every year. Some of them conducted horribly, but others were quite good. Robert Jäger was my favorite - hilarous man. Frank Ticheli was my least favorite - very, very odd man and bad conductor. I can't remember them all, but there was Robert Smith, Jim Curnow... wow, losing my memory.

We also sometimes had guest players, but no one as big as a Canadian Brasser. (I had no clue Ron Romm had left. Most of the stuff I bought was in the 90's and that was the group I got used to.)

Oh, and I'm about a days' drive from you. Unlike people like you, I have no desire to give away where I'm at though. (If you want to know that badly, I can PM it.)

As for the profiles, I don't know what you're talking about with the default skin. I have never changed anything and didn't even know there were skins. I have had other problems too, like not being able to delete my own posts, even though the button is supposedly there. So I don't know what's going on.

Hey, morgaine300!

I finally found this thread again!

Did you ever figure out how to try differen't "skins" on this site?

Thanks!

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Originally Posted by Clough

Did you ever figure out how to try differen't "skins" on this site?

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I don't think I can. I did a search in the help files and it said something about that setting being on the lower left of the page -- not sure what page but I checked a bunch of different places and have never seen any such thing. It says if you don't see it then you can't change it. (Obviously.)

But the very fact that I've never changed it means I must be using the default. So there's still some other issue going on. I'm starting to wonder if it's cause I'm using an older Firefox. But same problem with IE.

I'd been using the lighter skin ever since I started here. It wasn't the default skin. I would think that the default skin would be the one that people would first be able to use.

Apparently, it isn't...

I would suggest going to your profile and seeing what you can do as far as using another skin. That's what I did...

Thanks!

But I can't find any way to change it. It's just not there. It's not the only thing I can't find that's supposed to be here. That's why I wonder if it's the browser.

Besides, the profiles should show up regardless, so something's wrong. I heard it was something they were working on.

What do you see now as the "skin" of this site, morgaine300?

On my current browser, I see red (or, orange) as the outline.

Thanks!

Blue.

Hi, morgaine300!

If you go to Edit Options in your Pofile, you should see a Forum Skin thing at the bottom of the page. I would suggest giving that a try.

Thanks!

I already tried that the other day and it's not there.

You don't believe me that this thing doesn't exist for me, do you? :-)

Hi again, morgaine300!

I'm not sure that you're looking in the proper place for the skin change thing.

Thanks!

Edit Options - I know where that is.

But I've also noticed other problems. There's been other things I've asked about how to do and been directed somewhere and it hasn't existed. And then heard from others they're experiencing the same thing.

I know they've been messing with some stuff, and since I've not updated my browser in a while, I'm starting to wonder if there's some kind of issue with that. I do know of one thing that is most definitely a browser thing.

(On the other hand, profiles should show up regardless of which skin I'm using - I know the profiles was one of the things that was messed up.)

Hi, morgaine300!

What browser are you using?

Thanks!

Firefox, but it's an older one. I also have IE6 but I haven't looked at the site with that for a while - maybe I should.

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Originally Posted by morgaine300

(On the other hand, profiles should show up regardless of which skin I'm using - I know the profiles was one of the things that was messed up.)

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We've been told that our profiles are "hidden" for now, but will be allowed to show at a future time.

This seeing the profile thing is truly a mystery to me. I can view mine, Wondergirl's and your profiile, morgaine300 just fine. That's with using a Netscape 7.2 browser.

Nothing fancy there...

Ny thought is, if either of you play around with you options, then you should be able to see profiles as they were.

Thanks!

My gut feeling is that whatever they are messing around with is making stuff work in some browsers and not in others.

I didn't like Firefox 3.5, so I just recently discovered a link where I could still get 3 and downloaded it. I just installed it last night but this site was down so I couldn't mess around here.

So instead I was busy messing with the "themes" for Firefox cause I can't stand the new look. Too much like IE7. Right now I've got this interesting silver thing going on - even the right-click menu is silver.

My gut feeling is that whatever they are messing around with is making stuff work in some browsers and not in others.

I didn't like Firefox 3.5, so I just recently discovered a link where I could still get 3 and downloaded it. I just installed it last night but this site was down so I couldn't mess around here.

So instead I was busy messing with the "themes" for Firefox cause I can't stand the new look. Too much like IE7. Right now I've got this interesting silver thing going on - even the right-click menu is silver.

More curious stuff... I went to post that and it told me I had to wait 28 seconds cause I'd just posted. Except that I never posted anything. I've seen this happening a lot recently.

That is really curious, especially if you hadn't posted anything on the particular thread? Is that what you mean?

Thanks!

I hadn't posted anything at all on the site at the time. This was the first thread I went to today. And that was the first time I hit the post button - and then there were two.

I wish money could multiply that way. :-)

I find that happening when I'm on a dial-up connection. Are you on a dial-up connection?

Thanks!

Nope.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Clough

This seeing the profile thing is truly a mystery to me. I can view mine, Wondergirl's and your profiile, morgaine300 just fine. That's with using a Netscape 7.2 browser.

Nothing fancy there...

Ny thought is, if either of you play around with you options, then you should be able to see profiles as they were.

Thanks!

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I don't know how you can see profiles. I can't and others can't. RickJ posted this today in another thread:

Ultimately, we would like to see the "qualifications" in the profile as a part of the "review" prior to changing a person's status to Expert. Admins can see that profile info.

Admittedly, ALL users need to be able to see it.

...we're working on that

I can see them. It's because I changed the skin to the default one.

Here are both of your profiles.

Thanks!

About Wondergirl
Location
Chicago - western suburbs
Experience
As the first-born child of a Lutheran minister (a double whammy!), a former Lutheran grade school teacher and tutor, since 1981 a library employee who started at the bottom as a book shelver and climbed through the ranks as reference clerk to head of circulation to reference librarian to senior cataloger (meanwhile starting and supervising a volunteer program, coordinating court-ordered community service workers, and initiating/managing a homebound book delivery system), along the way earning a master's in counseling psychology while interning at Catholic Charities (working with families and individuals) and at a Center for Aging (counseling and bringing social opportunities to homebound seniors), I have experienced a wonderful and exciting ride on the road of life.

Also along the way, in 1985 I started a small business as a job coach and led workshops to help people with resumes and job hunting. The research and writing I did for that opened a door into writing for publication. In 1989 the Chicago Historical Society accepted a long article another librarian and I wrote about Chicago's Auditorium. A few years later I began to research and write for a California small press. Three books on Texas history and one on Illinois history resulted from that relationship.

During the past few years, I've turned to writing fiction. Many of the older female library patrons have moaned about the lack of romances for and about older women, so I have been writing the first of (what I hope will be) many. I've always been an avid reader, so that has helped me become a better writer. A short story of mine about a librarian and an autistic volunteer was recently accepted by an autism magazine (to be published in the Spring of 2008). Several of my stories are "out there," and I need to set aside time to write and submit more.

I'm the mother of two adult sons (one of whom is high-functioning autistic--hyperlexic), am owned by four adorable cats, and have survived 40 years being married to the same man (or maybe he has been the one to survive?).
Expert Forum
361,413,89,179,185,280,192,248

Signature

Obama 08 -- Yes, we can! Think about it -- what can we do together to make this a better world?
Suggestion #1 -- Pick up and throw away trash that you see lying around.
Suggestion #2 -- Volunteer at least two hours at week at an area hospital, nursing home, animal shelter, food pantry, soup kitchen, nursing home, public library.
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About morgaine300
Location
USA
Experience
I kind of hate filling these things out. But here goes...

AAS in Accounting
~20 years experience in accounting, mostly privately for small companies
Have been privately tutoring both accounting and business math courses for almost 15 years

OK, that's it for the official stuff.

I also have been using computers since the late 70's. I'm by no means an expert, but know more than an average person and am messing with them all the time. I also play computer games, not that it means anything. :-)

I also have a fair amount of knowledge about cats, particularly about nutrition and certain diseases common to older cats. This is from my own experiences dealing with them, but also from being a member of many online groups and doing research.
Occupation
Accounting & Math Tutor
Expert Forum
19,411
Google AdSense channel
AMHD
Paypal Email Address
[Edit.]

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Expert Forum
19,411

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It still has me as an expert? That disappeared when I took a leave of absence. And I don't think that's related to the profile problems.

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Paypal Email Address
[Edit.]

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Does that actually show my address? I thought that was supposed to be hidden.

Hmmm...

Yes, that's interesting that you're still listed as an Expert. I wish that you still were labeled as such! You certainly do enough work around here!

Yes, your email address is there. At least it's visible to me. I edited it out of my post.

Well, that's what I'm seeing, anyway... 'tis a mystery!

Thanks!

Quote:

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Yes, that's interesting that you're still listed as an Expert. I wish that you still were labeled as such! You certainly do enough work around here!

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Why thank you. :-) I did PM someone (eh hem) about it and never got a response.

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Yes, your email address is there. At least it's visible to me. I edited it out of my post.

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Well, I think I'm going to have to dump the Paypal thing then. I don't want everyone seeing that address and I don't want the names connected. (I protect my identity and privacy very carefully.) Well, at least this little exchange let me know that. Thanks!

It looks like your Paypal email address has been removed from your "About Me" part of your profile.

Thanks!

I do have an email I never use that matches my ID here, so I added it to Paypal. I prefer at least the matching IDs.

I always try to have an email address that identifies me with who I am. It helps to give a person credibility to do that.

Thanks!

Hey, morgaine300!

Are you still interested in "talking" music stuff with me?

Thanks!

Sure. :-)

Wind Ensemble has started and I've already been given a major piano solo piece with a small group of winds. Only one on a part!

The same thing happened last season, except that it was with the whole band.

Thanks!

Cool for you!

I always wanted to do more small ensemble stuff, but it never seemed the opportunities arose. We sometimes would put a small ensemble together out of the one concert band I was in, or sometimes a vocal solo, either with band backup or piano. I used to do some piano accompanying, but nothing too difficult. :)

I tried to get a woodwind quartet together at one point. We were all in the same concert band together and we did play at the regular concerts, and also picked up a few church gigs and such. But it didn't last. One person was never taking it seriously enough and would also get bored with the music quickly and want to start something new just as we finally getting ourselves together on what we were already doing. So much for the concept of having a repertoire... :rolleyes:

Are you familiar with the Brahms clarinet sonatas? I always wished I knew someone who played well enough to handle those. The piano isn't an "accompaniment" but rather a very integral part of the music and has some wonderful stuff. Out of the total 8 movements of the two pieces, I can play one. Clarinet part's a real doozy too.

Another clarinet player friend of mine liked getting together to take turns accompanying each other. She played piano also, but we were both much better at clarinet, so we could never do anything with difficult accompaniments. :p

I know that I've done a lot of Brahms chamber works with clarinet in them. I don't remember if I've played for any of the clarinet sonatas. Its likely that I have, though. I hear things on the radio and think, "I know that I've played that, somewhere...".

I used to accompany a person who taught clarinet at Augustana College in Rock Island, IL. That was a long time ago... She is no longer there and has taken a position teaching band elswhere. I would play for all of her recitals. There would be solo works as well as chamber works at her recitals. I really miss doing that at Augustana!

I agree that the Brahms piano accompaniments are an integral part of the music. To me, an accompaniment is something that goes "boom-chick, boom-chick". Brahms piano music in any form, can and usually is difficult enough that a lot of people shy away from playing it.

Any chance of you staring a woodwind chamber group again?

Thanks!

By-the-way, someone in Music asked about writing a ternary form composition. I've responded to them.

The same thing happened last year about this same time. I wonder if they have the same teacher?

Thanks!

I don't know a good many of the people I used to. I've kind of been really out of the loop. I had a hard enough time getting people to do things when I still knew them, let alone now that I don't. I can still get in touch with people, but some have moved or quit playing.

Then there's the fact that I never play myself anymore. It would take some work to get back up to where I was. I'm kind of stuck in that forcing myself to get started mode... (it's always tough to get back into something).

I also work a lot of evenings now when rehearsals would be. About the most I manage is getting to concerts occasionally, which also keeps me a bit in touch with people. I kind of miss doing pit for musicals, but I also don't want to get back into the theatre scene.

Well... I do play my piano sometimes. It's easy to sit down and play and not have to put anything together or mess with reeds. So at least I get a little of my "fix" that way.

So you do composing too? (I keep forgetting there's a music forum.) That's something I could never do. Though I did at one time want to try getting into arranging. I worked on some woodwind quartet stuff, and I also found it pretty easy to take some easy piano solos and turn them into clarinet solos w/accompaniment for my students. I also started learning trumpet and got familiar with brass family. (Got pretty decent at trumpet actually.) I was directed towards some books and was going to try to seriously learn more... but just like everything else, I never had time to keep up with it.

My problem is that I'm interested in far too many things, so I never have time to do everything. I tend to go through spells where I concentrate on a certain number of my hobbies, and then sort of switch over to a different set. Right now my hobbies include unclogging the upstairs bathtub, fixing the back porch door... :p