It has been seven months since we were together on Zoom for the Virtual Conductors Retreat at Medomak.
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Meeting online instead of in-person was certainly different, but there we were, together, studying Brahms and Beethoven, Shostakovich, Adams and Revueltas, working on our conducting, listening to presentations by our wonderful alumni guest speakers and our faculty, Steven Whiting, Bill Marvin, and Adrian Slywotzky. Many of us watched the film about El Sistema, Tocar y Luchar, and gathered for our online “campfires,” and one Sunday to talk and sing and read.
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Though the Virtual Retreat ended in July, many memories, lessons, intentions, and questions linger. Hopefully, some of the seeds that were planted last summer are now blossoming as well.
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Near the end of our time together, each of us wrote a personal to-do list, a sort of letter to ourselves. I mentioned that normally we would collect them and send them to you in February. This time, I suggested keeping them on your device.
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As promised, here is a gentle reminder to review the thoughts you wrote for yourself. I hope that reading your own words will remind you of the intentions and aspirations that came up during our time and work together. I also hope that it will be a source of continued or renewed energy and commitment as well as a helpful tool for measuring what you’ve achieved in the last few months.
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There are very exciting plans for this summer and our return to Maine for what will be the 25th Summer of the Conductors Retreat at Medomak (with rigorous health and safety protocols). I would love to see you at there, to explore different repertoire, and to continue forward and upward together. Whether or not this summer’s Retreat is in your plans, I hope you’ll let me know how things are going for you, and that our paths will cross again soon.
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I have so many fond memories, and I often think of you and our time together. I hope these months have been good to you, and that you’re doing and feeling well. Until we see one another again, virtually or in-person, I send you my warmest and best wishes.
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