Mark’s Musings - Blog       

SUMMER 2024

Its early morning, and between the humidity in the air, the distant thunder heard and the shimmering sound of leaves moving rapidly from increasing winds, I’m awaiting (another) torrential downpour of rain.  Summer in southern Ontario is in full swing.  Even though June 21st is the official first day of summer, for those of us who teach at post-secondary institutions summer psychologically starts in May.   I started my summer with a trip to Washington, DC, visiting the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of American History.  It was the final visit of the season as a new member of the resident ensemble, the Axelrod String Quartet, where we joyously rehearse and perform on the museum’s famed collection of instruments by Stradivari and Amati.  My quartet colleagues are all musical legends, and diving into the richness of the string quartet repertoire together for a week brings feelings of gratitude and renewal.  IE, it was a great start to the summer!!  

Shortly following that experience, a quick stop in Vancouver to teach at VAM (Vancouver Academy of Music), where I heard talents of their excellent string students. It had been a while since I had last visited there, and the impression I had upon ending my day was that things there have never been better. Big shout out to the boss at VAM - Joseph Elworthy - for all the heavy lifting that’s required to make these things happen.  

After that, my first trip to New Zealand – and hopefully not my last!  What a place!  Wellington, Christchurch, Wanaka, Hokitika, Hast, Queenstown, Glenorchy….Between the quality of the water (best I’ve experienced straight out of the tap anywhere in the world), the quality of the air, the sheer natural beauty everywhere you go, the graciousness of the people, the quality of the food (and wine!), it was a transformational experience. Continued…