Ms. Sandie has the best 'job' on Earth

Not many people can say they love what they do.  99.9% of the time I cannot wait to get to the studio.  That other .1% is usually stressful days such as pre recital, pre Rock N Bows, creating a program list.  Not bad odds of having a great day.

In the past week (August 11-15) I hosted my seventh annual Rock N Bows Intensive.  16 violins, 2 cellos, 1 viola, 5 guitars, 1 bass, drummer and keyboardist.  Special flute member and a vocalist too!

I don't do this alone mind you.   The bass player and two guitarists are teachers and pro musicians.  RNB has progressed to the level it has become because of all of their input and expertise.

We had a planned set list for months.  I started to give some of the students the sheet music about four weeks prior as this music was harder than previous years.  Enter Sandman, Don't Fear the Reaper, I Love Rock N Roll, Wonderwall, The Big Bang, Satisfaction, Applause, The Fox.

We had to make changes, add solos, do improvisation when something didn't work.  This wasn't just 20 hours of us 'practicing'.  We were CREATING.  I was going home exhausted and falling asleep on the couch all but the last day.  Some of the adults and children were telling me they were doing the same thing.  Not only were they working hard with me, but then they had to go home and practice all the changes we made, so that the performance was perfect.  And it was.  Again, I have the best 'job' on Earth.

I Love Rock N Roll was just rhythmically out of whack for us to make work.  Remember, we are trying to apply pop/rock/heavy metal to bowed strings.    So, "Clutch" our Bass player, and his daughter "Clutch Jr." reworked the lyrics to the song, and our guitar/bass/drum section played and the group sang.  Here is their poetic change.  I hope Joan Jett and the Blackhearts would agree:

I Love Rock 'N Bows

We all spend a week in August at Keys and Strings.
Playing our violins among other things.
Guitars are going strong
When playing our favorite songs.
And a week don’t seem that long when you rock like me,
yeah me.
And a week don’t seem that long when you rock like me,
yeah me.

Singing, I love Rock ‘N Bows!
So get another pick and your rosin, baby
I love Rock ‘N Bows!
We play a mean lick and drop this beat.
Ow!

We smile and we play our music cuz we’re the best,
As long as we pay attention and count our rests.
We ROCK what’s on our stands
When Miss Sandie waves her hands.
And the concert's moving on, now clap with me, yeah me
And the picnic's come along, now clap with me, yeah me

Singing, I love Rock ‘N Bows
So get another pick and your rosin, baby
I love Rock ‘N Bows
We play a mean lick and drop this beat.
Ow!