Back from the West

Back from the West Coast - and what a fun tour it was. We started in Oklahoma - what a cold, flat landscape, but a nice, warm audience! From there, to San Francisco - pack up those winter coats and head outside - flowers in bloom in February! Playing in the beautiful Kohl Mansion, we were overwhelmed by the open and eager audience. We headed up the Berkeley Hills to spend two days with Jason's grandmother, Madeline, a local legend and national treasure. Known equally well in the musical community (Jason's grandfather was the famous musicologist Vincent Duckles) and in the peace movement (having garnered many awards for her ground-breaking work for world peace), we were able to kick back and practice for our next concert - in Eugene, Oregon. We were in residence at the University of Oregon (sponsored by the Chamber Music Series) for several days before performing in their beautiful Beall Hall. To the left, you will just be able to make out Jason in the light blue shirt - playing along with the Eugene Suzuki Institute concert - we all joined in, and had a great time trying to remember all the Suzuki songs!

Next on the agenda - "Circle of Sound" concert with students and members of the Eugene Symphony. You can see Janet Stewart from the Chamber Music Series introducing the band. After the concert, we headed across the street to play again in the Oregon Wine Warehouse - cured meats, olives, Vivaldi, wine tasting, and Jason and Anthea trying to play Jazz with Steve Larson, teacher of theory at the University.

Final stop - Florence, Oregon - home of the never-ending Oregon Dunes. We spent a lovely day there, and ate a big pancake breakfast at the local hang-out with Jason's mom and dad, always the devoted groupies!
Home for the week now, Rieko moves to her first purchased home with her fiance, Jesse. WAIT A MINUTE - hold the phone - did I hear right? FIANCE? Yup, you heard it here first. One of us had to grow up some time, and it turned out to be Rieko. You go, girl!