Calgary Wind Symphony Presents Music of Mysteries, Legends & Ritual

Mystery, legends and rituals are on tap when the Calgary Wind Symphony  performs on Sunday March 3 at 2:30 PM. 

"Music of Mysteries, Legends and Ritual" will showcase the Canadian première of Concerto for Saxophone composed by Kenneth Fuchs. Featured soloists for this concert include Dr. Jeremy Brown (saxophone) and Terri Shouldice (flute). Wendy Freeman will take to the podium as the guest conductor. The programme will also feature La Fiesta Mexicanais and Poem by Charles Griffes.

The Calgary concert will be held at  Eckhardt-Gramatte Hall, Rozsa Centre, University of Calgary. Tickets are $15/adult and $/students & senior. You can buy concert tickets on the Calgary Wind Symphony's website and Eventbrite.

The Calgary Wind Symphony is a 60-member ensemble, directed by Dr. Jeremy Brown of the University of Calgary. Formerly known as the Calgary Concert Band, the ensemble has been active in Calgary’s musical community since 1947. The band went on a European tour in 2011, performing to enthusiastic audiences in Italy and Austria.

In the summer of 2012, the CCC changed its name to the “Calgary Wind Symphony”. The CWS operates under the Calgary Concert Band Society.

Earlier this season, the Calgary Wind Symphony presented "Hilarious Holidays". This was a highly entertaining and festive concert. Click here for my concert review.

Cleaning with Nature's Miracle Pet Stain & Odor Remover

Nature's Miracle

Anyone with a dog or a cat knows that accidents happen. Nature's Miracle Stain & Odor Remover is one product that can help safely clean pet urine, pet feces and more.

If you have a pet, chances are, you've had to clean up an accident or two. Maestro doesn't get sick too often, but when he does, Nature's Miracle is a what I root through my cabinets for to clean up dog urine, feces or vomit.

A Look at the Products & Features of Nature's Miracle

Eight in One Pet Products claims that Nature's Miracle is a non-toxic spot and stain remover. The bottle also reads "non-flammable, non-acidic, safe on colours and on all water-safe surfaces."

The ingredient list is fairly short, comprising of only four easy-to-pronounce ingredients. There's water, nature's enzymes, isopropyl alcohol and natural citrus scent. Hmm, if there is anything "citrus" in the formula, then there's citric acid. At any rate, that's kid and pet friendly. "Nature's enzymes" sounds a little mysterious, but then, other products say variants on the same thing.

There's a light odor when you open the bottle. It's just the alcohol and the citrus scent.

Using Nature's Miracle

To remove odors and stains, first clean up the excess mess. One of my clients recommended using two table knives to scoop up pet vomit or feces, which works extremely well.

Then, soak the affected area thoroughly with undiluted solution. Let it sit for at least five minutes, then either wipe away the stain with a clean cloth or a brush.

Mainly, I use the brush to help the solution penetrate all the way to to the carpet pad and help remove the remaining mess. Generally, I place a paper towel on top of the stain to help absorb the excess and then allow the spot to air dry.

As with any stain remover, the tougher the stain, the longer the solution has to sit. Repeat the steps for really tough stains.

Pros and Cons of Nature's Miracle

A major benefit of Nature's Miracle is that it works on all organic stains. I've also used it to remove dirt, grass, food and blood stains (my cuts, not Maestro's). The manufacturers also claim that it works on grease, smoke and perspiration.

In my experience, this product successfully eliminates pet odors and stains on a variety of surfaces. I've used it to remove stains on carpets, upholstery and clothing.

As far as drawbacks or cons go, I have three. On some stains - the tough ones - the carpet feels a little crusty upon drying.

You do have to use quite a bit of solution when removing carpet stains. This can be pricey if you have to clean up messes often.

I wish retailers would regularly stock a wider selection of the sizes. However, that's not a product complaint but a retailer one.

There are other pet stain and odor removers out on the market. Four alternative products that are quite popular are: Woolite Pet Stain & Odor Remover, Pawsitively Clean by Bissels Eww Spring Morning Scented Dog Enzyme Stain & Odor Remover, Shout Pets Enzymatic Hard Surface Stain & Odor Remover Spray and Top Paw Linen Breeze Max Power Stain & Odor Remover.

Another non-toxic all-purpose cleaner is Norwex Carpet Stain Remover.One of music teacher colleagues told me, "We have two dogs and it does wonders."

Where to Buy Nature's Miracle

Nature's Miracle Stain & Odor Remover is available on Amazon in a variety of sizes, from quart-sized to gallon-sized. It ranges in price from $5.65 to $21.30 USD. In Canada, it retails between $11 to $36 CAD. My 947 ml bottle cost me $11.99 at Pet Planet.

Most local pet stores carry Nature's Miracle, although they tend to carry the larger sizes. Pet Valu, Pet Planet, PetSmart and Wal-Mart are some of the stores in Canada that sell Nature's Miracle.

Nature's Miracle - The Verdict

I've used Nature's Miracle since Maestro was a puppy. He's now a middle-aged dog. I have tried other stain removers, however, since the scent is light and there are no complicated chemicals, Nature's Miracle doesn't irritate my respiratory system like other pet stain and odor removers do.

It works on everything that I've used it on. However, don't just take my word for it. Nature's Miracle consistently appears on Amazon Best Sellers Pet Supplies, having spent 475 days in the Top 100. It's currently sitting in the Top 25.

Curve Those Piano Fingers!

Is your piano teacher getting on your case about playing piano with flat fingers? Check out these tips courtesy of my fellow teachers (and friends), Katrina Thompson Fost and Melodie Archer:

Finger Posture Tip #1: The Water Bottle Trick

If you squeeze the bottle too hard, you will have too much tension in your hand and forearm (not to mention, you'll get wet). This works well with an egg. Be brave and try it with a raw egg (you'll learn really quickly!).

Finger Posture Tip #2: The O's Game

This is an extension of the "Making O's" or "Making Eyeglasses" warm-up in the Piano Adventures books. Make an "O" and gently squeeze your finger and thumb together.

Then, test how firm your finger is pushing into your thumb by pushing on the curved finger - anywhere from the nail to the first knuckle is fine. If that finger collapses (goes flat), then you need to firm up your fingertips a little bit more.

You could even get a family member or friend to push on your curved finger. Go ahead a turn it into a bit of a game.

The Anime Music on Melodica Project

Last fall, I picked up a melodica, AKA, the wind piano. It's an odd little instrument. It kind of sounds like an accordion. At first, I thought it would be an easy instrument to learn, seeing as I've been singing and playing the piano for years. A portable instrument that you could toss in your car and bring to a party or an anime con and have people call out "Nodame! Rappushodi- i-n buru- kudasai!" or "Can you play anything from Sword Art Online?"

とても むずかしい です！Playing the melodica takes up more air power than I realized. Not to mention, it's very different to play on a keyboard sideways, where your visibility is limited.

After seeing this video of Jonathan Ong play Chopin's Fantasie-Impromptu on melodica, my おとうと and I realized just how much work we have ahead of us to master this piece of plastic:

Then, we watched Jonathan and his brother perform Mozart's Rondo alla Turk:

This gave us an idea. Why not take some of those funky JPop and video game songs that are impossible to play as a solo piano arrangement and play them as a melodica duet? In addition to some good ol' classics?

We have started working on some classic tunes from Azumanga Daioh, Tetris, Super Mario, Star Wars and Bleach. I've been working hard on saying, "Hai! Deskimashita!" just like Chiyo-chan in "Chiyo-chan no Tsukurimashou".

Feel free to send in requests. We can't promise we'll get to them right away (or that they are melodica friendly), but we'll certainly try!

Helping the Community and Promoting Your Business

Once in a while, I am asked to make a silent auction donation for a community event. Now, I know that some companies give gift certificates or packages. However, one thing I learned at my self-employment classes is to never discount or give away your services. If you're a one person show, you can't give away all your time and talents! However, it's important to serve the community. A few years ago, I found another way to show my support while not discounting myself: gift baskets. This year, I teamed up with my brother at To the Wind Studio and we're offering this Italian themed music appreciation basket to benefit the Father Lacombe Care Centre Foundation's 14th Annual Legacy Dinner and Silent Auction on March 1, 2013:

The lucky recipient doesn't have to play a musical instrument. He or she just needs to have an appreciation for (or curiosity for) music. There's Vivaldi's Four Seasons as well as Andrea Bocelli's Passione. The centerpiece of the basket is the Pisa hazelnut liqueur. Completing the set are two lovely Mediterranean coffee/tea mugs.