My "tool box": broth

 Hi everyone! I hope this finds you well.

Today I am sharing with you a recipe of healthy broth my sister made for me when I got sick over the summer. She makes it with 2 onions, 2 heads of garlic, and a good portion of ginger, all chopped in large chunks (with skin). Simmer in a giant pot with water until it reduces down to half of the liquid you started with. 

I'm lazy, so I've been making with my InstantPot. I throw all of the ingredients in a steamer basket and fill with water until the "max" line. Pressure Cook for 2 hours at High Pressure with natural release. *The liquid will not reduce to half. I add chicken bouillon when it's done to make it tasty. 

Being healthy is an important responsibility of being a professional, and I hope this will keep me healthy this Fall.

*I used green onions this time 

*perfect for a Texas summer day (<= sarcasm, but it's really tasty!)

Stay healthy friends!

Best,

Kayoko

 

My "tool box": batons

 Hi everyone!

Today I'd like to brag, I mean, introduce you to my beautiful batons!

I am spoiled. I've been using "Ebinger Batons" most of my professional life. John Ebinger is a bassist in The Phoenix Symphony. He is also a woodworker: Check out his website!  http://www.thedoctorswoodworks.com/

He has also made dozens of batons for my students at Sam Houston State University. Here are some examples of Ebinger Batons:

Every baton is unique and absolutely beautiful. 

He has also made me this breathtakingly stunning case 2 decades ago. I can't get myself to carry it around, as I'm afraid of breaking it, so it sits on my shelf. (My photo skill doesn't do it justice)

I always feel I have an ally when I hold my baton. Perhaps my friendship with John and his warmth and support are all embedded in it!

Best,

Kayoko

My "tool box": Pencil Box

 Hi everyone! I hope you had a wonderful summer. As we are starting up the new season at CSO and the Fall semester at Sam Houston State University, I thought I'd introduce you to some of my "tool box" items as a conductor.

To start off, pencils! Pencils are important tool for performers, music teachers, and librarians. We all have our preferences and are strangely highly passionate about our pencil selections. 

I store my pencils in a pencil box that is often used by elementary school children in Japan. My aunt in Tokyo gifted me this a few years ago:

Let's take a peek inside:

You will see a few black pencils, yellow pencil, and red/blue pencil, along with a good eraser, a pencil sharpener, a straight edge, and some sticky notes.

I use a yellow pencil to color in a solo line for concerto, and I use red pencil for meter change. (For example, when I go from conducting in 4-pattern to 3-pattern, etc). When I'm almost done with the red portion of the red/blue pencil, I give the remainder of the blue pencil to my 6 year old son 😛

Let's take a look at the brands I have in here. Currently I use the Mitsubishi Colour Pencil for red, and Tombow 4B for black. I like 4B, because it glides well and highly visible for someone who is blind as a bat. I use whatever yellow pencil I have laying around. 

Now, the problem with 4B pencil is that it's so soft, it becomes dull very quickly. That is why it is important to have a solid pencil sharpener. I use a Kum sharpener, and it get the job done! I like this Mono eraser, because it's very easy to glide and requires minimum pressure. 

Ok, now I need to go sharpen my pencils and study! I am looking forward to sharing wonderfully exciting music with you this coming season.

Best,

Kayoko