I won third place...
- Thread starter Zorba
- Start date
Shanazel
Moderator
You're gorgeous! And what a great voice you have, Zorba. Isn't it strange to know people for so many years and yet never hear them speak?
What does EGA mean in your world? In mine it means Embroiderers Guild of America, and if they threw a Halloween party, they failed to invite me.
What does EGA mean in your world? In mine it means Embroiderers Guild of America, and if they threw a Halloween party, they failed to invite me.
Zorba
"The Veiled Male"
"Elegant Gothic Aristocrat" - a subset of the Lolita Fashion sub-culture. The video doesn't show the parasol that goes with the outfit. Its a major operation any time I wear that thing - it takes at the very least 2 hours to get into it, and that's if I'm in a hurry and have help. This time it took most of the day. Got up at 10, and laid everything out. Then had to go off to the salon for hair and nails. Come home and wife helped with the shoes and corset. Then get the huge - and I mean HUGE - petticoat and skirt on, finish the jewelry, do makeup, etc, etc, etc.
And now wife tells me to dump the shoes which were literally disintegrating, and buy some new ones. What a pain - its hard to find shoes in my size (11 or Women's 13) in a compatible style. The old ones had 3" heels, found some 3-1/2" heels on Amazon that might work - still trying to find out if they're wide width or not. The price we pay for beauty...
And now wife tells me to dump the shoes which were literally disintegrating, and buy some new ones. What a pain - its hard to find shoes in my size (11 or Women's 13) in a compatible style. The old ones had 3" heels, found some 3-1/2" heels on Amazon that might work - still trying to find out if they're wide width or not. The price we pay for beauty...
Shanazel
Moderator
I watched the mellophone video with my husband, who retired from playing French horn a couple of years ago after a career of many decades. He said, "That's the reason people don't play 111 year old brass instruments: they sound like crap." The he went on to talk a bit about red rot and I don't know what else. I'm just a poor little girl who used to play strings (poorly), but I suspect y'all would have things to talk about.
Zorba
"The Veiled Male"
Fortunately, it doesn't have red rot - and I actually have never seen a case of it. But he's right - those old horns generally don't sound all that great. Intonation and accuracy problems all over the place - we've learned a few things about making good brass instruments in the intervening century; one of the few things where older isn't better. I too played French Horn, for about 25 years. But a large part of the problem in the mellophone vids are my chops being 25 years out of date. I actually play it much better now - yet still pretty crappy - my chops are starting to "build up" again. And if you think the mellophone videos are bad, take a look at the cornet ones. I'm definitely NOT a cornet player, and a completely different key signature doesn't help.
Greek Bonfire
Well-known member
How cool is this!!! I think I remember a few years ago when you also had a costume with a parasol. Way to go!!!
Shanazel
Moderator
How cool that youn played French horn. I think maybe I knew that and had forgotten.
My husband started playing in ensembles when he was still in grade school and played until 2020 when covid closed the city band down for the first time in its 110 year history. He'd already retired from the symphony and dispersed his french horn ensemble and decided to retire completely when covid closed both the city band and the community college band where he played mostly to encourage the kids and to buff up a thin section. His only music now is directing the barbershop chorus, and he even quit taking a salary for that. He's continuing to direct until his second in command has the chops to take over completely. Says after over six decades of performance, he just doesn't have the desire to do it any more.
But he never dressed as snappy as you do. That dress would make fine concert black for someone.
My husband started playing in ensembles when he was still in grade school and played until 2020 when covid closed the city band down for the first time in its 110 year history. He'd already retired from the symphony and dispersed his french horn ensemble and decided to retire completely when covid closed both the city band and the community college band where he played mostly to encourage the kids and to buff up a thin section. His only music now is directing the barbershop chorus, and he even quit taking a salary for that. He's continuing to direct until his second in command has the chops to take over completely. Says after over six decades of performance, he just doesn't have the desire to do it any more.
But he never dressed as snappy as you do. That dress would make fine concert black for someone.
Zorba
"The Veiled Male"
Same one. Haven't worn it in about 6 years.
Zorba
"The Veiled Male"
Technically its a skirt/shirt combo - not that you can tell from any distance. I'd wear that for concerts, but I sure as hell wouldn't wear a suit and/or necktie. Which will probably keep me out of getting back into band/orchestral playing. Tight crap around my neck doesn't cut it, neither does wearing wool under stage lights (or much of anywhere else for that matter).
Surely the city band is back up and running?
Ariadne
Well-known member
Agreed, what an amazing voice!
I also remember the outfit and parasol, you showed it to us back when I bought my own. Now I’m lusting after a replacement closer to what you own.
Greek Bonfire
Well-known member
In addition, performing is the tip of the iceberg. It's all the preparation beforehand that is most of the iceberg under water!
Shanazel
Moderator
Back when he was performing in half a dozen ensembles regularly as well as working a day job, sometimes the only proof I had of his existence was the sound of the horn wafting up from the basement music room or the arrival of six or eight other horn players to practice in our living room.
Thereis a photo of my daughter, age 18 months, sitting on the floor among feet and music stands, looking up at the players. Normal day at our house.
Sorry I’m late! But i concour!! Lovely voice! I can imagine you as a voice actor too.
Also, what Shanazel said is bitter sweet. You get to know people and never hear their voice online even if you have been conversing for years.
Also! Wooohoo!!! Congratulations Zorba!
Greek Bonfire
Well-known member
Zorba has a very interesting voice and I love the timbre especially.
Zorba
"The Veiled Male"
I probably let my irritation show too much - at least if the subject is facesuck or smartphones!
On the other hand, discussing how to NOT slip on one's veil... I had two dancers who were recently subjected to my veil workshop who BOTH managed to slip on their veils in another class. "You guys had ONE job..." Hilarity ensued!