The Beautiful Pacific Northwest

On my way home from one of my favorite parts of the country and flying on a perfect Sunday morning over the snow capped Rocky mountains. The Oregon Music Educators Association hosted me in Eugene for the All-State Middle School Boys Choir, an intense few days of rehearsal with a group of boys exploring the possibilities for their emerging voices and the expressive opportunities of Purcell, Gastoldi, Beethoven, Ken Berg's excellent arrangements, and my YO LE CANTO TODO EL DIA. Thanks to coordinator Brice Cloyd and accompanist Julie Cherry for all they did for the boys and for me. Their concert in the fabulous Hult Center was one of which we were all proud. The Hult is an exceptionally gorgeous space with impeccable sound, where I had not been since my days as a young conductor at the Oregon Bach Festival (Rilling's performances of the Bach B Minor and Monteverdi Vespers still unforgettable.) While in Eugene I had a great reunion with friend and colleague Rick Greenwood, really fine Japanese food at Sushi Pure and Toshi's Ramen, a Voodoo donut and my new passion -- savory waffles at Off The Waffle. The bacon, fresh basil, havarti cheese, syrup and sunny side up egg on a homemade waffle was especially yummy! (OK, I admit, I had it more than one morning...) An extra day in Portland allowed a few of of my favorite destinations: Stumptown Coffee, Pearl Bakery, Powell's City of Books, the incredible Japanese Gardens (where I observe something new each visit), and new favorite Indian street food restaurant Bollywood Theatre.