Day 4

Concert #1 (of 4) was today at the Conservatory in Zaragoza. We had a small, but enthusiastic crowd of saxophone and percussion students. The hall is beautiful and a wonderful place to play. All in all, the concert went very well and the students were very appreciative of our efforts.

Following the concert we had a late lunch in the square outside of Zaragoza's La Seo Cathedral. What a neat place to be! For lunch we had paella for starters and a meat dish with french fries (who knew they would be so popular in Spain!). Delicious food.

Over the course of the afternoon we visited the Bacilica or annex of the the Cathedral, and the Cathedral itself. Both places are indescribably beautiful. The architecture, sculptures, and artwork throughout both were really breathtaking! It is humbling to stand inside a Cathedral that was built in the 1400's! There was also a museum of tapestries (assuming from the cathedral) that also dated back to the 1400's.

We also visited Aljaferia, which is an ancient castle that serves as the home of the government of Aragon. Also very beautiful and parts of it were built in the 800 B.C. Most amazing were some of the ceilings - hard to believe that could have been accomplished in the 9th Century!

Later we went to dinner and are turning in for an early evening. Very early day tomorrow with lots to do! Catch a train for Barcelona at 7:00 am (yikes). Arrive in Barcelona around 9:00 am. Warm up at 10:30 am and concert at 2:00. Quick lunch, then a masterclass with the students from 4-7:00 pm. No doubt we will be sufficiently tired tomorrow evening!

Regarding the music here in Spain...you wouldn't believe it, but I have heard everything from Shania Twain, Dire Straits, Madonna and WHAM! It's like the music is stuck in the 1980's here - pretty bizarre!