Goodbye Schärding! Auf wiedersehen!

Hard to believe I spent over a week in Schärding and that it is over! There was so much to do, no wonder it flew by! When I wasn't studying music, rehearsing, or performing, I tried to explore the area as much as possible, taking long walks, but making sure to rest a lot as well.

I didn't want to say why I was here before (I didn't want to jinx myself), but now that it's all over I can. I competed in the International Soloist Competition for Early Music Brunnenthal. In German it's quite a mouthful: Internationaler Solistenwettbewerb für Alte Musik Brunnenthal. Although the first and second rounds took place in Schärding, the final round, a formal concert, was performed in a baroque church in nearby Brunnenthal. It was pretty!


I still cannot believe the outcome. I knew it was a stretch to come this far for a competition, and there was a huge list of pieces to learn for it this summer, but I actually won first place!

I have to say, something about not being in my usual surroundings, it was easier to really focus on singing, probably since I didnt have the usual distractions; my cell phone... Real Housewives of Wherever to watch on tv, and no Eloise to play with. Gearing up to head out for the finals:


With our illustrious head judge afterwards:


The best accompanist a soprano could wish for... Merci, Eugene!


Weird dinner in the Biergarten after performing... Had no idea what I ordered and it ended up being a Hot Dog wrapped in Ham and stuffed with Cheese. LOL Managed not to spill on my silk gown, somehow, too. WIN!


I have to give a huge shout-out to Hotel Forstinger for being so wonderful. The room was inviting, but more importantly it felt like home because the owners were so warm and friendly. I had to give them my winning bouquet, they were rooting for me all week! :) They even sent me an email the day after I checked out to congratulate me!








Such a lovely town, I'm so happy I will be back to sing here next year!



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