SOU Siskiyou Saxophone Orchestra Tour

Video from Andrew Krug of China tour



Photo montage from Jenifer Jaseau

Sichuan Conservatory Tour

Hi everyone, This is video my student Tang Di put together. It is from our May 2007 trip in Sichuan and Guiyang provinces PRC



Tang Di's video China 2007

Train to Chongqing

Jody and I both woke up feeling a little sick this morning. I think the pollution is getting to us. We decided to have breakfast at Grandma's--an expat restaurant I frequent when I need coffee and pancakes. I love the food in Sichuan but breakfast is the one western meal I miss.

After breakfast we met Mr. Li and his students. We left for the train station and boarded the train to Chongqing. Traveling by train in China was a new experience for me. Aside from seeing the country side the best part of the train travel was the company. We enjoyed hanging out with the students especially Chen Wen and Tang Di.
Upon arrival we checked into Yu Du hotel near the city center of Chongqing. We then had a incredible banquet thrown my the family of Mr. Li's incoming saxophone student.
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Evening in Chongqing

Many westerns aren't as familar with Chongqing as Shanghai or Beijing but it is a major city in China. It is an autonomous city out side of provincial government. It is one of four independent provincial municipalities (Beijing, Shanghai and Tiajin). Chongqing is at the beginning of the Yangtze river that ends in Shanghai so it is a major shipping city. It is known for its very hot and spicy food. The students at Sichuan also informed me that Chongqing has the most beautiful women in China. Mr. Li and his wife are originally from Chongqing. After the banquet we hit the streets. We strolled the city center and then took a cab to the other side of the river to view the night life. Here are a few photos of Chongqing in the evening.

More teaching

Jody and I taught again this morning from 9:30-11:30AM. I worked with Han Xiao playing Lantier. I first met him and heard him play at the World Saxophone Congress in Slovenia in 2006. He was only 14 and already demonstrated a lot of talent. This is a student that is going somewhere and I will keep my eyes on him.

We had lunch with Tang at the hotel and waited for Alexander Tutunov to arrive. Alex arrived and went right off to teach at the piano institute. Jody and I went to the historic district Wuhouxu and the city center. In the evening I rehearsed Mr. Li's saxophone ensemble in preparation for our tour next week. We leave tomorrow for the tour. We had a banquet dinner with Han Xiao's family. His English is very good and speaks with an Australian sounding accent.