Category Archives: review

Ukulele repertoire: song sheets for amateur music making

Posted on July 23, 2018 by Anne Ku

Ever since getting introduced to the ukulele on Maui, I have been curiously witnessing and participating the rituals of ukulele groups and clubs in Maui, Boston, London, and Amsterdam. The ukulele allows self-accompaniment for singing without a conductor or leader. … Continue reading →

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The freedom and friction of fiction writing

Posted on April 9, 2018 by Anne Ku

“Pick up a postcard on your table and write your address on it. Take what you’ve learned in this conference and write to your future self. Which words of encouragement would you impart?” Among the postcards of city scenes and … Continue reading →

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Anita Shreve, I never got to meet her

Posted on March 30, 2018 by Anne Ku

A pop-up window flashed “Anita Shreve dies at 71″ while I was on FaceTime. Suddenly, I felt a pang of regret. I’m attending a major writing conference in Boston next week. I’ve moved to New England, where Shreve had set … Continue reading →

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This time last year in California

Posted on March 29, 2018 by Anne Ku

We think in cycles, every full moon, every birthday, every St Patrick’s Day, every Valentine’s Day. This time last year, I was clearing the home of an 84-year old woman named Maureen. A sudden fall on 4th of July 2016 … Continue reading →

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April 15: ex’s of evil in Texas

Posted on March 23, 2018 by Anne Ku

In my quest for songs to fit thematic jam sessions and repertoire for thematic concerts, I came across two things that perplex me. Axes of Evil and Exes of Evil. Maybe it’s a play on words, but it made me … Continue reading →

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Annie’s Song in C for ukulele

Posted on November 20, 2017 by Anne Ku

When I was growing up on the island of Okinawa, I listened to John Denver whose songs of love, nature, and beauty described my childhood. I took a personal interest in “Annie’s Song” identifying myself with the name. When I … Continue reading →

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A novel to escape from reality

Posted on June 11, 2017 by Anne Ku

Dusk at 10 pm in London. As I sit in front of the dining room window, I see the silhouette of the tall trees behind my garden. I hear the hum of my refrigerator from the kitchen. I am finally … Continue reading →

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Becoming a minimalist: ridding stuff to regain space and time

Posted on June 8, 2017 by Anne Ku

For a long time, I have wanted to simplify my life, let go of things, live with less, and free up space and time for what I really enjoy and desire instead of feeling like a slave to my possessions. I even … Continue reading →

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Performing piano premieres: Nicola Meecham

Posted on May 14, 2017 by Anne Ku

Would you go to a concert taking place in a new venue you have never heard of, performed by a pianist you have never heard of, playing music that has not yet been performed much less recorded, written by composers you … Continue reading →

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Public releasable: documents for public release, freely downloadable

Posted on May 1, 2017 by Anne Ku

These days, I’m absolutely thrilled to be able to download sheet music, academic papers, e-books, recordings, and videos to my heart’s content. With the right keywords, I can find just about everything I want online. Much of the current state … Continue reading →

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