A Little Rambling

As a music teacher, I don't have much opportunity to read my students' writing.  This week, though, they had to turn in their big quarter project, and I have been ever so amused (and a little aghast) at some of the things I've heard.  I thought I would share some of my favorites with you.  (If you don't speak music, they might not all make sense.)  There were many others that left me scratching my head, but these were the most comprehensible. "The overall dynamic was mexxo forte." (ole!) "This piece was sung by an Acapulco choir." (goes well with mexxo forte) It crescendoed to a nice mezzo-forte, adding a silent beauty to the sound."  (louder music has silent beauty how?) "The most interesting fact I found about this song is that there are not many pages on the internet about this song." "The dynamics in this piece were evident variations in volume without change." "This song has no dynamics."  (it is sil...

My friend Matt has this fun blog idea, wherein his blog topic each day comes from the song stuck in his head that morning.  Sometimes they're silly, sometimes he turns it into something quite profound.  Inspired, I thought I would try that. Problem: the song song stuck in my head this morning was "The Mitten Song."  ( listen to it here )  I'm not sure there's much useful storytelling I can pull out of "Thumbs in the thumb-place, fingers all together/this is the song we sing in mitten weather."  It's an adorable song, and I don't really mind it cycling around my brain, but there's really not a whole lot of purpose behind it except that kindergarteners will look precious as they sing it with their reindeer antlers and missing teeth in the Christmas sing-a-long. However, it does lend itself well to talking about my favorite classes - the Ks.  They're so flipping adorable!  I have one class in particular on Tuesdays and Wednesdays that I...

...how many times I've listened to this song this week. We all have music that we turn to in different situations, whether we are happy or sad or stressed or upset. When I am anxious or worried, I turn to this song. I'm not sure why - it's not exactly uplifting lyrically. Maybe it's the mellow, sweeping sound that calms me. Maybe because it's in the most comfortable range of my voice. Maybe the open, airy background is just soothing enough that it stills my heart and lets my mind relax. I locked myself in my car for a long time tonight, just listening to this, surrounded by the sound as I poured my thoughts out on paper. It doesn't make anything better, but it calms me and keeps my heart going at a normal rate instead of the pounding race of anxiety.

It doesn't matter what kind of mood I was in before, whether I was joyfully skipping through the day or meandering through the gloom and stress. I can be at church, in my car, or at a friend's house on the couch with a guitar. There could be a million things on my mind, but when it starts, it all fades away and my focus is changed. There are few songs that cut to my core and leave me in tears. Many lose that potency after the first several hearings, though occasionally an emotional memory can trigger a tight throat and burning eyes. Most of them involve soldiers and death, a dramatically depressing combination. But whenever I hear "The Stand," I always cry. I can make it most of the way through the song, but every time there comes a point when I am simply overwhelmed, and sound no longer comes out past the lump in my throat, and I stand there mutely, tears streaming down my cheeks. They are usually tears of joy; occasionally sorrow is mixed in, but it is quickly...

It's amazing how good it feels to eat a bowl full of raw vegetables, even if Chris mocks me for eating rabbit food. Salad is just so good! I love meat and don't want to give it up, but I'm pretty sure I could make it happily as a vegetarian. I think I'd end up counting bacon as a veggie though. It's been a busy week! 3 concerts in the last 2 weeks, including one down in Tucson with The Chieftains . It was pretty darn awesome. JD, Austin, Chantel, and Toby and I loaded up into my car and headed down on a gorgeous day, Irish music playing as they tried to teach me a song in Gaelic by rote so I would be able to sing it by the time we got there - and of course, we didn't even sing it. We got to sing two songs with them, one of which we did learn in the car on the way there, since we'd gotten the music that morning. The other we'd had for 5 whole days already, so of course we knew it perfectly. The concert itself was lovely. Traditional Irish music i...

Tonight was my 2nd annual holiday recital at work. It went SO WELL!! the festive stage set-up This event has been a mild stressor in my life for the last two months or so, and slightly more than mild in the last week. I had enough students this year that I was able to split it into two recitals, one piano and one voice. I've been working with my kiddos (and adults!) for weeks and weeks, practicing their songs and talking about stage etiquette and microphones and making sure they knew exactly what to do once the recital was finally here. They definitely didn't disappoint! There were SO MANY PEOPLE there! We brought in extra chairs and still ended up SRO for both recitals. Last year it was just kids and their parents, but this time there were grandparents and friends and teachers and extended family members and who knows who else, all crowded in till we completely filled the whole studio. In between recitals there was hot spiced cider and lots and lots of cookies and treats...

If you've never seen Sports Night, this is Dana, right after she sees the Lion King for the first time (after going only very begrudgingly). That's about my reaction. (It is noteworthy that Isaac Jaffe, the producer she's talking to, is the original Rafiki in the Disney movie.) Phindile Mkhize was Rafiki, and definitely the highlight of the experience for me. I want to know how to sing like that without dying. (audio on that video is not particularly great, but oh well.) The costumes were incredible, too. Mom got us aisle seats, so when the Circle of Life started, I was brushed by an enormous elephant, and then wildebeests and some long, curly-horned singing rams. At the beginning of the 2nd act, the singers behind my shoulder scared me to death, as I didn't see them. It was GREAT! I've always loved the music of the Lion King, and hearing it live and with even more of the African traditions built in was breathtaking. There were two drummers up on the walls,...

So much Christmas music! I am quite the stickler for not listening to Christmas music before the day after Thanksgiving, but alas, as a musician I am forced to make the music long before the season. I'm getting ready for my studio recital coming up in December, so I've got all my students working on their performance pieces, a larger percentage of with are Christmas carols. It's cheery and delightful, but it makes me long for the season - and for weather that doesn't even come close to 90 degrees. In my next to last piano lesson of the day, we were working through Carol of the Bells. I was trying to convey the idea of thinking about the music as more than just notes on a page, but imagining the imagery behind it to help bring life to the music. (I doubt I sounded quite that stodgy about it though.) I was talking some nonsense about snowflakes whirling, bells over hillsides, that kind of thing, and she suddenly turned and said, "That's not what I see at al...

I was thrilled last night to meet up with my friend Jenny and attend The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring "In Concert," where the movie was screened as the Munich Symphony played the score, along with the Pacific Chorale, Phoenix Boys Choir, and soloist Kaitlyn Lusk. Oh my goodness! It may have been 9 years since the first time I saw the movie, and I may have seen it a hundred times in that span, but it still grabs my attention. Both halves of my inner nerd self were satisfied - the fantasy story/literary self and the music major self. Watching the conductor was fascinating. He had a screen of his own, showing the movie, but with different colored scrolling bars to warn him of entrances and cut-offs, and it flashed on the downbeat of every measure to keep him in sync with the film. Though the sound balance was all off with the movie, it was great to really hear some of the intricacy and detail that I miss in the original score because things are too quiet. ...

If you've never been to the Music Instrument Museum - and you live in Arizona - you should definitely make a visit. 'Tis a fascinating place, divided up geographically and taking you through worlds of music. The best part is, it's not just a place to go and look at the instruments, though their collection is remarkable in itself. The fun is that it's an audio tour, so you actually get to hear all the different musics. There was an Native American water drum song that captivated me, and a Samoan haka that was just exciting. There were many, many, many more that were wonderful, but those two stand out particularly. Anyhoo, the museum partners with my studio, and I was asked to perform there yesterday as part of their 'museum encounter' series. I was rather filled with trepidation, as I have mentioned before that playing piano in front of people scares me to death. So, I figured out my songs, spent a lot of time rehearsing, found myself a wonderful accomp...

There are some songs that have a way to speak right to your heart. They reach past your ears and instead delve into the deepest part of you, digging around in forgotten secrets, exposing thoughts long since hidden, pushing on bruises thought to be healed. You can't just listen to them at any moment, because to listen is to invite tears. This is one such song for me. "Believe" by Trans-Siberian Orchestra, originally a Savatage song. So after all those one night stands You've ended up with heart in hand A child alone, on your own, retreating Regretful for the things you're not And all the things you haven't got Without a home a heart of stone lies bleeding And for all the roads you followed And for all you did not find And for all the dreams you had to leave behind I am the way, I am the light I am the dark inside the night I hear your hopes, I feel your dreams And in the dark I hear your screams Don't turn away, just take my hand And when you make your fi...

I love the fourth of July! I love red white and blue, I love America, I love fireworks, and I love time with friends. It always manages to be a memorable day. Last year was my first back in the United States, and I spent it with my parents and Amy on Coronado Island, enjoying life immensely and watching fireworks over the bay. The year before, I celebrated Army Style in Baumholder and Rammstein, lots of grilling and volleyball and fireworks. The year before that, we didn't really get to notice the 4th, as we were embarking on an epic bike trip , all along the Rhein and Mosel rivers in Germany. Last night, we went over to Shantel's house for a massive amount of food, including very patriotic desserts. Julia had never had a hot dog, so we introduced her to that most American mixture of miscellaneous meats. We played games (our favorite seems to be 'human knot') and went swimming, waiting for the sun to go down and the fireworks to start. While in the pool, being th...

This summer I have been enjoying a new habit - staying out all night. Monday was a record - I pulled into my driveway at 5:01 am. Wheeee! It was a great night! Unfortunately, it has rather reversed my sleep schedule. When normal people are wont to go to bed, I am wide awake. I can usually manage to fall asleep about 3 am, but pop wide awake at 6, only to be sleepy again at 1. I take my nap, but then have to get up for work. I drive in groggily, and then I leave to go hang out with friends still sleepy, and am wide awake again as the hours progress. A couple days later I will begin to normalize, just in time to be out all night again. I love it. During the school year, I am fairly responsible. I go to class, I go to work, I go to six bazillion concerts, and I go home to do my homework. This summer to me is freedom! (I also love that my spell check recognizes 'bazillion' as an actual word.) Last night, my new friend Matt (who just happens to be fluent in German, which ...

Well, technically, Mother's Day is over, as it is 12:23 as I sit here. But I have to say how wonderful my mother is, not least because she stayed up this late quizzing me on the terrible drop-the-needle exam looming over my head for tomorrow morning. There are some composers to whom I'd just really like to give a piece of my mind. And hope they choke on it. Anyways, back to my wonderful mother. She is so supportive, I don't know how I'd get through without her sometimes. Her mom died when she was 17, and I remember turning 17 and fearing I might lose her similarly, and I am ever so thankful that God has continued to bless me with her in my life. She is a wonderful listener, a great hair-dyer, a laundry fairy, and she does all those thankless little (and very big) things that I tend to not realize and certainly don't thank her enough for. She is encouraging, and loves me even when I ignore her advice. She's usually right (you'd think I'd learn). She...

Bill Watterson is taking over my mind. I've been spending a bit too much time lately reading Calvin & Hobbes , what with finals approaching and all. Besides being a fine cartoonist, Watterson is an excellent poet. I mean, rhyming tentacles and ventricles? Genius. If you'd like to read a little more, check out these two - and I'm sure you can Google and find more. Anyways, " A Nauseous Nocturne " has been stuck in my head for quite some time, odd as that may seem, and so I find myself beginning to compose my thoughts in alliterated rhyming meter. This goes on all throughout the day. Entertaining for me, probably puzzling for those who see me chuckling to myself. While this may not contribute directly to passing my finals, it certainly helps me to endure classes in a much better frame of mind. In theory yesterday, for example. Having quickly grasped the idea of pattern-pulse compositions, and it being far too perfect of a day to be spent caged in class...

At last, an easy blog, which requires very little actual input from me. On a side note, this weekend is gonna be SO busy, but fun! Going to see Taryn and Sam tonight, first time I've been over there since they got married way back when. Excited to see the new puppy! Anyhoo, the iTunes shuffle... 1. "The Dangling Conversation" by Simon & Garfunkel 2. "Remember" by Trans-Siberian Orchestra The Lost Christmas Eve 3. "Sing Me to Heaven" by Phoenix Children's Chorus Encore Choir 4. "Your Daddy's Son" by Audra McDonald from Ragtime 5. "Ash and Smoke" by Howard Shore from Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King 6. "Symphony No. 9 (scherzo)" by Ludwig van Beethoven 7. "Save the Last Dance for Me" by Michael Buble 8. "Unicornis Captivature" by Ola Gjeilo , performed by Oslo Filharmoniske Kor 9. "Gagliarda" by Mannheim Steamroller 10. "Nemo" by Nightwish I feel thi...

It's Friday! My tests are over! The benefit of having Friday tests in two classes is not having weekend homework in either of those classes. :) Also, this sugar thing is apparently a problem. Let me show you what I've eaten today... Started off with my favorite morning drink - raspberry/pomegranate juice mixed with soymilk. Then there was Einstein's with Rebekah, at which I had a cheese bagel and shared this delicious strawberry white chocolate muffin. When I came home, my sister decided to bake cupcakes - for reasons unknown. After she was done, she insisted I try one, so I did. It was fabulous. However, she made two different kinds, so she insisted that I try another. I tried to refuse, but she won me over in the end, and I ate half of the other kind. Tonight, I went to a voice recital, and there were cupcakes after. I was going to resist, having eaten almost nothing but sugar all day, but they sparkled. As previously discussed, I just can't resist glittering ...

Had some awful dreams last night, playing on things in my past and some things certain people have said recently, twisting them, leaving me with an awful kind of guilt when I woke up this morning. I was driving to work praying and beating myself up and I turned on the radio, hoping for some song that would bring the words I needed to hear, and on came this song, starting right at the chorus. God knows exactly what we need to hear. "Forgiven" - Sanctus Real Well the past is playing with my head, and failure knocks me down again I’m reminded of the wrong that I have said and done And that devil just wont let me forget In this life I know what I’ve been But here in your arms, I know what I am- I’m forgiven I’m forgiven And I don’t have to carry the weight of who I’ve been 'Cause I’m forgiven My mistakes are running through my mind and I’ll relive my days, in the middle of the night When I struggle with my pain, wrestle with my pride Sometimes I feel alone, and I cry ...

My truest passion is choral music. I love singing. I love piano. I love teaching both of those. I enjoy singing in a praise band. I love working with little kids, and reading, and cooking, and a whole host of other things. But I have no passion [for any earthly thing] that compares to singing in a choir. A GOOD choir. I have been in choir of some sort for as long as I can remember, starting in little kids' church choirs at Bethany. In 6th grade, I joined the Phoenix Children's Chorus, which built the foundation for this passion. In high school, I practically lived in the choir room. At 16, I left PCC and joined the Phoenix Symphony Chorus, and enjoyed being in a professional-level volunteer chorus, singing with the Symphony, under the best director I've known, Bob Moody. At ASU, I was in the women's chorus, which, while not on par with either PCC or TPSC, was still enjoyable. Then came Southwestern. Not being a student there anymore, I can say this out loud - ...