Music to Your Ears

Hiiiiiiii

2005-08-19T11:05:00.000-07:00

Well, it's done. I've made the switch to myspace. No more posts in this blog for me. It was good though.... ah, the memories! :) I got an A+ in online media class for this thing, so I'm satisfied. See you on myspace!

Rachel's Bday

2005-07-03T12:23:00.000-07:00

I got to do a little dancing! Yay for shakin' it!

Well, the other night was Rachel's 22nd birthday and we all went to Rob's house to hang out and drink. It was not as crazy as some of our previous hang-outs, but it was nice. She liked the gifts everyone gave her and she even shared one of them with us!

Last night my Mike took me to see War of the Worlds and we were pleasantly suprised. It was great seeing each other again. He's all excited about moving into his new apartment in Orlando. He's all grown up now!

The family is going to have a BBQ dinner tomorrow for the 4th and we bought some fireworks. I have to work all day Monday and Tuesday. Then Wednesday we are leaving for our 3 week trip to Michigan and Canada. We'll be visiting family, attending DCI, sight-seeing and practicing my french in the Canadian theme parks! I think we're coming home July 28. I guess I'll update then.

Oh yeah, Happy 21st Birthday Sarah!

2005-06-27T15:37:00.000-07:00

I'm back from orlando, and overall, I'd say I had a great time! We had a rough start on friday because the truck was cramped with 4 people plus our stuff, not to mention 3 dogs sitting on my lap. Everyone was a little edgy and there were minor setbacks all the way up.

We missed steve's tour of UCF so we kind of had to do a self-guided deal... with me as tour guide barbie. I'd only been on the campus a few times myself but I did my best. Then we had a great dinner at Ming Court to satisfy the chinese food craving I'd had all month. We ended the night on the beach at Disney, watching the Magic Kingdom fireworks. That show never gets old. :) I'm glad I got to see some fireworks just in case I won't get to see any this year on July 4th.

Saturday we slept in (p.s. the new trailer is lovely) and we grabbed lunch at the cuban restaurant at Pleasure Island. Then we watched Batman and went back to Fort Wilderness to get ready for the evening.

I got to see Mike Norman at DCI! He marched his show very well no matter what he says. He is really easy to find because his hair is bright orange on the field. Check out the pictures to prove it! Jef and Mike Berg showed up right before Boston went on the field, so that was great timing. I also saw Merkle and Bobby there. After the show we went to find Mike at his bus and I was able to deliver a hug and some chocolate chip cookies to the boy.
(The Cavaliers are still my favorite drum corp.)

Sunday we woke up early and went to EPCOT, my brother and I's fav. park at Disney. It really isn't as boring as my Mike says it is. We went on the new Soarin' ride there, which takes you hang gliding over CA, and it really is a cool ride! They did a great job with it. We did our typical EPCOT stuff there till around 6 pm. Then Jef told me he was coming to Pleasure Island, and Tab said she was able to go too. We met up there around 8 with Mike Norman, his girlfriend, and Sato... a DCI kid who only spoke Japanese. We ate at House of Blues for dinner and then walked around the rest of the night. Tim, one of Tab's friends from church was able to join us. BTW, Sato was the stereotypical Japanese tourist.... taking pictures of everything and buying Disney souvenirs. He was a fun kid and was always smiling, even though communication was challenging for all of us.

It was fun seeing Tab again, and the same with Jef. As for my red-headed friend, there was a huge difference in how he acted Sunday night than Saturday night or all year at school for that matter. We all knew the reason for the sudden change in behavior, but oh well. I guess I understand. There is still a whole senior year at school for hanging out ahead of us. :)

Oh Wait! He just called me... and I'm happy to report that he is back to his old self!

Today we packed up and came home. I finished reading my book. It was great except for the part where the beautiful girl got her heart broken by the boy she was in love with because he went off and got some random girl pregnant while he was traveling abroad. SUX! She totally did not deserve that. Ugh Ugh Ugh

Alright I'm gonna work out now.

Oh my...

2005-06-18T10:46:00.001-07:00

I guess last night deserves a post. Work was fine, but the air conditioner was only half functioning = hot. I got two guys' digits though. Will I be calling them? Nope :P

I got home from work around 9:15 and Rachel came over to help me do hair/makeup. We then proceeded to pile into Rob's car with Rob, Justin, and Mark (married guy). We traveled to Southern Blvd., drank a few beers, and um watched the show. It was quite an interesting experience. LoL, you'll have to ask for details in person.

The car ride home was just as crazy.... and there are pictures to prove it. Ok, I have a headache...

2005-06-18T10:46:00.000-07:00

Ok, I'm being cool like Rachel

2005-06-15T15:32:00.000-07:00

1) YOUR PORN STAR NAME (name of first pet + street you live on) – Crystal Carousel

2) YOUR MOVIE STAR NAME (grandmother's first name + favorite snack food) – Florence Butterfingers

3) YOUR FASHION DESIGNER NAME (first word you see on your left + favorite restaurant or place to eat) – Music Buddy's

4) YOUR FOREIGN NAME (favorite spice girl + last foreign vacation spot) - Posh Cozumel

5) YOUR SOCIALITE NAME (childhood nickname + first town you partied in) - Jenny Boca Raton

6) YOUR "FLY GIRL/GUY" NAME (first initial + last three letters of your lastname) – J. Els

7) YOUR DETECTIVE NAME (favorite animal + name of your high school) – Dog Olympic Heights

8) YOUR BARFLY NAME (last snack you ate + name of your last alcoholic drink) – Milk Dud Martini

9) YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME (middle name + street where you first lived) – Leigh Burlington

10) YOUR ROCK STAR NAME (favorite candy + favorite musicians last name) – Peanut M&M Matthews or Twizzler Matthews or Snowcap Matthews (I have too many favorites!)

11) YOUR "POPULAR" NAME (favorite celebrity + best friends streets name) – Meg Ryan Hollingsworth

12) YOUR OPPOSITE SEX NAME (name of an opposite sex friend + cell phone company you use) – Mike Sprint

What kids breakfast cereal are you?

2005-06-14T17:07:00.000-07:00

You Are: Frosted Flakes
You were none other than Tony the Tiger! You were GRRREEEAT! Your cereal-shards were tough to swallow, but coming from a tiger, who wouldn't try them? Only slightly more exciting than corn flakes, your appeal dropped significantly after Lucky Charms added purple horseshoes.
http://www.quizsoup.com/breakfast-cereal.php

Because...

2005-06-14T15:59:00.000-07:00

Joe, a Haitian coworker of mine, asked me a question today. This is a part of our conversation.

Joe: "Are you single?"
Me: "Yep."
Joe: "Why aren't you seeing anyone?"
Me: "Because boys don't like me."
Joe: .......(jaw drops)......(eyes check me out).......(head shakes)
Joe: "Not only are you fine, but you're oblivious."

Alright, I know my answer was ridiculous because many boys DO like me. Lots of them make that quite obvious. It's just that I've been replying to that question for a long while now. I know I'm very picky - and shallow. I think I have a right to be though. I'm pretty selective on who I crush on, and Joe says that those few guys are lucky.

Tim asked me the other day if I was looking forward to going back to school. I told him I wasn't sure. This is my last year before entering the "real world." There's a lot I have to squeeze into this year, including an internship. I have to put a lot of hours in to graduate on time. I don't even know how I'm going to get a broadcasting internship. It's so competitive in Orlando with the UCF kids. I don't even want to think about all of the driving I'll have to do.... ugh ugh ugh. Here's the dork in me talking: I'll only get to do one more semester of band. All of my friends are guys, except for Christen. Some people might not think anything of that, but girls need girlfriends. My whole view on guys has been slanted, but I have faith that I'll bounce back. What am I going to do without Tabby checking up on things for me?
Then there's life after college.....

Rob's birthday party was fun. My pictures are up on my webshots page. (link in my profile) My fav. pic is the one of Rob and I playing with his dessert. It's on my desktop background. I like hanging out with my high school friends. It's comforting in a way, I guess, because we've kind of grown up together. Rachel has proven that she's got my back :) and I'm so looking forward to her having a female stripper at her bachelorette party! Ohhh My God!

I never thought the day would come when my roomy and I would discuss sex toys, but it did - yesterday! And to think we play the innocent card so well! :-P

damien rice - rule number 2

2005-06-13T12:20:00.000-07:00

This is what is
what if you
you don't get it
like I want you to
so roll the dice
there goes my rule number two
so roll the dice
and don't ask why
just keep following me
'cause I'm following you

If she stays with you
then you were right
If it's still here when she's gone
you're not wrong
though I stand with this rain on my back
but it feels so damn good
to belong

This is what I
I think I need
these big fat feelings
they hurt my cheek
so roll the dice
and there goes my
my rule number two
so roll the dice
and don't ask why
just keep eating the food

And if she stays with you
then you were right
if it's still here when she's gone
then you're not wrong
though I stand with this rain on my back
but it feels so damn good
to belong

rule number two
don't be a fool
rule number three
get up off your knees
rule number four
open the door
rule number five
keep it alive
rule number six
don't be pricks
and rule number eight
don't leave it too late
rule number nine
just take your time
rule number one
carpe diem

A special thx to steven... as in Jeff's little bro, not mine... for finding the lyrics! :)

I got new pajamas.

2005-06-10T22:27:00.000-07:00

Well, I guess the biggest news is that Dane got his job back as a line cook in the kitchen. This means that I'll be seeing a lot of him this summer. I hadn't seen him since my fall break back in Oct. and his hair is a giant mass of curls.... almost didn't recognize him. I did a double-take when I walked past the kitchen today.
He still smokes.

I spent tonight with my brother. We went out to dinner and he drove my little drunk butt (ok, not so little) around to target and walgreens and a few other places to kill time. We watched Lemony Snicket tonight and it was acutally a decent movie.

Oh Oh Oh! Dan and I saw the premier of Mr. and Mrs. Smith thursday night. Brad is a hotty, fat lips was decent, and the movie was pretty much awesome.

My parents have been up in Lakeland for the past two weekends taking care of RV stuff. They are coming home some time tomorrow, but mom left Steve and I a huge To Do list. Sheesh. We barely got any of it done tonight.

I talked to Tab tonight. She's going through big stuff.
Chris visited a body farm today for her internship.
Matt is busy with VBS at his church.
Tim is in Budapest.
Mike Norman is doing the DCI thing, but I'll see him in O-town soon. :-P
Jeff is in fact alive, and he's somewhere in Texas.
Mike is having a blast playing soccer and basketball up at ucf this summer. He's been a good chat partner too.
Jef is bored to death in summer school.
Will is moving to Alabama and transfering from ucf.
Rob is turning 21 and I'm taking off work this Sunday to celebrate with him.
Rachel is obsessed with Risk (worst game ever) but her 22nd bday party July 1st in O-town should be fun. :)
Dan is working at Nordstrom's and the theater, but our manager thinks it's funny to NEVER schedule us together anymore. Grrr.

Umm, if you read this, send me a text message. Apparently only Tabitha has been getting the ones I send from my new phone and I don't know what's up.

An Actual Journal Entry...

2005-06-05T13:45:00.000-07:00

Alright, so it's summer time and I'm bored at home. Since my online media class is over, I don't have to fill my entries with music related articles anymore.

I never thought of myself as much of a journal-kind-of-girl, but I figured I'd give it a shot and see how long it lasts.

Well, I have been filling my summer days with either shopping, work, or wasting time on the computer. Sometimes I'll sun by the pool, but it's been rainy for the past week. I just finished reading GAME OVER, and now I'm moving on the a book about Traveling Pants...
Work is pretty boring, and my feet kill when I get home each night. That's what I get for having a job that requires me to stand for 10 straight hours. Sigh. It's good money for a mindless job.

I like my coworkers, though, and they keep me entertained. I'm the only female except for psycho Jennifer. She's, well, insane. She is quite possibly the most talkative girl I have ever met, and she was immediately drawn to me because I guess she figures a girl would want to hear her gossip more than the guys would. Ugh. I have heard her whole life story, including her previous engagement, pregnancy, guy problems, disfunctional family, and her aspirations to be a backup dancer and model some day...

Last week, I had a girls night out with Rachel, a friend from high school. We went to Fridays and sat there for 3 hours to chit chat about life - and boys - and life. The server was cute and he let us take up his table for the whole night. We then went back to my house and watched Closer and drank. It was a decent movie, and I liked some of the quotes from it.

Speaking of movies, I am really liking the whole see-movies-for-free-because-I-work-for-Muvico thing.

Last night was Justin's 21st birthday party. I was able to stop by for a little bit after work, and I was told that I had to change out of my work clothes.... so I was given Justin's large spiderman shirt to wear for the night. (It was sexy!) It was a nice time, and watching the boys sign him up for J date was entertaining. :P

I believe this evening we are going bowling, but unfortunately it is not 25 cent beer night tonight.

And what is it with boys? Dave keeps asking me if I have my summer crush yet, and I'm not even in the mood to find one. I think my guy appetite was killed this spring.... in both good and bad ways. Eh, maybe I'll look again when I go back up to school.

I'm excited about going to the DCI show in O-town and hopefully I will be able to see MIKE NORMAN!!!!!! I actually miss him a lot. Mom bought all of our tickets, so we're all set. Now all we need are hotel reservations and someone to give my brother a tour of UCF. "My Mike" is turning 22 so he isn't going to be there, and either are Rob or Rachel.

I have been in touch with Tabitha, and Tim is loving Austria. I miss everyone from school. Hopefully I'll see Tab when I go to O-town. We'll see.

Ummm, alright I bet you're tired of reading this stuff, so I'll end it here for today.

Steady As We Go - DMB

2005-06-01T13:26:00.000-07:00

I walk halfway around the world

Just to sit down by your side

And I would do most anything girl

To be the apple of your eye

Troubles they may come and go

But good times

They're the gold

And if the road gets rocky girl

Just steady as we go

Anyplace you wanna go you go

You know I'll be next to you

If it's treasure baby you're looking for

I'll search the whole world through

Though trouble they may come and go

But good times

They're the gold

So if the road gets rocky girl

Just steady as we go

When the storm comes shelter me

I don't say a word

And you know exactly what I mean

In the darkest times

You shine on me

Set me free

And keep me steady as we go

So if your heart rings dry my love

I will fill your cup

And if your load gets heavy girl

I will lift you up

But troubles they may come and go

But good times be the gold

So if the road gets rocky girl

Just steady as we go

Shine Shine Shine Shine on me hey

Someday...

random

2005-05-22T20:02:00.000-07:00

Beer kills the weak brain cells. This is why you seem smarter when you drink.

Drink Til I Look Better

See Me, Feel Me, Touch Me, Beer Me.

Need Money For Alcohol Research

Don't Want Me, Yet? Have Another Drink.

I have a lot of influence. I drive under it mostly.

Finish Your Beer. There are sober people in India.

Love the Limelight. And the Bud Lite, and the Miller Lite ...

Beer, It Does A Belly Good!

Sobriety is a curable condition.

Beauty Is In The Eye Of The Beerholder

"Country music is three chords and the truth." - Harlan Howard

"Wagner's music is better than it sounds." - Mark Twain

"Composers shouldn't think too much - it interferes with their plagiarism." - Howard Dietz

How To Irritate Your Conductor:

2005-05-11T12:15:00.000-07:00

1. Never be satisfied with the tuning note. Fussing about the pitch takes attention away from the podium and puts it on you, where it belongs!

2. When raising the music stand, be sure the top comes off and spills the music on the floor.

3. Complain about the temperature of the rehearsal room, the lighting, crowded space, or a draft. It's best to do this when the conductor is under pressure!

4. Look the other way just before cues.

5. Never have the proper mute, a spare set of strings, or extra reeds... Percussion players must never have all their equipment!

6. Ask for a re-audition or seating change. Ask often! Give the impression you're about to quit. Let the conductor know you're there as a personal favor.

7. Pluck the strings as if you are checking tuning at every opportunity, especially when the conductor is giving instructions. Brass players: drop mutes! Percussionists have a wide variety of dropable items, but cymbals are unquestionably the best because they roll around for several seconds.

8. Loudly blow spit from the keys during pauses (Horn, Oboe and Clarinet players are trained to do this from birth).

9. Long after a passage has gone by, ask the conductor if your C# was in tune. This is especially effective if you had no C# or were not playing at the time! (If they catch you, pretend to be correcting a note in your part!)

10. At dramatic moments in the music (while the conductor is emoting) be busy marking your music so that the climaxes will sound empty and disappointing.

11. Wait until well into a rehearsal before letting the conductor know you don't have the music!

12. Look at your watch frequently. Shake it in disbelief occasionally.

13. Tell the conductor, "I can't find the beat!" Conductors are always sensitive about their "stick technique", so challenge it frequently.

14. Ask the conductor if they have listened to the Bernstein recording of the piece. Imply that they could learn a thing or two from it! Also good: ask "Is this the first time you've conducted this piece?"

15. When rehearsing a difficult passage, screw up your face and shake your head indicating that you'll never be able to play it! Don't say anything: make them wonder.

16. If your articulation differs from that of others playing the same phrase, stick to your guns! Do not ask the conductor which is correct until backstage just before the concert.

17. Find an excuse to leave rehearsal about 15 minutes early so that others will become restless and start to pack up and fidget.

18. During applause, smile weakly or show no expression at all. Better yet... nonchalantly put away your instrument. Make the conductor feel they are keeping you from doing something really important!

*If we did any of these things in band class, I think Dr. Jossim would kick us out of the room... :P

To Those Who Will Be Missed

2005-05-03T19:26:00.000-07:00

My Way

And now, the end is near;
And so I face the final curtain.
My friend, I’ll say it clear,
I’ll state my case, of which I’m certain.

I’ve lived a life that’s full.
I’ve traveled each and ev’ry highway;
And more, much more than this,
I did it my way.

Regrets, I’ve had a few;
But then again, too few to mention.
I did what I had to do
And saw it through without exemption.

I planned each charted course;
Each careful step along the byway,
But more, much more than this,
I did it my way.

Yes, there were times, I’m sure you knew
When I bit off more than I could chew.
But through it all, when there was doubt,
I ate it up and spit it out.
I faced it all and I stood tall;
And did it my way.

I’ve loved, I’ve laughed and cried.
I’ve had my fill; my share of losing.
And now, as tears subside,
I find it all so amusing.

To think I did all that;
And may I say - not in a shy way,
No, oh no not me,
I did it my way.

For what is a man, what has he got?
If not himself, then he has naught.
To say the things he truly feels;
And not the words of one who kneels.
The record shows I took the blows -
And did it my way!

I didn't know the both of you well, but I know and love your sons.
You were from two different families and you were two different parents, but both of you were taken by the same means. May our tears be blessed by God and cherished by you.

Seattle

2005-05-02T09:17:00.000-07:00

Quite a number of years ago, the Seattle Symphony was doing Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 under the baton of Milton Katims. Now at this point, you must understand two things: 1.There's a quite long segment in this symphony where the basses don't have a thing to do. Not a single note for page after page. 2.There used to be a tavern called Dez's 400, right across the street from the Seattle Opera House, rather favored by local musicians.

It had been decided that during this performance, once the bass players had played their parts in the opening of the symphony, they were to quietly lay down their instruments and leave the stage, rather than sit on thier stools looking and feeling dumb for twenty minutes. Once they got backstage, someone suggested that they trot across the street and quaff a few brews. When they got there, a European nobleman recognized that they were musicians, and bought them several rounds of drinks. Two of the bassists passed out, and the rest of the section, not to mention the nobleman, were rather drunk. Finally, one of them looked at his watch and exclaimed, "Look at the time! We'll be late!" The remaining bassists tried in vain to wake up their section mates, but finally those who were still conscious had to give up and run across the street to the Opera House.

While they were on their way in, the bassist who suggested this excursion in the first place said, "I think we'll still have enough time--I anticipated that something like this could happen, so I tied a string around the last pages of the score. When he gets down to there, Milton's going to have to slow the tempo way down while he waves the baton with one hand and fumbles with the string with the other." Sure enough, when they got back to the stage they hadn't missed their entrance, but one look at their conductor's face told them they were still in serious trouble. Katims was furious! After all... It was the bottom of the Ninth, the basses were loaded, the score was tied, there were two men out, and the Count was full.

Things For Flutists To Do When They're Bored:

2005-04-17T18:27:00.000-07:00

1. Pull out or push in so much that you're either a half step sharp or flat. Then tell everyone you invented a new key of the flute.

2. If you have an open hole flute, play only covering the holes half way.

3. Finger really low C and try to get the altissimo (the really high) C out.

4. Try to figure out a trill fingering for the really high C to the really high D, on a piccolo.

5. Blow through your flute with all the holes closed and pretend you're Darth Vadar.

6. If you're 1st Chair, start talking in German or Russian and kick everyone out of the section.

7. If you're not 1st Chair, make a list of atrocities and a declaration of independance, rally support from other flutists, and attempt a hostile takeover of your section.

8. Listen to a recording of a professional flutist and search for a small mistake. Then make a 90 min. tape of just that mistake, over and over again.

9. Also if you're 1st Chair, come into a song 3 measures early and laugh at the people who follow you. (That would be pretty funny!!)

10. Count your rests out loud while performing a solo.

11. When someone calls you a flutist, correct them and say you are a "flautist". Then when they call you a flautist, say the correct term is "flutist". Keep this up with the same person for a year.

12. Finger low D on a piccolo, cover the hole with your pinkie, then suck all the air out. Take all your fingers off except your pinkie....the keys stay down! (Well, now you're stuck with a piccolo attached to your tongue--press the Ab key to open the vacuum)

13. Play your flute into a box fan.

14. Find the most beautiful song you can, and add three flats (or remove 3 sharps).

15. My personal favorite: Blow into the tonehole like you would a brass instrument, fingering any of the low octave notes. In order for the sound to begin to come out, play something like "D, E, F, G, A". Once you get it, it has a really weird sound-almost like a bad, extremely flat clarinet! It should sound like THIS.

Swan Lake

2005-04-08T12:14:00.000-07:00

The Russian National Ballet company will be performing Swan Lake on Saturday, April 9, at Florida Southern College. This is the company's first tour in North America. They travel with their own sets and a full orchestra.

The beautiful music of Tchaikovsky will accompany the ballet dancers on the stage of Branscomb Memorial Auditorium at 7:30 p.m.

Vladimir Petrovich Begichev commissioned Tchaikovsky to write the ballet music in 1875 for the Russian Imperial Theatre in Moscow. Begichev wrote the first story for the ballet. It is based on old tales of swan maidens. These women, who turn into swans, were graceful and beautiful creatures who were treasured in legends for centuries.

This amazing ballet has been performed throughout the ages and loved by millions. Don't miss this spectacular event.

Steven Stucky Wins a Pulitzer Prize

2005-04-06T10:48:00.000-07:00

Steven Stucky won a Pulitzer Prize this year for his "Second Concerto for Orchestra." He wrote the piece in 2004, and it was premiered by the Los Angeles Philharmonic.

The composer is rewarded for a "distinguished musical composition of significant dimension by an American that has had its first performance in the United States during the year."

Stucky received $10,000 in cash along with the award. The jurors for the music category this year were Gunther Schuller, Christopher Rouse, Muhal Richard Abrams, Mark Swed, and David Zinman.

Other finalists in the music category included "Dialogues" by Elliott Carter, and "You Are" (Variations) by Steve Reich.

The Pulitzer Prizes will be awarded at a luncheon at Columbia University on May 23.

Roberta Peters

2005-04-01T20:17:00.000-08:00

On Friday, April 1, the famous American opera singer Roberta Peters performed at Florida Southern College. She sang three pieces as a part of the college's presidential inauguration ceremony.

Roberta started voice lessons at the age of thirteen and sang for the first time with the Metropolitan Opera Company at the age of nineteen. She sang with the Met for over thirty-five years, which is the longest tenure of a female singer in the history of the company. She has sung more than 500 performances and has played over twenty different roles.

Peters has appeared on television countless times, and has won several awards for her talents. She has sung for eight U.S. presidents, and has served on the boards of the Metropolitan Opera Guild and the Carnegie Hall Corporation.

It was truly a memorable night to have her grace the stage of Branscomb Auditorium on Friday evening.

Orpheus Chamber Orchestra

2005-03-31T10:16:00.000-08:00

On March 31, the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra will be performing in Branscomb Auditorium at Florida Southern College. The orchestra has been performing for 30 years. They have won a Grammy Award and performed in Carnegie Hall on nurmerous occasions.

The orchestra is widely known as the ensemble that plays without a conductor. It takes true talent and musicianship to be able to play major works successfully without a leader. They have recorded almost 70 albums.

There are 18 string players and 10 wind players in this self-governing group, and many of them hold teaching positions at music conservatories and universities.

"Orpheus is a first-class group. Playing with perfect unanimity, their performances have polish and spirit, and display an infectious love for making music." The New York Times

2005-03-27T12:12:00.000-08:00

HAPPY EASTER!

Hearing Loss for Musicians

2005-03-26T20:33:00.000-08:00

Researchers from the University of Toronto studied the effects of noise levels in orchestra pits. They took 67 musicians who volunteered to participate in the study and monitored them in rehearsals and performances.

The researchers used devices called noise dosimeters to measure sound. The musicians played with these devices on 18 different occasions, each lasting three hours. The dosimeters showed that the noise levels never reached the line of causing permanent hearing damage.

The researchers came to the conclusion that playing in a pit is not damaging to a musician's ears. Individual music practice time, however, was not monitored in this study.

To prevent hearing loss, it is recommended that musicians wear ear plugs when at all possible.

Russia in Conflict Over Opera

2005-03-23T17:33:00.000-08:00

Wednesday evening of this week, the Bolshoi theater in Russia will premier a new opera. "Rosenthal's Children," written by Vladimir Sorokin, is the first new opera to run in the Bolshoi in 30 years.

Many Russian critics are claiming that the material is highly controversial and it should therefore be banned from the great theater. Some think that these are preconceived notions, however, which are merely based on Sorokin's previous writings. His novel, "Blue Lard," was published in 1999 and contained a sex scene between clones of Josef Stalin and Nikita Khrushchev.

"Rosenthal's Children" is about a scientist who creates clones of Wagner, Tchaikovsky, Mussorgsky, Verdi and Mozart who spend time with prostitutes. Anatoly Iksanov, the head of the Bolshoi theater supports the opera. He said that the government is trying to censor the opera even though it hasn't premiered yet.

Russia has had a long history of censorship in the arts. Apparently it still exists today.

FSC Band Concert

2005-03-19T11:46:00.000-08:00

On Tuesday, March 22, the Florida Southern College music department is holding its spring band concert. The performance will be held in Branscomb Auditorium at 7 p.m. The Symphony Band, Wind Ensemble and Jazz Band will be performing several great works of music literature.

Dr. Jo Jossim is the director of the Symphony Band and Wind Ensemble, and Dr. Brian Brink is the director of the Jazz Band. They have been preparing their ensembles all semester for this concert, and they both say that they are looking forward to their students' performance.

Have the French Gone Too Far?

2005-03-16T11:12:00.000-08:00

Conductors have been recently getting arrested in France for employing Eastern European musicians in orchestras on tour instead of hiring French musicians.

David Miller, conductor of the Bulgarian orchestra, was touring in France in February with the show "Don Giovanni." The French police came backstage and demanded to see the paperwork of every musician. They arrested the tour organizer on charges of "illegally importing workers to the country." The rest of the tour was cancelled in France.

Volker Hartung, conductor of Cologne New Philharmonic, was also employing some Eastern European musicians for his tour of "Bolero" and "Carmen." He was arrested in France for the second time for "underpaying his musicians and not obtaining proper authorization for them to perform in France."

The main reason for hiring Eastern European musicians for these tours is that it isn't as expensive. They are willing to work for less money than the French musicians, and therefore it doesn't put a lot of financial strain on the tour. France is upset because they feel that their musicians aren't being given enough jobs and they are being replaced by cheaper labor.

Synaesthesia

2005-03-04T18:27:00.000-08:00

Neuropsychologists at the Zurich University have been conducting research on a Swiss musician who has the world's most extreme case of synaesthesia.

Synaesthesia is the condition where a response is triggered in other sensory organs when music or certain sounds are heard. The 27-year-old female musician sees colors and develops tastes when hearing certain pitch intervals.

For example, she sees red when she hears a C, and purple when she hears an F-sharp. A minor second interval makes her mouth sour, and a major second makes it bitter. A minor third interval tastes salty, and a major third tastes sweet.

This sounds like a rather interesting phenomenon. I'd like to meet someone with this condition some day and ask them more about their musical experiences.

Who Has Ownership?

2005-03-02T14:29:00.000-08:00

Sergei Rachmaninov (1873-1943) was a Russian composer, conductor, and pianist. In a recent court case, there were disputes over the ownership of his original 300-page manuscript of the Second Symphony.

Rachmaninov's manuscript was to be auctioned last December in the Sotheby's sale. Members of Rachmaninov's family claimed to be the real owners, and Sotheby's took it out of the auction to avoid legal problems.

According to a BBC News article, it is very possible that the manuscript was left with someone for safekeeping when Rachmaninov fled Russia. It was found in Switzerland in a cellar with several pages missing.

The judge has ruled that both sides have a chance at winning, so the case must continue.

Future of Film Score Writers

2005-02-28T13:07:00.000-08:00

The Academy Awards recognized many talented composers that wrote film scores for movies in the past year. Among these composers were Jerry Goldsmith, Elmer Bernstein and David Raksin.

Film score writers pour their hearts and souls into their music. The average moviegoer usually doesn't even notice the beautiful music in the film's background. The score, however, can be vital to a movie's success. In a Newsday article, Stephen Williams wrote, "It was written to lend weight to the drama or uplift the comedy, to make the love scenes lovelier and the war scenes grizzlier; to make the chases faster, the bad guys badder, the heroes more heroic."

Many movie producers today are unfortunately using pop music instead of classical scores. It is becoming more difficult every year for composers to be commissioned for large scale movies.

Williams wrote, "Now, I've got no kick against a kitschy theme song that helps to sell a film - that's a tradition too. Henry Mancini's "Moon River" identifies "Breakfast at Tiffany's," after all. But the vicious circle of studios pumping out CDs to sell movies to sell CDs robs moviegoers of the joys of discovering serious classical music that is inventive, experimental, lyrical, dynamic, soulful."

How "Live" is Your Live Recording?

2005-02-25T13:04:00.000-08:00

Simon Rattle, a great German conductor, has finished his recording of Mahler’s “Symphony of a Thousand.” The CD will be released next month, and it will complete Rattle's recordings of all nine Mahler symphonies. Not many conductors have completed this task before. The CD is being advertised as a live recording, but what most people don't realize is that the recording has been taken into the studio to be edited.

The editing process used is called patching, and involves the removal of technical mistakes, audience noises, and other extraneous sounds. Basically, the record producer takes away many of the true aspects of a "live recording". When you attend a concert, you are bound to hear people coughing, leafing through programs, applauding at slightly inappropriate moments, clinking music stands, and so on.

Do consumers care that their live recordings have been doctored and edited? Would they rather hear perfection or a live recording in the true sense?

“It’s that thing of capturing the excitement of the moment,” says Clive Gillinson, director of the London Symphony Orchestra, whose label has released 31 CDs in five years. “Perfection may be wonderful,” Gillinson said, “but it’s not an artistic experience. Music is about performance, about the emotion of the moment, and it’s that excitement we want to grab.”

Are Classical Music Stations in Trouble?

2005-02-23T14:04:00.000-08:00

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette recently reported that a local classical station WQED-FM (89.3) has been "singing the blues" after their disappointing winter fund-raiser.

The station missed its goal of $265,000 by almost $85,000. While the exact reasons for the low donations are unclear, some think that the listeners are upset about the recent firings of two of the regular hosts. They were fired in an effort to cut costs.

The station manager thinks that perhaps the community is focused on other charities such as the tsunami and flood relief. Radio stations are being set on the back burner.

WQED-FM is not the only classical station going through a difficult time right now. WETA-FM in Washington, D.C., just decided to let go of their classical radio station to focus more on news and public affairs.

Is this a trend? Are people losing interest in classical music programming? I suppose we will find these answers in the future.

Classical Music Blogging

2005-02-21T13:01:00.000-08:00

Alex Ross, a music critic for The New Yorker, has a blog of his own that is dedicated to classical music. The Rest Is Noise has been in existence for less that one year.

In a recent article in The Mercury News, it was stated that the number of articles written in print about classical music is decreasing. The new future for these articles is being found in the world of blogs.

"By one count, there are 45 English-language blogs -- short for "Web logs'' -- devoted to classical music: CD and concert reviews, musical and historical analyses, musings, rants and assorted pokings into looming issues including the economic downturn's impact on symphony orchestras and classical music's very survival," wrote Richard Scheinin, journalist from The Mercury News.

Visit Ross's blog to read the opinions of another classical music admirer.

FSC Orchestra Performs

2005-02-19T14:13:00.000-08:00

On Sunday, Feb. 20, the Florida Southern College Orchestra will be giving their spring concert. The conductor of the musical group is Arthur Pranno. Some of the pieces that will be included in the program are Overture for the End of a Century by Libby Larson, Symphony No.7 in A major by Ludwig Van Beethoven, and the premier of A Canticle of Wilderness by Charles Threatte.

The concert is a part of the Festival of Fine Arts series in Lakeland, FL. The complete concert schedule for the Festival of Fine Arts is posted on the Florida Southern College website.

Symphony Painter

2005-02-17T10:54:00.000-08:00

Tod Machover, a composer and digital media expert, has teamed up with the Fisher-Price toy company to create Symphony Painter. This software teaches children about musical composition by letting them draw music and then listen to their pieces.

The program lets the children choose from 24 different musical patterns that they draw onto the Color Pixter screen. They can choose from 24 different instruments to play the composition. The children are forced to use their minds and ears to compose music that makes sense.

In an interview with Bloomberg.com, Machover talked about the benefits of the program in children's lives.

"The general message it sends out is that music is something you can make, and it can sound like you. Kids gain a sense of power of having just made a piece of music. Even within the limits of this toy, I think that's unique. Ideally, it's really important to get the message out that music matters, that it can make a difference in your life," said Machover.

New South Florida Orchestras Forming

2005-02-14T15:45:00.000-08:00

The state went into shock when the Florida Philharmonic collapsed due to financial strain. There has been a sudden boom, however, of music groups forming in South Florida in recent years. The four newest groups are the Boca Raton Philharmonic Symphonia, the Delray Beach Philharmonic Pops, the Boynton Beach-based New Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Miami Philharmonic.

Delray has also created the Delray Beach Chamber Music Society and the small Delray String Quartet. The Renaissance Chamber Orchestra in Broward County is also a new group. The Palm Beach Symphony is still in existence after 37 years, but it is planning to perform more concerts this year than ever before.

Most of the musicians in these new groups are free-lancers from the former Florida Philharmonic. There is actually a shortage of performers now that there are so many new groups forming. They believe that they will survive because they each cater differently to their audiences.

I think it is very exciting that these new ensembles are forming in South Florida. Hopefully, they will learn from the problems that existed in the groups that are not together today. I do believe that there are audiences that want to hear these groups, and I know that there are musicians who want to perform in them.

Older is Not Always Better

2005-02-11T17:19:00.000-08:00

It is commonly thought that the older the string instrument is, the better sound it has. Many of the great violin virtuosos play on instruments that were made in the 1700s in Europe. Christian Tetzlaff, a well-known violinist, is not one of those typical musicians. He owns a violin that was made only three years ago by a German violinmaker named Peter Greiner.

In a recent interview with The Telegraph of London, Tetzlaff spoke about his old instrument.

"I used to play quite a famous Stradivarius," Tetzlaff says, "and it was a fantastic violin for Bach and Mozart, but not for the big Romantic and 20th-century concertos. No wonder. It was never meant to be played like that. Some of those instruments get cranked up by stiffening the soundpost, so they sound strong enough but their ability to play a good pianissimo sound is gone. With this Greiner I recently played the Bach solo sonatas in Los Angeles Disney Hall – 2,400 people – and it was no problem."

The demand for great violins has increased, and the violinmakers of today are very excited about this turn of events. You will probably be hearing more and more concert violinists performing on modern instruments.

Completion of an Unfinished Tchaikovsky Symphony

2005-02-09T17:16:00.000-08:00

The great Russian composer Piotr Tchaikovsky (1840-1893) left one of his symphonies unfinished after his death. The symphony, titled Life, only has a completed first movement. Tchaikovsky wrote melodic notes for his ideas in the second and third movements, but nothing else.

The Tchaikovsky Fund has asked a group of Russian composers to finish the symphony by this fall. They are planning to premier the work later this year in Moscow under the direction of Tomomi Nishimoto, a Japanese conductor.

According to the article in Andante magazine, the newly completed work will be available for orchestras around the world to perform after its premier in Moscow. It will be exciting to hear and perform the musical thoughts and ideas in Tchaikovsky's Life symphony.

Wireless Devices Given to Audience Members

2005-02-07T22:15:00.000-08:00

The future of concert attendance might change with the use of the Concert Companion (CoCo for short). This wireless hand-held device was developed in the United States and is currently being tested by the audiences of the Philadelphia and New York Philharmonic for the 2005-2006 concert season.

According to a recent article in The Guardian, the purpose of the device is to take the place of printed programs. They are to enlighten each audience member and enhance the audio/visual experience of a classical music concert. The CoCo's screen shows program notes and pictures that correspond to the music as it is being played.

While the concept of the CoCo sounds interesting, I'm not sure that it will encourage more people to go to classical music concerts like the inventor hopes. I think it would be a distraction to constantly be looking down at the screen and reading every program note throughout the piece. It would take away from the beauty of the music being performed and the experience of listening to its every aspect.

Burning River Brass

2005-02-04T17:20:00.000-08:00

Burning River Brass is a world-renowned performance group made up of brass players and a percussionist. They will be giving a concert and master class at Florida Southern College on Feb. 7.

The ensemble consists of 12 talented musicians who joined together in 1996 in the Cleveland, Ohio, area to form Burning River Brass. They were offered their first recording contract with Dorian Records in 1999. They currently have four CDs recorded.

The group is known for its extreme enthusiasm and excellent musicianship. Come to hear and experience the Burning River Brass concert! Take a look at their extensive concert schedule.

Carnegie Hall

2005-02-02T11:55:00.000-08:00

Carnegie Hall ... a place where musicians aspire to perform at least once in their lifetime.

Located in Manhattan, the three unique stages hold performers from all over the world. The hall offers concerts with a wide variety of music. You could hear anything from classical to bluegrass to jazz to gospel.

Visit the Carnegie Hall website and take a look around. The 2005-2006 concert list is posted on the site. Some of this year's highlights are the celebration of Mozart's 250th birthday and the SF Jazz collection.

This weekend features the Cleveland Orchestra, the Soweto Gospel Choir, the Kronos Quartet, and a few solo artists.

If you are ever in New York, attending a concert at Carnegie Hall should definitely be on your list of things to do.

Requiem for a Tsunami

2005-01-31T13:28:00.000-08:00

The Bangkok Opera performed Mozart's "Requiem" on January 22, 2005, to raise money for the tsunami relief effort. The performance involved 100 musicians, and they only rehearsed the piece for two weeks. The Bangkok Opera is under the artistic direction of Somtow Sucharitkul. The concert was a huge success.

“Mozart’s ‘Requiem’ is the world’s most recognisable anthem of bereavement and healing,” Somtow said. “Classical music is a wonderful avenue for people from all walks of life to be together, experiencing shared emotions, healing and redemption.”

They plan to give several more performances this year, with a percent of the ticket sales going to the tsunami relief fund. For further information, you may use the following link: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2005/01/31/national/index.php?news=national_16253226.html

Lost and Found

2005-01-29T13:15:00.000-08:00

It is an exciting time when music historians find an unknown written work of a great composer. A recent discovery in a British museum revealed a lost Adagio movement of a Beethoven piano concerto.

A concert in Rotterdam will premier this piece of music literature. Ronald Brautigam, a British pianist, will perform the Beethoven concerto in its entirety for the first time on February 1, 2005.

I think it would be a fascinating experience to listen to a Beethoven piece that was written in 1789, yet never heard by an audience. You may read more about this discovery in the Andante magazine.

Ana Vidovic... a young guitarist

2005-01-26T15:23:00.000-08:00

On January 27, 2005, a young woman will grace Florida Southern College with her talent. Ana Vidovic is a classical guitarist from Croatia. She attended the National Music Academy of Zagreb, and then earned her masters at the Peabody Conservatory of Baltimore.

She is currently touring the United States of America, and her list of upcoming concerts is listed on her website.

Ms. Vidovic is a very talented guitarist, and I would highly recommend that you listen to the beautiful music she creates with her instrument.

Saving Chinese Opera

2005-01-24T17:05:00.000-08:00

Through the centuries, societies have created art forms that are rich with culture. Unfortunately, many of these art forms are dying due to the pressures of modernization. Chinese opera is still performed today, yet many of China's traditional operas have been lost.

In order to preserve the traditional operas, the Chinese Academy of Arts and research institutes are creating a database of audio and video files. The database will take an estimated year and a half to make. It will be used for educational, cultural, and entertainment purposes worldwide.

You may read more about the database project at the following link:
www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2005-01/23/content_411754.htm

Symphonies to Hear

2005-01-20T10:05:00.000-08:00

For those of you who don't listen to classical music, I would suggest that you start. Music can reach people like no other medium can, and it touches everyone in different ways. I came across a list of symphonies that are suggested for classical newbies. I agree with most of these top picks. They are certainly powerful symphonies written by the masters of the music world.

Go ahead and listen to them. My only hope is that you find something that sparks your interest. Then maybe, just maybe, you will come to understand my love for music.

Music to Your Ears

2005-01-17T14:13:00.000-08:00

For my Online Media class, I have created a blog about something that interests me. This interest is classical music.