Career Choice

So, non-existent blog readers, I have recently made a rather large decision regarding my future. I decided to take up voice lessons again, instead of pursuing my aspirations to become a percussionist. I still do love playing percussion, and I plan on continuing doing so through college and beyond, but my main focus will be within the vocal arts. Of course, this means starting practically from scratch, but I believe I may have better chances of getting into a good college for voice than for percussion. Voice studios look for talent more than skill, and percussion studios look for skill alongside talent. Of course, that's not to say that you can be a complete novice to get into a vocal program, but I've been singing for quite a while now, and also, as I mentioned, I have started voice lessons again. I'm crossing my fingers. I'm thinking of turning this blog around kind of, because I am going through Lent facebook-free, so I need an outlet. Somewhere that I can vent or just talk to no one at all. It's comforting for some reason, and Twitter just doesn't cut it. Here, no one knows me so I feel a bit more comfortable talking about stuff. So expect a little bit more personal details (not in the biblical sense though). Anyways, here is the obligatory video. Did I mention that I'm hopefully going to be taking up French Horn in band? Percussion has become largely unrewarding, and I've always wanted to learn horn, so here's a chance to challenge myself with something will prove fruitful and enjoyable (I hope). There is one caveat, though, I have to learn from my Band Director's Assistant, who I am not a fan of, to be quite frank. Anyways, here is the video of Sigfried's Horn Call. The actual music begins a bit of the ways in. Enjoy!

Deep River

This particular piece fills me with a very warm and pleasant feeling. It's rather uplifting, I hope you will enjoy the Indiana Wesleyan University Chorale singing this spiritual as much as I did.

Seal Lullaby

If you haven't yet come across this work by Eric Whitacre, I hope that it will soon become one of your favorites, as I know it is one of my personal favorites. The work is scored for piano and SATB chorus. Enjoy!

New Discovery

Hello all of my nonexistent readers and subscribers, sorry I haven't been able to talk to you in a while. It seems to slip my mind every time I find something beautiful or have some spare time. Anyways, I hope your Thanksgiving is a good one. Today I happened to be spending some time on Twitter and noticed a link from the Berlin Philharmonic about five must-bookmark websites for music lovers as complied by Strings magazine. Needless to say, I was intrigued. I discovered ClassicalTV.com, which happens to host a few quality videos of Classical Music, Jazz, Opera, Ballet, and such. Some videos are pay-per-view, but there is a good number of free stuff. My personal favorite discovery so far is this recording of Te Deum by Arvo Part. It is an exquisite piece for choir and chamber orchestra. I highly suggest you listen through. The music starts about 25 minutes in or so. Enjoy!

Exciting Times

I neglected to mention a happy Independence Day for everyone yesterday, although I doubt I have many readers, if any at all. Ah well, it gets my creative juices flowing, and I have quite a few assignments coming up here. Anyways, the reason for the title is because currently in Appleton, Wisconsin, there is a music festival going on. It is the Zeltsman Marimba Festival, and as we speak perhaps, or in a few hours, there is to be a concert of 24 new works, commissioned or contest winners. These are all to be intermediate works of 3-6 minutes in length, and they are being published and released soon. I have heard nothing but compliments for these pieces, so I am quite excited, and I hope I can get a copy soon. Anyways, here is a piece I am looking at right now. I won't be able to perform it for a few years maybe, but it's a great piece. Enjoy Joseph Schwanter's Velocities.



In addition, scroll down on this page to find an interview with the composer of this phenomenal work. It might sound like a lot of noise, but give it a chance. It really is a beautiful piece that I think embodies the qualities of this instrument.

Sir James Galway

My flutist friend is quite infatuated with anything flute, pretty much. She recently met Sir James Galway, and was ecstatic. I figured I should find out what all the fuss was. I looked on YouTube (of course) for a video that would show what he was all about. What I found was a beautiful flutist and a beautiful flute to boot! Enjoy music from one of my favorite movie series: Here is James Galway performing music from The Lord of the Rings.

What a Blast!

Today I bring to you some more recent orchestral music. It's often played as an encore, and this short, enjoyable, thrilling piece is quite a wonderful thing to listen to. The first time I listened to this I was thrilled. Here is John Adams' "A Short Ride in a Fast Machine."