There are few things more beautiful than a sunrise or sunset. This one comes with a Kyrie attached. Enjoy!
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Monday, January 19, 2009
23 Things Update
One of the tasks from the 23 Things adventure was networking on sites like Facebook. I've enjoyed the site and have made many connections with current students, colleagues and friends.
More importantly it has allowed me to connect with people whom I'd lost contact with over the years. I recently found one of my best friends from junior high (yes it was junior high back then, and not this modern "middle school"). Over the past week we've worked on catching up with each other and will continue to renew our past friendship.
Let's hear it for Facebook!
More importantly it has allowed me to connect with people whom I'd lost contact with over the years. I recently found one of my best friends from junior high (yes it was junior high back then, and not this modern "middle school"). Over the past week we've worked on catching up with each other and will continue to renew our past friendship.
Let's hear it for Facebook!
Friday, January 16, 2009
Microsoft SongSmith Program
Well it looks like all of the world's composers with now soon be out of a job.
Check out this video!
Check out this video!
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Semester Exams, Solo & Ensemble, and New Music
Howdy,
This is just some ramblings about this time of year. The end of the first semester is coming soon. That means writing choir exams, figuring grades and most importantly, that the school year is HALF OVER!!!! Yes, it's downhill from here folks! The nice thing is that the schedule is different, not the same old routine, which makes it a bit easier to deal with.
Secondly, exams break up the flow we were trying to achieve in rehearsals preparing for district solo & ensemble festival. Our is 2 weeks earlier this year, and I feel a bit more of the pressure. On top of this there are more entries this year, not really a bad thing, but it's work to try and help everyone be ready to do their best. I'm sure everyone will do just fine.
The time of year that follows Christmas break is the time to dig out some new music for the choirs, especially the ones that may not be going to festival; groups like the middle school kids, and beginning high school choirs. Of course trying to find just the right choral festival piece is a challenge too, it usually means concentrating on just two pieces for awhile instead of finding the five or six needed for the next performance. Having four performing groups means a LOT of music to sort through and pick out, and begin rehearsing.
We've been watching The Phantom of the Opera in 8th grade choir. We watch the original, silent movie version, followed by the 2004 musical version. We'll pick up the medley afterwards and prepare that selection for a March concert. I'm hopeful that by watching the movies it will bring more meaning to the rehearsal process for the kids.
Right now I'm hoping that we have no school tomorrow, due to the cold, below 0 windchill factor. I could use some extra sleep!
This is just some ramblings about this time of year. The end of the first semester is coming soon. That means writing choir exams, figuring grades and most importantly, that the school year is HALF OVER!!!! Yes, it's downhill from here folks! The nice thing is that the schedule is different, not the same old routine, which makes it a bit easier to deal with.
Secondly, exams break up the flow we were trying to achieve in rehearsals preparing for district solo & ensemble festival. Our is 2 weeks earlier this year, and I feel a bit more of the pressure. On top of this there are more entries this year, not really a bad thing, but it's work to try and help everyone be ready to do their best. I'm sure everyone will do just fine.
The time of year that follows Christmas break is the time to dig out some new music for the choirs, especially the ones that may not be going to festival; groups like the middle school kids, and beginning high school choirs. Of course trying to find just the right choral festival piece is a challenge too, it usually means concentrating on just two pieces for awhile instead of finding the five or six needed for the next performance. Having four performing groups means a LOT of music to sort through and pick out, and begin rehearsing.
We've been watching The Phantom of the Opera in 8th grade choir. We watch the original, silent movie version, followed by the 2004 musical version. We'll pick up the medley afterwards and prepare that selection for a March concert. I'm hopeful that by watching the movies it will bring more meaning to the rehearsal process for the kids.
Right now I'm hoping that we have no school tomorrow, due to the cold, below 0 windchill factor. I could use some extra sleep!
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Musical Youth International (MYI) Update
I've written earlier about my travels with MYI, and how there is a group on Facebook for the group's alums. I'm thrilled to see that the group membership is up to 25 people and we're starting to post photos and other articles. Hopefully if we keep putting things out into cyberspace more alums will find it and contribute.
And even worser?
Before I begin...yes, I know "worser" is NOT a word.
After my school injuries and cars incidents I began to think that it just "has to" get better. Well you know how the karma goes...don't mess with it.
Beginning New Year's Eve day I began coming down with diverticulitis, and by New Year's Day I had it BIG time. I really didn't get much relief until Saturday, and the stomach is still a bit sensitive, so I'm watching what I'm eating.
One really nice bright spot for the beginning of 2009...I did manage to get to see & hear Mustard's Retreat perform on Jan. 2, 2009 at the new theater in Canton. The venue still "smells" of newness, in a good way. The performance was in the Biltmore Room and is really quite small, and somewhat fancy for a folk duo. I'm not complaining. Afterall I got to sit right in front & center, within spittin' distance. Great music and such a soothing way to begin the year. I believe they'll be performing with the Yellow Room Gang on Friday, January 16, 2009 at The Ark in Ann Arbor. I can't wait.
After my school injuries and cars incidents I began to think that it just "has to" get better. Well you know how the karma goes...don't mess with it.
Beginning New Year's Eve day I began coming down with diverticulitis, and by New Year's Day I had it BIG time. I really didn't get much relief until Saturday, and the stomach is still a bit sensitive, so I'm watching what I'm eating.
One really nice bright spot for the beginning of 2009...I did manage to get to see & hear Mustard's Retreat perform on Jan. 2, 2009 at the new theater in Canton. The venue still "smells" of newness, in a good way. The performance was in the Biltmore Room and is really quite small, and somewhat fancy for a folk duo. I'm not complaining. Afterall I got to sit right in front & center, within spittin' distance. Great music and such a soothing way to begin the year. I believe they'll be performing with the Yellow Room Gang on Friday, January 16, 2009 at The Ark in Ann Arbor. I can't wait.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
