Well it looks like all of the world's composers with now soon be out of a job.
Check out this video!
Friday, January 16, 2009
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.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Could it get any worse...sure it could!
Not to relive the disaster of a TV falling on me last week....
I awoke Monday morning and thought I was finally getting some relief. The wife and I were going to do some last minute gift shopping, revisit the doctor's office for final checkup and perhaps have dinner. Relaxing....
My daughter calls and needs to be picked up from an auto repair shop..no problem since it was on the list of things to do. The problem started when:
I backed my truck up out of the driveway and found that my newly replaced windshield wiper had been busted off and a rear tire had been slashed. Not wanting to be too late in picking up my daughter I moved the truck back to its spot in the driveway and cleared off my wife's Saturn. As I back into the road I realized that the passenger side was sitting rather low, so I got out (yes, still in the road) and found BOTH passenger tires had been slashed. The car limped back into the driveway.
A kind neighbor took me to pick up my daughter (thanks Wally!). When I returned home I walked up to the Redford police station, filed a report and waited (and waited) for a patrol car to come to the house to investigate. Meanwhile I had contacted AAA, who was NO help whatsoever and a tow truck company.
VERY long story short, the damaged tires are under two claims and therefore two separate deductibles (thanks AAA!!!!) and AAA was too busy to handle my request to tow, so $120 out of pocket both vehicles were towed to the same repair shop that my duaghter's car was at.
Today, I have the car back, but the truck tire had to be specially ordered, and will arrive later this week.
Who could have slashed three tires and broken windshield wipers? My neighbor who was pissed because I refuse to let him panhandle, or gain entry into my house. To make it worse he also slashed my other neighbor's tire at the same time. The police, have been useless unless we see him in the act (thanks Redford 911!!!)
Hopefully 2008 will end quickly and 2009 will improve!
I awoke Monday morning and thought I was finally getting some relief. The wife and I were going to do some last minute gift shopping, revisit the doctor's office for final checkup and perhaps have dinner. Relaxing....
My daughter calls and needs to be picked up from an auto repair shop..no problem since it was on the list of things to do. The problem started when:
I backed my truck up out of the driveway and found that my newly replaced windshield wiper had been busted off and a rear tire had been slashed. Not wanting to be too late in picking up my daughter I moved the truck back to its spot in the driveway and cleared off my wife's Saturn. As I back into the road I realized that the passenger side was sitting rather low, so I got out (yes, still in the road) and found BOTH passenger tires had been slashed. The car limped back into the driveway.
A kind neighbor took me to pick up my daughter (thanks Wally!). When I returned home I walked up to the Redford police station, filed a report and waited (and waited) for a patrol car to come to the house to investigate. Meanwhile I had contacted AAA, who was NO help whatsoever and a tow truck company.
VERY long story short, the damaged tires are under two claims and therefore two separate deductibles (thanks AAA!!!!) and AAA was too busy to handle my request to tow, so $120 out of pocket both vehicles were towed to the same repair shop that my duaghter's car was at.
Today, I have the car back, but the truck tire had to be specially ordered, and will arrive later this week.
Who could have slashed three tires and broken windshield wipers? My neighbor who was pissed because I refuse to let him panhandle, or gain entry into my house. To make it worse he also slashed my other neighbor's tire at the same time. The police, have been useless unless we see him in the act (thanks Redford 911!!!)
Hopefully 2008 will end quickly and 2009 will improve!
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Injuries on the job
I'm wondering if there is anyone out there who might have experience filing a lawsuit against their school for an injury on the job? Was it worth the trouble? Any advice or areas to watch out for?
Sunday, December 14, 2008
December Concerts
For the most part the high school concerts are over, with the last one being tonight. We usually perform for several local organizations, and this year we've continued singing for the local Sister City Organization. These are generous people who promote peace with people in Austria. The typically have us entertain them and in turn donate to our choir fund. In addition they always give the kids a small gift, and have fed our accompanist and myself. I hope we'll be able to continue entertaining them in the future!
The high school concert was this past Tuesday. The Concert Choir and Madrigal Chorale performed for about 90 minutes. Both groups did a great job and I was pleased with their progress and growth over the past few weeks! I even noticed an improvement in the Chorale's performance this evening, compared to the Tuesday concert. They are younger than many of the previous years groups, but have great heart and talent. I believe their school concert performance helped solidify their sense of "family" and will continue to help them perform as a more unified ensemble.
Our middle school concerts are this coming week. Due to the "wisdom" of our central administration I'm directing the 6th and 8th grade choirs, while the 7th grade choir is under the direction of our band director. We hold the 6th grade band and choir concert together, and the 7th and 8th grade choir concert on a separate night. This means that I'm required to spend two nights performing, and then only a portion of the concert. Hopefully the middle school kids will sing well also?!
We close the school year at the middle school with an all school assembly. The 7th & 8th grade choirs and bands perform plus the attached units. It's a good chance for the kids to perform for their friends before they break for Christmas. The week will go by quickly, so vacation isn't too far away.
Merry Christmas!
The high school concert was this past Tuesday. The Concert Choir and Madrigal Chorale performed for about 90 minutes. Both groups did a great job and I was pleased with their progress and growth over the past few weeks! I even noticed an improvement in the Chorale's performance this evening, compared to the Tuesday concert. They are younger than many of the previous years groups, but have great heart and talent. I believe their school concert performance helped solidify their sense of "family" and will continue to help them perform as a more unified ensemble.
Our middle school concerts are this coming week. Due to the "wisdom" of our central administration I'm directing the 6th and 8th grade choirs, while the 7th grade choir is under the direction of our band director. We hold the 6th grade band and choir concert together, and the 7th and 8th grade choir concert on a separate night. This means that I'm required to spend two nights performing, and then only a portion of the concert. Hopefully the middle school kids will sing well also?!
We close the school year at the middle school with an all school assembly. The 7th & 8th grade choirs and bands perform plus the attached units. It's a good chance for the kids to perform for their friends before they break for Christmas. The week will go by quickly, so vacation isn't too far away.
Merry Christmas!
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