ERIC WHITACRE!

I can't believe I haven't blogged about this guy yet! Eric Whitacre is one of the greatest composers of all time. He composes pieces for both vocal and instrumental emsembles. His works are very complex and his use of dissonance creates a disturbing yet interesting sound to the ear. If you think that classical music isn't for you just listen to a few of these songs and I'm sure your sights will be changed.

Sleep: This is the vocal version of this song performed by Whitacre's Virtual Choir. The virtual choir is a live streaming group of people from around the world all singing together. What an amazing experience making music like this.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WhWDCw3Mng

Lux Arumque: This may be my favorite piece by him at the moment. This version is performed by the renowned Polyphony choral group.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m1sYkJHipvg&safety_mode=true&persist_safety_mode=1

Equus: This song is an instrumental version. Its amazingness is evident just listen. Words can't describe.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ilQaKuWWBs

October: This song is slow and beautiful and brings about many different emotions. See how it makes you feel.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gpV6PQLDqwY&safety_mode=true&persist_safety_mode=1



A Tribute to the Class of 2011

As the end of the school year quickly approaches I want to devote a post to all of the seniors leaving us. Some of you have had a huge impact on my life. Those of you whom I didn't come to know very well I wish you luck in whatever you chose to do. Those who I can call my best friends, I want to thank you for all you have done for me and for what you have helped me become today. Walking these halls will never be the same without you but soon I will be in your shoes and I hope to fill them well. Class of 2011 I will miss you and the school will miss you but you will never be forgotten. To enhance the bittersweet mood around school this is a song that has helped me reflect on my wonderful memories with the seniors.
"Time After Time" by Cyndi Lauper

You guys have been there for me time after time and I know you always will be.

Who has the time?

It seems that as summer quickly approaches so does all of the stress and worry about finals and going away this summer. I now live my life not day by day but week by week. I look forward to the weekend starting every Monday. I feel like i have to focus on getting through a weekly schedule rather than a daily one. This results in a lot being on my mind at once. Long term projects, homework, books, blogs, everything is piling up. I think I need to stop, plug in my headphones, and enjoy the music before I go insane...hope it's not too late.

"You say no, it isn't workin' but I say no it isn't perfect but I'll stay instead, I'm never gunna leave this bed."

Every morning while I'm getting ready for school I listen to VH1 music. A song I've heard almost every morning for about a month now is Maroon 5 "Never Gunna Leave This Bed." I loved the melody of this song from the first time I heard it and finally decided to download it to my phone this morning. (I've already listened to it about 5 times today.) The song's title implies a subject matter somewhat risque but that is not the nature of the song at all. I'm not one for sappy love songs unless the music is more interesting than the lyrics but this is the exception. The song is about a guy who is in love with a girl but their relationship isn't working. The guy is willing to do anything to prove to the girl that they can work things out. He claims he will never leave their bed again because he is completely committed. Not only is the music intoxicating but the lyrics are sweet and meaningful as well. If I were the girl in the song I couldn't give up on the guy.

HAPPY LISTENING =]

I'm usually not this mainstream...

On the way to school this morning I heard the Ke$ha song "Blow" and it kind of made my day. The rave like rhythm just got me energized for the day and because it is a Monday I need it. After happily prancing to the band room I realize my friends had all heard the same song this morning too. We all start humming in unison and now the song is stuck in my head for the rest of the day. The radio is usually boring to me but this morning the popular pop is what got me going!

Happy Listening! =]

"Angels in the Architecture"

A couple of weeks ago I attended the Murray State 50th Annual Senior High Quad State Band Festival. Basically about 400 high school musicians from around Kentucky, Tennessee, Ohio, and Indiana join together on Murray's campus to participate in a rigorous three day rehearsal all ending with a performance on the final day. Along with hours of rehearsals participants enjoyed the finest music ensembles Murray has to offer. On the second night I experienced one of the most amazing pieces of music I have ever heard. The MSU Wind Ensemble, the most select group, performed the song "Angels in the Architecture" by Frank Ticheli. Words can't begin to describe the hush that fell over the crowd and the ambiance in the auditorium. Hundreds of ears were alert as everyone listened to the dulcet sounds at the beginning of the song turn into chaos at the climax. As the music faded the crowd was silent waiting for someone to be the brave soul to applaud first. One truly knows he or she has experienced something special when it is too good to clap. Try it for yourself!

Angels in the Architecture

Happy Listening =]

Percussion Ensembles

Solos and ensembles is coming up next month from all those band kids out there. For those of you who don't know, solos and ensembles is an annual event hosted in every district where middle and high school students perform for rankings. This year I am doing three or four ensembles. Along with my usual woodwind ensemble I am trying something new this year: Percussion Ensembles. What is so great about percussion ensembles is the vast diversity in music choices. Some of the pieces our percussion group will be performing this year are:

"Me Tarzan" This is a very unique ensemble using only hands, feet, chest, and stomach as instruments. The parts to the song are named after characters such as Jane and Tarzan.

"Glitzville!" This song is very catchy and fun. It has some 20s inspiration for an up-beat musical experience.

"Padapan" Do you know of the movie Slumdog Millionaire? Well, this song comes from that movie and the Indian culture. This song is a Christmas tune and is very memorable.

All of these great ensembles and many more can be found on
http://www.rowloff.com/
and
http://www.tapspace.com/

Happy Listening =]

Make Music that Matters

If you watched the Grammy's a couple of weeks ago you may have seen a litte band perform called, "Mumford and Sons." This london power quartet is on the rise in main-stream music and a group you should know. Mumford and Sons presents a old-fashioned sound fueled by romantisism. This band came together through pure talent and will continue to develop. Check em out!
http://www.mumfordandsons.com/

Happy Listening! =]

30 Seconds to Mars

I have recently rediscovered my love for this amazing band. My old favorites were "The Kill" and "From Yesterday". My new favorite is "Kings and Queens". This band is very musical creating the perfect mix of intoxicating melodies and meaningful lyrics. Check them out and try and tell me I'm wrong!
Happy Listening =]

Indoor Percussion a.k.a. Indoor Drumline a.k.a. Winter Percussion!

Any of these things sound familiar? Well, no matter what you call it the sport of indoor percussion is an exhilarating show of sight and sound. This is my second year as a member of the DC Indoor Percussion and I must say it is one of the most rewarding and entertaining things I have ever done. Last year was the first time I discovered the art that is indoor, and I will never forget the magic. If you're having trouble imagining what exactly this sport is think of it like this: anywhere from 10 to 40 performers come together in a gym to create an exciting show using only percussion instruments and their bodies. It's like marching band minus the horn players and football field. The first thing to making a good show is of course the music. We spend weeks memorizing and preparing music to be played in the next portion of preparing the show, the drill. Drill is basically moving around to make different forms and even body movement. Once music and drill come together there is only one last thing to truly complete the show and that is emotion. Once you get so comfortable moving and playing you really feel the music and sell it to your audience. The goal is to make the audience and judges think, "Man, I'd love to be doing that!" Indoor percussion is called the sport of the arts and I think that is the perfect description. Oh yea and there is this thing called independent class where people actually try out and pay tons of money to do this...it's kind of a big deal =]

Here are some of my favorite shows:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Ef55DxNdpE
This show is about a guy who enters a crazy, fantasy drumming world. Pay attention and it really does tell a story. These guys (and girls of course) really put you in their crazy little world of a show.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xP3ys-nZg-c&feature=related
WGI Champion 2010 right here! Awesome show and awesome players of course.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W5fBDq3_vv8&feature=related
Another high energy group here. Best part of this show is the visual aspect but they throw down some beats too!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=afrS7jvc88o
This is the start to the DC Indoor show for 2011. Still some rough patches but it's off to a great start.

Happy Listening =]

This pretty much sums it up...

So, I bought some new headphones this weekend and what better way to break them in than to buy some new tunes?? Here are some of the best buys...

"For The First Time" by The Script
-Kind of a romantic song because we all want to be loved and all that sappy stuff haha

"Get Outta My Way" by Kylie Minogue (new favorite)
-This is how I feel most of the time...usually walking down the hallways at school.

"I'm In Here" by Sia
-This artist has some pretty dark songs but they really mean something unlike most main stream stuff. Also check out "Breathe Me," an old favorite of mine.

"Paris" by Grace Potter and The Nocturnals
-This shows my rebelious side...haha yea right, but it is fun to rock out to =]

Well, this is what I will have on replay all week hope you can enjoy it too!
Happy Listening =]

"You take the BREATH right out of me"

I love so many different types of music so it's hard to choose just one band as my favorite, but I've decided to make that choice right now. After hours of deep thought, or procrastination, I have come to a conclusion. Their lyrics have meaning and their melodies are enduring in my mind; they are Breaking Benjamin. Even more inspirational than their music is their story. Long story short two members of a band on its way to success decided to "break" away from the pack and put their trust in singer/songwriter Ben Burnley. In my opinion this is the best decision they could have ever made because the best part of their music is the lyrics. Their newest album, "Dear Agony," is the best one yet and there isn't a song I don't love. Although overall this is my favorite album my favorite song is "Breath" on the album titled "Phobia" and it truly does take the breath right out of me. To read the band's whole story and get samples of their music visit http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/breaking_benjamin/artist.jhtml.
Happy Listening =]

"So sacrifice yourself, and let me have what's left. I know that I can find the fire in your eyes."
 -Breath

Daily Vitamin

I find myself not getting tired of songs but wanting a new sound or anything to reawaken my interest. Recently, while searching through iTunes, I came across The Vitamin String Quartet. Being a "band kid" you wouldn't think I would be into the whole orchestra thing, but this group blew my mind! So here's how it works, take a popular group like Coldplay and replace the vocals, keyboards, and guitars with classical string instruments and there you have it! Classical music isn't for everyone, but this group is classic meets modern. The VSQ allows you to fall in love with your favorite song all over again. The quartet not only puts their own spin on the classics but they also have a few original compositions that are just as good. If your are just starting out I would recommend Bittersweet Symphony, Clocks, and Undertow; if you are not a stranger then you are one of the lucky ones who has discovered the awesomeness that is the VSQ. Happy Listening =]