Can I just say that I love the new song that LDC is learning? It's called "Joy in the Morning" by Natalie Sleeth. I am so excited about this song!! Truly it is a fascinating (and somewhat difficult) piece of music. It's a song all about joy and peace, yet it is written almost entirely minor. How interesting is that? Definitely not your normal happiness anthem.
I'm quite excited about the new music for this year. One of the really great things is that my sight reading is improving! That and my ability to hear parts, which makes being section leader a little easier. This is so great! All of this new stuff I'm learning!! JOY!!
September 21, 2011
September 18, 2011
fireside...
It's interesting to me how names tend to stick. A fireside is no longer a legit fireside. Unless, of course, you go to a canyon and use one of the city installed fire pits, bringing wood you bought at a gas station that's wrapped in plastic, and a gallon of gasoline to get the wood wet so you can light it with one match. And the fixings for s'mores and three or four bags of Starbursts to roast. Then you've got a fireside.
But that doesn't happen very often. A fireside now just takes place in the evening when you could have a fire because it's dark and a little chilly, but since they're normally in buildings you'd bring the Fire Marshall running with a fighting crew and a massive pile of paperwork, including at least one rather large ticket.
No bueno.
Tonight's fireside was very good. I highly enjoyed it, even though there was a rather horrific mistake (if you were listening for mistakes) during "I Stand All Amazed" among many members of my section. We are so fixing that tomorrow! However, it was really good to sing for Matthew Holland, president of the university. He's one of our biggest fans, and he's super nice. Not only that, but he's a great speaker. Really great.
His topic tonight was about being in the world but not of the world. His definition of "of the world" went something like this: searching and using the easiest, flashiest, most glamorous way possible to do things to gain power, popularity, or fortune with no intent to serve anyone but yourself. To be "in the world": doing the work of the world, such as gaining education; pursuing a career; creating a family; serving in the community; not for personal gain but to bring honor to the church, glory to the Lord, and to bless the lives of others.
I thought it was interesting, how different the two things are, and it comes down to this main point: one way of living serves you, and the other way of living serves others. Being of the world is to embrace it wholeheartedly, not caring if it's right or wrong, but only caring if it benefits yourself (whether or not it does in the long run). Being in the world is to embrace others, to make yourself better so you can help others. So very different.
Another great thing about President Holland is that he always tells funny stories. He tells serious ones, too, but the funny ones are always hilarious. I'll share one in closing:
21 year old girl: "All of my friends are getting married!!"
Grad student: "All of my friends are getting divorced."
Elderly couple: "Well, all of our friends are dying."
Puts life into perspective, doesn't it?
But that doesn't happen very often. A fireside now just takes place in the evening when you could have a fire because it's dark and a little chilly, but since they're normally in buildings you'd bring the Fire Marshall running with a fighting crew and a massive pile of paperwork, including at least one rather large ticket.
Tonight's fireside was very good. I highly enjoyed it, even though there was a rather horrific mistake (if you were listening for mistakes) during "I Stand All Amazed" among many members of my section. We are so fixing that tomorrow! However, it was really good to sing for Matthew Holland, president of the university. He's one of our biggest fans, and he's super nice. Not only that, but he's a great speaker. Really great.
His topic tonight was about being in the world but not of the world. His definition of "of the world" went something like this: searching and using the easiest, flashiest, most glamorous way possible to do things to gain power, popularity, or fortune with no intent to serve anyone but yourself. To be "in the world": doing the work of the world, such as gaining education; pursuing a career; creating a family; serving in the community; not for personal gain but to bring honor to the church, glory to the Lord, and to bless the lives of others.
I thought it was interesting, how different the two things are, and it comes down to this main point: one way of living serves you, and the other way of living serves others. Being of the world is to embrace it wholeheartedly, not caring if it's right or wrong, but only caring if it benefits yourself (whether or not it does in the long run). Being in the world is to embrace others, to make yourself better so you can help others. So very different.
Another great thing about President Holland is that he always tells funny stories. He tells serious ones, too, but the funny ones are always hilarious. I'll share one in closing:
21 year old girl: "All of my friends are getting married!!"
Grad student: "All of my friends are getting divorced."
Elderly couple: "Well, all of our friends are dying."
Puts life into perspective, doesn't it?
September 15, 2011
following the leader...
I am not prone to lead. People tell me that I'm a natural leader, but personally I'd rather just let someone else be in charge. It's so much easier and causes less stress to be told what to do, rather than being the one to do the telling.
However, I am not to sit back and be told what to do this semester. This semester I have been given the assignment to be the section leader for the sopranos in choir. In some ways I wasn't really surprised; last week I had made a comment to the section about a line of music that the majority of us weren't getting, and as soon as the line was fixed I just had a feeling that I'd be on the list for potential section leader. So when Teddy talked to me about it, it wasn't a major shock.
This is going to be a little bit interesting. There are some girls who are quite eager to do my job for me. I guess that makes my life a little easier, but at the same time it's frustrating. I want to do the best job I can do, and it's hard when other people are competing to do it as well. It'll work out though. Today was quite a bit better. I had to step up and speak out right away, instead of waiting like I usually do.
The best part of this is that I get to know the girls in my section. A scary part of this is that because I want the music to sound good and I want us to work together, I'm afraid that I'll come across as bossy or arrogant or annoying. I want the girls to like me, and I want them to know that I'm their friend. Balance. Gotta find the balance.
Section leader. Me, who knows less than half a drop in a gallon bucket about music. How funny. I'm kind of excited.
However, I am not to sit back and be told what to do this semester. This semester I have been given the assignment to be the section leader for the sopranos in choir. In some ways I wasn't really surprised; last week I had made a comment to the section about a line of music that the majority of us weren't getting, and as soon as the line was fixed I just had a feeling that I'd be on the list for potential section leader. So when Teddy talked to me about it, it wasn't a major shock.
This is going to be a little bit interesting. There are some girls who are quite eager to do my job for me. I guess that makes my life a little easier, but at the same time it's frustrating. I want to do the best job I can do, and it's hard when other people are competing to do it as well. It'll work out though. Today was quite a bit better. I had to step up and speak out right away, instead of waiting like I usually do.
The best part of this is that I get to know the girls in my section. A scary part of this is that because I want the music to sound good and I want us to work together, I'm afraid that I'll come across as bossy or arrogant or annoying. I want the girls to like me, and I want them to know that I'm their friend. Balance. Gotta find the balance.
Section leader. Me, who knows less than half a drop in a gallon bucket about music. How funny. I'm kind of excited.
September 13, 2011
we're back, baby...
LDC has hit the ground not just running, but racing full-steam ahead. We're already learning and memorizing songs, performing, and getting set for a Christmas show that is sure to be fantabularifical. I am super, super, super excited about it!
I am so excited about all of the new people in the choir. More than half of the slots are filled by people who are either coming back (from missions and such) or who auditioned two weeks ago. There are so many new faces, names, and stories in the classroom! It's exciting (and slightly terrifying), and I can't wait to get to know each one of them. Surprisingly it's easier this year for me to remember names. Maybe it's because I only have to learn 35 instead of 70...haha!
So far it's great. We're learning music, we're learning gospel principles, we're learning each other. There are 35 new people in my life for me to become friends with, and who I know I will begin to love with all of my heart. You can't be in LDC and not love the people you sing with.
It's going to be one heck of an amazing journey this semester. I truly hope I'm up for it! Gonna have to be...I'll tell you why later. :)
I am so excited about all of the new people in the choir. More than half of the slots are filled by people who are either coming back (from missions and such) or who auditioned two weeks ago. There are so many new faces, names, and stories in the classroom! It's exciting (and slightly terrifying), and I can't wait to get to know each one of them. Surprisingly it's easier this year for me to remember names. Maybe it's because I only have to learn 35 instead of 70...haha!
So far it's great. We're learning music, we're learning gospel principles, we're learning each other. There are 35 new people in my life for me to become friends with, and who I know I will begin to love with all of my heart. You can't be in LDC and not love the people you sing with.
It's going to be one heck of an amazing journey this semester. I truly hope I'm up for it! Gonna have to be...I'll tell you why later. :)
September 4, 2011
audition process...
So! The auditioning is going farely well. The DVD is all set and ready to mail. I finally picked two songs and a monologue. The upbeat song, "Wonderful, Wonderful Day" from Seven Brides for Seven Brothers went pretty well. The ballad, "God Help the Outcasts" from The Hunchback of Notre Dame was a bit harder, because of the emotion you have to play throughout the song. Sometimes I was playing it too defensively. That's the beauty of a DVD audition: you can stop the camera and roll another take!
Now it's on to a photo shoot (ugh) for headshots to go with the audition packet, then filling out the packet itself. After that, it's all set to go to SLC! I hope it works out. But if not, I guess I've got nothing to lose except postage money. And that's nothing compared to what I have to pay for gas. :P
Speaking of auditions...LDC is back in session!! The auditions were on Thursday and Friday of last week. Thank heavens I didn't have to try out again (once you're in, you're in...unless you get married or you "graduate" after three years. Then you're kicked out). Hearing all of those singers who auditioned, I don't know if I would have made it into the choir! There were so many good voices. I'm glad I don't have to pick who will get in!
Now it's on to a photo shoot (ugh) for headshots to go with the audition packet, then filling out the packet itself. After that, it's all set to go to SLC! I hope it works out. But if not, I guess I've got nothing to lose except postage money. And that's nothing compared to what I have to pay for gas. :P
Speaking of auditions...LDC is back in session!! The auditions were on Thursday and Friday of last week. Thank heavens I didn't have to try out again (once you're in, you're in...unless you get married or you "graduate" after three years. Then you're kicked out). Hearing all of those singers who auditioned, I don't know if I would have made it into the choir! There were so many good voices. I'm glad I don't have to pick who will get in!
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