Music leaves an impact of everyone it touches. Whether you are high or low, the feelings come from listening to a piece of music. What purpose is music for though? Why does it make us feel the way we do?
Music surrounds us in our daily lives whether we know it or not. When we jump into the car, before a sporting event, in movies to bring dramatic attention, on television. Those are just a few examples of places we can find music on a daily basis. I intentionally bring more music into my life because I love both performing it and listening to it. I participate in four choirs at my school and enjoy watching musicals in my free time. I also incorporate listening to music on a daily basis by using a radio and headphones. Why is music so inspiring to me? Because every song is different. Different rhythms, different genres, different stories. The reason music is created is for entertainment, but the stories behind the lyrics is what separates music from all other types of entertainment. Music is able to set a mood of a person like nothing else. To me that's really cool.
The impact that music leaves on me is that it is me. Without music I wouldn't be who I am today and wouldn't be involved in all of the things I do. I wouldn't know so many friends of mine and wouldn't know the special talent I have inside of me. I also wouldn't have experienced the things I have without music. I've performed on the Grand Ole Opry stage in Nashville, Tennessee for goodness sake! That memory will never be forgotten and I was able to accomplish it through music. I've performed a family song with my sisters and my mom at my grandparents wedding anniversary, which has impacted me to this day. They loved that so much and still talk to us about it. Also I've known the feeling of creating great music with my choirs and ensembles. Its one thing to perform music, but it's another thing to make it. I've made it many times and I'm very blessed for that.
Music works wonders and it's everywhere! No matter the mood there is a genre for you and that's what's so intriguing about it. New music keeps coming out every day to relate to the current audience yet music from the past still takes control sometimes. The flame of music will always have an impact on someone and will never be put out.
Sunday, April 24, 2016
Household Soundtracks
When sitting at home what soundtracks do just listen to? Are they country? Hip hop? Classical? I listen to about anything and everything at my house and I'm going to explain famous soundtracks that everyone knows.
My famous soundtrack I listen to is the Phantom of the Opera soundtrack. Because it is my favorite musical of all time I listen to it all the time! My favorite songs are Think of Me, the Phantom of the Opera, and All I Ask of You. These songs are so beautiful to listen to and allow me to relax. They are soothing. Also it reminds me of the time I went to the Phantom of the Opera Musical in Des Moines a couple years ago. No doubt the best thing I've ever seen and I would love to go again sometime. The significance of this soundtrack is that when people think of musicals, Phantom of the Opera is most likely in the top three options. It is iconic all around the world and is performed all over the United States. Also this musical has been such an influence on me that I'm singing a song from it for my vocal audition this upcoming year.
Another soundtrack I listen to is Mr. Misunderstood by Eric Church. Now this soundtrack is not nearly as popular because it is country music, but I love it. The story line of it is not the best because it is about a man who breaks up with his girlfriend and then gets a serious drinking problem, but the music is fantastic. There are upbeat dancing songs, slow thinking songs, and just good karaoke songs on this soundtrack that allow me to listen to it for hours. I've never seen Eric Church in person but if I ever get the chance to I will for sure go in a heartbeat.
Finally my last household soundtrack is Star Wars. Now many people will probably think Star Wars? How there aren't any words. That's the beauty of it. I can just sit, listen, and do homework or relax with this soundtrack on. I love the movies and still watch them all the time so it's basically the movie on the go. I can feel the action parts, the sad parts, and the intense dramatic parts of the movie, while relaxing in my own home. Everyone has heard of Star Wars also so this soundtrack is very popular.
Whether it be Broadway, country music straight from Nashville, or a soundtrack from a movie, I use soundtracks every day and enjoy listening to the story that the composer put into them.
My famous soundtrack I listen to is the Phantom of the Opera soundtrack. Because it is my favorite musical of all time I listen to it all the time! My favorite songs are Think of Me, the Phantom of the Opera, and All I Ask of You. These songs are so beautiful to listen to and allow me to relax. They are soothing. Also it reminds me of the time I went to the Phantom of the Opera Musical in Des Moines a couple years ago. No doubt the best thing I've ever seen and I would love to go again sometime. The significance of this soundtrack is that when people think of musicals, Phantom of the Opera is most likely in the top three options. It is iconic all around the world and is performed all over the United States. Also this musical has been such an influence on me that I'm singing a song from it for my vocal audition this upcoming year.
Another soundtrack I listen to is Mr. Misunderstood by Eric Church. Now this soundtrack is not nearly as popular because it is country music, but I love it. The story line of it is not the best because it is about a man who breaks up with his girlfriend and then gets a serious drinking problem, but the music is fantastic. There are upbeat dancing songs, slow thinking songs, and just good karaoke songs on this soundtrack that allow me to listen to it for hours. I've never seen Eric Church in person but if I ever get the chance to I will for sure go in a heartbeat.
Finally my last household soundtrack is Star Wars. Now many people will probably think Star Wars? How there aren't any words. That's the beauty of it. I can just sit, listen, and do homework or relax with this soundtrack on. I love the movies and still watch them all the time so it's basically the movie on the go. I can feel the action parts, the sad parts, and the intense dramatic parts of the movie, while relaxing in my own home. Everyone has heard of Star Wars also so this soundtrack is very popular.
Whether it be Broadway, country music straight from Nashville, or a soundtrack from a movie, I use soundtracks every day and enjoy listening to the story that the composer put into them.
Hamilton
"My name is Alexander Hamilton. My name is Alexander Hamilton. And there's a million things I haven't done. But just you wait, just you wait."
The new and upcoming Broadway musical Hamilton is a huge hit about the story of one of our founding fathers, Alexander Hamilton. The musical brings us back to the early 1800s right after the Revolutionary War took place. It shows how the United States makes is form of government and the ideas of Alexander Hamilton that still impact us today. Obviously there are side plots but that's the main idea.
What I find intriguing about the musical however is the reaction people have had to it. People have kept Hamilton on the ten dollar bill because of it, and are going to start incorporating this musical into everyday learning. I think that is so cool! The fact that a musical, written and starred by the mastermind behind it, has taken such a great leap into American society. Also it makes me happy that people are yet again intrigued by history. This way of learning could make history fun to learn again, and may even help kids learn this issue of US History better. I've never seen it yet because it has only been performed in New York, but next year it is coming to Iowa and I plan to go see it. I've heard the soundtrack however and the songs are mesmerizing. I love them and they teach me, both about music history!
I have to give credit when credit is due and thank this discovery to Moira Green. She showed me this musical, and I may even go see it with her. But she became obsessed with it about four months ago and from that day I've listened to it on my own. My favorite song on the soundtrack is "Alexander Hamilton" and "My Shot." The first song is about him and his life. It describes all the other main characters as well, allowing for the audience to understand how the musical will run, and the plot line. The "My Shot" song is about him taking a shot with the government and trying things his way. Both are very good and allow me to learn a little bit about history without even really trying! However thanks to Moira's encouragement and persistence, she showed me a fantastic musical that may wind up being one of my favorites of all time.
"There's a million things I haven't done...What's your name man? Alexander Hamilton!"
The new and upcoming Broadway musical Hamilton is a huge hit about the story of one of our founding fathers, Alexander Hamilton. The musical brings us back to the early 1800s right after the Revolutionary War took place. It shows how the United States makes is form of government and the ideas of Alexander Hamilton that still impact us today. Obviously there are side plots but that's the main idea.
What I find intriguing about the musical however is the reaction people have had to it. People have kept Hamilton on the ten dollar bill because of it, and are going to start incorporating this musical into everyday learning. I think that is so cool! The fact that a musical, written and starred by the mastermind behind it, has taken such a great leap into American society. Also it makes me happy that people are yet again intrigued by history. This way of learning could make history fun to learn again, and may even help kids learn this issue of US History better. I've never seen it yet because it has only been performed in New York, but next year it is coming to Iowa and I plan to go see it. I've heard the soundtrack however and the songs are mesmerizing. I love them and they teach me, both about music history!
I have to give credit when credit is due and thank this discovery to Moira Green. She showed me this musical, and I may even go see it with her. But she became obsessed with it about four months ago and from that day I've listened to it on my own. My favorite song on the soundtrack is "Alexander Hamilton" and "My Shot." The first song is about him and his life. It describes all the other main characters as well, allowing for the audience to understand how the musical will run, and the plot line. The "My Shot" song is about him taking a shot with the government and trying things his way. Both are very good and allow me to learn a little bit about history without even really trying! However thanks to Moira's encouragement and persistence, she showed me a fantastic musical that may wind up being one of my favorites of all time.
"There's a million things I haven't done...What's your name man? Alexander Hamilton!"
Thursday, April 21, 2016
Audition Week
Next week is show choir audition week, and the stress levels in the choir world are rising. The auditions take place in order to get into any Kennedy choir, regardless of show choir or traditional. Last year I was about of Concert Choir, Happiness Inc., Chamber Choir, and Moonlight Express. However to get into these groups one audition takes place that determines all of them. I know nerve racking!
The song that acts like a constant during the process is My Country Tis of Thee. My directors use this song because it shows off range and sets the bar even for everyone. Then the singer chooses another song to sing. That is the variable between all of us. The goal is to pick a song that sounds really good on your voice, and can showcase your range as a singer. Last year I sang Faithfully by Journey. I like that song because it fit my voice part, baritone, and is a pretty easy tune to stay in key with. This year I'm trying All I Ask of You from the Phantom of the Opera. This song will definitely showcase my talent because of the difficult it presents, and because the song is such a big song. During auditions it's normally a rule of thumb to not sing songs that have been sung many times before, or are easy to sing. This song has been performed on many stages by fantastic opera stars so it is a big risk doing it, but I hope the risk will pay off.
One thing I especially like about our audition process is that they are blind. Mr. Ziegler and Mr. Muters sit behind a "cow", or costume changing blocker, and just sit back and listen to us. Are they able to tell who it is by our voices? Sometimes they are, especially if they have worked with us a lot, but every year someone comes out of the wood work and has a fantastic audition. That factor also levels the playing field so favorites are not a thing. Even though teachers try not to play favorites, it's inevitable to happen when they see who it is and watch face to face. This tryout eliminates that factor. Also as a singer it makes it easier to perform in. You don't have to worry about looking them right in the eye, or don't have to witness their reactions, whether good or bad. It is a real confidence booster and I enjoy the process.
So whether this year turns out well or not, my effort is there. A hundred kids will put their voice on the line in a couple of days and I hope everyone is successful!
Wednesday, April 20, 2016
The National Anthem
"Oh say can you see, by the dawn's early light, what so proudly we hail'd, at the twilight's last gleaming." The United States National Anthem. The most sacred song I know. It still gives me chills every time I hear it sung. Also it is the one song in this country that everyone can respect.
Standing on the infield line, hand behind my back and my hat nailed to my heart. I listen at Veterans Memorial standing next to my visiting side dugout. I stand in between the visiting coaches and we all have a face of respect towards the flag and the singer. Then the song ends and everyone cheers, the hair on my arm stands up, and we play baseball.
The national anthem is not only symbolic to our nation but also to our sporting world. We play the song during the Olympics so that our nation is represented, it is played before every professional game, and is played before most every high school game. The song holds some weight. What does it actually stand for though?
The National Anthem stands for the fight we accomplished to win freedom in this nation. It describes the views from the front lines, and the feeling that the men had when they lifted our flag into the air, on that cold night when we thought we were defeated. The national anthem is history.
The moment that the National Anthem got really real for me was the first state playoff football game last year. When my team stood on the end zone line, helmets in hand, and stared at our flag waving in the air at midfield. Probably four thousand people were in the stands ready to watch us play our game, and I felt like it was the Super Bowl. I now knew how it felt to be in that position, when it feels like all eyes are on you. When the student section roared at the end, I thought I flashed to heaven and back. It was surreal. Then when we made the championship game the feeling was even greater. More people were in the stands and the game was state televised. The feeling during that song is different for everyone but I think of it as a calm before a storm. When I listen to the national anthem on television, I think that song is the only thing at that moment keeping the players sane. After the last note, the storms coming. That song marks the last time we are all on the same team until after the game is over. After all, the song is about war.
To wonder what that feeling was holding our nations flag on their back during the war is incomprehensible. If I got that sort of feeling from a high school football game, how would it feel to have a whole nation behind you? "For the land of the free, and the home of the brave."
Standing on the infield line, hand behind my back and my hat nailed to my heart. I listen at Veterans Memorial standing next to my visiting side dugout. I stand in between the visiting coaches and we all have a face of respect towards the flag and the singer. Then the song ends and everyone cheers, the hair on my arm stands up, and we play baseball.
The national anthem is not only symbolic to our nation but also to our sporting world. We play the song during the Olympics so that our nation is represented, it is played before every professional game, and is played before most every high school game. The song holds some weight. What does it actually stand for though?
The National Anthem stands for the fight we accomplished to win freedom in this nation. It describes the views from the front lines, and the feeling that the men had when they lifted our flag into the air, on that cold night when we thought we were defeated. The national anthem is history.
The moment that the National Anthem got really real for me was the first state playoff football game last year. When my team stood on the end zone line, helmets in hand, and stared at our flag waving in the air at midfield. Probably four thousand people were in the stands ready to watch us play our game, and I felt like it was the Super Bowl. I now knew how it felt to be in that position, when it feels like all eyes are on you. When the student section roared at the end, I thought I flashed to heaven and back. It was surreal. Then when we made the championship game the feeling was even greater. More people were in the stands and the game was state televised. The feeling during that song is different for everyone but I think of it as a calm before a storm. When I listen to the national anthem on television, I think that song is the only thing at that moment keeping the players sane. After the last note, the storms coming. That song marks the last time we are all on the same team until after the game is over. After all, the song is about war.
To wonder what that feeling was holding our nations flag on their back during the war is incomprehensible. If I got that sort of feeling from a high school football game, how would it feel to have a whole nation behind you? "For the land of the free, and the home of the brave."
My Family
My family is a music family. There is no other way to describe us! We all sing and we all dance, or at least try too. My mom and dad used to do choir, my older sister Danielle was about of all of the Kennedy choirs such as me, and my younger sister McKenna is a freshman at Kennedy and is many choirs as well. Music runs through our blood!
A few years ago my grandparents had their 30th wedding anniversary and we as a family we bound to make it memorable. They are probably my favorite grandparents so we wanted to do something big and something they have asked us to do for a while. Sing a song. We as a family have always been shy to sing in public as a group, but for this occasion we decided to just go for it. We got assistance from our middle school director David Griffin and he helped us arrange Stand By Me by Ben King. This song was emotional and allowed a great message to portray from us to our grandma and grandpa. We practiced the song for a couple weeks and then our performance day came. At the party was probably a hundred people in this gathering hall, eating, drinking, and having a great time. Then we walked out and said we had a special performance for them. We dedicated the song to them and their anniversary and began to sing. They cried the whole song. It was one of the very few times I've seen my grandpa and grandma cry, and I'll never forget it. That feeling we got afterwards was so genuine and warm, that the weeks of practice leading up to it was well worth it. My grandparents enjoyed it so much that an hour later they had us re-sing it again that way they could enjoy our beautiful music again. They also wanted to try not to cry, and let me tell you, that didn't happen! But the experience was incredible and is still talked about to this very day.
We are also very involved in music reality shows on television, such as the Voice, and American Idol. We love watching people going from nothing to a star, and enjoy hearing their own personal twists on legendary songs. Our favorite show for the longest time was American Idol, and our favorite season was number four, aka the "Carrie Underwood" season. She was so good and I knew from the start she was something special. That summer when they went on the top 10 tour around the country we went and saw them. Her and Bo Bice. One of the greatest concerts I've ever seen. Now this summer I'm going to a Carrie Underwood concert with my beautiful girlfriend, man how times change. But my family is always there when it comes to those shows, and I love them for it.
The support for my music is uplifting and encouraging. I wouldn't be who I am today without them and their love of music. They have worn off on me and now I'm a music freak. I can't imagine what my life would be like without the passion for music.
A few years ago my grandparents had their 30th wedding anniversary and we as a family we bound to make it memorable. They are probably my favorite grandparents so we wanted to do something big and something they have asked us to do for a while. Sing a song. We as a family have always been shy to sing in public as a group, but for this occasion we decided to just go for it. We got assistance from our middle school director David Griffin and he helped us arrange Stand By Me by Ben King. This song was emotional and allowed a great message to portray from us to our grandma and grandpa. We practiced the song for a couple weeks and then our performance day came. At the party was probably a hundred people in this gathering hall, eating, drinking, and having a great time. Then we walked out and said we had a special performance for them. We dedicated the song to them and their anniversary and began to sing. They cried the whole song. It was one of the very few times I've seen my grandpa and grandma cry, and I'll never forget it. That feeling we got afterwards was so genuine and warm, that the weeks of practice leading up to it was well worth it. My grandparents enjoyed it so much that an hour later they had us re-sing it again that way they could enjoy our beautiful music again. They also wanted to try not to cry, and let me tell you, that didn't happen! But the experience was incredible and is still talked about to this very day.
We are also very involved in music reality shows on television, such as the Voice, and American Idol. We love watching people going from nothing to a star, and enjoy hearing their own personal twists on legendary songs. Our favorite show for the longest time was American Idol, and our favorite season was number four, aka the "Carrie Underwood" season. She was so good and I knew from the start she was something special. That summer when they went on the top 10 tour around the country we went and saw them. Her and Bo Bice. One of the greatest concerts I've ever seen. Now this summer I'm going to a Carrie Underwood concert with my beautiful girlfriend, man how times change. But my family is always there when it comes to those shows, and I love them for it.
The support for my music is uplifting and encouraging. I wouldn't be who I am today without them and their love of music. They have worn off on me and now I'm a music freak. I can't imagine what my life would be like without the passion for music.
All-State Auditions
The most stressful set of auditions imaginable. The All-State Choir Auditions. The process is three months long and requires an unimaginable amount of preparation. Even though the struggle is real throughout the process, the ending result is remarkable.
The audition process begins in August at an All-State vocal music camp. At these three day camps vocal teachers and helpers from around the state come and help teach the All-State music to students that way they all have a leg up before the school year starts. Not going to lie the first day of camp is a lot of fun because you get to learn all of the songs, the second two aren't. The second two days continue to reteach the songs so that they become locked into memory, and are also just extremely long days. Then after that three day camp, school starts!
At Kennedy the only people allowed to audition for All-State are enrolled in Chamber Choir. I have now done this process twice, last year resulting in a much better experience than year one. The problem when school starts is that everyone who didn't go to a camp needs to learn the music. So the first month of school is re-teaching the music to us, which gets boring sometimes. But then after that the process really picks up steam.
Quartets. When auditioning the judge listens to a group by quartets, one singer per voice part. This helps them because they can tell who really knows the music, and also shows off their individual voice better than when it's with an ensemble. The nerve racking part at Kennedy is getting into those groups. It is about a two week process of one by one singing to really match up who would sound good together, and who just gels together. This past year I was with Kennedy Wilson, Keanna Knutson, and Bryant Jasper. Our group was fantastic and I wouldn't have wanted to spend this year with anyone else.
Then after a month of practicing as a group came audition day. Auditions are nerve racking because there are a ton of groups in a center, and everyone is singing. Literally everyone. Some are good and some are bad but regardless, a headache is on the horizon. This year was different for me; I had more pressure than most. My football team made the playoffs and I had practice the same day as auditions, so after I auditioned I had to leave immediately back to Kennedy to go to practice. That meant no recall opportunity, I either made it or I didn't.
I remember two things from that day very distinctly; one was Mr. Ziegler right before my group went into the audition room. We sang through all of our songs, and by the end he started to tear up. I wondered why but then he said, "If you guys don't make it then that shows a flaw in the system, because you guys get it. Every other group is singing music, but you guys are making music." We were the only quartet to have all four people make it into the All-State choir.
The second thing I remember from that day is the amount of texts I had congratulating me after football practice. I think I had about thirty text messages telling me how proud they were and how great it must feel. I was on cloud nine. I do remember the year before however when I didn't make it. That felt awful. So to experience both ends of the spectrum was a humbling experience, and I won't ever forget the process. I have one more year to live it, and hopefully I'm able to give the system justice one last time.
The audition process begins in August at an All-State vocal music camp. At these three day camps vocal teachers and helpers from around the state come and help teach the All-State music to students that way they all have a leg up before the school year starts. Not going to lie the first day of camp is a lot of fun because you get to learn all of the songs, the second two aren't. The second two days continue to reteach the songs so that they become locked into memory, and are also just extremely long days. Then after that three day camp, school starts!
At Kennedy the only people allowed to audition for All-State are enrolled in Chamber Choir. I have now done this process twice, last year resulting in a much better experience than year one. The problem when school starts is that everyone who didn't go to a camp needs to learn the music. So the first month of school is re-teaching the music to us, which gets boring sometimes. But then after that the process really picks up steam.
Quartets. When auditioning the judge listens to a group by quartets, one singer per voice part. This helps them because they can tell who really knows the music, and also shows off their individual voice better than when it's with an ensemble. The nerve racking part at Kennedy is getting into those groups. It is about a two week process of one by one singing to really match up who would sound good together, and who just gels together. This past year I was with Kennedy Wilson, Keanna Knutson, and Bryant Jasper. Our group was fantastic and I wouldn't have wanted to spend this year with anyone else.
Then after a month of practicing as a group came audition day. Auditions are nerve racking because there are a ton of groups in a center, and everyone is singing. Literally everyone. Some are good and some are bad but regardless, a headache is on the horizon. This year was different for me; I had more pressure than most. My football team made the playoffs and I had practice the same day as auditions, so after I auditioned I had to leave immediately back to Kennedy to go to practice. That meant no recall opportunity, I either made it or I didn't.
I remember two things from that day very distinctly; one was Mr. Ziegler right before my group went into the audition room. We sang through all of our songs, and by the end he started to tear up. I wondered why but then he said, "If you guys don't make it then that shows a flaw in the system, because you guys get it. Every other group is singing music, but you guys are making music." We were the only quartet to have all four people make it into the All-State choir.
The second thing I remember from that day is the amount of texts I had congratulating me after football practice. I think I had about thirty text messages telling me how proud they were and how great it must feel. I was on cloud nine. I do remember the year before however when I didn't make it. That felt awful. So to experience both ends of the spectrum was a humbling experience, and I won't ever forget the process. I have one more year to live it, and hopefully I'm able to give the system justice one last time.
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