But the biggest theme that has occurred this semester is MUSIC! Let's start at the beginning and waste time, shall we?
It started of with me taking chemistry. I was relatively "excited." I liked chemistry in high school and I had done pretty well and I was hoping this class would simply reaffirm my feelings on the subject.
FALSE.
The teacher and I did not get along. I don't think he knew it, but I knew it enough for the both of us. So I dropped it like a hot tamale. But with that class dropped I had some space to fill. My roommate was signed up to take a class called Group Voice Instruction and I had heard that it was supposed to be really good. The problem was that there was a possibility of me not getting into the class. After a stressful couple of days, I finally got in and things started to settle.
This class has basically changed my life. Ehh... yeah. It has.
It is taught by Clayne Robison, with the help of a couple of characters.
BYUtv - Beautiful Singing: Not Just For The Chosen
This is a short film that we have watched many times and it is basically what we are learning in class. Dr. Robison is sometimes a startling person, but you just go along with it because you know(hope) he knows what he's doing.
With what I've been learning I am able to use it in my other class: Bella Voce! The same couple of characters who help Dr. Robison with Group Voice are the conductors for Bella Voce. This class has also had a greater impact on me than I could have ever expected.
Here is what we have done this semester:
For our first concert we did:
Dirait-on - Morten Lauridsen
We are a womens' choir, so it is slightly different from this.
Tango To Evora - Loreena McKennitt
Set Me As a Seal - René Clausen
My Soul's Been Anchored in the Lord - Moses Hogan
Sing Me to Heaven - Daniel E. Gawthrop
Psalm 23 - Z. Randall Stroope
Revelation - Z. Randall Stroope
This one is really intense. Especially this video with the illustrations.
Now we have another concert coming up on April 21st where we will be singing Sing Me to Heaven, Psalm 23, and Revelation along with:
Ev'ry Time I Feel the Spirit - Rosephanye Powell
This version is very different from what we sing, mostly just the same words, but you get the idea.
Hoj, Hura, hoj! - Otmar Mácha
I'll be singing one of the solos in this one. I'm excited.
Because of these two classes over the course of two semesters my love of music has grown exponentially. So much, in fact, that I was considering doing a double minor of Early Childhood Education along with Music. But, for whatever reason, the Early Childhood Education minor is no longer available. At least at this point in time. So we'll see how things pan out.
I'm grateful for the all the opportunities I have at this school and the people I have met that help me improve in my skillz.
Twenty more days.
