Defying Gravity

I've loved the music from Wicked since I first heard it through friends in college. I sang along and dreamed of seeing it on stage one day. That day was Saturday with the bf, my newly engaged cousin Ariel, the Manager, my boss Lily and her friend. I expected it to be amazing, but WOW. I have never seen anything so incredible in my life. Every minute detail, from the sets to the costumers, the lyrics to the musicians, the actors, oh the actors. It was absolutely breathtaking. I had to bite my cheek to ward of tears at multiple points, the music was so incredibly powerful. The attention to every detail was phenomenal. The cast was incredible, what wonderful actors and singers, I absolutely loved each one of them. My best friend Ani's parents have seen Wicked in 4 different productions, and said that this was hands down THE best cast they've ever seen. I don't personally have anything to compare it to, but I can definitely believe them.

It was such an incredible experience that I got to share with such special people. We had amazing seats in the lower mezzanine. The tickets were a little pricey, but well worth it. It was absolutely perfect. I could not have asked for a better performance, it was absolutely flawless. I only wish I could go see it again each and every night while it's here. (I don't think my bank account would appreciate that though) It's so wonderful to finally know and understand the entire story, where before I only knew bits and pieces. I've really been wanting to read the book, as well as Son of a Witch, I want to read it even more now. Hopefully I'll be able to pick those up and get them read.

Wow, I'm STILL gushing over this performance. I really have loved all the musicals I've ever been to. I saw Jesus Christ Superstar on Broadway in high school, it was my first large scale theatre experience, though I'd seen and been in other shows. Phantom of the Opera was phenomenal last summer, and Rent was really neat earlier this year. But Wicked, there is just something, well, magical, about the whole thing. If you haven't seen Wicked yet, do yourself a favor and get to a performance anytime it happens to be near you. Or go out of your way to see it. It's magical, simply magical! My words are not capable of doing this musical justice. You just have to see it for yourself, and then treasure the memories.

It's About the Music

I have the most amazing conducting professor ever. He is such a wonderful teacher and mentor. I had the wonderful opportunity to attend an orchestra rehearsal tonight at my college (where I also work) and to introduce him to my old professor who also runs the orchestra. It was so exciting to be in a position to introduce two such wonderful people to one another, especially since my conducting professor is new to the area (literally...he's from London)

Not only was I able to network two great people together, I was able to watch a rehearsal of Rhapsody in Blue (extra bonus because I LOVE that piece) with the benefit of having my conducting teacher standing right next to me providing commentary and instruction, as well as answering my questions. I feel as though I just got another private conducting lesson. He is so nice, so easy to talk to. I love discussing conducting and music in general with him. He's absolutely brilliant but incredibly down to earth, and his approach to music and conducting just absolutely clicks with my own. I cannot express how refreshing it is to know that I am not alone in how I feel about music. So many of my other professors, while they're great and all, just did not get it. My conducting professor is just ABOUT the music. It's all about the music. Our responsibility as conductors is first and foremost to the composer. He just gets it. I love it. I am thrilled that circumstances led me to have to take conducting courses and that I decided to take the second level this semester. Things really do happen for a reason. I'm only beginning to discover the reasons for this. ('this' being not passing my student teaching the first time around...I'm sure I've talked about it on here...if not, let me know)

I've been so animated tonight. I called and talked off both my Papa and Grama's ears. Then I called the bf and only slightly talked his ear off because I realized he was half asleep and really tired. I finished the evening with talking to both my parents. I cannot exactly explain why I am so excited, but I am. It was just a fabulously educational evening and it left me feeling SO good. I'm still feeling good. Animated. I suppose I ought to add my fabulous blogging friends to the list of people whose ears I've talked off tonight in my excitement over such a wonderful evening.

Inspiration

I wasn't excited to start my second conducting class yesterday. I didn't really want to go.

But I am SO happy that I did.

I have THE BEST professor ever. The way he talks about music and conducting, his philosophies and styles, they just...fit. I am SO excited about this semester, I just know I am going to learn so much, I'm already so inspired. And the British accent doesn't hurt things either. My professor has been in America for about a week, mine was the first class he's ever taught here. He was based in London, and has been conducting all over Europe. And he's my new conducting teacher! I am beyond thrilled, I couldn't wait to get off the trolley and into my car so I could call my Papa and tell him all about it, I was SO excited! This guy, well, he GETS it. In a way that no other professor has ever gotten it before. I'm so thankful I decided to take this class, I think it's going to turn out to be a legendary decision. :)

I'm off in less than an hour. The bf and I are driving up to my parent's house for the weekend. I'm planning to help my mom get through my old bedroom so that we can finally make it into a guest room. The bf is planning to add the few necessary extra bolts and such to the patio to get final approval from the city before we can add the roofing tiles. My dad has baseball tryouts most of tomorrow, but I'll still get to spend some good time with him this weekend. I'm really looking forward to curling up on the couch with my mom to watch a movie or two sometime over the weekend.

I hope you have a fabulous weekend!

Rush Week Overload

It's that time of year again. The time where girls in heels and too much makeup overrun the University Center where I work. Everywhere you turn there are more girls. Chatty girls. It's hard to hear over the din of their incessant chatter. To make matters worse, there is a lounge adjacent to our office. One of the sororities, usually Alpha Phi, takes over the lounge for a week and a half, but sometimes they switch it up. We had one day of Kappa, I think.

How do I know which one is in there? Because they sing. Loudly, in no discernible set key, without any semblance of pitch. They sing their own lyrics to songs like Ain't No Mountain High Enough, Under the Sea and Build Me Up, Buttercup. And they are not content to sing them just once or twice. But rather, they sing these songs like some sort of broken music player stuck on constant repeat. All. Day. Long. And when they're not singing, they're shouting incessant cheers, over and over and over. And to fill in the gaps, there is the never-ending din of chattery conversation as they schmooze and try to impress one another, sisters and recruits alike.

Now look, I have well-loved friends who are in sororities and fraternities, so no offense to them or any Greek readers I may have, but I have never understood this process or the allure of Greek life. It works for some people, I get that. But to me it just looks like a herd of girls, primping and preening to impress and older group who then decides your fate and which house you'll be placed in. And once you're in, your forced to pay rather pricey "dues" to be allowed into the club. All in all, not for me. (I'm venting here and not meaning to offend anyone who disagrees)

But on top of it all, they are SO LOUD and annoying! Add the off key, meager attempts to sing and it's like fingernails on the chalkboard to me. The way they uniformly as a group modulate in no recognizable manner between unrelated keys, falter between sharp and flat on any given pitch is physically painful to my ears. Our users can HEAR all the words when I am trying to assist them with computer issues. They're that loud. But only 2 more days, and they'll be gone again for another year.

Madamoiselle Maestro

I survived my first conducting test. Did I mention I'm taking a conducting class? I honestly can't remember. Well...I'm taking a conducting class. It's one of the things I need to have experience in before attempting student teaching again. I have to admit, I was REALLY nervous the first day. Going back to school on a new, very large and overwhelming campus, by myself. It was nerve wracking. But you know what? I survived. And I'm loving it.
I have a great professor and a really supportive class. And you know what? I'm learning. I'm getting the experience that I really need. I'm gaining back confidence on the podium...confidence I'd lost back in January...confidence I didn't think I'd ever regain. But I am. I really am.
We had our first test today. It was videotaped (I'm watching the tape tomorrow). We got to choose an exercise, then our professor got to select one. I did alright. I know I did some things wrong, things I've been working on and doing fairly well with. But overall? I'm not concerned. Going by his grading criteria, I think I got either a C or a B, both of which are good grades in this class.
The best part is that I'm free to not be concerned. I'm not worried about my GPA, I don't have to worry about graduating...already did that. I've already got my BA in music. (which, wow....significance of that hit me about 2 weeks ago...it's kind of a big deal!) I'm just there to learn and get better. So I'm just having fun. It's a fun little break twice a week in the middle of work...an extended lunch. And I love it. We get our test results Thursday, I'm eager to get feedback from my professor so I know where to focus my practicing.

Soundtrack of Our Lives

I was driving home from the bf's tonight after a lazy night of watching Bones. (I suppose the term relaxing has a much better connotation in this case). My stereo had been turned down as I was on the phone when I turned off my car earlier. As I turned it back up, strains of Slow Me Down by Emmy Rossum filled the car. This reminded me of back in March when I was first moving into my apartment, etc. Of course that led me to think specifically about music and it's impact on my life.

I find that my favorite songs tend to stick for a while, and then get rotated. There are always the few that are my favorite no matter what. It's not that I get sick of the other songs, I just find new favorites. But listening to that song tonight really took me back to the time when I really started listening to it and the feelings that I felt as I listened and sang along.

I've seen memes where the purpose is to provide the soundtrack to your life. But I've always had a hard time with such things, and I think I finally know why. The soundtrack of my life wouldn't be one big album. It would be a collection of sampler cds that changed every once in a while. Each would be devoted to a certain time or event in my life. Some songs might reappear, while others tend to fade away for a rainy day. Let Go by Frou Frou would be a steady constant dating from the end of my junior year to now...it's a perpetual favorite.

Here's an example of a part of my life soundtrack:
Time Period: finishing student teaching, living with my Godmother, starting back at the tech center, finding and moving into my new apartment and living on my own for the first time.

-Let Go by Frou Frou (the constant)
-Slow Me Down by Emmy Rossum
-Love Song by Sarah Bareilles
-Falling by Emmy Rossum

I'm sure there are other songs from this time, but these four were dominant. And they change after a while, and sometimes there isn't much of a soundtrack. Sometimes the beauty is in the silence. (though rarely silent for me with my musical inclinations)

What would your life soundtrack look like? Would it be smaller compilations like mine or something entirely different?

Girl Power

I'm back, and it's about time. I've been feeling the need to post this week, but was struggling to get through my reader. I'm almost there...I'll be caught up by morning. I feel like I've been gone for so long. Naturally, I spent most of the week trying to figure out what my first post back was going to be about. Well, I've got one.
Mark your calendars, put out your email reminders, because on October 12 you won't want to miss Frosted Pink with a Twist airing on ABC. It's a Women's Cancer Awareness program hosted by Scott Hamilton. Lots of great stars are going to perform, including several of our gold medal Olympic gymnasts. Oh yeah, and I'm singing backup for CAROLE KING!! Seriously, no joke. We rehearsed with her today, and can I just say that she is SO sweet and such a talented musician. I really liked her, and she really loved us. (there are 20 of us girls singing backup for her on the song Girl Power) It was absolutely amazing, and partially surreal. I have a "talent" badge that gets me in and around backstage. Oh, and tomorrow? We get to walk around and meet the gymnasts and other performers. And Jesse McCartney is coming to visit us. Yeah.

To top it off, they're paying us $100 each to sing backup for Carole. It's incredible, such an amazing weekend. I was originally supposed to be at the COR Races with the bf today, but I couldn't exactly turn this down. Talk about the chance of a lifetime. And Carole is just so gosh darn nice. Everyone has been really great to us, it's been such a phenomenal experience, at times I expect myself to wake up. Carole was really impressed with us and just absolutely loved us. (we also heard that someone...possibly Carole herself...made the comment that we looked like we were straight from The Hills, which I thought was really sweet)

I promise to post more details about the show when I know them. But definitely plan to tune into ABC on October 12 for the Frosted Pink with a Twist program. It's going to be amazing. Oh, yeah, and you'll get to see me singing backup. For Carole King. How's that for a welcome back post?

Edit: The show airs Sunday, October 12 on ABC from 4-6 p.m. EST (which means 1-3 for West Coast people)

Mamma Mia

This has to be one of the best movies I've ever seen. The bf took me on an impromptu date tonight, part of which was seeing this movie. I even leaned over during the movie and told him it was the best movie I'd ever seen.
Yes, it's cheesy at points. Yes, it had me crying I was laughing so hard at other points. I fell in love with ABBA music back in junior high/high school when A*Teens came out and redid a lot of their songs and mimicked their style. My mom loved ABBA, so she and I share that. I've loved Amanda Seyfried since her role in Veronica Mars. I think she was a perfect cast for this (of couse, admittedly having never seen the stage production) Meryl Streep, Pierce Brosnan and Colin Firth were all wonderful too, and so was the rest of the cast.

I have to say, I'm loving this trend of putting musicals to the big screen. I know that some people are completely against it, but it's made me fall even further in love with Broadway shows, and in my opinion, brings amazing shows to people who otherwise would not have the opportunity to experience them. I mean, Phantom of the Opera? I saw the movie first and fell in love with it, though admittedly it was PHENOMENAL when I finally saw it on stage about a month ago. I had no clue what Hairspray was when I went to see it with my friend last summer, and completely fell in love with that. And how could I forget Rent? And now I've fallen in love with Mamma Mia. I swear, I need to go to New York again (finally) and just basically LIVE on Broadway for a few weeks and see EVERYTHING. Seriously.

I will warn you that this one does get a little cheesy and possibly even over the top at times...but come on, it's a musical. It's a comedy. It was absolutely wonderful. Also? I want to visit Greece...even more than when I watched Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. Incidentally, I also want to see the newest movie of that. But really, though the first one was GREAT, read the books, they're even better...same with the newest version of Pride and Prejudice (the one with Keira Knightley), read the book, it's AMAZING. And if you have to go for a movie, block out some time for the A&E version with Colin Firth. It's about as true to the text as you can get, and hello...5 hours of watching Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy? Need I say more?

La-di-da....oh hey, there's my train of thought come round to pick me up. Mamma Mia was amazing. I can't wait for it to come out on dvd. I'm rather disappointed that my A*Teens cd is at home and not in my cd case down here. I should also borrow my mom's ABBA cd next time I'm home...I never did put it on my computer. Also, thank you so much to everyone for the prayers and warm wishes for my mom. She is doing a lot better, and I actually got to see her for a while on Sunday. (we had a half-birthday lunch for my Great-Grams) It was relieving to be able to see firsthand that she was doing alright. And I have it on good authority that my wonderful little Angel puppy is doing quite well.

Final aside, I've been kind of mia in the blog world recently. Work has been crazy and I've barely been home. We're all gearing up for the freshmen move-in and beginning of school. But I'm slowly catching up on my blog reader and will try to get back to posting more regularly.

Interview

I got another voicemail this morning, which I returned during lunch. They have a music assistant opening at the middle school that's attached to the high school where I student taught, and I have an interview scheduled for next Wednesday morning with the principal and maybe some other people. I already know the director of the middle school, and I clearly know all the high school music people, I won't be surprised to see any of them there. It's a part time, 4 hours a day job, which would allow me to hopefully keep working here at the tech center too, which I want. I'm just kind of awestruck right now. This would be such a great opportunity. I know it's just an interview right now, but I'm a little excited about it. And nervous, very nervous. Maybe this is the push I need to get back on the credentialing wagon. (though I don't need a credential for this position) I really need this experience. I have recommendations for this exact position in the district from my master teacher and his assistant. My master teacher is kind of a rock star in that district and pulls a LOT of weight, and I am really close to his assistant, who helped keep me going during student teaching. I'm going to call him and tell him about the interview. Keep your fingers crossed and please send some good thoughts and prayers. I'll keep you updated. I'm so nervous!

Happy Sunshiny Friday!

It truly is. I could tell last night that today was going to be beautiful. It didn't get too cold last night, I slept with most of my windows open, it was so pleasant this morning. I love clouds and storms, but I adore the sunshine too, it just makes me happy. In just under 3 hours the bf and I will be leaving work to head up to my parents', I'm so excited! It's going to be a wonderful and warm weekend. My family gets to spend more time with my bf, get to know him a little better, and I get to spend time with some of my favorite people! :)
I've found myself having to go back into my older photos to come up with good pictures for my posts. Clearly I need to work on taking more pictures...daily even. Don't worry, there will be plenty of pictures taken over the weekend. And I needn't worry about maxing out my memory card, because I now have a 2 gig one. The bf ran errands while his mom and I were at the luncheon last weekend, and he picked it up for me as a surprise. Did I mention he's wonderful? Seriously, I think I'll keep this one around. (he's all for it, as he doesn't ever want to let me go either) I can't stop grinning. :) I'm planning to do a mini shoot with my brothers this weekend, get some cute shots of them to get printed for my parents and grandparents as surprises. And to just have some more recent shots of the boys, they are so photogenic, I love taking pictures of them. And now I have a shiny new really big memory card to handle my photo craziness!
Today is just so beautiful, and we're listening to a Michael Buble station on Pandora right now, so we're getting all sorts of Buble and Sinatra and similar styles, perfect Friday music! I'm just happy and excited. I'm all bubbly and hyper and happy. Especially considering how little sleep I got. I tried to go to bed before 10! I really tried! My mistake was reading a chapter of the last Harry Potter and then putting it down to fall asleep. (yes, I'm just now FINALLY reading it) I lay there and couldn't fall asleep, and figured if I was going to be awake I might as well be doing something productive. So I finished the book, and fell asleep around 12:30. Not too bad, but definitely used to a few more hours. But I got Jamba with green caffeine this morning on the way in, so I'm doing well. The bf had to be here really early (we're talking like, 5:30am), so I surprised him with Jamba for breakfast, since I knew he wouldn't have eaten anything yet. Speaking of, he just walked in, so I'd best wrap this up. I hope you all have a wonderful Friday and a beautiful weekend!

Photo specs:
~taken July 27, 2007
~settings: full auto; flash fired, auto-mode, red eye reduction
~comments: from a wonderful trip to Disneyland last summer with my family and my cousin.

Practice

Today is different. Today is good. Today I didn't just teach a lesson and put my instrument away. Today I practiced. I really, truly practiced. It was like picking up an old friend that had been patiently waiting for me to get my act together and realize I missed them. I played scales, I played my solos, I play 'The Spell', which is my most absolute favorite solo ever. It was like I'd found a piece of me that's been missing for months, one I could sometimes see, but never truly realized had been an aching emptiness until it was once again filled. See, I learned about a not so fun side of this real world thing. I learned about the side where you don't always pass and there aren't always happy endings. I didn't pass my student teaching last semester. And it shattered my confidence as it shook my entire world. It was my first experience with failure. Needless to say, I didn't handle it incredibly well. Mostly because I didn't know how. I didn't know how to be open and vulnerable, I didn't know how to deal with the niceness of everyone who found out/I told. I didn't know how to ask for help and support, because I'm always the one in the role of supporter, it's hard to switch roles suddenly when you've played the same part for ages. Typically me, I withdrew from a lot of things, nothing too noticeable if you didn't know me. I haven't actually picked up a baton since I found out that I didn't pass. I had a breakdown about a month ago, got too overwhelmed during rehearsal for community band at the school where I spent an entire semester, and made it home in time to get online with a friend (incidentally, now the bf) and completely freak out. As far as breaking down and such goes, it was rather mild, but it was good for me. I needed to let go. One of my favorite songs is Let Go by Frou Frou. Too bad I didn't listen to those lyrics before; "let go... it's alright, because there's beauty in the breakdown" Better late than never, right? I've had an easier time of it since then. Rehearsals and teaching my flute student has gotten easier. It's no longer painful, I can breathe now. I still haven't picked up a baton. I'm working on that. My confidence is not entirely back, but at least it's begun to mend. To be entirely honest, I've never been a great practicer. It's a bad habit I suppose. But I shied away even further after everything. But today, today I practiced. And it felt good. I plan to continue, just a little bit each day or so. It will help. I've played flute for 13, nearly 14 years. I love it, and it felt so good, so RIGHT to play today. Besides, I promised my grandpa when I graduated that I wouldn't stop practicing or playing. Time to fulfill that promise I think, because after all, I don't make promises I won't keep. Small steps, one foot in front of the other, and I'll get my feet back under me. In the meantime, I have a fabulous apartment, a job that I absolutely love, wonderful friends and an amazing new boyfriend. I may have not passed, but that's okay. Because I'm going to get back on the horse, and do it again. And this time it will be easy. (once I take the few classes I need to help prepare me better...conducting and instrumental methods) I am so lucky to have so many people supporting me. I think that's what made it so hard to deal with. Everyone was so supportive and just, NICE, and I couldn't stand it. I didn't mind telling people, it was their reactions. They were NICE to me, and I just couldn't comprehend it, because I FAILED. They could not make that okay. But I get it now, and I can deal better, I am dealing better. It doesn't throw me off to talk about it anymore. It's still a soft subject, but it doesn't break me anymore, and that's something, right? In the words of a favorite song, I'm not there yet, but I will be. And I'm ever so looking forward to it.
The picture is one I took last year, yes that's my flute. The music is the piece I was working on at the time of the photo. I've had this flute since my junior year of high school, it's my baby. I absolutely love it, it's one of my most prized possessions. It's a little piece of my soul. And it was SO happy to actually be practiced today, not just played out of necessity to teach a lesson or for rehearsal. It makes me happy, music makes me happy.

Photo Stats:
~taken February 27, 2007
~setting: landscape, flash did not fire (don't ask why I had it set to landscape...your guess is as good as mine!)