Music Washes Away From the Soul the Cares of Everday Life

Let's see...today I went to E-Lang class, did my Comparative Literature reading and worked on my E-Lang project, worked, and went to the University Bands Concert.

Despite being a bit nervous about running back and forth playing several instruments on Alegro Barboa, everything went off without a hitch. The concert was fantastic-all the parts were spot on and sounded great.

As a musician, there comes a time when you realized that you know all of the notes, you know the rhythms, the tempo, and the melody, and you can reach out on focus on more than just your own part, but the feelings of the music. I was definitely able to have that experience during Chorale and Shaker Dance, a piece that we played my senior year of high school and fell in love with. My senior year I played the snare part, so I had to focus throughout the entire piece to make sure I didn't miss an entrance, but this year, I played the xylophone part, so I had the majority of the song to simply listen to the music.

I really love the power of this piece. The feeling it conveys. If you want another piece with the same power, listen to With Heart and Voice by David Gillingham. We played this my senior year of high school as well (vibraphone part) and my director and I started crying as we were performing at contest because the piece is so powerful.

Check out:

Chorale and Shaker Dance by John Zdechklik

With Heart and Voice by David Gillingham

I also loved the opportunity to meet a new friend during University Band- Jessica Young. So fun talking with her, cashing in L & T at work, and getting ready with her before the concert. Looking forward to living at Glenwood with her next Fall!

Standing in the VIP dressing room in the De Jong Concert Hall. FAMOUS people have been here. NBD.