Work...

So since my summer is now consisting of make-up work and papers, I have spent a lot of time listening to music while doing my work. But with the amount of time I spend on my computer doing work, I am starting to get a little sick of the music on my iTunes.

So to broaden the music I'm listening to, I created a few Pandora Radio stations. The cool thing about Pandora is that you can create stations based off of a genre or band you may like. So, for example, I have "Incubus Radio, Pretty Lights Radio, Muse Radio" and some others. Incubus, Muse, and Pretty Lights are all some of my favorite artists, and Pandora creates a playlist of music sounding similar to these bands, but isn't limited to only Incubus music or Pretty Lights music.

I am currently listening to my Incubus Radio, and I really like that some Red Hot Chili Peppers songs are coming on. I like the Chili Peppers, but I don't have any of their music on my iTunes (mainly because my iPod is already full of music and apps!) Music makes all the work I have to do easier to get through. And it also helps me focus :)

Shippensburg Trip

On Saturday, members from Susquehanna's bellydance circle went to Shippensburg University (as I mentioned in an earlier post) for a Japan benefit. When we arrived, there was a huge dining room set up with chairs, tables, catered Japanese food, and a stage. There were other events that took place, as well as our performance.

 

Some people performed other dances, some sang songs, and there were a few presentations by people who had family in Japan when the earthquakes occurred. There were fraternities of the university also holding events in the dining room. 

Overall, the event was a huge cultural presentation, all raising money for the people in Japan. 

Here are some pictures of us at our performance!

(From Left to Right) Madie, Me, Emily, Casey, Jae, and Kristen

(From Left to Right) Me, Madie, Emily, Jae, Casey, and Kristen

Busy Weekend :)

So along with being involved in the symphonic band on campus, I am also involved in the Bellydance group. I started dancing last year and since then has loved it so much. It is so much different than anything I have done before, so it is nice to go to bellydance practice during the week to clear my mind and have fun with the bellydance girls. We perform in Charlie's and also host other events on campus. So check us out!!

Here is our Facebook page link :)

BellyDance Circle

This Saturday, we are going to Shippensburg University to perform at an Asian Cultural festival being held there. I cannot wait to perform for people I don't know! I will post pictures when we get back.

Since joining BellyDance, I have been shown so much more music that I wouldn't usually listen to. But after having choreographies and memories with this different type of music, I can actually listen to it for fun and dance to it.

 Here is a picture of me doing a tribal piece.

This was one of our shows at Charlie's this semester :)

Concert on Sunday!

So this Sunday there is a band and wind ensemble concert. We have been doing some last minute rehearsals to prepare us so that we can play well in the concert. We also have a rehearsal right before the concert on Sunday to make sure everything is perfect (and hopefully it is because there won't be time to fix anything!).

It is always fun to play a concert because after the concert is played, we turn in our music and will receive new music next rehearsal. Sometimes I get tired of playing the same pieces over and over again for the concert, but practice makes perfect! I look forward to getting new music because it is enjoyable to have the challenge of learning new music, rather than playing the same music that I already know very well.

My parents are visiting for the concert, so it will be nice to see them and hopefully impress them with our program. I am confident that this is going to be a good program with challenging music :)

Ah now I remember!

So lately I have been waking up with a song in my head and I could not remember what it was from or where I had heard it. After being so frustrated with not remembering the name, I asked my sister if she remembered what the piece was.
The piece is Ravel's Alborada del gracioso. The reason I love this piece so much is because of the dynamic contrast between sections.
Here's the link...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zppE4rUgnm4&feature=related

At about 1:40, the flute section has a pretty cool flutter-tonguing technique. Listen to it! It sounds awesome!
And at about 2:15, the bassoon has an incredible solo. I think it is just so peaceful and reminds me of an extremely talented bassoonist from my high school band. Ever since I heard this piece, bassoon has become one of my favorite instruments to listen to. When it is played well, it has a rich full interesting sound that is different from many other instruments. Take a listen and let me know what you think!

Inconvenient...

So today is St. Patrick's Day, and while everyone is enjoying the beautiful weather and fun activities, of course there would be band rehearsal scheduled! I personally don't celebrate St. Patrick's Day for my nationality, because I am not Irish... but it is still fun to celebrate with friends. I think more of the reason of this post is because they weather is starting to get a little nicer, and today is such a gorgeous day that I don't want to do anything! No homework, no class, no band.... But, I of course have all three of those.

Once the weather gets nice at the end of the year everyone is pushing for classes to get out early so we can enjoy it! But, band rehearsal is always scheduled on the most inconvenient days. Rehearsals were scheduled on Valentine's Day, St. Patrick's Day, friends' birthdays, and other inconvenient times. Of course it only seems to interfere with social and entertaining things, but sometimes I really don't feel like going to practice. I would rather set my clarinet aside, sit out on the lawn, and enjoy the baseball game!

"Break"

Hmm... This spring break doesn't feel like much of a break. It's still stressful, busy, and I have homework! I also have to worry about another playing test when returning from break. :-/

I've been practicing a lot because, last playing test, with the stress of midterms, I didn't play nearly as well as I know I can. So, even though I have to work hard to play the pieces effortlessly, at least it is something I enjoy doing!

What I am not looking forward to is the amount of rehearsals we have after spring break. Sometimes I really wish I could just play for fun, but sometimes I feel like the symphonic band makes everything seem too forced. We should be able to just relax and play. Some people are more musical and talented than others, so it gets frustrating to keep starting and stopping at the same place in one piece if a certain section messes something up.

Music can be such a relaxing thing.. Something I always look forward to doing on my own time...
But sometimes the demands and expectations of being in a band gets to be stressful and takes the fun out of it.
I don't know, maybe I am just stressed out. Don't get me wrong, I still love playing clarinet and music... right now I just would prefer to have a little more fun with it!