My Charlie Brown Christmas Tree

I'm now home through Christmas and perhaps a little after that. I'm not exactly sure when school starts back, I guess I should look that up! So it looks like this year at my house, not the aparment, we're having a Charlie Brown Christmas tree. I put it up tonight, 3 days before Christmas and it is much like this video clip.



So here's the pic:



Hope everyone is having a great Christmas!

Brian

The Twelve Days of Christmas (I think...)

Hilarious! I just had to share this. Hmmm...this would be awesome if Dr. Copeland would let the UAB Men's Choir do this next year towards Christmas. Hope everyone is having a great break and I wish you all a Merry Christmas.

Brian

A Portion of a Story Inspired by Truth

Hi everyone, this is Janna, Bri's longtime comrade and best friend.  (And, as Bri insists, cousin-in-law).  I would like to take the time to present a portion of a story I wrote back in 12th grade.  The entire thing is inspired from the collage of pictures that was on my Government binder.  Enjoy.

I want to be a detective, and I've had this dream since I was about five years old. So when my best friend Brett and I discovered the Gandalf cutout was missing from the back of Brett's car and we found some mysterious puddles by the hedges in the parking spot next to ours at the community college we attend, I felt it was my duty to investigate.
To start off, I sat in Brett's car, contemplating while listening to my favorite band. I also changed clothes--a good detective never wears the same outfit she wore to the crime scene while she's investigating. I may be tough but I also have a sense of fashion, not to mention sheer dignity.
Contemplation complete, I decided I would take my inquiries to someone who knows everything about puddles. Which, I guess, makes him either a Wonder Twin, a meteorologist, or Jesus, and I'm betting on the latter seeing as how he works at a Christian bookstore. Plus he's got the whole beard thing going on.
"What can I do for Jen and Brett today?" he asked as Brett and I walked into the store. We were careful to duck under the traffic counter. I mean, neither of us had intentions of buying anything. Money doesn't grow on trees after all, and furthermore I don't have an official job as of yet.
"I'm glad you asked, Matthew," I replied, perching myself on the 50% off table. "See, this morning our class was cancelled and when we came back to the parking lot, we noticed that the Gandalf cutout had disappeared from the back of Brett's car."
"Whoa," Matthew said, "Gandalf's gone? Dude, he was always like a third passenger or something. Man, that Gandalf cutout was--"
I cut him off. "Anyway," I continued, "we noticed some puddles of water in the parking space next to ours... right in front of the hedges that lead to the woods."
"Puddles..." Matthew said thoughtfully. "It's a sunny day outside. That's odd."
"Exactly," I replied. "So what do you think it means?"
"How should I know?" he exclaimed. "I mean, I'm not Jesus."
With that, I jumped off the 50% off table. "Thanks for nothing, Matthew," I said. "We'll just be on our way now. Come on, Brett." We walked out the door. This time I didn't duck under the traffic counter.
"That was a waste of precious time," Brett said. "We could've been searching for Gandalf!" He got a wistful look in his eye and I had to bite my lip to keep from laughing. Brett is definitely the biggest nerd I've ever known. Quite frankly, I wasn't too concerned about the Gandalf cutout. I just wanted to figure out how it disappeared from Brett's car when the doors were locked.
"The next step we must take is drastic," I told Brett, whose eyes were filling with tears. Oh jeez I thought to myself. I gotta keep him occupied.
"What's next?" he wanted to know.
"Okay," I started. "We're going to New York."

A couple of hours later (yes, I said a couple-- good detectives always have connections) Brett and I were walking into NBC studios, onto the set where Late Night with Conan O'Brien is filmed.
"We're going to get advice from Conan?" Brett asked incredulously.
"Not advice, Brett. He's going to give us answers."
"How is he gonna know about the disappearance of our Gandalf cutout??"
"Your cutout," I corrected him. "And he's not exactly going to know, but he'll lead us in the right direction." I had just seated myself on top of Conan's desk when he walked into the studio.
"Fans!" he exclaimed. "It's about time I got some of those!"

A Jan and Bri Joint Production

Dearest Blog-ish Apparatus,

"Don't you know grammar, and how to type things?" Bri asked wearily, frustrated at Janna's complete lack of common sense.  "Of course I do," she snapped, pinching his upper arm.

A list of quotes from the evening of festivities and lights and chloroform:

• "Sue is not a teacher!"--Jan
• "Hillary Clinton makes me vomit a little in my mouth every time I see her on t.v."--Jan
• "I'm gonna spray you in the face!" (Bri said as he aimed the gas nozzle in Jan's general direction)--Bri
• "You type these things, because you're more eloquent than I am"--Bri
• "I will spit this in your pocket"--Jan
• "Did you devour the remnants of my bagel?"--Jan (after discovering that the last quarter of her bagel had mysteriously vanished)
• "Why do you have an icon called 'Satan' on your desktop?"--Jan
• "You mean Safari?"--Bri
• "We must embark on a new discourse of things about which we should talk."--Bri
• "BOYFRIEND?"--Jan and Bri (incredulously, after a series of accolades)

"This'll clear your sinuses," Bri told Jan, offering her an Altoid.  "Mmphrrospa," replied Jan, her mouth full of candy cane.  Starbucks called to them, and the promise of hot chocolate hung in the cold air like Old Man Winter on Mother Nature.

No whopper stories, as always.

Love,

Jan and Bri.

Hunter Denton

Today was a very sad day for me and my family. So please bear with me as you read this because I am on the break of tears. Our dog, Hunter, that we've had for 15 years, has had epilepsy for most of his life and for the past few months he's been suffering from congestive heart failure. Well, usually I go home every weekend to stay with Hunter while my parents are at the lake. Saturday night, I arrived at the house to see him in disarray and he was breathing very labored. I was very scared because I knew that he was nearing the end of his life. Well, he calmed down once I got in and got him settled. Sunday morning I left the house reluctantly to go to church because I didn't know if that would be the last time I would see him. It turns out that it was the last time I would get to pet him. Last night when my parents got home, he was severely bloated and was breathing very labored. So Mom and Dad decided to take him to the Vet today to have him checked out. It turns out that he was drowning in fluid in his lungs and to end his suffering he had to be put to sleep. I was soo sad when Mom told me this today. All I feel right now is numbness. Thinking about this makes me tear up as I type this. He was such a great dog and he lived a great, spoiled life, so I have no regrets with him. I'll miss him dearly, but at least he isn't suffering anymore.

Thanks for your thoughts and prayers in this sad time for me and my family.

It's Chilly Outside!

I'm so glad that its becoming more winterlike here in Alabama. Who knows, we might get some snow this year...I doubt it, but it would be nice.

So today was cool. This morning after opening up the Foundation, I got the opportunity to speak at UAB Day for the Department of Music. Ms. Reynolds had asked me if I could do this since the person who normally does this is gone with the band to Memphis and I graciously accepted. It wasn't anything extremely formal, although I met the Dean of the School of Arts and Humanities and he introduced me along with Ms. Reynolds and Dr. Price to the incoming Freshmen and their parents. After all the A&H departments splited up, the Music Department people went upstairs from the Hulsey Recital Hall and Ms. Reynolds gave her spiel about being a music major at UAB. I thought she did a fantastic job at that. She then allowed me to introduce myself and share about being a music major at UAB and how and why I chose to come to UAB. I did speak good things about our outstanding ensembles (with special emphasis on the Choir and other vocal ensembles...just so you know Dr. Copeland...) and I spoke well about our outstanding Music Education program of which I am a part of.

So now, after all of that, I'm back here at Lakeshore for about another hour until we close for the day. Tonight I am going home to spend the night with the dog and I'll be back in town tomorrow.
Ok, so here's some sad news. Tomorrow, I am officially turning in my two weeks notice to Starbucks. Although I have loved working there for the past four months, I am being called back (again) to Family Christian Stores (our Gardendale store is moving to Fultondale and I'll be a Sales Floor Leader [Shift Supervisor] there...Christmastime is VERY VERY busy in retail after all...). I'll miss all of my good friends I've made while at Starbucks...not to mention all the coffee and what not...sadness, no more markouts... But don't worry, I'll go back to being a patron there again. It is one of my favorite places to go and read or just chillax for a while.

On a lighter note, it's 37 days till Christmas, my favorite time of year! I'm already listening to Christmas music in anticipation for the holidays. I recently purchased Josh Groban's new Christmas album, Noel and it is somewhat amazing. One new song I discovered on his album is a French Christmas carol called "Petit Papa Noel" and I have recently fell in love with it and I purchased the sheet music for it and maybe I can sing it next Christmas for Juries.


Another great Christmas album I purchased was David Phelps' One Wintry Night. IT IS AMAZING! He is my favorite singer, and you can never go wrong in one of his albums. I mean, wow! It is so great and I invite everyone to go get it. Trust me, you won't regret it. In fact, Amber and I might be singing the song "One King" at her church sometime in December.


UGH!! Speaking of juries, they are two weeks from today. I've still got to get my last song completely memorized. Here's a rundown of the songs I'm doing for juries this semester:

"Sebben, crudele" – Antonio Caldara (1670-1736)
"Standchen" – Franz Schubert (1797-1828)
"Oh, Is There Not One Maiden Breast" – Arthur Sullivan (1842-1900)
"Bring Him Home" - Claude-Michel Schönberg (b. 1944)

So yesterday, I went to the Birmingham Public Library and checked out a few cds from them. One was Jussi Bjorling, and I don't regret checking out his cd. He has a great tenor voice. It's very silvery and brassy. Dr. Kris recommended I listen to him since both he and I are lyric tenors.

Well, I'm about to have to close up shop here at Lakeshore. Geez, it's been nearly an hour since I began to type this blog entry. I've had to pause and resolve problems and what not. So I hope this will do for now. Maybe I'll update this again later tonight or something...probably not, so don't count on it... :-p

Brian

Readability...

Since everyone else is doing this...



Yeah, I need to bulk up on word usage and such. I eventually would like to have this blog at a college reading level.

I'm sitting in the computer lab at the Education Building right now with Roxy. I'm sure I'll update this more when I get back at the apartment.

I haven't had that great of a day...

B

COFFEE AND MUSIC (is there anything better?)

Okay, I admit it...I'm a coffee addict. As I sit here typing this blog entry at 11:45 p.m. this Tuesday evening, having drank almost all of a 10 cup pot o' coffee, I reflect on current happenings in my life. (For you English types, feel free to correct my grammar usage...sad, I always tell people that if I wasn't a music major, I'd be an English major).

So last night I auditioned for our Spring opera, Pirates of Penzance. I auditioned with Frederick's aria, "Oh, Is There Not One Maiden Breast," but was asked to read for the part of the Major General Stanley. After that was all sung and done, I was asked to learn a bit of the song "I am a Very Model of a Modern Major General" for callbacks (which will take place sometime tomorrow). This song requires some degree of difficulty. For instance it is very wordy and its tempo marking is allegro vivace. So I am working this over tonight before bed.

Speaking of opera, next Friday, November 9, at 7:30 p.m., UAB Opera is proudly presenting "Lovers, Liars, and Leading Ladies," the UAB Opera Student Showcase. It will be held in the Mary Culp Hulsey Recital Hall at the UAB Hulsey Center. Admission is FREE and UAB Music students get performance attendance credit for attending. So be sure to come out and support UAB Opera.

This Thursday, the UAB Concert Choir is performing at the Alabama ACDA Collegiate Choral Festival held at Bluff Park UMC in Hoover. It is an all day long event and I look forward to this event each year. It is a great time when most of the college choirs in Alabama get together and sing for each other, not for competition, but just for the sake of music. However, UAT will not be in attendance for the second year in a row. I think they are scared of the ferocious beast that is the UAB Choir. We will be performing "O Sacrum Convivium," "Song of Triumph," and "Regina Coeli." Speaking of those songs, be sure to check out the UAB Choir blog for our recent recordings.

Oh well, It is way past my bedtime, so I shall retire for the evening.

Later.

Like a blur...

...that's what life feels like right now. Everything is going by so fast. It seems like yesterday I was moving in at my apartment and going to UAB for my first class there. But now, it is past midterm and things are starting to pick up fast. For example, tomorrow, I have a playing test in Woodwind Methods, I have a sight-singing test in Music Theory, and I have an audition tomorrow evening for our Spring opera, Pirates of Penzance. That's just Monday. Later this week, on Thursday, I'll be singing at the Alabama ACDA Collegiate Choral Festival with the UAB Concert Choir. I'm looking forward to Thursday because I'll get to see all of my Jeff State friends as well as I'll get to hear what other college choirs in Alabama are performing. It's always an event I look forward to each Fall.

Juries are on December 1, and that will be here soon. I've got to put at least two more songs in my repertoire before then. Being at 200 level voice (and I'm hoping to jury up to 300 this semester), I have to have six selections prepared for Juries. I'll get to pick one and the jury, comprised of the Voice Faculty, Dr. Copeland, and Dr. Reynolds (I think) as well as Ms. Reynolds, our accompanist, will pick another for me to sing. I'm nervous about this as most music majors are when it comes to Juries. Pray for me.

Well, I've got some more practicing to do before bed tonight. Jeez, playing the flute isn't as easy as it looks. You've got to get your aperture just right or horrendous noises will come from the flute.

Goodnight!

Professional Affiliations

So here's a list of professional music organizations I'm a part of:

Collegiate Music Educator's National Conference
Student Chapter of the National Association of Teachers of Singing
Alabama Music Educator's Association
Alabama Vocal Association
American Choral Director's Association

Can anyone else think of others I should join?

Vocal Repertoire (so far)

Ok, so here is my vocal repertoire list so far. I guess I can use any of these if I had to for Juries (which is December 1st...yikes!). Below you'll see what I've got so far. I've listed my vocal coach for those pieces, as well as the ranges for those songs, so here they are:

Spring 2005 – Margaret Heron, Choir Director, Mortimer Jordan High School, Morris, AL:
• Danza, danza fanciulla – Francesco Durante (1684-1755) [A#4-F#5]

Spring 2007 – Jessica Hall, Instructor of Music, Director of Choirs, Jefferson State Community College, Birmingham, AL:
• Black Is The Color of My True Love’s Hair – John Jacob Niles (1892-1980) [D4-G5]

Fall 2007 - Rachel Mathes, Voice Instructor, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL:
• Caro Mio Ben – Tommaso Giordani (1733–1806) [D4-F5]
• Sebben, crudele – Antonio Caldara (1670-1736) [E4-E5]
• Standchen – Franz Schubert (1797-1828) [D4-G5]
• Oh, Is There Not One Maiden Breast – Arthur Sullivan (1842-1900) [G4-Bb5]
• Bring Him Home - Claude-Michel Schönberg (b. 1944) [E4-A5]

I'll try and update this list as songs are added.

So, I've started a new project. I'm cataloging my entire sheet music library. It is a small (yeah, right) undertaking, but it is coming along. I know Dr. Copeland is scanning his entire library. I don't think I could do that right now. That might come later. I'm also updating my iTunes library constantly with new music. It's an addiction...i know.

Well, I might update later tonight. I've got a Music Theory test tomorrow and my Woodwind Methods midterm on Friday...fun.

Later all!

Recent Happenings

Well, classes are in full swing and I'm getting slightly stressed at some things. Here are my thoughts on my classes so far this semester:

• Education as a Profession: Wow, I never knew that there was so much stuff required of teachers in Alabama. I've got to register for the APTTP (Alabama Prospective Teacher Test Program) test before next week. It is much like the ACT, but for teachers in Alabama. I also have to get certified in First Aid and CPR soon as well as have a criminal background check on me...that's scary...just kidding!
• Teaching and Technology: Ok, this has to be the most boring class on the face of the planet. I really wish that this wasn't a required class. Basically, you learn how to use Microsoft Office. But see, I learned all of these things in my Business classes in high school. The teacher is a very sweet lady (she is a retired business/marketing teacher), but I think they should get someone else to teach this class who would apply today's new technology (blogging, podcasting, ect.) for education. Maybe Dr. Copeland should teach this class just for Music Education Majors.
• Music Theory I/Aural Skills I: I think since I've taken this class twice already (once with AP Theory at Mortimer Jordan and the other Theory I at Jefferson State) that I do have a little bit of an advantage. I wish my theory from JeffState had transferred so that I could be in Theory II right now, but I do enjoy Ms. Reynolds' teaching and I enjoy the people that I'm in the class with.
• Private Lessons: Voice: So far things are going good. Dr. Mathes has expanded my range somewhat. I'm able to "touch" a low G and my upper range has grown a good bit (those higher notes are coming easier than they used to).
• Concert Choir: WOW!!!! We're going to IRELAND! I can't wait for this! Now I only have to come up with the money for it...ugh. So this past Saturday was my first time to sing a solo in the Alys Stephens Center. Everyone keeps giving me complements on it, so I hope it sounded good. I am overly critical of myself, so I did notice some things I could've improved on it. I auditioned for a solo in the song "If I Got My Ticket" and got it. I was really shocked. I mean, I consider it a great honor because it is my first semester at UAB and the other guys who tried out were really awesome on it. I think Dr. Copeland is going to rotate the soloists on that song though, but I really would like to sing it at one of our public concerts where Mom and Dad are going to be there.
  
• Chamber Choir: UGH!! The Debussy "Trois Chansons" are very tough (the music is not extremly hard, but the language is...FRENCH!!!!)
• Opera Workshop: Things are coming along for our Opera Scenes performance on November 9 at 7:30 in the Hulsey Recital Hall. I'm trying to let everyone know about this so that nobody can say "I didn't know that you were doing that." I am in two scenes as well as in the chorus for two other ones. It's going to be fun.

Well, I think this will do for now. I will probably edit this to say other things, probably about SNATS and other things. More to come!

Opera di UAB

Well, after much anticipation, I found out tonight what my role in UAB Opera Workshop is this semester. I will be in three different roles at our Opera Scenes "Singer's Showcase" performance on November 9, 2007, 7:00 p.m. at the Hulsey Recital Hall in the Hulsey Center at UAB.

Here is a quick rundown of the various Opera Scenes that will be showcased that night:

Classicism / Neo-classicism

Act III Recitative and Sextet from The Marriage of Figaro
Marcellina: Crystal Whatley
Figaro: Chris Reid
Count: Jonathan Riddle
Bartolo: Howard Hall
Don Curzio: Brian Denton
Susanna: Samantha Pace

Act I Recitative and Duet “La ci darem la mano” from Don Giovanni
Don Giovanni: Jonathan Riddle
Zerlina: Whitney Cummins

Act I Finale from Cosí fan tutte
Fiordiligi: Meredith Foster
Dorabella: Katie Smith
Despina: Marybeth Verchot
Ferrando: Kiyoshi Scissum
Guglielmo: Howard Hall
Don Alfonso: Chris Reid

INTERMISSION

Act I, No. 5 Quintet, followed by dialogue from The Magic Flute
Papageno: Jonathan Riddle
Tamino: Sean Fleischman
1st Lady: Samantha Pace
2nd Lady: Crystal Whatley
3rd Lady: Whitney Cummins

Act III from The Rake’s Progress
Anne: Marybeth Verchot
The Keeper: Howard Hall
Tom: Kiyoshi Scissum
Father: Chris Reid
Chorus: all (including Keeper), offstage

Trio from The Impresario
Madame Goldentrill: Meredith Foster
Mademoiselle Silverpeal: Samantha Pace
The Impresario: Brian Denton

I can't wait to do these. I do, however, need to research them so I can learn more about the various Opera scenes and the characters I'm to portray. I'll be sure to keep you posted on my progress.

ALSO, just in case you would like more information on UAB Opera, you can visit the UAB Opera blog at http://uabopera.blogspot.com. This is where our director, Dr. Kristine Hurst-Wajszczuk (pronounced Vice-check) writes about upcoming Opera events as well as her Voice Studio classes. ALSO be sure to check out UAB's Choir blog by Dr. Philip Copeland at http://uabchoirs.blogspot.com for more information about performances and interesting nuances about the UAB Choir of which I'm so fond of.

Well, I've got to be up for work at FIVE O'CLOCK in the morning at Starbucks in Vestavia, so I'm about to go to bed.

Goodnight all!

Back in the Groove...

Well, summer is officially over for me. Well, actually, it ended last Wednesday when school started. But now I'm finally getting back into the groove of getting up early and going to class. For those of you who want to know, here is a quick rundown of my schedule for the Fall semester at UAB:

Monday
Woodwind Methods Class: 8:00 - 8:50
Music Theory I: 9:00 - 9:50
Aural Skills I: 10:00 - 10:50
Concert Choir: 2:00 - 2:50
Chamber Singers: 4:00 - 5:15
Education as a Profession: 5:30 - 7:20

Tuesday
Teaching and Technology: 9:30 - 12:15
Concert Choir: 2:00 - 3:15
Opera Workshop: 3:30 - 5:15

Wednesday
Woodwind Methods Class: 8:00 - 8:50
Music Theory I: 9:00 - 9:50
Aural Skills I: 10:00 - 10:50
Voice Lessons: 11:00 - 11:30
Music Convocation: 12:00 - 12:50
Concert Choir: 2:00 - 2:50
Chamber Singers: 4:00 - 5:15

Thursday
Concert Choir: 2:00 - 3:15
Opera Workshop: 3:30 - 5:15

Friday
Woodwind Methods Class: 8:00 - 8:50
Music Theory I: 9:00 - 9:50
Aural Skills I: 10:00 - 10:50
Voice Lessons: 11:00 - 11:30
Voice Performance Class: 12:00 - 12:50
Concert Choir: 2:00 - 2:50
Chamber Singers: 4:00 - 5:15

So as you can see, I've got alot of things going on this semester. I'm also working two jobs right now, Starbucks in Vestavia (throughout the week) and Lakeshore Foundation (on Saturdays). Depending on how school goes the next few weeks, I might have to adjust my availibility at Starbucks to allow for more study time...not sure about this just yet. I know i've got to work so I can pay rent and gas and such, but I've got to have time for studying as well. I'm really enjoying all of my classes right now. I like the atmosphere at UAB. Especially being in the Music Department. Being in the choir at UAB is awesome. We've only had 3 rehearsals so far, but they have been amazing and we've almost learned a couple of songs entirely. IT'S GREAT!!!

Well, I've got to go check on my laundry before I get ready to leave for choir. I hope to get some comments on this.

Later peeps!

The Move

Well, yesterday, August 17, 2007, I moved into my new apartment at the University House in Birmingham. Mom and Dad helped me move (which took up most of the day). But it is a very comfortable apartment. I actually slept really well last night, which was surprising (I usually have a difficult night's sleep on a different bed than mine at home). But everything went well. I think I'm going to like my roommates. They are D.J. Taylor, Jerrell Leonard, and Drew Holden. We each have our own bedroom and bathroom and we share the kitchen, living room, and washer/dryer. The guys seem really nice and easy to get along with.

Roxy Nelson is my neighbor down the hall. Last night she came over to my apartment and I cooked us some frozen pizza and we had salad with it. It was good. I then helped her move some things in her apartment. The only weird thing about the new apartment is that they don't have our cable and internet on the 1st and 3rd floors (which conveniently enough includes me because I'm on the 3rd floor). The office said that it should be fixed today, but i'm not getting my hopes up. I'm currently at work (Lakeshore Foundation) and I've got my laptop here using our wonderful WiFi.

I've got to work tonight at Starbucks after I get off here at 5. BLEH!! But I get off at 10:30, so its not that bad. I'll just be really tired tomorrow at church...which i've got to be there at 7 for music team rehearsal...but thats a good thing! :)

Well, I'm going to wrap this up for now. Hopefully I can post some pictures soon of the new apartment.

Until then,

Brian

Just In Case You Wanted To Know...

If anyone is in doubt of what to get me for my birthday on April 5, I would love to go see Spamalot when it comes to town April 1-6, 2008.



I'm getting ready to go to work now, so I'll probably write more later.

Later!

Oklahoma!: The Aftermath

Well, tomorrow, August 5, it will be one week since we closed with Gardendale Art's Council's summer production of Oklahoma!, a musical by Rogers and Hammerstein. In it, I portrayed the part of Ike Skidmore, a rancher. It always "feels funny" after you finish with a show. You have that weird void in your life that once was filled with hours of rehearsal and preparation each night leading up to a production and then afterwards, it "feels funny." Monday night was especially weird because I thought to myself, "Ok, so now what...what am I going to do now that I've got this free time on my hands?"

But life is back to normal now...as normal as it can be with school coming up, moving in to my new apartment in a couple of weeks, placement auditions for UAB Concert Choir, Chamber Choir, and auditions for UAB Opera, not to mention I'm about to start working a reduced schedule at Lakeshore Foundation (I'm only able to work on Saturdays there because of school this semester) and I'm about to start my other job at Starbucks in Vestavia Hills (I had to find a job that will supplement my income from Lakeshore so I can pay RENT and other things). I start training there on Monday.

Enough of that for now...

So I thought I'd write a little bit about my thoughts after Oklahoma!.

We began rehearsals in June and at first I didn't know quite what to expect. I was in a show with only a few friends in it that I've worked with in previous shows and alot of new people that I had never met before. Well, that soon changed. I don't know what it is about me, but people seem somewhat drawn to me. Not long after we began rehearsals had I began to make new friends, such as: James Whited, Melissa Shirley, Anna Mitchell, Monica Graham, Leah Jennings, and Lee Emond, just to name a few. I also rekindled some old friendships from previous times in my life (high school and other productions), such as: Carrie Couchman, Trent Loggins, Olivia Bannister, Courtney Parker, and Grant Bowen. So, rehearsals began and things started to progress. Lines were worked on first then we began to have music rehearsals, which I assisted our music director, Ginny Hughes, with. After all the rehearsing and all the preparation, it came time for production which was July 26-28, 2007. Production was held at the Gardendale Civic Center Complex's Exhibition Hall at 7 p.m. nightly.

On OPENING NIGHT (which by the way...IT'S BAD LUCK TO SAY GOOD LUCK ON OPENING NIGHT..."if you do, i tell you, it is certain by the curtain you are through..." <--a line from The Producers), SOMEONE ::ahem:: made the horrendous, TABOO, theatrical mistake of saying "GOOD LUCK." Needless to say, opening night wasn't as good as it could've been. We had sound issues all night...songs coming in at the wrong time, large gaps of silence where there should've been music, mic issues, ect. Other than those issues, opening night was a success. Heh, I actually had people come up to me afterwards each night and ask me for my autograph. Afterwards, we went to some place in Fultondale for a cast dinner.

The second night of production went alot smoother than opening night, although we still had some sound glitches. WE WERE SOLD OUT!!! It was a great performance, but the audience wasn't very responsive...er, they could've been more responsive. After that night's performance, James, Melissa, Courtney, Brad and myself went to Waffle House (or as some would call it Vavvle Hovse). Hilarities ensued...canabals!!

And on the third and last night of production, WE WERE SOLD OUT as well!!! In my opinion, the third night was the BEST night of production. We got to act out more on stage...TRENT fell!! That was hilarious...well, not at first, but then we all laughed about it. My accent was SOOO country that night...I mean, it was country because of the dialect used in the performance, but I made it extra southern that night. It was a very "funny" night. Lets just say, we all had a "feel funny" moment on stage the last night [this is one of those things that only people in the play would get...so just ignore it]. Afterwards, we ALL went to O'Charley's in Fultondale to celebrate [which was somewhat dissatisfying due to the restaurant's staff's unwillingness to cooperate with our reservations...it was frustrating].

All in all, this was a great thing that happened to me this summer. I have kept in contact with my new friends since Oklahoma and a few of us actually had a grand adventure last night. Actually, tonight Melissa, James, Trent, myself, and others are going to hang out again. FUN!!

Well, I had better wrap this up. I would like to accomplish some other things here at work today.

Later peeps!!

BE SURE TO LEAVE ME COMMENTS ABOUT THIS!!

;)

The Young Person's Guide to the SATB Choir

Ok, I think I posted this before on my Myspace blog, but this is one of my all-time favorite descriptions of each voice in the SATB choir. I hope none of my choir friends are offended by this, I think it's hilarious and it's a pretty accurate description of each voice. Let me know what you think.

THE YOUNG PERSON'S GUIDE TO THE SATB CHOIR In any chorus, there are four voice parts: soprano, alto, tenor, and bass. Sometimes these are divided into first and second within each part, prompting endless jokes about first and second basses. There are also various other parts such as baritone, countertenor, contralto, mezzo soprano, etc., but these are mostly used by people who are either soloists, or belong to some excessively hotshot classical a cappella group (this applies especially to countertenors), or are trying to make excuses for not really fitting into any of the regular voice parts, so we will ignore them for now.

Each voice part sings in a different range, and each one has a very different personality. You may ask, "Why should singing different notes make people act differently?", and indeed this is a mysterious question and has not been adequately studied, especially since scientists who study musicians tend to be musicians themselves and have all the peculiar complexes that go with being tenors, french horn players, timpanists, or whatever. However, this is beside the point; the fact remains that the four voice parts can be easily distinguished, and I will now explain how.

THE SOPRANOS are the ones who sing the highest, and because of this they think they rule the world. They have longer hair, fancier jewelry, and swishier skirts than anyone else, and they consider themselves insulted if they are not allowed to go at least to a high F in every movement of any given piece. When they reach the high notes, they hold them for at least half again as long as the composer and/or conductor requires, and then complain that their throats are killing them and that the composer and conductor are sadists. Sopranos have varied attitudes toward the other sections of the chorus, though they consider all of them inferior. Altos are to sopranos rather like second violins to first violins - nice to harmonize with, but not really necessary. All sopranos have a secret feeling that the altos could drop out and the piece would sound essentially the same, and they don't understand why anybody would sing in that range in the first place - it's so boring. Tenors, on the other hand, can be very nice to have around; besides their flirtation possibilities (it is a well-known fact that sopranos never flirt with basses), sopranos like to sing duets with tenors because all the tenors are doing is working very hard to sing in a low-to-medium soprano range, while the sopranos are up there in the stratosphere showing off. To sopranos, basses are the scum of the earth - they sing too damn loud, are useless to tune to because they're down in that low, low range - and there has to be something wrong with anyone who sings in the F clef, anyway.

THE ALTOS are the salt of the earth - in their opinion, at least. Altos are unassuming people, who would wear jeans to concerts if they were allowed to. Altos are in a unique position in the chorus in that they are unable to complain about having to sing either very high or very low, and they know that all the other sections think their parts are pitifully easy. But the altos know otherwise. They know that while the sopranos are screeching away on a high A, they are being forced to sing elaborate passages full of sharps and flats and tricks of rhythm, and nobody is noticing because the sopranos are singing too loud (and the basses usually are too). Altos get a deep, secret pleasure out of conspiring together to tune the sopranos flat. Altos have an innate distrust of tenors, because the tenors sing in almost the same range and think they sound better. They like the basses, and enjoy singing duets with them - the basses just sound like a rumble anyway, and it's the only time the altos can really be heard. Altos' other complaint is that there are always too many of them and so they never get to sing really loud.

THE TENORS are spoiled. That's all there is to it. For one thing, there are never enough of them, and choir directors would rather sell their souls than let a halfway decent tenor quit, while they're always ready to unload a few altos at half price. And then, for some reason, the few tenors there are are always really good - it's one of those annoying facts of life.. So it's no wonder that tenors always get swollen heads - after all, who else can make sopranos swoon? The one thing that can make tenors insecure is the accusation (usually by the basses) that anyone singing that high couldn't possibly be a real man.. In their usual perverse fashion, the tenors never acknowledge this, but just complain louder about the composer being a sadist and making them sing so damn high. Tenors have a love-hate relationship with the conductor, too, because the conductor is always telling them to sing louder because there are so few of them. No conductor in recorded history has ever asked for less tenor in a forte passage. Tenors feel threatened in some way by all the other sections - the sopranos because they can hit those incredibly high notes; the altos because they have no trouble singing the notes the tenors kill themselves for; and the basses because, although they can't sing anything above an E, they sing it loud enough to drown the tenors out. Of course, the tenors would rather die than admit any of this. It is a little-known fact that tenors move their eyebrows more than anyone else while singing.

THE BASSES sing the lowest of anybody. This basically explains everything. They are stolid, dependable people, and have more facial hair than anybody else. The basses feel perpetually unappreciated, but they have a deep conviction that they are actually the most important part (a view endorsed by musicologists, but certainly not by sopranos or tenors), despite the fact that they have the most boring part of anybody and often sing the same note (or in endless fifths) for an entire page. They compensate for this by singing as loudly as they can get away with - most basses are tuba players at heart. Basses are the only section that can regularly complain about how low their part is, and they make horrible faces when trying to hit very low notes. Basses are charitable people, but their charity does not extend so far as tenors, whom they consider effete poseurs. Basses hate tuning the tenors more than almost anything else. Basses like altos - except when they have duets and the altos get the good part. As for the sopranos, they are simply in an alternate universe which the basses don't understand at all. They can't imagine why anybody would ever want to sing that high and sound that bad when they make mistakes. When a bass makes a mistake, the other three parts will cover him, and he can continue on his merry way, knowing that sometime, somehow, he will end up at the root of the chord.

Just another boring Saturday at work...

Summer Activities...aka. WORK!

Well, so far, my summer has been very uneventful. It seems that all I have done is work this summer. But after next friday, my work load lightens just a little bit. Next Friday is my last day at Family Christian Stores. Yes, after 4 years I am leaving Family to work more at my new job, Lakeshore Foundation. Although Lakeshore is over in Homewood, a considerable distance from my home in Mount Olive, it is a great job and I love working there so far. It is also close to Mountaintop and it is close to UAB, where I will start in the Fall.

On Monday, I start rehearsing for Oklahoma! at the Gardendale Civic Center. I will be playing the role of Ike Skidmore, a cowman. I have a solo in Act Two, so that shall be fun.

Coming up, June 15-17, I am going up to Tennessee to visit with the Granlund's. I can't wait to go see them. It has been quite a while since we last saw each other. I think Sarah will probably ride up there with me and I think Abby is riding back with us so that her and Sarah can go to City Stages that Sunday night.

Just as soon as I get back to Alabama from Tennessee, I will be house sitting for my Uncle Scott the week of June 17-23. He recently got a new house in Fultondale (with pool) and wants me to house sit for him while he will be gone to Boy Scout Leader's Camp.

I have UAB New Student Orientation on June 12th. I am very excited about that. I will get to register for my classes that day...hopefully.

Well, last night was fun. Rachel and I went out and had fun. I hadn't seen her in a while, since graduation and all, so we caught up and ate at Qdoba at Patton Creek. We were going to see a movie, but there wasn't anything that we really wanted to see that we already hadn't seen. BTW...Pirates 3 was great. I don't care what your opinion is, but I thought it was just as good as the other two. Now if they would hurry up and release Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, I will be very happy.

I might be having a small get-together (aka. a party of sorts) in the near future, so I'll notify you then about it.

Well, yet another Saturday goes by that I am at work all day and our work load is diminished so that boredom encompasses you. That was an interesting way of saying that I am bored. But I get off at 5. Anybody wanna hang out, holla at me!

Alrighty peeps, I'm out. Hope everyone is well and is having a great day!

Later!

Summertime

Ok, so now it feels like Summertime to me. School worries are over for now at least. Although I can't wait to go to UAB Orientation and register for classes there. I hope to take a class with Janna this Fall. That will be fun. Who knows, maybe we can do observations together (although that might not work out because she is an English major and I am a Music major...oh well). So I found out today that Mom is going to be able to get a good amount of $$ for college today. THAT EXCITES ME!!!

So yesterday I auditioned for Oklahoma! at the Gardendale Civic Center. My audition went very well and they are posting the cast list this Friday. I kinda would like to be the character Ali Hakim, the peddler. That would be just fun.

Well, aside from working, my summer has been very uneventful. But hopefully things will start happening...preferably good things.

Later peeps!

The End of Something

So today I took my last final exam at Jefferson State Community College. The only things I have left to do there is submit my MacGamut file for my Music Theory class and I have graduation rehearsal tomorrow and Friday is Graduation @ 5:30 @ Cathedral of the Cross...just in case any of you would like to attend. It is kinda a weird time in my life. I am graduating and leaving JeffState similarily as to when I graduated Jordan. Although I am looking foward to UAB and persuing my degree in Music Education and singing in their wonderful choirs, I am going to miss JeffState's choir and all my friends there. This is ultra hard for me because Rachel and I are parting ways. This will be the first time we haven't been in choir together. She is going to the University of South Alabama and I am going to the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and Mobile and Birmingham are a bit apart. I mean, we'll see each other over the summer and stuff (since she is not leaving till August), but this is very sad to me. It is kind of bitter-sweet for these things, the sweet thing being that I will get to re-connect with some of my high school friends, such as Janna and others. Jan and I hope to take some education classes together in the Fall.

Well, I am sitting here at Cambridge Coffee right now about to tear into some MacGamut since it is due by 10:00 tomorrow morning. I am going to meet up with Rachel in a little while for lunch and then we are going to observe the Simmons Middle School choir. Ms. Hall wants us to see how other directors take charge of their choirs and how they teach them. On Monday we went to Gardendale High School and observed their choir. Lets just say that we wished we could've been there for their advanced choir and not the other one. But there were some good things that came from our Gardendale visit. We learned a few good things that we'll carry down the road with us to implement in our choirs when we are choir directors.

Well, I know everyone was waiting anticipantly for me to post an update, so here you go. I hope to get some comments from everyone. Have a great day!

Recentials and Such

Ok, so I know ya'll are dying to know what's been going on in my life for the past few weeks. Ok, so here is some news. I GOT A SCHOLARSHIP TO UAB!! I'M SOOOO EXCITED! They want me to be in three vocal performing ensembles, which probably means Concert Choir, Chamber Choir, and UAB Opera (but I won't know officially until final placement in August). So there's some good news!

Moving on! I recently started working at Lakeshore Foundation. Its a cool job. Don't worry! I'm still at Family Christian in Gardendale, so all of you who ask me about products and mooch off of my discount (lol...just kidding :) ) can still take advantage of it.

Here lately I've been stressed with school things. Last week it hit me that I now have roughly 2-3 weeks left at Jefferson State. Honors Convocation is next week and I've got to sing there with the choir AND I am receiving the Outstanding Jefferson State Singer Award. So next Thursday will be a big day for me. Finals are in about a week...that's depressing. On May 4 it will be all said and done. I'll be walking at graduation btw... May 4, evening, Cathedral of the Cross, Centerpoint. There, now you have officially been invited.

Well, I think I shall go for now. I'm going to the movies tonight with Amber, Rach, Micah, Jan, and Michael. We're going to see Disturbia. It sounds like a good scary movie. Later peeps!

Where's Waldo? (I mean Brian...)

WOW!! I had almost forgotten I had one of these things. Yeah right, except Dr. Copeland politely reminded me yesterday that I haven't blogged in forever. So, per his request, I am blogging again.

My life has been rather calm for the past little while. Aside from working alot and school and stuff at Mountaintop, I have been relatively stress free (not saying that anything at Mountaintop would make me stressed...I love that place and I love how God is working there and opening doors for me to serve there).

So yesterday, I auditioned for the UAB Department of Music. I auditioned with Danza, Danza Fanciulla Gentile and Black is the Color of My True Love's Hair. I was very pleased with my audition. I thought it went alot better than last time I auditioned for UAB two years ago.

So here's a bitter-sweet moment, I will be graduating from Jefferson State in a months time. It will be sad because I will be leaving a choir of which I've grown comfortable in, as well as friends I've made over the past two years. But it will also be a great moment because I will be receiving an Associates of Arts degree and I WILL BE AT UAB IN THE FALL!!! I am soooo psyched about that. I can't wait to be a part of UAB's amazing choir and music department. There, I will be working my way towards a Bachelors in Music Education Degree. Then I can teach! YAY!

Well, I think this shall do for now. I really should be studying for something...so I might. Lol...

Later peeps!

Watching, Reading, Listening To (2/11/07)

Again, I stole this idea from Jamie Cole.

Watching - Let's see, last night, I went over to Briana and Jeremy's apartment with Amber and we watched Broken Bridges starring Toby Keith and Kelly Preston. It actually was a really good movie. At first I thought it was going to be another one of those "American" movies, especially since it starred Toby Keith (not my favorite singer). Overall I thought it was a great movie especially that I got to watch it with great friends.

Reading - So I finally finished up Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller. What a great book. It is so honest and it really speaks to your soul. It is delicious with non-religious thoughts on Christian Spirituality. So now I started reading Praise Habit by David Crowder. Its good so far. Crowder has a very interesting way of writing. I think its great. I also began to re-read Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling in anticipation of the upcoming movie. I CAN'T WAIT!! I also found a book the other day at work that deals with my favorite place...STARBUCKS! Leonard Sweet's The Gospel According to Starbucks: Living With a Grande Passion is so far really good. Here is a bit about it (taken from the book's description):

You don’t stand in line at Starbucks® just to buy a cup of coffee. You stop for the experience surrounding the cup of coffee.Too many of us line up for God out of duty or guilt. We completely miss the warmth and richness of the experience of living with God. If we’d learn to see what God is doing on earth, we could participate fully in the irresistible life that he offers. You can learn to pay attention like never before, to identify where God is already in business right in your neighborhood. The doors are open and the coffee is brewing. God is serving the refreshing antidote to the unsatisfying, arms-length spiritual life–and he won’t even make you stand in line. Let Leonard Sweet show you how the passion that Starbucks® has for creating an irresistible experience can connect you with God’s stirring introduction to the experience of faith.

Listening To - Recently, I was introduced to an up-and-coming artist named Mindy Smith (of course, I say she is up-and-coming, because she is slowly making her way to my favorites list). She currently has an article about her in the January/February issue of Relevant Magazine. One of her songs, Come to Jesus, is an amazing song. She kind of has a Norah Jones feel to her music. Very acoustic, more like, if I were to classify her, it would probably be Contemporary Folk, not like boondocks Folk, but the good kind. Lol...

Ok, I gotta go for now, because my battery is about to die!! AIEE!!

Later peeps!

So She Dances

A waltz when she walks in the room
She pulls back the hair from her face
She turns to the window to sway in the moonlight
Even her shadow has grace
A waltz for the girl out of reach
She lifts her hands up to the sky
She moves with the music
The song is her lover
The melody's making her cry

So she dances
In and out of the crowd like a glance
This romance is
From afar calling me silently

A waltz for the chance I should take
But how will I know where to start?
She's spinning between constellations and dreams
Her rhythm is my beating heart

So she dances
In and out of the crowd like a glance
This romance is
From afar calling me silently
I can't keep on watching forever
I give up this view just to tell her

When I close my eyes I can see
The spotlights are bright on you and me
We've got the floor
And you're in my arms
How could I ask for more?

So she dances
In and out of the crowd like a glance
This romance is
From afar calling me silently
I can't keep on watching forever
And I'm givin' up this view just to tell her

¿Mi amor, donde es tú?

Sadness at Starbucks

So I finished off my Starbucks card the other day...it was very sad. It was well used though. My Wednesday routine is to go over to Starbucks after Choir on Wednesdays before I have to be at Mountaintop. So while there I usually spend time reading and just relaxing and just having some "me" time. I finally finished reading Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller. Wow, that book is amazing. So now I am reading Praise Habit by David Crowder.

By the way, in my opinion, Valentine's Day is the WORST HOLIDAY EVER created by anyone (thanks alot Hallmark Card Company). And yes, I am most likely saying this because I have never spent that day with a significant other or had a "Valentine." Actually, it really is a waste of a perfectly good day. [Edit] After discussing the ridiculousness of this day with Amber today, I still don't understand why we, as children, had to go and give every person in our class a "valentine's card" and a sucker. Does that mean that every child we grew up with was our "Valentine?" That would be quite odd.

Well, the only news I have currently is that I, along with the rest of the Jefferson State Choir will be on Good Day Alabama (Fox6) on Thursday, February 15th. We will be singing a few songs throughout the show. We will be filmed on campus at Jefferson State, which means that I've got to be over there at 5:30!! DANG! That's early!

Well, enough rambling for now. If anyone wants to make my day, get me a Starbucks card for V-day. Maybe then I'll change my view of that day.

:)

After Surgery...

Well, I had my wisdom teeth surgically removed this morning. I am still very numb in the mouth due to the IV fluids they pumped into me. The last thing I remember before my surgery was the doctor saying "I'm gonna give you some Valium to help you relax." After that, the next thing I remember is sitting in a room with Mom and a nurse. I am still very woozy while I am sitting here typing this and I am most likely to be in pain after the numbness wears off. So it's not over yet. Please continue to pray for my recovery...even though I think everything will be fine.
Last night was very memorable. Even though we sat through an "interesting" (for a better choice of words), yet funny movie. Also whilst we watched the movie, Amber had to give herself a hepperin injection at 8:00, SOOO...we did it very secretively. We didn't go through with our original devious plan of how we would do it, but it was done none the less.
Well, I am tired of typing now and I think my numbness is beginning to wear off, so I will need some medicine soon. Thanks to all of you who have kept me in your prayers. You are true friends.

"The rainforest? That sounds wet!"

Well, let's see, I updated after Christmas, so now I think I will tell everyone about my after New Year's endeavors.

New Year's Eve was fun. I went over to Amber's house and hung out with her and her sister and her sister's friend. Whilst watching movies and tv and such (and keeping the dogs quiet), I got very sleepy and almost didn't keep awake until midnight...but I did and it was good welcoming in the new year with Amber and her family.

New Year's Day was spent with the fam. We went up to Aunt Nina's house in Smokerise and ate our NYD meal and shpent quality time with each other. Later that night, Brooke and I caught up with each other after not seeing each other in nearly a month. We also exchanged Christmas gifts and watched a movie (I got a Starbuck's gift card and a Movie Gallery gift card ). So all of this to say, my New Year's festivities, although not extremely eventful, were fun and I will cherish the time spent with friends and family.

This past weekend, I, along with Sarah King, traveled up to Lebanon, Tennessee to visit Mark, Libba, Meghan, and Abigail Granlund. It was very refreshing to see them and stay with them for the weekend. Abby, Sarah, Meghan, and I had a blast. We went shopping and watched movies and we toured around Lebanon and Gallatin and Hendersonville. I was fortunate to have the opportunity to sing at their church for their Traditional Service (although I sang David Phelps' "My Child is Coming Home"...a song that is clearly not traditional). God is really doing some great things up there at Fairview Church.

Well, classes have resumed. This semester is to be my last one at Jefferson State Community College. I will graduate in May with an Associate's Degree in Arts and in the Fall, I will be attending the University of Alabama at Birmingham. YAY!!! Textbooks are expensive by the way. This semester, for me, books cost around $400. WOW! That is ridiculous! One of my textbooks cost around $150 (and yes, I had to purchase it new because that was what was required of the course). Oh well, there is nothing I can do about them now, except get our money's worth out of them and sell them back after the semester.

Well, it is getting late, so I think this will do for now. Until we meet again...

B