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!