Current Happenings

Preface:
I need to apologize to those of you who actually follow this blog. I'm a horrible blog sinner and I haven't updated in forever like all good little boy bloggers and girl bloggers should. For this, I apologize.

Getting You Up to Speed:
Family - I just got back from Washington D.C. where I went with my family to celebrate with my grandmother, Bettye Kimbrell, receiving the National Heritage Fellowship from the National Endowment of the Arts. We are so very proud of her and what all she has accomplished with her quilting. D.C. was marvelous. I loved all the history that was there. We toured the Capitol Building and got to sit in the gallery in the House of Representatives, courtesy of Representative Spencer Bacchus. We also went to the National Archives and saw the Declaration of Independence, The Constitution, and The Bill of Rights. This was a favorite moment of mine. We also toured the major monuments. I loved the Lincoln Memorial. It was awesome. We went to Arlington National Cemetary and walked around there. We saw the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers as well as The Eternal Flame at JFK's tomb. This was a very somber event. I really enjoyed spending time with my family in Washintgon.

School - Wow, I am super busy with classes this semester. Music History, Conducting I, and Theory III are seriously testing me. These three classes are not easy and require much study time. I also am in three performing ensembles which require much rehearsal. UAB Concert Choir - we are getting our repertoire ready for our trip to Cincinatti to participate in the NCO Convention. UAB Chamber Singers - are preparing for Video Games Live!, an event we will sing at with the Alabama Symphony Orchestra. UAB Opera - This semester, I was chosen to be the Assistant to the Director for our production of Menotti's Amahl and the Night Visitors. I am also in the chorus for this opera and I have auditions for our spring production of Mozart's The Magic Flute that are coming up in a week or so.

Life - Things are going alright overall right now. Two weeks ago, I joined the Birmingham Concert Chorale, the official chorus of the Alabama Symphony Orchestra. I rehearse with them on Monday nights and will perform with them on Handel's Messiah and Orff's Carmina Burana with the ASO. I am also being saught after for being hired as a paid musician for some local churches to sing in their church choir. Although the extra income would be nice, I have not agreed to any present offers just yet because I really do not want to leave Mountaintop. I love my church and I just cannot see myself not serving there right now. Btw... the new website for Mountaintop Community Church is awesome! Check it out at http://www.mountaintopchurch.com if you get a chance.

Well sports fans, I guess I'll wrap this blog entry up. Comments are always welcome and appreciated.

Later!

B

Drawing to a Close

Yes, Summer is beginning to end for me. I've taken all of my final exams save one which I will take tomorrow. After that, I'm just working MWF for the next two weeks and I will probably take off a day or so from work just to relax some before the Fall semester begins.

I finalized my Fall schedule yesterday. I'm taking 18 hours this semester as opposed to the original 20 hours I was going to take. Here is a rundown of my classes I'm taking:

MU 321 - Music Theory III - Ms. Dale Reynolds
MU 324 - Aural Skills III - Ms. Dale Reynolds
MU 329 - Conducting I - Dr. Jeff Reynolds
MU 471 - Music History and Literature to 1750 - Dr. Howard Irving
MUP 001 - Performance Attendance - Dr. Gene Fambrough
MUP 124 - Class Piano - Ms. Rosalind Rust
MUP 125 - Piano Proficiency - Ms. Rosalind Rust
MUP 132 - Class Woodwinds - Dr. Denise Gainey
MUP 136 - Class Percussion - Dr. Gene Fambrough
MUP 220/220L - Concert Choir - Dr. Philip Copeland
MUP 240 - Private Lessons: Voice - Dr. Kristine Hurst-Wajszczuk
MUP 320 - Chamber Singers - Dr. Philip Copeland
MUP 420 - Opera Workshop - Dr. Kristine Hurst-Wajszczuk

So as you can see, my schedule is full this semester. Not to mention, in September I am traveling to Washington D.C. with my family for my grandmother's acceptance of the National Endowment of the Arts Lifetime Heritage Fellowship, traveling to Cincinnatti in October with the UAB Concert Choir to sing at the National Collegiate Choral Organization Conference, and travel to Joe Wheeler State Park in Langston, AL for Thanksgiving break with my family.

Overall, I am looking forward to what the fall brings: great music and reconnection with great friends.

Until next time,

Brian

Do You Hear The People Sing?

Today started with a rehearsal at the Cork School of Music. We met there and rehearsed for our concert at the Carrignafoy Community College in Cobh (about 30 minutes outside of Cork). Now, when I say we went to a Community College, it was not like Jefferson State Community College. Here in Ireland, a college is similar to a high school. The University is relative to an American college or university. So today we performed in the gymnasium of the college (which had amazing acoustics). The concert was great! We have had so many wonderful performances since we've been here. I'm pumped about tomorrow night's competition.

Tomorrow night is the real deal. The reason we're here in Ireland. We have 12 minutes to sing our hearts out and make magic with the wonderful music that we're performing. We're ready. Our Spring concert back at home was just the start for this choir.

Here is a picture of us after yesterday's concert at the Cork City Hall for the National Competition for Schools. We were one of the featured international choirs that closed out the competition.



Also, to view the pictures that I've taken so far while in Ireland, head over to Brian's Ireland Pictures to view them. I haven't tagged them yet, but they are up for you to see. Enjoy!

I'm also taking some video while over here and I'm uploading them to YouTube as often as I can. Internet is pricy and slow over here, so bear with me.

One thing I thought was interesting about today was after our concert at Cobh, we went to the Heritage Center at Cobh. This place is where nearly every Irish immigrant to the United States departed from. This was also where the Titanic and Lusitania both made port last before their untimely ends. Cobh, as it is now known, was once known as Queensland (during the Titanic era) and Cove previously (Cobh is gaelic for "Cove"). There was of course a memorial to the victims and survivors of the Titanic there.



Well, I'm about to start winding down for the night. It is almost 10:00 p.m. here. Tomorrow, some friends and I are taking a trip to Blarney to visit Blarney Castle, home of the famous Blarney Stone. I'll post pics!

Love and Miss you all! Leave comments! They are very encouraging!

These are a few of my favourite things...

Notice, I spelled "favorite" with a "u" as it is spelled here in Ireland and the UK.

One thing I love about Ireland is that they offer tea and coffee at every meal. I have always been a lover of hot tea, but to have authentic Irish tea is a good thing. I'm digging this!

Hmm... patton leather tux shoes were not made to leisurely walk around the city. My feet are sore after today, but I am going to have to get used to it because we will be walking in our tuxes alot while here.

Daytime vs. Nighttime is weird here in Ireland. Yesterday, the sun set around 8:30 p.m. and this morning when we woke up at 6:30 it was already up. I guess since we're so far up in the northern hemisphere there are little nighttime hours.

Today we performed three times. This morning we performed at the Bishopstown Library in Cork. We performed our competition pieces and three other pieces. We were well received there. We were actually the first choir to perform at that library. It was a great performance even though we had little space to perform in.

After our performance, they had a reception for us with muffins and water. It was interesting because you had to make the distinction between what type of water you wanted, flat or sparkling. After talking with the locals, Patrick decided to tell us a story.



Just so you know, here is a rundown of the songs we're performing while here in Ireland:

Competition Pieces
Regina Coeli - Romauld Twardowski (b. 1930)
Nunc Dimitis - Gustav Holst (1874 - 1934)
So Far Ich Hin Zu Jesu Christ - Heinrich Schutz (1585 - 1672)
wITH a Lily In Your Hand - Eric Whitacre (b. 1970)

Other Concert Choir Pieces
Song of Triumph - Dale Grotenhuis (b. 1931)
Lord's Prayer - Arr. Jerry Jordan (b. 1946)
Star of the County Down - Arr. Ben Perry (b. 1965)
Silence of Time - Darmon Meador (b. 1953)
He's Got the Whole World in His Hands - Arr. Raymond Liebau (b. 1937)

Chamber Singers Pieces
Haec dies - William Byrd (1539-1543 - 1623)
Michelle - Arr. Grayston Ives (b. 1948)
Country Dances - Arr. Ward Swingle (b. 1927)

After our performance at the Bishopstown Library, we headed over to Cork City Hall to meet the Lord Mayor of Cork and officially be welcomed by him and we performed a private performance just for him inside the City Council Chamber. We performed Star of the County Down, and he was very pleased. He said he knew that piece (since it was an Irish piece) and he was glad we performed a Swingle Singers piece especially since they were the opening choir for the Cork International Choral Festival last year.

After our performance for the Lord Mayor, we performed as the closing choir for the National Competition for Schools at Cork City Hall. We performed Song of Triumph, Silence of Time, and Star of the County Down. They really seemed to enjoy our performance. It was a little while before they stopped clapping at the end of our set.

Here are a few pictures from our day today:

Linc and I are International Choirstars


The two B's


The view from my hotel room in Cork


Well, that is about all for today. I'm off to supper!

Love and Miss you all!

LEAVE SOME COMMENTS PLEASE!!!

Brian

Across the Waters

WE MADE IT!! We're in Ireland!

First things first...

Jet lag is not fun. I'm so tired right now as I'm typing this, but I must stay awake so I can sleep tonight and regulate my sleep cycle. I was able to sleep some on the plane, but the crying child would not allow me to sleep peacefully while we crossed the waters.

So here we are in Ireland. I'm in Cork, Ireland to be more specific. Tomorrow starts the various singing events that we are performing in for the Cork International Choral Festival (http://www.corkchoral.ie/). We have our first rehearsal since the last time we met in the States in a little while. I'm excited to see how we sound. I'm taking many pics while I'm here (thanks to my best friend Roxy for letting me borrow her camera). I'll try and post some as I'm over here. However, I'm not sure when I'll be online as we have to pay for internet usage at the hotel. It is 10 euro for 24 hours of internet usage. But I might possibly find a public venue with free wifi.

Well folks, I have to get ready for rehearsal.

Thanks for your thoughts and prayers for our safety while we're away.

Much love,

Brian

The Return of Brian

Yes, I know it has been forever since I last posted anything on here, so I apologize to all of you who read this (Especially Dr. Copeland... because we all know he likes to keep little tabs on all our lives... j/k).

I am leaving for Ireland in 3 days.

Final exams are done with, Juries are over with (thank God), AND I don't have to write a paper until the end of May. So I am somewhat content with life right now.

I have so much packing and preparation to do before Tuesday morning. Here is a semi-run down of the coming days:

Tuesday (4/29): Leave UAB on a charter bus to Atlanta. Fly from Atlanta to Chicago, then fly overnight from Chicago to Shannon, Ireland.

Wednesday (4/30): Arrive in Shannon, Ireland then take a charter bus to Cork, Ireland.

Thursday (5/1)- Monday (5/5): Compete in the Cork International Choral Festival.

Tuesday (5/6) - Wednesday (5/7): Arrive in Dublin, Ireland for sightseeing and fun. Leave on Wednesday to go back to the United States.

Thursday (5/8): Begin Summer classes.

So as you can see, I have no downtime from Tuesday on through the rest of May (until my Foundations of Education II class ends).

But I am really excited about our trip.

I am going to try and update this blog regularly while i'm in Ireland so friends and family back home can hear about my exploits as an international choral star! Hah!

You can also check out our choir's blog at http://uabchoirs.blogspot.com, as I'm sure that Dr. Copeland will update it frequently while we're away.

Well, I hope everyone is well and I look forward seeing everyone when I return.

Much love,

Brian

Brahms' Requiem: A Review

Check out Michael Huebner's review for Brahms' Requiem (of which I am singing in again tonight). I'm included in his review for the Tenors. Although I don't quite agree with what all he wrote.

Here is an excerpt from his review. To view the entire review, go to http://blog.al.com/mhuebner/2008/02/alabama_symphony.html.

Some of the finer moments of the work approached greatness. Driven by Brahms' moody, heart-wrenching melodies, the combined Birmingham Concert Chorale and UAB Concert Choir delivered warmth in "Denn alles Fleisch," the tenors belting out a startling "Aber des Herrn Wort." They hit their stride toward the end of "Denn wir habe hie," blending beautifully with the ASO brasses and strings.

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

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?

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 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...

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!