I was thinking back to what I said about a show choir ballad and I started thinking about the rest of a show. Each of the songs plays a significant role in the construction of a show and without even one of them it would be noticeably in complete. To demonstrate this, I analyzed the songs in the 2008-09 Happiness inc. show.
the show began with starting here/ can you feel it. A good opener is one that draws you into the show slowly and also gives a burst of excitement. The opener is the first time that people, especially judges, watching your show get to hear you sing and see you dance so it has to be amazing. People don't want to watch you if you don't start off strong no matter how good the rest of your show is. This opener did just that by having the slow and well sung starting here followed by the up tempo can you feel it to show off their dancing.
Something that makes Happiness different is the use of a novelty. A novelty is a funny song that lightens the mood of the show. It is very effective at contrasting to the other songs in the show. It doesn't show off vocals or dancing but it shows that a group can act which is hard to do in other numbers. This was a novelty that did that and more by having good vocals and dancing along with amazing acting. It wasn't meant to be excessively funny just lighter and more dramatic than the other songs.
The ballad is supposed to change the whole rhythm of the show. It slows things down and gives the performers a chance to really show off their vocals. It is the most emotional piece in a show and that is exactly what this year's was. With two minutes of A Capella singing at the beginning and a strong finish it was amazing and even brought people to tears. That is what a ballad should do.
The fourth number is meant to change the mood again. It is an edgy song that puts a dark mood on things. this song did that. Abracadabra and magic man both have an air of mystery surrounding them. Coming off the sad but almost uplifting Fix you this was a big step in a new direction and it was great for the show.
The closer of the show has to be a huge number for intensity. It is the last song in your set so everyone is completely drained. That is why if you can pull of a high energy, fast paced, and strong vocally and choreographically to impress the people watching. If this song isn't the exact essense of what a closer is then i what to see the that number. There was more energy in that number than any I have seen and it was the closer to a very difficult show. I give Happiness props for pulling it off.
And that is the make of a Happiness inc. show. The basis for every show is the same but with minor changes and those are what make all the difference. A show that has elements no one expects, uses props, or makes you laugh are the shows that win competitions and are always remembered. Just like Happiness inc. 08-09.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Sunday, October 11, 2009
The Essence of a Ballad
i have recently decided to try and arrange a song that I really like into a show choir ballad. I was trying to figure out what I would need to do. At first it seemed simple, I would need to know the stuff that I had learned in AP Music Theory. But as I began to analyze it I found that it would probably not be that easy. I broke it down into these seven features: 1. Big key changes 2. 8-12 part harmonies 3. Melody > Harmony > " OO"s 4. Clashes 5. Meshing overlap 6. Climax and 7. A tenor solo.
Key changes are always in songs and they help lead to the climax which is usually accented with the biggest key change in the song. The more parts there are in a song the more meshing there tends to be which sounds amazing. clashing adds to the ominous feel that a ballad sometimes has and oos and aws are always there as back up in the beginning of the song. and Finally, I have always lovved tenor solos and would love to get to sing a ballad solo someday so I have to put one in.
Now that I had all of the points I wanted to focus on I went to look for inspiration. and what better place to look but at a show choir in my own school with a long history of great ballads: Happiness inc. So I went out and found some of there greatest ballads and I was fully inspired. I am sure you will understand why.
My idea for a ballad (if you have advice please comment)
Key changes are always in songs and they help lead to the climax which is usually accented with the biggest key change in the song. The more parts there are in a song the more meshing there tends to be which sounds amazing. clashing adds to the ominous feel that a ballad sometimes has and oos and aws are always there as back up in the beginning of the song. and Finally, I have always lovved tenor solos and would love to get to sing a ballad solo someday so I have to put one in.
Now that I had all of the points I wanted to focus on I went to look for inspiration. and what better place to look but at a show choir in my own school with a long history of great ballads: Happiness inc. So I went out and found some of there greatest ballads and I was fully inspired. I am sure you will understand why.
My idea for a ballad (if you have advice please comment)
The Difference
I had to make a decision this year that I didn't want to make. According to the Iowa All-State Music Festival rules, "Students must make a choice in the area they will audition. Students may NOT try out for both vocal and instrumental or on more than one instrument." This was a problem since I play the cello and sing in choir. I knew that there was no way around the choice so I had to make it but which would I choose.
I had auditioned for all-state on the cello last year. It was difficult and I failed the audition miserably. I realized at that point that I may never make all-state on cello. But was I good enough to make it for choir? You got to audition in a quartet not on your own like you had to for orchestra. But I know that some of the most talented singers never make it into all-state. And was even one of the most talented. I decided to compare the facts.
The Audition:
Orchestra: For the audition, you have to perform alone. You play two randomly selected scales, three of the excerpts, and a solo.
Choir: For this audition you have to sing in a small group which must be either be a quartet, trio, or duet ( the most your school can put in the groups must be in them). Your group will sing as many excerpts as they choose from the selected songs. After all groups are heard then there are recalls for the people who don't make it right away. Then the final list is announced.
then there was...
The Excerpts:
Orchestra: The excerpts were released at the end of summer. They are brutally difficult and usually very fast. You don't know which excerpts you will have to play for the audition until the day of all-state. You also don't know which scales you will have to play.
Choir: the songs were released at the end of summer. The excerpts that will be taken from those songs aren't known until the day you audition. You also don't know what they will choose form the Battle Hymn of the Republic or America the Beautiful.
After looking at these facts, I felt it came down to my talent. I was a decent cellist but there were those who were prodigies. I also can't play a scale to save my life. Without those I could only get a 66% on the audition even if everything else was perfect. So my thoughts fell to choir. I had been voted best tenor in my choirs for the past two years. But I had been told that I didn't blend well in a large group so how would I possibly sound in a quartet? I also had been to bass changing how I would have to sing.
I decided that I had a better chance with choir. However there was one more step. At my school there are too many talented people to let them all audition for all-state so only the top seven singers from each voice part got to audition for all-state. So I would have to audition to audition and if I didn't make it I could always join up with orchestra. But I did and so here I am. Working my tail off to try and prove that I can be an all-state member. I don't think I will be too upset if I don't make it as long as I know I did my best which is something I can't say about last year. So here's to hope in the future.
I had auditioned for all-state on the cello last year. It was difficult and I failed the audition miserably. I realized at that point that I may never make all-state on cello. But was I good enough to make it for choir? You got to audition in a quartet not on your own like you had to for orchestra. But I know that some of the most talented singers never make it into all-state. And was even one of the most talented. I decided to compare the facts.
The Audition:
Orchestra: For the audition, you have to perform alone. You play two randomly selected scales, three of the excerpts, and a solo.
Choir: For this audition you have to sing in a small group which must be either be a quartet, trio, or duet ( the most your school can put in the groups must be in them). Your group will sing as many excerpts as they choose from the selected songs. After all groups are heard then there are recalls for the people who don't make it right away. Then the final list is announced.
then there was...
The Excerpts:
Orchestra: The excerpts were released at the end of summer. They are brutally difficult and usually very fast. You don't know which excerpts you will have to play for the audition until the day of all-state. You also don't know which scales you will have to play.
Choir: the songs were released at the end of summer. The excerpts that will be taken from those songs aren't known until the day you audition. You also don't know what they will choose form the Battle Hymn of the Republic or America the Beautiful.
After looking at these facts, I felt it came down to my talent. I was a decent cellist but there were those who were prodigies. I also can't play a scale to save my life. Without those I could only get a 66% on the audition even if everything else was perfect. So my thoughts fell to choir. I had been voted best tenor in my choirs for the past two years. But I had been told that I didn't blend well in a large group so how would I possibly sound in a quartet? I also had been to bass changing how I would have to sing.
I decided that I had a better chance with choir. However there was one more step. At my school there are too many talented people to let them all audition for all-state so only the top seven singers from each voice part got to audition for all-state. So I would have to audition to audition and if I didn't make it I could always join up with orchestra. But I did and so here I am. Working my tail off to try and prove that I can be an all-state member. I don't think I will be too upset if I don't make it as long as I know I did my best which is something I can't say about last year. So here's to hope in the future.
Saturday, October 10, 2009
The Place I Call Home
I was thinking back to an essay we read in class this week. It was called Homeless by Anna Quindlin and I feel that I can relate to the essay a lot.
In the essay, she mentions that people don't have homes anymore because they move so much. I know exactly what that is like. I have lived in 8 houses in 4 states and I have never gone to a single school for every grade that it teaches. As I've mentioned, I hope to be famous for my musical ability someday, so naturally I look to all those who have already made it for an example. In every biography and interview the first question is always what is your home town and that is a problematic question for me.
Most of the famous people lived in the town they were born in for years and then left to become famous. I was born in Cherokee, IA. However, I spent a matter of months there before my family moved. My dad kept having to move for his job so I didn't live anywhere for more than a few months after the first four moves. Those place were houses not homes. I could say Olathe, KS. It was the longest I have ever spent in one house, six years. But does time make a place feel more like home? I had friends there, my first girlfriend, the move to junior high from elementary school, and some of my favorite teachers ever. But it all runs together and I don't keep in contact with anyone from my life there anymore. I will always remember Kansas but it wasn't my home.
That leaves one place: Cedar Rapids, IA. I lived here for three years prior to the move to Kansas and now I have lived here for almost three more years. This place has so many memories for me. This is where I am attending high school, where I got my drivers license, where I got my own cello. Where my parents grew up and will die. Where I found my true love of music. And, where I found true friends that will last forever. Those are the things that truly make a home. Not the house or the amount of time you spend there but the memories that last forever. So no matter where I may go from now on I know that I have found the place that I can always come back to. For the first time I have a place I could say is my home town.
In the essay, she mentions that people don't have homes anymore because they move so much. I know exactly what that is like. I have lived in 8 houses in 4 states and I have never gone to a single school for every grade that it teaches. As I've mentioned, I hope to be famous for my musical ability someday, so naturally I look to all those who have already made it for an example. In every biography and interview the first question is always what is your home town and that is a problematic question for me.
Most of the famous people lived in the town they were born in for years and then left to become famous. I was born in Cherokee, IA. However, I spent a matter of months there before my family moved. My dad kept having to move for his job so I didn't live anywhere for more than a few months after the first four moves. Those place were houses not homes. I could say Olathe, KS. It was the longest I have ever spent in one house, six years. But does time make a place feel more like home? I had friends there, my first girlfriend, the move to junior high from elementary school, and some of my favorite teachers ever. But it all runs together and I don't keep in contact with anyone from my life there anymore. I will always remember Kansas but it wasn't my home.
That leaves one place: Cedar Rapids, IA. I lived here for three years prior to the move to Kansas and now I have lived here for almost three more years. This place has so many memories for me. This is where I am attending high school, where I got my drivers license, where I got my own cello. Where my parents grew up and will die. Where I found my true love of music. And, where I found true friends that will last forever. Those are the things that truly make a home. Not the house or the amount of time you spend there but the memories that last forever. So no matter where I may go from now on I know that I have found the place that I can always come back to. For the first time I have a place I could say is my home town.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
The Downfall of the Heart
I haven't had a great deal of good experiences with relationships in high school, and that is why I am making this post. I think that most people think love is a good thing but I just don't know anymore.
If I think hard enough, I can remember freshman year. I wasn't thinking about love much then, so it was a big surprise that I was asked to go to the women pay all dance by a girl I knew from show choir. We went in a huge group, went out to eat, road in a limo to the dance, and, at least to the best of my knowledge, had a great time. After that dance, we hung out some more and went bowling with that group of girls and their dates. The question was posed that day as to whether that girl and I were going out or if we were just friends. I said that I would like to go out with her and she said she needed some time. After a week of not talking to and barely looking at me she told me that maybe we shouldn't go out and I think we have become good enemies from that day on. I did ask out one other girl that year only to be turned down in no such spectacular way as the other girl did.
During sophomore year, I tried to find someone special many times. For the homecoming dance, I asked a senior who I had known since my first day at high school. She said yes and we joined her group. We had a great time but I never got to ask her out because she met a freshman that she clearly liked better than me given that she took him to prom and WPA. I persuaded one of my good friends to go to WPA with me by making it pretty much a regular men pay all dance. After the dance we talked a lot and went out with our friends but when I tried to ask her out she said that she was not going to date until she was out of high school and in college because of her beliefs. It is funny, however, that she currently has a boy friend and low and behold, she is still in high school. I did try to ask out one other friend but she just told me that she would rather be friends and nothing more.
This year, I took a good friend that I started to like to a dance with me but we went in a group and it wasn't very couple friendly. I hung out with her almost everyday, we went to lunch and the movies with friends and talked a lot. I tried to find a sweet, romantic way to ask her out but it wasn't good enough and she told me we are nothing but friends. I know that she likes one of my best friends now. How nice for me! But as you know, I am nothing more than a friend to anyone.
And that is why I question whether love is really good or not. In my experience, I think love is a painful let down. The heart is such a vital organ that gives you life and maybe that is why it hurts so much when we loose love. Perhaps it is really taking away a little more life or reason to live each time love is denied. That is how my heart feels but then again I don't know much else. I have never known what it feels like to have someone that I love love me back I believe that is what makes the difference. My hope is that someday I may know love and have it reciprocated but until then I will live with what life is left in my heart.
If I think hard enough, I can remember freshman year. I wasn't thinking about love much then, so it was a big surprise that I was asked to go to the women pay all dance by a girl I knew from show choir. We went in a huge group, went out to eat, road in a limo to the dance, and, at least to the best of my knowledge, had a great time. After that dance, we hung out some more and went bowling with that group of girls and their dates. The question was posed that day as to whether that girl and I were going out or if we were just friends. I said that I would like to go out with her and she said she needed some time. After a week of not talking to and barely looking at me she told me that maybe we shouldn't go out and I think we have become good enemies from that day on. I did ask out one other girl that year only to be turned down in no such spectacular way as the other girl did.
During sophomore year, I tried to find someone special many times. For the homecoming dance, I asked a senior who I had known since my first day at high school. She said yes and we joined her group. We had a great time but I never got to ask her out because she met a freshman that she clearly liked better than me given that she took him to prom and WPA. I persuaded one of my good friends to go to WPA with me by making it pretty much a regular men pay all dance. After the dance we talked a lot and went out with our friends but when I tried to ask her out she said that she was not going to date until she was out of high school and in college because of her beliefs. It is funny, however, that she currently has a boy friend and low and behold, she is still in high school. I did try to ask out one other friend but she just told me that she would rather be friends and nothing more.
This year, I took a good friend that I started to like to a dance with me but we went in a group and it wasn't very couple friendly. I hung out with her almost everyday, we went to lunch and the movies with friends and talked a lot. I tried to find a sweet, romantic way to ask her out but it wasn't good enough and she told me we are nothing but friends. I know that she likes one of my best friends now. How nice for me! But as you know, I am nothing more than a friend to anyone.
And that is why I question whether love is really good or not. In my experience, I think love is a painful let down. The heart is such a vital organ that gives you life and maybe that is why it hurts so much when we loose love. Perhaps it is really taking away a little more life or reason to live each time love is denied. That is how my heart feels but then again I don't know much else. I have never known what it feels like to have someone that I love love me back I believe that is what makes the difference. My hope is that someday I may know love and have it reciprocated but until then I will live with what life is left in my heart.
The Comedy Videos
These are some fun videos by Weird Al Yankovic if you want check them out. I think they are pretty funny.
"Ebay"-
"White and Nerdy"-
"Amish Paradise"-
"Ebay"-
"White and Nerdy"-
"Amish Paradise"-
The Play
Since June, I have been working on a musical for my school called "I Love You, Your Perfect, Now Change." It has been a great ride and it ended with a great performance Saturday night for two adjudicators for the International Thespian Conference.
we auditioned for the show back in May at the end of the school year. The auditions were difficult and I didn't know if I would have a shot of getting into such a small cast. In the previous years at Kennedy I had either been a chorus member or not made it into every musical and had only had a main part in The Foreigner my freshman year. I wanted to be in this show really badly though, so I worked my tail off for that audition. I spent a long time singing the song over and over to memorize it and I ran the acting part every chance I could get. When I found out I got a call back I was super excited and nervous. Our director said he would take four guys and four girls for the show and he had called back ten guys and ten girls. Everyone was amazing at the call backs and I don't know how he ever decided who to choose, but he did and was ecstatic to see my name on the list. There were twelve of us, six guys and six girls. We got together before school was out and received our parts and scripts. It was an all star cast of some of the best singers and actors in our school and I was proud to be in it. We listened to the show and it was amazing! I loved the parts I was in and couldn't wait to start practicing.
Over the summer, we had almost no practices with the exception of two read throughs. But as school began to approach we began to meet more and starting two weeks before school, we had practices everyday. That was about the time we found out that we would be adjudicated for international thespian conference. We were all super excited ever though we knew that it meant long hours of hard work, even more than we had done for the other shows we had been in.
Once school started, we were in the black box, our schools little theatre, everyday right after school to perfect each scene. We began with act I and went through every scene in it. As it turned out, we had very few trouble spots and had the first act smoothly running right on time. After a short break we came back and began working on act II. It had a slight bit more to work on then the other scene including a scene where my fellow cast members and I had to drive rolling chairs around like a car. Even though it was more difficult, act II was ready to go right when it was supposed to be as well.
Then came runs. I had realized that it was more difficult to get your homework done starting at about six every night, but when I didn't get to start 'till nine I almost never got to bed before one a.m. and I had to be up at six. the show was going together very nicely and it had begun to improve on its own now that we were fully memorized and knew how the show flowed. After two weeks of running the show, we needed an audience, and we got one.
Three of our four performances were sold out and the other one was very close. As we performed every night, we learned from our mistakes, made it better, and by the time we got to that final show that the adjudicators were at, we were ready.
this cast was amazing and I beleive that this could have been the best show that we have ever performed at Kennedy. I know I will truly miss everyone in the cast and I hope that we make it to internationals so that we can perform this great show again and reunite this great cast.
we auditioned for the show back in May at the end of the school year. The auditions were difficult and I didn't know if I would have a shot of getting into such a small cast. In the previous years at Kennedy I had either been a chorus member or not made it into every musical and had only had a main part in The Foreigner my freshman year. I wanted to be in this show really badly though, so I worked my tail off for that audition. I spent a long time singing the song over and over to memorize it and I ran the acting part every chance I could get. When I found out I got a call back I was super excited and nervous. Our director said he would take four guys and four girls for the show and he had called back ten guys and ten girls. Everyone was amazing at the call backs and I don't know how he ever decided who to choose, but he did and was ecstatic to see my name on the list. There were twelve of us, six guys and six girls. We got together before school was out and received our parts and scripts. It was an all star cast of some of the best singers and actors in our school and I was proud to be in it. We listened to the show and it was amazing! I loved the parts I was in and couldn't wait to start practicing.
Over the summer, we had almost no practices with the exception of two read throughs. But as school began to approach we began to meet more and starting two weeks before school, we had practices everyday. That was about the time we found out that we would be adjudicated for international thespian conference. We were all super excited ever though we knew that it meant long hours of hard work, even more than we had done for the other shows we had been in.
Once school started, we were in the black box, our schools little theatre, everyday right after school to perfect each scene. We began with act I and went through every scene in it. As it turned out, we had very few trouble spots and had the first act smoothly running right on time. After a short break we came back and began working on act II. It had a slight bit more to work on then the other scene including a scene where my fellow cast members and I had to drive rolling chairs around like a car. Even though it was more difficult, act II was ready to go right when it was supposed to be as well.
Then came runs. I had realized that it was more difficult to get your homework done starting at about six every night, but when I didn't get to start 'till nine I almost never got to bed before one a.m. and I had to be up at six. the show was going together very nicely and it had begun to improve on its own now that we were fully memorized and knew how the show flowed. After two weeks of running the show, we needed an audience, and we got one.
Three of our four performances were sold out and the other one was very close. As we performed every night, we learned from our mistakes, made it better, and by the time we got to that final show that the adjudicators were at, we were ready.
this cast was amazing and I beleive that this could have been the best show that we have ever performed at Kennedy. I know I will truly miss everyone in the cast and I hope that we make it to internationals so that we can perform this great show again and reunite this great cast.
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