Day 220: Theater Etiquette

The Theater. The Theater. What's happened to the theater? People don't have the respect they once did for it. Please note I'm not speaking to everyone but after seeing some holiday posts I can't stay silent anymore. IT IS NOT OKAY TO TAKE PHOTOS IN THE THEATER!!! I understand that you want souvenirs and photos to remember the evening and to put on social media, but take them outside the theater near the poster or in the lobby. When you step in the theater, it is a whole new space that has established rules of etiquette. No photos of the stage backdrop, no videos or photos of the show. They ask you nicely in the announcement and ushers try to maintain it but please have some self discipline. I'm not naming names or anything but today which is Monday in my blog speak the theater is dark so we need to reflect on the respect we should have for it. That is all; rant over. Let the comments of disagreement begin.

Day 219: Sunday

Today has been an excellent day. It's Sunday and a day of rest so I took a nap which always makes any good day better. But more importantly, I got to play for two church services today. While it wasn't because of happy circumstances, God worked his perfect timing and made it possible for me to fill in. There's the saying once a thief forever a thief well that kind of applies but it's once a church pianist forever a church pianist. I know I will always be welcome and needed in my home church. There are decades of memories there and it always be a place of peace. I could be 80 and come back to CFUMC on any Sunday and it will always be home. It will always be a sanctuary. Thanks to all who have blessed me with the opportunities to relive my church pianist memories. Goodnight.

Day 217 and 218: Continued Prayers

For all of the people that read my blog, please continue to pray for my grandpa Theo Brescia. He had to go in the hospital again for a ER Visit. His energy level is so low. Luckily, he was able to see my adorable niece today and miraculously brought himself to play the piano for the first time since March. It was so moving seeing him play again. Please keep him in your prayers.

Day 215 and 216: Christmas

I'm not going to say much in this blog because two words pretty much say it all. Merry Christmas!

Day 214: Christmas Eve Eve

Even though this post is actually done early Christmas Eve morning I will still consider it as Christmas Eve eve. Today, I had a music rehearsal for the children's Christmas Eve service at our church. Our wonderful new pastor is bringing a whole new spin to the service with twice as much music and thrice as much fun. It will be a combo of secular and sacred and safe glow sticks for young kids instead of candles. It'll be like a pop rock concert with glow sticks during silent night. It will also be a pop rock concert feel because we have created the CFUMC Holiday Rock band and we will be leading the families through some awesome medleys of classic Christmas songs. It will be a blast. So if you're in town stop by CFUMC tomorrow at five for a fun-filled family evening.

Day 213: Caught Up

And with this final post corresponding to today which I will still consider Monday, I'm caught up. That is all.

Day 212: Church Pianist

I will never forget that my first big break as a professional pianist was at my home church, Conyers First United Methodist Church. I was hired as the church pianist when I was 16 in the good faith of Dr. John Beyers and the late Dan Brokaw. One of the painful things about going off to college was leaving my home church. Luckily, it is always there to welcome me back with loving arms. I sung in the choir during yesterday's service because my school has me singing now and there's only one piano in the fellowship hall. Our new pastor, Dave Benson, along with our music minister, Steve Hester, have given me the chance to play for some church services while I'm back for break. It's such a great feeling knowing that no matter how far away from home I go I will always be welcomed back and given the chance to relive my wonderful memories. It's so good to be home for the holidays.

Day 211: The Visit Reversed

Last Wednesday, my grandparents visited me, so after the news of my grandpas hospital admission my family and I knew it was the least we could do to visit him. Sometimes, patients aren't fans of company but we went hoping he would be glad to see us. He was at Emory in Decatur and I made a discovery. It's too big. It's unimaginable that there are that many sick peoples. They had wings A through H and floors with each wing. It's a maze. Not only is the hospital big but so are there Christmas tree decorations. My grandpa seemed to be doing okay. He's just very, very weak. Please keep him in your prayers.

Day 210: Prayers

Last Friday didn't have much special going on except I found out my grandpa was sent to the hospital the night before. Therefore, I won't treat this as a normal blog but just as a request to keep him in your thoughts and prayers. Thank you.

Day 209: The Dentist

One of the important, yet unenjoyable parts, of coming home are doctor appointments. Last Thursday I had to go to the dentist for my regular cleaning and it's just torture. It's not like it scares me or anything, it's just a pain. You're laying there looking up at a ceiling wishing that the ceiling was a TV so you weren't completely bored while you keep your mouth open wide constantly that your cheek muscles hurt later. During all of this they're attacking your teeth with more metal than what's on the periodic table. It's insane, annoying, and painful, but it has to be done. It just definitely was not a good welcome home gift.

Day 208: The Visit

Last Wednesday was an important day for two reasons. We had our annual night of cooking and eating at home. Also, we had the visit of my grandparents, Theo and Edna. We ate and enjoyed each others company. After dinner, I played for them the music I learned and talked about my first semester some. I am so grateful for their and others investment in my education that I had to prove it by showing the results of fall 2014. It was a great night. It ended too soon though because my grandpa is very weak. More on that later. Now caught up for that day.

Day 207: sleep

Still catching up on these. Last Tuesday, I slept all day because I was so tired from traveling the day before. That was all.

Day 206: Travel

I'm still catching up on these. Sorry. I hope to be caught up by tonight. Last Monday which is the day this blog really applies to, mom drove me home from Winchester for the holidays. That was all.

Day 205: Two From Galilee

The catch-up continues. Over the past several weeks I worked at the community theater in Martinsburg as the rehearsal pianist and pit keyboardist for their production of two from galilee. It's basically a church cantata that's long enough to be a full length dramatic musical. Because of it's church content and it's church cantata sounding music (composed by one of the popular church choral composers), it brought back so many awesome memories of being a church pianist. Of course it wasn't perfect, the cast was limited, and money was low, I believe we pulled out a decent show. It really celebrated the true meaning of Christmas and moved audiences every night. Maybe one day there will be a musical version of the sequel three from galilee. Maybe that will be performed next year.

Day 204: It's a Wonderful Life

Sorry I'm still trying to catch up with these. Saturdays post was about Frank Capra's classic holiday film It's a Wonderful Life. In Winchester, there is a dinner movie theater called the Alamo Drafthouse. I think I've mentioned it in an earlier but the all run together. As a reminder, it's a place that has high counters in front of each row of seats and waiters take your order during a preshow and then act like a silent paper driven restaurant during the film. During December, every Saturday they show a holiday film, and this past weekend they showed It's a Wonderful Life. I had some time to kill so I decided to go and I had a fantastic afternoon. First of all I had the best pizza ever. Then, the preshow which is usually related to the film consisted of holiday skits from old variety shows such as the Dean Martin Show and some clips from the game show Charades. I met an adorable elderly couple who said they went on their first date to see the movie when it first came out. Then when it got to the end of the movie and everybody was crying because it's so moving, the audience started to clap. I felt like I was in 1945. The screen said the end with the bells and auld lang syne and people applauded. It just goes to show that the classic film is that good and lasts to this day with even modern audiences. It's a marvelous film and should be watched every year so I will sign out now because I just heard a bell. Do you know what that means? If not, go watch the film because it's a wonderful film.

Day 203: Peter Pan Live!

So in case you didn't know, last Thursday, NBC broadcast Peter Pan Live! This is after the "success" of The Sound of Music Live! last year. Unfortunately, this live musical tv broadcast had the same problem as its predecessor. The lead was cast incorrectly. While, Allison Williams is a better actress than Carrie underwood she had the same problem. Her acting only came through when she began to sing. There was no magic in her speech, but it started to shine through when the music started. Also, she was too masculine for my taste which defeats the purpose of a girl playing the role. It's supposed to be a little boy but the voice was too deep. One thing that I will address that I saw in another review article is the flying was terrible. Not only was it poorly done, but in this age it's not cool or magical anymore. When Mary Martin did it, it was amazing because it was rare, but it's been seen nowadays and without Cathy Rigbys gymnastic tricks in the air, the magic simply isn't there. The last problem is that the sets and the supporting cast outweigh the point of the show: Peter Pan. While I do have criticisms of the show because I'm an unofficial theater critic. There are gaps, plot wise and song wise that were filled in. This production had a new script and some new or changed songs. This resulted in a lot more cohesion. There was a song that showed us more of the family conflict peter had. Also Wendy was given an extra song which was in the lagoon sequence which I always thought needed a song and I always thought Wendy needed more to sing. They also connect the mother to the neverland story through a lullaby and show the lullaby's origin. It was definitely better than last year, but the key to all of it is having a broadway star or at least a Hollywood triple threat to play the lead. If that is done, with a good musical, then the live musical broadcasts will continue for generations to come.

Day 202: Juries Part 2

I know it's been a while since I've blogged. That just proves how busy I have been. Now, during the car ride home, I will update accordingly. This is what the Thursday blog would have been. Today I played for six more juries and I finally found out the results to my juries. Now that today is over, the semester is done for me. There is still one more day of the semester but it will involve me sleeping all day. In regards to my juries, I did better than I could have expected. For my keyboard jury, I got 2 As and 2 Bs because you get one grade from each juror. I got multiple compliments about my tone which I'm very thrilled about because that's what I've been working on the most this semester. They gave me some constructive criticism but it was more of saying you've started this skill but keep going in that direction. For my voice jury I got all As!!! I was stunned. While of course I didn't get a perfect score for technique, I carried through my artistry and expression and know what it should sound like I pulled out great scores. The toughest judge in the room gave me the greatest compliment: lovely lyric bass. I was thrilled and now I can't wait to start singing more in my lessons and maybe sing in Italian next semester. It's been a great a semester but now that it's over I will sleep. Goodnight.

Day 200 and 201: Juries Part 1

With just two days left, things are in full swing here at the conservatory. By things, I mean juries and let me tell you they are more terrifying than jury duty. If you haven't seen my recent blogs, juries are applied exams or exams for your lessons. They are more like evaluations than tests. There are full days of scheduled time for people to perform for the jurors and of course the entire conservatory is so nervous. Last weekend I had my piano jury and today I had my voice jury. I messed up a word in a song but it went as well as it could have and better than I ever thought possible. Also, I had two written finals which were easy and went very well. Now my juries/finals are over and my sole focus is accompanying juries which I've already been doing. I'm accompanying 20 juries. 15 are already done and the final five are tomorrow. It keeps me busy which is why I have to put two days of juries as one blog. I can miss the constant accompanying excitement but am ready to relax at home. Now it's time to sleep because there's another day of juries tomorrow.

Day 199: rehearsals

It's the week of juries finally and rehearsals are in full swing. It's impossible to find a practice room but luckily I snagged my favorite room 131-F for most of the day while I had my ten or so consecutive rehearsals. I had two classes today but that was the last day. Now I just play, play, and play, the piano I mean. It's so much fun and while the schedule sure is crazy and keeps me on the move through the practice halls I love it. As I've said before, I LOVE IT HERE!!!!

Day 198: 24/7

As the end of the semester approaches and the last week begins tomorrow the practice rooms are open 24/7. It makes you wonder who would use them in the late night hours. It's so true that college, especially conservatory, students are night owls so we have rehearsals at random hours. For example, I practiced with a vocalist tonight for his jury at 11. I will be playing for a jury this Wednesday at 10. Shows happen on campus every Thursday at 11. Greek organizations sometimes have meetings at midnight. I have found myself in the practice room as late as 2 AM. I guess it's just how the brain differs in people and when we are at our best. I'm still awake because I'm at my best at this hour. However, I have a busy day tomorrow, so I will say goodnight.

Day 194-197: Too Busy

As you can tell from my long absence from my blog my life has been a nonstop busy one for the past few days. I finished my classes, had my juries, and opened a musical in martinsburg. Now I just have one week left of finals and accompanying juries. Luckily, it'll be easier than this past week and I can rest and relax more. Then it will be time to go home and I'm glad. I miss home and there's no place home for the holidays. More details about the past few days still to come. Goodnight.

Day 193: Exhaustion

The title says it all.

Day 192: Piano

Today was the last piano lesson of this semester. It still blows my mind that I can get a grade for having piano lessons. I get a grade for what I love. How cool is that? However, as it gets toward the end of the semester, juries approach. I know my professor has gotten me to a great spot of preparation and now I just have to go do it. Although, since classical isn't my primary style, it makes me nervous. Thursday at 5:30 and Saturday at 10:40 the judges caps will come on from the jurors as they assess me for my final grade. I ask for prayers. Piano is my life and it's finale is this week for this semester and then I will look towards next semester with new repertoire. I love it here!!

Day 190 and 191: Busy

Starting tomorrow, the final two weeks of the semester begin. I will be busy with juries and finals. If I miss a post, one is late, or two are combined then that is why. Wish me luck during these last couple of weeks. Goodnight.

Day 189: Black Friday

One thing that's wonderful about being on a break in this school based city is that it turns into a ghost town when school is not in session. Therefore there is not a big swarm of Black Friday shoppers among the city. I can't stand Black Friday. The main reason for this is because it has turned thanksgiving into Black Friday Eve. Toys'r'us opened at five on Thursday. That's before dinner time. I guess people are just thinking that they are thankful since they are about to go broke. That's my second problem: the name. It should be called red Friday because it puts your bank account in the red. Why has the commercial side of the holidays surpassed the thankfulness, spirit of giving, and Jesus' birth. Now it's time to wait for Sleep Saturday when the shoppers crash from exhaustion.

Day 188: Thanksgiving

Yesterday was the national holiday of food that we call thanksgiving. I ate a lot as most people do. All the usuals, turkey, ham, mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole, corn, green beans, dressing, gravy, pie, etc. I didn't get to go home for thanksgiving because it's not practical based on distance or monetary values. Perkins and Cracked Barrel had big thanksgiving specials so I had lunch at Perkins and dinner at Cracker Barrel. Photos are below of the meals. The second is the half eaten Cracker Barrel. First is Perkins and the last is a friend who couldn't go home so went with me to eat. Happy thanksgiving.

Day 187: Snow

It's late so I will keep this blog short and simple. On this Thanksgiving Eve I am grateful for snow. Winchester was covered in gorgeous sheets of snow. Being from the warm south, I wasn't sure how to handle my excitement in seeing the soft powder. This wasn't ice. It was soft pillow clouds of weather. I had to drive in it some which was a new experience but I'll get used to it because if the winter is going to be anything like today there will be snow, snow, snow. I love snow!!!

Day 185 and 186: Breaking Bad

After a long day of school and work, I return to my room and watch Netflix. In simple terms, Netflix is movies and tv on demand with no commercials. I have been watching five seasons or the whole series of breaking bad. While it's a dark, crime drama filled with thrilling suspense, the acting and writing is so brilliant that even someone who normally just likes talent competition shows will like. I'm also a big fan of Shonda Rhimes shows. Greys anatomy and how to get away with murder are brilliant television programs. They leave you on the edge of your seat like a murder mystery. Over the next few days I will watch a lot of her third show Scandal. Thank God for Netflix. It will get me through the break. Back to breaking bad now. Goodnight.

Day 183 and 184: time flies

The end of the semester is almost here. Finals are approaching along with juries which are final exams for lessons such as piano or voice lessons, or simply put a performance for a grade. Things are about to get crazy busy but what is even crazier than the schedule is how fast this semester has gone by. They say time flies when you're having fun. Well I guess that's just one more piece of evidence that I love it here and am having a blast. There are only three more class sessions for each of my classes before finals. It's sad that it's almost over but I know I'll be coming back home and then before I know it, it'll be time to start the next semester. In case I haven't said it enough, I love it here!!

Day 182: Waiting

And now the week is over, so auditions and callbacks are done. Now it's time to wait. Luckily, I don't have to wonder if my name will be on a cast list, but I know how the waiting people feel. In middle school and elementary school I was always eager to see the cast list posted. The cast list can cause excitement and heartbreak but as the saying goes there are no small parts, only small actors. And that doesn't mean that actors are short. I don't think there is too much disappointment from cast list choices here because everybody is supportive of everyone and wants all the shows to be good. However, before the cast lists are posted there is the agonizing wait. So let the clocks tick as the waiting begins. In the meantime, we sleep. Goodnight.

Day 181: Oops

It just occurred to me that I didn't blog yesterday. Oh well, I guess I had nothing to say.

Day 180: Callbacks

After a long stressful day, I had a wonderful evening of accompanying callbacks. Next semester I'm playing for The Elephant Man and Marat/Sade. All week long there have been callbacks for shows next semester and tonight were the ones for Marat/Sade. From what I understand of it, it's a show about people in an insane asylum doing a show. It's crazy. Because everyone had to act crazy (everyone here already is a little which helped) it was a relaxed good time. A lot of inside jokes were created and nerves were non existent. Callbacks can be fun especially when you have a great director and musical director leading them. I can't wait to work with these people more and more on a nightly basis as we prepare all the great pieces of theater here next semester. For information about the shows we are doing go to www.conservatoryperforms.org. I love it here!!!!

Day 178 and 179: short

A short blog because I'm very busy:

Cold temps, exhaustion, bad weather, and end of semester busy crunch time stress makes for a grumpy, irritable, student. But, I love it here too much to let any of those things get me down. Goodnight.

Day 176 and 177: Lazy Days

Every once in a while you have one of those weekends where you don't feel like doing anything. It's been one of those weekends. There are a lot of events always going on, so many that sometimes even if you wanted to you couldn't make it to all of them. I did however make it to one of the events. Of course, it would be the one that happened the latest in the day. There was a mad libs musical event. Mad Libs is a hilarious word game but in this version we took out words of musical songs and the audience threw in random words and then the singer had to compose themselves enough to sing them with the new words. It was a hilarious good time. This weekend I'm not missing the big event though because this weekend there is the opera, Dido and Aeneas. It's going to be a busy week so I'm glad I was able to be lazy and rest because this week will be a constant go. Goodnight.

Day 175: It's Business

There's the expression it's a dog eat dog world out there. That is especially true in the world of show biz and entertainment. Everybody wants to be cast or hired for the next big show but it's a competition. We are all friends and family but at the end of the day it's about the job. We all have the I hope I get it feeling like the cast of a chorus line. As an accompanist the demand being higher makes this simple but it's still a business. There is still competition. You have to be professional and not demean others ability to gain business (I don't do that). You have to be humble about your own ability. You have to work with the people well that you accompany and be lenient while being the boss of your own business. You have to price competitively while still understanding your worth. As my grandpa taught me, "never underestimate the value of your time." Money isn't the most important thing though and neither is the job. It's all about the enjoyment we get from doing what we love. There's competition, drama, and money involved at times but we know it's just business. Speaking of this business, next year I will be in full business here because I will be playing and getting paid for everything literally because most if not all the current accompanists are leaving after the spring because of graduation or other reasons. I will be the accompanist on campus and my business will be booming. That won't matter to me though because what it boils down to, is I love what I do. You know that's true when you would do it for free. The fact that I get a grade or a paycheck for it is just a business bonus.

Day 174: Christmas

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas. As you could tell from yesterday's photo with santa's elves it's almost time for the holidays. Christmas lights are being hung at homes. They are set up at the school with trees all over the already gorgeous landscape. I can't wait to see Winchester Christmas style. They haven't started turning the lights on yet. Another way it's getting like Christmas is snow. That's right. It's been snowing a little today. It was mixed with rain and didn't stick but it was snow none the less. They say it will be a snowy winter. I hope so because I love snow, winter and the holidays. Christmas is just around the corner but first let's have Turkey day.

Day 173: Theatrical

Today was an awesome day because of it's theatrical quality. Of course going to a conservatory there is a theatrical event that happens just by being in the hall. However that's not what I'm referring to today. This afternoon I was asked to be involved in the Jingle bell rock skit from Meangirls. It's apparently a tradition here. Part of the skit is a random pianist walking up to help, played by me. All of this happened at the weekly performance forum where there are weekly mini showcases of the theater students to their classmates. Three powerfully moving scenes were performed, a poem was stated firmly, Shakespeare got a biographical rap, and we ended the show with our holiday tradition. It's so much fun here and you could just feel the enjoyable excitement in the room. I was so glad to be a small part of this annual event. I might drop into more forums to see the awesome actors and actresses that I work with here. Below is a picture of me with Santa's elves. Yes the second person is a guy in drag. He's such a fun sport. Happy Holidays.

Day 171 and 172: Blog Skips

Sorry for any worry that I caused. I've come home from rehearsal in Martinsburg and completely passed out for the past two nights. Also, I was dealing with headaches. Tonight I have no rehearsal and my blogs will return to normal.

Day 169 and 170: Theory, Theater, and Tacos

My life here in college can basically be summarized in three words. If it's not obvious by the title, the three words are theory, theater, and tacos. Every week and especially this weekend, there is music theory homework. Theory is an everyday course. In lessons, theory is always applied somehow. I eat, sleep, and breathe theory. Secondly, being at a conservatory is already theatrical because of the people here but with theaters in every corner it's a constant event. There is always a practice, audition, or class for a theatrical purpose. Finally, one of the most common places I eat is Taco Bell. That's possible because it is right across the street from my dorm and is open at late hours. They serve the perfect midnight snack. However, I don't usually get tacos because I love burritos especially their new one dollar cheesy bean and rice burrito. I could eat one everyday. It's awesome that these three words all start with T because I love using alliteration in my blogs. My T for tonight is tired so I will go to sleep. Goodnight.

Day 168: Culture (Truth)

One of the most important things that define the world is culture. I have been lucky enough to experience the culture of the performing arts my entire life. Then, I just happened to fall in love with it and now I study it at SU. Even, if it's not something you want to make a career of, it's important to expose yourself and younger generations to culture. It's essential that we understand the world around us. The arts might be viewed as boring or for sissies but that's not true. Even the most macho people should experience the arts. Whether it's ballet, opera, visual arts, or theater, there is a whole creative world waiting for you. I say all of this to encourage the continuation of arts and the importance of them, and also, I would like to thank all of the people who always made sure that I experienced culture and can now enjoy that culture 24/7. I'll sleep now. It's been a long two days. Goodnight.

Day 167: Awesome Opera

Sorry that this post is a day late. I got in very late and was too tired to post it. One of the benefits of attending Shenandoah Conservatory is getting to see capital performances at the Kennedy center in DC. Last night I saw opera singer, Pretty Yende, in concert. She's a famous soprano from South Africa. She sang and looked gorgeous. While I am definitely not a fan of opera, I'm broadening my horizons and thought I would go. During the first few songs I was a little bored but when she sang her act I closer I realized just how brilliant opera can be. She just sang high notes like it was nothing. When she sang rapid passages of runs, you could hear every note. Granted, none of it was in English, but it didn't matter because it was so gorgeous and her face, body, and voice acted the emotion and the point of the song. My second favorite song she sang was some song by Liszt. She had 10 curtain calls and two encores. For her second encore, she brought down the house with O Mio Babbino Caro by Puccini. It was incredible. For music all that was needed was a piano. It was that simple: a voice and a piano. No mics, just her sound. I never understood why people said brava at opera but after last night I get it perfectly. All I have to say now to Pretty Yende is Brava!!! Thanks for opening my eyes to opera.

Day 166: Dance, Dance, Dance (Truth)

When Julie Andrews sang I could have danced all night in my fair lady I would like to know what type of dancing she meant. Part of my curriculum here is to take dance courses. I have to take a dance class in tap, jazz, and ballet. The first two I don't mind. I have 7 years of experience in tap and a year experience in jazz. However, I found out tonight the details involved in a ballet class. You have to wear tights and a dance belt. If you don't know what a dance belt is, then that is probably best. I know that attire is all part of the ballet deal but you're never mentally ready for that until you know you will have to take a ballet class. Now there is nothing wrong with guys in tights or guys doing ballet but I am pretty certain that when I take the class that it will not be my cup of tea. I might look like a weird uncoordinated stick jumping through the air. Also, it doesn't help that most dance classes are at the crack of dawn. Luckily, of all the dance classes, I will get to start with my favorite probably: tap. I am going tomorrow to dance in on the current class so the teacher can place me in the right level next semester or next fall. I'm not training to be a dancer but this school makes accompanists do both sides of the piano so to speak. We have to act sing and dance as well as play the piano. This helps us understand what we are accompanying, how a dance rehearsal works, prepares us for arranging music for dance, and how dance works with music. It's an amazing experience and worth it no matter what the time or the attire is. I don't know if I'll be dancing all night but I will be dancing all morning and all semesters in the near future. Once again, in case you missed it recently, I love it here!!!!

Day 165: Musical Research (Truth)

As I said in yesterday's post, I'm currently picking out pieces I want to play next semester or throughout my piano lessons here. Because I have limited knowledge of classical music, I have to research. However, this isn't long hour boring research. This is going through scores, reading music, listening to recordings to see what I would like to play. That's one thing that is great about my teacher: I can have insight on what pieces I play. That's good because I'm stuck with those choices for four months. Our expansive music library here made it simple for me to go though the complete works of several big name composers that I have never experienced such as Brahms or Grieg. I can use that resource to pick out the music and then buy my own copy of what I decide on. The stack of books I checked out tonight to research through is pictured below. In case I forgot to mention it, I love it here!!!!

Day 164: The Piano Lesson (Truth)

One of the many reasons that I love it here is I have great professors. My piano teacher is extraordinary. For anyone who knew my last teacher Mrs. Gordy is basically like my current teacher. Professor Chen is simply put, the Asian Mrs. Gordy. She has some humorous techniques. Today she had me do squats while I played to transfer arm tension to my legs while I played. She also told me to practice away from the piano. Also, she does the sweeping gestures and singing along the phrasing like Mrs. Gordy did. Most importantly, she is really fine tuning my technique. I feel myself improving daily and every week as a musician. I'm beginning to explore music for next semester. I'm so thankful I get to add input to my repertoire. I'm so excited for spring because I think we are going to pick some great pieces. I love it here!!!!

Day 162 and 163: My First Show (Truth)

Today, marked the closing performance of my first show at SU. I played in the orchestra pit for Arthur Miller's The Crucible. Dr. Albert, the Godfather of Musical Theater Knowledge, wrote amazing incidental music for the show. It can only be described in two words: hauntingly beautiful. The cast was brilliant and their performance was raised to the next level with the awesome direction of Carolyn Coulson. It's not a happy show, but I had the happiest experience working on the production. We had a great cast, a great crew, and a great orchestra. Even though we (the orchestra) were in a hole in a back room we had a connection with the stage. No, I don't mean that the actors had power over us like the characters are believed to have in the play. It was not just the technological  connection that allowed us to see the stage. There is a spiritual, theatrical connection that joins the cast, the crew, the orchestra, and most importantly the audience into an amazing little world. Our theatrical world goes beyond Salem. It goes throughout the conservatory and into the world. Good theaters have this connection and it makes what we do so exciting. We build a family with each show we do and we have a blast during the process. I still can't get over the fact that I was in a class called pit orchestra. I got a grade for playing for the show. SC would stand for Shenandoah Conservatory but it also could stand for student connection because that is what happens here and I love it. I've said it before and I'll say it again: I Love It Here.

Day 161: Another Openin'

This evening, I was a part of another opening night. We opened Arthur Miller's The Crucible. I'm playing the piano in the orchestra. We play incidental music as underscoring and scene change music. It was written by the genius Dr. Albert. The cast is brilliant and so is everyone involved in this extraordinary production. I can't think of a better way to spend Halloween then to open a witch-related play. The audience may have come seen the show instead of going to trick or treat but they experienced a real treat. Three more performances this weekend so I must sleep. Goodnight.

Day 160: Registration

Today was a very important day in the college semester: registration for the next semester. In the spring I'm taking some awesome classes: History of Western Music II, Piano Lessons, Voice Lessons, Ear Training, Music Theory 102, Pit Orchestra, Performance Forum, and my personal favorite, American Musical Theater II. Even better than the classes themselves is the time of day that they are at. On Monday and Wednesday my classes are 10-12:40 and Tuesday and Thursday from 12:30-3:20. I have the greatest advisor who helped me create my superb schedule. He also teaches AMT. I can't wait to dive into classes next year, but first I have to finish this semester which is going great. I love it here!!!!

Day 159: Do-Re-Mi (Truth)

Today, I discovered what my biggest challenge is going to be while I'm here studying: movable-do solfege singing. For non-music readers, the best way to explain what that is, is through the classic do re mi song in the sound of music. Rodgers and Hammerstein make it seem so simple but apply it to sight singing and it's not just a pleasant little ditty anymore; it's a total pain in the ass. It also doesn't help that I have perfect pitch. I look at the music and know what it sounds like. I can sing the correct notes on la but make me match random syllables to it and I'm all over the place. Solfege was created to help people find pitches. If I don't need it to help me why can't I just sing correct notes on la? Well, since I'll have to deal with solfege, I'll just have to practice and face the challenge. However, I will say this, do re mi and so on is definitely not for me. Goodnight.

Day 158: Simple (Truth)

I'm applying the K.I.S.S. principle tonight by only having three sentences, besides this one. The Crucible is going great. I'm excited to register for spring classes. I love it here!!!!

Day 157: The Pit (Truth)

One of the things I love about doing what I do is the family. Most people just have one family, but I have dozens of families. Every time I work on a show, a new family is built that lasts a lifetime beyond the end of the show's run. There is even a stronger family bond created in the orchestra pit. There is such a sense of camaraderie that the music is that much greater. The group literally becomes one unit instead of just a bunch of people. The conductor becomes just one of the gang and in the best cases is as chill as the younger members. Having this relaxed environment is especially important when working on a serious show like The Crucible. Also, the smaller the pit, the tighter the group. Some people they are lonely in show biz but I don't see how that is possible because there is a family around every corner. The stage, or the theater, isn't lonely. The pit isn't the pits. The pit is the greatest place because it's practically perfect in every way.

Day 155 and 156: Beauty (Truth)

One of the factors that you consider when you're picking a school is whether or not the campus is pretty. When you go on the SU website, you see the landscaping, the quad, the fountains, and the gazebo and you think that it's all photo-shopped and it couldn't possibly look like that in reality. Well, that is not the case with Shenandoah. Autumn is already a pretty time of year and it's especially gorgeous here. It's so pretty you just want to lounge outside and feel the breeze. I did that yesterday in the gazebo and read. (A picture of my view from the gazebo is below). The trees are stunning and the water flows so clear over the rocks. The only things that destroys the beauty is all of the construction but I think it's almost done. Over the tops of the buildings and the construction, you can see the mountains. I think the people were right when they said at convocation that this was the prettiest place on earth. It really makes you want to walk around singing "For the Beauty of the Earth." I love it here. The second photo is when a church friend came to visit my beautiful campus.

Day 154: Songs, Songs, Songs (Truth)

One of the phenomenal things about the accompanying program here is the fact that they make you experience accompanying and what you are accompanying. You have to learn both sides of the piano to be well rounded. Therefore I have to take acting and dance. Also, definitely scariest, was voice lessons. I started day one telling my voice teacher I don't sing and I have a range of two notes. Week one homework was saying hi at different pitches. I needed to understand that singing really is just sustained talking on pitch. Once I realized this, she let me sing and miraculously this big voice came out. One day, we were practicing my song and she screamed out stopping me, where did that come from. Do it again and don't change anything. Apparently, I was naturally lowering my larynx creating more space for air and sound. I don't know much about singing but in one half of a semester I have learned so much. I've come so far but I've got so far to go. Now though, my teacher is so proud because she sees so much progress and a lot of potential. I can't wait to keep learning because now I realize I have a song in my heart and in addition to playing it I may be able to sing it to. Goodnight.

Day 153: Blogs, Blogs, and Blogs (Truth)

Because I have had so many blogs, there are some days when I don't know what to write about. This is one of those days so I will skip to my closing. Goodnight.

Day 152: Books, Books, Books (Truth)

I normally don't read because it can be a little boring but I've determined recently the key to reading and enjoying it. You have to read what you enjoy. Find a genre you like or a topic you want to learn about and read. I promise there's a book on everything. There are billions of books. Because of how awesome our library is here, I got some great books on American musical theater. I'm a third of the way into the first one and it's fascinating. It's called sing out Louise. It's about the stars of musical theater over the past century. Most people think I'm weird that I would read that for leisure but oh well, I enjoy it. Also, it will keep me occupied in the pit next week during my off time playing in the crucible. Now that I can peacefully know that my blog is caught up, I will go to sleep. Goodnight.

Day 151: Busy, Busy, Busy (Truth)

I'm so busy that sometimes my blogs get behind. That's college for you. Busy schedules, caffeine, and minimal sleep.

Day 150: SU is the place to 'B' (Truth)

Today, a lot of my SU experience has been related to Bs. Luckily, not bees like bumblebees but bees as in the letter. Everything I experienced today started with a b. Bach, Breakfast, Beethoven, a Barbara Cook, Bone Marrow, Barbra Streisand, burgers, Bea Arthur, and Breaking Bad. My day started by deeply analyzing my tone production when playing Bach in my piano lesson. I had breakfast. In music history, we thoroughly discussed Beethoven, his life and his music. When I played for voice lessons, the students were singing songs that Barbara Cook, broadway legend, made famous. There was a fundraiser that I was involved in playing for that was swabbing samples to find a bone marrow match for a special young man with cancer on campus. No day here would be complete without Babs. She's in a project I'm working on right now and I have to listen to her daily. I had a burger for dinner. Lastly I finished my day with the golden girls starring Bea Arthur and another "B" actress, Betty White. Also, I watched Breaking Bad, my new action tv series I'm hooked on. Now that I've had an awesome day that would get a better grade than a b, I be tired lol. It's time for Bed. Goodnight.

Day 148 and 149: Delightful Distractions (Truth)

Every once in a while, your life can be so consumed with stress and chaos that you need something to take you away from it all for a little while. Whether it be a much needed nap, a bubble bath, a play, a concert, a puzzle, or a move, we are all entitled to an occasional distraction. They keep our little bits of sanity intact. This weekend I figured I deserved a distraction, so I went to the movies. In Winchester, there is a place called The Alamo Drafthouse. It's a movie theater with a bar in the main lobby/ticket booth area. I thought I was going to just see a movie but I realized that they put the dinner in dinner theater. While it's not as cool as a drive in movie theater, which probably doesn't even exist anymore, they are a full service restaurant during the movie. Each row of seats has a counter in front of it and a server brings you a menu during the preshow (cartoons and short films with a topic related to the feature film) and before or during the film you write your order and put it in the front of the counter like a flag. They'll see it and quietly take it before or during the film. Then during the film they bring you your dinner, snack, etc. and you relax and enjoy. It can continue like this as much as you want. Thirty minutes before the film ends they bring the check so you can pay and leave right at the credits and not wait after the film. It's an awesome experience and a wonderful way to spend an evening. I will have to treat myself with another distraction there soon but for now I will go back to reality. Class in the morning. Goodnight.

Day 147: Live. Laugh. Love. (Truth)

The title of this blog is a common phrase you see now in shadow box framework or as mantle pieces but for my blog I'm going to reword it to my love to laugh helps me live through the rough times. I've always been told that laughter is the best medicine. After yesterday I needed a huge dose of that therapeutic medicine. I woke up today and the sun was out. Like Irving Berlin said, "it's a lovely day today." My sister Krista shared some funny things about tall people problems on Facebook today. One of the best on there was that shower heads should be called shower chests. I can relate to that especially using this small hotel shower everyday. My favorite TV show is The Golden Girls and no matter how many times I watch the series (I have all of the seasons on DVD) I always laugh hysterically as if I've never seen it. I'm laughed out I think and my abs hurt from laughing so hard. I can't wait to move on from the last two weeks, start school anew for the second half, and living through laughter and love. The only love I need right now is from my family and my awesome friends. They are the ones that are my support system and make me laugh. They make me want to sing from the rooftops, "thank you for being a friend."

P.S. The two previous blogs were for my journal therapy purposes. They aren't meant to be read and if they are read not be taken seriously or causing worry. It's an emotional release of my thoughts for a rough day. So now, to distinguish the two, I will either put Therapy or Truth. Truth are the legit blog posts meant to be read and understanding of my college adventures. I will continue to publish the personal therapy ones because then it releases into the wide clouds of the internet instead of having a journal where I'll always see the emotional thoughts of the rough days in a book. In the future, the blogs will be distinguished but the majority will be truth as opposed to therapy.

Day 146: The Break-Up

There was a movie about 8 years ago called the break-up. It was a terrible film. The only thing worse than that film is what it was about. As you could probably imagine just from the title of this post, my boyfriend broke up with me today. I won't share many details; I will just say he wasn't ready to be in a relationship. Break-ups suck. There is no better way to say it. Even if it's for the best, it hurts. I have mixed responses to this breakup. I can be depressed and sob into a pillow cursing all men in the world and thinking that having a college relationship is impossible. That's the glass half empty view on life but then there is also the glass half full outlook which is to just let it go and move on thinking that there are other fish in the sea. I could even look at it as a blessing in disguise as God is trying to tell me I'm not ready for a relationship or have me just slow my emotional gears and direct them to mental gears for school. Don't get me wrong, school will always be priority but I have to be careful that this break-up doesn't affect it. Because I have to face the reality that break-ups suck but still want to have a positive outlook on the situation I have decided to follow the advice that Maria gives liesl in the sound of music in regards to broken relationships: "well, you cry a little, and you wait for the sun to come up; it always does." That's such great advice. So tonight I will cry a little and listen to heartbreak, sappy love songs and then wait for the sun. Hopefully, it'll be sooner than later because from a literal perspective it's been raining a lot here. For now though, I'm gonna cry. Joy, I'll be waiting for you because the Gaithers said that you (joy) come in the morning. And when the joy comes, the sun will come out, because as Maria said, it always does. Goodnight.

Day 145: Relationships

I don't know how to say what I'm feeling without sounding completely depressed or making my mom worry so I'll just write and say let this post be published therapy for me. Relationships are hard. Period. I have had one relationship in my life and that was with a girl when I was trying to make my gayness go away. Well, look how well that turned out. Now, that I'm in a gay relationship, I realize it's just as hard if not harder than straight ones. Even more than that, it's extremely difficult to have a relationship in college because of busy schedules. I've always heard people say that they met their spouse in college and now I wonder how that's possible. If you haven't picked up on this fact, my relationship is a little rocky right now but the collegiate facts of life make it impossible to remove the rocks and the mountain in my relationship. I'm not giving up though. Nothing that's truly worth having is ever easy. People that have been married for decades will say countless times that relationships are difficult. They make it through though. Somehow, my boyfriend and I will work things out too. Music heals and has gotten me through the rocks of the relationship. I always follow Babs advice from her duets. She told me to "tell him" how I felt and that started a wonderful relationship, and through the rough times I'll remember "I won't be the one to let go." I fell asleep early tonight and didn't do my blog. When I woke up I saw a saddening text that put a wrench in the communication (don't ask, mom). I know the communication that's needed will happen. It just won't happen on my plan. I just have to trust God and be patient for it. Unfortunately, patience is something I lack. "I finally found someone" and I'll have patience for their communication. We will get through these challenging times and when we do I will shout from the rooftops that "happy days are here again."

Day 144: Fall Break

It's been an interesting, long weekend. We had fall break, but unlike a normal break, it was Friday to Tuesday. We were encouraged to go home or we would have to pay 25 dollars to stay. Gas to drive home or a plane ticket would have cost more than that so I stayed. Luckily, mom came to visit. In actuality and honesty, a cleaning fairy godmother came to visit. She helped me restore my room to its original condition and I could not be more grateful because I was physically, mentally, and emotionally exhausted after the first half of the semester, midterms and coming out. Hopefully, I can apply all the review mom taught me and keep it looking as good as she has it now. That's a big hopefully but we will see what happens. I love my mom and am so appreciative that she came to visit with a cleaning aim. Sadly, I won't see her again until Christmas break. Thank God for FaceTime and Skype and other visual technology. Well, classes resume tomorrow so I need sleep. Goodnight. Happy fall.

Day 143: Babs goes to the Movies

If I haven't said it before, I'm OBSESSED with Barbra Streisand! That being said again, while my mom was here we had Babs movie night each evening. Some films were better than others and there are some that I still need to see. The Way we Were was slightly disappointing because it didn't go anywhere and it gives away the song at the beginning. Funny Girl has never been one of my favorites but has some of her most famous songs. It's just a little too slow paced for my movie musical taste. The Prince of Tides just went straight over my head. I didn't understand it at all. It definitely was not your typical romance. I saw The Guilt Trip and it's hilarious. It's her most recent film. My favorite Barbra film that I've seen so far though is The Mirror has two Faces. It's one of those movies that you wouldn't mind seeing again. I highly recommend it. I still am working on seeing What's up Doc, The Main Event, Nuts, The Owl and the Pussycat, Meet the Fockers, Meet the Parents, On a Clear Day...., and Yentl. She can act, produce, direct, and of course sing. She is brilliant and I'm OBSESSED!

Day 141 and 142: Support

Sorry for the late blogs; it's been a crazy weekend with mom in town (more on that later). This weekend was a huge weekend for the LGBT community. Saturday was national coming out day. I couldn't wait for Saturday so I came out on Wednesday. I hope all of the people that came out on Saturday got all of the love and support that I did. I posted it on my blog and on my Facebook after putting that I was in a relationship with a guy. That was at night and the next morning, my phone was blowing up with emails, comments, and messages of love, support, and acceptance. Coming out is one the most difficult things for a LGBT person. Mine was much easier than I ever could have hoped. I was so worried about my church's response but they sent just as much love as my theater friends. I know some of the church people that still love and support me may think it's different or feel uncomfortable by it but the love and support is more than I could have ever dreamed of. It brings me to tears to think that the internal struggle of acceptance is past and now it's all out there. I love you all. Thanks for your support.

Day 140: Half-Way

Well, on this 140th day, I have made it to the half way mark of my first semester at SU. I have had wonderful week of midterms, acing all of them. My classes are great, my lessons are extraordinary, my friends are so cool, and my professors are brilliant. I have never learned as much in a school setting as I have in the past couple of months. I'm far from home and days here aren't always easy. Life here is the real deal. When I start my career, I'll be ready because this school is preparing me. I can't say enough wonderful things about this school. The time is flying by too quickly. To help me celebrate fall break, my mom came to visit. I can't wait to spend the weekend with her cleaning, catching up, showing her campus, etc. I can't wait to see what the second half of the semester has in store. In store for this evening is sleep. Goodnight.

Day 139: Cool as The Crucible

Arthur Miller wrote a famous play about the Salem Witch Trials called the Crucible. While it is not a cool subject matter, working on the show musically is cool as... well.. cool as the crucible. (I've never understood the expression cool as a cucumber). Dr. Genius Albert wrote incredible incidental music to underscore the dramatic action of the play. He wrote it twenty years ago for an eleven piece orchestra and has now made an alternate orchestration for four people. It's the most hauntingly beautiful music I've ever heard. What's even more incredible is having the experience of the composer conduct you and explain what he wants with the music and what he heard, imagined, and felt when he wrote it. There was one cool moment when I was trying to get the sound he wanted using different pedal techniques I've learned from classical playing and he shouted out of nowhere, that's it, that's the sound. It's that aha moment like that which makes the experience thrilling and cool as the crucible.

Day 138: Coming Out

I'm going to try to make this as close to my Facebook post as possible but it might be slightly different. Same message though. I am in a relationship with Josh Mahannah. In case that statement or interested in men on Facebook isn't obvious, I'm gay. I've known since second grade that I was different. It's a hard thing to come to terms with but josh has made me so happy that I just want to tell the world. Some people might disown me but I have to remind them that I was gay when I played for the family funeral, I was gay when I moved you to tears, I was gay when I was the church pianist. I love Jesus and He loves me. That's all that matters. I don't need to discuss the politics of gay marriage because I respect other opinions. This weekend is important because of national coming out day. I couldn't wait for Saturday so I'm doing this today. I didn't choose to be gay. Theater and this school didn't make me gay. It's just me. I'm gay and that's all there is too it. I won't shove it in your face but I realize the truth to the famous Jerry Herman lyric. Life's not worth a damn till you can say, hey world, I Am What I Am.

Day 137: Silence

So, I just realized that last nights blog didn't post so here it is. In music, rests are as, if not more than, important as the music. Quiet is necessary when needing spiritual time. That was the theme of Sundays church service. One of the wise, funny lines in The King and I is when Anna receives a gift and says I don't know what to say. The King replies "when one does not know what to say it is time to be silent." That's how I am tonight. (Silence).

Day 136: Meditation on a Mediation

In life there will always be that one person you don't get along with. Sometimes it's in your personal life, your family, or your work place. Sometimes it's in your elementary school and sometimes it's in your nursing home. Either way we experience, it's an obstacle we have to deal with. I dealt with my person this summer and after big blowouts and serious conclusions I find myself at a door that's been wedged open and is stuck. I needed closure from a situation. I thought talking to that person again would help but then through writing this as therapy homework (so don't over analyze this post) I realize what I needed from the mediation that I can find internally: happiness and an ability to communicate. I was never unhappy, more sad that someone had come along that didn't like me. I needed that realization though that not everyone would. In terms of communication, I learned how by learning how not to communicate. God brings something good out of all situations. I learned so much from an enemy based relationship and now that I have this new knowledge I can finally close the door and move on. There's only one problem. Now that I know how to communicate I can't try again with or apologize to that person but I will use that longing remind me how to properly communicate in the future. If the reader needs to get something from this blog, don't think I'm depressed, this is therapy for me and also communication is so very important. As I conclude this I will begin to remove my hand from the closing door and let it go. It's time to move on because when The Lord closes a door, some way he opens a window. My window for this evening is sleep. Goodnight.

Day 134 and 135: Mother knows Best

In the mid-50s there was a show called "Father knows Best." If it had been modern times it could've represented the truth that mother knows best. People don't realize it until they don't have their mothers there all the time. Luckily, without realizing it, they teach us so much and we learn so when we go out on our own we will survive. My mom taught me how to stay clean, how to stay healthy, how to do laundry, how to be assertive, how to eat out well, how to manage money, how to be cultural, how to love, etc etc etc. I went to the store the other day to help someone pick out the tv equipment she needed and I just marched through the store like I owned it and asked where things were. We were out of there in five minutes. She said she had never seen someone shop like that and I said that was my mom. When people get on to me about glasses or talks about overspending money, I think of mom. I miss my mom all the time. I'm a serious mommas boy and there is nothing wrong with that. While our cord that tied us at home is now cut our cord of love will last forever and extends over all 650 miles. I'm so glad she is visiting this weekend. Everyday should be Mother's Day but since it's not when you're done reading this, call your mom and say thank you and I love you. If they are in Heaven, they know it, especially when you apply their lessons. Mothers really do know best. Moms and love make the world go round. I love my mom and can't wait to see her Friday but until then Goodnight my someone goodnight.

Day 133: TGIF

Something that's generally always true about college life is that Friday is the easy day. I think that is true in all walks of life. When you're a kid everyday is Friday life is easy. In high school Friday night represents the movies or a football game at school. College Friday means a party for some but for me it means limited class load. My only responsibility on Friday is my voice lesson. The rest of the day I can be as lazy as I want. Also on Fridays there is usually a concert of some sort going on. For example there were three going on tonight in all three performance venues. They were all at the same time and it's impossible to choose which to go to. I was taking advantage of my lazy day today and didn't go to any of the ones tonight. However I'm making up for that by going with a school group to see the national symphony orchestra at the Kennedy center tomorrow night. I have a big weekend ahead so I shall now say goodnight.

Day 132: No Post

I had a date last night which is why there was no post. Tonight's blog will be posted soon.

Day 131: Discovery

I discovered today that the college experience can be defined in one sentence. There is too much to do and not enough time to do it in it. Although, that can sum up all time management of life. As ellen degeneres explains all we have is here and now we don't have any time, we have less time, all we have is here and now, and that's why procrastination feels so right. Now I'm in the position right now that I should practice and want to practice, I just need to find time. Thank God practice rooms are open 24/7. Also people cancel lessons occasionally which gives me extra time. That's the case for tomorrow so I will practice then. For now though, goodnight.

Day 130: Exhaustion

I am very tired at 10:30 which is rare so I'm going to take advantage of it and go to bed early. Goodnight.

Day 129: Unbelieveable

I just realized how high the day number is. Wow! That is all. Goodnight.

Day 127 and 128: Weekend of Concerts

The conservatory here is incredible. As a conservatory student, I am able to go to hundreds of concerts, recitals, performances, etc. for little or no cost. This weekend and even Thursday I dived into a variety of types of music. On Thursday, I saw the final dress rehearsal of Green Day's American Idiot. This was my quota of rock and roll for the semester. It's definitely not my style but I'm trying to broaden my horizons. On Friday, I was transported back to the age of jazz and big band music at the jazz ensemble concert. I really felt like I was in a jazz club in the 30s; it was so real that they even had those jazz boxes in the front for music to sit on. One of the pianists is this blind jazz piano major who is so talented that he is literally the new Ray Charles. The concert celebrated the music of Sammy Nestico. The concert, as I said on Facebook, was badazz. On Saturday, I went to the first symphony concert of the conservatory. They played the Rachmoninoff Piano Concerto No. 2 in C Minor. It featured pianist Vanessa Perez. The second half of the concert was the orchestra playing a Shostakovich symphony no. 5. I'm not a fan of classical music generally but after the concerto I turned to my neighbor who I was talking to before the concert and said well that was invigorating. I saw so many of my talented friends and heard some great music. Then, to top off the music weekend, I heard the first World of the Piano concert today by world-famous pianist Antonio Pompo-Baldi. He's providing a masterclass in the morning as well. His concert made me want to practice because it was so inspiring. He played twelve Chopin etudes Op. 10. Also, he played several Liszt pieces or pieces that were in memory or in the style of Liszt. Last weekend I saw a moving play called In the Red and Brown Water and next weekend I"m going to see four concerts one of which is seeing the National Symphony Orchestra with organist Paul Jones. Have I mentioned lately that I love it here.!!!

126: Unreal

The real Friday of this blog is going to be attached to the weekend blog because of a common theme. Exciting weekend ahead.

Day 125: Present for Past

I love how modern technology makes people of the present able to experience the great parts of the past. For example because of Amazon Instant Video, I was able to watch That's Entertainment and see a lot of classic MGM footage. Because of Netflix, I'm able to watch tv shows that aren't on tv anymore like breaking bad. Or I can catch up on old tv shows to continue with current episodes such as greys anatomy. Technology also gets you access to old, rare sheet music instantly. I love technology and how it can connect generations. That is all for this post. Goodnight.

Day 124: The Wise

Sorry that this post is late. I fell asleep last night before I could blog. If you've been reading this blog for a while you will have heard me talk about Dr. Albert. He is the Godfather of the school. He has been teaching here for 40 years. He is a genius and knows all about musical theater. He is my professor for American Musical Theater. It's the best class I've ever taken. He's an amazing musical director even though unlike most modern musical directors he can't play the piano. He has an extensive score library. He's incredible and I can't wait to continue learning from him.

Day 123: Parking

There is only one bad thing about this school: parking. The problem isn't so much that there aren't enough parking spaces, even though that is true, but freshmen shouldn't be able to drive. People drive from the freshmen dorms to the conservatory when it's only a two minute walk. Then they take the spaces that should be allowed for people coming in later that have to drive to school because they are off campus. When are no spaces we have to use a parking deck like we are at a doctors office or hospital. It's quite annoying. The construction doesn't help either. However, today I got the best spot. It was smack dab front and center in front of the conservatory. I was so happy I wanted to break out into song for no reason. Then I realized I do that anyway since I'm a conservatory student. Parking at my dorm is also an issue, but I'm going to stop ranting now. If I go to sleep and get to school early I can guarantee a good spot. So with that, I say goodnight.

Day 122: Late Post

I was up all night. I don't know why. I'm posting now so people won't be concerned. I'm running on my last bit of energy now. Time for a nap before my next class. That is all.

Day 120 and 121: Tradition

There are things that are so magical that happen in the theater. These little events are exciting like the tradition in Fiddler on the Roof. Tech week is the rough week before opening when lights sound costumes and orchestra elements are added. Things always go wrong and you think that the show won't make it or won't be good when it opens. The first magical thing is somehow all the pieces fall into place on opening night. All the pieces just perfectly fit together. The next thing that happens incredibly is the fact of the best performance. The best show is always the next to last or in the case of les Mis the Saturday of the second weekend. I guess the emotions of the knowing that it's almost over enhances peoples acting and vocals. The final tradition is the sad one that the last show isn't that great because by then everybody is tired and ready for it to be over and the sad emotions are gone. Nonetheless, even though it's not as good when you leave the theater you remember the great time you had, the people you met, the things you learned, and the experience overall. I had a great time working on this show and I hope I can play it one day more in the future.

Day 119: The Unexpected

You can plan life so much, but unexpected things always happen that change our plans. Tonight, a few unexpected things happened. I was practicing and recording the practice and out of nowhere I realized that I had practiced and a quarter of the way through it stopped recording. All of that practice now can't be graded. I played tonight for Les Miz and during the announcement before the show the announcer proposed to his girlfriend. Now that was unexpected. Although it seems like a depressing show to propose before but congrats to them. Speaking of my dating life, I unexpectedly met someone a couple of weeks ago and now we are dating. I came here for school and a new life and while I planned for things, it is unexpected just how awesome it is here. Don't be afraid of things that aren't planned. Embrace them because the unexpected can make the expected enhanced to the extraordinary.

Day 118: no more laundry

The title once again says it all. Hallelujah!

Day 117: More Laundry

The title says it all. Goodnight.

Day 116: Laundry

For those of you who haven't heard me say this, the worst part of college is laundry. It is worse than homework, studying, and busy schedules combined. It's especially annoying if you are used to your mom spoiling you. Nonetheless, you know it has to be done. Tonight, I finished part two of my laundry. It's exhausting so now I will stop whining about laundry and sleep. Goodnight.

Day 115: Golden Ticket

In the film willy wonka and the chocolate factory, the entry way into the sweet place was a golden ticket. There was a whole song about I've got a golden ticket. Today I got a special entry to a special location that's better than a chocolate factory. SU is close to being an all Steinway school but piano based majors like I am can get access to the greatest practice rooms. I got a golden key to the master practice rooms today and I felt as happy as Charlie was. I'm a music nerd to get excited over a piano key but so what, starting tomorrow I will practice like the masters. It's just a room, a key, and an instrument but like the song says I've got a golden ticket and it's a golden day.

Day 113 and 114: Bad Audiences

I posted a long while back that the audience at a show is more important than the musical, play, opera, etc. I'm working on a production of Les Miz and it's a difficult show to be an audience member at, but the audiences have not overcome the tension of the show. Because it is like an opera it sometimes seems like there shouldn't be applause. There are songs which are like arias and deserve applause. However the challenge is the soft ballad songs that are filled with emotion or accompany a death. When a character dies, with or without a beautiful song it would be believed that there should not be applause and that there should not be applause after a recitative of narrative, or rapid, sung dialogue. The audiences today and yesterday applauded after the deaths and the recitatives but not the big arias. The audience opening night was the other way around but didn't let the arias finish instrumentally before clapping. It made an awkward audience show even more tense. It all goes back to one thing; the audience can make or break a show. It's not always easy being an audience member especially if you know how you affect the show, but without the audience, good or bad, the show wouldn't exist and there would be no reason for us to perform. Although, the next time you go to a show, be aware of when to or not to clap, when to or when not to laugh, and how you affect the show because then the show will be anything but miserable.

Day 112: Another Openin'

The opening number of Kiss Me, Kate is Another Openin' another show. Tonight, there was another openin' of another show. I'm playing for a community theater in Martinsburg, WV. They are doing a production of Les Misérables. It's such a great show musically and a great show to add to my resume. I'm so glad I get to have the experience of playing that score. Now I can say that I've played that show and can play for other productions of it since it's a popular show right now. At the end of the day it's time to go to sleep and I can wake up tomorrow saying I dreamed a dream. Goodnight.

Day 111: The Date

I have met so many awesome people here and I went out with one of them last night on a date. It was the most magical evening ever. They wanted to go to and insisted on paying for this fancy French meal. We strolled through the walking mall. We saw a play and we had the greatest conversation throughout the evening. Things went so well that there will be more dates in the future. I never thought I would meet someone who could make me feel this way. I'm so happy and on cloud nine because last night was truly some enchanted evening. This was my dessert.

Day 110: Surprises

Today, I got the greatest phone call. It was from a random phone number so I didn't answer, but they luckily left a message. The caller was a church member who was taking a road trip with her husband and included Winchester in her trip to visit me. I'm going to show her around the campus tomorrow. I'm ecstatic. I can't wait. Tomorrow is going to be a great day. The second reason why tomorrow will be a great day will be revealed tomorrow night... Goodnight.

Day 109: Napless

I have not gone a whole day without a nap in a long time. By the end of the day, of being constantly awake and active, you're exhausted. That is all. Goodnight.

Day 108: NYC

In the musical Annie, one of the songs is NYC. It talks about how even though the city is "big, loud, and tough" you just can't get enough. I'm about to turn 21 years old and am trying to plan an epic trip to New York. It's not just about taking it all in like the characters in Annie do or celebrating a birthday, but I need this trip.

Places can sometimes get certain labels attached to them. A court is very legal, a church is very religious, home is comforting, etc. My connection with NYC right now is stress. The last time I went it was so much to take in that I couldn't emotionally handle it. I finally felt like I was in the place where I belonged. When I came home, I had a serious mental regression. I've always known that with my career I need to live in NYC, so I need to reintroduce myself to it. While I'm there, I will have a blast and will see the sights and be like the guys in On The Town singing among the city New York New York, its a helluva town.

I want to have a new idea for NYC. I want to truly love New York, so during Spring Break I want to enjoy every single block of it. I'll see the shows and the sights. I'll eat and shop. It doesn't matter if I go with friends, family, or by myself, when I get back I'll have a sense of assurance that NYC can one day be my home. Then, I can finish my time here with NYC having the label of hope and a bright future. So when I graduate, I can move there and say "if I can make it there, I'll make it anywhere, it's up to you New York, New York!!"

Day 106 and 107: Practice

The joke on how to get to Carnegie Hall is practice, practice, practice. While it isn't necessarily a goal of mine to play at Carnegie Hall, I have been practicing all weekend. Part of my piano lesson requirement is recording my practice sessions. I must practice at least four hours a week. Back home it was challenging because to use a good piano, everyone had to hear me play and no sane person would want to listen to scales and Hanon being practiced. There are dozens of practice rooms here though with some sound limitation. They are filled with Steinways or other high quality pianos whether they are grand or upright. The rooms are open til 2 in the morning so I practice every night at 10 or 11 when I'm the most focused and awake. Also, I had my first practice in the Les Mis Orchestra today. It was an interesting experience because of the pit but more on that later. Now, I will sleep because in the morning I have my piano lesson, and I will see how much the practice paid off.

Day 105: A Trip to the Library

The classic golden-age musical "She Loves Me" has a famous song called "A Trip to the Library." Normally, I hate the library because it is so quiet that I could go deaf. The silence is eerie and drives me crazy. Also, I talk loud generally and no matter how soft I speak I'm too loud for a library. Plus, everything is turning to electronic media including books. However, with that being said, I've grown to appreciate the SU library. There are a ton of helpful people and places to print things or copy music. It's a four floor library. It's huge with archive library that include old SSMT performances, legal library, reference library, whole floors of fiction and nonfiction, and most importantly, a whole floor of the music library. There are shelves and shelves and shelves of music scores. Vocal scores, full scores, sheet music for every instrument. Then there were CDs and other recordings of all of the music that is stacked on the shelves. I was a kid in a candy store. It was like sheetmusicplus.com in person. I'm still in awe of it. While I'm still a proponent of buying my own music, it's musical resource heaven and I will visit it often. If you think I'm exaggerating, here are photos. The last photo shows my favorite section of vocal scores which includes, like in the photo, musical vocal scores for tons of shows including Mame and Hello Dolly!

Day 104: My Name

In Oliver, the worst song is sung by the villain Bill Sykes. It is called My Name. It talks about how people shutter with fear just by hearing his name. From birth, we are identified with a name by our parents and it is with us forever. The reputation we put with our name is established on our own. When people hear your name they identify what they know. When we hear Bill Gates we think wealth. When we hear Obama we think president. After two weeks of being here at SU, I'm finally starting to make my name known. I'm playing for voice lessons where the students and teachers are very impressed. A lot of people know me as the smart one in class. Im known by the staff in the caf and other buildings on campus. I've also made a lot of friends. People hear my name now and know who I am. They know that I'm the talented smart musician. You have to put yourself out there for people to learn your name. You have to overcome your fear and be social by making yourself friendly. What do people associate your name with? If people don't know your name in the world, go share it and next thing you know the whole world will be a place where everybody knows your name.

Day 103: Day by Day

Today was the best day of school yet. The others were great but today was phenomenal. I learned some new stuff in my theory class. Now I finally understand why the melodic and harmonic minor scales are written the way they are. I used to think it was because the music teachers said so. Next, I had a phenomenal piano lesson (more on that in tomorrow's blog). After that I learned a ton about sacred music of the 17th and 18th century. It was fascinating and I thoroughly enjoyed hearing the phenomenal Zadok the Priest. I had a great lunch in the caf. They have the best soups (more about those in a later blog). This afternoon, I played for two phenomenal singers voice lessons. I can't even begin to describe how amazing they were. The students here are so talented. The professors are talented in the fact that they are great at there job. And I get to enjoy every minute of it. There's another great day in store tomorrow, so as I go day by day things get better and better. I can't wait to see how tomorrow can too today. Each day I'm here if love this school even more. I've said it before but I'll say it again with extra emphasis: I LOVE THIS SCHOOL!!!!!

Day 102: Smile

One of my favorite songs is the classic Nat King Cole hit "Smile." It talks about being happy through the good times and the bad. There is one class that I have which has a person in it that I don't get along with but even with that bad fact I smile. I grin like a Cheshire Cat widely from ear to ear. I can't get over how much I love my American Musical Theater class. I love the topic. The professor could not be better. He knows so much and he says some of the most profound things. I learn. I always thought I knew a lot about AMT but I still learn. I could sit in that class among all the enemies of my life and still smile because that class brings me so much joy. Joy equals smiling. If I haven't mentioned it before, I love this school!!

Day 101: Labor Day

Labor Day is the laziest day of the year. We are meant to do nothing. Therefore, I followed the American law of being completely idle today. It's after midnight and now it's supposed to be another normal productive day. Although, until class starts in the morning I will stay in the Labor Day mindset and do nothing, or like I did today, sleep more. Goodnight.

Day 99 and 100: W is for Winchester

To revamp the Gershwin tune "I Got Rhythm" here are new Winchester lyrics. I got Chilis, I got Perkins, I got SU, who can ask for anything more? I got old town, I got rite aid, I got SU, who could ask for anything more? I love this school, and I love the fact that it is in such a great town. There is a long list of restaurants that even exceeds Conyers. There is also a mall, a down town walking shopping district, community theater, comedy clubs, etc. etc. etc. There is so much to do. Whether it's school related or town related, there is always some event going on. On Friday I went to a show on the lawn filled with awesome music of the male music greek society on campus. I went to the comedy club on Saturday night and I went to the residence hall block party tonight. There's never a quiet night here on campus and in town. It's impossible to be bored. I love it here at the school. I love it here in the town. It's an awesome two in one package but this three day weekend is devoted to the town. So as the classic cartoon character might say if he lived here, I wuv Winchester. Here's some photos from the weekend.

Day 98: Materials

If you didn't fully understand the excitement from yesterday, I love this school. Before I get to the actual post, I have to say that I had a great voice lesson. I was so scared of it but my teacher helped calm me. Also, she is going to help me so much with my voice, or as I now view it, my human instrument. All I need for that class is some music and my voice; those are the course materials. Piano requires music and my hands. My other courses have stacks of books. When you open them though there are not equations or laws but music. Whether it's music theory or music history or actual music, it's music. I'm studying music and while it does cost a lot of money for the materials, the things I'll learn, the people I'll meet, and the journeys I'll travel on are priceless. Money makes the materials manifest, materials make the education possible, but it's the music inside the materials that makes this place the magical miracle of my life.