How Cher will get you through Finals Week with the power of Showtunes

If you're bummed out, confused, or mad about anything, watch Cher perform all the rolls of Westside Story at once. Even if you don't like Cher or musicals. Watch it because you are morbidly curious. My friend showed me this my freshman year of college, and it has been my go-to YouTube material when I need a lift ever since.

Enjoy!

The Greatest Love of All

If there is one performer I could bring back to life, I could tell you who I'd pick in a heart beat:

Whitney Houston - Just listening to her voice gives me a chills and breaks my heart that that voice will never make music again.

Music of your childhood

Everyone can think of at least a few artists that can bring back childhood memories in a heartbeat. I'm not talking about Raffi or Sesame Street. I'm talking about the songs that when played can instantly bring to mind the time you were seven and car-sick and sharing the backseat with your siblings on a thirteen hour drive to see grandma. Here are some of the artists that were constantly in the six-CD changer of our Husker-red Chevy Suburban.

John Denver - I can recall a particular moment when my family was driving through the mountains in 2001 to watch the Huskers play Miami in the Rose Bowl. The windows were down, the sun was shining, and "Rocky Mountain High" was blasting from the car. It would have been a beautiful moment were I not trying to keep from blowing chunks - I had issues with car sickness as a little kid. Fortunately, I no longer associate this legendary artist with puke and now enjoy listening to his mellow tunes on a sunny day.

The Eagles - For a brief period of time, my parents owned a red convertible Pontiac Catalina. My dad told me the radio could only play oldies, and that is why I can sing the guitar solo at the end of "Hotel California" by heart.

Women of Faith - My mom and her sisters used to attend the Women of Faith concerts whenever they came to Omaha, and each time my mom would always come home with a new CD. The songs, while cheesy at times, are catchy and singable and uplifting. There are still a few songs that I like to keep on my phone.

I firmly believe that you inherit your parents' musical tastes, which is probably why I love music so much now: they both have great taste.

Senior Recital - I DID IT!

Now that the dust has settled from my recital, I have finally had a chance to get the audio recording of it online. I am so thankful to everyone who came to listen on a busy April Sunday. Enjoy!

English Program notes from Recital: Lee Hoiby

Where the music comes from

Written in 1974, Hoiby dedicated this song to a support group he was once in called “The Guide.” In 1986 he revised the song, a common practice of his. This revision includes the modulations after each stanza, giving the piece an overall popular music feel.

Wild Nights

Dickinson uses the sea as a metaphor throughout the text, and Hoiby enhances that imagery with an unruly flow in the accompaniment. Wild Nights is about a wild heart looking for a place to drop anchor.

Goodby, goodby, World

I must admit that in choosing my English pieces, I was merely searching “Lee Hoiby” on Spotify and listening to the songs with interesting titles. I only clicked “Goodby, goodby, World” by mistake. Its title seemed a little heavy for my taste. But I’m so glad I listened because this is now my favorite song in the set. With text from Thornton Wilder’s Our Town, this song is about leaving something behind that you know you can never come back to again. This song was originally intended to be the second song in his Three Women song cycle, but had too much difficulty getting publication rights from the Wilder family.

There came a wind like a bugle

This is the fourth and final song in The Shining Place, a cycle of Emily Dickinson poetry. Storms come through our lives literally, figuratively, and often without warning. There isn’t much we can do besides batten down the hatches and hope for the best. What’s beautiful is what follows the storm: the strength of the human spirit to continue on. For most of this song, the melody, harmony, and piano are wild and unpredictable: a reflection of the scene of terror and destruction painted by the text. Yet after all that destruction, the church bells still ring! It’s not surprising that at this point in the song we have an identifiable key and meter. Dickinson makes a poignant commentary on the ways of the world: “How much can come and much can go, and yet abide the world!” and Hoiby makes it even more meaningful by setting it to such moving music.

German Notes - Gretchen sings Goethe

German Set - Goethe Texts

Gretchen am Spinnrade

Schubert isolatesa moment from Goethe’s Faust, where the tormented mind of Gretchen, who under a love-spell, is attempting to work through her new obsession with the main character, Faust. In this scene, she sits at a spinning wheel, easily identified in the winding ostinato of the piano.The modulation between minor and major harmonies is in tandem with Gretchen's struggle between her torment over loss and her obsession with Faust. Schubert was a teenager when he wrote Gretchen am Spinnrade, yet it is one of his most famous works. It is considered to be the first modern Lied. Listen for the climax of the song: when she is so overcome with images of Faust’s passionate kiss that her spinning wheel gets stuck, and then she struggles to get it going again.

Mignon

Text for this piece comes from Goethe’s Wilhelm Meister’s Apprenticeship. The character Mignon implores Wilhelm to help her understand their complicated relationship. In each verse she explores the different roles this man has played in her life: First as her beloved, then as a protector, and finally as a father figure. Schumann’s setting of Mignon comes at the end of his Lieder-Album für die Jugend (Album of Songs for the Young). The cycle was intended to help train singers in skill and interpretation, with each song increasing in difficulty and complication of text.

Serenate

Serenate explores the complication and tragedy of human behavior in a simple, almost childlike manner. The big idea in this song is asking why we torment ourselves and feel we can only find pleasure elsewhere. In regards to song, Brahms was often criticized for choosing mediocre texts by lesser-known poets. Serenate however is a setting of some of Goethe’s most insightful sentiments.

Recital Prep: French Program Notes

Songs of Gabriel Fauré

L’hiver a cessé

L’hiver a cessé is the final song from La Bonne Chanson, a song cycle that sets a collection of Paul Verlaine poems of the same name. Superficially this poem is about the end of winter and long-awaited joy and excitement that accompanies the transition into springtime, much like the feeling one gets during the first sunny week in March (In Nebraska we sometimes must wait until April or May). In this recital, it, is the optimistic feeling that I am getting closer to the ‘springtime’ of my life. I am about the graduate college and my future is yet to be determined: “All my hopes have their turn at last. Let summer come, and let autumn and winter come after. Every season will be dear.” The future may be great, ugly, wonderful, and terrifying and I embrace each possibility with open arms.

Le pays de rêve

The message of this song is that the  journey is often more important than the destination, so enjoy it! Although in this dreamy song we do not reach a destination, we savor the delicate beauty of the dream-land through which we are travelling. The 12/8 meter along with the gentle rocking of the piano is very much in the style of a boat song, however, the accompaniment is in a higher range than usual, suggesting that our voyage is not through the sea, but perhaps through the clouds. Like L’hiver a cessé, there is a sense of getting closer to something, but in this piece, there is even less consideration of what is to come, and more emphasis on exploring the celestial body of one’s own dreams. Notice in the middle of the song when the rocking motion of the song rather abruptly switches to a stagnant 4/4 as the voyager takes a step back and considers her journey and place in the universe. Indeed profound,  it is a beautiful place, and we soon continue our journey through the land of dreams.

Aprés un rêve

One of Fauré’s earlier works, Aprés un reve is a setting of Romain Bussine’s poem of the same title, translated from Italian. This is also the simplest of the three Fauré pieces programmed today. Where the first two were a duet between piano a voice, the singer is merely supported by chords of the piano, symbolic of the lonely circumstances the lyrics depict. The song is composed in a minor key, yet the lyrics are only sad because they use the past-tense, clearly dwelling on a love that once existed. There is to me in this song an expression of not only loss and denial, but the inability to understand why something so wonderful came to an end.

A guide to the recital that's taking over my life - and some Italian program notes

On Sunday, I will be giving my senior voice recital, so obviously, the only music I'm thinking about is the music I'll be singing for that.  My next few posts are going to be my program notes combined with the stellar professional performances from which I have drawn inspiration for my recital. Enjoy!

La Conocchia

While Donizetti is most famous for his operas, he did write many songs in quite a few different styles. The set of songs I’ve selected for the Italian portion of my recital were written in a ‘popular’ style and are considered canzone napoletana, Neapolitan song. All three are from a set of songs called  Nuits d'été à Pausilippe. Donizetti had a natural knack for writing these ‘street songs’, and perhaps that is because he wrote them near the end of his twelve year residency in Naples.

Neapolitan songs employ a simple meter, and are almost always about love or the loss of it. These three songs are no exception. I wanted to begin the recital with a with a light,informal, and fun piece. Notice in La Conocchia how the stage is set for an exciting romance to blossom.. in a rather unexpected way.

A Mezzanotte

While most Neapolitan songs are in ¾ time, A Mezzanotte uses a duple meter perhaps to give the listener a sense of tip-toeing in secret to visit a love in the middle of the night. This song is playful and innocent in the way it shifts between major and minor tonality as the subject matter changes.

Me Voglio Fa’na Casa

In three short verses, a young dreamer imagines her future with the one she loves in a lavish house by the sea. As in A Mezzanotte, tonality switch from major to minor for just one verse, a common practice in Neapolitan song.

The Star Spangled Banner - the good, the bad, and the confusing

This morning I discussed with a few other singers the thrill and challenge of singing our national anthem for a live audience. This conversation inspired me to compile a list of the best and worst national anthems I've ever heard.

The Good

Whitney Houston's 1991 Superbowl performance. Simply perfection. She doesn't mess with the melody, and covers the unusually wide range of the song like a queen. If this version doesn't give you goosebumps, I don't know what will.

The Bad

This is famously one of the worst renditions of the national anthems, and arguably changed the course of Roseanne Barr's career.

Many people were angry with how disrespectful it was, but in searching for this video, I came across an interview from years later with Roseanne that may change your opinion. Take a look:

The confusing

This version was so bad, the singer started laughing at himself. 

There you have it. Good, bad, and just confusing. Know any better or worse renditions of our national anthem? Comment here!

Healing power of the ukulele

When the weather begins to get nice out, I am always reminded of the best birthday gift I ever got: my ukulele. The spring that I got that thing, we'd sit outside and my friends would make requests, and I would look up the chords online to play. On evenings when it's nice out, I still like play, but sadly I don't have as much time these days

As a music student, ukulele had next to nothing to do with anything I was learning in my classes. When I got my uke,  I was in the thick of my four semesters of music theory and was questioning my passion for the art. But my ukulele allowed me to turn my brain off and just sing and play. 

It's a fun way to connect with people - my sister in California would even make requests. She requested Ingrid Michaelson's You and I. Here is one video I made for her a few years back.

Networking in Bars and its Effect on my Musical Ability

Last fall, I encountered a rather unconventional networking networking opportunity. I was two or three drinks in at a bar near campus during homecoming week when I bumped into an alumnus of the university who does PR in Chicago named Kim. As an advertising and public relations major, I was very interested in getting some career tips from her.

Long story short, she mentioned needing some help with social media content for a Chicago-area chamber ensemble. My music student heart nearly burst when she told me this. We chatted about this new client of hers over gin and tonics for a while, exchanged emails, and the rest is history. 

Since late January, I've been working on social media for Civitas, the outreach chamber ensemble. As a result, I've met members of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, sharpened my once non-existent social media writing skills, gained an understanding of what the PR pros do, and learned things about chamber music that I can apply to what I do in the chamber choir I'm in for school!

A few days ago, Kim was back in Lincoln and we met for some adult beverages to talk about Civitas and career opportunities in Chicago. At the end of the day, I guess what I'm trying to say is, you really never know where you're to run into someone who can help you advance your career. So when people offer you internships, even if this happens when you're drinking, take them up on it!

The Playlist of Terribly Excellent Guilty Pleasures

For this post, I asked some of my friends and family about their guilty pleasure songs: the songs that are decidedly terrible, but for one reason or another still hold a special secret place in our hearts. Under the promise of complete anonymity, I learned what songs people secretly and legitimately adore.

I apologize in advance for getting any of these songs stuck in your head.


1. Talk Dirty to Me - This song was my personal pick. I cannot get enough of it, and there was a point when it first came out where I listened to it every time I got in my car. I was even inspired to make my own ukulele version.

2. I want it that way - Deep down we all thought the Backstreet Boys had it goin' on back in the 90s. Clearly some of us still think they've got it goin' on.  

3. Everytime We Touch - Thank you, Cascada for giving me a precious few moments at junior high dances that weren't about bumping and grinding, where I could instead alternate jump around during the chorus and do those weird Matrix sways during the verses. 

4. Save the Last Dance for Me - Michael Bublé's cover of The Drifter's hit from the 60s has the cheesiest way of making every girl feel like the man of their dreams is waiting to sweep them off their feet at the end of the night. I would save the last dance for Bublé any day.

5. Boyfriend - I think we all knew that a Justin Bieber song would make this list. However, I was surprised at how many people suggested the acoustic version of Justin Bieber's Boyfriend, especially because I didn't even know it existed. Upon finding it on YouTube, I must admit that I didn't hate it. Don't judge. Give it a listen.

6. 4'33 - This piece famously divisive. Written by John Cage, it's four minutes and thirty three seconds of slience: the music is whatever sounds occur during that time. Some consider that music, and some do not. And some (like me) think it's entertaining to listen to people fight about it, which is why 4'33 made the list of guilty pleasures.

7. Kiss me - This hit by Six Pence None the Richer is the musical equivalent of a chick flick, so it's no surprise why so many guys picked this one as their favorite awful song.

8. Mambo No. 5 - Does the mention of this song bring anyone else back to their skating party days? And what's more, was anyone actually listening to those lyrics or were we all just too entranced by fun 20s music? And my last question: where are Mambos 1-4?

9. Just a Friend - The singing is bad, the lyrics are bad, and yet somehow this song is oddly endearing.

10. Believe - There is life after love (after love) (after love) (after love), and Cher won't let us forget it! Whether you first experienced this song during a painful break-up, at the club, or just playing Dance Dance Revolution you know that Cher's hypnotic voice and dance beat cannot be resisted. Thanks, Cher!

There you have it, folks. Let me know what you think. If your favorite guilty pleasure didn't make the list, leave a comment!

Feelin' 22 - and Your Other Favorite Guilty Pleasures

Yesterday I turned 22. The first gift I received that day was from my roommate. Without my consent, she played Taylor Swift's hit "22" loud enough to be heard throughout our apartment and probably by our neighbors as well. To be honest, I did not mind one bit. I have never been an open Taylor Swift fan, but I do admit that she has a knack for putting out music that I can't help but sing along and play on repeat, and "22" is no exception. And that is where the inspiration for this post came from.

I started thinking about guilty pleasure songs: the songs we secretly love, but know we should hate. These songs that are decidedly terrible, but for one reason or another still hold a special secret place in our hearts.

So I ask you now: give me your best awful songs. The songs your friends would mock you for if they knew you listened to it by choice. What music in your iTunes library do you  adore yet only listen to when no one is around? If you want to remain anonymous, my contact info is public on my Google+ profile, but please feel free to leave comments on this post as well. My blog is a judge free zone.

What It's Like to be Onstage During an Opera

Opera is fresh, exciting and innovative, and if you don't believe me, I hope this blog post will change your open mind. This weekend I was in the University of Nebraska - Lincoln's production of A Wedding, by William Bolcom. It's a modern opera set in the 70s, and everyone who came to see it loved it. I promise.

A Wedding is essentially a story about all the mishaps that occur over the course of Dino and Muffin's wedding day, and the best part of the show is finding out what each character's secret is. One of the characters in the opera is a videographer, and I thought it would be a fun idea to turn his prop into a real-live video camera that could get actual footage of the scenes.
Joe, my friend who played the videographer, was all for the idea when I pitched it to him. When I told my instructor at Jacht Ad Lab about the idea, she was beyond excited about it, and loaned me the agency's GoPro for the week of the production.

Below is a picture that the incredibly talented Michael Reinmiller took of the performance. Kneeling in the front of the stage is Joe the Videographer, getting that golden GoPro footage.

My friend David is currently in a videography class at the university was excited about this Go Pro footage as well. He had already been covering the opera as part of a project for the class, so he used the on-stage clips Joe got as b-roll in this excellent video he put together. Check it out!



If you thought opera was stuffy and boring, I urge you to look into what opera is going on in your community and check it out, I guarantee you'll be surprised!

Drinking Songs

Much like a fine wine can be paired with gourmet meals, music can be expertly paired with alcohol. Both booze and music can be catalysts for celebration and expression, and when combined make for a sublime experience. For today’s post, I paired a few music genres with drinks that compliment each to perfection. I also included a Spotify playlist so you can make a drink (or two or three) and enjoy some good tunes at the same time.

1. Country - Beer: Any kind. Cheap, homemade, from a keg, or in a Dixie cup. There is nothing pretentious about classic country, and nothing gets these musicians through heartache and hurt like a cold brew and some twangy guitar.

I suggest: Emmylou Harris, George Jones, Garth Brooks, Alan Jackson

2. Rap - Any kind of bottle that can be popped. While champagne is traditionally the drink of choice,the liquid in the bottle is not nearly as important as how baller you feel when you when you let it fly all over the couch you’re jumping on.

I suggest: Far East Movement, 50 Cent, Jay Z., Missy Elliott

3. Indie - Craft beer, some obscure brew you’ve probably never heard of. Like craft beer, there’s so much indie music to take in it’s best to discover your favorites by sharing with friends.

I suggest: Gotye, Alabama Shakes, Misterwives

4. Jazz - Gin Rickey: (Gin, lime, soda) Famously F. Scott Fitzgerald’s favorite cocktail, the Gin Rickey was a popular drink during the 20s when booze was banned jazz flourished.

I suggest: Ella Fitzgerald, Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Glenn Miller Orchestra

5. Karaoke - Whatever got you feeling confident enough to crawl up on a stage and give it your all. Keep drinking it until you can’t read the lyrics on the screen in front of you. You're a rockstar.

I suggest: Michael Jackson, Miley Cyrus, Meatloaf

6. Opera - Red Wine: Everyone on stage is singing about it, so why wouldn’t you? Much like a fine red wine, the opera is a classic artform, aged to perfection, and steeped in tradition.

I suggest: Verdi, Puccini, Donizetti

7. Acoustic - Your favorite coffee: I firmly believe that coffee and acoustic music (and perhaps an ibuprofen or two) are a fool-proof combination to clear up any aches and pains caused by the previous night’s activities.

I suggest: Obadiah Parker, Tracy Chapman, Jason Mraz

That's all I've got for you, please enjoy the playlist I put together, and leave comments with your suggestions and feedback! 

Why Music is Important

The primary reason I’m starting this blog is simple: music is important to me. Not in the gooey ‘music makes me feel stuff’ or ‘music will bring world peace’ kind of way. No, it’s important to me because it’s good for my brain, it’s my favorite way to communicate, and most importantly it's how I make friends. I firmly believe that you can be friends with anyone who likes the same band as you.  

More than that, it’s important to me that music is important to others as well. Music has shaped my life in such a way, that I wish everyone could be moved by music in the same way I have been. So that is what this blog is going to be all about: the community of music.