It just never ceases to amaze me how dismissive some people can be.
I've mentioned and discussed it in previous blog posts but, again, I can never forget about it because it happens 24/7.
I realize these posts can come off as ranting or complaining but the only way for people to even realize there is a problem is to talk about it as much as possible. It's been my life campaign, if you will.
There was another football game tonight. My family and I attended, not so much to see the football players or the good game it turned out to be but to support the band at half-time. Early tomorrow morning they leave for a marching competition in Houston. The band director told the parents of his students that he planned on leaving early so that the kids could get a good night's rest before having to get up before the sun rose to get on a bus and be in Houston at the time they are to perform. Completely understandable. But when it came time to pack things up and leave for the night, the principal of the school went over to him and suggested that the band stay for the remainder of the game to "cheer the football team on."
Now, that's all fine and good but the question begs to be asked: What about the band? Do they not matter tonight, even if they have to leave at four in the morning after a long week, just to play a few songs over and over when a touchdown is scored? I can only imagine what both band students and directors think when people suggest things like that, something along the lines of "What about us?"
Friday, October 30, 2009
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Food for thought
Having been in a college enviornment for about three years, I've come to find that, on occasion, classes and their credit hours have little to do with each other.
Take into consideration, for example, this class- Writing for the Mass Media. It's a Monday, Wednesday, Friday class, 50 minutes a day. That's 150 minutes a week, three credit hours. Makes sense; time is crucial with each class period, so I feel we're getting our three credit hours' worth. On the other hand, however, Master Chorale meets twice a week (Mondays and Wednesdays) for two hours, 240 minutes a week, and the class is only ONE credit hour.
You may think "OK, well, it's an elective, it should be worth less." That's fine and I agree to an extent. Although I am not a music major, I still have to work at completing my degree plan in order to graduate. Master Chorale is still a heavy-thinking class and unlike any other class where a mediochre performance is acceptable, here you either get it or you don't.
So why get less than half the amount of credits for a class that is more high stress for a longer amount of time? I am in no way saying my this or my other classes are too easy, I am just stating that in my opinion, students in similar situations should at least get one more credit for such intense courses. By such a class being "rated" with one credit hour, UTB is saying "These classes aren't as worth your time as these other ones" in a way.
Take into consideration, for example, this class- Writing for the Mass Media. It's a Monday, Wednesday, Friday class, 50 minutes a day. That's 150 minutes a week, three credit hours. Makes sense; time is crucial with each class period, so I feel we're getting our three credit hours' worth. On the other hand, however, Master Chorale meets twice a week (Mondays and Wednesdays) for two hours, 240 minutes a week, and the class is only ONE credit hour.
You may think "OK, well, it's an elective, it should be worth less." That's fine and I agree to an extent. Although I am not a music major, I still have to work at completing my degree plan in order to graduate. Master Chorale is still a heavy-thinking class and unlike any other class where a mediochre performance is acceptable, here you either get it or you don't.
So why get less than half the amount of credits for a class that is more high stress for a longer amount of time? I am in no way saying my this or my other classes are too easy, I am just stating that in my opinion, students in similar situations should at least get one more credit for such intense courses. By such a class being "rated" with one credit hour, UTB is saying "These classes aren't as worth your time as these other ones" in a way.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Let music live
Today's choir rehearsal began somberly. Our director, Mrs. Brumley, broached the subject of the passing of two of her friends, one being Barry Horn. She talked for a short while about how he loved not only the arts in general but the University Master Chorale. According to her, he helped raise funds so that the choir could make trips overseas to Ireland and Italy. While it is definitely a sad moment in the organization's history, we can only learn from it and move on with the passion people like Mr. Horn had for the arts and hope we can give back even half as much.
The next thing that happened seemed to be perfectly called for, so much so that it was hardly detectable at the moment. Mrs. Brumley quitely finished her speech on these losses and went on to the first song we were to go over, "The Awakening".
I can only wish that we had had an audience. While not all the notes were perfect and by no means am I claiming that we were simply worth someone else's time, I wish that an "outsider" could have witnessed and felt the meaning behind the music and lyrics of the song and how they somewhat coincidentally related to the news of these passings. The song starts off sadly and quietly- representing today, the news off the passings but then the arrangement gradually brightens in mood and in volume, lightening the feeling of the music to a happy, cheerful mood with the words "Awake! Awake!" and ending with the phrases "Let music never die in me...let music live!"
If we can learn anything from moments like these it's that, even if the world around you is crashing, the music of happier times will lift our spirits. This is most of all what I wish for people who have a very small understanding of the arts.
It's something you have to experience to understand but once you do, it's your lifeline.
The next thing that happened seemed to be perfectly called for, so much so that it was hardly detectable at the moment. Mrs. Brumley quitely finished her speech on these losses and went on to the first song we were to go over, "The Awakening".
I can only wish that we had had an audience. While not all the notes were perfect and by no means am I claiming that we were simply worth someone else's time, I wish that an "outsider" could have witnessed and felt the meaning behind the music and lyrics of the song and how they somewhat coincidentally related to the news of these passings. The song starts off sadly and quietly- representing today, the news off the passings but then the arrangement gradually brightens in mood and in volume, lightening the feeling of the music to a happy, cheerful mood with the words "Awake! Awake!" and ending with the phrases "Let music never die in me...let music live!"
If we can learn anything from moments like these it's that, even if the world around you is crashing, the music of happier times will lift our spirits. This is most of all what I wish for people who have a very small understanding of the arts.
It's something you have to experience to understand but once you do, it's your lifeline.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Results
Despite the common attitude towards the arts in South Texas, specifically music organizations, all five Brownsville high school bands earned the highest rating at Pigskin this past Saturday. Had it been a year to go to the state competition (such competition is held every other year, this year being an off year), all five bands would have gone head-to-head once again, battling for the top prize in Texas bands.
The picture above illustrates not only the high competetive level between bands and schools but also the number of young musicians involved in the arts. While not all bands were as large as Brownsville's, 20 bands attended from all over the Rio Grande Valley, filling the field from endzone to endzone. In addition, the home side of the stadium was filled, causing the audience to spill over to the visitor side as visible in the picture.
Despite my previous blog post about Pigskin, I was glad to be among a large group of people who also knew all about the competition, music and the arts in general. Though compared to the general population of the Valley this was a somewhat small group of people, it showed that there indeed are people who share the same opinion of fine arts. It didn't matter that there were strong winds blowing just about every which way or that moths the size of fist were practically smacking you in the face, what mattered was the music.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Half full at the Gala
Yesterday, I went to one of the first Bravo Opera performances open to the public, "Concert Gala". There was no questioning the quality of the company's sound and overall performance; it was a truly magnificent sound, but I couldn't help but notice the people who were sitting in the audience.
About two-thirds of the SETB Lecture Hall was full, of that about well over half of the audience was people over the age of 50 and then the rest were younger. I couldn't help wondering why that latter group was doing there. I know from experience that the majority of Music Appreciation professors require students to attend at least four Patron of the Arts performances and my sister, who also attended yesterday, was one of them. So was the yonger crowd there for the credit? Judging from the line of these "younger" people getting their program stamped "Completed" at the end, I'd say it was a definite possibility.
Of course I completely understand how and why Music Appreciation professors require that students attend such performanes- to enhance their exposure and understanding of music and the arts, but at the same time I wish it didn't take a dependent grade to get people my age to these events. Then again, who knows? The said requirement might spark a new interest in a student and they might continue to attend even after they've fulfilled their degree plan obligation.
Whatever the case, I'm glad I was in attendance. I got to see and hear some of my closest friends do what they love to do, and aside from that, I was able to witness a quality performance, the kind that not many people are ever exposed to. It's a great organization for a young university to have- for both performers and the general student popluation.
About two-thirds of the SETB Lecture Hall was full, of that about well over half of the audience was people over the age of 50 and then the rest were younger. I couldn't help wondering why that latter group was doing there. I know from experience that the majority of Music Appreciation professors require students to attend at least four Patron of the Arts performances and my sister, who also attended yesterday, was one of them. So was the yonger crowd there for the credit? Judging from the line of these "younger" people getting their program stamped "Completed" at the end, I'd say it was a definite possibility.
Of course I completely understand how and why Music Appreciation professors require that students attend such performanes- to enhance their exposure and understanding of music and the arts, but at the same time I wish it didn't take a dependent grade to get people my age to these events. Then again, who knows? The said requirement might spark a new interest in a student and they might continue to attend even after they've fulfilled their degree plan obligation.
Whatever the case, I'm glad I was in attendance. I got to see and hear some of my closest friends do what they love to do, and aside from that, I was able to witness a quality performance, the kind that not many people are ever exposed to. It's a great organization for a young university to have- for both performers and the general student popluation.
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Why not?
While I've never even picked up a musical instrument, I've always had a great respect for people who could play one and even more respect for those who make it seem effortless.
This week, the buzz around Eidman was getting a hold of tickets to Pigskin. Although the name refers to something about football, it's all about bands, marching bands. Among high school marching bands, this is the show of the year. Football half-time shows are practice and this is the real deal. It's the one place where local bands go head to head, showing off their best sounds, marching skills and visuals- which often come in a slew of brightly-colored flags and maybe even a parachute or two. If it sounds over-the-top, it is. And if your band isn't, you'll probably get left in the dust. Competition is the name of the game.
I don't want to brag, but there's little I don't know about this kind of competition. I've gone just about every year since I was just a little seedling of one year old and one question has always popped into my head: why is the crowd consisted of only parents and family? Sure, there are occasional visitors from outside the band world- maybe a choir student or two (my guess is that they understand the hard work and dedication it takes to get to Pigskin) but there's rarely a complete stranger to the music world. Considered, there are a limited number of tickets one must aquire to get in, but why is the "demographic" here only parents and teachers?
I suppose the "concern," if that's even the right word for it, is that others just won't understand the tense situation it is for bands and their directors. Just making it to Pigskin is a huge ordeal and ranking in one of the top bands is even bigger. Why share it with people who you know aren't going to appreciate everything they put into it?
But at the same time, I ask why not?
This week, the buzz around Eidman was getting a hold of tickets to Pigskin. Although the name refers to something about football, it's all about bands, marching bands. Among high school marching bands, this is the show of the year. Football half-time shows are practice and this is the real deal. It's the one place where local bands go head to head, showing off their best sounds, marching skills and visuals- which often come in a slew of brightly-colored flags and maybe even a parachute or two. If it sounds over-the-top, it is. And if your band isn't, you'll probably get left in the dust. Competition is the name of the game.
I don't want to brag, but there's little I don't know about this kind of competition. I've gone just about every year since I was just a little seedling of one year old and one question has always popped into my head: why is the crowd consisted of only parents and family? Sure, there are occasional visitors from outside the band world- maybe a choir student or two (my guess is that they understand the hard work and dedication it takes to get to Pigskin) but there's rarely a complete stranger to the music world. Considered, there are a limited number of tickets one must aquire to get in, but why is the "demographic" here only parents and teachers?
I suppose the "concern," if that's even the right word for it, is that others just won't understand the tense situation it is for bands and their directors. Just making it to Pigskin is a huge ordeal and ranking in one of the top bands is even bigger. Why share it with people who you know aren't going to appreciate everything they put into it?
But at the same time, I ask why not?
Monday, October 12, 2009
Do YOU listen?
Sometimes I wish there were cameras installed in each room at Eidman. Unless you've claimed the hallway outside the Master Chorale room or the bench just next to the one of the brass practice halls, you just don't know the what comes out of those rooms: amazingly rich sounds as well as a few clunkers here and there. Nonetheless, it's preparation for a quality performance.
Today, our first rehersal of the week, we hammered out some difficult spots in a few songs. Of course, for me, it's all a tiny bit over my head since I'm out of practice but I'm gradually getting back in the swing of things. I'll have to work on my own during my free time to make sure I know what I'm doing when we rehearse again on Wednesday but as much as that takes away from time I could use to do something "fun", this is my fun.
That, specifically, is something that's always bugged me. When we leave Eidman, we become another person in the sea of students at UTB. Unless I tell someone I'm a part of an "elite musical organization" (my director's words, not mine!) I'm just another student, no different than, say, a math major. People have no idea the extra hard work we put into rehearsal time, and on top of that the intense thinking process you have to maintain.
There's really no better way to show a stranger to the music world the passion people have for music than to tell you to sit outside a room in Eidman and do nothing but listen, really listen and feel.
“Music expresses that which cannot be put into words and cannot remain silent” - Victor Hugo
Today, our first rehersal of the week, we hammered out some difficult spots in a few songs. Of course, for me, it's all a tiny bit over my head since I'm out of practice but I'm gradually getting back in the swing of things. I'll have to work on my own during my free time to make sure I know what I'm doing when we rehearse again on Wednesday but as much as that takes away from time I could use to do something "fun", this is my fun.
That, specifically, is something that's always bugged me. When we leave Eidman, we become another person in the sea of students at UTB. Unless I tell someone I'm a part of an "elite musical organization" (my director's words, not mine!) I'm just another student, no different than, say, a math major. People have no idea the extra hard work we put into rehearsal time, and on top of that the intense thinking process you have to maintain.
There's really no better way to show a stranger to the music world the passion people have for music than to tell you to sit outside a room in Eidman and do nothing but listen, really listen and feel.
“Music expresses that which cannot be put into words and cannot remain silent” - Victor Hugo
An invitation
I've never been sure of what exactly it is about the culture in South Texas, but for one reason or another, the majority of people- all ages- never give the arts a second thought. Sure there are exceptions (and I'm proud to say I'm one of them) but when you consider the entertainment preferences for this part of the state, you don't exactly picture large audiences at ballet recitals or sold-out box offices at the next jazz band concert. Additionally, a very small crowd even notices and is exactly the purpose of this blog.
As the daughter of a band director with 30 years of experience in South Texas public schools, I've grown up accustomed, but never comfortable, with the widely-shared notion that the arts are extras and never necessities, that they need very little time to perfect and prepare for and that if they were to suddenly disappear, no one would care to even notice its absence. The very same thing has been something I've constantly tried to change ever since I really realized that one person truely has the power to impact the masses. It sounds snooty but it's true. One way I've attempted to change this perception is by being a part of something that would expose the average, middle-class person to the arts. I suppose a very "Hispanic" attitude towards anything to do with the arts is simply passive: "Es para los ricos," ("It's for the rich")I've heard a few times- one phrase that sums it up.
Exposure is probably one of the few- if not the only- way for people to truly appreciate and maybe even begin to like the arts. Only recently have I seen more Hispanics take part in and even be in charge of big fine arts events and organizations. However, none of this will ever be effective 100 percent if the audience doesn't understand the preparation and dedication artists put into their craft.
I've been lucky enough to be part of an audition-only choir at UTB for almost a semester now and even luckier to work with such talented musicians two to three times a week. My first day, I was completely blown away at not only the sound human voices can make (yes, blown away- even after being part of choirs all my life) but also the level of dedication and intense thinking levels these people have. I've never met an artist who had a passive attitude towards their love of the arts, it's always been all or nothing and that first day's impression was no exception. Everyone shows up to class every day we meet and, simply put, there's no messing around.
This past class time, yesterday, we not only continued polishing a very advanced piece of music (our director, with the credentials a public school choir director can only dream of, said it was the hardest thing she's ever taught...yes, you can bet I was biting my nails at hearing that. It's just one of those pieces that has way too much ink on the paper.) but also sight-read, meaning that we sang through a song we've never seen before. Of course I understand that that doesn't really sound like a big deal to anyone who isn't familar with music but if you are you know how difficult and rare it is for a choir to do that successfully and almost perfectly. This is my main "beef" with with the large group of people down here; I'm frustrated that they just don't see how much effort people put into getting close to perfection. The hard work is unapreciated does nothing but discourage people who sometimes have nothing else, no other light in their lives other than their art.
Therefore, I'd like to invite any readers to listen, really listen or see the next time an opportunity to understand the arts. Try to find the meaning behind the poetry, behind the music's rise and fall, the reason why an artist used red instead of blue. The possiblities are endless. Art is endless.
"Be the change you wish to see in the world." -Gandhi
As the daughter of a band director with 30 years of experience in South Texas public schools, I've grown up accustomed, but never comfortable, with the widely-shared notion that the arts are extras and never necessities, that they need very little time to perfect and prepare for and that if they were to suddenly disappear, no one would care to even notice its absence. The very same thing has been something I've constantly tried to change ever since I really realized that one person truely has the power to impact the masses. It sounds snooty but it's true. One way I've attempted to change this perception is by being a part of something that would expose the average, middle-class person to the arts. I suppose a very "Hispanic" attitude towards anything to do with the arts is simply passive: "Es para los ricos," ("It's for the rich")I've heard a few times- one phrase that sums it up.
Exposure is probably one of the few- if not the only- way for people to truly appreciate and maybe even begin to like the arts. Only recently have I seen more Hispanics take part in and even be in charge of big fine arts events and organizations. However, none of this will ever be effective 100 percent if the audience doesn't understand the preparation and dedication artists put into their craft.
I've been lucky enough to be part of an audition-only choir at UTB for almost a semester now and even luckier to work with such talented musicians two to three times a week. My first day, I was completely blown away at not only the sound human voices can make (yes, blown away- even after being part of choirs all my life) but also the level of dedication and intense thinking levels these people have. I've never met an artist who had a passive attitude towards their love of the arts, it's always been all or nothing and that first day's impression was no exception. Everyone shows up to class every day we meet and, simply put, there's no messing around.
This past class time, yesterday, we not only continued polishing a very advanced piece of music (our director, with the credentials a public school choir director can only dream of, said it was the hardest thing she's ever taught...yes, you can bet I was biting my nails at hearing that. It's just one of those pieces that has way too much ink on the paper.) but also sight-read, meaning that we sang through a song we've never seen before. Of course I understand that that doesn't really sound like a big deal to anyone who isn't familar with music but if you are you know how difficult and rare it is for a choir to do that successfully and almost perfectly. This is my main "beef" with with the large group of people down here; I'm frustrated that they just don't see how much effort people put into getting close to perfection. The hard work is unapreciated does nothing but discourage people who sometimes have nothing else, no other light in their lives other than their art.
Therefore, I'd like to invite any readers to listen, really listen or see the next time an opportunity to understand the arts. Try to find the meaning behind the poetry, behind the music's rise and fall, the reason why an artist used red instead of blue. The possiblities are endless. Art is endless.
"Be the change you wish to see in the world." -Gandhi
No day but today
“Most people live and die with their music still unplayed. They never dare to try.”
-Mary Kay Ash
-Mary Kay Ash
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
What's all this?
One may wonder what I'll be discussing in this blog, so I figured it would be wise to explain.
More and more, appreciation for true art is disappearing, under rated. Therefore, I will be featuring and discussing music organizations and performances in Brownsville, specifically the way that too many people simply don't give the time of day to.
In addition to that, I'd like to forewarn you, Reader, of my occasional and sporadic outbursts of cynicism and sarcasm. All in good fun, of course but still a warning regardless. :)
*
Sharing time: "Step In Time" from "Mary Poppins" because you "never need a reason" and because it's one of my favorite musicals of all time.
P.S. In case you didn't notice, the title of this blog is alluding to the lyrics of the song in the video above.
More and more, appreciation for true art is disappearing, under rated. Therefore, I will be featuring and discussing music organizations and performances in Brownsville, specifically the way that too many people simply don't give the time of day to.
In addition to that, I'd like to forewarn you, Reader, of my occasional and sporadic outbursts of cynicism and sarcasm. All in good fun, of course but still a warning regardless. :)
*
Sharing time: "Step In Time" from "Mary Poppins" because you "never need a reason" and because it's one of my favorite musicals of all time.
P.S. In case you didn't notice, the title of this blog is alluding to the lyrics of the song in the video above.
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