Hard work pays off and I definitely learned this from my first solo performance in front of a significantly large audience, as well as the joy and hardship that came along with it. Music has and always will be a big part of my life. Growing up in a very musically open family, I started learning how to play the violin at the age of seven after my parents decided that I should learn how to play an instrument. Because I wasn’t the brightest kid back in the days, having a music teacher come to my house every week was torture for the teacher, my parents, considering I detested the violin, and me and would continuously cry. I simply had no interest in learning how to play the instrument, even though my teacher knew that I had some sort of talent …show more content…
The music director emailed me the sheet music piece so that I could start practicing and learning the piece before the concert. I was very happy and my family was proud of me as well. From then on, with rehearsals being held every Tuesday night, I would practice with the orchestra so that I was comfortable with how I was playing. Almost every day leading up to the concert, I remember listening to the piece and studying the music until I got sick of it. Knowing that the performance was coming soon, lots of anxiety and regrets kicked in, as even though it wasn’t my first concert it was my first solo concert in a major hall with many peoples eyes glaring at me. Also keeping in mind that the piece was not quite the easiest to play, as it was very slow, which, is one of my main weaknesses as I’m better at playing faster pieces seeing as how slow pieces tend to be harder on the violin. I became quite frustrated at some parts where I was not able to get the notes right. However, despite all the struggles, I was at times being optimistic. Rehearsing with the orchestra was fairly easy, but I realized how nervous I got. Consequently, this made me think to myself, how am I going to play in front of hundreds of people if I can’t even play in front of 50 kids? I still remember about a week before the concert I felt shame and regrets in deciding to play the solo part as I knew lots of other kids would’ve wanted to play the part. I practiced up to 5 hours a day, every day 2 weeks before the concert and I was pretty confident on the day that it will go well. Even though my gut feeling was telling me I wasn’t, I knew I had to be optimistic and stay confident for the performance day. Going up the stage wasn’t anything nerve wracking as my solo piece was not the first piece we were performing. We played 2 or 3 pieces before
Performing or public speaking of any kind is difficult, but that difficulty can help to build confidence. Fine arts gives students the ability to perform and build confidence with their own support team of people who do and love the same thing. Not having to perform alone and knowing that everything possible has been done to ensure a good performance helps performers be confident in themselves and in their abilities. “Puneet Jacob, former choristers and current assistant conductor, says kids are often afraid to perform because of fear of failure.” (Lefebvre) The more a person faces their fear, especially when they do well and the fear is disproved, the less afraid he or she will become. When students work on music or a play for months on end, they become much more confident in themselves and what they can do than they were when they first began.
I attended the Student Recital Concert on April 16th in the Theatre on the 2nd floor at SWIC. It was apparently the last recital of the year. The spotlight was focused on the stage and it was dark in the audience. The only people who were dressed nicely in the audience were performers who were not backstage yet. Everyone else wore normal, casual attire. The room was fairly large. The first act was Sonata 1 in F major. This came from the Baroque era. This was written by Benedetto Marcello. Originally a tuba solo, this piece was accompanied by the piano. Christopher Smith played the tuba, while Diana Umali played the piano. The woman was of Asian descent and wore a black shirt, black pants and black flats. The Caucasian gentleman wore a rust colored dress shirt, black pants and dress shoes. Largo 1 was slow and somewhat depressing. It sounded melancholy. Largo II seemed to progress louder and louder. Largo III picked up some speed. I actually liked it and it started off faster. The duo finally finished at around seven minutes and forty-eight seconds. They collected their chairs and music sheet stands and exited the stage. Then a young black girl, Kayla Jennings, walks on to the stage. An older man, Dennis Bergin, steps out onto the stage and sits on the bench in front of the piano. He was wearing a nice suit. The girl then runs backstage, as if she has forgotten something. She came back out and stood in the middle of the stage. She then gestures to the pianist. The girl then starts singing Homeward Bound by Jay Althouse. The girl was a soprano and I could tell that she was nervous. She seemed to laugh a lot during the song as if she was not taking it seriously. About three minutes into the song, Kayla laughs and proceeds to put her ...
After graduating from high school, I entered Soochow University, whose music department is among the best in Taiwan. During these four years, I had numerous opportunities to perform on stage. Realizing early on that performance is the lifeblood of musicians, I joined as many orchestras, wood bands, and brass quintets as possible to acquire performance experience. Having numerous performing chances, and enjoying each of them, inspired me to become a professional musician in the future. Besides taking part in performing activities, I also used my experiences and knowledge to teach students. Believing that teaching others how to appreciate the beauty of life is fulfilling, I teach both to give knowledge and to enhance my own artistic ability. Because I so enjoyed my conversations with students, I remain committed to teaching and trying to convince others of the limitless joys of music.
On Tuesday, October 17, 2017, I attended a musical concert. This was the first time I had ever been to a concert and did not play. The concert was not what I expected. I assumed I was going to a symphony that featured a soloist clarinet; however, upon arrival I quickly realized that my previous assumptions were false. My experience was sort of a rollercoaster. One minute I was down and almost asleep; next I was laughing; then I was up and intrigued.
The first piece presented in this concert was Robert Strauss’ Metamorphosen, Study for 23 Solo Strings a piece was composed during the last months of World War II, from August 1944 to March 1945, dedicated it to Paul Sacher. It was first performed in January 1946 with ten violins, five violas, five cellos, and three double basses, this was immolated in the performance by the Atlanta Symphony orchestra on April 13th that I attended. It is widely believed that Strauss wrote the work as a statement of mourning for Germany's destruction during the war, in particular as an elegy for devastating bombing of Munich during the second World War.
The first time I picked up an instrument was at the age of 7 when I was in third grade. You can call it fate, luck, or my destiny but I was one of the three students that was able to join my elementary orchestra. Of course like any kid, I was afraid if had the ability to do such a thing. I mean it’s not every day you’re recruiting into the arts. I kept asking myself “can I do this? Will I fit in this group?” in other words can I be part of the classical music culture? It wasn’t till my first school concert where I had my first solo of “My Heart Will Go On” the love theme from Titanic that I was able to express the countless hours put into a 15 second solo. After that experience I never questioned if I belonged to the culture. Instead I focused on the next story I would tell on stage with the music score in
On December 7, 2017, Colonia High school hosted it’s Winter Concert. Pieces were performed by the Concert Band, Wind Ensemble, Jazz Band (directed by Kevin Perdoni), and the Concert Choir, Women’s Choir, Acapatriots and Show Choir (directed by Alaine Bolton). I, being in Concert Band, really thought that the show was a success and that we were able to display the hard work we have accomplished since September. The first band group to perform was the Concert Band. We performed “Christmas Spectacular”, “Chanukah Festival Overture”, “The Polar Express”, and “The Canadian Brass Christmas”.
Our class had previously heard about this particular concert, so I knew what to expect as far a music pieces being played but I have always preferred to have the program in front of me. For this concert, there were two parts with an intermission between them. During the first part, three pieces were played. During the second part, Beethoven’s 6th symphony was played. The first piece in the first half was the Die Fledermaus Overture (1874)
The quote “The wise musicians are those who play what they can master”~ Duke Ellington, reminds me of the life Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart lived as he grew to become one of the most remembered classical composers in all of history. Making his passion for music carry him through life, beginning from when he was a young boy till his last breath. In many stages of his life Mozart had success and fallouts, but one thing always remained in his life as a musician and that was music, which he used to be drawn to mastery of his own advances.
As a musician, I value the importance of improvement and continuing education. One of my strengths is that I am never completely satisfied with my musical abilities and knowledge and am always improving. This mindset also coincides with humility.
On May 16, 2014, I attended my very first concert. A jazz concert in the city. I wasn't sure what the experience would be like, but to my surprise it was fantastic! I enjoyed it immensely! The part that I liked about it most was that I was able to support my wonderful school, professor, and a great ensemble.
For this concert report I chose to go to a performance of student composers held at the Kimball Recital Hall. I chose this one because I wanted to see some of the talent that my peers have in the music realm, and also it was one of the only concerts I have been able to attend because I usually work at night. It was impressive to hear pieces composed by students. I cannot imagine creating something as complex as a musical composition, much less actually performing it, so this aspect of the concert was particularly awe-inspiring. There was a large attendance, and I think that much of the audience consisted of friends of the composers and/or performers. I went with three friends, who I convinced by telling it would be interesting to see student composers.
On my second piano recital, I invited my family and two very close family friends to attend. As the day of the recital drew closer and closer, I started getting extremely nervous and anxious to perform, even if it was simply for my family. On the day of the recital, I was stressed and fearful to play my songs. My heart pounding, I tentatively took a seat in front of the brown Baby Grand and placed my hands on the long, 88-key keyboard. The first part of the recital went by smoothly, with little or no mistakes on my part.
I attended a concert that was a piano trio. The instruments were obviously a piano, a cello, and a violin. The concert was done by two adults and one student. The student played the cello. The concert was held here on Oklahoma State's campus at Willard Hall. The room it was held in was a relatively small room. It wasn't a real concert hall it was more of a small kind of parlor room. Piano trios are meant for smaller audiences, so it worked out well. There was about 30 people in the room attending the performance. The music played was from different musical areas. The smaller setting made it easier to focus on the musicians and what all they were doing when playing these songs.
I feel proud to have grown up in a musical environment, as my grandfather was a professional musician who played in several professional symphony orchestras, my mother learned violin from my grandfather, then my older brother from her and then I did. On the other hand, my father is a former Fulbright Scholar with a DMA (Doctor of Musical Arts) degree from the College-Conservatory of Music, University of Cincinnati. Although they have all have been a tremendous inspiration, it was my own will, passion and love for music that led me to pursue such career.