Okay....so I am going to say it, but I know we're all thinking it... This post is to give special props to people who don't get credit for what they deserve...the violin section of the orchestra. If you walk down the halls of the music building, you've all noticed it...but have you really taken the time to think about the social impact...I am talking about the neck callous... Imagine, the poor violin/viola player. They practice for hours a week and the grand result, the one way that you know that they work hard for their craft, is a rather conspicuous looking pinkish red blotch on a part of the neck that leaves it open to the possibility for being misconstrued as something else... I don't know about everyone else, but I have a hard time believing that the entire violin/viola section uses their spare time to give each other hickeys (I know what you're thinking maybe they do...maybe they want us to believe that it is something as innocent as a callous....no, it's a callous, a patch of tough reddened skin created because they work hard so you don't have to....sicko!)
The poor, poor hard working strings player! They only want to perfect their craft and in the end become a social pariah...the rest of the world may believe that you waste your time in ways that are too scandalous to mention...but we know the truth! Here's to you strings player...here's to you and your conspicuously placed calloused neck! You work hard for us, and without you, your hours and hours of practice, and your calloused neck, this production wouldn't be possible. I salute you.
Hugs and good thoughts to you all!
Brittany Ann
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Monday, January 21, 2008
Opera Camp
The opera camp weekend is coming to a close! After a grueling two days of singing, staging, singing and even more staging we're almost ready to perform Gianni Schicchi! Working with Professor Millan and the orchestra was such an awesome experience. Singing with the orchestra is like nothing else. As a cast we had a lot of fun together. Schicchi has such a small cast and most of us are upper classmen and have worked together a lot and know each other really well. It is really awesome to work with talented people that know what they are doing. This opera is going to be awesome! I can't believe the show will be going up in 2 more weeks! It seems like only yesterday we were auditioning.
Saturday, January 19, 2008
The Orchestra
I must say that I always enjoy the time when a performance is coming up and you add the instrumentation to the mix. For weeks, in this case months, the most we hear with our own ears is the plinking sounds of piano and various recordings of other casts. Barbara Blegen has done a fantastic job making the music come to life, but there is only so much you can experience with one instrument.
Today during orchestra rehearsal I finally experienced the full richness of sound that enters one's ears with full instrumentation. There are always growing pains, what with tempo changes and mis-communication, but for the most part the sound is truly wonderful. The once "oh that's cool" chord sequences and harmonies become full and emotional once the orchestration is added. The emotions portrayed become more powerful, and the connection between listener and musician is taken to another level.
It truly is magical.
Today during orchestra rehearsal I finally experienced the full richness of sound that enters one's ears with full instrumentation. There are always growing pains, what with tempo changes and mis-communication, but for the most part the sound is truly wonderful. The once "oh that's cool" chord sequences and harmonies become full and emotional once the orchestration is added. The emotions portrayed become more powerful, and the connection between listener and musician is taken to another level.
It truly is magical.
Too early to sing
It's 9:45 on Saturday morning, which is way too early to be up on a weekend, let alone to sing. I'm really anxious for today, to see how well everyone has kept their parts together over the break. At least we'll finally be singing with the orchestra, which is really exciting. Our orchestra here is really great, and with Luis conducting, they're really fun to sing with.
I have a pot of coffee brewed and my score packed up. It's time for Opera Camp.
I have a pot of coffee brewed and my score packed up. It's time for Opera Camp.
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