What a beautiful motto and mission! A great thought to have in mind at all times. :)
Monday, October 24, 2011
Saturday, October 8, 2011
The Chamber Music Connection: Schumann
Today I had the most incredible chamber music coaching with my piano quintet. We are playing the Schumann Piano Quintet.
As masterful and beautiful as this performance is, watching it is now dull for me: that is how very profound the experience was for me. I truly felt the music while knowing the four musicians I was surrounded by, as well as my coach, were feeling it as deeply as I did. We thought, reasoned, experimented, breathed, and laughed together. I know I was making pained/emotional faces that I should probably be very embarrassed of, but looking back, I know I couldn't have done anything else: it was required of the moment. It was an amazing, remarkable experience. I can barely describe it in words. When you feel something so powerful as music with other people, it introduces an incredible connection. I have never known how chamber music, or the making of music in general, to be so greatly fulfilling.
Today's coaching was our second. I can't wait to see what our group will achieve in the year we have together.
I hope you'll enjoy this piece (if you like the first movement, please check out the entire quintet)! It is very romantic, sublime, and captivating. It takes my breath away!
As masterful and beautiful as this performance is, watching it is now dull for me: that is how very profound the experience was for me. I truly felt the music while knowing the four musicians I was surrounded by, as well as my coach, were feeling it as deeply as I did. We thought, reasoned, experimented, breathed, and laughed together. I know I was making pained/emotional faces that I should probably be very embarrassed of, but looking back, I know I couldn't have done anything else: it was required of the moment. It was an amazing, remarkable experience. I can barely describe it in words. When you feel something so powerful as music with other people, it introduces an incredible connection. I have never known how chamber music, or the making of music in general, to be so greatly fulfilling.
Today's coaching was our second. I can't wait to see what our group will achieve in the year we have together.
I hope you'll enjoy this piece (if you like the first movement, please check out the entire quintet)! It is very romantic, sublime, and captivating. It takes my breath away!
A Chance to Breathe: Thoughts on the Beginning of My Junior Year
Hello readers!
Well. Obviously, it's been a bit since I've last posted, for an apparent and obvious reason: school has begun!
I'm a good month into my junior year of high school. In terms of schoolwork and outside activities, it's been my busiest year by far. And although I'm not getting enough sleep and the dark circles under my eyes seem to be present every morning, I wouldn't trade anything for what I have.
If you know me or have read anything of what I have written, it is frankly obvious that I am a nerd. And not only a nerd, but a supernerd. (I'm so awesome, aren't I? :D) So it shouldn't be surprising to you that school is interesting and invigorating to me. More than my being a nerd, though, I have been blessed by attending a really excellent high school with exciting, passionate teachers.
On top of that, I have entered junior year with what I believe to be a God-given new mindset. My main principles, in terms of my education, include:
1) Education is a privilege.
2) Work hard to benefit and/or honor myself, my family, and God.
3) Don't be influenced by peers in terms of negative lifestyle, attitude, or work ethic.
4) Learn from, and be inspired and guided by, positive influences: teachers, peers, etc.
I developed this mindset this summer because of a few reasons: reflecting on and journaling about my sophomore year in retrospect, seeing The Supply Education Group's videos about their school in Lenana, Kenya, inspiration from my amazing peers at last year's academic awards ceremony, my own passion and determination, and more. In addition to all this, my positive attitude I believe is straight from God. He has been so faithful and is so wonderful; He has really given me an amazing gift in my new attitude.
Yes, education is mandatory in accordance to federal regulations in the United States. But seeing The Supply's videos has made me see how fortunate we are to have education as a national requirement. In many parts of the world, education is but a dream.
Education empowers us, gives the younger generation a future, and opens the world up to discovery. It is our key to the future, a tool that allows us to enter society with a voice. School is not a burden: our education is a gift.
My school environment is remarkable. Yes, there are probably a disproportionate amount of kids who use drugs, there are those who always come in late or not at all, kids who skip classes, don't do their homework, etc.
But there are teachers who are excited about their subject, and are eager to share information and their past experiences. My peers are intelligent, thoughtful, hilarious, and unique. As I make my way into more advanced classes, I've noticed my classroom environments becoming more serious: I feel I'm learning more than I ever have. And although I do feel swamped with work, all the discoveries and opportunities available to me are incredibly exciting.
In terms of clubs, I'm excited to see what my school's environmental club (I'm treasurer) will achieve this year. Unfortunately, many of my clubs haven't really started up, but I'm looking forward to what they, and I in them, will accomplish.
Music.
It is truly my second life. I spend around around 14 hours or so a week involved in my youth orchestras, music theory classes, piano lessons, viola lessons, an honors piano quintet, and a scholarship string quartet. And while it can be a frustrating, overwhelming life (I was talking to a good friend today about how it's the whole "why all poets are suicidal" thing: artists are self-critical and determined to reach perfection), I feel incredibly blessed to be involved in such a wonderful art.
I am doing a LOT within music. But every single minute I spend practicing, rehearsing, attending class, etc. I feel myself maturing as a musician, artist, and person. My appreciation for my teachers and friends around me, as well as culture, history, and music itself, is constantly increasing. I'm so privileged to be in a position where I'm given such amazing opportunities: to learn from some remarkable artists and role models, to meet and bond with incredible musicians, people, and friends, and to surround myself with the beauty that is music.
God has blessed me greatly: I'm very thankful to Him. Yes, I'm struggling a little with the work load and busyness: sleep is indeed a precious commodity that I'm definitely lacking at this point! But beyond that, I'm continually amazed by the depth of everything that is in the world, ready for me to encounter and discover.
Life is a gift. God has placed it before us.
Enjoy it. :)
Well. Obviously, it's been a bit since I've last posted, for an apparent and obvious reason: school has begun!
I'm a good month into my junior year of high school. In terms of schoolwork and outside activities, it's been my busiest year by far. And although I'm not getting enough sleep and the dark circles under my eyes seem to be present every morning, I wouldn't trade anything for what I have.
If you know me or have read anything of what I have written, it is frankly obvious that I am a nerd. And not only a nerd, but a supernerd. (I'm so awesome, aren't I? :D) So it shouldn't be surprising to you that school is interesting and invigorating to me. More than my being a nerd, though, I have been blessed by attending a really excellent high school with exciting, passionate teachers.
On top of that, I have entered junior year with what I believe to be a God-given new mindset. My main principles, in terms of my education, include:
1) Education is a privilege.
2) Work hard to benefit and/or honor myself, my family, and God.
3) Don't be influenced by peers in terms of negative lifestyle, attitude, or work ethic.
4) Learn from, and be inspired and guided by, positive influences: teachers, peers, etc.
I developed this mindset this summer because of a few reasons: reflecting on and journaling about my sophomore year in retrospect, seeing The Supply Education Group's videos about their school in Lenana, Kenya, inspiration from my amazing peers at last year's academic awards ceremony, my own passion and determination, and more. In addition to all this, my positive attitude I believe is straight from God. He has been so faithful and is so wonderful; He has really given me an amazing gift in my new attitude.
Yes, education is mandatory in accordance to federal regulations in the United States. But seeing The Supply's videos has made me see how fortunate we are to have education as a national requirement. In many parts of the world, education is but a dream.
Education empowers us, gives the younger generation a future, and opens the world up to discovery. It is our key to the future, a tool that allows us to enter society with a voice. School is not a burden: our education is a gift.
My school environment is remarkable. Yes, there are probably a disproportionate amount of kids who use drugs, there are those who always come in late or not at all, kids who skip classes, don't do their homework, etc.
But there are teachers who are excited about their subject, and are eager to share information and their past experiences. My peers are intelligent, thoughtful, hilarious, and unique. As I make my way into more advanced classes, I've noticed my classroom environments becoming more serious: I feel I'm learning more than I ever have. And although I do feel swamped with work, all the discoveries and opportunities available to me are incredibly exciting.
In terms of clubs, I'm excited to see what my school's environmental club (I'm treasurer) will achieve this year. Unfortunately, many of my clubs haven't really started up, but I'm looking forward to what they, and I in them, will accomplish.
Music.
It is truly my second life. I spend around around 14 hours or so a week involved in my youth orchestras, music theory classes, piano lessons, viola lessons, an honors piano quintet, and a scholarship string quartet. And while it can be a frustrating, overwhelming life (I was talking to a good friend today about how it's the whole "why all poets are suicidal" thing: artists are self-critical and determined to reach perfection), I feel incredibly blessed to be involved in such a wonderful art.
I am doing a LOT within music. But every single minute I spend practicing, rehearsing, attending class, etc. I feel myself maturing as a musician, artist, and person. My appreciation for my teachers and friends around me, as well as culture, history, and music itself, is constantly increasing. I'm so privileged to be in a position where I'm given such amazing opportunities: to learn from some remarkable artists and role models, to meet and bond with incredible musicians, people, and friends, and to surround myself with the beauty that is music.
God has blessed me greatly: I'm very thankful to Him. Yes, I'm struggling a little with the work load and busyness: sleep is indeed a precious commodity that I'm definitely lacking at this point! But beyond that, I'm continually amazed by the depth of everything that is in the world, ready for me to encounter and discover.
Life is a gift. God has placed it before us.
Enjoy it. :)
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