#1
As I was going to begin writing a cultural event report I noticed that I actually started one but never finished or submitted it. Even though it is now several weeks past the fact, I decided to complete it on account of it was one of the first events I attended on campus and I thoroughly enjoyed it; related or not to Honors 201. On September 30, 2011 I attended the Symphony Band and Wind Ensemble concert at Sursa Hall. I had the opportunity to receive credit it four of my classes this semester for this event, so I figured “why not?” Plus, I enjoy instrumental concerts in the classic band setting just as this event was. I didn’t know what to expect of these two groups’ performances, but I must admit that I was blown away by the talent and emotion put into each and every song. Following the first tune of the night, Dr. Vondran, the conductor of the first band, announced that the concert was somewhat of a tribute to the tragic events that unfolded on September 11, 2001. Looking through the program I was able to see the validity in this statement, but that definitely didn’t mean that I was envisioning burning buildings and flags in my head the whole time. Usually being the performer on stage in these groups concerned about playing the right notes, rhythms, and with proper technique, I finally got placed on the other side of the fence to watch and critique the performance. Something I have been able to relate out of this event was what all of my music teachers had in common in their teachings: They wanted us to feel the music and its meaning in order to express it in a way that would move and shake the audience. As an audience member, I was shaken. It was the most amazing feeling to actually feel fear and have my heart pounding when the music got so intense, loud, rhythmic, and ended with a crash, or to feel giddy or calm when music was flowing and sweet.
In a far-fetched attempt to relate this experience with content in this Humanities course I will begin with restating my confession that ancient literature is most certainly not my strong suit in subjects, although I do what I can with it. I suppose many people appreciate these works to a greater extent than I do and that’s great. I understand the complexity, talent, history, lessons, contradictions, and value of the various things we have learned, but perhaps I would appreciate them if they were in some other form of media? Often times I find music speaking to me greater than words, although sometimes I do need things literally written or spoken out for me in order to get it through my blonde roots. So when these people were writing or orally passing down these epics and poems and lessons and philosophies, were there ever any thoughts of music to go along with them? Perhaps a story might better be spread through song, sang as a lullaby, a ballad, or any other form of your fancy. If not told in song I do know that music in the background definitely has the ability to enhance the experience of a story, especially in regards to emotions during whatever event is taking place. It’s probably being biased on account of my love for playing and listening to music – more so the type played by ensembles or singing groups you can actually understand – but some of our assignments would definitely be more interesting, at least to me. In conclusion, this was one of the most captivating and enjoyable concerts I have attended of its kind. Doing more activities such as this around campus will definitely not be a chore, although writing reports about them may be.
#2
I LOVE MAKING MUSIC! It’s so exciting and such a great feeling to create something so spectacular for not only other people, but yourself in the process as well. I feel as though I’m making a mistake sometimes because music is not incorporated into my learnin’s and my degree… the next best thing I did was joining two non-auditioned groups on campus: Choral Union and Campus Band. On December 4th all of the Ball State choirs had a combined concert and the Campus Band had a concert on December 6th. So the cultural event report I am going to write upon is going to be super especially fantastically awesome because it is going to be a combination of these two concerts and it’s even better because I performed in them! Getting involved on campus at times can seem like a hassle or at least impossible to discover the right thing for you to participate in. Turns out that the secret is to do what you love and everything else will fall into place.
For the grand total of about four or five weekends that I’ve stayed on campus this semester, this past weekend was the most fun, productive, and fast weekend of them all! I found that doing extra things on campus, whatever it may be, can help bring new people into your life – this is especially significant for people (such as myself) who aren’t all that socially extroverted. Spending multiple hours together with some people in my choir group on Sunday at the performance helped at least begin if not strengthen new relationships and it’s even cooler because you already know you have at least one thing in common with all of them… music. This particular concert was unique to me in the way that it was performed. I am not necessarily accustomed to choirs making a habit out of performing everywhere in the auditorium and throughout the audience. I agree it helped the concert run more smoothly and at a quicker pace, but it sort of violated the norms I was used to and when I attend a concert I generally expect to see all of the choir and the singers on stage where I can see all of them. Regardless it was still pretty legit. The Campus Band concert was more like I was used to and it was nostalgic especially considering one of the conductors is my high school band director who is attending Ball State as a graduate assistant; small world, huh? The realm of instrumental music is much more competitive at times, I feel, and while it can be motivating it has the potential to be obnoxious or overwhelming at the same time. Speaking with people before the concert and during rehearsals throughout the semester there are people I had many things in common with and people I cannot stand. In this aspect I found that Bowling for Soup was correct is claiming that high school never ends, but also that it’s alright and we can handle it better now that we are slightly more mature adults. While my rambling is unintentional it has some sort of purpose. The purpose is probably to express how great it is to be involved in something and even more so when it’s in something that you love to do. Don’t do something you hate. That’s no fun!
In conclusion, let’s try to relate a bit to the class. I feel spectacular while and after I have performed spectacularly and to the best of my ability and when it is apparent that the audience enjoyed it as much as I did. If the heroes of the ancient Greek epics or perhaps even the writers of the ancient Greek period felt the same way I do about music and performing it, then I have respect for all of the stupidity exerted by the heroes and more appreciation for the authors of the texts because at least they were doing things that they loved and enjoyed doing. That should be one of the first lessons we learn in life, but sadly other things have become more prevalent in today’s society.
Cultural Events
#1
As I was going to begin writing a cultural event report I noticed that I actually started one but never finished or submitted it. Even though it is now several weeks past the fact, I decided to complete it on account of it was one of the first events I attended on campus and I thoroughly enjoyed it; related or not to Honors 201. On September 30, 2011 I attended the Symphony Band and Wind Ensemble concert at Sursa Hall. I had the opportunity to receive credit it four of my classes this semester for this event, so I figured “why not?” Plus, I enjoy instrumental concerts in the classic band setting just as this event was. I didn’t know what to expect of these two groups’ performances, but I must admit that I was blown away by the talent and emotion put into each and every song. Following the first tune of the night, Dr. Vondran, the conductor of the first band, announced that the concert was somewhat of a tribute to the tragic events that unfolded on September 11, 2001. Looking through the program I was able to see the validity in this statement, but that definitely didn’t mean that I was envisioning burning buildings and flags in my head the whole time. Usually being the performer on stage in these groups concerned about playing the right notes, rhythms, and with proper technique, I finally got placed on the other side of the fence to watch and critique the performance. Something I have been able to relate out of this event was what all of my music teachers had in common in their teachings: They wanted us to feel the music and its meaning in order to express it in a way that would move and shake the audience. As an audience member, I was shaken. It was the most amazing feeling to actually feel fear and have my heart pounding when the music got so intense, loud, rhythmic, and ended with a crash, or to feel giddy or calm when music was flowing and sweet.
In a far-fetched attempt to relate this experience with content in this Humanities course I will begin with restating my confession that ancient literature is most certainly not my strong suit in subjects, although I do what I can with it. I suppose many people appreciate these works to a greater extent than I do and that’s great. I understand the complexity, talent, history, lessons, contradictions, and value of the various things we have learned, but perhaps I would appreciate them if they were in some other form of media? Often times I find music speaking to me greater than words, although sometimes I do need things literally written or spoken out for me in order to get it through my blonde roots. So when these people were writing or orally passing down these epics and poems and lessons and philosophies, were there ever any thoughts of music to go along with them? Perhaps a story might better be spread through song, sang as a lullaby, a ballad, or any other form of your fancy. If not told in song I do know that music in the background definitely has the ability to enhance the experience of a story, especially in regards to emotions during whatever event is taking place. It’s probably being biased on account of my love for playing and listening to music – more so the type played by ensembles or singing groups you can actually understand – but some of our assignments would definitely be more interesting, at least to me. In conclusion, this was one of the most captivating and enjoyable concerts I have attended of its kind. Doing more activities such as this around campus will definitely not be a chore, although writing reports about them may be.
#2
I LOVE MAKING MUSIC! It’s so exciting and such a great feeling to create something so spectacular for not only other people, but yourself in the process as well. I feel as though I’m making a mistake sometimes because music is not incorporated into my learnin’s and my degree… the next best thing I did was joining two non-auditioned groups on campus: Choral Union and Campus Band. On December 4th all of the Ball State choirs had a combined concert and the Campus Band had a concert on December 6th. So the cultural event report I am going to write upon is going to be super especially fantastically awesome because it is going to be a combination of these two concerts and it’s even better because I performed in them! Getting involved on campus at times can seem like a hassle or at least impossible to discover the right thing for you to participate in. Turns out that the secret is to do what you love and everything else will fall into place.
For the grand total of about four or five weekends that I’ve stayed on campus this semester, this past weekend was the most fun, productive, and fast weekend of them all! I found that doing extra things on campus, whatever it may be, can help bring new people into your life – this is especially significant for people (such as myself) who aren’t all that socially extroverted. Spending multiple hours together with some people in my choir group on Sunday at the performance helped at least begin if not strengthen new relationships and it’s even cooler because you already know you have at least one thing in common with all of them… music. This particular concert was unique to me in the way that it was performed. I am not necessarily accustomed to choirs making a habit out of performing everywhere in the auditorium and throughout the audience. I agree it helped the concert run more smoothly and at a quicker pace, but it sort of violated the norms I was used to and when I attend a concert I generally expect to see all of the choir and the singers on stage where I can see all of them. Regardless it was still pretty legit. The Campus Band concert was more like I was used to and it was nostalgic especially considering one of the conductors is my high school band director who is attending Ball State as a graduate assistant; small world, huh? The realm of instrumental music is much more competitive at times, I feel, and while it can be motivating it has the potential to be obnoxious or overwhelming at the same time. Speaking with people before the concert and during rehearsals throughout the semester there are people I had many things in common with and people I cannot stand. In this aspect I found that Bowling for Soup was correct is claiming that high school never ends, but also that it’s alright and we can handle it better now that we are slightly more mature adults. While my rambling is unintentional it has some sort of purpose. The purpose is probably to express how great it is to be involved in something and even more so when it’s in something that you love to do. Don’t do something you hate. That’s no fun!
In conclusion, let’s try to relate a bit to the class. I feel spectacular while and after I have performed spectacularly and to the best of my ability and when it is apparent that the audience enjoyed it as much as I did. If the heroes of the ancient Greek epics or perhaps even the writers of the ancient Greek period felt the same way I do about music and performing it, then I have respect for all of the stupidity exerted by the heroes and more appreciation for the authors of the texts because at least they were doing things that they loved and enjoyed doing. That should be one of the first lessons we learn in life, but sadly other things have become more prevalent in today’s society.