On December 5, 2009, I had the honor of attending a senior recital performance. The senior soprano, Tammie Bradley, is a student of Professor Myra Merritt, and Miss Bradley is an amazing vocalist. She performed numerous pieces that included composers such as Gioachino Rossini, Georges Bizet, Henri Dupare, Jules Massenet, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Richard Strauss, Hugo Wolf, Manuel de Falla, and an arrangement by Margaret Bonds. Her voice was incredible and resonated throughout the entire hall. She had a sound that was so light and high that her voice warmed my very heart and soul listening to her performance. Her last song she sang was one of my favorite pieces the entire night. It was a beautiful arrangement of “He’s Got The Whole World In His Hands, “ and she had me tearing up by the end of the song. Tammie Bradley is an outstanding soprano, and hopefully, someday I will be able to perform as purely and beautifully as she does.
On Saturday, December 5th 2009, my flute trio and I played at the Hayes Home in Freemont, Ohio for an annual charitable Christmas dinner. Not only was it such an honor to be asked to accompany the Christmas dinner, but it was quite an experience to view the home itself. The house was built in the 1800’s, and additionally, was going under renovations when Mrs. Hayes passed on. This house brought back about many homey feelings for me because it reminded me much of my own home which was also built in the mid 1800’s. Our trio served as background music for the guests enjoying their five course meal. The host and hostess would ring a bell to let us and the guests know they will be speaking about the Hayes. The host and hostess stayed in the character of two people in the 1800’s throughout the dinner. They often spoke about the Hayes and the history of their home that we all were enjoying. This was a really neat experience for me as well as the guests; this was a very formal and professional job and it forced me to make decisions under pressure such as what song to play next, or if a song is not going well, what do I do? I, and my trio, throughly enjoyed the evening and can not wait to do it again next year!
On Thursday, December 3rd at 8 pm I listened and saw the World Percussion perform. This performance was very interesting to listen to. I had heard about these bands but never seen them perform. There were three bands playing that night. Each band was very unique and has it’s own style. I liked the last two bands the best. The second one was all African music with a group of students dancing along to the music. The dancing was very unique and interesting to watch. It was interesting to see how the dance steps correlated with the music. My favorite was the last band. I had seen them practice outside the cafeteria but listening to them in Kobacker was an astounding performance. The drums resignated very well in the hall. At first it was very hard to hear them because It was so loud but once you got use to it the music was amazing. The way the people played the drums did not seem very comfortable but necessary since the drums were so big. I loved seeing these three groups perform. I hope to hear them again next semester if possible.
On the evening of Saturday, December 5th, I ushered at the Bowling Green Philharmonia concert. One of the main themes for their concert was entitled “Saint Petersburg” and during this they performed their two main pieces. My favorite of the two had the setting of an old hymn that was based from St. Petersburg/ old Russia itself. Although there were some points in the concert where I was unable to hear most of the music because of ushering duties, I was impressed with the selection pieces and movements that the Philharmonia put together. I greatly enjoyed the first half of the concert where the pianist joined the Philharmonia, more than the second half with the harpists although they did a lovely job as well. I personally just feel more connected with the pianist, I guess, because of the fact that I’ve played piano for so long. I also enjoyed how contrasting the pieces and movements were as well—something that definitely added something interesting to the performance.
On Friday,December 4th, 2009 I had the pleasure of attending University Men’s Chorus. My favorite part of the concert was the Barbershop quartets. I have never heard a barbershop quartet in person so this was a great experience. The University Men’s Chorus was amazing it was my first time hearing an all male chorus. An interesting part of the concert was the when Profesor Cloeter told the audience that the Renaissance pieces they were singing was originally made for men. I also enjoyed how the men sang from the back and in different chorus’ and there was like surround sound. It was really great to see the Men’s Chorus concert because they concert was so relaxed and fun. It’s unlike any concert I have been to this year and it is very informal and I felt like they had a personal connection to the audience. I was really happy that I attended this concert.
On Friday, December 4th, I had the great honor to witness my first Bowling Green Men’s Chorus Concert. It started at about seven o’clock walking to the CMA in the bitter cold dressed to impress for it was my job to usher for tonights concert. I started by cleaning the auditorium and then tore tickets for about 30 minutes which was a joy all in its own. Finally though the doors closed and i was able to sit back and enjoy the show. As i seated myself the hall fell silent and young men filtered into the concert hall from the sides singing in german which of course i could not understand a single word they said, but somehow i understood exactly what the were singing. It was beautiful and wholesome. The concert featured a quartet and the famous HeebeeBG’s. I had to sit outside the doors for the whole second half to make sure no one entered late but i know they ended the night with the alma mater. It was a complete success and had the whole audience roaring with applause at the bow. This was my last recital of the year and well worth it.
On Thursday December 10th, 2009 my BGSU 1000 class visited two nursing homes to spread the holiday cheer. The class was divided into two sections; my section visited Bowling Green’s Manor. I partook in a flute and violin duet, and also the caroling choir. Seeing the residents reactions to the music was the most rewarding part of this experience. One man in a wheel chair kept inching himself forward toward the music, with his foot. He tried to get as close as he could to us and our professors ensemble that preceded our duet. During the Christmas carols, he would sing along with the music. At first it started as a humming and then it evolved into full out singing; even with lyrics. After each song, or even a brief pause in the music, the residents clapped to show their gratefulness. This meant so much because they look so frail and kind of sad; so for us to come and bring them happiness through music means so much to us but also to them. Grace said, “it’s almost bittersweet because they were happy but it was sad how happy they actually were.” It makes me want to go back and play for them every day. Lauren and I are planning to go back sometime soon and play again for them.
December 7th, 2009 at 11:43 am
On December 5, 2009, I had the honor of attending a senior recital performance. The senior soprano, Tammie Bradley, is a student of Professor Myra Merritt, and Miss Bradley is an amazing vocalist. She performed numerous pieces that included composers such as Gioachino Rossini, Georges Bizet, Henri Dupare, Jules Massenet, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Richard Strauss, Hugo Wolf, Manuel de Falla, and an arrangement by Margaret Bonds. Her voice was incredible and resonated throughout the entire hall. She had a sound that was so light and high that her voice warmed my very heart and soul listening to her performance. Her last song she sang was one of my favorite pieces the entire night. It was a beautiful arrangement of “He’s Got The Whole World In His Hands, “ and she had me tearing up by the end of the song. Tammie Bradley is an outstanding soprano, and hopefully, someday I will be able to perform as purely and beautifully as she does.
December 7th, 2009 at 8:47 pm
On Saturday, December 5th 2009, my flute trio and I played at the Hayes Home in Freemont, Ohio for an annual charitable Christmas dinner. Not only was it such an honor to be asked to accompany the Christmas dinner, but it was quite an experience to view the home itself. The house was built in the 1800’s, and additionally, was going under renovations when Mrs. Hayes passed on. This house brought back about many homey feelings for me because it reminded me much of my own home which was also built in the mid 1800’s. Our trio served as background music for the guests enjoying their five course meal. The host and hostess would ring a bell to let us and the guests know they will be speaking about the Hayes. The host and hostess stayed in the character of two people in the 1800’s throughout the dinner. They often spoke about the Hayes and the history of their home that we all were enjoying. This was a really neat experience for me as well as the guests; this was a very formal and professional job and it forced me to make decisions under pressure such as what song to play next, or if a song is not going well, what do I do? I, and my trio, throughly enjoyed the evening and can not wait to do it again next year!
December 7th, 2009 at 9:56 pm
On Thursday, December 3rd at 8 pm I listened and saw the World Percussion perform. This performance was very interesting to listen to. I had heard about these bands but never seen them perform. There were three bands playing that night. Each band was very unique and has it’s own style. I liked the last two bands the best. The second one was all African music with a group of students dancing along to the music. The dancing was very unique and interesting to watch. It was interesting to see how the dance steps correlated with the music. My favorite was the last band. I had seen them practice outside the cafeteria but listening to them in Kobacker was an astounding performance. The drums resignated very well in the hall. At first it was very hard to hear them because It was so loud but once you got use to it the music was amazing. The way the people played the drums did not seem very comfortable but necessary since the drums were so big. I loved seeing these three groups perform. I hope to hear them again next semester if possible.
December 7th, 2009 at 11:48 pm
On the evening of Saturday, December 5th, I ushered at the Bowling Green Philharmonia concert. One of the main themes for their concert was entitled “Saint Petersburg” and during this they performed their two main pieces. My favorite of the two had the setting of an old hymn that was based from St. Petersburg/ old Russia itself. Although there were some points in the concert where I was unable to hear most of the music because of ushering duties, I was impressed with the selection pieces and movements that the Philharmonia put together. I greatly enjoyed the first half of the concert where the pianist joined the Philharmonia, more than the second half with the harpists although they did a lovely job as well. I personally just feel more connected with the pianist, I guess, because of the fact that I’ve played piano for so long. I also enjoyed how contrasting the pieces and movements were as well—something that definitely added something interesting to the performance.
December 8th, 2009 at 12:38 pm
On Friday,December 4th, 2009 I had the pleasure of attending University Men’s Chorus. My favorite part of the concert was the Barbershop quartets. I have never heard a barbershop quartet in person so this was a great experience. The University Men’s Chorus was amazing it was my first time hearing an all male chorus. An interesting part of the concert was the when Profesor Cloeter told the audience that the Renaissance pieces they were singing was originally made for men. I also enjoyed how the men sang from the back and in different chorus’ and there was like surround sound. It was really great to see the Men’s Chorus concert because they concert was so relaxed and fun. It’s unlike any concert I have been to this year and it is very informal and I felt like they had a personal connection to the audience. I was really happy that I attended this concert.
December 9th, 2009 at 12:30 am
On Friday, December 4th, I had the great honor to witness my first Bowling Green Men’s Chorus Concert. It started at about seven o’clock walking to the CMA in the bitter cold dressed to impress for it was my job to usher for tonights concert. I started by cleaning the auditorium and then tore tickets for about 30 minutes which was a joy all in its own. Finally though the doors closed and i was able to sit back and enjoy the show. As i seated myself the hall fell silent and young men filtered into the concert hall from the sides singing in german which of course i could not understand a single word they said, but somehow i understood exactly what the were singing. It was beautiful and wholesome. The concert featured a quartet and the famous HeebeeBG’s. I had to sit outside the doors for the whole second half to make sure no one entered late but i know they ended the night with the alma mater. It was a complete success and had the whole audience roaring with applause at the bow. This was my last recital of the year and well worth it.
December 10th, 2009 at 7:16 pm
On Thursday December 10th, 2009 my BGSU 1000 class visited two nursing homes to spread the holiday cheer. The class was divided into two sections; my section visited Bowling Green’s Manor. I partook in a flute and violin duet, and also the caroling choir. Seeing the residents reactions to the music was the most rewarding part of this experience. One man in a wheel chair kept inching himself forward toward the music, with his foot. He tried to get as close as he could to us and our professors ensemble that preceded our duet. During the Christmas carols, he would sing along with the music. At first it started as a humming and then it evolved into full out singing; even with lyrics. After each song, or even a brief pause in the music, the residents clapped to show their gratefulness. This meant so much because they look so frail and kind of sad; so for us to come and bring them happiness through music means so much to us but also to them. Grace said, “it’s almost bittersweet because they were happy but it was sad how happy they actually were.” It makes me want to go back and play for them every day. Lauren and I are planning to go back sometime soon and play again for them.