Day 04 - a song that makes you sad

Day 04 - a song that makes you sad

Hmmm...this bears some thinking. Maybe this...



Which, as it's from William Finn's "Elegies" makes sense that it would be sad. I'm not a fan of how belty this woman makes it, but it's still a completely poignant message. And is, according to the story, dealing directly with the death of Finn's mother, Barbara.

Day 03 - a song that makes you happy

Day 03 - a song that makes you happy

Roll to Me - del Amitri. Yeah, deal with it. It takes me right back to being 16 again where I thought I had the whole entire world all figured out. heh. Way to be wrong Pen, way to be wrong...

Song Day #2 - a Song you Hate

Here's a couple of songs I absolutely can't stand. Generally, I feel like I have pretty eclectic music tastes - pop, jazz, classical, rap etc. but there are a few songs that get my goat, and here they are.

Every time I hear Tonic's "If you Could Only See" - I literally turn it off or change stations. Just because it's probably the worst reasoning to love another person tribute song ever. And what it means is that nobody else can see what the reason you love this woman is cause she's probably a bitch to everyone else in your life. Which is never a good reason to keep dating anyone. uff.



and the other honor belongs to Sir Paul McCarthy and his wife Linda. Because as lovely as they are, I cannot listen to this during the holiday season without wanting to tear my eardrums out with a dull implement.

01 - Your Favorite Song

This is a really vague and difficult way to start off the 30 Day Song Challenge, mainly because I have so many. And in all different genres. So I'll just start with three...

Favorite Musical Theater Song to Sing. Stephen Schwartz's Meadowlark from 'The Baker's Wife'



I have a total soft spot in my heart for this song. It's completely self-indulgent and melodramatic; but I mean, if you're gonna sing musical theater, that's what it does best. The song is an epic story within a story and takes all the skill of a singer (goes from legit mix to belt and even has some spots with soprano) The song with a consistent eighth note current running throughout is 16 pages long. It's been tackled by some of the best including Patti LuPone who originated the character of Genevieve, but Liz Callaway still holds the top spot.

Sentimental Favorite: Janet Jackson's 'Escapade'

30 Day Song Challenge

W00! 30 Day Song Challenge! (yet another project for me to start then fail...oh well - I never did get through that pyramid did I?)

day 01 - your favorite song
day 02 - your least favorite song
day 03 - a song that makes you happy
day 04 - a song that makes you sad
day 05 - a song that reminds you of someone
day 06 - a song that reminds you of somewhere
day 07 - a song that reminds you of a certain event
day 08 - a song that you know all the words to
day 09 - a song that you can dance to
day 10 - a song that makes you fall asleep
day 11 - a song from your favorite band
day 12 - a song from a band you hate
day 13 - a song that is a guilty pleasure
day 14 - a song that no one would expect you to love
day 15 - a song that describes you
day 16 - a song that you used to love but now hate
day 17 - a song that you hear often on the radio
day 18 - a song that you wish you heard on the radio
day 19 - a song from your favorite album
day 20 - a song that you listen to when you’re angry
day 21 - a song that you listen to when you’re happy
day 22 - a song that you listen to when you’re sad
day 23 - a song that you want to play at your wedding
day 24 - a song that you want to play at your funeral
day 25 - a song that makes you laugh
day 26 - a song that you can play on an instrument
day 27 - a song that you wish you could play
day 28 - a song that makes you feel guilty
day 29 - a song from your childhood
day 30 - your favorite song at this time last year

Breakdown.

You know, every now and then?

It's ok to have a breakdown.

It doesn't mean you're weak.

Or bad.

Or hopeless.

In fact, it sort of means you're hopeful. Full of hope. That you're not alone in all of this. That a call to arms will mean that it will be answered.

That's all I've got for today. I've had some breakdowns this week; and have been relieved. Now onto the next task.

Missing...

have been trying to put together a power-point fundraising presentation tonight.

which is horrible for someone who is bad (ie. read not experienced) at sales.

but at least it's not like writing an online dating profile. cause it's not about me. it's about the thing that i love.

but it's not easy. and then...i saw this on Tumblr tonight.

Washington, DC Metro Station on a cold January morning in 2007. The man with a violin played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time approximately. 2 thousand people went through the station, most of them on their way to work.

4 minutes later:
The violinist received his first dollar: a woman threw the money in the hat and, without stopping, continued to walk.

6 minutes:
A young man leaned against the wall to listen to him, then looked at his watch and started to walk again.

10 minutes:
A 3-year old boy stopped but his mother tugged him along hurriedly. The kid stopped to look at the violinist again, but the mother pushed hard and the child continued to walk, turning his head all the time. This action was repeated by several other children. Every parent, without exception, forced their children to move on quickly.

45 minutes:
The musician played continuously. Only 6 people stopped and listened for a short while. About 20 gave money but continued to walk at their normal pace. The man collected a total of $32.

1 hour:
He finished playing and silence took over. No one noticed. No one applauded, nor was there any recognition.

No one knew this, but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the greatest musicians in the world. He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written, with a violin worth $3.5 million dollars. Two days before Joshua Bell sold out a theater in Boston where the seats averaged $100.

This is a true story. Joshua Bell playing incognito in the metro station was organized by the Washington Post as part of a social experiment about perception, taste and people’s priorities.

The questions raised:
*In a common place environment at an inappropriate hour, do we perceive beauty?

*Do we stop to appreciate it?

*Do we recognize talent in an unexpected context?

One possible conclusion reached from this experiment could be this:

If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world, playing some of the finest music ever written, with one of the most beautiful instruments ever made…

How many other things are we missing?

This is absolutely incredible. And sad. Mostly sad because as a musician, I wonder if I would even recognize what was happening had I passed by.

(Source: Washington Post)

And it reminds me, that we will pay for things that we qualify as having value. so I'm working on creating a presentation that accurately represents the value of a great show produced by one of the greatest theater companies I've ever worked for.