Theory, Aural, and Graduation.

So it's official...
I have a B+ in Theory 1 and a B- in Aural Skills 1!
I'm a little sad that it was only a B in theory, but I'm ok.
My GPA is now officially a 3.125!! It's quite exciting overall.
I plan to get an A in Theory next semester and do a little better in Aural Skills this semester.
I thought I was going to get a C or something in Aural and I was freaking out!

I am ok, and doing well. :)

My Big Sister in Delta Omicron graduated today.
She's THE reason why I made it so far and so well in Theory.
I'm gonna miss her! :( But it's ok. She'll still be around to help apparently.
SO YAY AND CONGRATS ANDREA! <3

procrastinating...

On sleep?
Yep. I surely am.
I'm freaking out over my three exams tomorrow...
Especially Education.
And maybe a little on Voice Methods...
Ok, maybe a lot.

Just tomorrow will be scary and it starts as soon as I wake up.
No prep time at all.

I studied a lot for it...
But is it enough?
We'll see, right?

Doing well!

Got a B in Piano 3.

It's one of the few subjects that I'm actually keeping up in and doing well. My GPA is going to be a 3.0 this semester! I can tell.

I have to study for education 210 and voice methods a lot. D: I'll be fine though. 3 more exams.

Theory One.

I SHOULD. get an A in that class. honestly, I'll be a little upset at myself if I don't because I'm so confident about that final exam, and I got a 95 on my project. It's amazing what happens when you get a teacher who actually teaches a class.

I feel like a lot of professors just don't care about teaching and making sure students actually UNDERSTAND the material these days. It really bothers me that they act so uncaring about questions and sometimes seem so pestered when you ask questions to better understand the concept.

It's your job to teach, so please do it.

Thank you to Dr. Lewis for being so great at teaching.
[It helps a little that he's quite nice to stare at and pay attention to as well...]

:D

I meant to post this earlier

It has no visuals, but This is my first Theory Project, finished and ready to be judged. It's nothing great at all, but It'll give me an A, I'm sure of it. I called it Simon's Lament after my kitten. :) reminds me of him wanting so horribly to go outside, and instead being playful and troublesome inside. :) Sorry the music is a little odd sounding. It's MIDI playing it so it's sounds quite electronic.

Exam Week might really kill me.

I missed my sight singing exam this afternoon because I was too busy flipping out over my flute jury.
Which went...decent. I actually didn't cry DURING my jury this time. So that's a win? but I stopped during a phrase because I freaked and missed 3 notes...but kept pushing on. Which is also good right? :/ I need to get better at this quickly. Also, I aced my HMXP exam that I forgot about and did in like 10 mins. XD Talk about barely making it.

Tomorrow will hopefully be a make up exam for sight singing.
As well as a Theory test I will freakin Ace!!!! Or else I'll cry.

Friday is a Piano exam at 4pm, that I am also freaking out over.

The Thursday on the 13th, It's going down. 8pm- voice methods.
11:30am- educ 210
3pm- aural skills, dictation.

gah. I am ready for friday the 14th to be here.

First Singing Concert

So it wasn't as bad as I though it would be. Being in ΔΟ means singing in front of people....a lot. We sang at Olive Garden to a little boy for his birthday. :) It was too cute.
Tonight's concert was with all of the girls, and some random solos/duets in between. I played Hanukkah flute music with Christine. :) It was fun. Our audience was a total of 6. count'em, SIX people. haha I worry over nothing.

Sometimes, It's a good thing to get lost in little worries to avoid big issues, just for a moment...

end of the year is not happening fast enough

SERIOUSLY.

Sight reading can not be amazing. especially when you're on the spot in front of people.

That means don't yell at me please. :(

In other news, The best part of my day? My new pats jersey. :D

goals met?

So I did as I promised and played my butt off during break so far. I played sooo much that my fingers shook after a while. Goals were mostly made, but not all sadly. :(

Goals met:
Playing the Jury piece [vivaldi] decently in movement three.
Worked out a few kinks in movement one.
Really made movement two beautiful.
Played major scales up to 110. [not quite I know, but better.]
Played etudes 2 notches faster

Goals not met:
Playing minor scales. :(

yeah, I know I probably could've made time for the minor scales, but I was being a slacker and also freaking out over my jury and worrying over if I still have my sound or not. I guess I'll find out this Monday if all my hard work was worth it.

The clock is running thin and I'm still freaking out over my jury piece. Will this happen every year? :/
Totally not looking forward to my senior recital...

HAPPY TURKEY DAY!

So It is about thanksgiving time and I just wanted to say happy thanksgiving!

Mine will be filled with re-learning major scales in a quick and speedy 16th note runs as well as learned ALL forms of minor scales just as quickly....who's excited?! yeah...not i.

Last lesson was one of those really rare good lessons where Jill was so happy and told me I played great and my sound was beautiful etc. etc.

It was really weird because she came by and gave me a hug last night before my concert and was like, "Keep playing beautifully. Keep that sound and you'll do great tonight."

Psh. we played stupid easy music. Like seriously Middle school music...It said so on the music. I'm giving our band director who issued the music to us some slack because this is her first semester as a college professor in general. But next semester, seriously if this does not change, we're gonna have some problems.

But yeah, Jill actually was quite emotional or something. It was weird.

My goals for thanksgiving break? Learn all minor scales at least. and get major scales at 112 using 16th notes. Also clean up movement one and two in my jury piece. [a vivaldi song.] and work out and decently play movement three.

Well. I hope my jury will go decently. I need as many As as possible this year! I'm alone in fixing this. No one else can do this for me, right? :) I can do it.

Russia?

So most of my readers are Russian? Well ok. Thanks for reading guys. :)

Worked on my theory project. So far, I messed up on one small part, and had to be helped with 2 chords. I am suddenly understanding theory and doing well! I'm so excited to finish writing this piece and curious on how my composition skills will develop over time.

Maybe one day I'll compose a piece for Momma. ;)

Band is getting on my last nerve. We're playing middle school music that is not even slightly challenging and half of us are falling asleep! [Which is why half the time the song sounds horrid because we're not paying attention.] We're playing a new piece for middle school bands called "Hopewell" by Nicole Chamberlin and How the Grinch Stole Christmas, middle school level. And First Suite in Eb by Holst. [again.] It's all very annoying and a little insulting.

In other news. Practice is starting to kill my fingers and this diet idea was interrupted by violent puking from a stomach bug I got from the middle school I help teach at. >.> oh the joys of teaching?

flute playing

My flute playing is super super slow. which is a major problem. and every time I try to build it up, it falls back down. Problems? HUGE. I need to figure out what to do to fix this. :/ 2 1/2 more years min. till I graduate....

fall 2012

Is totally almost over. :)

Which means killer exam times.... :(

Is it summer yet?

gah. Next semester will be horrid. too.

first time ever

teaching a band class. ALONE.
:D
not just flutes.
not just anything.
AN ACTUAL CLASS.
it was 7th grade woodwinds and it started rough and it ended great. :) I really liked it, but still, high school is the way to go. haha. I was like expecting fights and people not playing and I was freaking out. But it actually went smoothly. Flutes were all sorts of smug because I was teaching and they already knew me. It was adorable. haha. :)

It was a great experience and I'm excited for more.
In other news, My jury piece will be a Vivaldi piece that's....decent. I don't mind playing it so far. Let's just hope Jill doesn't get crazy with herself again.

In theory, I'm doing really well. Only a little bit confusing.

Piano is kicking my butt, but I'm fighting back!

Aural is about the same, singing well but dictation sucks. D:

Welp. There's your updates.

Also. I shall be a crappy, sleepless musician soon. Because A diet starts tomorrow....God help me. I love food too much.

Education Class

Are about THE. dumbest classes you'll ever take.
As interesting as it is to learn about how much smart my little sister And tori are compared to the average child, i don't need to know.

Also.
My student. is just a student who tries hard in school. She is not a subject. She is not an "it". She is not an idiot. I'm pretty tired of putting a packet together to point out areas she's not good at to make her seem dumb. It depresses me. If this is what a teacher does the first year, This is not gonna fly.

Positive note? Totally passing with at most a B in theory. :) win.

Alto Flute

So I know I'm suppose to be a flute player and all...but I'm not feeling it anymore.

I kinda blame Jill for letting me pick up the alto flute...

It's the only instrument I practice so much. I seriously have a callous on my finger from playing...

I think this is a bit of a problem. Mainly because there's no such thing as a alto flute major in education OR performance.

Time to many flute more interesting and not so much of a hassle....not sure how to do that just yet...

This is my very good friend Christine. I just wanted to let the world hear her when she's at her worst. Her Senior Recital [well a part of it] will be uploaded as well as time goes by.

Notice how amazingly dark her sound is. :D I want a sound pretty dark after hearing her play.

Also. She changed her embouchure THIS year because of a serious jaw problem she created by playing flute too much. yeah. I said it. you can play your flute too much. :o

I. Promise.

Once I figure out how to post videos on this thingy and remember to record myself playing, I will show it to the world.

:)

I am super excited to show off the alto flute and be a big nerd about it.

Sometimes. I'm really glad I didn't quit last year. I would've missed all this fun. :)

Delta Omicron

Man. Today was the first meeting, it was quite informative.
Just a little update to those reading who may not know...
I am a active member [#29890] of Delta Omicron. It is a fraternity of music.
I know all of you who are reading this are going say wutttt frat? that means men only!! But D.O. is a membership of both men and woman for we are a professional group. ;)
It's how we get away with it. haha But here at Winthrop, we are all about being woman only mainly because of Phi Mu Alpha Sinforia. They are a social music-based fraternity, but they actually are a frat of men only.

 So in our sisterhood here at Winthrop, we are small but quite awesome. [For any Winthrop music major or minors reading this, join Delta Omicron! I promise it'll be the best choice ever.]
So far, I  feel so excited and a little better from any doubt I had before cuz I have an amazing music family here with me and I know for a fact I got my mommas back home for EVERYTHING else not school related. :)

 Just a lovely blog saying, even when you feel really down and tired and ready to give up, don't forget all those people who are behind you with every step. ;)

No. Joke.

Man. It really hits you early on. That want to not go to class? That drive to just lay in bed forever and just not care. It's a little past week one and I'm just ready to sleep forever. To not care one bit and miss all my classes. Goodness....Has my positive thoughts disappeared so quickly? It's ok though. I'm pushing on. I know this should be just a little funk. For me, Tomorrow is the last day of my week and I can sleep forever...or at least until Monday comes around. I need to go focus on the long run. get through class tomorrow and try my hardest to be good about it. [attitude wise.] HMXP will be hard. Always has been. For those of you who have not one clue, HMXP is a class called the human experience: who am i? [can you tell why it's an irritating class for me?] It's also the last class of my day, which is quite sad and causes a lot of grumpyness on thursday afternoons. For now though, I have done my homework. finally. and I must force some rest for if not, I will most likely be grumpy and snappy in HMXP which is never nice. wish me luck? it's not even week 2 yet.... gah.

well goodness it's been busy

Breathing.
It's about one of THE upmost key things you do as a musician.
You breathe.
A. LOT.
So that's what I have been doing. I've worked on breathing alllll this week and hopefully my air will sound strong and amazing tomorrow in my rep/lesson. [first lesson and rep class of the new school year, i am nervous!]

Honestly, I'm not sure how well I'll be able to keep up this blog. this year is much busier than I thought it would be! D:

I am superr scared on what Jill will tell me tomorrow in my lessons....will she see progress in my work? Will she think I've worked on the wrong things and be disappointed?

I guess I'll find out tomorrow...

More blogging then, I promise.

g'night all.

early morning updates~

Good morning Good morning.
I was waken up by my lovely roommate.....ugh. [that was all sarcasm]
I am feeling quite crabby this morning, I hate being woken up.
so showered and dressed, i'll be able to type up a update of school so far.

I auditioned for a placement in band not long ago. Made last chair....yet again. D:
BUT.
Although yes, I did tear up a little about it and once again questioned myself, I am back to being positive about it and making the most out of it.
This is, honestly what you get for breathing funny as you play. I bet I sounded like a little kid trying to play a full sheet of music for the first time. >.<

Goal out of this experience?
To learn to at least control my erratic breathing when I audition. Get my nerves to chill out.

Right after the audition in general though, all the flutes, excluding one or two, went to a sushi place behind winthrop to eat and talk. :) [And secretly, Christine and I were recruiting some girls in flute.] Ashton is a sweetheart and I see her making it big time. The next Christine...but with Magan's personality. [It is odd that I classify people sometimes with others I know....isn't it?] Annalee is bright but full of worry [for no reason] but it will be interesting to know her! Abby is not a music major but I really do hope to see her face around more often. She's IMMENSELY talented and so good. Poor Steven is boy number two in the flute group and so awkward. Christine and I both are not sure how to handle this...the poor kid didn't even have his name up on the board for placement.

The freshman are collectively veryyy interesting and honestly a good group. It makes me a little excited just to play with them and hopefully get them to rush. Maybe I'll be the one learning from them. I guess my ego needs a backseat huh? :)

My theory and Aural Skills classes so far have been amazing. The teacher is Dr. Lewis and he is quite a enjoyable teacher. I feel comfortable and I think this year will be great. I will make it! Even if I sing 2x back to back on Mondays and Weds. D:

So far, I have made it to every class [YAYYYY] even my 8ams mostly on time. tuesday was a bit crazy....I confused my classes and underestimated my walk from roddey to the piano rooms. >.<

Piano I am a bit worried about. I was practicing it yesterday and I think it's going to be a while...

for now. this is all. I think I'll be making a video for this blog soon. filled with flute kids more than anything. :D

it's been a while

This will not be a long post. just explaining...
I haven't had internet in a while. D:
I promise I will post a lot more soon. maybe not tonight....8am classes call me. D:

but a short talk?
A. First day was great.
B. I feel like I will have a little this year and it will be rockin.
C. I feel positive even if I made last chair again. weird, huh?

playing music

It's hard to keep reminding yourself, "jaw drop, loose lips, strong air, warm sound."

when you play or practice.

Today I played a lot of etudes. One from "Altes" [a book Jill requires all her students to have. >.>] one from "Tafnel" [that's the composer. no idea what it's real name is.] and one from "Burbegur" [probably spelt that wrong.]

Each worked on different techniques and aspects I need to work on.

Book one, on sound, air. On control and mouth. It's one of the more challenging parts of my practice.
Book two, on scales and accuracy. I try my hardest to pick up tempo and getting the notes correctly. Also on the way learning the sound differences in minor and major as well as muscle memory.
Book three, on speed as well as control of my mouth again. It's honestly quite hard but I think I can move on from this beginner's trouble by the first 2 weeks of school. I hope Jill notices my practice and my sound changes and is encouraged in my work to let me move on from where I am. Hopefully also get the ok to be more than a ok player to a decent player.

I do encourage any flute players reading this blog to buy the Altes book. [You can get it at flute world! :)] It's great to work on in many aspects.

2011 audition!

...the first piece of music you see is the last sheet...





2011 audition for flutes.

so far, I'm a little shakey but more because of the thought of not being good enough. I'm aiming to be 1st chair in symphonic or have a chair in winds. :) winds is the best band to get into i guess is the best way to explain the difference.

Technically, I should have started this a year ago...

Hello anyone who may, may not come across this...
I honestly should have started this much longer than a year ago. maybe more like since 10th grade or so when I felt the need to pursue my hopes as a flutist and a band director.

Long ago I started blogging to get my thoughts out and not keep them locked in. I just ended up making it public. I never realized how many people may or may not read blogs. I was guessing maybe 10 at most in one year. one or two people who are closest to me that really read almost every one.

Now this one is to really record what goes on in my mind as I try to get through college as a Music Education major [totally not as easy as it sounds] and hopefully teach in South Korea!

Last year was horrid. I didn't have the slightest clue on what I was getting into and where to start, how to really study for anything, how to even be social with the people who could help me! So here's a little run down of it all.

First semester, I came in scared as all get out and with very little theory knowledge and ZERO Aural skills knowledge. [to those who do not know, Aural Skills is a course that teaches you ear trainning, how to listen and name pitches, melodic patterns/rhythms, and hear differences in intervals of notes.] [ALSO! Theory of music, aka what music really is or the technical aspects of it all] I some how and strangely to me made it into the first set of actual classes and skipped basic classes of them....God only knows how...I guess on that test so much! I knew I was going to fail out not only because of the horrid grades, but A.) No textbooks to study out of or do homework [10% of your grade! sometimes 15%!!] and B.) I didn't understand anything the professors said after the 2nd week.

Freak out times? very much so yes.

2ND Semester. same deal, but more books. still not enough. [I have money problems.] now to top it off, I felt like THE WORST flute player of all time. The kids who play with me are quite amazing. I have stage freight a bit badly and tend to shake a lot whenever I'm being judged. I'll admit it. I cried ALOT this past year. I almost got less than a 3.0 for the whole year losing scholarships.

BUT NOT THIS YEAR!

I am fully a member of Delta Omicron. A sisterhood at my school of musicians. They already have helped me big time, and I do plan on taking advantage of their study sessions and other help they offer! :) Great group of girls. And I have an amazing Big Sister. ;)

This year I already am fully prepared and have already started studying what I remember from last year. I have old tests that I plan on redoing before classes start next week and seeing if I understand any better now.

For once, I am truly excited yet very very nervous.

I will not promise this blog will be happy and hopeful 24/7. But I do promise to be honest.

My goal this year is to pass Theory and Aural 1 with an A! I will make it. ;)