Beethoven

One of the most well-know composers of history is Ludwig van Beethoven. Beethoven was born in Germany in 1770. He grew up during a point in history when the ideas people held about music were beginning to change. His father was talented musician and he was attracted to music at a young age. His father began to teach him to play the piano and the violin before he was six years old. He played in his first public performance when he was just a child and his father was so impressed that he sent Beethoven to a school that would focus more on his musical abilities. There he was introduced to compositions by renowned composers such as J.S Bach and he excelled as a pianist and as a composer. Throughout his career he wrote over 200 different musical works.

Scherzo

The scherzo was introduced into the symphony and sonata during the Romantic Period and was made use of by composers such as Ludwig van Beethoven, Antonio Brunelli, and Johann Sebastian Bach. The scherzo replaces a portion of a long work containing several movements. The word literally translates to being a fast or lively movement of a composition. Beethoven included scheri in many of his works such as his Pastoral Symphony and Sonata No. 18 and they are usually written in triple meter. Composers continued to embrace the concept of the scherzo and write them into their compositions up into the Baroque and 19th century periods.

The Oratorio

I believe that the most significant musical contribution during the Baroque period is the oratorio. The word “oratorio” essentially refers to a prayer. An oratorio is a rather extensive compilation of various operatic pieces. The oratorio is similar to the opera but the compositions and lyrics included in an oratorio are usually based on the life of Christ. Every oratorio tells a story from the Bible through music without intricate backdrops and structured dramatic scenes. Personally, what I like best about the oratorio, in contrast to the orchestral arrangements, is that composers of the oratorios include solo vocals and choir parts are combined with the orchestra.

George Fredrick Handel

In my opinion, one of the more esteemed classical composers is George Fredrick Handel. He started out in law school but decided he would rather play and compose music instead. Handel is probably most recognized for his oratorios and operas. He was also an outstanding organist, and played a number of other instruments including the violin and the harpsichord. One well-known composition is the “Hallelujah Chorus” which throughout the years has been incorporated in a vast number of movies, television commercials, and all styles of choral arrangements. This composition is only a single masterpiece out of one of Handel’s oratorios, “Messiah”.

Guillaume Dufay mini-bio

Guillaume Dufay is a well known Renaissance composer who lived and composed music during the early-to-mid-fifteenth century. He was born in Beersel, near Brussels, then moved to Cambrai and sang in the church with the other choirboys. Professors noticed him and were impressed by his talent. By the age of sixteen years old he held much favor among members of the church, therefore, he excelled as a musician fairly quickly. As he got older he decided to venture into Rome and France. Dufay sang in several different choirs. He also held several prestigious positions, providing service in the church beneath several different popes and dukes in Rome and Florence.

Basic Steps for Baking a Pizza

The first step involved in baking a pizza is gathering together all of the ingredients necessary for the crust and any toppings that the baker is planning to add onto the pizza. Next, mix water, sugar, and the yeast together then let the dough sit for about ten minutes to make sure the dough is going to rise. When this mixture begins to foam, add flour (in small increments at a time)and stir the combination until all flour is added. It is important at this point in the process to start kneading the dough. When the dough has risen the cook must shape or toss the dough. After spreading sauce on the pizza crust the only steps left are to add toppings and to bake the pizza.

Roles of a Repetiteur

Steven Moore mentions that staging a musical and planning rehearsals would be impossible without a repetiteur. All of the singers and language coaches work together, but without the repetiteur there is no way a rehearsal could take place. The repetiteur is responsible for playing the piano in practice, coaching singers, and assisting in other areas of performance such as pronunciation as well as acting as a mediator for component parts of an opera. The author concludes in writing that “if you want to be a conductor, being a repetiteur is a tried and true way to learn.”

Shirley Verret mini-bio

From the start Shirley Verret forged a career her own way. She faced great success in a number of leading opera houses singing as Carmen and in other strong Italian operas. She grew impatient as a mezzo-soprano because other vocalists overpowered her so she pursued even bolder soprano roles in operas including Macbeth, Leonore in Fidelio, and other dramatic operas. With no support from her loved one she took the risk of chasing a career as a vocalist and succeeded. I believe that she face most of her success because of her determination and her aggressive attitude. She was never afraid to experiment in new areas of her talent and as a result her repertoire expanded drastically.

Train Derailed in Liberty, SC

(I think this happened a few months ago but I just read about this train that ran off the tracks!)
After investigating the derailment of a train in Liberty, South Carolina, Norfolk Southern discovered that a number of factors led to the derailment. Damages are estimated at over $1.5 million and possibly contaminated soil was still being moved a month after the accident (6,200 tons total).
According to one of the investigators the reason the train derailed was that the wheels of the train moved from side to side and when the train began to decelerate a wheel climbed up off the tracks. What is frightening is that apparently this motion is extremely difficult to detect. Fortunately Norfolk Southern is looking into deploying a new “truck hunting” technology that detect car with this condition.

Music Within the Church

Throughout previous generations there has been very little change, as far as the music is concerned, within the church. However, it has become apparent that youth and older adults have conflicting viewpoints concerning the musical styles and techniques of worship utilized during worship services. Although most youth admit that they do not mind singing hymns occasionally, they say they just feel more comfortable worshiping to more contemporary genres of music. It’s actually rather interesting to me see how drastically the personal views regarding church music and worship services have changed throughout the past several generations.

The Suitability of Facial Piercings

For various reasons countless citizens in our society argue that facial piercings are "offensive", therefore, they wrongfully and ignorantly assess those with such body piercings (instances such as well experienced people being turned down from jobs or universities refusing to accept new students with facial piercings are only a few examples of this). This hypercritical attitude seems somewhat foolish in that lip rings, nose rings, and other types of facial piercing hardly differ from traditional ear piercings. Who is to say that even ear piercings are acceptable within society? It is apparent that the suitability of facial piercing has to deal entirely with each person's own personal point of view.

Interests I'll Pass to My Children

There are many behaviors I expect my kids to possess. I imagine that they may display certain traits such as timidity and patience. I will insist that they are respectful and compassionate towards other people and they will be held responsible for all the decisions they make. Nevertheless, of all the characteristics I could give to my children, I want most to give my kids an imperative appreciation of music.
It is important to me that my kids know, at least, the basic techniques involved in singing. I also expect will expect that they play the piano or some other musical instrument. Musical talent could prove useful during several circumstances, especially church related situations. I find that worship through music can be formless and free. Musicians within the church are required to be responsible for leading people into a sense of worship. This type of responsibility would help my children grow and mature mentally and physically as well as spiritually.

My Favorite Teacher

The teacher that I admire most, even to this day, is my elementary music teacher, Patty Lawton. What I find so interesting about her is the passion she has for teaching the fundamentals of music to children. I also admire her talent and her love for music, which invoked my fascination of music when I was younger.
She is a gifted pianist and soprano vocalist. Her voice is actually what directed my attention towards singing and as I got older I decided to begin taking piano lessons from her. What attracted me to learning from Mrs. Lawton is the love she passionately displays for music. She does not just play or sing because she has the ability. She puts everything she has into each piece she plays on the piano and into each song she sings and she does it all for the glory of God.

Choosing NGU

    Deciding which college to attend was not an easy decision to make.  I applied to several universities and was accepted by each.  Each college presented unique aspects and programs that interested me. As I visited the universities I kept cost in mind and my main concern was the prominence of the music and education departments.   Consequently, North Greenville seemed most beneficial as I made my final decision as to which school to attend in that each characteristic I looked for could be found here.
    An additional aspect that led me to North Greenville was its location.  NGU is only about twenty-five minutes from my house and living so close allows me to commute from home to school each day.  I consider this beneficial because I save several thousand dollars each semester and I am able to stay close to my family and friends.  Also, I am active in several ministries at church and living on campus would make it a struggle some mornings to drive all the way from school to Pickens to be at the early worship service at 8:45.