We All Need Quests

Are you watching the Olympics?

If you answered yes, you are one of the more than 40 million people watching.

If a timpanist were to play "bum, bum, da, bum, bum" on an Eb and a Bb, would you instantly know what they were playing?

Well, in the sixteen years I've been alive, I've heard the introduction to the Olympics at least eight times. But, I never knew what the song was called until recently.

I LOVE the Olympics. And, as such, I go through an "Olympics phase" about three weeks prior to the Opening Ceremony. So, this year I took the initiative to discover the identity of the distinct "Olympic theme."

So, after about 2 minutes of searching, I found what I was looking for: "Bugler's Dream" by Leo Arnaud.

Now, this little anecdote may leave you questioning: "Why waste my time?" or "No one cares about your problems, Christian.". But, wait. There's more:

This experience of having a goal and trying to attain it got me thinking: we all need a quest. Think about it: toddlers like helping Mommy do things beacuse it's a task. Little kids, boys in this example, like being called a "big boy." This makes them feel like they have a major part to play in their family, regardless how small their task(s) really are. Even teenagers like to schedule things with their friends and see those plans carried out.

So what in our genetics tell us to have a task and to accomplish it? Why do we need to have a mission?

I think it's because we need to feel like we're needed. If we serve no purpose, are we needed? Do we cease being a thinking and intelligent life-form and just become a caner to society?

I think that's the mentality of the need to have a task.


So, did I get it right? What do you think? Also, let me know if you think I should create a new blog to discuss other, non-musical topics, or just re-direct this blog to less of a music blog and more of your average blog.

Another Quote

"There is no feeling,
except the extremes of fear and grief,
that does not find relief in music."
~ George Eliot (1819-80) ~

So, although I've already done a music quote, I think I'll continue posting them.

This quote says a lot to me. I find sanctuary in music. When you cannot turn anywhere else, music is always there. When friends and family seem distant, music is always familiar.

If you find a quote you think illustrates your take on music, please, leave it in the comments below.

Also, I'll be adding s link to my Tumblr any day now, so be looking for that.

The Future of Music?

All of last week, I attended a composition camp at MacPhail Center for Music in Minneapolis. No where have I ever seen so much talent in one room before.

I can't name names (unless you identify yourself in the comments) but I can share stories.

On the second day, I sat down at the piano and began to play a composition I call "For Sarah". As I finished the piece, a boy we'll call Forrest, asked me to stop and start again, this time with guitar accompaniment. Not missing a beat, two boys, José and Israel, began to beatbox to the song.

The next day, Forrest got out his violin and fiddled to the tune of my song. José jumped onto the nearby drum set and another boy, Paris, started strumming on the guitar.

As I said, no where have I ever seen so much talent and dedication to music in one room before.

One girl, Cameron, composed, in my humble opinion, the best piano, violin, and cello piece I have ever heard. The humility of these people astounded me. I don't believe she understood how amazing, beautiful, and emotional her piece was. She simply shrugged off praise. So, Cami, if you're reading, know that your piece touched my heart.

Another girl, Georgiana, was sick and was unable to finish her piece before the concert. It was vocal and some parts of the text had to be spoken. It was stunning and very dramatic. She was embarrassed by the piece. I can say, it was one of the best pieces there.

Why am I going on and on and on about this? Why am I not writing some deeply thoughtful post about my experience? Because, the kids I'm writing about are 8-10 graders. I'm older than most of them. And yet, these composers created music that rivals some of the best, professional works I've heard.

If this is what the future of music holds, I am extremely proud to be a part of this era. But I am more proud to call these amazing people my peers.

A quote...

"Music does bring people together.
It allows us to experience the same emotions.
People everywhere are the same in heart and spirit.
No matter what language we speak, what color we are,
the form of our politics or the expression of our love and our faith,
music proves: We are the same."
~ John Denver ~

What have I been saying in my blog? Haven't I stressed the fact that music is a key part of coexisting with one another? Haven't I said that music dispels our petty differences? All I believe to be true about music is summed up within this quote. (Actually, no, I have plenty more to say)

I think that this quote, among countless others, accurately expresses my convictions about music. Music is so much more than a unified series of sounds. Music is an overwhelming torrent of pure emotion, allowing the participants, both performers and listeners, the opportunity to escape for a moment. I cannot think of another man-made experience similar to music.

So, here's today's question/quest: Find a quote, doesn't have to be related to music, that expresses your beliefs about a certain topic. I chose music because that's my passion. (Also, because this blog is called MUSIC is Beautiful)

Car Music

When I'm in a car, I have to be listening to music. I have only a few guidelines as to what I listen to: no rap, no hip-hop, and as little country as possible.

(If you'd like to convert me to these genres, leave a link to YouTube or leave some song names)

What I've found is that, as in most cases, the music that someone listens to in the car reflects a lot about who they are. I was recently picked up from an end-of-the-year party by a friend's brother. What told me it was okay was the fact that he was listening to a classical guitar network, at midnight. Obviously, this boy was not "scary" or violent.

Similarly, when I'm in a car, driving or riding, I prefer to listen to moderately upbeat music. Nikki Manaj and Lady Gaga also hold a special place for my car music. I think that the music you listen to really impacts your driving/riding experience and mood.

So, the question is: Did I get it right? Or am I way off? How does the music you listen to in the car effect you?

16 Years of Music

Because tomorrow will mark my sixteenth birthday, I feel like expressing how my life has been surrounded by music. I hope that my story will inspire others to get involved in music.

At an early age, my mother could already tell that I was a good musician. When I began singing at three or so, I was always on pitch. Whereas some kids just talk with pitch, I actually sang. At weddings I'd ask the musicians, such as the harpist or the string quarter, to play Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.

In elementary school, I'd try to teach the music class, to my teachers annoyance. Finally she called my mom up saying, "Carol, your son drives me crazy, but you need to get him into a choir."

It was then I joined the Minnesota Boychoir, this being 2005. I was a member of Junior Chorus. It was also around this time that I started taking piano lessons. At first, I hated them. But, when I figured out that I could learn songs I knew, such as Mary had a Little Lamb, I started enjoying them. As my interest in music began to grow, so did my knowledge. My choir and piano lessons helped me to learn music theory way before most kids begin to get the basics.

In 2007, I was accepted into Cantablie and was invited to go on tour with the Minnesota Boychoir (from here on MNBC) to Australia. At the tender age of 11, I had begun my international singing adventures. Also around this time, I began learning the trumpet. Once again, my knowledge of other forms of music contributed to my trumpet playing.

In 2009, I was diagnosed with type I diabetes. Although my life had been turned upside down on Wednesday, May 27, I was able to celebrate my birthday at home on the 29th of May. A few weeks later, my choir went on tour to Alaska as the entertainment onboard a cruise ship. I, along with many members of my family, went along with this trip.

At the same time, I had gotten braces. Due to the pain from playing the trumpet with them, I moved to French horn and then baritone.

In eighth grade, I was cast as the boy soloist in Leonard Bernstein's Mass and was broadcast over Minnesota Public Radio. I was also cast in a workshop for a newly written musical at the Guthrie theatre in Minneapolis. The same year, my grandfather died. I asked my grandma if I could sing for the funeral. It was one of the hardest things I've ever done, but I could see, by the faces in the congregation, that it meant more than I could imagine. That sumner my choir went to Portland, Oregon for a youth choir festival. This would be the first time I had ever been away from my family for an extended period of time.

Over the rest of the summer, I taught myself flute, saxophone, and clarinet.

In mid-July, my 17 year old cousin Karl drowned. I was asked by his mother to sing at his funeral. I can say, with the utmost certainty, that singing for his funeral, Be Still My Soul, was the single most difficult thing I've ever done.

In 2010, I entered 9th grade. I told my band director I'd play anything he wanted me to. He asked me to play tuba. Throughout this year, I began to compose and try new instruments: organ, bassoon, guitar, ukulele, and oboe.

In the summer of 2011, my choir was invited to sing at the Vatican for high Mass on the feast day of St. Paul and St. Peter. It just so happens that I live near St. Paul and that on the day we sang, we went to both St. Paul's Church and St. Peter's Basilica. Two months later, I was diagnosed with West Nile which put me in the hospital for eighteen days and out for the count for nearly 5 months.

In 10th grade, after numerous budget cuts, I was accepted into my high school's Chorale and Wind Ensemble. I played bassoon in band and sang 1st tenor in choir. Due to a boy dropping Encore, my school's a cappella group, I was asked to join. I arranged several pieces for Encore, and sang a solo.

And here I am. Three years and one day after my diagnosis. Fifteen years, 364 days, 17 hours and 19 minutes later. I look back and I see the obstacles I've faced. I look back and I see the joys I've experienced.

I ask you, reader. What is your dream? How hard are you willing to fight for it?

My dream is music. Although I'm teased, brushed off, and put aside, I know that there is one thing no one can ever take away from me: my dreams. Throughout sickness, loss, suffering and disappointment, I've never stopped trying. I've never said "You know, this might not work out for me. I should quit." I've never said no to my dreams and I look how far I've come.

I found a journal entry from kindergarten and it said this: "When I get older, I'm going to be successful."

I love that. It wasn't a dream then, it was a statement of fact.

Now that I see myself now. In all my flaws, insecurities, and faults, I can say, despite the things I lack, I'm successful.

Don't ever stop dreaming.

It gets better.

Trust me.

Music "In the Wild"

As we enter the American holiday Memorial Day weekend, I think it's a good idea to think about the effect on life that music has.

(I know, not very connected.)

I'm camping at William O'Brian State Park this weekend. I was thoughtful enough to bring my guitar. Even so, I miss the music that civilized life has to offer. I am very fortunate to live in a society where music is encouraged. Whereas camping can make some people feel close to nature, it makes me feel separated from my true love, music. It's at these times that I must remember there is music all around us.

So here's the question: how does music impact your daily life? And, if it does, what would be the effect of not having it?

Happy Memorial Day weekend, everyone!

Where the Music Comes From

Have you ever felt that there's a song inside of you? Have you ever heard music that no one else can hear?

If you answered yes, this post applies to you.

Something in my being knows that music is right for me. I've known for a fairly long time. And yet, when I try to find the source of my musical passion, I come up short.

I know that I'm the most comfortable when I'm doing music. I know that I always hear a song. But what I don't know is where that "instinct" , per say, originates. I'm not the only one either.

Many people feel that something in music resonates within them. Many people know that music is their element. But what makes it so?

So, leave a comment, please. Tell me where you think the music comes from. Tell me why you think it resonates within you.

Naturally Musical

It's a beautiful day here in Lakeville, Minnesota! Last night we got a thunderstorm but it got me thinking; music is all around us. All you have to do to hear it is to immerse yourself with nature. When surrounded by nature, you can hear the most remarkable things. Can you honestly tell me what rain on a pine tree sounds like? Can you hear the rustle of fresh fallen snow? I can, and so can you. As a composer, I constantly search for inspiration but often times I draw it from my own backyard. I can hear music in everything around me when I am in the woods. When I hear a pretty run by a bird, I translate that to a piccolo. When I hear rain, I see a tremolo orchestra.I feel that music is inescapable.No matter how much you may deny music. No matter how much you may love sports, school, or other activities, you can never escape the pull of music. I can't and you can't. It is ingrained into our being. So, I challenge you: find music in something unconventional over the course of this week and tell me what it was. There are absolutely no wrong answers. I want to fond out what you perceive to be naturally musical.
And, let me know what country you're from, just for some context

Something Beautiful

I'm sure you've heard the mantra "Silence is golden" before. Today I got a taste of what that really means.

As a fairly garrulous person, I often don't spend time admiring the phenomenon of silence. Often, I spend time Talking about pointless things just to hear my own voice. I rarely encounter silence and, consequently, lack the skills to appropriately react to it.

Also, I have a photographic memory. Therefore, I rely on images for everything. Unfortunately, because of this, I tend to focus way to much on the small things, such as an askew picture, rather than taking the time to absorb the bigger picture.

Something changed me today.

My a cappella group at school was practicing in our auditorium and decided to turn the lights off. Typically, I find these things immature and a waste of time. Yet, something today told me to wait.

Instantly I was robbed of the two things I find so familiar: sound and sight. The only sound I could hear was the whisper of my fellow singers. The only sight I could perceive was the dim illumination of the seats from an overhead window.

I blew my pitch pipe and we began to sing.

At once I knew something was different. The song we sing is MLK and I have the solo. With the opening words "Sleep, sleep tonight. And may your dreams be realized", I felt the text resonate somewhere deep within me. I felt like I was hearing the song for the first time.

When we had finished the piece, nobody spoke. Nobody giggled. There was nothing but complete silence. No applause to detract from the music. Absolutely nothing.

This is why I choose music over all else. No where can you go to be so in tune with your inner being. No where is there a place where you can connect on a higher level than in music.

Music is beautiful. It allows us to experience everything. It allows us to express everything. It allows us to be everything. And that truly is something beautiful.

What Music Means to Me

Lately I've been thinking about how much of my life is devoted to music...

I've found that I can trace practically everything I do do back to music. I wake up in the morning and go to our school's a cappella group. An hour later, I go to band or choir. When I get home, the first thing I do is homework but then I grab my laptop and compose or sit down at the piano.

When I feel down, one of the few things that can comfort me is music. When I feel happy, it is usually related to music.

I tend to view music as almost a person, albeit a silent one, who knows all of my insecurities, all of my pain, all of my joy, and all of my dreams. It consoles me. It congratulates me. It is there when no one else is. If I had to name my "best" friend, I'd say music.

So, my question for you, readers, is this: what does music mean to you?

iPods and iPhones

So I've been thinking, how must life have been without the luxury of iPods and iPhones?

I mean seriously, before sound could be recorded, the only music people could have heard was the piano in the saloon, the nickelodeon in the theatre, and the organ at church.
I think we, as technically advanced people, tend to under-appreciate how lucky we are. I can, if I wish, listen to country, stop the song midway, switch over to dub-step, and switch again to classical music. Imagine the monotony and silence of a world where you cannot freely choose the background music that accompanies your life.

I simply cannot comprehend it. As a person who relies on music for comfort, inspiration, joy, and love, I cannot simply entertain the notion of a world of silence.

But, I think that the music that we listen to really says a lot about us as people; back then, people listened to whatever was playing, but now we have the luxury of choosing the music that accompanies their life. I can listen to Angel by Sarah McLachlan to console myself in my insecurities, to If I Die Young by The Band Perry to think about what I have to be thankful for, and to Party Rock Anthem for that party mood.

So here's the question for today's post. What song(s) reflect your life's movie. We could create a soundtrack to our lives. And, if you read this, answer the question, and like this blog on Facebook and follow it.

Music and Life

I think that anyone can attest to the notion that music can affect every single person in the world, whether in a poor country or rich, lover or hater of music. If you look at any indigenous tribe of Africa, there always is a way for the people to praise the gods through song. People whistle when they are bored. If your see it my way, it seems like we cannot survive without music. I definetly couldn't. Some innate sense deep within our instinct/soul (depending on spiritual beliefs) tells us that we must make noises to form some type of melody, whether complex or not. And yet, the world is full of violence. Why does no one try to use music as an instrument of peace? It is the universal language! Frankly, I have found that music can really bring life to people. I really feel that music is the strong foundation in this world. What's your opinion?

Pit Orchestra

I think that one the most humbling experiences in music is that of accompanying singers during a production. Although I am a singer and actor, I would describe myself as foremostly a musician. I am playing the synth cello for a high school production of The Wizard of Oz. There truly is nothing that shows how coesive music is as working in an orchestra. To feel the power, the excitement. It is just one reason why music is truly a universal art. People of every age, race, sex, orientation, every walk of life, can join together and become a group.