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Help! I’ve been assigned to sing alto in choir but I’ve been told I’m a soprano?
Disclaimer: Voice types are not an exact science, this article reflects my experiences and observations, as well as some knowledge acquired from Pedagogical lessons. Always talk to your teacher if singing something feels too high or too low. One thing I heard very frequently at the beginning of the semester were first-years expressing confusion about what their voice type was. One after one, when asking what they sang, I was told variations of “I sing _ in choir but I thought I was a _.” I also remember feeling confused about this during my first year. Growing up, I had sang practically every part on the treble staves while in…
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What I’m Packing for College, Music Student Edition
I’m so excited! At the end of the week I am going to be moving back to DePauw to begin my Junior year of undergrad. As many parents and students alike understand, packing up and moving to college is a time consuming and often challenging part of the college experience. It varies in difficulty based on how much you need with you, how far away the school is from home, and also the room type you will be staying in. As a music student, I am used to having a very demanding schedule and a long list of supplies and educational items. I have to pack some pretty niche items,…
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Reflections on Mahler 2
It’s been roughly three days since I’ve returned home from my amazing experiences at the Grand Teton Music Festival, and I can’t help but to reflect on the beauty and symbolism of Mahler’s Resurrection Symphony. The work has always had tremendous symbolic meaning, especially within Mahler’s personal life. His life was not an easy one, and Mahler found himself in a shroud of darkness after the death of his children. Inspired by his pain, he composed Kindertotenlieder, (Literally translating to Children Dying Songs) a work of music and poetry about the death of children. This work angered his wife, who thought that the continued death in the family was due…
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Choirs, Churches, and Concerts Oh My!
My second day in Salt Lake was super busy, even for a Sunday. But, as many musicians know, Sunday is a huge day for music. Music is a very special and well loved part of religious services around the world, and my choirmate and I experienced it with one of our hosts. Last Sunday was Pioneer Day in Utah. The holiday is a Utah-specific holiday honoring the pioneers, most of which were LDS, who made the journey westward in search of religious freedom. We heard that the Mormon Tabernacle Choir was going to be performing at the LDS Conference Center as part of their Music and the Spoken Word broadcast.…
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First Days in Salt Lake City
It’s official! My Grand Teton Music Festival adventure has begun, and it has been amazing so far. Yesterday (Saturday, July 23) my day began with a flight to Salt Lake City, followed immediately by my first choir rehearsal with Dr. Barlow Bradford. The first rehearsal was thrilling, with amazing cohesive tone and sound that filled the room from the first downbeat. It is pretty incredible to be singing in the ensemble, as me and my University Choirmate are most likely the youngest singers in the ensemble. Mahler’s second symphony, known as the “Resurrection Symphony” has very special meaning. Mahler himself wrote the poem that accompanies the music, inspired by the…
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Reflections on Mahler 2
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Special News! Grand Teton Music Festival and Mahler 2
I have very exciting news to share! This summer, I will be singing at the Grand Teton Music Festival, spending time in both Utah and Wyoming. I will be part of a choral ensemble that will be singing Mahler 2, and for the first time in a while, I will be singing second soprano! The Grand Teton Music Festival is one of the top 10 music festivals in the United States. The festival, which was founded in 1962, has been an occasion that draws famous music performers, ensembles, composers, and artists from all over. I am overjoyed to be singing under the baton of Sir Donald Runnicles, who is the…
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Special News! Upcoming Performances
I am excited to announce that I have a few more performances coming up before the end of the semester! On Monday, May 2, 2022, at 7:30 PM at Thompson Recital Hall, the class I am in, Music for the Stage, will be performing our Peking and Beijing Opera Scenes! We have had the honor of working with Professor Po-Wei Wang of Wesleyan University on our scenes, and about the cultural importance of Peking and Beijing Opera across China. We have incorporated elements from the art form, including percussion, movement, and story techniques, into scripts we have made ourselves. On Wednesday, May 11, 2022, at 7:30 PM at Thompson Recital…
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Special Announcement! Emily Makes Her Opera Debut!
I am so excited to announce that this March, I will be performing in two Operas hosted by my school, DePauw University. I will be performing my first-ever principal operatic role, Witch 1, in Dido and Aeneas, by Henry Purcell, one night only on March 5th. I will also be a member of the chorus for both nights of Orfeo ed Euridice, by Gluck. Dido will be performed in English and Orfeo will be performed in Italian. Both operas are based on classical Greek tragedies, both with unique twists. I am thrilled to be part of both productions. I have been learning so much, and I can’t wait to present…
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Dress for Success
A Guide to Audition Clothing Picking out an outfit for auditions can be challenging. There are so many factors to consider when picking out a perfect outfit other than what it looks like. For example, evaluating, movability, comfort, practicality. Plus, depending on the type of audition you are participating in, your outfit might have to be multifunctional. Auditions are a massive part of a performer’s life, and so it is important to know the basics so you are prepared. I hope this guide might be able to help you! Audition Clothing Basics No matter what audition you are going to, there are a few basics that can help with any…
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How to get Ready for Your Music Juries
Wondering what to do to get ready for your Juries? Look no further. Here is a guide to help you get ready for your exam day.
