band concerts

I was ten years old when I started playing the clarinet, and I was 18 when I stopped. (In the five years since I graduated high school, I have not touched my clarinet once. I'm almost afraid to open the case.) I wasn't bad at playing, and even though I was First Chair my senior year, there was at least one person who was better than I was. (It was only because I was a Senior that I was First Chair. If this guy had been a Senior, he wouldn't have been Fourth Chair.)

Last week, my friend texted me, asking if I wanted to go with her to our band teacher's final concert. I couldn't resist. This guy was the best band teacher I had, hands down. He has been playing saxophone in the Army for 31 years now. He was probably playing that instrument longer than that! He was passionate about music, and it showed through the concerts he set up at the high school. He was a very strict teacher, and the best of us knew that you don't mess with him and you had to strive to do your best in this class.

I was fortunate enough to be in the Wind Ensemble all four years of high school. Not trying to brag or be mean, but I was better than the Concert Band. That was really a beginners band, or for those who really don't have much play time. I really enjoyed all the music I played, partially because I was in such a good band and all the sounds from the music just sounded beautiful, and also because the music really helped me grow as a musician. (I was also in Symphonic Band, and while I liked the music I played in there, the teacher wasn't the best, nor were her strings students.)

Anyways, back to last night's concert. I'm happy to say that the music played last night was amazing. I got to see three bands perform: Concert Band, Wind Ensemble, and Jazz Band. (That was in order of who played, and also level of talent.) Listening to last night's concert made me miss my clarinet-playing days.

Will I go out and attend symphonies now? No. They're expensive and they make me sleepy.

I'll present you with the setlist from last night, and link you to a few of my favorite selections. (I didn't record any of the songs, so selections from YouTube is what you shall be receiving.)

Setlist:

Concert Band

1. Matrix

2. The Muppet Show Theme

3. Impact

Wind Ensemble

1. Exaltation

2. Washington Post

3. American Folk Rhapsody #3

4. Gloria Estefan Greatest Hits

Jazz Band

1. That's Life

2. Sidewinder

3. Hot House

4. Angel Eyes

5. The Girl From Ipanema

6. A 5th of Beethoven

7. Manteca

8. Funkytown

And here is a picture of my dear ol' band teacher from last night:

big time rush - 24/seven + summer break tour

They're back! 

...well, they're back with new material. Goodness knows they spent a ton of time last year touring around the world. 

My friend and I were very excited about hearing them going on tour once more! Unfortunately, even though many people starting to visit Nashville again...they're not. (Along with the Jonas Brothers, and we're also seeing them this summer.) We're traveling to Uncasville, CT to see BTR in concert! 

Why are we traveling all the way from Nashville to Uncasville? Well, they're touring with Victoria Justice, but they're performing at five different locations without her. This was one of them. Also, because I haven't been to Boston in years, I figured with them and the JoBros performing so close to each other in Uncasville (within three days!), that'd be a good excuse to head back home for a few days. My friend doesn't mind traveling, either. We love traveling! 

j-pop empress ayumi hamasaki's 15th anniversary!

Two days ago (I know, two days ago, I apologize for being super late on here) was my favorite singer's 15th anniversary in the music business!

On the 8th, she released her "15th anniversary song", entitled "Tell All". Check it out!

Click here to listen!

It's a great song, with slow and quiet verses and big, rockin' choruses. Some people haven't been too fond of the transition. I think the transitions are fine, and honestly, this isn't the first time she's done that. ("Free&Easy" is another song that has quiet choruses and a louder and faster chorus.) But hey, to each their own!

Here is the post for her upcoming tour, "A BEST LIVE":

And this is another picture promoting that tour (featuring her dance troupe):

I love both of those pictures! She's already released two albums this year (well, one compilation album and one studio album) and two concert DVD's this year... Even though she has yet to release a physical single, it's only April, so we still have eight months left in the year. I can't wait to hear more about the tour, which starts this weekend!