These Shoes

I wrote a new song!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BPEdRSJvrFE

National Honors Choir

So, I got accepted to sing in this "National Honors Choir" thing. I suppose it's quite an honor, but the name is also quite farty. "National Hoooonors Choir". Oh brothaaa. I sent in a tape over the summer of me singing some last minute octaves and such, and I got an e-mail a couple weeks later saying I made the cut for Soph 2, which is what I auditioned for. No one else I know got in, unfortunately. I have to learn 6 or so pieces of music by February, and I'm getting there. It's just difficult to want to really practice them, because I'm not so music "theor-ily" inclined, and not having a piano at home makes it even harder. BUT. quit sulking. It's going to be a lot of fun, I hope. It's a huge choir and a big three day event. But it's also the day before Valentines Day... which conflicts with some plans I had... So now I can't do anything I had planned... Ah, the life of a performer. Fab. Bloggaaaa out.

-Z

Adiemus

Luckily, someone in my chorus was kind enough to record my solo. It's on her Youtube account. The quality isn't fab, and it doesn't start at the beginning, which is really the coolest part, but you can get the gist. Enjoy,

Here's the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdh57oDtcU8

and here's the City Called Heaven link, again, because I like it more than Adiemus :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xjgVx4NZl0g

-Z

Song Writing

I just had a guitar lesson. My teacher and I were going over some lyrics I wrote, and he made an interesting point. He told me that it's always a more powerful song when the writer talks about something concrete, something tangible, rather than just saying "you did this to me" or "this is how i feel"... I don't know if it makes sense now, but it did when he said it. for example, he liked that my song started with: i know this road like the back of my hand/ but i'm scared if turn, i won't know it again. The "road" is something I'm comfortable with, and he liked the use of that. He also liked one of my verses that said, "i'm comfortable in these shoes/ don't make me change into something new/ the laces are worn, and i want them to stay/ i wouldn't have them any other way" because of the shoes image. That, along with some new chords, is what I got out of my guitar lesson today. Thought I'd share.

-Z.

Star

Every year, my school has this huge concert before the holidays. Non-denom of course (hence "star"). Last year I received a huge solo in a gospel song called "City Called Heaven" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xjgVx4NZl0g). This year, I had the opening piece ("Adiemus"), to which the entire high school (every one of them, singer or not, required to sing, against their liking) files in singing the chorus behind me. It was very cool. I was completely stressed out about it, but on the night of Star, it was great. Everyone loved it, to my surprise, and it was just as big of a hit as last year's song. I embellished my solo bits so it would shine out a little more. It sounded very interesting, especially with what I added to it.
Now, I'm on break. I haven't any time to do music, except learn a few Christmas songs for the fam on the guitar. Corny, I know. I have one week left to chill out, so I imagine I will be doing quite a bit of music. I'm excited for the time I have to write and play, and sing.

Cheers to the upcoming new year, everyone.

-Z.

This Just In: Having a cold ain't so bad.

I stayed home from school today in hopes of saving the rest of my classmates from runny noses and watering eyes. Yes, you may be thinking, "That's awful, I'm so sorry you're sick", but NO! Today has been a day of inspiration! Thanks to my one follower and her brilliant comment, I was able to write a new song! Almost two! But I couldn't think of a chorus. I attempted to write a love song, like she suggested, but that failed immensely, seeing as my love life is also an immense fail, and not in an interesting way. BUT, that immense fail sparked some non-failures too! ... Finally.

ohhhhh boy.

i've been busy, busy, busy working on school things. consumes my world at the moment, unfortunately. i've decided not to apply to berklee college of music. i feel like i want a "normal" college experience before i plunge myself into a world of strictly music. what if it turns out to be something i don't want to do for the rest of my life? although it seems like right now, it's all i want to do, it would be nice to have options. i can always transfer, or even go after college... so, that's what i'm thinking.

i got a letter from one of the schools i'm applying to that told me i was basically in if i applied because they think i'd be great for the music department. it's a great school, and i'm honored. bright things ahead, i suppose. kind of a bit of light in all of this chaos.

my songwriting skills are lacking. i just have no inspiration! not when the only thing that comes to mind are the four bases to a DNA molecule... blech.

i guess for now, i just have to keep writing. practice makes perfect!

-Z