Claire's Post

Report
Clare Edwards

What Music Means to Me and how it has Influenced Me

My musical education began when I was just a child. My parents would take me to church and, when I was old enough to start understanding what was actually happening around me, my mother would help me sing the songs during mass. As I grew older, I gained more confidence and was able to sing a little louder. However, only when I learned the meaning behind the songs was able to fully appreciate and be moved by what I was singing. This story is just one example of why I believe that music is not only words to a rhythm, but a way of understanding and being. Anyone can speak a sentence with no emotion. It’s up to the singer, or in this case the choirs, to look at the complexity of the words, discover it’s meaning, and relate the meaning to an audience. I feel that music has helped me to understand the world better. If there is any problem I encounter, there is probably a song out there written by someone who was going through the same thing. So, what does music mean to me? It means breaching boundaries and discovering that you’re never alone

Holiday Concerts: December 2 & 5

how music inspires Amanda Neville

Music has always been a huge part of my life. I started singing when I was about 3 years old. When I sang “Rock-a-bye Baby” or “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” to my baby doll, my dad would correct me if I sang a note wrong. He would make me sing it over and over until I sang it correctly. That little habit evolved into an extreme love for music and singing. I started taking group singing lessons, and then I switched to private lessons. I also got into musical theatre and acting. I absolutely fell in love with the arts. In high school I participated in my concert choir and the select women’s choir at the school. My junior year I was the secretary of my choir and my senior year I was the president. Being part of the officers of my choir was an amazing experience. I loved being a part of planning events for the choir. Music has just changed my life. It is my escape from stress. When I sing, I forget about all of my troubles and just feel free. I could not survive without singing and I will be singing for the rest of my life.

Christy's Thoughts

Christy Reeves Blog

The YPC Honor Chorus Festival this coming Saturday, November 13th, will be a great opportunity to interact with the children of The Young People’s Chorus of Erie in a rehearsal and performance setting. Most of the college choir students don’t have a chance to meet these kids, so the fact that we get to spend a day singing and socializing with them is wonderful. Some of these children are talented on a level that far exceeds their age group, which can range from early elementary all the way to high school. As a student that has attended this event in the past, I was very impressed with the dedication and drive I saw in these kids, even at early ages. Performing in concert with them was a learning experience, to say the least. They learn music at an astounding rate, devouring anything thrown at them. I look forward to seeing new members of YPC this weekend and learning from them again this year.

Inspiration From Phil

Since I was nine months old, music has had an influence in my life and has helped me over the years to not only become a vocalist but a pianist/organist as well. My dad told me that he used to sit with at the piano he inherited from his aunt. At first I used to just pound on the piano making no music at all, but over time I began to listen and started to put groups of notes together. When I got a little bit bigger, my parents started to choir practices. I usually just sat there with my ninja turtes, but soon I found my way to the organ where my dad was playing; he got his b.a. in music from the University of Michigan. My parent told me that I'd have to take piano lessons first before I could learn organ. For 10 years I took lessons and once I got to middle school, I was given a scholarship from my church that allowed me to take voice lessons til I graduated high school. I participated in choir/ ensemble since 6th grade and made it an importance to try and continue my learning throughout college. Music has always been a part of who I am and it has led me to all regions of the USA in multiple ways; through concerts to national united choir workshops.

Section Leader Tim

Hey there bloggers!
I’m Tim Kaminske, bass section representative of the semester, and I can’t be more excited about this year’s choir.
As a sophomore, I’ve seen and heard the good and bad of several ensembles I’ve been a part of, and this semester’s group is easily one of the best. Not only have our numbers increased, but the talent has as well. What this means is that we are capable of singing much more difficult pieces in an even greater magnitude. As well as the concert choir being strengthened, so has the chambers singers. Because Dr. Bishop chose to select all of the members personally this year and cater the schedule around their needs, the chamber choir is made up of a dedicated group of students who all have the same goals in mind.
Last week, both of our choirs had a chance to perform at Harrisburg in an all Penn State concert. While not necessarily a competition, many of us had a good time comparing all of the choirs in attendance and seeing how we ranked. In my personal opinion, we are easily in the ranks of University Park musically, which says a lot about the type of program that is run here. It feels great to be part of such a group that can come together from all different majors and places, and create such beautiful music.
Anyway, what I’m trying to say is that if you haven’t heard this year’s choir yet, you are in for a treat come concert time. It’s a promise.

Ryan's Input!

Hey everyone. I’m super excited about the upcoming Harrisburg trip next Tuesday. After these 8 weeks of singing with all of you I know our performance is going to be incredible. We only have two more rehearsals left including today, so be sure to go over the music we’re performing from now until Tuesday. For those new comers who didn’t go to Harrisburg last year this will be a great experience for you. Have a good week.
Ryan Richards

Eric's Thoughts

Today we are going to get ready for our choir trip to Harrisburg. We are going to be running our set memorized today. Hopefully all goes well! I am really excited to take my first choir trip with the university choir.

Veronica's Post

Hello my Fab friends, it’s THE Veronica Lorya. I hope you all are excited for choir this year! I joined choir just last year and my experience has transformed me from an average African Queen to the goddess. This past week I was sick and I know my presence was missed but have no fear the medications came through and I am feeling a little bit better. The music this semester is pretty awesome and that should mean a lot coming from a revered goddess like myself. I love when Nicholas becomes the bishop of Myra the piece just makes me feel all Catholic inside and who wouldn’t love that. Anyway I am just loving how I look right now so I will blog later. Keep listening to your music and be beautiful like me!
-The African Goddess
Veronica Ilijha Teresa Lorya

Mandy Sheild's thoughts

Wow! Who would have thought that we are in the midst of the fourth week of the semester already? Even more amazing, is when we think of all of the things that we have accomplished so far in choir in this short period of time. Not only have we begun to really dive into the music, but we have also begun to make friendships within the ensemble that can only strengthen us as a group. As an ensemble, we are constantly rising to the challenge of the pieces presented to us, whether it is language barriers or intricate note patterns. I am truly proud to say that I am a part of what is happening with the Behrend choirs here on campus, and am excited to see what the remainder of the semester has in store for us.

Colins Thoughts

Colin Ingram
Choir is a fun experience and it is great to sing with other people that share the same passion. We have started three pieces of music already and it is already starting off well. Today we received more music and hopefully we starting working on that. I am looking forward to the concert and I hope that all goes well. This semester should be fun and rewarding.