An ever changing life requires an ever changing blog. You can look in my archives for funny kid stories from my time as an elementary music teacher but I'm moving up in the world...the academic world I mean and I'm moving on to college students. It's our little corner of the world and this blog is just a page or two out of our book.
Please don't judge me...I know it's cheesy, and ridiculous, and immature...but every time this song comes on my iPhone (yes, it's on my iPhone), I turn it up and sing at the top of my lungs. It's such a happy song! Plus, my good friend Karessa and I used to sing it together when we were roommates back in San Antonio. I know I'm way too old for High School Musical but when I was first teaching my students loved it so I watched it...ya know, to fit in. Ha! Enjoy!
I LOVE this song! I listen to it when I'm stressed out, I listen to it when I'm sad, I listen to it and sing every word at the top of my lungs in my car. It's such a fun song! It doesn't matter how I'm feeling, if this song comes on my world is slightly better.
Hate is such a strong word. I don't HATE this band, actually they have some decent songs. But I have never really liked Rob Thomas' singing voice. Anyone who sings gone as "go-hon" is not on my favorites list. Ha! His singing annoys me. So that's why I chose this song for today's challenge:
* I apologize if I've offended any Rob Thomas fans out there!
This challenge is difficult for me because music does NOT help me fall asleep, in fact the opposite is true. If it has words, I tend to listen to every word. If it's instrumental, I will lie there and analyze the form of the movement. Music invigorates me so this is an especially difficult task. So I leave you with this,,,
Explanation: In college, I spent two summers on a mission trip in East Germany. Every night, I'd lay down to sleep with a "Best of Dean Martin" CD and I would play "On An Evening in Roma" over and over (thank you repeat button on my discman...yes, discman) until I fell fast asleep. I'm not sure why this song was so comforting but when listening to it I was always taken into a day dream about some great adventure I was about to go on. I still think of my time in Europe every time I hear this song!
You can dance to lots of songs. As an elementary school music teacher, this is one of my favorites! Try to listen to this and be grumpy...I dare you! It's so happy!
I found this video and thought it was worth sharing. Though I would like to make the distinction that when it comes to test scores there is a strong correlation between music and test scores but causality cannot be proven. So much goes on with the brain during musical activity and that alone is a strong basis for music education. The social outcomes (self-discipline, teamwork, confidence, emotional outlet, etc.) are among the most beneficial reasons to participate in music. There is so much good in participating in music. Please, please, please support the arts in education!
I loved this song so much that I sat and listened it to it, pausing and rewinding over and over so I could write all the lyrics down! Who misses the 90s...anyone, anyone? I'm pretty sure I can still sing this whole song by heart. LOVE IT! What ever happened to Savage Garden??
This was one of my favorite songs during my senior year of high school (yes, it's been almost 12 years since high school, yikes!). I went to prom with my very best friend, Tim. Tim and I go way back to 5th grade and he's still very dear to my heart. I waited all night for this song to come on because I couldn't wait to dance to it with my best friend (whom I'm sure I had developed quite the crush after being inseparable for so many years). The song finally came on and Tim turns to me and says, "We've been dancing together all night, let's dance with other people." WHAT? I was heartbroken! Of course I got over it by the end of the song, you know how dramatic life can be in high school. But every time I hear this song I'm transported to that ballroom twelve years ago, wearing a beautiful lavender dress, and wishing I was dancing with Tim. You'd think it would be a bad memory but it's not...it's quite a sweet one actually. Enjoy "Kiss Me" by Sixpence None the Richer.
In college I had the opportunity to spend two summers in East Germany. I had some of the most wonderful adventures on these trips. I saw much of Europe, met some of the most amazing people, and while hoping to change peoples' lives, mine was changed. On an outing with a church group, we went to Eisenach, birthplace to Bach and home to where Martin Luther translated the Bible into German. After walking up what seemed like thousands of stairs, we stood in the great hall. Above the doors was "Ein Feste Burg", meaning "A Mighty Fortress." We stepped into the hall and sang this beautiful hymn.
There was something so special about singing that hymn in such a historical place. Every time I hear this hymn, I'm taken back to that hall where Martin Luther once stood.
I could choose from hundreds of songs for today's challenge. I've decided to go with "Music Box Dancer" by Frank Mills. It reminds me of my grandma. I think it was probably on a tape we listened to in the car, though I don't have a specific memory. But every time I hear this song, I pause and think about her. I feel like I was always surrounded by music in her presence. Whether it was driving in the car or listening to music on her record player and dancing around the living room. As a child I always wanted to learn to play this song on the piano. I think Grandma Amerine was probably a pretty big influence in my decision to study music. I haven't learned to play "Music Box Dancer" yet...but I will.
This song was number one for five weeks in 1968. A CNN reporter claims it is the worst song of all time. I remember hearing this song as a child and crying...not just little sniffles but bawling my eyes out. I was so moved...who knows why but I still have a sad/sentimental reaction to this song. So grab a box of tissues and listen to "Honey" by Bobby Goldsboro.
I had a hard time with this one because there aren't many songs that I downright dislike. So I decided to go with songs that annoy me and this is the first song that popped into my head:
I apologize if this is now stuck in your head for the rest of my day. What a silly song...
As a music teacher, I don't know that I can say I have a "favorite song." That is just too difficult. But when contemplating this question, the first work that came to my mind was Beethoven's Ninth Symphony. Not only is a beautiful masterpiece that brought tears to my eyes when experiencing it in a concert setting. The meaning behind it is what I love most.
As many know, Beethoven became deaf in his adulthood. He had a very unhappy childhood as well. He felt it was music that literally kept him from killing himself. The 9th is one of his last works and was his last performance as a conductor. So why is this troubled man writing about joy? I think it is remarkable. When he considered ending his life he said he didn't because he felt he had more music to write. As he slowly became deaf, his music became more troubled, dissonant, and angry. Yet, this final symphony is filled with joy and victory.
Beethoven was completed deaf when he premiered this symphony. When it was over, the audience loved it but Beethoven couldn't hear. The first violinist stood and turned Beethoven so he could see the great reaction that his final symphony received.
The entire symphony is beautiful, I will leave you with the last part of the final movement featuring "Ode to Joy." Thank you Beethoven, and thank you Dr. Fletcher for teaching me to love Beethoven - both the man and his music!
A friend of mine is doing this and I thought it looked fun! Music is such a big part of my life. Next to God, family and friends, it's probably the most important part of my life. As music education slowly disappears from our schools I realize more and more the need to be an advocate. As I look at this list for each day, I realize most of these songs are from my childhood. Many of which I learned or connect with school, family, and/or friends. Many of these songs would not have meaning to me if had not been for the music class I was in. While this is not an act of advocacy, I do believe it is a reminder of just how meaningful music can be in one's life. I would LOVE for you to join in on the challenge and explore some of the most meaningful music in your life!
"The aim and final end of all music should be none other than the glory of God and the refreshment of the soul." - Johann Sebastian Bach
Disclaimer: This is a 30-day challenge and I plan to finish it but it may or may not take more than 30 days! Give me a break, I'm writing a Ph.D. dissertation! :o)
