Hi! My name is Miriam Waddell, and I am a freshman at Converse majoring in flute performance. I started playing the flute when I was 9 years old. I have received largely classical training for the flute, and I spent a lot of time in middle and high school playing in concert bands, orchestras, marching band, and chamber ensembles. I also have small amounts of experience with the piano, cello, and steel drums. I am excited for this class to be looking at music through a lens different from the western classical one I have dealt with for most of my life.
1. One of my go-to artists right now is Carly Rae Jepsen. I think she is widely regarded as a one-hit wonder for her 2012 song Call Me Maybe, but plenty of pop perfection gems can be found throughout her discography. This is a song from her 2015 album Emotion that I simply can never get tired of; I love the energy and production style.
2. A piece of music that holds a special place for me is Percy Grainger's Irish Tune from County Derry, set for wind ensemble. My high school band played it for Concert Performance Assessment and the final concert of the last year of our band director's career before he retired. I also played it with last year's South Carolina All-State band. The piece is lyrical and emotional, as well as a challenge for balance, dynamics, and creating an intimate feeling. Each time performing it left me feeling emotional, as it carries the feeling of having to let go and move on to a new stage in life.
3. A song that I have never connected with is Hotel California by the Eagles. Objectively, I don't think it's a bad song, just not for me. I don't even mind the genre at all. I have always just thought the song to be repetitive, not very interesting for the ears, and a lot longer than I think is warranted. I'm not sure of the reason for this, but there was a period a few years ago for a few weeks where I could not seem to go anywhere without hearing it on the radio or playing in stores. The seemingly never-ending guitar solo just brought 14-year-old me to her breaking point, and I can never view the song the same way. I respect it, but it isn't something that I enjoy.
I also love Irish Tune From County Derry! I’ve played it a few times and have always enjoyed it. Percy Grainger always writes very emotional pieces and even though this piece did not have a super interesting part, I always felt so many feelings while playing the piece which made it fun. I love how he splits the piece up so it has little chamber groups throughout. Hotel California has also never resonated with me. My parents would play it in the car all the time and I just never really enjoyed it.
I've never heard the Irish Tune from Country Derry before, but after listening to it I want to go listen to other pieces by Percy Grainger. It was beautiful! Also, I liked the uniforms in the video, they were fun. I have to admit, I had no idea you were a fan of Carly Rae Jepson! You're very correct that I only really knew her as a one-hit wonder. As for Hotel California, I loved it the first time I heard it, but it's a bit to repetitive for my taste. Also, it's incredibly overplayed, so even if I never go out of my way to listen to it I know I'll hear it at least twelve times in a year.
I had honestly forgotten about Carly Rae Jepson! Of course Call Me Maybe was the first thing that came to mind but I enjoyed listening to the song you linked. I think it's beautiful and very interesting to see other musicians describe the feeling that making music gives them. I can relate to feeling emotional when playing certain songs.
I also love Irish Tune From County Derry! I’ve played it a few times and have always enjoyed it. Percy Grainger always writes very emotional pieces and even though this piece did not have a super interesting part, I always felt so many feelings while playing the piece which made it fun. I love how he splits the piece up so it has little chamber groups throughout. Hotel California has also never resonated with me. My parents would play it in the car all the time and I just never really enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteI've never heard the Irish Tune from Country Derry before, but after listening to it I want to go listen to other pieces by Percy Grainger. It was beautiful! Also, I liked the uniforms in the video, they were fun. I have to admit, I had no idea you were a fan of Carly Rae Jepson! You're very correct that I only really knew her as a one-hit wonder. As for Hotel California, I loved it the first time I heard it, but it's a bit to repetitive for my taste. Also, it's incredibly overplayed, so even if I never go out of my way to listen to it I know I'll hear it at least twelve times in a year.
ReplyDeleteI had honestly forgotten about Carly Rae Jepson! Of course Call Me Maybe was the first thing that came to mind but I enjoyed listening to the song you linked. I think it's beautiful and very interesting to see other musicians describe the feeling that making music gives them. I can relate to feeling emotional when playing certain songs.
ReplyDelete