on a projector behind Dr. Whitcomb in order to familiarize the audience with the song's title. Her strong vocal ability was evident from the first note; she had the perfect voice for the genre, with a strong alto belt, seamless trills, and rustic vibrato when the time was appropriate. Although her breathing at times seemed very clavicular and less from the diaphragm, it may have been intentional and necessary for keeping up the candor of the pieces. She dominated the stage, though at times the…
of blues music, like Stevie Ray Vaughan and Eric Clapton, play their guitars with effortless expression is inspiring. They successfully combined the creativity of Jimi Hendrix with the intensity of Albert King, but managed to execute each bend and vibrato with the sophistication of a world class jazz musician. They were masters of their craft and influenced me to become a musician. An immense amount of time and dedication is required to attain their level of musicianship, and they have taught me…
James Partrick is a DJ, curator, author, and educator. He curates and develops electronic music and art festivals and events. He has also won many awards including the American Composer Forum- MECA award. He also develops music production, composition, and sound design curricula for Dubspot in New York City and the Institute of Production and Recording in Minneapolis. He is also the owner of the Slam Academy that students take the electronic music training. James Patrick started the article…
The stage lights blared down on my trembling body as I tried to force a smile onto anxious face. The year-end concert had approached and the moment for the audience to be introduced to the elegant melody of Gabriel’s Oboe had finally arrived. The hours spent perfecting my tone, the repetition of phrases to perfect my rhythm, all led up to my hope of performing a faultless solo. As the conductor nodded his head and the the phrase the band behind my played escalated, the first notes spoke from the…
sound, which can allow the same synth to make serve as multiple types of instruments. As an added touch, most synthesizers have sliders and knobs that can modulate their sound to change in the middle of a note, allowing for changes in elements like vibrato or even a change in the oscillator, which is an electronic sound that is used to make the timbre of the notes. A group of well-programed synthesizers can be used to create huge sounds unlike anything acoustic instruments could produce. A great…
In October 15, 2015 on a chilly Thursday night, students, parents, and teachers attended the Mary Poppins broadway musical. Upon entering the theater, students handed out colorfully designed programs. Attendees who came earlier nearly filled up all the seats, but luckily there were a few seats left. Either the staff at Xavier were ridiculously talented at promoting the musical or perhaps the attendees simply knew that they were in for a treat. Lights darkened, the announcer greets the…
The world is full of amazing and beautiful instruments, but there is one that stands out to compared to the rest: the violin. The violin is a very small and complex instrument that creates beautiful music that is pleasing to the ears. The violin has been used in many classicals and still remains quite popular today. This instrument has been around for over five-hundred years, is played for many genres, and its popularity doesn’t seem to decline anytime soon. What is the Violin First off, one…
The people have sung and Annandale’s production of Les Misérables School Edition is a hit! This well-known and beloved musical has now been adapted for High School students, only verging slightly from the original production of Les Misérables. Based off of Victor Hugo’s book, the musical adaptations of Les Misérables have swept numerous tony awards and also have the honor of being Broadway’s second longest running production. Set in early 19th-century France, Les Misérables School Edition tells…
music, or to be more specific, his style meaning what he plays, how he does it. R. Carlos Nakai's impressive flute playing features prominently in this recording. “Winter Camp” shows his incredible pitch-bending control. Availing of a variety of vibratos and articulations, his playing is expressive and evocative. The funky groove of “Retire the Colors” is entirely unexpected if one reads the liner notes before listening to it. This version of a flag song is unlike any heard before. The layering…
person and has worked with several charities. Her voice is categorized as a mezzo soprano. She is a multi-platinum Grammy Award-winning recording artist. She is one of music’s top-selling artists. She is known for her strong voice and her variable vibrato which is considered one of the best in the business. history Beyonce was born in Texas. She went to St. Mary’s Elementary School in Fredericksburg where she followed dance classes. Her talent for singing was discovered when her dance…