Thursday, 30 November 2006

Pardon me, is your ancestor an elevator inventor?

Today just was one of those good days. Not necessarily productive, but good. It's the first time I've really actually had some real spring in my step since everything from Thanksgiving.

I'm thoroughly enjoying Instruments of the Band and Orchestra right now. We've reached the last section of the orchestra-percussion! While I have no experience playing percussion instruments like the marimba, glockenspiel, etc. I took to them like a duck to water, and I have studying piano to thank for that. I got to play the orchestral chimes, which I think are pretty cool. And I think Prof. Leach is just plain sweet.

Dr. Randel's awesomeness rating went through the roof. We talked about Handel's operas and the general reforms in the Baroque Period which led to opera seria from the truly insane musical concotions that some composers had cooked up. But before class began, we watched the video from YouTube from this link. The guy spent WAY too much practicing with the rollerblades and glass bottles.

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

That music, in case you aren't familiar with it, is the theme from Symphony No. 40 in G Minor, 1st Movement-Molto Allegro, by W.A. Mozart. How on earth that guy put that all together is beyond me. It isn't even remotely related to Handel's operas, but the fact that Dr. Randel wanted us to see that is pretty sweet.

The voice lesson with Dr. Richmond was excellent, considering how stressed he is getting over Vespers. My accompanist was there today, so Dr. Richmond decided to do some minor adjustments to my posture as I was singing. Fair enough, except he accidentally hit my head hard enough that the pencil over my ear fell off. I thought it was funny.

It was raining when I went to Chapel Choir, so I walked under my trusty umbrella to Dimnent from my room. As soon as I got inside the chapel and closed it, Dr. Richmond nearly crashed into me on his way out. He was searching for an umbrella as he made his exit. This conversation between us followed after the narrowly-missed collision.

Dr. Richmond: Is that umbrella yours? Can I use it? Thanks! (takes umbrella, opens it, and walks out the door)
Tyler: What? Wait, I'm back at "is that umbrella yours!"

Simply a moment of amusement to me, anyway. It was strangely reminiscent of days back in high school with Mr. Otis. Considering he is a Hope College grad, I wonder if the "Otis Syndrome" as I call it is catching. Dr. Richmond seems to be infected, but there is doubt because I got the umbrella back. Unfortunately now I can't figure out where I put it and think it may be in the chapel. At least our recording session for Vespers went well.

Dinner was good. Getting to talk to Rosie about things for the first time in a long time was great. I've missed my RD from Wyckoff. Rosie was more than just an RD-she was like a caring parent to all the residents and a counselor at times. I miss that.

It was also good to finally rehearse with everyone for Vespers, although my voice is shot. Luckily, Dr. Richmond was pleased with everything and let us go quickly, for which I was grateful. I should have done homework, but I wasted my evening enjoying those unplanned moments instead with good friends. So thank you Jeannette, Becky, Jon, Ryan, Matt, and Brad. You made the night better than homework could have.