Hey Guys,
So, I realized that I intended to tell you about touring last week, but somehow lost track of my goal (as usual), so today will be a short and sweet summary of the one day Norsemen tour.
First, a little background on Luther college music ensemble touring:
Almost every music ensemble on Luther Campus tours at some point during the year. Some, like Nordic Choir, tour almost every other month for weekends or more at a time. Others, such as Norsemen, only tour for a weekend or a day. And there are also some which don't tour at all, the Jazz Band and other smaller ensembles included.
However, Norsemen went on it's tour today. Ever heard of the phrase "rain or shine..." Well, we members of Norsemen epitomized that phrase today. It POURED while we were loading the bus at 4:45 am. Then, just to tease, the rain let up once we were in Excelsior MN for the two church services we performed there. However, as soon as we were going to get back on the bus, *clap boom*...it began to downpour again. It was if God was trying to send us a message. However, it proceeded to rain for the rest of the day. Luckily, touring ensembles rarely do outside gigs.
The other nice thing about touring is all of the free food. Today, we were fed twice, and the two churches we sang at (Excelsior and Austin MN) went all out on feeding us. For lunch, we had better sandwiches than you can get from Panera, and for dinner we had Lasagna (I am a little biased... Lasagna is my favorite food). It was really cool that these churches went out of there way to do this for us. To be honest, I was expecting to have to pay for both lunch and dinner, so I was pleasantly surprised.
As usual, I'm writing to you in the middle of homework. One of these days I'll prioritize and actually have a time that is for JUST blogging. Maybe. :)
LATER!
Jake
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Norsemen TOOO-ERR!
Hey folks!
To put it lightly, it has been an AMAZING week. It's funny to see how much the nice weather really affects people around campus. Well, its even funny to see how the weather has been affecting me. I think it started out this week pretty chilly and wet, but the past few days have been sunny with a high of 75. I'm sure the increased blanket and frisbee traffic doesn't help the new grass, but it's really nice to see so many people outside. It kind of reminds you that you aren't the only person on campus. The walks across campus to your 8 am class aren't so dreary and miserable anymore, and your coffee doesn't get cold the moment you step out of a building. I think (knock on wood) it is safe to say spring is here. *insert prayer that we don't get another April blizzard*
Other than the weather, coming out of Easter break* has been pretty normal. While people are counting down the days to finals, I am counting down the days I have to procrastinate an Art History research paper. Fun right?
I'm also counting down the days to registration. This year, I've taken 14 credit hours a semester. That might sound small, but with two non-credited ensembles that take up a 4-credit hour time slot, I could be taking 22. Next semester, I have to take 18. Count them-18 credit hours. I whimper a little each time I remind myself of that solemn fact.
Oh, and I've heard it's normal to contemplate changing your major several times before you graduate, but I've already *contemplated* it 3 times. I came in as a music/psych major, then music/english, then music ed. Now after watching HGTV for 2 hours a day, I would like to be music/architecture. Unfortunately, Luther doesn't have an architecture program, so I'm sticking with the concise decision of music/_______.
Well, this was a nice break from homework, but I can hear it's faint call getting louder and more dreary.
Happy Spring!
Jake
To put it lightly, it has been an AMAZING week. It's funny to see how much the nice weather really affects people around campus. Well, its even funny to see how the weather has been affecting me. I think it started out this week pretty chilly and wet, but the past few days have been sunny with a high of 75. I'm sure the increased blanket and frisbee traffic doesn't help the new grass, but it's really nice to see so many people outside. It kind of reminds you that you aren't the only person on campus. The walks across campus to your 8 am class aren't so dreary and miserable anymore, and your coffee doesn't get cold the moment you step out of a building. I think (knock on wood) it is safe to say spring is here. *insert prayer that we don't get another April blizzard*
Other than the weather, coming out of Easter break* has been pretty normal. While people are counting down the days to finals, I am counting down the days I have to procrastinate an Art History research paper. Fun right?
I'm also counting down the days to registration. This year, I've taken 14 credit hours a semester. That might sound small, but with two non-credited ensembles that take up a 4-credit hour time slot, I could be taking 22. Next semester, I have to take 18. Count them-18 credit hours. I whimper a little each time I remind myself of that solemn fact.
Oh, and I've heard it's normal to contemplate changing your major several times before you graduate, but I've already *contemplated* it 3 times. I came in as a music/psych major, then music/english, then music ed. Now after watching HGTV for 2 hours a day, I would like to be music/architecture. Unfortunately, Luther doesn't have an architecture program, so I'm sticking with the concise decision of music/_______.
Well, this was a nice break from homework, but I can hear it's faint call getting louder and more dreary.
Happy Spring!
Jake
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
I should take my own advice.
Hello everyone!
It is now 5:48 am, time for the weekly blog.
Today it's going to be partly cloudy with a high of 51 degrees and winds from the North-West. There is also a slight chance of CRAZY!
*disclaimer: before anyone gets frightened for themselves or me, everything I write about is usually exaggerated by about fifty percent.*
You heard it here first, I am admitting to my insanity. Not only am I an avid preacher of not getting yourself over-extended and under-applied, but I am also guilty of the opposite. However, I feel like every week I get on here and write about how stressed I am, so I will start with the non-stressors in my life, which make up the far more vast but less interesting part of my life.
There was another Dorian Festival yesterday. I think this one was choral, where Luther invited some really good high school programs from the Midwest to perform and watch. Norsemen sang two of the songs we've been working on for our Spring concert on May 1st, "Away From the Roll of the Sea", and (as I've mentioned before) Biebl's "Ave Maria". Both went really well, including the time that I took an ooing solo on a part that required no ooing from me or my section in "Away." I also am keeping my fingers crossed that I will get the actual solo on the Ave Maria. I'm the only one of the three final tenors who hasn't sang it in a performance yet, so I'm really hoping that I get it for the concert. I'll keep you updated!
I also am in the midst of scheduling for classes next year. I have no idea what I'm actually going to take. Perhaps I'll save that for another update. I do know, however, that I am applying to go to Greece for J-term. I think Luther says that 80% of the students here study abroad before they graduate. The nice thing is, you are able to study abroad without having to say goodbye to your family for a year if you choose J-term. I'm really looking forward to doing something in the coldest month of the year!
I could go on and on about the good things, but as I said, they are the majority and therefore can be ignored, just like in American politics. (ba-dum-chhhh)
As far as how my stress life, as I like to call it, is going, I really can't say. I guess I'm finally coming to the realization of what I've known since the onset of the semester: I'm in too much. As or right now with all of my activities and classes included, I'm putting in about 12 hours a day, with an hour or so break here and there if I'm lucky. That time figure is also before my homework and practicing. What took the cake, though, is when I actually started to feel stress during my down-times. That was the last straw. My piano professor, Dr. Huang, offered the best advice when he asked "What can you quit?" I really can't quit anything, but I am going to have to condense some things and make some people un-happy.
I think though, after I get over that small speed-bump, it will be for the better for everyone. No more last minute cancellations because of double booking, no more skipping rehearsals because I'm in another. I know Lent is almost over, but is there such a thing as giving up something for "post" Lent? I don't know, but things can only go uphill from here!
Either way, it's early, I have to sleep for the remaining 90 minutes I have before class, and get ready to conquer the last Wednesday before Easter Break!
Later,
Jake
It is now 5:48 am, time for the weekly blog.
Today it's going to be partly cloudy with a high of 51 degrees and winds from the North-West. There is also a slight chance of CRAZY!
*disclaimer: before anyone gets frightened for themselves or me, everything I write about is usually exaggerated by about fifty percent.*
You heard it here first, I am admitting to my insanity. Not only am I an avid preacher of not getting yourself over-extended and under-applied, but I am also guilty of the opposite. However, I feel like every week I get on here and write about how stressed I am, so I will start with the non-stressors in my life, which make up the far more vast but less interesting part of my life.
There was another Dorian Festival yesterday. I think this one was choral, where Luther invited some really good high school programs from the Midwest to perform and watch. Norsemen sang two of the songs we've been working on for our Spring concert on May 1st, "Away From the Roll of the Sea", and (as I've mentioned before) Biebl's "Ave Maria". Both went really well, including the time that I took an ooing solo on a part that required no ooing from me or my section in "Away." I also am keeping my fingers crossed that I will get the actual solo on the Ave Maria. I'm the only one of the three final tenors who hasn't sang it in a performance yet, so I'm really hoping that I get it for the concert. I'll keep you updated!
I also am in the midst of scheduling for classes next year. I have no idea what I'm actually going to take. Perhaps I'll save that for another update. I do know, however, that I am applying to go to Greece for J-term. I think Luther says that 80% of the students here study abroad before they graduate. The nice thing is, you are able to study abroad without having to say goodbye to your family for a year if you choose J-term. I'm really looking forward to doing something in the coldest month of the year!
I could go on and on about the good things, but as I said, they are the majority and therefore can be ignored, just like in American politics. (ba-dum-chhhh)
As far as how my stress life, as I like to call it, is going, I really can't say. I guess I'm finally coming to the realization of what I've known since the onset of the semester: I'm in too much. As or right now with all of my activities and classes included, I'm putting in about 12 hours a day, with an hour or so break here and there if I'm lucky. That time figure is also before my homework and practicing. What took the cake, though, is when I actually started to feel stress during my down-times. That was the last straw. My piano professor, Dr. Huang, offered the best advice when he asked "What can you quit?" I really can't quit anything, but I am going to have to condense some things and make some people un-happy.
I think though, after I get over that small speed-bump, it will be for the better for everyone. No more last minute cancellations because of double booking, no more skipping rehearsals because I'm in another. I know Lent is almost over, but is there such a thing as giving up something for "post" Lent? I don't know, but things can only go uphill from here!
Either way, it's early, I have to sleep for the remaining 90 minutes I have before class, and get ready to conquer the last Wednesday before Easter Break!
Later,
Jake
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
