Upon doing research for my trip to China, I encountered arguments that were against the Olympics occurring in Beijing. I am planning on going to Beijing while I'm in China, and hopefully we'll get to see the Bird's Nest and the Water Cube. But I don't think we'll get to go inside them.
Perhaps one of the strongest points to argue against the Olympics in Beijing is the air pollution. Some believe that the athletes should’ve been concerned, but many others just proclaim that it was fog. Some athletes, in fact, had visited neighboring countries, such as South Korea and Japan, prior to the games to avoid Beijing’s poor air conditions for as long as they could. Although these are extreme cases, they are cautious cases.
In any case, two weeks prior to the opening ceremony in Beijing there was a shroud of smog covering the city, which made athletes and coaches very worried. Some environmentalists from Beijing based this off of the lack of air to blow away the pollution from the city, but the more logical reason, brought up by scientists from Greenpeace, is that the pollution is a combination of poor living methods. There are 3.3 million cars in Beijing, and all of these cars partake in the air pollution. So to fix the air pollution, the government took drastic measures, which included pulling half of the cars off the roads, closing down factories around the city that emitted toxic gases and smog, and stopping most construction.
The air pollution is a great problem to this day. It’s polluting the skies in a gray haze. The types of air pollution include sulfur dioxide, nitrogen monoxide, and carbon dioxide. However, although these toxins were in Beijing’s skies, the Olympic board did not say that the Beijing Olympics contributed to the toxins at all as a result of the Olympics using a great deal of solar energy. In the end, the air pollution problem did not stop a great Olympic event that will go down in history books, but on the other hand, anti-pollution encouragements need to be established.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Chinese History- The Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution
Since I'm going to China this summer, I've been doing a lot of research about China and it's history. One thing that I encountered was the Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution. Not many people know about it, but it's one of the most important events in Chinese history. Still, there is an uncertainty of why it happened.
The Cultural Revolution occurred from 1966 to 1976, and occurred mainly because Mao Zedong wanted to show everyone that he was the all-powerful leader. To do this, Mao repressed people who he thought rejected him and his ideas, and he killed innumerable amounts of innocent people who he thought to be a threat. One of Mao’s theories is that a privileged class had risen in China, and these consisted of educated people. Mao thought that the working class, the proletariat, should have some power and should control society. Thus, Mao told his followers to start brutally murdering and injuring teachers, scientists, economists, and other educated people. Mao wanted to create a classless society, a society in which no class had more benefits than another.
After Mao declared his desire, two main groups were organized. The first was the Red Guard, which consisted of a bunch of students and youths who fought against educated people, often killing their own teachers. By doing this, it often sparked a cascade of wrath in which people started killing others for no good reason. Although the main function of the Red Guards was to teach people about Mao’s ideas, they became especially brutal to those who opposed Mao. Those students who opposed Mao in the end were not educated and China lost much of educated people through the Cultural Revolution.
One story during the Cultural Revolution deals with a little boy, and he describes China as turning from “black to white.” He said everything became chaotic. His father was sent away to the countryside to work, and the boy had to fend for himself. He explained that he grew up quite quickly because he had to understand what was going on to survive. However, stories of Chinese people during this time aren’t very numerous because the Chinese government does not encourage talk about this time period. Many Chinese do not want to remember.
The Cultural Revolution occurred from 1966 to 1976, and occurred mainly because Mao Zedong wanted to show everyone that he was the all-powerful leader. To do this, Mao repressed people who he thought rejected him and his ideas, and he killed innumerable amounts of innocent people who he thought to be a threat. One of Mao’s theories is that a privileged class had risen in China, and these consisted of educated people. Mao thought that the working class, the proletariat, should have some power and should control society. Thus, Mao told his followers to start brutally murdering and injuring teachers, scientists, economists, and other educated people. Mao wanted to create a classless society, a society in which no class had more benefits than another.
After Mao declared his desire, two main groups were organized. The first was the Red Guard, which consisted of a bunch of students and youths who fought against educated people, often killing their own teachers. By doing this, it often sparked a cascade of wrath in which people started killing others for no good reason. Although the main function of the Red Guards was to teach people about Mao’s ideas, they became especially brutal to those who opposed Mao. Those students who opposed Mao in the end were not educated and China lost much of educated people through the Cultural Revolution.
One story during the Cultural Revolution deals with a little boy, and he describes China as turning from “black to white.” He said everything became chaotic. His father was sent away to the countryside to work, and the boy had to fend for himself. He explained that he grew up quite quickly because he had to understand what was going on to survive. However, stories of Chinese people during this time aren’t very numerous because the Chinese government does not encourage talk about this time period. Many Chinese do not want to remember.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Alegria- Cirque du Soleil
Some of the most powerful music can be found in the many shows of Cirque du Soleil. The music is modern, but has an ancient feel. It's some of my favorite music, and I know that its extraordinary feel adds a great deal to each show. My favorite of the Cirque du Soleil songs is the theme from Alegria.
Without Music
Yesterday at my voice lesson, my teacher told me about how he couldn't sing for a year and a half as a result of an operation he had on his throat or something. He loves to sing, and his whole career is based off of it (teaching voice lessons is a side job to his composing). He said that a part of him was gone when he couldn't sing. He also didn't know if he would ever sing again(and he did in the end), but it just got me thinking. What if I couldn't make music? What if I couldn't sing or play the piano? I would be a completely different person. I love music, and I don't know what I'd do if I wasn't a part of it. I would simply be devastating.
For example, when I'm at my home or in my car (and I'm there alone or with my family) all I do is sing. I sing choir songs, songs from the musical, songs from the radio, or any other song that pops into my head. I can't help but sing, and I know that must get annoying to my parents who are constantly in the presence of the singing. I really don't know what I'm going to do in college. I know I must not sing as much to keep my roommate sane, but I hope I can make it without singing as much.
Also, when I'm home I like to play on the piano and write music. Sometimes the music doesn't sound so good, but once again my parents tolerate it. Sometimes the music is very beautifully, and I am really proud of it- that's what really makes me want to play. I want to make beautiful music that can change people. Most of the time you don't succeed, but when you do it's really something special. It's a great feeling to know that what you've created has changed someone's life.
I couldn't imagine going through life without this feeling. I couldn't imagine going throughout life without a purpose. To me, music is a reason to live. It's not the only thing thatmakes life good, but it definitely makes life better. Although I do not plan on singing professionally ever, I want to make music that would inspire people. I want to change people not only through my future career, but also through music. It's such a powerful device, and I know I'd be a wreck without it.
For example, when I'm at my home or in my car (and I'm there alone or with my family) all I do is sing. I sing choir songs, songs from the musical, songs from the radio, or any other song that pops into my head. I can't help but sing, and I know that must get annoying to my parents who are constantly in the presence of the singing. I really don't know what I'm going to do in college. I know I must not sing as much to keep my roommate sane, but I hope I can make it without singing as much.
Also, when I'm home I like to play on the piano and write music. Sometimes the music doesn't sound so good, but once again my parents tolerate it. Sometimes the music is very beautifully, and I am really proud of it- that's what really makes me want to play. I want to make beautiful music that can change people. Most of the time you don't succeed, but when you do it's really something special. It's a great feeling to know that what you've created has changed someone's life.
I couldn't imagine going through life without this feeling. I couldn't imagine going throughout life without a purpose. To me, music is a reason to live. It's not the only thing thatmakes life good, but it definitely makes life better. Although I do not plan on singing professionally ever, I want to make music that would inspire people. I want to change people not only through my future career, but also through music. It's such a powerful device, and I know I'd be a wreck without it.
Vocal Technique (I need some)
"Singing is a game of opposites," says my voice teacher Rob Nassif. You need energy, but your body needs to be relaxed. Your stomach muscles shoud not flex, except when you are in second gear. Second gear is just like a different tessatura than your regular voice, and although the listener doesn't hear a difference, the singer feels a whole lot different in second gear.
One thing that makes a voice wonderful is the vibrato. Somehow, it keeps the tone up and hleps the singer commit to a longer phrase. Vibrato is an essential key to ligit singing. Another essential tool is having both the quack and the yawn. The "quack" in a voice is how "pingy" the voice is, while the yawn adds a dullness to the voice. The perfect combination not only sets up the singer for a good tone, but also prepares the singer for a better closure of the vocal chords. It also makes way for a more present vibrato, while helping breath control.
When a person is singing, their vocal chords are supposed to be all touching. Thus, when a person sings, the breath trying to exit creates a pressure chamber because it can't exit that easily as a result of the closed vocal chords. This pressure lets the singer do innumerable things with their voice in range, as well as with the difficulty of the music and dynamics. Singing is truly a game of opposites. You must have your body relaxed, but yet there must be pressure and energy inside. You must have ping in your voice, but you must also have dullness. The list goes on and on.
Even though I understand all of this, I cannot do it, unfortunately. It's easier to say all of those things than actually do them. I only wish that someday I could implement all of these techniques for singing better. Right now, I need to work on my vibrato and my body tension mainly. Once I have my vibrato and body relaxation, I believe that I will produce a much better sound.
One thing that makes a voice wonderful is the vibrato. Somehow, it keeps the tone up and hleps the singer commit to a longer phrase. Vibrato is an essential key to ligit singing. Another essential tool is having both the quack and the yawn. The "quack" in a voice is how "pingy" the voice is, while the yawn adds a dullness to the voice. The perfect combination not only sets up the singer for a good tone, but also prepares the singer for a better closure of the vocal chords. It also makes way for a more present vibrato, while helping breath control.
When a person is singing, their vocal chords are supposed to be all touching. Thus, when a person sings, the breath trying to exit creates a pressure chamber because it can't exit that easily as a result of the closed vocal chords. This pressure lets the singer do innumerable things with their voice in range, as well as with the difficulty of the music and dynamics. Singing is truly a game of opposites. You must have your body relaxed, but yet there must be pressure and energy inside. You must have ping in your voice, but you must also have dullness. The list goes on and on.
Even though I understand all of this, I cannot do it, unfortunately. It's easier to say all of those things than actually do them. I only wish that someday I could implement all of these techniques for singing better. Right now, I need to work on my vibrato and my body tension mainly. Once I have my vibrato and body relaxation, I believe that I will produce a much better sound.
"Just As I Am"
I was first introduced to this song when Happiness Inc. (the show choir) performed it in the 2006 season. It was beautifully done, with an especially talented soloist. I then wanted to hear how it was originally sang so I went to Youtube and looked it up. The version that caught my attention the most was David Phelps version. It is simply unbelievable. This guy has one of the largest ranges I've ever heard, and every note (the high ones and the low ones) seem effortless. Also, Phelps seems to put so much heart into this song (I imagine he does with every song). To me this song is about acceptance. It's about wanting to be a part of someone else's world, and not having to change your true feelings for something or someone else. It's about "reaching out" and wanting to be loved.
Reading the comments from YouTube I found out that David Phelps is a Christian rock artist. Therefore, the song seems like it originally meant that he was asking acceptance with God or Jesus. This makes sense, however, I think for many it can be seen as a love song (moreover, a song between two people). That's how I view it, and it makes a much better connection.
I hope you take a look at this video, and I hope that through the sensational music it brings inspiration into your own life.
Reading the comments from YouTube I found out that David Phelps is a Christian rock artist. Therefore, the song seems like it originally meant that he was asking acceptance with God or Jesus. This makes sense, however, I think for many it can be seen as a love song (moreover, a song between two people). That's how I view it, and it makes a much better connection.
I hope you take a look at this video, and I hope that through the sensational music it brings inspiration into your own life.
Little Shop of Horrors
The musical "Little Shop of Horrors" centers around a young man named Seymour who works at a flower shop in the poor part of the city. Seymour has found a very strange and interesting plant, and soon after Seymour and the shop start to become very prosperous. Seymour also has a crush on his coworker, Audrey, but she has a boyfriend- one of those boyfriends that beats up their girl and keeps her within his grasp. As Seymour becomes more and more famous, he also gets more attention from Audrey. However, there's a catch. The plant (named Audrey II) grows on blood and only blood, and as the plant grows it begins talk. Having a creative mind, Audrey II encourages Seymour to kill Audrey's boyfriend and feed the body to him, thus giving Audrey more happiness and making the plant grow even bigger. Seymour goes through with it.
In the second act, Audrey falls in love with Seymour through the song "Suddenly Seymour." Here is a video of it performed by my high school's production.
I think it's a pretty great song- definitely the most popular one from the show. From here on out the show culminates into a fight between love and money, and sacrifices from every character.
In the second act, Audrey falls in love with Seymour through the song "Suddenly Seymour." Here is a video of it performed by my high school's production.
I think it's a pretty great song- definitely the most popular one from the show. From here on out the show culminates into a fight between love and money, and sacrifices from every character.
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