Universality

Hola,

I'm back and ready to get rolling again! I hope you have all missed me as much as I've missed you! The holiday season was wonderful and now it's time to get going on those New Year’s resolutions! So what is my goal for the year? To learn a new language!

Honestly, I'm shocked I never thought of it sooner. I recommend this to everyone else, too. Being at least bilingual is very practical. You can dissolve language barriers and expand your connections and explore other cultures. Imagine the possibilities of traveling the world and learning so much about people!

The musical impact, though, is what matters most. Music is everywhere. It has been hypothesized that the earliest inspiration for music was the heartbeat, and all people, of all races, religions, and cultures have one! (Thanks Dr. Obvious, I know!) Think about how most choral, orchestral, and band pieces we read today often use Italian to show how to play (like piano, or forte, etc.). The truth is that some of the most beautiful music can be found in these other cultures and languages. That is why I am planning on becoming fluent in Spanish by the end of the year.

So I believe we should all read…

Study…

And LISTEN!

Music is Life,

Dr. Beat

Jazz, Baby!

Hey, Jive Turkeys.

            I dig jazz. A lot. It’s soulful, heart-breaking, groovy, fun to dance to, easy to cry to, and all around great to listen to. I am sure a lot of you out there feel the same way. There are vocal jazz groups, big bands, and so much more, and they all give me that warm and fuzzy feeling inside. You hip to what I’m layin’ down?

            Man, I can chill in Starbucks for hours. I love the comfortable atmosphere, smell, and, of course, the music playing in the background. I seriously wish I could just buy the “Starbucks Soundtrack”. Especially this time of year! Holiday jazz? Brilliant. Just brilliant.

Music is life

Dr. Beat

Happy Black Friday!

And of course a belated Happy Thanksgiving to you all too! What am I thankful for this year? I am grateful for my family, friends, being alive, and, of course, music. Ah, what would I do without music?! Music is the healer of wounds, the opener of souls, and the bringer of cheer. How can one listen to the music of Tchaikovsky, Michael Buble, or even Oasis without feeling the power and passion of the music?

  This year I get to be especially thankful in my nerd-dom. 2011 is the twenty-fifth anniversary of the original, amazing, and all-around epic Legend of Zelda. So how does game developer Nintendo celebrate? By hosting a symphonic tour of the music from the franchise’s history, of course! The arrangements capitalize heavy on the most chilling, well-known, and sentimental moments from the series. “Nerdvana” reached.

  The music is so moving, powerful, and nostalgic, that it truly has become my personal soundtrack for Thanksgiving. It’s not like there are any Thanksgiving carols! If you know of one please let me know, eh?

As it is Black Friday, I hope you have a safe day today, friends. Recover well from the food (leftovers, anyone?) and fun of Thanksgiving! Please support your local music stores as you shop today! Buy some CD’s, sheet music, or even an instrument or two. I’d like a contra bassoon for Christmas please!

Music is life,

 Dr. Beat

P.S. Sorry about missing last week! Sometimes life gets crazy busy.

Happy Veterans Day!

G'day everybody!

            I’d like to take a moment to honor all the men and women that have fought for freedom, rights, and peace, both here and abroad! These brave soldiers are the reason I am free to talk to you today. How awesome is that? So thank you. Makes me miss my years in the Marine Corps…

Anyway, our military is lucky because today’s date is November 11. That means 11/11/11. I am so mad that I missed 11:11 today….Now my wishes will never come true! Not that I’m superstitious or anything. I just regularly follow my horoscope! Apparently I need to trim fat…maybe horoscopes aren’t right after all.

            Seriously, though, I am an avid believer in fate, or destiny, or whatever you want to call it. I mean last week I was talking about Christmas and this week my favorite jazz choir is offering to sing me carols! How awesome is that?! So everyone should take them up on that offer.

            Have a wonderful week everyone, because life can be hard, but we have the freedom to enjoy it. Love everyone, enjoy the company you keep, appreciate what you have, listen to a LOT of music, and stay classy.

Music is Life,

Dr. Beat

Holiday Cheers!

Hello All,

 Halloween’s over so we all know what that means!

  I love the holiday season. Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa. Any holiday around this time is a magical event. To share time with loved ones, exchange gifts and prayers, spread cheer, and partake in the merriment is something that really isn’t done any other time of the year. Of course everybody’s starting to celebrate early…

 But who cares.

 Anyway, one of the pinnacles in music during the holiday season is George Frideric Handel’s Messiah(never mind that it’s an Easter song in England…). Everyone is familiar in some way with this piece, even if they don’t know it. I love this oratorio with a deep passion. Who doesn’t want to sing a 53 movement piece, especially when the versions we read off of today may not exactly correspond to the originals?

  And I thought my handwriting was bad. . . . Still, this song evokes something surreal in me. In its original performance King George felt compelled to stand! That’s why it is commonplace for audience members to stand during its performances even today. Hallelujah!

 So, in Folsom High School Music news tomorrow, November the 5^th, is our very own great, spectacular, and astounding Folsom Fall Festival! Gates open at 9 AM, General admission is $12 and Students are $7. So be there. You might see me. How’s that for incentive?

 Music is life,

 Dr. Beat