The First Two Weeks of Full Time Classes

The first two weeks of full time classes were exciting and stimulating!  I am enjoying all that I am learning about the many facets of music.  One of my professors, Dr. Karel Lidral, talks about learning music being like a sphere, and as we learn more about theory, history and applied practice, we fill in the different parts of the sphere.  These facets are all connected and all support each other.

The first week was somewhat hectic, as I worked to determine the best way to meet all the requirements for my classes, including practice time and homework.   My stamina was tested.  Because I can concentrate best in the early morning, I use that time for my organ practice, so that it is most productive. 

At the end of the first week, I decided that I had been too ambitious when I registered for classes and so I dropped one of my music history courses. The pace for the second week of classes was more manageable. 

On Monday, January 20, I had the privilege of singing Ein Deutsches Requiem by Johannes Brahms with the Oratorio Society and the University of Maine Orchestra, conducted by Professor Ludlow Hallman.  The Oratorio Society is a large choir of University of Maine students, faculty, and community members.  This is one of the most sweeping and inspirational choral works I have ever sung.  Brahms’ work departed from the tradition by setting to music seven biblical texts that express a range of emotions from solemn sorrow to joyful rejoicing in moving beyond death.  This requiem begins with “Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall have comfort.  They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.”  Only in the last movement does Brahms turn to “Blessed are the dead.”  The performance was initially scheduled for December 15, 2013 and was postponed due to inclement weather.

One of the advantages of being a student is the access to student discounts, especially for music recitals.  On Friday evening, January 17, I attended “An Evening of Rodgers & Hammerstein Classics” performed by music students and faculty of the University of Maine School of Performing Arts.  This brought back many memories of the musical standards that I grew up with.  On Saturday, January 18, I attended a recital of Phillip Silver, piano, and Alexander Volpov, cello.  They mostly performed music by Russian composers and I was inspired by and in awe of both musicians. 

I am attending two evening yoga classes each week.  This improves the flexibility of my body, especially by back.

My first test in Ear Training and Sight Singing is on Monday, so I will be practicing!