Musical ensemble

Authenticity in music is a very important subject. Authenticity is something well sought after, for it gives the author credit for staying true to tradition and culture. However, with the constant change of culture, keeping authenticity in music becomes more and more challenging. Music composers struggle between keeping up with the times and not deviating too much from what is expected of them. In this paper, I wish to focus on what makes mariachi music in Santa Barbara authentic traditional…

the Big Time I am Vincent Crabtree. When I was a freshman in High School, I participated in an activity called “Winter Percussion”. It was much like marching band, but it took place during the winter and spring season, and it featured a smaller ensemble composed mostly of percussive instruments. Throughout the season, we had practice almost nightly, working to put together a show that would be performed in competition with other drumlines. One of my favorite memories begins after one of these…

On Friday, February 6th, 2015, I was sitting in class listening to a Music History lecture, when my teacher, Dr. Jamie Weaver, played a recording of “La Quarte Estampie Royal”, from Le Manuscrit Du Roi, an instrumental piece from the 14th century France. I was intrigued. As a fiddler throughout my high school year, studying a variety of genres, I recognized much of the ornamentation as similar to Celtic tradition, namely Cape Breton tradition. The first things I noticed about the recording…

formed a number of mariachi music epicenters, spanning as from as Chicago. There are many cities here in California alone which have a significant Hispanic population, among them, Los Angeles. Los Angeles has “emerged as a major center of mariachi musical life” (4) due to its growing Hispanic population. Mariachi music is not just a form of music, but it is a way to embrace Mexican culture and show the world the pride we have for our country. Like all other music, there is an artist or group…

Braun graduated from the University of Toronto with a Masters Degree in Vocal Performance. He is a music director as well as a teacher, overseeing musical ensembles at the University of Manitoba, as well as helping to train and teach singers. Mel Braun is a multitalented performer, with experience and comfort zone ranging from operas, oratorios, and recitals. His willingness for new collaborations was showcased…

“Music is how I live, why I live and how I will be remembered.” These words were written in the autobiography of a man who meant these words when he said them (Bio.com). Edward Kennedy “Duke” Ellington, who is popularly known as Duke Ellington, is the man being talked about here (Encyclopedia). Duke had a warm childhood, a busy adulthood, and a legacy that will never be forgotten which included him composing the song “It Don’t Mean a Thing If It Ain’t Got That Swing” (Bio.com). Duke Ellington…

Drum Corps is my passion, something that I love to do, and it has changed my life. Drum corps is a less known sport/art, that has evolved and grown in the past 44 years. It has affected me differently depending on when it was. My views on some things changed since I was actively there, but I would not want to lose that time for anything. Drum corps is an activity that I feel very strongly about, as well as the group of people that form the community, joining and doing it has been one of the best…

involved in: drama team, musicals, choir, show choir, debate, A+ program, and Sophomore tutoring, just to name a few. The productions that I have been apart of include: How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, Guys and Dolls, Check Please, Canned Hamlet, Big Fish, and and Improv Show at Central High School. I have also done a few productions at Missouri Western State University and Robidoux Resident Theatre. My roles in these productions ranged from lead character to ensemble.…

Frontier High School puts on a Spring Musical. This year it was “All Shook Up,” a musical based off Shakespeare's “Twelfth Night,” all set to Elvis Presley songs. The cast consisted of eleven main characters and an ensemble. Everyone wanted to be apart of the show, but only twenty five students would be selected. Before Thanksgiving break, the students were given five songs they could sing for at auditions. All break the actors were practicing and researching the musical, so when the time came,…

As both a male cheerleader and performer, being ostracized is not rare. Overcoming this feeling has helped me realize that cheerleading and musical performances are significant aspects of my identity, as well as some of my best memories of high school. Standing in the exquisite balcony of Carnegie Hall, the rotunda of the John F. Kennedy Memorial Museum, or the wings of a stage in Hershey Park could never prepare me for the rejection I routinely felt throughout high school. Being a male…