Day 1470: A New Experience

It's not everyday that you get to conduct an orchestra, but that was my day. Despite a snowstorm that has been wrecking havoc in Wisconsin and roads that were less than favorable, I was able to drive about an hour to Sheboygan to conduct the Youth Symphony, thanks to one of my professors here at St. Norbert. 

A few months ago I conducted the concert band as a part of my conducting class (and also as a favor of that same professor) and he soon after asked if I'd ever thought about grad school for conducting. I had to be honest, because I have considered it, but never especially seriously, especially after several faculty changes at St. Norbert and a semester of conducting class that left me less than motivated. My professor took me under his wing though, and over the past month we've been working on Beethoven's Symphony No. 1, which he's been working on with the Youth Symphony for their upcoming concert. After weeks of listening and singing the parts myself and practicing in my bathroom, I got up on the podium and led the ensemble - and had an amazing time doing it! 

I suppose that a few months ago I wasn't entirely sure if I wanted to pursue conducting in grad school. I wasn't even sure I wanted to go to grad school, but conducting those kids last night reaffirmed my love of conducting, and while I definitely still have a long ways to go, I'm excited about the prospect of attending grad school in the future for conducting. I have no idea where that might lead me in the future, but I do know that wherever it is, I'll continue to keep a motto of mine: whenever you feel like taking a step back, take a step forward instead. It definitely put me outside of my comfort zone to get up on the podium, but I learned a lot and gained valuable experience in the process, which just goes to show that taking that step forward, just as Walt always suggested we "Keep moving forward" will go a long way in making our dreams come true.

Have a magical day!

Day 1450: KOB

Yep, that's me you see in the above picture, and yes, I'm singing. Honestly I don't think I believe it yet either, even though I just completed my first ever six show run with the St. Norbert College Knights on Broadway. 

A year ago, almost to the day (December 2015 was a big month for me in the change and important life event department), I became the newest KOGroupie. Before last year's show, I was sort of in a bad place. With emotions running high from roommate difficulties, I'd spent the week studying for finals and commuting to school, and by Friday I really needed a break. Earlier that day, one of the members of KOB happened to instruct me on exactly where to sit for the show that night. I did as he told me, and part way through the show it led to a (not-so) spontaneous dance that literally made my entire week so much better. For those couple of minutes, I forgot all about my roommates and the problems we'd been having, and I was happier than I'd been in quite some time. I left that show wanting to see more, and went from the average fan of Knights on Broadway to their biggest fan. 

My love of the student group only grew in the following months, all leading up to August when I was watching The Sound of Music in my living room and decided that maybe I wanted to audition for the group. After all, audition information had just been posted, and I had a few weeks to really figure things out. After talking it over with a few of my friends, I ended up going in and talking to the director and soon found myself the newest member of Knights on Broadway (after an audition and callbacks, of course). 

The rest is a story from another blog post, but now that we've ended our Christmas show, I'm so thankful I decided to audition. It was a huge step for me, especially considering the fact that I haven't really been in a vocal group since middle school. My singing has extended little beyond my car and my church for the past 8 years, so this was all entirely new for me. 

But I loved every last second of it. Over the past year, I've struggled with finding where I belong. My friends have changed more than a few times, I've moved several times, traveled all over the country, and gotten drastically behind in blog posts and YouTube videos, but as I was singing a mash up of "Silent Night," "O Holy Night," and "Hallelujah" with KOB this past weekend, I finally felt like I belong. These people don't force me to be anything I'm not, and quite honestly, I've never been more confident in who I am. I've found a new familiarity with the stage that I've never had before, was reminded why I love music so much, was encouraged to look past obstacles and pursue what I really want, and found myself a part of a new family that I wouldn't trade for anything. 

Auditioning for Knights on Broadway is absolutely, without a doubt in my mind, the best thing I've ever done in college. I've never felt more at home, and I honestly don't think I've ever been happier. This group, which I once thought I'd never be a part of in my wildest dreams, has given me more than I could ever ask for, and I can't wait for the new adventures we'll have in the spring. 

Which, may I add, includes a little trip to Florida, and perhaps, a dash of Disney. 

Have a magical day!

Day 1340: Take a Chance

I originally wrote this for The Odyssey Online, but I thought it would be important to share here as well, largely because Everyday Disney has been a crucial part of my journey through college, and it's been here that I've learned that taking risks can sometimes lead to the best parts of your life. 

It's barely a week into my senior year at SNC and something in the air feels different. 

Yes, many of my professors have changed, my on-campus job has left me more than a bit frazzled as we adjust to endless changes in the department I work for and the friends I had a year ago are now absolute strangers, but that's not what I'm talking about, at least not entirely. As I look back on memories from a year ago, when I thought for sure that I had my life together, I realize that I'm not the same person I was back then. Not by a long shot. 

Backstory time. Way back in middle school, I quit choir because of a grading situation that left kids in band and choir with lower grades than those just in choir. I loved singing, and I still love singing, but I couldn't let my GPA suffer, and since the day I walked out of the choir room, the amount I've sung for others consists of anyone who has spent more than a few hours with me in a car and the extremely forgiving ears of my church congregation. 

Fast forward to college, where I have almost religiously attended performances by a vocal group called Knights on Broadway. It's a select group of college singers from all over campus that come together to perform Broadway songs old and new, and since the first time I saw them sing, I've been in awe. By the end of my junior year, I was occasionally referred to as the KOB Groupie, a title I wore with pride. 

Which brings us to two weeks ago, when I watched The Sound of Music for what seems like the 400th time and realized that maybe, just maybe, I could audition for Knights on Broadway. A couple of days later, I found myself in the office of the group's director, gathering all my courage to mention that I was considering auditioning for the group. 

I ended up making it to callbacks. 

Now, I'm sitting in my small apartment overwhelmed as what I just did starts to set in. I auditioned for Knights on Broadway. This is absolutely something I would have never thought of doing a year ago, and while, yes, I was more terrified walking up on that stage than the time I watched Psycho alone in an empty house, it was so incredibly worth it. 

I'm still not sure exactly what it was that inspired me to even think of auditioning, and I won't know for a few days if I got in, but taking chances like this has made me realize that I should be making the most of the doors that are still open to me. I may be a senior, and taking risks is always frightening, but what kinds of wonderful experiences am I letting pass me by? 

So I'm taking a vow this school year to make the most of every opportunity that comes my way. No matter how terrifying or impossible it seems, these are experiences I'll never have again, and I want to make the most of every moment I have left in college. Even if some things don't work out, even if I don't get into Knights on Broadway, the important thing is that I tried. 

And so, the air may feel different this year as I take chances I never dreamed of and make the most of every second I have left with my college family, but I'm OK with that. It's a good thing, because above all else, I'm so much happier than I was before, and that's all that really matters. 

Have a magical day!

Update: I got in! 

Day 1281: Ameriworks

Another Fourth of July has come upon us, and this time, we've been working in between celebrating. In between working on blog posts and preparing for my upcoming trip to Colorado, I did find time to do a couple of classic Fourth of July activities. 

First, I just had to watch the concert live from Washington D.C. and I wasn't let down at all. After all, with Chris Jackson, Hamilton's George Washington, plus the fantastic 1812 Overture, why wouldn't I watch? Plus, it's almost like Jackson's song was meant for us Disney fans: 

And then, as I usually do on Holidays, I made sure to watch the live stream of the fireworks from Magic Kingdom, because if you can't be there, at least you can watch it on your computer. It was just like I remembered it from five years ago when I was there myself, and while I definitely still sat there longing to actually be in Florida, it helped a little bit. 

So Happy Fourth of July everyone! I hope it's a magical day!

Day 1264: Bringing People Together

I always thought that the Disney Parks were the best way to bring people together, but after spending a week with the kids at this summer's band camp I've realized that there's something even better...and it's still Disney related! 

That's right. It's Star Wars. 

Over the past week, it occurred to me that there, in one room, there were almost three generations of people and we could all bond over the fact that we love Star Wars. The students worked incredibly hard all week on this piece, which included selections from The Force Awakens, and while they didn't play the entire thing (really they left out some of the best parts), it still sounded amazing, and in complete honesty, it was the piece that improved the most over the week they've been with us. 

That's right. Here's a group of middle school students that have never played together before, and by the end of the week they actually played something that resembled Star Wars. This one piece brought them together in a way that I don't think I've seen before, because they were all just so dedicated to a common goal. 

And when you see people come together like that, that's real magic. 

Have a magical day!

Day 1256: A Box of Music

I don't have a full time summer job this year, and quite honestly, I don't even have a parttime summer job. For the most part, I work a week and a half of the entire three months, which is great for a few reasons. First off, it gives me more time to focus on the blog (which, following the end of this last semester, is in dire need of updates), and my YouTube videos. I can practice more, great with another recital coming up next spring, and honestly I could always spend more time in the music building. The bad part is that I don't get paid for the majority of the summer (only once), but that's kind of beside the point, because as you can see from the picture above, I'm very excited about this year's band camp!

I didn't have the music for the camp until today, when I finally ventured down into the depths of the music building basement to grab the music and bring it upstairs to make copies for all the kids that will be here next week, but when I finally opened the box to discover what they'll be playing this year, I was met with the very welcome sight of something I wish I could play (and proceeded to ask my band director if we could play).

The piece includes the Main Title, Rey's Theme, The March of the Resistance, and the Jedi Steps and Finale, and honestly, the more I talk about this, the more I want to play it for myself because those are literally all of my favorite pieces from the soundtrack. I mean, the students next week are mostly middle schoolers, so it probably won't be as perfect as the actual film soundtrack, but you know what, I love Star Wars so much I just don't care.

Let me know your favorite song from The Force Awakens in the comments below!

Have a magical day!

Day 1246: An American Flag

One of the best parts about being an Alumni of a High School Band is the opportunity you're given to continue to help serve the community on important days like today: Memorial Day. For the past two years I helped by carrying the banner, and while that was my intent today as well, unfortunately a bad ankle kept me from marching. Instead I helped out by filming the entire event, per usual, and attended the ceremony complete in my red marching polo to match the group. 

However, as I stood across the room from hundreds in my town, I couldn't help but feel sort of bothered. The stands weren't full, not by a long shot, and certainly not like at basketball games. Many of those there were parents of band members or those who are family members to those that have served or are serving.

I know for a fact that my town is much large enough to fill that entire room, and then some, but where was everyone? Here I was, supporting the band, which was supporting our country in the best way I know how, and the large majority of my town was skipping out on the day, sleeping in or heading up North or, in all honesty, just doing nothing. 

So I ask of you, my blog readers, what did you do this Memorial Day? 

Have a magical day! 

Day 1208: Jazz Trippin'

One of the best parts of being a music student is the opportunity you have to travel. In High School, many go on band trips, but jazz trips are pretty popular too. In fact, in my years traveling with the high school band, I went on six trips that allowed me to travel through at least 18 states and to some of the greatest places in the world, Disney included. In college, that changes a bit. Usually, at St. Norbert, we'll go on a large trip every few years with the wind ensemble, but if you really want to travel more often, Jazz band is the way to go.

Once a year the St. Norbert College Jazz Band packs up their instruments and heads to a jazz festival. Typically it's been to the Eau Claire Jazz Festival, just like this year, but from the sound of it we might be exploring some new locations starting next year. Regardless, we headed out early in the morning for Eau Claire, and had quite the day!

It has to be noted that we listened to Disney music for the whole three hour drive out to Eau Clarie, and then, once we got there and finished our performances, we made our way around the campus, exploring their union and library. We also had a chance to catch some professional performances as a part of the festival, and looked at new instruments that we definitely can't afford. Finally, after we left, we stopped in Eau Clarie for a group dinner at a local pizza joint, and let me tell you, there's nothing quite like eating unlimited pizzas with a bunch of jazz musicians. 

And that's just it. As much as traveling places is fun, it's even more fun with your friends, and when you're always doing something you love. I wasn't feel well the entire day, but I definitely still had a great time and am really looking forward to next year's jazz trip too! And here's one more picture, because when you find a beautiful scene like this, you just have to capture it! 

Have a magical day! 

Day 1186: Last Cup of T

Every good thing, apparently, must come to an end. I'm not entirely sure that a year ago I even knew what the Mad T Party was, but now, as I watch some of the videos from the final evening of wonderful music and Disney magic, I can't help but feel so connected to this show.

For those of you that might not know, the Mad T Party was a presentation of live music at Disney California Adventure inspired by Alice in Wonderland, and last night was the final performance before Mad T, once again, disappears from the park. It's gone before, and come back thanks to the wonderful fanbase that I've been so fortunate to be a part of, even if I've only really seen the show once (or twice, but not the entire thing). I hadn't anticipated how much I'd end up really enjoying every second of screaming at the top of my lungs and loosing all ability to hear after a four hours of sitting by the stage, but it's always been connected with my friend Laura, and it's definitely one of my favorite parts of my Disneyland trip last August. Even now, when one of the songs comes on the radio, I jam out a bit more than I do to any other song.

I know for a fact that the Mad T Party was a family, and in the months since I saw Mad T Party for myself I've seen time and time again the absolute hospitality and love that that family is made up of. It's refreshing to see - a group of people who are so supportive of these musicians and musicians that encourage and inspire the fans time and time again. Mad T Party was a very real positive in a far too often negative world, and that's just one of the reasons I know that this show will be so very missed by so many people, myself included.

If you need me, I'll just be here rewatching video from August that has more of my terrible singing in the background than the musicians themselves.

Have a magical day!

Day 1167: For the Fourth Time

To a musician, one of the best parts of life is meeting other musicians, especially when they're your favorite musicians! Of course, meeting your favorite saxophone player four years in a row isn't a chance everyone has, but it's definitely become a highlight of my spring semester these past few years! 

You can find the FIRST, SECOND, and THIRD times I met Mr. Eric Marienthal by clicking the links, but this year we headed back to the Shawano Jazz Festival, or Shazz for short, with a whole bunch of jazz musicians ready to see Marienthal and this year's other guest artist, Chuck Loeb. 

For those of you that don't know these musicians, Eric Marienthal is a professional saxophone player and produces some of his own music as well as with Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band. He's won one Grammy award and has performed with artists such as Elton John, Barbara Streisand, Billy Joel, Stevie Wonder, Johnny Mathis, Olivia Newton-John, and many many others. Chuck Loeb is a Grammy nominated guitarist, composer, and producer, as well as a #1 jazz recording artist. He has been a producer of over thirty world-renowned recording artists and produced 18 solo CDs. So I guess you could say that these guys are pretty important in the music world. 

This year at Shazz, Eric performed my favorite song of his, "Baby Cakes," and they also did some tracks from their new album Bridges. If you're looking for some new jazz to listen to on this fine day, definitely check both of them out! After all, I know for sure that Eric has plenty of connections to Disney, and I'm sure Chuck does as well! 

Have a magical day! 

Day 1159: English and Music

English Major by Day, Music Major by Night. 

That's how I like to live my life, or at least that's how this one particular day of my life went. I applied for the National Sigma Tau Delta Convention, an English honor society, back in the fall, and it was a number of weeks before I learned my paper, "Hope in Classic and Contemporary Fairy Tales" had been accepted for presentation at the convention. I lived in the excitement for all of five minutes before a terrible realization set in: I was double booked. 

It turns out, the way this particular year worked, my two majors actually conflicted with one another. I was supposed to be in the Twin Cities for the English Convention, but I was also scheduled to play with the St. Norbert Jazz Band back on our campus for our annual Snowball event. I had to be at both, somehow, and I had no way to guarantee that my presentation time would enable me to drive the four and a half hours back to SNC for the performance. All in all, for a couple of months, I lived in absolute terror. 

Luckily, the force must have been with me, as I managed to secure a presentation time at the convention that would give me roughly six hours to make it back for Snowball. Following my panel on Fairy Tales (which I really enjoyed!) I pretty much ran (in heels) back up to our room and grabbed my already packed bags, along with my coat, and then hurried back down to the parking garage, jumped in my car, and started my drive back to SNC. The weather wasn't really with me, as a snowstorm was following right behind me the whole way. I stayed ahead of it for the most part, but it definitely caused me to slow down a bit and added some extra time onto my drive. 

As I'm sure you can tell though, I made it safe and sound for the three hour Snowball performance, which is sort of like a winter dance with classic jazz and food. It's some of the most fun I've ever had performing, and I'm so happy I was able to make it back. On the other hand, my morning had started at roughly 7, after which I drove four and a half hours alone back to SNC, and Snowball didn't finish until midnight, so I didn't get to bed until around 1.

And then I got right back up the next morning and headed back to the Twin Cities for the conclusion of the convention.

All in all, I drove a lot, but it was absolutely worth it.

Have a magical day!

(Note: This blog post was written on June 14).

Day 1075: Goodness Gracious Me

With the release of the new Star Wars film, Lucasfilm and Spotify have teamed up to let you know what Star Wars character you would be based on what kind of music you listen to. Basically you sign in through Spotify and spotify-starwars.com and it matches you based on what you listen to the most. And don't worry - if you don't have a Spotify account you can still play along! It'll give you a selection of various musicians, from which you pick 5. From there it'll match you to your Star Wars alter ego. 

Usually, when I do things like this I obviously hope for my favorite character. After all, how awesome would it be to be Han Solo? However, this time things went a bit south...

To be fair, this analysis is probably pretty accurate. Because I spend so much of my time working on homework, I do listen to mainly instrumental orchestral music, and since I'm a music major, Brahms has become a huge part of my life. Actually, a chat with C-3PO about Classical Music kind of sounds fun...for about two minutes. 

Then again, I wonder what all the other characters would listen to? Han is probably some sort of hard rock, and Vader sounds like a Wagner kind of guy. According to the Spotify match, Darth Maul would listen to some serious heavy metal, and I'm personally between some super Indie and Hippie music for Yoda or something very calm and naturalistic. You know, the music with birds in it. Now I'm kind of torn, and I'm spending way too much time going through and finding out what all the characters would listen to. 

Maybe I'll stick with 3PO though...because as far as I'm concerned, he has pretty good taste. Also, you never heard me say that. 

Let me know which Star Wars character you matched up to in the comments below! 

Have a magical day! 

(Note: This blog post was written on December 23).

 

Day 1054: Done and Over

It can probably go without saying that music performance majors tend to perform a lot. In fact, I sort of get lost when trying to count the number of performances that somehow work their way into every semester, but there are a few that matter a bit more than others. A Junior Recital is one of those.

After months and months of preparing and more than just a few freakouts on the topic, my recital is, however, finally finished, and it feels like a huge weight has been lifted from my shoulders. Sort of like the feeling you have when you finally head to Disney. It's complete calm and relief.

Per usual, however, Disney did make its way into my recital in the form of the final piece, which I thought you guys might like to enjoy...so here's a video all about my recital!

When You Wish Upon A Star just fits here, don't you think? 

Have a magical day! 

(Note: This blog post was written on December 26).

Day 1048: Spotify

I listen to music day and night. Literally, it's hard to come up with a time when music isn't involved other than when I'm actually sitting in class, and even then things seem to play more than a few notes (although I suppose that's just a part of the music major life). Working on homework usually means music is playing, as does working on the blog or editing a video. If I'm sitting in the music lobby, the music library, or the caf, there's usually music playing somewhere, and even walking to class, you'll find me with earbuds in more often than not. On the plane when I'm traveling, and in the Disney Parks. It's everywhere. 

As you can imagine, I'm always looking for new ways to listen to this music, and recently I discovered the magic that is Spotify. People have been raving about it for ages, but I never really realized how amazing it is until recently. Plus, there's a student rate so having premium isn't even terrible. The best part is that, with premium, you can listen to anything off line by downloading it to your phone. In other words, I've been listening to the soundtrack for The Force Awakens for weeks, and when you throw a little bit of this and that in there too, you end up listening to all kinds of things. 

The question now is what I'll listen to next. I usually pick a soundtrack to listen to on repeat while I'm traveling. In January it was 1989 by Taylor Swift, and Disneyland brought me back to Owl City. I could just do Star Wars, but I'm already listening to that on repeat, so I'll need something new. Maybe something Disney related, or maybe the Beatles? Granted, it's certainly even easy to relate the Beatles to Disney...have you seen the shop in the UK Pavilion at Epcot? 

Leave your suggestions for what I should listen to next in the comments below and then head over to spotify and find something new yourself! 

Have a magical day!

(Note: This blog post was written on December 30).

Day 1040: Obscure Disney Music

I had someone a while back ask me about some of my favorite obscure Disney music, and truth be told, I think I listen to more of the obscure stuff than I do mainstream Disney. Don't get me wrong, I definitely know the lyrics to pretty much every famous Disney song (a la "Colors of the Wind," "Part of Your World," "Beauty and the Beast," etc), but that's not really what I listen to on an everyday basis.

But instead of just writing a blog post on the topic like I usually might, I headed to YouTube, and yes, you may even hear me sing...

As I mention in the video you can find all of the songs I talk about on a Spotify playlist, and for your convenience, here's a list of everything I talk about in the video: 

And here are all the songs I talk about:
Welcome (Brother Bear)
Out There (Hunchback of Notre Dame)
Life's a Happy Song (The Muppets)
The Incredits (The Incredibles)
Everybody Wants to be a Cat, Volume 1
IllumiNations 25
Makin' Memories
Impressions de France
Welcome Medley
Space Mountain Soundtrack (Disneyland)
Suitcase and a Dream

Let me know what some of your favorite Obscure Disney songs are in the comments below!

Have a magical day!

(Note: This blog post was written on December 30).

Day 1023: Bohemian Rhapsody

I happened to be searching YouTube yesterday looking for nothing in particular and then I came across a video I just had to share. I think it's safe to say that I love the Muppets, and this was just too good to pass up:

Alright, so maybe I love everything with Beaker in it, because I just love how he goes "memememe" all day long. And then there's Sam Eagle just muttering "No" over and over again. Best version of Bohemian Rhapsody ever? I think yes. And, just for your viewing pleasure, here's another Muppet video for you!

If that doesn't make your day a bit brighter (or spookier) then I don't know what will! 

Have a magical day! 

(Note: This blog post was written on December 31).

Day 994: Song of the Day

I'm always trying to find new ways to bring little bits of Disney into my daily routine. After all, that's what this blog is all about! Well, I'm happy to say that I've found yet another way for Disney to make an appearance, and this time it occurs pretty much every morning on my walk to class! This year, I'm lucky enough to not start any of my classes until, at the earliest, 10 each morning. It provides a little extra time to get work done, whether it is filming a video, working for one of my on-campus jobs, or catching up on homework on practicing, AND means that I can take my time heading to my first class of the day.

To make life more interesting, I've started doing #DisneySongOfTheDay, in which I play a different Disney song everyday, take a screenshot of it on my phone, and then post it on Twitter with the hashtag! So far it's been a ton of fun picking various songs, and it's an awesome way to go through the music library on my phone!

Here's a few of the songs I've included so far:

I would love to see some others adopting the Disney Song of the Day into their routine too! I throw in some earbuds and listen on my two-three minute walk to class, but maybe you listen during your drive home, while making dinner, working on homework, or even taking a shower! Let me know some of your favorite Disney songs in the comments below too! 

Have a magical day!

(Note: This blog post was written on September 26 due to a tight schedule).

Day 885: Change of Tempo

It seems that just about every year we all come up with these grand ideas to add exercise into our lives. Whether it be at the beginning of the year as a New Year's Resolution or in the middle of the year like me, more as a summer project, it always ends the same way.

We do it for about three days and then give up or forget about it.

But for once, I've actually somewhat kept up with one of my goals: direct through a few pep band songs every night. It's probably good to keep my arms moving anyway, and since conducting in high school made me probably the most fit I've ever been, it seemed like a natural way to keep up with things. So that's what I've been doing: directing pep band songs that my brother has saved to his computer. And for the most part, it's been working.

Every night I have him pick a few different songs, surprising me with whatever it is he's decided to have me conduct that particular day, but there's one song in particular I generally have him play before I finish for the night: Illuminations.

That's right, there's a pep band arrangement of the song, but apparently, as I just now discovered, it even goes beyond just Reflections of Earth! I just came across the full show and to say that it's a life goal to conduct these doesn't even describe it. You can listen to the recording here:

Yeah, I'm pretty much in love with this piece. I have a need. 

We'll see if I blog about any other of the Disney Pep Band pieces in the future, but there's a ton of them! 

Have a magical day!

Day 870: Immortals

Because I'm absolutely a music major and definitely addicted to this song, I figured I would do a quick spotlight on one of my favorite songs at the moment: "Immotals" by Fall Out Boy. And you know what that means, time to listen while we chat!

I remember watching the trailer for Big Hero 6 and just loving the music, which is actually a completely different song ("Top of the World" by Greek Fire), but for some reason, "Immortals" has really stuck out to me over the past few weeks since seeing the film. 

And really, I think this is a theme we've seen with Disney over the past number of years. Whoever is behind choosing the music from pop culture to go into these films and trailers is doing a spot on job. I fall in love with just about every song they use, one of the huge reasons that I'm actually thrilled to see Paint the Night when I head to Disneyland in August. For those of you that don't know, the entire parade is based on the song Owl City recorded foe Wreck It Ralph, "When Can I See You Again." It happens to be one of my favorite songs, as Owl City is one of my favorite artists, so to have my worlds collide once again is pretty awesome. 

But until August, I'll be avoiding full recordings of Paint the Night and instead sit here and enjoy some more Fall Out Boy. 

Have a magical day!

(Note: This blog post was written on May 24 due to computer issues).

Day 832: Rhapsody in Blue

Remember a few blog posts ago when I told you there would be several focusing on music? Well, here's another of those posts! I went to a piano recital today, as one does, and, oddly enough, there wasn't just one Disney reference...there were two!

First, as part of a piano duet, there was a performance of Nuages, the first movement of Nocturnes by Claude Debussy. I didn't realize it at first, but in the middle of the performance I was sitting in the audience just trying to figure out why I knew what notes were supposed to come next and why it all felt so familiar. It didn't take me long to figure out that, of course, that movement is in Impressions de France, just like all the other songs in the world seem to be. 

However, that wasn't the biggest Disney reference of the recital. As a finale, there was a grand performance of a new arrangement of Rhapsody in Blue featuring many of the musicians from here at St. Norbert College. Of course, Rhapsody in Blue was featured as a segment in Fantasia 2000, something Tanner even noted in the show notes in the program, which brought a smile to my face! The segment in the film depicts New York City through music, some of which you can watch in the clip below! 

If you want to catch the whole performance of Rhapsody in Blue in Fantasia 2000 you'll have to check it out yourself! Fantasia grows on me more and more everyday, probably because I'm a music major, but also because each segment is a beautiful representation of the world of music and is worth a look by everyone! 

Have a magical day!