People

Has anyone else noticed how bitter some of the people in our music department seem? And I'm not talking about the professors, I'm talking about some of the students. Yes, I know we have a lot asked of us, but what could be better? If you are a music major, you obviously love music, so why is it such an inconvenience or an unpleasant experience even to do something music related? Yes, I know sometimes I gripe and grumble about rehearsals, but I think generally I'm a happy person, and I think overall I have a positive attitude about the rehearsals etc. But some of these people, it makes me wonder, "Why are you a music major if you hate music so much?" I could think of nothing better than going to "class" and it being something that I enjoy learning about. That would be like going to a class that only discusses Harry Potter or SEC (Auburn) football. Everything we learn in our ensembles and academic classes is valuable information and something that will help us once we graduate and try to find a real job. Again, I feel like when I become a choral conductor that I'll be like the athletes who say, "I can't believe I'm being paid to do what I love and what I would do anyways." I am so thankful for the Music Department at UAB, it has changed my life dramatically. I know my purpose in life, I've made wonderful friends, met my beautiful girlfriend, got (get) to travel the world, and perform. It has been incredible so far, and I get another year and a half. I hope a lot of people read this. These are (Some of) my feelings on our position and time here at UAB. I'm sure there will be more at a later date.
Good luck on finals
you know who

Silence...creepy

Confused by the title yet? I think I still am also. Anyways, let us venture on and maybe we will find our way out. An interesting topic crossed my path today, that of an "awkward silence" with a certain teacher. We'll call him MR....Copeland to protect his identity. An awkward silence is one of the most uncomfortable experiences a person can endure. Mere seconds can seem like an eternity. First the conversers, (word?), break eye contact, an unspoken rule in human interaction. You can not look at the person when you don't have anything to say, that's just strange, and a little frightening honestly. Then, the fidgeting starts. Shifting in the chair, tapping one's foot and faking an itch are all popular choices, but my personal favorite is the raising of the eyebrows when the two people accidentally make eye contact again. This is followed IMMEDIATELY by a glare down at the floor.
Now, this Mr. Copeland, again, someone none of you know, asked if I could see an awkward silence from miles away, why didn't I get out of his office befhorehand. Touche, sir, touche. However, if there were a preemptive departure from the conversation, an abrupt halt of all returned speech, would this not rob us of that conversation which leads to the awkward silence? the all important recapitulation of the conversation and the establishment of a conversation in the near future? But truly my response is this, an awkward silence is like a firecracker going off. You can sit there and watch the fuse burn all the way down to ignition, but no matter how much you anticipate it, you're always going to be surprised when it blows up.
But this leads me to a deeper point still. Silence. What do you think of it? Have you ever heard absolute silence? It is quite possibly the most terrifying experience to me. Monsters and boogie men don't frighten me, but those things that interfere with the psyche, and allow you to terrify yourself, those are truly scary. Complete silence seems unnatural to me. There almost always is SOME sort of noise, but when there is an absence, something seems wrong to me. It feels almost like the calm before the storm, something is about to happen, something is about to break the silence. What is it? Think about that the next time you're sitting around and don't hear anything.
Listening
charles

I am...Big Bird

Big BirdYou scored 83% Organization, 58% abstract, and 84% extroverted!
This test measured 3 variables.
First, this test measured how organized you are. Some muppets like Cookie Monster make big messes, while others like Bert are quite anal about things being clean.
Second, this test measured if you prefer a concrete or an abstract viewpoint. For the purposes of this test, concrete people are considered to gravitate more to mathematical and logical approaches, whereas abstract people are more the dreamers and artistic type.
Third, this test measured if you are more of an introvert or an extrovert. By definition, an introvert concentrates more on herself and an extrovert focuses more on others. In this test an introvert was somebody that either tends to spend more time alone or thinks more about herself.
You are very organized, both concrete and abstract, and more extroverted.
Here is why are you Big Bird.
You are both very organized. You almost always know where your belongings are and you prefer things neat. You may even enjoy cleaning and find it therapeutic. Big Bird is never sloppy and always under control... pretty good for a 6 year old bird living without a family.You both are sometimes concrete and sometimes abstract thinkers. Big Bird can be quite dreamy at times and has no problem using his imagination. At the same time he is also practical and can be methodical in his search for answers to questions. You have a good balance in your life. You know when to be logical at times, but you also aren't afraid to explore your dreams and desires... within limits of course.You are both extroverts. Big Bird gets along with everyone. He makes friends easily and always has a positive attitude. You definitely enjoy the company of others, and you don't have problems meeting new people... in fact you probably look forward to it. You are willing to take charge when necessary or work as part of a team.
I can not BELIEVE I scored more organized than my delia on organization! Wow.
Ohh well....ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ.
That's a song...hit me up if you figure it out
charles

Wow...

It has been a long time...my sincerest apologies. Let's see if I still remember how to do this. This is an update blog, just want to catch everybody up, there will be more in depth action soon...
School is in full swing, busy as Hades, but I'm enjoying it. My Delia is back in Jackson, but luckily I get to see her every couple of weeks, and that's not too bad. Our first choir concert is tomorrow night and I'm ready. There are few things more enjoyable that performing a great concert.
I feel like I sing more than I do anything else. I'm surprised I'm able to speak without being in some sort of key. Ohh well, I'm just hoping I can stay healthy through the opera. Oh you didn't know? I am privileged enough to be able to play Daniel Webster in "The Devil and Daniel Webster" in November along side a great cast. Anthony Concepcion, Chris Carter and Maggie Hendricks. It is o' so fun. Well, it's definitely bed time, catch you on the far side.
charles

Sadness

This past week, we have all had the misfortune of witnessing one of the most terrible disasters ever to hit our country. This storm caught me by surprise, and apparently it either caught people by surprise in New Orleans or they did not think it would be this bad. I knew a hurricane was coming, but I had no idea of its magnitude. The scenes I have seen on TV over the past few days are sobering at best. I hear people talk about feet of water, people with no food or shelter, the inhumantiy of man as he loots the city, taking advantage of the lawlessness, and even of people dying in the streets. Luckily, my girlfriend, Delia, and her family have all survived this storm. They live just outside of Jackson, Miss. and it was also hit very hard. Their house is still without power, but they have been able to stay at her grandmother's house because she does have power. Thank the Lord. As I watched TV the other night, I realized how petty my frustration at my loss of power was compared to what these people have had to endure and are enduring. What they wouldn't give to be in a dry house with no power?!
This situation has brought me to tears. It is so disturbing and heart-wrenching to hear that not only are people still stranded with no resources, but that people are resorting to animalism, stealing things totally unnecessary such as tvs, guns, etc. It is appalling. I know that the government is doing everything they can, but, does it seem to anyone else that NOTHING is happening? I know that it is hard to start, but doesn't the military have boats they can use to navigate the city? At least get the people to dry land...ALL of them. People seem to have just been left for dead. I actually saw that rescue efforts had to be halted because it was too dangerous. Too dangerous? Something has to be done, I know people were shooting at them, but non-lethal weapons can be used against them. Send boats up the river from the gulf, do SOMETHING. I wish I had a boat, I would go down myself if I could get there and start transporting people. I want to do something. I will donate money, but it seems that that only does so much good. These people need a hand, they need PEOPLE to help them.
My thoughts
charles

Intramurals

To all those in Concert Choir take heed:
It is my belief that it is time that Concert Choir form some sort of intramural team. The three sports I think that would best suit us and we could POSSIBLY excel at are dodgeball, wiffleball, or flag football, although I've seen us try to play football, and we ain't that good. Anyways, let's talk about it sometime, I don't know much about it, except registration is due first week of October? and fees are $20 per team. Anyone interested?

Intrusion

This blog is in response to the MASSIVE "response" given to my sorting hat post.
I wonder why this person chose to post this on my blog. I know that it MUST have something to do with their job, but I can't imagine what it would have to do with me. I mean, yes, I can take a hint, I'm poor, but you don't have to rub it in my face by saying I should jump at some stock I've never heard of before. Maybe I should take it as a compliment. Maybe these people consider me a stock market genius, and they want to see what I would do in this situation, and make their decisions based on my actions. I mean, after all, I am a good one to judge YOUR decisions on...hahaha, j/k. Or option three: is this some new sting operation designed to take out normally law abiding citizens? Is it so hard for the American government to believe that there are good, wholesome people out there who don't break the rules? I believe their plan is to catch me taking part in insider trading. Well, WAAHAHAHAHA, I have foiled your evil plan Federal Government. You may still have income tax, and selective service, but here is where I make my stand. Finally, what do you think would happen if I went to this stock broker's web page or blog and started writing about "what an incredible chance UAB Choir is offering this year!" "Dr. Philip Copeland has 'just' joined UAB and this has HUGE implications for the choir program!" The truth is they probably couldn't care less, they might ask me to remove my post, and may even think me a little...off. Well, anyways, I've ranted long enough, I'll ask this person not to post rubbish like this on my website again, but they're welcome to post anything relating to growing up or choir. For now, stay off my lawn.
charles

I'm a Gryffindor!

did you expect anything else?

An Arch Nemesis?

So I took the quiz Dr. Copeland mentioned on his blog and here are my results:

the Idiot Savant
(43% dark, 52% spontaneous, 50% vulgar)
your humor style:VULGAR SPONTANEOUS LIGHTYou like things silly, immediate, and, above all, outrageous. Ixne on the subtle word play, more testicles on fire, please. People like you are the most likely to RECEIVE internet forwards--and also the most likely to save them in a special folder entitled 'HOLY SHIT'. Because it's so easily appreciated, and often a little physical, your sense of humor never ceases to amuse your friends. But most realize that there's a sly intelligence and a knowing wink to your tastes. Your sense of humor could be called 'anti-pretentious'--but ironically, that definitely indicates you're smarter than most. PEOPLE LIKE YOU: Johnny Knoxville - Jimmy Kimmel
My Polar Opposite: The wit
hahaha, we meet again, Dr. Copeland!
charles
(p.s. he's ahead of me by the way, he's already got the cool built in evil name, DOCTOR copeland)

The music of France

Yes, I know...two blogs in one day, I must be mental. I think it is this literary kick I am on. I finished the sixth Harry Potter Monday, (fantastic by the way), and now I'm all into reading and writing. How much can you say about singing in France, quite possibly the most enjoyable experience I've ever had, with the likelihood of anything in the near future coming close very slim. I felt as though the choir had finally spent enough time with the music. It felt like there was a point we reached where it was automatic, in a good way. The emotion, expression, technique and performance of the music could be at its highest level at any instant. The music we made while we were there is something I will remember and cherish always. I know people say performing is for your audience, but I would beg to differ. When we reached that level of performance, I didn't care about the audience. All I could see was Dr. Copeland, and all I could hear was the music. I think athletes call it "being in the zone." Everything else disappears. I hope this is a feeling we can re-create through my next two years here.
As for the negatives, I felt somewhat like the choir, myself first of all, was too excited and focused on simply getting into the finals. Granted, without MAKING the finals, there is not much to be excited. But, with all the energy and intensity bent on making the finals, it is hard to reach beyond that point again. Secondly, I remembered the other day how our time slot for the day of the finals was pushed up drastically, forcing us to inhale our food and be ready ten minutes after we arrived at the cafeteria. I think all of us were still not quite focused where we should have been, because all of us were planning on another couple of hours to find that place. Severe lack of communication on the competitions part in not relaying this message to us earlier. I feel as though this was a detriment to our performance in the finals of category I.
Back to the lighter side of things, France is a place I believe everyone should visit before they die, and a place I plan on visiting again, when I bring my own choir to an international competition. Ahh, something to look forward to...anyways, tonight, it's "Wedding Crashers" and I'm pumped. Thanks for stopping bye, be good.
charles

Life...As it were...

To all my nearest and dearest, those who know me and those who don't, friends, compatriots and loyal subjects, I bid you hello, and a sincere apology for my long absence from the blogging community. Time has been filled with time with others, time by myself, time in class, and time at work. My wonderful Delia is leaving in but a short while. What a devastating blow to the comfortable life that I lead. She is going to Jackson to help take care of her family. I know she doesn't want to go, and I don't want her to go, but maybe there will be some good that comes of this. I know that it is my responsibility to take care of her and help her through all of this as she goes through it. However, this touches on slightly different subject. Is it the man's responsibility to be strong for the woman and act as though he is not affected and that all will be okay, or is it better for the man to share his emotions and show the woman she is not alone in her malady? Just one of those questions I guess. Delia has been a prototypical girl in our relationship, in all good senses of the word, and I feel like I have counteracted her femininity with my masculinity. It has been fabulous, and quite interesting. Moving on....school starts in a few weeks, and I can honestly say I am excited. Not because my girlfriend will be leaving me, but because I will be that much closer to being a choir director. There are few things in my life that I have been as excited about before. Well, hopefully the elapsed time between this and my next post will be drastically reduced. Until then, bask in these golden days, and enjoy these golden times.
charles

France...a ma cherie

Well, I know it has been a while, but I think I have allowed France to percolate in my brain long enough. This was by far the most amazing, memorable and enjoyable experience of my life, easily. Every moment I can replay instantly in my head, it's like a movie. I love a quote I found from Ernest Hemingway, "If you are lucky enough to have lived in Paris as a young man, then wherever you go the rest of your life, it stays with you...For Paris is a moveable feast." And what a feast it was. The sights, sounds, smells and the ambience of being in a different world was electric. Delia and I are already making plans to live there someday in the future. This trip to Paris changed my life. It strengthened my already steadfast belief that I am finally doing what God intends for me to do with my life, music. I could not fathom the beauty and majesty of Notre Dame as we sang from the sanctuary steps, thinking that we were singing the same language and scripture that had been echoed throughout those halls for centuries before us. The immensity and grandeur of the Eiffel Tower. It was awe inspiring. I never knew it was so gigantic. I can remember every second of every day as if I am still there. I may have left Paris, but I don't believe Paris will ever leave me. This was one of those life experiences that make you who you are, and I can't express enough gratitude to Dr. Copeland for making it happen.
Charles
P.s. there will be more on the music making of the trip later

France

Wow, so hello blogging community, or should I say "Bonsoir!" Yes, we are all back from France, and I think most if not all are ready to go back, now that real life has set in. This trip was a trip of enlightenment for me. I was incredibly lucky to spend ten days in such a beautiful place with my Delia, so many others didn't have the same luck. We got to share everything together. (By the way, there's a lot in my head right now, so this blog is just sort of an outline, beggin your pardon). Secondly, this trip was validation and a realization for the UAB concert choir. I remember my first day in Chamber choir here, yes, dr. copeland, i was there, and the three years up until now have been incredible, the growth and maturation of the choir is uncanny. Third, I can not wait to be a choral director. it is such a beautiful dream come true to know exactly what I am going to be doing with my life, looking forward to it, and taking the necessary steps to accomplish that dream. i hope everyone i know or in college gets that same feeling eventually. Wow, I was so proud of the UAB concert choir, it was unbelievable, and i want to thank everyone involved for creating such an opportunity, especially Dr. Copeland, you are an incredible person, and I thank you for the support, brilliance and "je ne se cua" Thank you.
charles

That Saturday

Deep, but not real wide...anyways...
It being Easter weekend and all, or it having just passed, made me think about something. We celebrate Good Friday and Easter, but what about that Saturday? It is interesting to me what this day might have been like. We know that Friday afternoon was dark and miserable, but what might that Saturday have been like? Purgatory? A state of limbo on the way to Christ's resurrection. And if you look into it further still, how depressing and lonely it must have felt, for if Christ was fully man AND fully God, the thought that man had killed God is extremely frightening. A whole 24 hours where God was not in the world? Scary. Yes, God still WAS, but Christ WAS also FULLY GOD. Ohh well, it just makes me think about what that Saturday really was like. Until later
charles

well, some one had to do it...

so i (delia) have been studying physics all day at charles (b/c i would get distracted at home) and finally my head is about to bust open b/c i have crammed so much crap into it...so i decided to take a break (my first one since 4, its now 930) and blog, b/c thats what i do to help me release stress and tension...so i went to my blog page and then clicked on "get your own blog" b/c thats how i get to my dashboard (on my computer, right now im on charles's) and as the page was loading (b/c its dial up and takes more time than im used to) i thought, "i wonder if this will take me to a sign on page or directly to charles's dashboard" i really did not mean to just go here, honestly...but since i was here and it has been forever and a day since charles posted i decided to grace his blog with my thoughts (i saved this originnaly as a draft so he could choose to post it or not, im not completely evil)...but as charles's blog is generally thoughts deeper than i can usually fathom i am at a loss of what else to say, i already feel as if i have decreased the IQ of his blog significantly...so i will go now, back to my physics, leaving you with this quote "It is possible to store the mind with a million facts and still be entirely uneducated" Alec Bourne

"There are no antebellum homes in Latvia!"

What a great privilege having Dr. Jerry Jordan come to work with our choir this week. I feel as though a cycle in my life has been completed, from the days of first wanting to be in a choir in high school till now. My junior year in high school, and up until then intermittently, I was exposed to wonderful choral music via a cd entitled "Light and Live" by the Ole Miss Concert Singers. This music REALLY made me want to be in a choir like that in college, and only after some time did I find out about Dr. Jordan's being the conductor. When I found out about Dr. Copeland's time at Ole Miss and exposure to that level of excellence, I was ecstatic when I came to be in UAB's choir. And now, now that we have made a name for ourselves as the UAB Concert Choir, to have Dr. Jordan come work with us was a dream come true. It is funny to think that three or four years ago I was thinking wow, that would be awesome to be in that group, but it's even better now, knowing that we are our OWN choir, but still with those same influences. ANNNYways, as I sit in class, I felt like a sponge soaking up every word Dr. Jordan had to say to us. It was exciting sitting in the presence of genius like that, and it made me realize that that is NOT as an unusual experience as it may sound, we are so INCREDIBLY lucky to have Dr. Copeland working with us three days a week working to make us an incredible choir. I know the things we learned this week will help us all in the coming months to become better choral singers, and I know Dr. Copeland will use what we learned to its furthest extent. I also think maybe we'll understand Dr. Copeland a little better, I know a lot of us commented, "Now I know why Dr. Copeland is the way he is" ;) Anyways, thanks so much to Dr. Jordan, and I know we're ready to get back to work with Dr. Copeland....see ya next week
charles

Lux Aurumque

Today was the first day the choir began work on a brilliant piece of music by Eric Whitacre entitled, "Lux Aurumque." First of all, let me extend a deep, heartfelt thank you to Dr. Copeland for choosing this piece for our competition. I have loved this song the first time I heard it on a CD, when I heard one choir do it at Collegiate Choral Festival, and when I heard Mortimer Jordan perform it superbly at Christmas at the Alys. As we sang this song, I started to form a mental image, as happens with me during most of our songs that we work on. However, none have ever been this vivid that I recall. The piercing high notes, heavy, thick, full chords and the beautiful Latin language all intertwined to present to me a perfect scene: Heaven at Night. I know we all think of Heaven probably as a beautiful sunlit place with shimmering floors and towering ivory ceilings, but what about when it's nighttime? Many people think night is even more beautiful than day here on Earth, so wouldn't you imagine that night in Heaven would be that much better? Can't you see and feel the warm darkness enveloping you in safety and sleep when you listen to that song? This song describes this scene so well to me, that it makes me think, if I could spend one night in heaven, it would be worth a thousand lifetimes. Even myself, who is sometimes afraid of the quiet darkness, when I listen to this song, it makes me feel as though everyone is either sitting reflectively or lying in their beds, and God and his angels are walking around, checking with everyone, just peeking in. It's everyone's alone time of reflection in heaven at this time of night, and the angels are singing their lullabies. Believe it or not, I got this image of this song, and felt and sensed all of these things, before I even read the translation of the words, something to the effect of, "Light, pure and heavy as pure gold, and the angels sing to the newborn baby," that's all I can remember of it. But maybe it could give you something to think about when we work on this piece next time. Until next time, just think, it's nighttime in heaven sometime.
charles

(Not) In a Hurry to Grow Up

"You can't take life too seriously, otherwise, you might never get out alive." These are the words of the brilliant, at times disgusting, Van Wilder. The more this year has progressed, I have discovered that being a grown up is a lot of hard work, and I am not sure that I am ready for that. I'm sure most of you out there are thinking, "yeah, you're certainly not showing any signs of growing up," and that's fair. But it's just that, as I am exposed to more adult situations, and involved in more serious decisions, I see why becoming an adult is such a long, continual process. I guess what I'm trying get across is that I don't see why people are in such a hurry to be grown up and be out of school and out on there own and then having to be the ones that are making the decisions for another human being. I feel like we are all where we should be, and when the day comes for us to be the decision makers in the world, we will be ready. I guess, in a way, I'm a little nervous about being an adult. After being a child for the better part of, eh hem, 20 years, it is going to be a big change. Well, I've rambled on about how much I suffer from peter pan syndrome, my real point is, we shouldn't be in a hurry to grow up, it will come soon enough, all we can do is try our best to ready when it does happen. until then, I'll keep thinking good thoughts and trying to fly....
charles

Taking Risks....on sour milk?

I will open this blog by saying that writing it is taking a risk itself. I'm hoping that the muses will look down upon me and shine down their inspiration....still waiting...
okay, anyways.
The other day I was struck with a great idea for a blog similar to what I am writing now, but I can't EXACTLY remember what it was. I was at Delia's, and about to enjoy a delicious bowl of cereal when I noticed the expiration date was the day before. Now ordinarily, this does not deter my enjoyment of the milk, but Delia's amazement, and I believe disgust at the fact that I drink EXPIRED milk made me think twice. I drank the milk with the cereal and enjoyed it thoroughly, but it sent me into a series of thoughts on the expiration date of milk. Where does this date come from? I know it is stamped onto the battle at the factory, but why is it THAT day? Why not the day before? I don't think there are certain cows that give longer lasting milk than others. Do the cows tell those milking them what day it will be when this milk goes bad? And, if so, how can we trust these cows? What if they are mad cows? I don't think this would bother me quite so much, except for the finality of the expiration date. It does not say on the bottle, "Around Jan 15," or "Appx. Jan 15", it says JAN 15 arrogantly and unwaveringly, as if to say, HAHAHA, it's a race against time, you can bake bread and eat cereal all day, but you'll STILL have to throw me out. So I guess my drinking milk after the expiration day, is, in my own way, a way to fightback against those cows and the milk cartons. I refuse to give in to their tyranny, and only hope one day that I don't tip up the jug for a long chug, and end up eating cottage cheese. Until next time,
Milk...it does a body good (for two weeks).