Long Time...

It's been 10 months since I last wrote and so much has gone on.

Here is a brief update:


In early May I attended the Thompson Symposium at Penn State University. I flew to PA, got a rental car and drove out to State College, PA. It was a beautiful ride in the spring weather. The symposium itself was great and I met some really nice people. After the symposium I checked out Hershey PA and visited Chocolate World.

This is my wonderful poster board.  I'm at the Symposium talking with Rebecca about my paper.

This picture is Jen, Dawn & me 

after getting some amazing ice cream in down town State College.  

In late May I flew with Dr. Stauffer out to Pembroke Virginia to the Mountain Lake Colloquium.  This was an amazing, life-changing couple days.  I met some amazing music educators, and some wonderful new friends.

This is me, Dr. Barrett,  This photo is taken on the infamous steps.

Dr. Stauffer & Juan. Juan, Andie, Carrie & me.


The great minds at lunch. 

Dr. Bennett Reimer & 

Estelle Jorgensen.

In June/July my mom and sister Emily came out to visit for a while. We had an awesome visit and took a trip together up to the Grand Canyon (the North Rim).

This is me at the Lodge out on the stone wall overlooking the Canyon.
All four of us on the stone wall.

A beautiful view!!!


The summer officially ended the day after my mom and Em left for Connecticut. I went back to work in the Higley Unified School District in Gilbert, Arizona. I am now teaching choir, grades 6 through 10 at both Higley Middle School & Williams Field High School. Unlike last year this year has actually been quite good!

Things I'm looking forward to:

1. My Birthday - February 28th
2. Trip to Anaheim, CA with my high school choir

SUMMER VACATION!!!

New Stuff

I promise to write soon...no time these days...but until then a few udpates...

I got a new hair cut...almost 10 inches chopped off!


I'm looking forward to the summer...which officially begins Friday, May 25th at 2:47pm!

I will be at Penn State from May 4th until May 6th for the 2007 Thompson Symposium.
http://www.music.psu.edu/musiced/thompson/index.html

I will be at Mountain Lake from May 19th until May 23rd for the 2007 Mountain Lake Colloquium for Teachers of General Music Teachers...and yes, check the website, it's the place that Dirty Dancing was filmed!
http://www.mtsu.edu/~nboone/
http://www.mountainlakehotel.com/





Three weeks of teaching left...four weeks of school...I can make it...until then...

Facebook

Behind...

Yes yes...I'm very behind...I will be posting to my BLOG over my break...so keep looking...I've got lots of good news to add!

Dula

In loving memory of my dear friend Julianne...

"Where did I go wrong, I lost a friend
Somewhere along in the bitterness
And I would have stayed up with you all night
Had I known how to save a life" ~ The Fray

Julianne Wright
(November 25, 1982 - December 13, 2006)


Plainview, Texas—Julianne Wright, 24, died Wednesday, December 13, 2006 in Tempe, Arizona. Memorial services will be held at 4:30 p.m. Monday, December 18, 2006 in the First Baptist Church of Plainview with Dr. Travis Hart, pastor, officiating. A private burial will follow at a later date under the direction of Kornerstone Funeral Directors in Plainview. Family and friends visitation will be held on Sunday, December 17, 2006 at the funeral home. Ms. Wright was born November 25, 1982 in Midland, Texas. She has lived in Plainview since the age of 2 and graduated from Plainview High School in 2001. She was a member of the Texas All-State Choir and was one of the outstanding performers of the State UIL solo/ensemble competition in 2001.



She graduated from Arizona State University in December 2006 with a Bachelor’s degree in Music in Vocal Performance. She was a member of the ASU University and Choral Choirs and a 2 year member of the Texas Music Educators Association. She appeared as the lead role in the ASU lyric opera theatre production of “The Scarecrow”. Survivors include; her parents, Walter and Sharon Wright of Plainview, Texas, her brother and sister-in-law, Jonathan and Kristen Wright of Colorado Springs, Colorado, a nephew, Jaxon Wright of Colorado Springs, Colorado, her grandparents, Norman and Louise Wright of Plainview, Texas and M.J. and Winnie Lankford of Crockett, Texas, two aunts, Jan Spruill of Crockett, Texas and Susan and Ted Jameson of Albuquerque, New Mexico and two uncles, John and Kristi Wright of Ft. Worth, Texas and Drs. David and Ruth Wright of Plainview, Texas. Memorials may be made to the Texas Music Educators Association, Box 140465, Austin, Texas 78714-0465.

Currently Unemployed...kinda

Well it's now Memorial Day weekend...


I've been enjoying the sunny and beautiful weather...

I've been swimming at the pool...








I've been playing the piano...

I've been enjoying my free time...

BUT...

I'm still without a teaching job for the fall!!!

I was admitted to the DMA program for Music Education...

I recieved a scholarship for the 2006-2007 school year from the Louise Kerr Music Endowment Fund...not a lot...in fact, it wont even cover the cost of a single credit at ASU. :-(

I got into the Sonoran Desert Chorale and am still waiting to hear about the PBC.

More soon...

Schools Out For Summer!!!

As the temperature continues to rise and the sun continues to shine in Arizona, I am faced with a lot of free time on my hands and no job for the fall.

I finished the semester officially on Thursday, May 4th after my Masters portfolio defense. I ended the semester is a 4.0 GPA and am one class short of my Masters Degree in Choral Music Education. I will be taking Music of the Carribbean this summer to fulfill my final course and then in August I will be granted that Masters of Music - it's about time!!! Unfortunetly, I will have to wait until December to walk and be officially "hooded" as they call it. I'm not sure what that is all about, but I will get back to you.

Despite the fact that I have had a lot of "free time" in the last 10 days, I have been up to quite a bit! A re-cap for those of you at home on the East coast...

I auditioned for the Phoenix Bach Choir and although I don't anticipate getting into the choir, it was a good experience for me! (I will also be auditioning for the Sonoran Desert Chorale this coming Thursday - as I need to find some group to sing in this fall). I have applied for a number of jobs and have already been on one interview and have three more coming up this week - keep your fingers crossed for me. I bought myself a graduation gift...more to come on that, as of right now it's still top secret!

I have officially decided to stay in the valley of the sun for another couple years. This coming fall I will be taking some evening classes to begin work on my doctorate while hopefully teaching choral music at a high school in the valley.

More to come...

Audition Results...

Back in March I auditioned for ASU's DMA performance degree in Choral Conducting. Shortly after my audition the person in charge of making the decisions went to London and we were told that our audition results would come the week after spring break. Well, then he got sick...really sick...pneumonia sick...and was out of school for a solid week or two.

I was finally able to get some answers via email...and the outcome is this...

I have been accepted!!!...with some conditions. They have told me that they honor my talent and potential but think that I should do the degree part time and get a teaching job for some more experience. Oh yes, I've also been informed that the choral TA position I was promised isn't mine anymore. Yes I'm still bitter.

I was very upset for a while about this and still have yet to talk about it with the head hancho who made all these decisions - that chat will happen next Wednesday, supposedly. I am dying to hear what he has to say...a month later.

So where do I go from here?

Well I am waiting for my official acceptance letter from the DMA in Music Education as well. I am simultaneously applying for teaching jobs out here in the valley and waiting to see what comes my way. I'm trying to keep an open mind and be excited about what's to come, however I will say I'm a bit disappointed with how this has all fallen. I'm hopeful about the Music Education degree however...we'll see about that.

Anyone know about a high school choral opening for next fall? :-)

Spring 2006

It is amazing how fast time flies. I am currently in my last semester of my Masters Degree at Arizona State University. Each semester gets better!

This semester I am taking 10 credits...read on if you want details...

University Choir
The University Choir is an auditioned 65 voice mixed ensemble directed by Dr. Gregory Gentry (http://music.asu.edu/faculty/selectOne.php?ID=205&). Members are mostly music majors are primarily undergraduates. The University Choir performs a variety of choral literature from all periods of music history, including symphonic works, as well as shorter pieces and works with chamber ensembles. The ensemble is committed to excellence in performance, historically informed performance and a holistic choral experience. The group rehearses Monday through Thursday from 12:40-1:30pm.
Starting in the Spring 2005 semester I began singing with University Choir. This semseter I both sing with the group and am a graduate assistant for the group, which means I occasionally run part of rehearsal and conduct one piece on each concert program.


Concert Choir
The Concert Choir is ASU’s premiere choral ensemble, directed by Dr. David Schildkret (http://music.asu.edu/faculty/selectOne.php?ID=132&). The 28 members of this group are doctoral students, master’s students and advanced undergraduates chosen through a rigorous audition process. The Concert Choir offers highly polished performances of the outstanding works for small chorus, helping students to continue developing their singing, musical and ensemble skills, and working for a refined and exhilarating tone. The group performs a cappella literature from the Renaissance through the present, compositions with piano or small instrumental ensemble, and works for chorus and chamber orchestra. The group rehearses Monday through Thursday from 1:40-2:30pm.
At the beginning of the semester I decided to audition for Concert Choir, despite my persistant thoughts that there was no way I could get in - well I was wrong. This is my first semester singing with the concert choir and I love it!

20th Century Counterpoint
Where to begin? I don't like music theory all that much...but this is ridiculous. We are studying the compositional techniques of 20th century composers. Basically we study certain types of composition, such as twelve tone, serialism, set theory, etc...and then we compose music in the style of certain composers. What fun! I can't think of a better way to spend my Monday and Wednesday mornings from 10:40-11:30am. The course is taught by Dr. Jodi Rockmaker...a Jewish composer from Brooklyn...need I say more? Dr. Rockmaker is actually the saving grace of this course!

Advanced Choral Rehearsal Techniques
This class is one of those wonderful once a week classes that meets from 4:40-7:30pm. I hate this time for a class...just long enough to want to scratch your eyes and just late enough to be hungry during the last hour of class. The course is taught by Mr. Jeff Harris, the Choral director at Westwood High School in Mesa, AZ. Thank goodness for my friend Ryan...I don't know what I'd do without him in this class!!!

Choral Repertoire
Choral repertoire is a doctoral level course. There are six students in the class...four doctoral students and two masters students, including me. It's taught by Dr. Schildkret (the same guy I take concert choir with). The class is actually my favorite academic course this semester. It's a great review, plus new info, of things that as a choral person I should really have mastered by the time I leave here. This class meets on Tuesdays & Thursdays from 10:40-11:30am.

We'll see how my 4.0 GPA fares after this semester...YIKES.
Check back for an update in May.

Growing Up

Having just celebrated my 25th birthday I have come to realize that years are not associated with wisdom; that growing up is not necessarily something that just happens with age. I think that there are certain events in one's life which can be forever altering and in turn forces one to "grow up", but recently I have a new philosophy about growing up. To grow up, you have to make a conscious choice to do so. There are plenty of "adults" walking around out there with the maturity of teenagers, and as long as they are content with that, then that is fine, for them. However, if you long to be independent and truly know yourself and understand yourself, then growing up is the task at hand.

I remember how exciting it felt to be 14 and starting high school. I remember how scary it felt to be 18 and leaving home for college. I remember how fun it was to be 21 and finally be able to do just about ANYTHING I wanted. I remember how wonderful it was to be 22 and graduating from college. I had my whole life planned out...down to the white picket fence and Chase and Madison. It was all laid out for me and it was just a matter of time. I felt like I had finally gotten a ticket on the moving conveyor belt of life and that as long as I didn't make a drastic move, I'd be moving along just fine. Well, drastic or not, I moved. I moved straight across the country...as far away from the laid out plan as possible.

The last two years have been a blur of life. It's been surreal almost at times. It has been the most painful time of my life...yet now sitting and looking back there were so many wonderful things that happened to me...how could it have been so awful? I was fighting against my own need to grow up. It was finally time to grow up a bit and I kicked and screamed against it...like a small child who doesn't want to leave the toy store empty handed.

A month ago I succumbed to the need to grow up a bit and let go. I let go of everything and everyone...tossed it all to the wind and hoped for the best. Someone dear to me always says "I wish I were a little kid again...life was so easy then and I was always happy". I always used to laugh at this statement as it seemed so foolish to me. I still don't think I want to return to my days of playing witches with Julie out by the water pump, but there is something to be said for the innocence of childhood.

The last week or so I have grown up quite a bit. I have learned a lot and gained clarity about certain issues which have been looming over me like a foggy doom for all too long. I am sad and I am disappointed...but I am at peace and moving onwards. I still have quite a bit of growing up to do and all in good time, but for now I am okay with just being 25.

ASU Concert Choir on Washington Post

Concert ChoirDavid Schildkret, conductor
The Concert Choir is ASU’s premiere choral ensemble. The 28 members of this group are doctoral students, master’s students and advanced undergraduates chosen through a rigorous audition process. The Concert Choir offers highly polished performances of the outstanding works for small chorus, helping students to continue developing their singing, musical and ensemble skills, and working for a refined and exhilarating tone. The group performs a cappella literature from the Renaissance through the present, compositions with piano or small instrumental ensemble, and works for chorus and chamber orchestra.

Don’t forget to check the Washington Post website on March 12 for our recordings of “Shenandoah.” They will be part of the “Style Invitational.”

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/linkset/2005/05/09/LI2005050900372.html

You do have to register, but it's FREE and it's worth it to hear us!

You’ll want to click on “Week 653.” Scroll down, and there should be something that says “Report from Week 649.” You’ll be able to read the winning entries there and there ought to be a link to our recordings mentioned there as well.

YAY!!!

Papasan Chair

Happy Birthday to me!!!

On February 28th I celebrated my 25th birthday...yes a 1/4 century.

I had a wonderful day filled with cards and balloons and cakes and friends!

I hadn't really given a ton of thought about what I wanted, but I knew one thing I wanted for sure! A papasan chair from Pier 1 Imports. I have wanted one of these lovely chairs for some time now and so when my dad got me one for my birthday, I was beyond thrilled!



I went and picked it out and it's just perfect. I had a tan cushion that is corduroy.

Lilly likes it too!

Today it is raining...the first time since October 18th!!! The drought is officially over I guess!?!? Today is the perfect kind of day for the new chair...I look forward to some quality time there!

DMA Audition

Warum? Why? That's right. Why am I doing this?

Today my day is jam packed with an audition and lunch and interviews, all part of the audition process. I am applying for the Doctorate in Choral Conducting program. There is one spot and four applicants...including a college professor from Canada. Yes...Warum?

I am conducting the first movement of the Brahms' motet, Warum ist das Licht gegeben? And as I go along conducting the repeated pleadings of Why? I will probably be asking myself the same thing, why?

I have 10 minutes of spotlight time today and I am going to need all the strength I can get. I will pull from my past inspirations in hopes they will pull me through.



I am actually looking forward to my 10 minutes in front of the concert choir. This is the most talented group I have yet to take the podium in front of and I am feeling honored to have this opportunity.

Wish me luck...otherwise there's always ANOTHER education degree...


Post Audition Update:
Tuesday was a very long day, but a good one. The audition went well. I will say that it was very hard to get up in front of the Concert Choir, even though I sing with them. I did the best job I could do and we'll see if that proves to be good enough. The interview process was a bit better, as I found that much easier to talk about things than wave my hands around to produce great things.

I will know their decision the week of March 20th. I will post an update at that time.

Judy

In loving memory of my dear friend Judy.

It is hard to put into words all that Judy meant to me. I have wonderful memories of my time spent with Judy, whether it was an after school chat on her ugly green couch in her office, while munching on popcorn, or soaring up in a hot air balloon to "test it out for the kids", my time spent with Judy was always special. She was the type of person you wanted to be around; she was the type of person who exemplified the word friend. Judy has left us all with wonderful memories and stories that will keep her spirit alive in all of us and her memory from ever fading. I miss you Judy and I think about you all the time.

NILAN, Judith M. Judith M. (Rivers) Nilan, 44, died Monday, (December 12, 2005). She leaves her husband, Jon W. Baker; her parents, Robert F. and Margaret F. (Hanft) Rivers; four brothers, Gerry J. Rivers of Oxford, Vinny P. Rivers of Oxford, Bobby J. and his wife Jen Rivers of Minneapolis, MN; and Chris J. and his wife June Rivers of Oxford; two sisters, Ciss and her husband Ken Johnson of California and Barbara A. and her husband Bob Donovan of Natick; a step-brother Jonathan Rivers of Leominster; several in-laws, including her sister-in-law Janet Brennan and her husband Tom; her father-in-law, Ted Baker and his wife Jantje; three step-children, Seth, Jillian, and Dylan Baker; and nieces, Meghan and Jillian. Judy grew up in Oxford, MA and graduated with the class of 1979. Judy received a Masters degree in Social Work from the University of Connecticut. She was employed as the school social worker for the Woodstock Middle Schools where she continued her years of passion for teaching and caring for children. Judy was an avid gardener, enjoyed outdoor activities, athletic endeavors and spontaneous adventures, although her first love was always for her family. "As the years pass by, we'll glance at faded photographs recalling memories shared with special friends and family, never wanting it to end. Memories are the only thing left with in the end." Judy, 1979.