"Bach's" Lunch

It's been a LONG time since I performed publicly for anything other than some sort of church-related function...alright, about 12 years. When I decided to finish my master's coursework, I also decided that it would be a good idea to go back to studying voice. I thoroughly enjoy singing, and could stand to learn more about teaching voice, so why not?

There's been a ton of "untraining" going on in my voice lessons...particularly unlearning the "super dark" tone from my Diocesan Choir experience and learning the difference between choral diction and solo singing diction. I've worked on several short songs, mostly American folk songs, which has been very refreshing. Professor Kennedy has been wonderful to work with and I'll never forget the day that he told me he had signed up not just me, but his entire studio for the "Bach's Lunch" concert.

It was about a month ago, and he had asked me if I had ever heard of the concert series. Since this was my first time on campus during the academic year, I had no knowledge of the concert series. He explained it to me and of course built up the drama to that pregnant pause where I was wondering, "Okay, what did he do??" Then he said that he signed me up for the March 26th concert. "As a matter of fact," he said with a smile, "I signed up my whole studio!" I was a little relieved that it wasn't just me, but also still a little anxious about the thought of singing for something that wasn't church-related.

That being said, I've been working really hard on getting the words in correct order for "Come again, sweet love doth now invite." The song is not as easy as it appears. It's REALLY easy to swap the words in verse 1 for verse 2, etc., and in no particular pattern. My knack for swapping one part of a verse for another has created both some humorous moments and frustrating moments in rehearsal. I've learned a new level of patience with myself.

My accompanist is a doc student friend of mine, Lauren Kooistra. She has a pretty heavy load with both taking classes and teaching classes and probably didn't have the space to take me on, but I'm very thankful that she did. Our rehearsals together were efficient and fun, and so was the performance. I can't say "thanks" enough.

Now we go to today. The performance was at 12:10 this afternoon, and I was second on the program. I am one of two females in Professor Kennedy's studio. Something that I'm absolutely thrilled about is that I FINALLY put all the words in the right place in the performance. I seriously didn't think that I'd ever get one fully correct performance with the lyrics. Enjoy the video!

Spring Break "09" with Corey...Memphis, TN

Throughout my undergrad, I only had one real spring break...1998, when my sister and I decided to drive to our brother's place in Myrtle Beach in South Carolina. I had not had any spring break trips at any other time because I was always on some tour with some ensemble...choir, mainly. They were fun tours, but it was never really a spring break trip. Anyhow...

There's a blues singer by the name of Barbara Blue. She was originally from Pittsburgh, and one of my closest friends, Corey, and I discovered her while she was still performing in Pittsburgh. We were instant fans, and rarely missed a performance. You want stage presence? Barbara's got it!

Barbara relocated to Memphis just over 10 years ago, for a better gig: singing at Silky O'Sullivan's. After Barbara's move, Corey and I said that we'd go to Memphis some day, just to see her in her element. This spring break was our first chance.

We stayed at the Westin, Executive Suite (Thank you, Tonny!), which was just around the corner from Silky O'Sullivan's. We toured through Beale Street, which isn't very long, but there is a lot there, walked through a significant part of the city, visited Graceland, and just overall relaxed and enjoyed each other's company. I even got the privilege of joining Barbara on-stage to sing one of her more upbeat numbers and closer for her final set on Sunday night, "Trouble with a Capital T".

We had a great time. This spring break was well worth it! So, I guess our next trip will be...?

My 33rd

The difference between this year's birthday and the last eight is that I did not spend it in the classroom with students or at some sort of after-school rehearsal (i.e. musical, concert band, jazz band). I DID get to spend it with close friends and family.

The first part of my celebration was dinner with my PSU grad friends. We went to my favorite restaurant, Otto's Pub and Brewery, and as with most get-togethers this semester, we had a theme: birthday songs. Everyone in attendance had to compose or sing a different birthday song. I uploaded the video from the said event. A good time was had by all, and I feel very fortunate to be among so many fun-loving, intelligent and talented people. I'm very happy to call them my friends. Thanks to everyone in attendance that evening and enjoy the video!

The second part of my celebration was dinner with my family. We went to the Primanti's restaurant in Moon Township, which is about 10 minutes from my home...not quite the atmosphere as the original one in the Strip District of Pittsburgh, but the food is just as good. It was nice to be with my family all in one place, since the beginning of the semester. I'm very blessed to have such a loving, supportive and awesome family.

The third part of my celebration was my trip to Memphis with Corey...that takes me to the "Spring Break" post.

Hello from PSU - video

Well, it's been a month since I made the great move from teacher to student. I'm finally settled into my apartment, class schedule AND exercise schedule. I've never cooked so much since I made this change...and I'm finding that I LIKE to cook. Anyhow, classes are going well and this is where I'm putting all of my updates. I'll post again soon! Until later, have fun and take care!

Kicking off the Semester with some new friends

I moved to State College on Thursday, January 8th. It was a nice day, comparatively speaking, since we had so many VERY cold days since then. Being in State College now just amplifies the winter weather, but I'm okay with that. This attitude is a little new for me as I've never really been a lover of snow and cold since childhood. Really, I could move to a beach type atmosphere at any time and not be bothered at all.

My apartment is efficiency or studio style. My living room IS my bedroom. My kitchen is actually bigger than my kitchen back in Pittsburgh - - more storage AND counter space. There's a small dining area where I've also put most of my music stuff. As it stands, I only have a few boxes left to sift through and then I'll have floor space around the entire dining area.

Classes began for Penn State on Monday, January 12th and I also auditioned for voice lessons that day. My classes include 20th Century Music Theory Review, Contemporary Issues in Music Education (aka Graduate Colloquium), Voice lessons (I made it!), Conducting, and Master's Research Seminar. I have met many new people that are either graduate or doctoral students in the music department of Penn State. The faculty are very helpful and supportive as well. I've had many exchanges that have helped to guide me in refocusing my research project and re-writing chapters one and two, as well as creating chapter three.

Adjusting to life as a student has been interesting. On the first day of class, I looked around and realized that other than the driver, I was the oldest person on the bus. After my class ended that same day, I ran into a former student, Brittany, in front of the HUB. I was greeted with a very excited "Mrs. A!!!" and a hug; the conversation that Brittany and I had gave me that reminder of home that everyone longs for when they're away. A few days later, I ran into another former student, Tiffany, on my bus. She apparently lives across the street from me and is here just for the semester...kind of like me.

If all goes well this semester and no major obstacles occur with my research project, I will graduate in August of this year. Graduating this year is one of my New Year's resolutions. I'm sticking to it!

On Monday, January 19th, I was invited to a dinner party by one of the doctoral students, Yi-Ting. It was both a Pre-Chinese New Year party and a house-warming party for Yi-Ting. Everyone brought some sort of food or drink for the party and we enjoyed each other's company, learned about some of the Chinese New Year traditions, ate, drank, hula-hooped and were merry.

I'm quite happy with what I'm doing right now. It's the right place to be, and the right time to be here. I miss my home, my students and my family, but finishing my master's degree has been a goal of mine since I began official study in 2002.

We are...PENN STATE!

GO STEELERS!

Easter, 2008

Easter was the earliest that it's been in Paul and Heidi's lifetime, and it won't happen again for over 100 years. That being said, blessed with some good weather, both Heidi and Paul were able to spend time with both of their families.

The picture to the right is of Heidi's family on that sunny Easter Sunday. Getting an entire family together for a holiday is always a challenge. We are always happy to spend these days together and catch up with each other.

Heidi's back is beginning to improve. Sitting is becoming easier to do, but standing and walking are still the best activities.

The musical that Heidi is directing this year is about ready to perform. "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" is the choice for this spring's musical and while Heidi, her production team, cast members, crew and pit orchestra have had to overcome a few obstacles this year, everything is ready to roll right on schedule.

Paul's job in Erie is going well. He expects that it's going to keep him away during the week through the month of August. The weather hasn't really helped progress at the construction site on which Paul is working.

Heidi's band trip is coming up soon after the musical. This year, Heidi has planned a trip to Nashville, Tennessee for her students. As the time for the trip looms near, the students are increasingly becoming more excited about going and letting Heidi know it.

Much activity

January and February were both semi-relaxing months for Heidi and Paul. Right before enjoying a weekend at Penn State at the end of January, Paul attempted to avoid a collision on the road and hit the barrier on the Parkway West. Lucky for him, he hit the passenger side of his truck...but not so lucky for his truck as the truck was in the body shop for a month. Paul was relegated to a rental car for most of February, which he didn't mind. Heidi's month of January was spent slowly ramping up for the what's going on now.

There is much activity for both Paul and Heidi these days. Since the end of January, Paul has been assigned as the quality control manager for a construction project in Erie, so he's spending a significant amount of time in Erie and this assignment will last throughout the spring, summer and autumn. He visits home on the weekends and enjoys spending that time with Heidi, family and friends.

Heidi is preparing for a few events. On March 19th, the concert band will present their annual classical concert, "Around the World in about 10 Songs." This is a concert designed by the students, which is a new class project for them this year. Another upcoming event is the musical that Heidi is producing, "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat." The students will perform this show on April 10, 11 and 12, 2008. Finally, Heidi, Alan, Heidi's mom and the band students will take a trip to Nashville, Tennessee on April 17 through 20, 2008. Yes, a ton of activity in a short amount of time...and there has to be complications with all of this.

Winter has finally reared its ugly head around the Pittsburgh area. With all this winter weather, Heidi managed to slip and fall on some ice in front of the school and has been having increasing back pain and mobility issues since then. Heidi is thanking God for all the wonderful friends and family who have come to help lift and carry items from one place to another, as well as the patience that the students have had with her while she moves very slowly from one room to the next. There are some upcoming doctor and chiropractor visits and we'll keep you posted on the official diagnosis and treatment. Needless to say, this is keeping Heidi's desire to go to the gym quite low.

Heidi just also celebrated her 32nd birthday a few days ago. With all the activity between the winter weather, Heidi's back problems and Heidi's job, the family is getting together today to celebrate.