Signs you Drink Too Much Coffee

I've never seen this before:

SIGNS YOU DRINK TOO MUCH COFFEE

- You answer the door before people knock.
- Juan Valdez named his donkey after you.
- You ski uphill.
- You grind your coffee beans in your mouth.
- You haven't blinked since the last lunar eclipse.
- You lick your coffeepot clean.
- You're the employee of the month at the local coffeehouse and you don't even work there.
- Your eyes stay open when you sneeze.
- You chew on other people's fingernails.
- Your T-shirt says, "Decaffeinated coffee is the devil's blend."
- You can type sixty words per minute ... with your feet.
- You can jump-start your car without cables.
- Cocaine is a downer.
- You don't need a hammer to pound nails.
- Your only source of nutrition comes from "Sweet & Low."
- You don't sweat, you percolate.
- You buy 1/2 & 1/2 by the barrel.
- You've worn out the handle on your favorite mug.
- You go to AA meetings just for the free coffee.
- You walk twenty miles on your treadmill before you realize it's not plugged in.
- You forget to unwrap candy bars before eating them.
- Charles Manson thinks you need to calm down.
- You've built a miniature city out of little plastic stirrers.
- People get dizzy just watching you.
- You've worn the finish off your coffee table.
- The Taster's Choice couple wants to adopt you.
- Starbucks owns the mortgage on your house.
- Your taste buds are so numb you could drink your lava lamp.
- Instant coffee takes too long.
- When someone says. "How are you?", you say, "Good to the last drop."
- You want to be cremated just so you can spend the rest of eternity in a coffee can.
- Your birthday is a national holiday in Brazil.
- You're offended when people use the word "brew" to mean beer.
- You have a picture of your coffee mug on your coffee mug.
- You can thread a sewing machine, while it's running.
- You can outlast the Energizer bunny.
- You short out motion detectors.
- You don't even wait for the water to boil anymore.
- Your nervous twitch registers on the Richter scale.
- You think being called a "drip" is a compliment.
- You don't tan, you roast.
- You can't even remember your second cup.
- You help your dog chase its tail.

Jauchzet dem Herrn

For Chamber Choir:

One recording.

VideoGamesLive setlist

Found this out today. We'll start working on it Wednesday in Chamber Choir.

1 Classic Arcade (01) (CHOIR)
2 Metal Gear Solid (02) (CHOIR)
3 God of War (04) (CHOIR) - Soprano Solo-Operatic
4 Space Invaders (18) (Interactive Segment)
5 Civilization IV (19) (CHOIR) - African, ethnic baritone Solo, Alto sings from Choir.
6 FF Piano Solo - Lee Ann Leung
7 Metroid (28)
8 Zelda (08)

INTERMISSION - 20 minutes

ACT II
9 Kingdom Hearts (03)
10 Sonic (13) (CHOIR)
11 Warcraft (14) (CHOIR)
12 Starcraft II (Revenge-26) (CHOIR)
13 Mario (16)
14 Mario Piano Solo - Lee Ann Leung
15 Guitar Hero - "Sweet Emotion" (35) (Interactive Segment, CHOIR)
16 Halo Suite (17) & Halo 3 (24) (CHOIR)
17 One-Winged Angel (21) (CHOIR)
18 Castlevania Rock (31)

Reminder: No Choir Tomorrow

Concert Choir,

Our rehearsal weekend allows us to cancel tomorrow's rehearsal.

Enjoy your Labor Day weekend.

plc

Reading RSS Feeds With Bloglines

Choirs . . .

This is the way I follow blogs. Check out the video and then bloglines.

Concert Choir excuse memos

National Conference, National Collegiate Choral Organization - October 30 - November 1

Collegiate Choral Festival - November 13, 2008

a reminder

Chamber Choir Men: 3:00 today
Chamber Choir Women: 4:00 today

For Methods Class

Power Point Presentation

Listen: Alleluja and Long Ago

Alleluja (Karai)
Long Ago (Liebau)

Concert Choir: AMEA Performance time

Pickerel

We learn something new every day.


Age and Growth - This species grows much more slowly than other members of the pike family. The maximum age is about eight years, but the usual life span is seven to eight years. There is little difference in growth between males and females, although females live longer. Redfin pickerels rarely exceed 12 inches long.

Sporting Quality - These pickerel are scrappy fighters, but its small size limits their popularity as sport fish. They can be caught on minnows, streamers, small spinners, spoons and plugs. Redfin pickerel are a lot of fun to catch on light spinning tackle.

Eating Quality - White, flaky, sweet-tasting meat, but quite bony.

World Record - 1.50 pounds, caught in Bluff Lake, South Carolina, in 1984.

Long Ago - ii.

Long ago

I once knew all the birds that came
And nested in our orchard trees;
For every flower I had a name--
My friends were woodchucks, toads, and bees;
I knew where thrived in yonder glen
What plants would soothe a stone-bruised toe--
Oh, I was very learned then;
But that was very long ago!

I knew the spot upon the hill
Where checkerberries could be found,
I knew the rushes near the mill
Where pickerel lay that weighed a pound!
I knew the wood,--the very tree
Where lived the poaching, saucy crow,
And all the woods and crows knew me--
But that was very long ago.

And pining for the joys of youth,
I tread the old familiar spot
Only to learn this solemn truth:
I have forgotten, am forgot.
Yet here's this youngster at my knee
Knows all the things I used to know;
To think I once was wise as he--
But that was very long ago.

I know it's folly to complain
Of whatsoe'er the Fates decree;
Yet were not wishes all in vain,
I tell you what my wish should be:
I'd wish to be a boy again,
Back with the friends I used to know;
For I was, oh! so happy then--
But that was very long ago!

Listen. Ray Liebau setting.

Music and Passion

Chamber Choir Calendar

Chamber Choir,

Here are links to your calendar:

HTML
ICAL
XML

If you want to add it as a google calendar, just search public calendars for UAB CHAMBER CHOIR.  You'll find it.

NCCO Change

There was some confusion in the original NCCO dates. Here's the revised plan:

NCCO Convention Performance
Thursday, October 30
Travel to Louisville, possible concert there
spend night in Louisville, church stays

Friday, October 31
Louisville to Cincinnati, attend NCCO Concerts
spend night in Cincinnati

Saturday, November 1
4:30 PM Performance at convention
Leave after performance, arrive home late

Gjello

Prelude is the piece we did today. Hear it here.

Update: An easier place to hear it.

an evolution

to everyone . . . .

I'd like to take you through the evolution of the choral program structure since I've been here.

There have been four shifts in the structure of the program. Each of the changes were made to facilitate the program - to adjust for the growth and provide for the future.

This new structure created two fantastic choirs. Give it a chance. Trust me. The changes make everything better, not worse.

Here's the brief history.

Fall 2001:
Concert Choir (directed by Dr. Jeff Reynolds) 2 days a week (i think)
Chamber Choir (directed by Dr. Philip Copeland) 2 days a week, met after concert choir

Fall 2002:
Concert Choir (directed by Dr. Jeff Reynolds) two days a week
Chamber Choir (directed by Dr. Philip Copeland) two days a week
Women's Chorale (directed by Dr. Philip Copeland and Nick Cummins)

Fall 2003: A switch of conductors/choirs and increased time commitment for Concert Choir
We kept this model for Fall 2004 and Fall 2005
Concert Choir (directed by Dr. Philip Copeland) Tu-Wed-Th, 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Chamber Choir (directed by Dr. Jeff Reynolds) (can't remember the time)
Women's Chorale (directed by Dr. Philip Copeland and Nick Cummins)

Fall 2006: Time Change for Concert Choir, Director Change for Chamber Choir
We kept this model for Fall 2007
Concert Choir (directed by Dr. Philip Copeland) MWF: 2-2:50; Tu-Th, 2:00 - 3:15 p.m.
Chamber Choir (directed by Dr. Philip Copeland) (MW: 4:00-5:15)
Women's Chorale (directed by Dr. Philip Copeland and Erin Pair)

This choral program has made several shifts over the past several years. Each has made the overall program better . . . and this one will too.

plc

anonymous posting iii

Scratch that previous post. 

I'll just moderate the comments from now on.  Why stop using a great communication tool for random immaturity?

anonymous posting ii

folks,

i've been using this blog as a way to build an online community in the uab choirs for the benefit of the program and the students since 2004. i've never had to suspend the operation before but i will now for a while.

anonymous comments

Everyone,

I know that this is a sensitive time and that my recent restructuring of the choral department has hurt some feelings. I understand that, I really do.

I've tried to use this blog for several items of communication:
1. I used it to let you know a change was coming in the structure of the choirs here.
2. I've done my best to address some of the questions that came up regarding the implications of the restructuring here, here, and here.
3. I've met with several students today and had email conversations with others.

I appreciate all of the conversations that I've had.

This blog has always been a place where good conversations have been held, laughs have been had, and insights have been gained.

It's not a place for you to post anonymous comments. If you have something to say, come address it with me in person or write it out to me in an email. I encourage you to say what you think . . . and then listen to what I have to say.

But don't be anonymous. I'm very open about what I say here and it always has my name on it. Have the courage to put yours.

mistake

Made a mistake.

Chamber choir is 4:00 - 5:15.

Not 3:00 - 5:15.

more answers

A few more answers to questions that are coming my way:

Question: why the rehearsal time differences?

Answer: In my discussions about the choir structure, I was told that I needed find a way to make things work with my existing time slots for the time being. Any change in one area affects others.

When I started the auditions today, I did not know what the final existing structure would be . . . I depended on the auditions to tell me that and they did. I could either go to the two choir structure or retain what I had . . and I was unhappy with the structure as it currently existed.

Question:

Why is the "other " choir only meeting 2 times a week, and the other 5? Why is the rehearsal time for the concert choir significantly more than the "other" choir?

Answer:

I wanted more time for the other choir and asked for that initially. With the limitations that I was given, I used the time slots that I had. One choir has 300 minutes of rehearsal, the other has 150. If I detect that the Chamber Choir needs/wants an equal commitment as Concert Choir, I will work towards that end.

anwering questions

Some are asking me questions. Feel free to email me privately and I'll answer what I can.

Some answers:

1. If you are required to be in two ensembles and I only listed you in one, it will work this way:

Those who made UAB Concert Choir who are required to have two ensembles: I tried to put you in both choral ensembles. If I made a mistake, it's because I was working quickly to get the list up by 7:00. Chris Barbee was one name I left off, Jennifer Thorp was another.

2. How are the choirs different?

We'll work much of that out as we go along. I anticipate answering that question this way:

a. it seems a no-brainer to me to have the Chamber Choir do videogameslive. Read about it here and here.

b. both groups will combine on occasion: Carmina Burana and probably Christmas. Maybe more. Maybe less.

3. Other: The class size for Chamber Choir has a low limit right now and there might be a problem registering. I'll seek to raise that limit tomorrow.

audition results

To all the students who auditioned:

Thanks so much for participating in today's auditions. It is difficult to make choices and decide who should be where and what should be what. The structure of the choirs has now changed into a two choir structure, both mixed.

The choices weren't easy, but this was the result.

I'm not answering phone calls tonight, but I will be available to talk tomorrow if you would like in my office.

plc

UAB CONCERT CHOIR
MWF 2:00-2:50
TuTH 2:00-3:15

Soprano 1 Samantha Pace Elizabeth Wesson Samantha Ashley Brianna Moore Lauren Nolen Jenny Smith	Soprano 2 Sadie Mason Smith Staci Putt Jackie Roche Maegan Reid Katie Harris
Alto 1 Lori Ayler Rhea Reuter Madison Holler Whitney Cummins Hannah Boyd Emily Fledderman	Alto 2 Bianca Ford Jessica Johnson Nancy Lewis Hillary Miller Jennifer Thorp Erin Fledderman
Tenor 1 Lincoln Parrott Brian Denton Sean Fleischmann Kiyoshi Scissum Mark Kunkel	Tenor 2 Anthony Concepcion Jeremy Concepcion Jake Richey Charles Daniel Lindsey Lingerfelt
Baritone Matt Cantor Jason Leger Martin Schulz Will Sparks Tony Morse Chris Barbee Jacob Wooten	Bass 2 Chris Josef Andrew McCarthy Patrick Edwards Tyler Henderson Alex Fecanin Brian Bastow

UAB Chamber Choir

MW 4:00 – 5:15

Soprano 1 Samantha Pace Brianna Moore Keisha Prime Kristen Pender Meredith Foster Kelsey Daniel	Soprano 2 Crystal Whatley Staci Putt Jackie Roche Shona McNeil Audrey DeVasore Elizabeth Bannister
Alto 1 Rebekah Guthrie Bobbi Kirby Katie Movelle Madison Holler Whitney Cummins Caitlinn Wittkop	Alto 2 Jessica Johnson Cat Smith Katie Crooks Carlee Jackson
Tenor 1 Brian Denton Mark Kunkel Lindsey Lingerfelt	Tenor 2 Nathan Byers Michael Cruce Harry Miree Charles Daniel Michael Dees
Baritone Chris Barbee Will Lightfoot Justin Beaty Jonathan Riddle Wesley Woodruff Matt Bodiford Christian Sutton	Bass 2 Chris Josef (one day a week) Tyler Henderson Adam Evans Andrew Hyde

Update: I'm not allowing posting for blog posts concerning auditioning but will be glad to talk to you about your concerns privately.

auditions and choir structure

A reminder:  Auditions are this Sunday in the Choir Room.

Men:  3:00
Women:  4:30
Callbacks:  7:00 p.m

Unless something changes, we'll be going to a two choir format this year.  Eliminating Women's Choir, creating a second SATB choir and placing it in the Chamber Choir slot.  Doing Vocal Jazz type things with small groups on an "occasional" basis, nothing formal.

Remember that I'm planning on having a little "choir retreat" on Friday, August 22nd and Saturday morning, August 23rd.  It will give us the start we need.

Please tell me if you have plans other than choir this year; otherwise, I'll be looking for you to be there.

Watch the blog for a way to give me your contact information before you get to the audition.

2008-2009 is going to be a great year.  I'm looking forward to seeing you again soon!

It's getting close.

We are a week away from school beginning again.

What you need to be thinking about:

1. Auditions, Sunday August 17th. 3:00 Men; 4:30 Women. Call-backs.
2. Friday night rehearsal; August 22nd.
3. Saturday Morning rehearsal; August 23rd.

Don't complain. Many Friday's off.

UPDATE:  A response to the comments about scheduling auditions during "move in" day . . . that's something I can't control.  School starts on Tuesday and I can't have auditions on Monday . . . so that leaves Sunday.  Wish it could be different.

Video Games Live: Post #2

Reviews from other concerts:

However, the heart of video games will always be fun. Tallarico took time out from all the music appreciation to insert some actual gameplay. Audience members were invited on stage to play classic titles like Space Invaders and Frogger on a big-screen projector while the orchestra played the game music in real time. As time counted down, the orchestra would speed up the tempo just like the classic soundtracks as an alert for the player to hurry.

With strobe lights, a big video screen, mirror balls and an electric guitar, it was clear that "Video Games Live!" is not a typical symphony concert. And to have the Utah Symphony give two acts of video-game music life in a place other than the TV was nothing short of a rush.

The most stunning video game music pieces play heavily on emotion, and have done so as effectively as their movie counterparts. The show's rendition of BioShock's eerie original music showcased a string section that built a heavy tension that makes a hesistant gamer's heart pound before opening that door. In contrast, the tone of Super Mario Bros., played by the precise fingers of pianist Martin Leung, suggested a lighthearted and playful vibe that's just as iconic, if not more, than the Mario franchise itself. Heroic pieces like the music of Metroid, Halo 3, and The Legend of Zelda captured the exact march rhythms that inspire joystick warriors to charge valiantly into battle. In fact, the gap between cinema and video game music was bridged when film composer John Debney, who scored films like Passion of the Christ and Sin City, took the stage to conduct his work from PlayStation 3's dragon adventure Lair.

By the end of the show, the symphony did exactly what narrator and game composer and "Video Game Live!" co-founder Tommy Tallarico said it would do — "Show how culturally significant video games and video game music is in the world today."

Conducted by video-game-music composer and "Video Game Live!" co-founder Jack Wall, the symphony, aided by the Snow College Choir, took the nearly sold-out audience on a journey from the early days of video gaming to the present.

Video Games Live

Choir,

The Symphony is interested in me putting together a group of 16-20 singers to perform a short work called "Video Games Live" on the evening of Thursday, Oct. 9th.

My plans are to put a small group together out of our best available singers and prepare the music. I've looked at the music and most of it is fairly easy.

Dress rehearsal for the event is the day of the performance: OCTOBER 9, 1:00 - 3:30
Concert: 8:00 p.m. (it originally said march 9 and that was wrong)

Conflicts with one day of Concert Choir and possibly the beginning of opera; perhaps a class that starts at 1 p.m.

If you are interested, let me know. I'll be naming the group soon. It looks pretty cool:

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