Archive for the ‘cultural arts’ Category
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battling “that’s a cool chord” syndrome
One of the joys of composition and arrangement is discovering beautiful sounds and placing them in a usable form. I love to sit at the piano and play various combinations of notes, writing down the most unique for later use. However, this activity can lead to “That’s a Cool Chord” Syndrome, or TCCS.
TCCS occurs when [...] -
student teaching moment
In Kindergarten
[Note: "La Fiesta de la Posada" is a song about the festival celebrating Mary and Joseph looking for a room at the inn.]
Me: We’re singing a song called “La Fiesta de la Posada.” What’s a fiesta?
Kids: A party!
I went to a fiesta once!
And you hit the thing with the candy. . .
etc.
[At this point, [...] -
the gospel vision of the arts
David Macfarlane sent me this article by President Spencer W. Kimball, and it speaks to the core of my artistic mission in life. I am grateful for talents, but more grateful for excellent reasons to use them, including the joy that the restored Gospel brings through Christ.
The Gospel Vision of the Arts
http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/EmailArticleProcess?action=view&cmlId=113750&locale=0&emId=646153356 -
some songs are just . . . unfortunate
I hate to restart my participation in this blog with something so tragic, but I have found something that must be shared.
I am somewhat a connoisseur of bad music. Whether it’s poorly written, ill-conceived, or just plain annoying, I have a love-hate relationship with songs that make me cry for non-sentimental reasons.
To introduce today’s [...] -
state of the lds music union: overall analysis
Overall analysis:
Of course we have made progress, but I forsee that the next ten years will be significantly more challenging for the LDS music industry. There will be increased demand, but it will be fulfilled more and more by several small companies rather than a large Deseret/Seagull conglomorate. And Deseret will fight back, [...]