I feel like a kid with ADD near a bunch of shiny things with all these blogs. I'll start posting soon.

Ai Weiwei - Contemporary Chinese Artist

  While taking one of the most unique 20th century theory courses a few years ago, I learned the value of looking at world events, history, and other forms of art which contribute to the development of music or inspire composers.

   One such individual, Ai Weiwei, has been someone I've kept an eye on. I was first drawn to him after learning he was involved in the construction of the Beijing National Stadium - otherwise known as the Bird's Nest, which was used in the 2008 Summer Olympics. Other than an architect, he is a contemporary artist, photographer, curator,and a social, political, and cultural critic - quite frankly, he does everything. A man who is truly fearless in his words and his art - so much that the Chinese government keep close watch over him.

    I love seeing his works through the internet (for example, my favorite of his works, Sunflower Seeds, as shown in the picture above) and I hope to model how active he is on the internet as a composer - perhaps not his activities. I won't really bother with his history so much as it is contained mostly in this BBC documentary I watched late last year:

 

Jazz - Real Group

   About six years ago, I was introduced to this Swedish vocal jazz group by my girlfriend at the time. At this point in my life, jazz was a genre of music I particularly cared for - probably due to the fact I knew very little about it. However, this group came across as revolutionary for me. I was really into choral music at the time (in fact, I think we were driving to a conference where we would be singing in a choir) and she put this one and I was amazed by the intonation, color, and texture that five people provided.

   Several days later, I started searching for their music and listening to videos of them performing live. I was even more amazed at the fact they sounded stronger and even more dynamic listening and watching them live in comparison to their sound on the CD. This group completely boggled my mind. It was then I took some time to learn a little more about vocal jazz by joining the WVC jazz choir. Really hard music to do... especially learning how to work balance and blend and sing with a microphone (speaking from the perspective of someone who is trained classically). So I completely respect to those who pursue this particular art.

   Here are some of my favorites by the group (mind you, there are several other pieces they have that I like, but I couldn't find a decent recording online):

Words
Gota
Walking Down the Street
It Don't Mean a Thing
Mister Father
Thousand Things

Where it all began...

   So I was talking with someone I met for the first time a few nights ago and the thought of where and when music became a serious pursuit and what caused me to pursue it. I thought I would share it here...

   So before entering high school in fall of 1999, I had recently gotten into the Final Fantasy games starting with Final Fantasy VII. I loved the game so much I fully intended to purchase the next game in the series - Final Fantasy VIII, which was scheduled to come out in fall of 1999.

   So after purchasing FFVIII and started a new game, I watched one of the most life changing three minutes of my life in the opening sequence of the game...

    Now for some, this might not seem that revolutionary. However, having played games since I was a kid, I was used to hearing the MIDI renditions of the music. To finally hear real instruments being utilized in games amazed me. Even the improved MIDI patches used in the music that you hear throughout the game amazed me.

   So well over a decade ago, just as I was starting high school, I made the choice to pursue music seriously. The dream has been to compose music for video games ever since. Nobuo Uematsu, the composer of a vast amount of music in the Final Fantasy series, influenced me on that day and continues to do so as I pursue and refine my craft.

Graduate School Update

So I woke up today and saw got an email from UCLA:

Dear JASON PANO:

Composition-vm, MA, MUSIC

Thank you for applying to the graduate program in composition at the UCLA Department of Music.  I regret to say that you have not been selected to interview for our program.  You will receive notice directly from the Graduate Division shortly via the "Decision Status" screen.

As you may be aware, the UCLA Department of Music receives many more applications than there are spaces available. In this extremely competitive environment, many talented and promising composers are not recommended for an in-person interview.

We wish you success in your future endeavors.

Composition Council

UCLA Department of Music

... and well, I'm fine with that =)

Bang on a Can - Summer Festival

   So as a result of a friend talking about a particular summer program. I've applied for the Bang on a Can Summer Festival to see if I can earn some experience with modern techniques and opportunities to network with other players and performers.

   During my time as a college student, I wrote a fair amount of music, but what was written was not very "modern." I stuck to a more tonal sound to try and find the most idiomatic ways to write for each instrument I encountered. Now, that I'm free to do things that I've been wanting to do - perhaps now would be a reasonable time to go outside of my box a bit.

   The program is held at a contemporary arts museum  in Massachusetts where I will be able to work with contemporary artists and composers to hone my craft and the learn more about the music industry in regards to serious concert music.

   While I certainly don't expect to get in, we'll see what happens. I DID get my application like five minutes before the actual deadline.

   More information can be found at this article and the main website for the festival.

Zoltan Kodály and the Kodály Method

   Zoltan Kodály was a composer and ethnomusicologist from Hungary during the turn of the 20th century. During his lifetime, he managed to vastly improve Hungary's music literacy. He found music education to be poor in Hungary and developed a stronger method to teach children music over a period of ten years. In 1945, the government of Hungary implemented Kodály's methods to their primary schools - the first one opening in 1950. The school showed so much success that primary school all over Hungary also became music schools. This method eventually became known as: The Kodály Method.

   I wouldn't say that my ear training and musicianship is amazing - if anything, it has waned from disuse over the past several years. However, I would say that my best experiences in developing my ear and musicianship was when I was at San Francisco State University. There I was taught by David Xiques who tempered students musicianship skills through the Kodály method.

   Exercises were simple, but challenging enough to keep everyone, regardless of skill level, on their toes. Through simple exercises in singing and eurhythmics, I developed my own skills to what they are today. Some exercises I use when I teach or tutor. I believe we can use this method to improve music awareness or just general music appreciation anywhere - just as Hungary did some sixty years ago.

   Now that I have earned a degree in Music Theory/Composition - I'm seeking ways to make myself more ideal for teaching in a university or community college setting. Coincidentally, the first symposium for the Kodály method was held in Oakland. Professor Xiques always spoke highly of Holy Names University in Oakland where one can get either a certificate in Kodály or become a Kodály specialist. I won't find out about graduate schools until around April, but for now, I'm seeking other possibilities to improve my skills should I not be accepted.

   Here are some videos about the Kodály method: