Let me just start by saying that I love my friends in Chamber, Wind Ensemble, and Choral Ensemble. Amazing performers and amazing people 
Yesterday was the peak of the weariness, yet the peak of the fun. This whole week has been so tiring, even though ironically, it was a short week–only four days. Most of this sleep anxiety was due to the first week of Urine Town rehearsals. Last year embodied a sleeping schedule that allows me to have natural energy for the night’s work. I usually take an hour nap right when I get home, then stay up until at least 11. But with three afterschool rehearsals each week, I have not been able to get a nap (or a good quality nap). And then on Thursday, I stayed at school for the whole day because the advanced music concert was that night.
Even though my brain was exhausted, I’m sure glad I didn’t go home. Many of the choral kids went to In ‘n Out, but Jordon was craving Mexican food, so we decided to head to this one taco shop in the Woodman Village before meeting with the rest of the gang. I’m sure glad Adrian gave me 30 bucks for all the help in econ and english, or I would’ve left starving for the night (though, I swear. I need to pay him back. I owe him at least 30 dollars for gas money -.-). Anyways, the hangout was fun. It was freaking cold at Inn ‘n Out, and it didn’t help that I only had a t-shirt. Lauren offered me her jacket (yeah, Dominic is right… shed make a good boyfriend hahah). Logically, I should’ve taken the offer, but since McPhail has proven my logic wrong… I decided to decline . When heading back, Jordon and I almost ran into the same car problem as before (reference), but fortunately we came out clean.
5 o’clock we were due back at the choral room to practice When October Goes, and we really did need it. After the sharing, we saw that we were NOT at all used to the a capella version of the song. After practicing for an hour, I think it was safe to say that our voices were warmed up. And before we all split, we did a remix of Sleigh Ride… which was pretty hardcore hahha
First on the line up was Concert Choir, then Wind Ensemble. Sadly, Paige cut out Russian Christmas Music. Man, that is such a tight song (care to listen?). and it’s a shame that we weren’t able to play it. Fortunately we’re doing that song next semester, and Amber says possibly on tour? That’s a long song to do bring.
Before the curtains rolled, I could tell that many of the new kids were nervous. Heck. Even I was a little nervous. But when Concert Choir began to sing their last song, gospel style, I think many of the tensions eased. Everyone was dancing to the beat, especially Trevor, Alex H., and Paige. And when the song ended, immediately got into their professional poses.
1. October
2. Folk Dances
October is such a nice piece and we were shockingly able to pull it off. I can’t recall anything big that was off. I remember during the sharing, Colleen broke out of a good tone during her solo and Chris got nervous that he couldn’t play strongly either. But when the night came, everyone did what they had to do.
Folk Dances went down fast and great. If Ms. Paige conducted it, I’m sure that we would’ve went a lot faster, but Ms. C didn’t do bad with the tempo changes. I think it’s fair to say that Wind Ensemble did really well
Afterwards was Women’s Ensemble, then Chamber Orchestra. I was a bit concerned seeing that right after Chamber Orchestra was Choral Ensemble, and the two performances have different dress attires. Solution? Go Bill style. Thanks to Hanna giving me advice, I put my Choral shirt and vest under my Chamber tux shirt and jacket. It’s fair to say that I was really hot during the entire Chamber performance, but the trick worked.
1. Jazz Suite
2. Voices (strings and winds)
3. Rhapsody in Blue (strings and winds w/ piano)
The first piece was quite nice; jazz style whatnot. I wasn’t really focusing since there were a lot of questions being thrown at me on the wings, but it’s all good.
Voices… was okay. I don’t know whether or not the French Horn from SDSU was playing wrong notes or if Dr. Thompson wanted the piece to have those extremely dissonant parts. Personally, Voices just isn’t my cup of tea. The melodic line is overly repetitious and very long. I find it more of a conceptual piece than a musical one, but that’s just me.
While I may not agree with Dr. Thompson’s composing style, his piano playing is phenomenal. Rhapsody in Blue was a long song as well, but… the whole piece was amazing. I can’t recall any terrible notes or mistakes being played for that song. According to Paige, theres always this one time when we both look at each other during a part in Dr. Thompson’s solo. I can’t recall where it is, but I can imagine that happening. Man. I’m proud to be in an orchestra that pulled that song off well.
From there, I went Arnold style and just ripped off my shirt (without any damage) and ran outside where all the choral kids were. I’m glad Jemimah was my… stand partner for Choral, or I’m sure I would’ve come out with a wrinkled shirt 
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1. Lamentations of Jeremiah
2. Round Midnight
3. Sing Me to Heaven
4. Dravidian Dythiramb
5. When October Goes
6. Tear Them Down
7. Elijah Rock
Mr. Haus has really good speaking skills. The ability to turn an introduction into an elaborate story. Certain skills I hope own one day
Lamentations of Jeremiah was a lot stronger than during the sharing. Throughout the whole sharing, we weren’t giving it all. Different scenario when the night rolled in.
Round Midnight was a hit. I don’t think Alex jumping out with his trumpet was as much of a shock during the night performance compared to the sharing, but it’s all good. Lawrence and Sarah did amazing solos as well… like usual .
Sing Me to Heaven. Even though people were touched by the song, I still think we could have been stronger.
Dravidian… yeah. It was kind of hard memorizing those words. Na and din tok. Otherwise, that was a fun piece
When October Goes was a completely different song compared to the sharing. Bethany did an amazing job, and the basses actually sang during the solo! hahah
Tear Them Down… I think I can agree with Jordon. The words can be cheesy. “What secret did they know?” hahah but it was a good and simple song. It was probably interesting for the CE alumni to compare the change.
And lastly… of course Elijah Rock was amazing. I didn’t listen to whether the females nailed the challenging part in the middle, but I’m sure they did fine.
Yeah. A freakin amazing night.
Man, I love my Instrumental and Choral family.
One can really miss out if they don’t join something on the lines of a musical or any performing group.
Now… onto tour
