ASCAP Feature Number Two!!!

For those of you who read this blog faithfully, you'll recall I was featured in ASCAP's Playback Magazine over the summer...

Well, as of this month, I have officially been featured twice! Two consecutive issues have listed my achievements in the "Stepping Out" column. This time, it was in recognition of the premiere of my piece "Hockets and Offbeats," both at my high school and in Europe over the summer.

If you have access to the magazine (either you receive it or have a music library nearby), check it out...it's at the back of the magazine in the "Stepping Out" column under the heading "Premiered."

In a few weeks, it will also appear on the ASCAP website. I will post the link here when it becomes available.

In other news, I have applied for ASCAP's Rudolf Nissim Prize, Sam Houstan State University (Texas) School of Music's Percussion Ensemble Composition Contest, and the IMEA SGM Composition Contest. I have an entry pending for the Luna New Music Ensemble Call for Scores, and for a few more that are coming up in early 2009. Wish me luck!

I also filed for my first copyright this week. I copyrighted a chart I made disambiguating different free reed aerophone instruments (instruments ending in -ica, -ium, -ion, and-eon, mostly), and accompanying photographs. The musicology department here was highly impressed by my work, recommended that I copyright it (as well as patent the format), and recommended that I use this format to make organology (instrument classification) more accessible (perhaps writing a textbook or using it as a grounds for a thesis/dissertation). How cool is that??? I will take a picture of the Copyright Certificate when it arrives.

That's all for now...sorry I've been lax on both writing this blog and recording my podcast, life is VERY busy right now.

That's all folks!!!

If Barack loses, It's my fault...apparentely...

Brought to you by MoveOn.org:


Dammit, I knew I forgot something!
--
FYI--I actually voted absentee already, Obama all the way!

Press Release: Barack Obama

Nation, I, Cory Parkinson, hereby officially endorse Barack Obama for President of the United States of America, as I have from the day he began his campaign.

As one of America's foremost composers, my opinion will obviously change the minds of hundreds of thousands of voters and will no doubt guarantee that Senator Obama wins the election against Rip Van Winkle by a landslide.

Being one of the most published, performed, and highly paid composers of all time is no easy task and comes with immense responsibility. Believe me, I do not take the belabored task of endorsing a candidate, and thus throwing my entire influential weight behind one man, lightly. That being said, it took me all of 10 nanoseconds to make up my mind (back when he was just running for US Senate, mind you! I had the foresight to know he would be the best president in the history of the universe)...mainly because I have a brainstem.

Yes, I'm insinuating that anyone who votes for Father Time doesn't have a brain stem, and only people who vote for Barack do have brain stems. Aren't I clever?!?!

So, please, allow yourselves, nation, to be suaded by my immense influential stature. Succumb to my will, submit to my bidding. Barack will not do us harm, nor will I.

Take it from me. I'm a Composer!

I'm Sir Dr. Cory Alexander Parkinson, KBE, PhD, MD, ASS and I approve this message.

Weekly Update

Hello friends, family, loved ones, and internet stalkers! I have decided that it would be best for me to limit myself to a once-weekly update of this blog. I simply do not have the time to update it more frequently.

Anyway, now that the nasty bit of legislative business is out of the way, let's have a quick recap of my quite eventful week, presented in a way that is reminiscent of Bob Costas doing Olympic highlights. Now THERE'S a good man.

• Monday night we had our first Composer's Forum, featuring the works of 7 outstanding student composers here at U-M. I was not featured this time, I will be next time, but rather I upheld my duties as a member of the Forum Planning Committee and acted as stage crew for the event. It was highly succesful; I was even able to persuade my non-musician roommate to attend (it was his first new music experience...he wasn't too shaken up by it, I'm happy to report).
• Wednesday I had my first appointment with the cardiology department at the University Hospital in their brand-spankin'-new Cardiovascular Center. I consequently received 5 referrals to other departments to try and get me healthy for a change. All is well, and we will take things as they come, and try and gain some forward momentum as far as improving my health is concerned.
  Also on Wednesday, I was given the opportunity by my Slavic professor (I'm taking a class on the "Magic of Prague" that satisfies the first year writing requirement for freshmen) to present the music of Smetana, a Czech composer, to the class. I did a short oral presentation, accompanied by a slideshow of some pictures, and played some excerpts from his nationalistic symphonic cycle "Ma Vlast," from which the famous "Vltava (Die Moldau)" is taken. We were talking about the river and how it relates to the city, the rock of Vsyehrad as it related to legend and history, and also how nationalism flourished in the late 1800s...so "Ma Vlast" fit the bill perfectly. And since he was not a musician, he asked me, as a composer, theorist, and musicology-enthusiast to take the reigns. It was so well received and appreciated that I was invited to do another presentation of modern Czech music as we approach the WWII era; perhaps the music of Martinu. What fun, and how exciting to gain the experience!
• Thursday I had a few appointments to take care of some paperwork and other miscellaneous things. Gotta gitterdone sometime.
• Today I did nothing of consequence. I will be finishing my entries for the IMEA Composition Contest this weekend and mailing them out, as well as a few entries for miscellaneous competitions.

Well, that's about it. "Commentating the Classics," my humor podcast is up to THREE episodes now, availabe on iTunes. The fourth is currently in production. It is getting RAVE reviews and I hope you'll help promote it by spreading the word. Thanks! Have a good night.

Always remember: "I am the satisfier."

Christopher Rouse

Good evening and welcome, friends! You may be wondering "why he is saying 'good evening' when in fact it's still afternoon?" Well, it's evening somewhere in the world...so ha!

Last week [incidentally, I haven't had a chance to update since then], I was given to incredible opportunity to be a driver for CHRISTOPHER ROUSE, the remarkable and famous contemporary composer. He was with us here at the Music School for two days for a concert of his new [and only] piece for wind ensemble, "Wolf Rounds." We had a discussion with him over coffee on Thursday, and Friday he came and presented two new compositions of his at our weekly composition seminar: "Concerto for Orchestra," and "Friandises," both of which will be released on Naxos recordings by year end or so. CHECK THEM OUT!!! Anyway, the composition department is the "host" for these sort of guests (any sort of composer or conductor/musician that is playing a faculty composer's work here) and thus the students are given the opportunity to drive these distinguished guest artists around (to save them time, money, and to get us some one-on-one time). It is, in fact, how UM Professor Michael Daugherty got his 'big break,' by driving for David Zinman here at UM. How cool is that?

So, in conclusion. Let me just say this...I HAD CHRIS ROUSE IN MY FRICKING CAR!!! HOW AWESOME!!!

I told Chris, "Nobody back home is gonna believe me." He laughed. Touché, Chris...touché.

Oh, and for those who you who don't know who Chris Rouse is...Google him, check out his website, and just kind of let your jaw drop when you see his accolades and awards.

For those of you who think composition can be taught, take it from the great master...Chris believe's composition is mostly intuitive. So there we go. He said it, and I agree with him 100%.

Well, I hope this makes you all jealous. Contact Boosey and Hawkes Music if you are interested in programming Chris' works.

Some personal updates (for those of who you made it this far):

I am applying for the following awards this winter...

• ASCAP Foundation Rudolf Nissim Prize for original works requiring conductor (Fall 2008)
  
• Luna Nova Ensemble New Music Student Composition Competition (Winter 2009)
  
• IMEA SGM All-State Composition Competition (Fall/Winter 2008)****
  
• Sam Houston State University School of Music Percussion Ensemble Composition Contest (Winter 2008)
  
• ASCAP's Art Song competition (Spring/Summer 2009)
• ASCAP Morton Gould Young Composer Competition (Winter 2009)+
  
• ASCAP Plus Awards 2009 (Summer 2009)*
  
• any others that arise...

* denotes a competition that I've won in the past (number of asterisks denotes number of wins)
+ denotes a competition that I've been a finalist in the past

So, hopefully I can manage to nab a few and get some performances and maybe even a little cash. I'll keep y'all updated.

That's all folks!

AWARD!!!

Dear friends,

I received a letter from ASCAP today (you'll remember I wrote about them not too long ago, you can read it down there somewhere). I have been awarded an ASCAPlus Award for artistic merit. This is a REALLY GOOD THING!!! It means that I get a grant to use however I wish. How cool is that?!?!? And I also have the option to enter with a slight advantage in future years. In honor of this, I am going to class tonight. OK, so maybe it's not the best way to celebrate, but I do love my vocal classes. We can ALL celebrate, however, by listening to a rousing chorus of "Stout-Hearted Man," with Shooby Taylor! Click on the link in the previous post to listen. Thanks for all your support, because without you, I couldn't have done it.

Fondly,

CP

Shooby Taylor, the Human Horn

Click above to listen to Shooby Taylor, the so-called "Human Horn." Just listen...enough said. It's one of the funniest things I've heard since Florence Foster Jenkins, which by the way, you can listen to as well! This WILL hurt your ears no matter how much musical training you have(n't) had. But it will also make you laugh.

SHOOBY TAYLOR "The Human Horn" singing Stout-Hearted Men:



FLORENCE FOSTER JENKINS "singing" Mozart's Queen of the Night Aria (I feel bad for the accompanist who has to keep up with her):



If you want to hear the full song, just click on the link next to the embedded player!

ENJOY!!!

--CP

Sunday Night Update

Well, many of you, my loyal friends and family, have been asking about my health lately...and many have already heard of my first health emergency since coming to Michigan. It seems odd that I keep count, but it actually has become somewhat commonplace for me to go to the ER.

I went to the ER Thursday night with acute chest pain. We called an ambulance here at the dorm and they took me over to the University Hospital--one of the best in the country--and we did all the usual tests that one does for my symptoms. Everything checked out, and after staying overnight for observation they discharged me the following morning. Actually, afternoon, because that's how long it takes to do paperwork there, evidently. We will be transferring all of my care to the University Hospital here though...it's too much of a risk to use the current arrangement with my doctors back home. They have excellent specialists here and I will be in good hands.

And if you're my cardiologist and you're reading this, I'll be calling you this week to discuss this. :-)

So, I am fine. I need to take it easy; I spent the weekend resting. We'll take care of everything else as it comes, I guess. Thank you for your well-wishes and prayers. Goodnight, and good luck.

Update...

Hello friends.

Today, we launched the second episode of our award-seeking podcast "Commentating the Classics."

It is also SEARCHABLE in the iTunes Store now, just search for the title and it will be the FIRST RESULT! Look for episode two available on iTunes tomorrow. If you cannot wait, visit our site:

http://web.me.com/corypark

Check it out!

ASCAP Bill of Rights

America, please help me out by supporting the ASCAP Bill of Rights for Composers, Songwriters, Authors, and Publishers. We need the support of the people in order to get our rights properly enforced and acknowledged! This "Bill of Rights" was signed by over 9700 ASCAP members--including ME! So please, take a visit to this site by clicking the link below...read the Bill and read the accompanying Position Paper. It's well worth it. Composers like me will thank you for it. We might even give you a hug.



For those of you who don't know what ASCAP is, it is a not-for-profit performing rights organization for composers, songwriters, authors, and publishers. It stands for:

American
Society of
Composers,
Authors, and
Publishers

That means, they protect our rights (i.e. Bill of Rights) and maintain our rights (i.e. intellectual and physical property ownership rights). They also manage the distribution of royalties for performances, radio broadcasts, movie/CD sales, and other things dealing with performance/recording/broadcast. It's also great for networking and they maintain a library of resources on a variety of industry topics, for members' benefits, as well as offering many conventions, expos, and perks (discount insurance, magazine discounts, etc.). We also publish quarterly magazines for members and the music industry in general. We're the oldest performing rights organization (the FIRST, in fact) and have the most members of any P.R.O. More information about ASCAP can be found on our website:

ASCAP

And if you want to see my signature on the Bill, you have to scroll through about 50 pages of signatures or so. But isn't it fun to see my name in print? I think so, at least...

Click here to view the bill, paper, and signatures...



Thanks for your support!

And for those of you who didn't know, I was featured in an article in said magazine in their summer issue, as part of their "Stepping Out" column featuring notable member accomplishments, under the "Honored" category (among Premiered, Honored, Featured, etc). Check it out here:

ASCAP Playback Magazine: Stepping Out

That's all for now, remembers: support the starving artists! Consider adding the ASCAP Foundation to your yearly charitable non-profit organization contribution budget:

ASCAP Foundation

--CP

Sorry!

Well friends, it appears that I have been swept away in college life and have neglected to post on here in a while. A short crash course on what I've been up to...

--practicing for my voice, piano, and composition lessons
--going to recitals, concerts, and CLASS
--studying, doing homework, writing essays, and reading texts
--rushing for the Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia music fraternity, epsilon chapter
--participating in the Composer's Forum Organization Committee
--participating in the Distinguised Guest Artist Chaffeur Brigade (driving for famous guest artists...Christopher Rouse is visiting a week from Friday, and I'll be one of his drivers!!! How cool!!!)
...and many other things.

A notable thing to mention, recently, is the launch of a comedy podcast based on music called, "Commentating the Classics." This is a "weekly" podcast featuring improvised comedy, based on the premise of commentating classical works as if they were sports broadcasts, while exploiting as many musical and general stereotypes as possible, and being as offensively humorous as possible. I play the lead host, Sir Richard Pancake, and also impersonate a weekly guest host. You can find it at:

http://web.me.com/corypark

It is also available on iTunes now! Just follow this link, if you have iTunes installed:

http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=291182281

If you don't have iTunes, use this link (same as above--visit it whether you have iTunes or not; it has some web-exclusive content):

http://web.me.com/corypark

It should be searchable in iTunes by the end of the week (which means it can be found by using the search dialog box). Just search for "Commentating the Classics" and refine it under the Podcasts category. Hopefully, I will add episodes weekly. Tell your friends, enemies, family, and neighbors!

Note: some content may be considered offensive and/or explicit language may be used. To that, I say: get over it. It's comedy.

Enjoy, and let me know what you think. I'm hoping it really takes off...after all, Google, Myspace, and Facebook were brainchildren of bored college students and just look at what happened to them! I may be on to something here...

http://web.me.com/corypark

More later, friends! In the meantime, listen to Sir Richard Pancake with guest host Bela Karolyi on this weeks "Commentating the Classics" featuring Ravel's Bolero!

Haircut

While I realize most of you don't really care to know every time I get a haircut, this time was different. It was very fast (5 minute cut, 5 minute shampoo/styling) and was high quality. Everybody, if you're ever in Ann Arbor and require the services of a barber/stylist...go to Arcade Barbers on Nickels Arcade in downtown Ann Arbor. Good stuff. I really don't know why I'm sharing this, other than that I'm bored and looking for some sort of break from the monotony of studying. Anyway, keep up the good work Arcade Barbers! Good night everyone...

Schedule Change

Quick update: I was able to drop both theory classes because of AP credit/diagnostic test placement. I have to go to one short unit in October, on species counterpoint, because it is NOT part of the AP course and it is required in order to be eligible for accelerated theory. Once I complete that short Module, the teacher will recommend me for accelerated theory. In the meantime, that means my mornings are not so early and that Tuesday is completely free. I also had time to move a Musicology discussion section later on Thursday now, so I can sleep in then too. Now I do not have a full credit load (of 18 like I did before), now I have a moderate 15 credits, once I schedule composition lessons. This will make my weeks a lot easier, even with voice and composition lessons!

As I mentioned last night, I officially declared a German minor yesterday, and today I found out that if I do well after this first graded semester, I will be given 8 retroactive credits in German. While those won't count for my minor, they will count towards graduation. How cool!

I will post my new schedule on here once I have schedule my voice and comp lessons. More later...I'm so excited to be LESS busy!

Peace out, homies.

First Day of Class

So today, I had my first class. It was Aural Theory Skills...and in a word, it was...easy. Those of you who know me know I know my stuff on theory, so I think that it will be an easy class, but it will still help me develop my ear. Even if it may not be a challenge, any practice helps. I also met with my German Advisor today, and I officially declared German as my minor. I will be taking a junior level class this semester (as I placed on the placement exam) and I have to take 5 more courses in German throughout my college career. Many courses on music are offered, as is the one I am taking this semester, based on Berthold Brecht's "Threepenny Opera." Mozart's Magic Flute is another topic next semester, and next year I plan to take "The Power of Music," taught in English for music majors detailing ALL German composers. Wagner's Ring Cycle is also on the docket for next year. Fun stuff, and I love German, so it will be a good match for me.

My schedule is very ambitious tomorrow--four classes! Written Theory Skills, Musicology, German, and Slavic (meets the freshman writing requirement, taught in English on the history of Prague). So I better get to bed...just thought I'd let y'all know what today was like. Fun sums it up nicely.

Oh, and a question for my music educator friends out there: are syllabi supposed to be scary and intimidating???

Gute Nacht!

The Resolution

Well, friends...I finally have resolution to the few problems I spoke about a few days ago. A Good Samaritan, Ms. Haskin, a faculty member at the Business School here at UM, found my cell phone in one of the unions. She contacted me after receiving the text message I sent the phone with my dorm's phone number in it, after repeatedly trying to call my emergency contacts with no success. I thank God for her kindness and for her doing the right thing! She really has made me feel a whole lot better this week.

However, as time goes on, it is starting to sink in that I truly am away from home for a LONG time. October (when Mom is coming to visit) seems like an eternity away, although I know that'll change once classes start on Tuesday. And Thanksgiving, when I go back to Chicago for the first time, seems like eons away! I miss home and all of my friends and family. Homesickness is a fact of life for all college freshmen, whether we admit to it or not (which I do). But with some calls home, things to do to keep busy, and classes looming, I think I will settle in just fine in a few weeks.

Well, it is late and I have to train myself to get up earlier for classes (8:30 classes!), so I will get to bed now, feeling like my problems are resolved, for now, and with more resolve than ever. More tomorrow or in a couple days...

Gute Nacht, meine Damen und Herren!
---
Note: "The Resolution," is an improvised piano tune by Michel Camilo on his Latin jazz album One More Once. I'm not really sure that the album title makes much sense at all, but it certainly is a neat bit of improv! Check it out!

First "Oh Sh*t!" College Moment

Well, friends, on the eve on Barack Obama's historic speech, I stand before you freaking out! I lost my cell phone today. As I formulated this determination in my mind, I called my parents (naturally, after looking thoroughly through self, room, and car AND calling it from my room phone while looking through self, room, and car). When I called them, they said, "Hey honey, what's up?" I said..."Well, I had my first "Oh Sh*t!" moment today. I lost my cell phone. No sooner than I was checking my email so I could regain access to my Verizion account to take care of it, then USAA sent me an email to call customer service because my card number had been stolen and they needed authorization to shut down that card and send a new one. Great, lost cell phone AND almost stolen identity in one day. Brilliant.

I did have time to sit down an enjoy Barack's monumental address. It made me feel even more confident about him in the White House. Today, he leads McCain by 6 points. After tonight's speech, that is bound to increase. I think he is th perfect man for the job and his speech inspired me and instilled so much hope in me. I just hope he can follow-through, which of course, the conservatives have been pointing out all along. I hope you got to enjoy this wonderful moment in Presidential History too.

Before that, though, we had our own Presdential Speech here at UM. A few speeches were lined up for us new freshman to welcome us to the University. At the New Student Convocation, held at Crisler Arena, the same hallowed court that dozens of big-ten championship basketball games have been won on, the same place that hosts two graduations every year, we were welcomed today by many of the University big-whigs, making equally intellectually stimulating and entertaining speechs about how great it is to be a Wolverine and how awesome U of M is a place to be. President Coleman, the University President and a Regent of the University, said it best. And by best, I mean most concisely and poignantly all at once. She must have learned after being President for so long, what is important to saw and how to best say it. She inspires me to be my best here at Michigan, as did the many other deans, provosts, and executives that spoke to us this evening. I won't let you down, guys! (That includes them, and all of YOU reading this out there, my friends, family, and colleagues.)

Well, a rough day it was. Health appointment went well, though. Nice GP taking over primary care for me, getting all my blood-tests (weekly INRs) in order, and my prescriptions transferred. The University Health Service Pharmacy didn't take our insurance though, so I had to go running around Ann Arbor finding a pharmacy that would. More stress! And to think, classes haven't even started yet! I can't wait...

All this, of course, can teach us a lesson. "Baptism by fire," my mom called it. Learning all the hard lessons and having to learn how to handle these emergency situations all at once, will lead to being more prepared in the future and not having to take care of them later on. 'Getting it all over with at once,' if you will. I can genuinely say that I "have gotten it all over with at once." And that I feel very burned from this "baptismal flame." Sure doesn't feel like there is any positive side to this now, but it will soon. So tired from all this hubbub and hassle. But Tomorrow, I will put together the pieces--rise anew as a Phoenix from the ashes of this "Baptismal Bonfire" we had today. Get the new card in the mail in a week (and change all my automatic payments to match the new card number), find or replace this cell phone, and cash some checks at a bank so I have money in the mean time. Your prayers and support would be much appreciated and are much needed, right now. I'm trying to maintain my composure, but seeing as this week was hard enough a transition away from home and parents, it's testing my mettle, that's for sure. And now, tired and burned, I go to sleep and try to rest my weary eyes.

May the promise of better days, however close to home like my little issues, with a promise from a parent; or however farreaching as Obama's promise for a new and better America full of hope and change, help us all get a better sleep tonight. Goodnight, and Good Luck, my friends.

Days One and Two from the University of Michigan!

"Konban Wa, ladies and gentlemen; good evening."(--Kevin Brauch, floor reporter, Iron Chef America).

I write to you all today as I sit in my standard-issue dorm desk and non-standard issue OfficeMax rolling executive chair (believe me--it was WORTH every penny!). I am very excited to be here and I know there are a thousand potential opportunities here for me to utilize, plenty of resources to help me succeed, and many many new people to meet. The whole concept of those things is slightly overwhelming. On top of that, my parents left today...after two nights and two full days of college life (sans classes for the time being)...so I'm feeling a little lonely and a little vulnerable. But I think that once my roommate moves in on Thursday, I'll feel more at home. I'll at least be distracted for a while.

My roommate, his name is Zeid; he goes by "Z," is a nice and peaceful guy. We've gotten along really well so far, and I anticipate that that will continue. The only downside to me moving in first is that Z is bringing the TV on Thursday!

For those of you that have never been to Ann Arbor or U of M, it is such an incredibly beautiful place. It is a smaller city (population of less than 200,000 including the 60,000+ students/staff/faculty at the university), so it has all the modern conveniences and stores that you could want, plenty of dining variety, and public transportation. But it also has lots of greenspace, a nice downtown that's never TOO hectic (although traffic can be bad!), and plenty of fresh air, sunshine, and quiet. It's overall the perfect place for someone like me and it actually was voted "the quintessential college town," by US News and World Report. You should come visit sometime!

Tomorrow, I meet with Dr. Marie McCarthy, department head of Music Education, so I can add my double major in Instrumental Music Education. Yes, you read that correctly. I switched to instrumental. The bottom line is, as a good friend and colleague advised me, which would I rather envision myself in front of daily as a high school director--band or choir? And the answer for me is band. Both band and choir have unique challenges and benefits, but you to do what you love. And that for me, right now, at least, is band. Who knows...I've got a LONG time to decide for sure, so I'll see how it goes. Tomorrow will be an interview with the department head and another professor. Hopefully it'll be easier that I'm already in the Music School. Wish me luck!

Briefly, I got my parking permits, have all my textbooks, got all my office supplies and other dorm supplies, I setup a meeting with my German advisor to make my German minor official, and I will go see the UHS (University Health Service) later this week and work all that out. The end of the week has plenty of welcome events for freshman and returning students, so I'll have fun doing that later in the week.

Well, that's about all for now...any questions or comments, please email me! I'd be happy to answer them here on the blog. Thanks for your emails of support--keep 'em coming!

"So now, America, with an open heart and an empty stomach, I say unto you in the words of my uncle: Allez Cuisine!" (--Chairman, Iron Chef America).

Move-In Tomorrow!

Well, as promised, here is my final post before I leave for Michigan! That's right, in less than 9 hours, I will be starting a new chapter in my life as I begin my term at the University of Michigan--Ann Arbor. It really is something to look back and reflect on my life thus far, and to look ahead to the future! I am still a little frightened at the prospect of being in a new place for a long time, but I am also excited to begin intensive studies in my field.

This past year, recovering from surgery, I have been more dependent than most high school seniors of my parents, especially my mom. Because of this, I think it will be more difficult to adjust to life away from home. And life away from Mom! And my dad, and my dogs, and my friends and colleagues...and my beloved Wolfgang (for those of you who don't know who Wolfgang is, he is my beautiful new Yamaha U5 vertical grand piano...just turned two in May!) He will not be getting played for a while, although Belford said he would come over and keep him in shape every now and then (yes, you DID say that, Belford!). He will be kept up though, tunings and voicings every 6 months. That reminds me, it is now time to make my first controversial statement on this blog...there's a time for everything, right? Can someone get me a soapbox I can step on please?

*Steps onto soapbox.* Everyone, please--PLEASE, get your pianos tuned and voiced every 6 months! Anyone who tells you otherwise is WRONG. Any less than that is unacceptable and your piano will not last as long and will not sound good as long. If you want to get it tuned more frequently, don't do it any more frequently than every 4 months. Any sooner and it's just as bad as undertuning it. Thanks--your pianos will thank you! *Steps off of soapbox.*

Well, now that that's taken care of, I must be getting to bed. We are leaving super early tomorrow, and we will have a LONG day of travel and moving in, so I bid you all a wonderful evening and I will write as soon as I get settled in my dorm. Goodnight and good luck!

4 Days Left...

Stress is high as my move-in date approaches. Sunday seems like tomorrow, and yesteday feels as if it were a week ago. The parents are equally as stressed, and I am still slightly in denial that it it's coming up so fast. I am still procrastinating about packing, but the dining room looks like a warzone! It has become our staging area for moving/packing. Who knew you needed so much stuff for a dorm...

To top it all off, a simple oil change at the car dealer turned into a massive four-tire replacement that took three days. A little close for my comfort! Two tires had nails in the sidewalls--kinda scary! That's finally taken care of, though. I hope my hunk-of-junk car is seaworthy enough for the 5-hour trek to Michigan!

On a lighter note, I "graduated" from physical therapy today. My last appointment went well, and the prognosis for my neck is good, as long as I keep up with my therapy at school and keep seeing a chiropractor. I'm pleased with the progress I've made in the short amount of time [two months] I've been going to the chiropractor/physical therapist.

Dinner awaits and so do my two empty suitcases, so I better get started packing. I will try and write one more time before I go, and then as soon as I finish moving in. Signing off for now...

1 Week Countdown

Well, as we approach Sunday morning, we come to the inevitable 7 day countdown till college. One week until I begin a new and exciting phase in my life, immersing myself in what I love most: music. I can't believe it came so fast! Senior year flew by, this summer was the shortest yet, and these last few weeks have been on hyperspeed! The stress is mounting to get things done and to not forgot things, but so is the excitement. I am just thrilled to be in such an elite and talented music school that I know I will flourish in. Being around likeminded people with common goals and passions will be an awesome experience. Keep me in your thoughts and prayers as I embark on this new journey. That's all for now, I'll keep you posted as my final week in Downers flies by!

P.S. This probably doesn't surprise you, but I'm having an incredibly difficult time of paring down my sheetmusic collection that will be traveling with me--I barely fit it in one file storage box!