I remember a time when I used to daydream in Dr. Longton's 20th century theory class to the soothing sonorities of Webern, Schoenberg, Cage and Ives. I thought, what is this?? My ears are bleeding and Prepared Piano should prepare to die... Then I made home videos on my digital camera as everyone else in class was at a higher state of listening or sleep. I somewhat understood the techniques of serialism but never truly appreciated its complexity or craftsmanship.
TODAY: I was asked to give a 50 minute lecture on the first three Sonata's by John Cage for prepared piano. Pretty much, Cage tied the strings of a piano together with screws, elastics and other common kitchen devices to liberate sound and present something 'new' to the musical community. He even used a rhythmic cell structure of 4,1,2, 4,1,2, 2,4, 2,4 in Binary form to tie the first Sonata together. Without turning this entry into a lecture, I must admit I've become baby dr. longton. I had to watch the faces of my students listen to three Sonatas back to back, while they desperately tried to stay awake or go completely mad. WE had a laugh when I tried to relate how they felt to my experiences.. I've become "The teacher who plays wacko music in theory class"... I feel like such a faker, but maybe I can help my students fake there way through this stuff as many have done before them - maybe I'll even uncover someone who truly appreciates it... or maybe they will "prepare" to go just as crazy as I did in 20th century music class....
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Sounds like me right now - I'm desperately trying to save our choir from the Lutheran Onslaught - about 97.42% of our choral repertoire with USask Greystone Singers is ecclesiastical work of the most mundacious nature. Truly bleary (my word = bleak + dreary). So I've spent umpteen hours of my time arranging hip new tunes and trying to rally a band of loyal followers to rage against the machine (who insists that latin "o" vowels be pronounced "ah" SO WRONG - Latin is an ancient enough language that they wouldn't employ two vowels to say the same thing - there's a reason they're different - and I LIKE the OH sound :D) ANYWAYS - whilst I'm probably not quite as inundated as thee with rolled eyeballs (on the contrary, in my case I'm the roller) I thought I could relate.
By the way, I have to ask you, where do you come down on the subject of Handel's Messiah? Beloved, timeless classic or gratuitous, monotonous slog?
Choose your answer....carefully...muahahaah...
Steve.. just be glad you're not teaching elementary music! Seriously.... its now my nemisis as a TOC. Its like pulling teeth and doing a soing and dance routine ALL DAY LONG.. and I feel like in a days work.. I probably only get in about 20 minutes of teaching time because the rest of the time is spent telling johnny to "keep his hands to his own body" or Jenny to use "walking feet". Its basically ridonkulous! At least your work has the POTENTIAL to be stimulating :) And come on.. there were times when Longton was so amazingly entertaining that he provided us some good repertoire for the christmas gag shows! (haha.. thats so going to be you now to your kids)!
Ridonkulous - I love it Tay!! with prepared piano it almost sounds like elementry music kids are playing (with their fists!!) Thanks for the reality cheque - it definatley could be worse with the snot flinging, pee pee pants and crying.... you rock dude.
Hey stew, you're such a scholar;) What a fun choir to sing with - maybe you can find yourself a bunny hug thumping hottie? I forgot to reference bible in the last sentence.. not to offend;) I think the messiah is a classic, but I don't have it downloaded on my mp3 player at the moment? Every good tune is worth revisiting but when is a good question.
Steve: I love it. If anyone can make Longton music interesting you can! Tay, OK, seriously I give the same lectures about "hands to yourself" to Middle School students. It doesn't change!
Hey Steve,
Your mom sent me this link and I am so pleased to be able to hear from you....what an informative and interesting site...When I ran into at your grade 12 grad bush party who would have thought you would be in the UK teaching in such a short time....Jack is in nursing and LOVING it. She is doing well and will be thrilled to hear how well you are doing. We have just moved back to Edmonton but Bruce is waiting to go to Italy and then off to Saudi for the next while....If you get a chance email and let me know what else is new...I will keep updated on your blog....Have some more Turkish delights for me...they are my favourite. Lots of Love Wanda
Okay so,....Wha the crap did you just say??? Glad to hear your boring children the world over!!! I have to say I'd probably be right in there with them!!!
K
Hi there stranger! I'm also having problems relating to your life these days; I'm teaching elementary music like Tay and find myself actually missing the days where I got home at 8 to start prepping the next day. This is a whole new world; one of 'can we colour now?' or 'when do we start recorder??'. Actually it's not so bad - my day is done at 2:45 at the latest and no early morning rehearsals :>:>:> Feels like a break for a year!
Are you going to be in England in July still or will you be back? I'm headed over to Europe for a few weeks, then planning on working on a cruise ship around Europe for some more weeks. Am staying just outside of London for part of it - hoping you'll be around!
Pam
:>:>
Pam: my sisters weddings on the 15 of July so I'll be flying home the night before (and booking a week off work) but how many times does a guy get to dress up as the flower girl now really!?? j/k If you are here before then or when I come back then consider it a date or else I'll have to book myself a ticket on that Princess cruise......
~Steve
Wanda: wowsers thanks for the hello; So much has changed since the ardrossan years... It's great to hear Jackie is loving nursing, I definatley think she'll be amazing. I'll have to stop being a stranger and come by next time i'm in town.
Hey there Steve we still waiting for the phone call or at least the phone number ha ha ha. sounds like you are having a blast drive carefull on the wrong side of the road.
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