What Does Music Mean To You?

This blog is for me to share all things musical with you! Everything from performances I am involved in to my thoughts on music. I may even share links of my favourite music! Enjoy :)

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Apollo Health Music Society Twilight Concert, 2014- Choir

One of the founding ensembles of Apollo HMS, consisting of experienced singers as well as those new to singing, we sing everything from Vivaldi to Les Miserables 

+ Soprano: Kimberly Imperial, Kathryn Hoang, Olivia Ooi, Denise Chang, Xue Xian, Cathleen Pho, Teagan Zhang, Candy Tang, Pavithra Amadoruge, Laura Raiti, Duyen Luu

+ Alto: Kaayin Kee, Kristy Marinopoulos, Yan Jing Chong, Harene Ranjithakumaran

+ Tenor: John YiMing Low, Leon Ang, Bryan Lye, Jaime Martinez, Philip Qian

+ Bass: Jordan Janssen, Nick Chan, Kieren Tan, Eddy Yang

Performing:

+ Shosone Love Song, Roger Emerson

(Conductor: Melrose Tran, Accompanist: Nathan Byrne) 

+ I Dreamed a Dream, Claude-Michel Schonberg/ Herbert Kretzmer, Arranged by Ed Lojeski

+ Somewhere Over the Rainbow, Harold Arlen/ E.Y. Harburg, Arranged by Mark Hayes

+ I’ve Got the Music in Me Bias Boshell, Arranged by Alan Billingsley

(Conductor: Nathan Byrne, Accompanist: Melrose Tran)

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Some more. Mr. Bernstein during Mahler symphony no.5, Adagietto. Unbelievable piece.

[nathanbyrnemusic]

Bernstein. Perfection through passion.

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(via Tone Deaf Comics)

[nathanbyrnemusic]

I might add that there is often a 4th note in the bottom one which is purely by chance too :P

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Brilliant musician and conductor  - Leonard Bernstein directing a rehearsal of Mahler Symphony No. 5

The energy of this man is terrifying - but in such a good way! Just shows how important it is for a conductor to be a leader of strength and force within an orchestra. Musicians need to feel inspired by the conductor and to feel energised in the process.

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If you ever get the chance, watch this man conduct. Even on youtube. Search it, whatever. Just do it. The man has so much passion. 

[nathanbyrnemusic]

Totally agree - The passion of this man alone is enough to inspire me in all aspects of my music career. He embodies the music in such a personal and electrifying manner.

[nathanbyrnemusic]

O believe, my heart, O believe:Nothing to you is lost!Yours is, yes yours, is what you desiredYours, what you have lovedWhat you have fought for! O believe,You were not born for nothing!Have not for nothing, lived, suffered! What was createdMust perish,What perished, rise again!Cease from trembling!Prepare yourself to live! O Pain, You piercer of all things,From you, I have been wrested!O Death, You masterer of all things,Now, are you conquered! With wings which I have won for myself,In love’s fierce striving,I shall soar upwardsTo the light which no eye has penetrated! Die shall I in order to live.Rise again, yes, rise again,Will you, my heart, in an instant!That for which you suffered,To God will it lead you!—Gustav Mahler

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The most amazing series of chords which one can hear. Rachmaninoff is a master in his own field.

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One of the most inspirational and touching works I have ever listened to. It was this piece which helped bring me into appreciating the world of orchestral music within my own love of conducting.

There is something about this work which transcends all else. It manages to describe all things there are to describe about the struggles and motivations of life itself. When the chorus enters later on in the symphony, it is an entrance which truly speaks to the depths of the heart and brings us to a point of calmness. And then to the finale - a finale which brings together all the musical forces one can imagine. One cannot help but feel euphoric after hearing the entirety of this work to the momentous conclusion.

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Music: An Approach To Defining The Indefinable

When asked what his music tried to say, Aaron Copland replied; “The whole problem can be stated quite simply by asking, ‘Is there a meaning to music?’ My answer would be, Yes. And ‘Can you state in so many words what the meaning is?’ My answer to that would be, No.

This was no admission of ignorance or despair. Rather, it recognized the essential mystery of an art that seems to encompass everything and resembled nothing. A sense of awe before that mystery often marks musicians.

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My Inspiration

[nathanbyrnemusic]

I would like to share this with everyone - This is my choir at our first performance of the year. I am mainly sharing this with you because I want people to know the power music can have within a lifetime. Many people join this choir from many walks of life, and many different backgrounds. Not everyone has had "singing experience" before, which is totally fine. The mindset is important. Music should be an experience which is not limited to only a specific demographic - music, just like language is a vehicle for human expression. We should not deny humanity of this capability.

To perform music is to give a message to someone - a message which has never been heard in the same way before perhaps.