A Voice in the Choir

Singing in choir has always been near and dear to my heart. I have sang in choir since I was in the 8th grade of my primary education. I was initially too nervous to join flyer, but then quickly became a confident soloist our select ensemble. what is quite nice to know is that even if you do not have the best singing voice, you will still be able to contribute to they overall warm tones of a choir.

Singing in a choir took me literally across the world. I have performed in Time Square, in various churches throughout Pennsylvania and Maryland, at cultural festivals, at LGBT festivals, and in several Cathedrals and a festival in Ireland. All because I realize that I have the ability to boost the bottom of the choir with my bass voice. If it weren't for singing, and music that lifts the soul, I would not have met even half of the amazing people that I have throughout my lifetime.

what is even more incredible is finding a Nish of people that you can buy with. If you appreciate music to any capacity, then choir will be well for you. You don't need to find a College Choir where professional choir, you can start small, like at a church choir. I introduced quite a few songs and conducted a few songs of my church choir, and it is always a gift. a common interest in music binds us all together, regardless of religious or political affiliation, or who we love, or who we are. Music is the language that transcends language.

Of course, there are several different voice Parts in choir. There is a lot of flexibility as well, because every voice is unique. For instance, I have a baritone range, but because I have a very rich low-end, I often sang base 1 and base 2 and select ensembles because of the depth that I can provide. My friend, also baritone, has a glassier voice, so he sometimes jumps in on Tanner Park. I know many Sopranos that sing really high or really low. By the way around, your unique talents can contribute to the overall sound of a choir.

So even if you have the slightest a bit of talent for singing, or barely any at all even, you should consider joining a choir. There is nothing quite as remarkable as a vocal swell and 1/8 part split. You never know where your music will take you.

Drum Corps

On the first of August, I went to see my second Drum Corps International (DCI) live show. This year, though, I had not watched any videos of any drum corps performances during the season, so I was going in blind. I also got the special treat of seeing Carolina Crown's afternoon rehearsal at a high school local to the event stadium (Talen Energy outside Philadelphia).

Myself and a friend with three members of the Cavaliers all male drum and bugle corps.

Drum and Bugle Corps started as a stoically American thing in Indianapolis, Indiana, in 1972, after the first few corps wanted provided more intense musical experience for kids under the age of 21. These drum corps wanted more creative freedom outside of church, military, and scout bands.nAnd so, the 47 drum corps (as of 2018) came to knock the socks off of any music afficionado anywhere.

Myself with Justin, trumpet player for the Bluecoats drum corps.

On the night I went, Cadets2 , Phantom Regiment, Blue Knights, Cavaliers, Crusaders, Carolina Crown, Vanguard, BlueCoats and Cadets all performed. Each and every single performer blew my mind. Here are a few more pictures to commemorate my ears getting horn-blasted.

The Blue Knights from Denver, CO.

Cadets2 from Allentown, PA.

Vans Warped Tour

Before going overseas to gead school, I went to the very last Vans Warped Tour to ever exist. in 2018, Kevin Lyman stated that he wanted to move on to bigger and brighter things, but that there would be a large celebration in 2019, which would have been the 25th anniversary of the tour. 

The festival started small in 1995, as an Eclectic alternative rock festival that would eventually include punk rock and other genres of music. skateboard shoe manufacturer Vans would become the first large sponsor of the store, and because of the sponsorship, they were able to take the tour all around the United States and so few stops in Canada. over the next two and a half decades, many different types of bands will perform at this Festival.

Just a few of the bands from the day I went.

Rumor has it that the festival came to an untimely end because of a few bands being packed with sexual allegations. Members of brand new and Pierce the Veil Scott flags for fire do to their relations with underage patrons, and to try and keep the image pure, Vans Warped Tour took its bow and left the scene.

However, in spite of all of the criticisms and allegations surrounding the tour, it's continued 2 be an outlet for teenagers to go and see all of their favorite bands perform 35-minute sets all in one day, and continue to be an award-winning tour for over 20 years. in fact, that's why I became so popular, that just a few years after its Inception, they decided to go Global, starting the 1998 tour in New Zealand. the crowds were enormous, drawing in nearly a million people in North America alone every single year.

And so, and the tail end of July, I went to one of their final destinations in Columbia Maryland. Merriweather Post Pavillion, a venue to which I've been several times before, posted several big name bands that day. I took a friend, and we have the time of our lives. I saw I saw several great bands that day, and also crowd-surfed for the first time in my entire life. Needless to say, there must be a repeat occurrence of these events.

Less Than Jake at a meet and greet. I missed out, as the line was at least 45 minutes.

The day that I went, there were over 50 bands, and five of which I had listened to frequently prior. besides crowd-surfing to August Burns Red, I broke up a fight during Chelsea Grin, met the members of Nekrogoblikon, sat in the bleachers for We the Kings and Simple Plan, nearly broke my neck to Sharptooth and Motionless In White, and enjoyed the positive atmosphere of Less Than Jake, Reel Big Fish, and Mayday Parade. 3OH!3 Also made appearance, although I had all but forgotten about their existence up until this point of time.

I didn't miss out on signing the petition for Goblin Rights, though!

It was a great show filled with great people, and they were many Shenanigans to be had from the audience members. if there is ever another occurrence of a festival as awesome as this one, be sure to go.