BTP: Day 5

It's funny, everyone keeps coming up to me and asking me, "How are you hanging in there?" and "So... what do you think so far?"  I love it, and it gets better every single day!

Of course, I am starting to feel the grind of the day to day sinking in now.  Always a little sleepy, but the amazing kids, exciting classes, and wonderful instructors and staff keep me going!

Today was a pretty involved day -- While my 4-5 class got canceled, I still had plenty to do!  I started out bright and early at the studio at around 9:30am.  I accompanied one of Mary Walkley's vocal technique classes, which was incredibly stimulating!  I'm so used to a different style of technique -- she teaches something called "Speech Level Singing".  Basically, it encourages a lowered, relaxed larynx and vowel shapes that are the same as when speaking, often rather guttural!  Even so, her technique is incredible at getting a huge, satisfying "belt" sound from your mix while staying in control and totally relaxed!  Insane!

After her class, I did some more arranging for Lauren's percussion piece.  It's coming along, albeit slowly.  I did have some nice compositional moments though, which was especially gratifying.  I love it when I try a new idea out, and it works the first time!  makes me feel smart.

After lunch, there was a massive presentation involving all of the pre-professional students who had been participating in McQuinn's class.  The assignment was for these groups to pitch a new musical, and each group was as different as could be!  While there were several technical difficulties involving the projector and sound system, all in all the ten groups did an amazing job!  Some of them not so much... but there were a few groups that I honestly wished had continued performing!  It was informative and entertaining!  Very cool.

After our dinner break, we spent our evening block working on "For Good".  After much ado, Ben Vereen finally arrived and began working on our piece.  He got the basic concept of it, but managed to simplify the idea and really clarify it for the girls.  The shaping that he did was incredible, and as an added bonus, it suited my music perfectly!  I am so pleased with it!  Ben Vereen is terrific to work with as well -- personable, yet disconnected.  He managed to find the "real" in our selection, which is tough with such a sentimental and highly metaphoric song.  I think we've succeeded in creating a new piece separate from the simple duet that was there before.  So amazing!  Oh, and have I mentioned that those 19 girls sound FREAKING amazing?!?  Well, they do.

And if I could figure out how to rotate a video that I took on my iPhone and upload it, I'd show you all.  So that's your homework assignment!!!