Ever since my choir at school has sung an Eric Whitacre piece, I've been obcessesed with his music. This is a beautiful piece that I really like. =) Enjoy!
http://ericwhitacre.wordpress.com/2008/04/18/the-stolen-child-world-premiere-with-recording/
Saturday, August 30
Monday, August 11
Lessons to learn from the piano
I have just gotten off the piano bench.
It was a nightmare.
I had a piano lesson last week, and I left with tears in my eyes because it was a disaster. The thoughts running through my head was that I just had an off day. I realized just a few seconds ago that it wasn't "just an off day," but it was a day with little effort and determination.
Yes, that does sound a bit cheesy, but it is the truth.
I didn't want to open my piano bag or teacher's notebook because I knew that if I did, I would just get frustrated again and start to cry. What's the point if I just keep having "off days?" So, I thought a break would be good for me. I didn't practice for a week, just to cool off. Hmmm....from what just happened, that wasn't a good idea.
I started my warm-up Hanon. OUCH! It was awful. Terrible. WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME? I thought,
"ok...that didn't go well...my scales should be fine." HA! that's funny.
"Alright. I know. I'll run throught the Bach Invention and I'll be all set to go, and I can go back to the scales." Yeah, right.
"UGH!!! I GIVE UP!!!!" Well, that's what I thought.
I ended up still keep going even though I had already started to cry and just wanted to get the axe from the barn and cut my piano into pieces. I still kept going. I opened Scarlatti.
"Alright. You got this Alisha. Just hit all the right notes and add dynamics. I know you can do this." I hate this.
I was seriously fuming mad. BUT, I didn't walk away. I got into the most uncomfortable position, with my foot pressed against the piano. I bit my lip, and read through again my teacher's notes.
"I HAVE TO DO THIS. I CAN'T walk away. I've done that way too many times. Do it again. And Again. AND AGAIN!!!" SUCCES!
I finally got in the groove, and off my fingers went. It not only takes practice (which you can never get enough of...ahem....), but determination, willpower, and to keep in mind the purpose of why you are practicing. Why am I practicing? Why do I keep going? Why didn't I quit, and go get the axe? Why didn't I burn my piano books? WHY?
I play piano to worship God...the One who gave me the gift to play piano. I play piano, to glorify God through music. He has taught me many lessons during my practice times or even enduring the long, frustrating piano lessons with my teacher. My attitude this summer towards piano has been terrible. It was not honoring God at all. I learned that I must be thankful for the tough times with Bach or Scarlatti, and to be very greatful for the corrections and wise advice from my piano teacher (and accept the fact that he's smarter than me). I learned to be humble, and not lash out in anger and frustration. I learned to be patient, that I can't do everything right the first time. I learned endurance, to keep going no matter what. And most important, I learned to pray and trust in God's soveriegnty whenever I approach the piano keys. He has a plan and purpose for me. If He decides I have an off day, so be it. If He decides for me to have the greatest day of my life, so be it.
Psalm 34:1-3
"I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make its boast in the LORD; The humble shall hear of it and be glad. Oh, magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt His name together."
It was a nightmare.
I had a piano lesson last week, and I left with tears in my eyes because it was a disaster. The thoughts running through my head was that I just had an off day. I realized just a few seconds ago that it wasn't "just an off day," but it was a day with little effort and determination.
Yes, that does sound a bit cheesy, but it is the truth.
I didn't want to open my piano bag or teacher's notebook because I knew that if I did, I would just get frustrated again and start to cry. What's the point if I just keep having "off days?" So, I thought a break would be good for me. I didn't practice for a week, just to cool off. Hmmm....from what just happened, that wasn't a good idea.
I started my warm-up Hanon. OUCH! It was awful. Terrible. WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME? I thought,
"ok...that didn't go well...my scales should be fine." HA! that's funny.
"Alright. I know. I'll run throught the Bach Invention and I'll be all set to go, and I can go back to the scales." Yeah, right.
"UGH!!! I GIVE UP!!!!" Well, that's what I thought.
I ended up still keep going even though I had already started to cry and just wanted to get the axe from the barn and cut my piano into pieces. I still kept going. I opened Scarlatti.
"Alright. You got this Alisha. Just hit all the right notes and add dynamics. I know you can do this." I hate this.
I was seriously fuming mad. BUT, I didn't walk away. I got into the most uncomfortable position, with my foot pressed against the piano. I bit my lip, and read through again my teacher's notes.
"I HAVE TO DO THIS. I CAN'T walk away. I've done that way too many times. Do it again. And Again. AND AGAIN!!!" SUCCES!
I finally got in the groove, and off my fingers went. It not only takes practice (which you can never get enough of...ahem....), but determination, willpower, and to keep in mind the purpose of why you are practicing. Why am I practicing? Why do I keep going? Why didn't I quit, and go get the axe? Why didn't I burn my piano books? WHY?
I play piano to worship God...the One who gave me the gift to play piano. I play piano, to glorify God through music. He has taught me many lessons during my practice times or even enduring the long, frustrating piano lessons with my teacher. My attitude this summer towards piano has been terrible. It was not honoring God at all. I learned that I must be thankful for the tough times with Bach or Scarlatti, and to be very greatful for the corrections and wise advice from my piano teacher (and accept the fact that he's smarter than me). I learned to be humble, and not lash out in anger and frustration. I learned to be patient, that I can't do everything right the first time. I learned endurance, to keep going no matter what. And most important, I learned to pray and trust in God's soveriegnty whenever I approach the piano keys. He has a plan and purpose for me. If He decides I have an off day, so be it. If He decides for me to have the greatest day of my life, so be it.
Psalm 34:1-3
"I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make its boast in the LORD; The humble shall hear of it and be glad. Oh, magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt His name together."
Thursday, July 31
Friday, July 11
Love Is Waiting
LOVE IS WAITING
In the autumn on the ground
Between the traffic and the ordinary sounds
I am thinking signs and seasons
While a north wind blows through
I watch as lovers pass me by
Walking stories, who’s and how’s and why’s
Musing lazily on love, pondering you
Let’s give it time, give it space
And be still for a spell
When it’s time to walk that way
We wanna walk it well
CHORUS
I’ll be waiting for you baby
I’ll be holding back the darkest night
Love is waiting ‘til we’re ready
‘Til it’s right
Love is waiting
It’s my caution not the cold
There’s no other hand that I would rather hold
The climate changes, I’m singing for strangers about you
Don’t keep time, slow the pace
Honey hold on if you can
The bets are getting surer now
That you’re my man
CHORUS
Bridge
I could write a million songs about the way you say my name
I could live a lifetime with you and then do it all again
And like I can’t force the sun to rise
Or hasten summer’s start
Neither should I rush my way into your heart
In the autumn on the ground
Between the traffic and the ordinary sounds
I am thinking signs and seasons
While a north wind blows through
I watch as lovers pass me by
Walking stories, who’s and how’s and why’s
Musing lazily on love, pondering you
Let’s give it time, give it space
And be still for a spell
When it’s time to walk that way
We wanna walk it well
CHORUS
I’ll be waiting for you baby
I’ll be holding back the darkest night
Love is waiting ‘til we’re ready
‘Til it’s right
Love is waiting
It’s my caution not the cold
There’s no other hand that I would rather hold
The climate changes, I’m singing for strangers about you
Don’t keep time, slow the pace
Honey hold on if you can
The bets are getting surer now
That you’re my man
CHORUS
Bridge
I could write a million songs about the way you say my name
I could live a lifetime with you and then do it all again
And like I can’t force the sun to rise
Or hasten summer’s start
Neither should I rush my way into your heart
C.S. Lewis Song
C.S. LEWIS SONG
If I find in myself desires nothing in this world can satisfy
I can only conclude that I was not made for here
If the flesh that I fight is at best only light and momentary
Then of course I’ll feel nude when to where I’m destined I’m compared
CHORUS
Speak to me in the light of the dawn
Mercy comes with the morning
I will sigh and with all creation groan
As I wait for hope to come for me
Am I lost or just less found,
On the straight or on the roundabout of the wrong way?
Is this a soul that stirs in me,
Is it breaking free, wanting to come alive?
‘Cause my comfort would prefer for me to be numb
And avoid the impending birth
Of who I was born to become
CHORUS
Bridge
For we, we are not long here
Our time is but a breath
So we better breathe it
And I, I was made to live
I was made to love
I was made to know you
Hope is coming for me
CHORUS
If I find in myself desires nothing in this world can satisfy
I can only conclude that I was not made for here
If the flesh that I fight is at best only light and momentary
Then of course I’ll feel nude when to where I’m destined I’m compared
CHORUS
Speak to me in the light of the dawn
Mercy comes with the morning
I will sigh and with all creation groan
As I wait for hope to come for me
Am I lost or just less found,
On the straight or on the roundabout of the wrong way?
Is this a soul that stirs in me,
Is it breaking free, wanting to come alive?
‘Cause my comfort would prefer for me to be numb
And avoid the impending birth
Of who I was born to become
CHORUS
Bridge
For we, we are not long here
Our time is but a breath
So we better breathe it
And I, I was made to live
I was made to love
I was made to know you
Hope is coming for me
CHORUS
Sunday, May 18
MVCS Spring Concert 2008
My school just had our spring concert, and it was a success! Here are two photos of me on the piano!
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