Well, here I am in New Haven. The following are occurrences that have recently happened within the last week:
I run into a guy who introduces himself as the Shakespeare Lady. Apparently, there actually is a woman known as the Shakespeare Lady, wandering the streets and reciting Shakespeare. I guess I just met a sexually confused fraud.
Dunkin' Donuts in New Haven are like wards in Salt Lake City...I swear there is one on every block. I have to say however that their smoothies do look tempting.
The pipes in my apartment sound like an earthquake every time someone flushes the toilet, and it is quite annoying. It's not as annoying however as when the power goes out every time I plug in my blowdryer.
I'm surrounded by many amazing organs...Woolsey Hall, Dwight Chapel, etc, and apparently I can't get in because I don't have my ID yet, and won't receive it until orientation. Plus the ISM organs are under construction. That leaves me with ample time to log onto livejournal, hence the reason for this entry.
Oh, the Yale campus is absolutely beautiful. Tomorrow I'm going to take an actual tour of the campus, so I really know where I'm going.
That's all for now.
| Date: | 2006-05-25 17:37 |
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| Security: | Public |
| Mood: |  frustrated |
So the wisdom teeth are out, and it wasn't nearly as bad as everyone said it would be. Thank God! Now I am just resting and hanging around the house all day watching movies.
And I am determined to get rid of this neck pain. I don't care if I have to do pilates every day or physical therapy or what, but I'm not going to let it get the best of me. I'm so sick of practicing organ for ten minutes and being in pain the whole day. I want this to stop, completely. I even went on amazon today and bought a book on alexander technique. I probably won't be able to learn a lot on my own, but I'm going to try. I can't let this ruin my life. I'm only 22, why do I have to hurt every freaking day? It's not fair. Something has to change, it's affecting my playing and everything else. I don't deserve to deal with this anymore.
| Date: | 2006-05-18 22:40 |
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| Security: | Public |
| Mood: |  calm |
Looks like it's time for an update. So school is finally over, (thank God), and I am officially an Indiana University graduate. I still can't believe how fast my four years of undergrad sped by, but here I am. It feels like a huge accomplishment in some ways, and in other ways it feels quite strange. For some reason, I imagined myself being a lot more accomplished than I am right now after going to IU for four years, but maybe I'm just too hard on myself. I hope I gained as much knowledge as I could from IU, even though I sometimes feel like I could have done better in a lot of ways. But no dwelling on the past, I'm going to Yale in the fall, and I finally have a chance to really get excited about it!
My senior recital went well, not as well as I had hoped, but everyone seemed to be pleased with it at least. I think the combination of an extremely busy last semester, with auditions, and with my neck and shoulder pain all made it difficult to really focus on practicing the organ to my full potential. It really frustrated me, but I still enjoyed the recital, and the company of my friends and family.
It's funny, I was feeling so attached to IU that I even applied there for graduate school. I just didn't want to think about leaving, mainly because I had grown so comfortable there. However, when I got the call from Martin Jean saying I had been accepted to Yale, suddenly that all changed. I guess the main thing that worried me was leaving all my friends. Yet that is just part of the college experience, and ironically a lot more of my friends (and some teachers) are leaving this summer as well.
So now I'm in the process of finding a roommate. I just secured a lease for an apartment I haven't even seen before, but I think it will all work out.
So there's the update. Maybe I'll write something more interesting in the near future.
| Date: | 2006-03-18 21:33 |
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| Security: | Public |
Yessssss... :)
| Date: | 2006-02-28 22:57 |
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| Security: | Public |
| Mood: |  tired |
Well, I officially have one more audition left on Friday, here at IU. I finally got through the Yale audition, and all I can say is I'm glad it is over. I was so nervous about it for so long, and now I can finally put it past me. Besides being a bit stupid at times (i.e. accidentally hitting the police alarm on the organ console thinking it was the 'on' switch), things went really well. Thank god the police didn't show up...or maybe that's a bad thing?
One of the best parts...I got to play the Newberry Organ in Woolsey Hall, one of the biggest and most awesome organs ever. First my friend let me play it during his practice time, and later, as all twenty auditionees sat dumbfounded with blank stares as the tour guide asked if anyone wanted to play, I got over my timidness and went up there to play Reger. It was one of the most amazing experiences ever. Even if I never get to play that organ again, at least I can remember that I had the balls to play when no one else wanted to.
Besides completely screwing up the sight reading example in the audition, I thought my playing was very solid, and I was amazed at how well it went. The professor made me start at all of the difficult sections, and I nailed them, which was completely different last week when I messed them up in studio. After all of that, they took me downstairs and showed me pictures of organists, and luckily (with some help from my friends who formerly auditioned there), I got them all right, and was even able to find the 'mounted cornet! HAH.
Who knows if I got in...they only take seven people. But it was quite an experience at least. I think I've basically narrowed it down to IU and Yale. If I don't get accepted to Yale, then I'll stay it IU, and if I do, I'll still have to think it over. I think I've already decided that Eastman isn't the place for me, whether they accept me or not.
On another note, I'm kinda freaking out about my recital. I know it will probably all work out in the end, but I still have this fear that I won't be ready, or that it won't be as good as I want it to be. I've been practicing my ass off, but I've just felt that this year, my playing hasn't been as solid as usual. It might just be because my teacher is extra hard on me because I'm a senior, but also I think it's just because my confidence level is down. I just sometimes feel like I completely suck. I know that's an overgeneralization, but that's the way I feel a lot of times. I think this audition at Yale helped me to realize that I indeed don't suck, and I can play well under pressure when I really need to stay focused. I just hope I can do the same thing for my senior recital. After all, it may be my last recital at IU, and I want it to be good. I just want to be a more confident player, and with all the stress that's been going on, it's hard to be that way. Ok enough ranting. Time for bed.
| Date: | 2006-01-30 15:35 |
| Subject: | Stuff |
| Security: | Public |
So I guess I should do an actual update, since I haven't done that in a while. This month is going to be absolutely insane for me, as I'll be going to three different places. Thursday I leave to go audition at Eastman, in a couple of weeks I go to Chicago with Pro Arte, and then a week or so after that I fly to Yale. It's all kinda scary and exciting at the same time. The funny thing right now, is that I really don't care about going to Eastman at all. I want to audition, but I don't know if I'll a.) get in, or b.) be able to afford it if I do by chance get accepted. I know I've harped on this for a long time, so whatever. The one I'm really excited about is Yale. I was waiting and waiting, and finally they emailed me last week. Even if I don't end up getting accepted or going there, just the fact that I get to audition is so exciting. Plus, they are paying for my travel, which is soooo cool.
Yeah so most of this is a repeat of what I've been writing about for months...so SORRY everyone! I can't think of anything else right now, really. Wish me luck!!!
Dude, it's lile 3:30 in the morning, and I just came from Chris and Jonathan's. It was fun and crazy, like usual...with my friends. I don't want to leave Bloomington. I'm auditioning at Eastman on Feb. 3rd. I don't even care. Is that weird? I don't even feel ready or anything. I haven't even heard ANYTHING from Yale. Maybe they hated my recording, I have no idea. I haven't heard from IU either, even though that would be really dunb if they didn't let me into grad school since I'm already there anyway. I don't want to leave though. I'm having too much fun. Is that bad? Agh, this sounds dumb. I'm just rambling, but I don't know what to do! Oh well, whatever. I'm going to bed. This is stupid. Whavev.
love,
Jessie
| Date: | 2005-12-26 20:31 |
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| Security: | Public |
| Mood: |  silly |
I'm sorry, but I couldn't resist...
| Date: | 2005-12-17 17:07 |
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| Security: | Public |
U2 concert tonight!!! WOOOHOOO!!
You know you are in Utah when you walk out of the airport terminal and sourrounding you are screaming people with signs and balloons saying, "Welcome Home Elder such and such..." Plus, it takes you forever to finally reach the luggage carousel, as you sqwirm through the heavy crowds of Mormon missionaries. There's no place like home.
The following is an IM conversation that Margaret and I had on the computer while being completely inebriated. Enjoy:
jessorgue: hi gabi
Gabi Teodoru: hey Jessica
jessoruge: hey
jessoruge: hoq are ou
jessoruge: i
jessoruge: yo
jessoruge: man
jessoruge: whasss\
jessoruge: up
Gabi Teodoru: um
Gabi Teodoru: i am lol
Gabi Teodoru: overstressed and tired
Gabi Teodoru: hey are both you and jessica on the same computer?
jessorgue: yes
jessorgue: we are drunk
Gabi Teodoru: yes
Gabi Teodoru: i notice
Gabi Teodoru: so um...
jessorgue: sorry
Gabi Teodoru: you girls always IM me when you're drunk
Gabi Teodoru: *feels special*
Gabi Teodoru: so what's new with you?
jessorgue: i am with jessica
jessorgue: and we are stupid
jessorgue: and drunk
jessorgue: a nd naked
Gabi Teodoru: oh
Gabi Teodoru: both of you?
jessorgue: teag'
jessorgue: yeah
Gabi Teodoru: what about this eric guy
Gabi Teodoru: is he naked as well?
jessorgue: absolutely
Gabi Teodoru: awesome
jessorgue: dpttu
jessorgue: dotty
jessorgue: sorry
jessorgue: i'j
jessorgue: sorry
jessorgue: quqo
jessorgue: sossy
Gabi Teodoru: um
Gabi Teodoru: ok
jessorgue: i love you
jessorgue: you are so hot
jessorgue: and sex7
jessorgue: sexy
jessorgue: wo
jessorgue: t
jessorgue: qoq
jessorgue: i'm sorry
jessorgue: confuta6tis
[jessorgue: maldedcyia
jessorgue: flamis acribus adictis
jessorgue: voca voca me
jessorgue: voca me cum benedictis
jessorgue: confitatso
This is what an AMF will do to you on a Friday night. (And no we weren't naked...) LOL!
| Date: | 2005-12-02 19:05 |
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| Security: | Public |
Aaahhhhh, Bach!!!
| Date: | 2005-11-14 23:30 |
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| Security: | Public |
| Mood: | giggly |
So today is one of the first days when my neck and shoulders weren't hurting, like at all. I finally went to the doctor last week, and she put me on this pain medication. I guess it's working. I still hope I can figure out how to solve the problem instead of covering it up with meds, but at least it helps.
Friday was a crazy night at Margaret's. We made "Purple Jesus," which basically consisted of everclear and grape juice. Yeah and let's just say the party was wild. So wild that the next morning, to my horror, I looked at my call log on my cell phone, which showed that I had managed to call about half the people in my phone book at around 4 in the morning. Oops. And one of them left a really angry message saying that I woke him up in the middle of the night, and I don't even remember calling him, let alone leaving a message. Next time I should just turn my phone off, or have someone hide it from me when I'm drinking a Purple Jesus. If I called you, sorry, I don't remember. Lol.
So last night I busted my ass on the Schantz until midnight, and I spent at least three hours total. The night before I did the same thing. After my music history test was over I told myself I would sit down and work as hard as I could on this Reger Introduction and Passacaglia for my recital, and I didn't actually have the time to do it until now. Usually my midnight practicing before my lesson the next day doesn't really make a difference...except for today. I played through the piece, and afterwords my teacher simply said, "She's back!" After going through it with me for about twenty minutes, he closed the score and was done with it for the day, and when Smithl does that, you know you did a good job on it. He said, "I was worried about you for a while, but today you played the way I know you can," or something to that extent. That made me feel really good, in the midst of all this chaos with 401 and my shoulder problems. I just decided, screw 401 for a while--I'm going to sit my butt in the practice room, and finally it's payed off. At least I'm doing something right this semester. I hope the rest of my pieces will turn out like this, as I try to prioritize classes with auditions and all the other crap I have to deal with.
I was however disappointed when he asked me how far I was in the Dupre Noel Variations, (which isn't very far at all.) He basically said that I should consider doing another piece instead, because it will take a LOT of work and practice to get those ready. I've had my heart set on that piece for so long, and I was pretty crushed. However, he didn't say that I 'can't play it for sure,' and so I'm going to try and get further in it the next few weeks, and see what happens. I think I can do it, if I just spend enough time during Christmas break especially.
| Date: | 2005-11-05 18:42 |
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| Security: | Public |
I don't want to do anything, AT ALL. I haven't practiced worth crap today...I don't want to fill out applications for grad school, and I DON"T want to start working on my music history paper again. Plus I have a huge conducting project that I should seriously start, but I don't want to even think about it. AAAHHH! Whatever. Plus, I think I should just plain stop asking people about what they think about Eastman/Yale, because all I get is a mesh of negative, conflicting comments about each. If I go to Eastman I could get raped, if I go to Yale I won't learn anything decent, if I stay here it will be predictable and monotonous. Screw it all, I don't know anymore. I shouldn't even care. Time for swimming.
| Date: | 2005-11-03 00:54 |
| Subject: | Ugh |
| Security: | Public |
| Mood: |  sad |
Things I hate:
-Drama, especially when you are in the middle of it. It's pretty much a given when you are in the organ department.
-401 music history class...this needs no explanation.
-Missing my family, and not having any time to talk to them because I'm so busy all the time.
-The fact that my shoulders and back hurt so badly that I am forced to tears, and nothing I do seems to help.
At least I can sleep for a while and forget about all this. Maybe I'll dream something awesome.
| Date: | 2005-10-29 22:35 |
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| Security: | Public |
| Mood: |  contemplative |
Today I woke up at noon. Every time I sleep in that late, my day is automatically cut so much shorter. Woos called, inviting me to the weekly Great Wall lunch, in which we all stuffed ourselves with yummy Chinese food. Then we drove to Oliver Winery, and sat outside drinking white wine and watching cute little two-year old kids throw a pink frisby and run with their wobbly legs. It was adorable. It was so gorgeous today, I'm glad I went, even though I kept worrying about my stupid music history test and how much I needed to get done.
Then I practiced for an hour at church. I started playing through one of the Bach trios that I played in my recital back in April, and feeling really apprehensive, I didn't think it would go well at all. But as I started playing it, the notes seemed to flow very well, and it sounded a lot better than I anticipated. It helped me realize that so often, it's so automatic for me to think so negatively about myself and my playing, and I automatically assume that I can't do something or accomplish it the way I would want. Sure, I should have high standards for myself, but I also forget that I'm still an undergrad, and almost all my peers around me are older and have more experience than I do. I shouldn't always compare myself to them, and I should be happy at the level I'm at, knowing that I will improve if I keep working at it.
Let's see if I've actually retained anything that I studied today:
DuFay: cantus-firmus, blending of national styles
Ockeghem: long-winded melodies, cantus-tenor framework
Josquin: intricate polyphony, equality of voices
Yes, I'm a major dork. :)
| Date: | 2005-10-27 18:53 |
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| Security: | Public |
| Mood: | calm |
Well, I'm finally using my computer again, after it got infected with a stupid virus from my instant messenger. I was so busy, I didn't have time to actually fix it. Finally, my friend Gabi came over and fiddled with my computer for a few hours, and knew exactly how to get rid of it without me actually having to erase my hard drive and re-install windows. What else is new? Tomorrow night is the Pipes Spooktacular, and Margaret, Hilly and I are going as 'AGO sorority girls,' (Margaret's awesome idea,) and it will be hilarious. Usually I always play a piece for spook, but this year I'm only playing one or two measures in the 'toccata tag-team.' It should be fun though.
I think I finally narrowed my choices down for grad schools. Last night I printed out the applications for Yale, Eastman, and Cleveland. But I didn't get it all finished because Bradley and I were looking up silly words on the online dictionary and laughing at the scholarly definitions (I won't mention what they were.) Ok, time for rehearsal.
| Date: | 2005-10-07 19:12 |
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| Security: | Public |
| Mood: |  bouncy |
So this week I got my music history test back...turns out I got a B. It's not the greatest grade, but I'm happy with it. Now that I'm somewhat familiar with what the test is like, hopefully I'll get an A next time. I'm trying really hard to not stress about things, because they all seem to work out in the end anyway.
In studio on tuesday, two people played their pieces from memory, and they both played exceptionally well. It really motivated me, and I'm toying with the thought of playing my senior recital from memory. Dr. Smith told me it would be a good idea back in May, so maybe I'll just go for it. Freshman year I used to memorize everything, so at least I know it is possible. Let's just see if I'm motivated enough to go through with it, and if I even will be able to handle the stress as I also apply and audition at grad schools.
Ok that's all...party time.
| Date: | 2005-10-02 10:38 |
| Subject: | Perplexed |
| Security: | Public |
Electronic organs are sure becoming popular...
http://www.trinitywallstreet.org/resources/article.php?id=255
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frenchie384's journal
