Music and Traditions of My Life

     Throughout my lifetime, I feel like I have rarely engaged with big milestone traditions, like weddings and thank you Jesus for not allowing me to see any soon: funerals (however, my heart is there to those who have). Sometimes, I am so focused on the moment that don't pay attention what music is going on around me, either. However, we all can recognize probably a song or two that we remember from a special moment. So, I will recall from the very few I have been able to be a part of to the best of my ability. However, As far as traditions I've seen often in my life, holidays and school traditions are very prominent in my memory-- from music to celebrate accomplishments or music that we listened around or during the holidays, there are a few pieces that I remember that have really stood out to me throughout my lifetime. One piece I can definitely recall goes back to my high school graduation. It was the last time our Cantus Choir was ask to perform with each other, and it was us in front of the graduating class of 2021. It is a tradition that my high school holds dearly every year, but as a vocalist, it definitely tugs at your heart string a little bit to walk away from something so special. We decided to perform one of our favorite pieces we loved performing together-- I Have Had Singing composed by Ron Jeffers. Every time we would rehearse or even perform this piece, it would just fill the room with such volume- and to know this was the final song we sung together before we parted ways into our own paths really still shakes me today! Being part of this school was my first time being in such a "high-class" space, as I use to call it, but I learned so much from the folks around me to Dr. David Rhyne, our conductor and instructor. I still maintain contact with him and I did get to perform in one of his choirs again. He is just so so talented at what he does, and it was always fun to get him to crack a smile because of his serious attitude all the time. If you were to scroll to minute 39:19, you will probably catch a glimpse of a girl in really white shoes, and that may perhaps be me. This particular graduation was very different; we were all still recovering from the effects Covid had on our year and of course, with any global pandemic graduation, you aren't allowed to hug everyone, which I wanted to do SO BAD. This is what stood out to me as a prominent piece from a special tradition we all hope to see at the end of our 4 years here at Converse (wink wink)! 

This is the piece performed by a smaller choir if you want a quick peek <3. 

    

    

Now, this one might come out of COMPLETE left field. I thought about adding another choir song because I did enjoy a lot of those performances, and I find those to be fitting to the theme. However, there has been a song that has recently impacted me and in which I will always remember because of this "tradition". 

This past summer, I served my second year as the Student Orientation Coordinator for the Converse Orientation Team. The first summer I served was so rewarding and so memorable, so serving a second year was something that I was completely looking forward to completing with so many other wonderful folks! During this time, Macey Atkins from Admissions suggested that we should create a school-wide Tiktok featuring all of our wonderful OLs (orientation leaders) for this year's Welcome Weekend. The hottest song of the summer at the moment was HOT TO GO by Chappell Roan, and I think this song serves as not only a memorable song, but has left an impression on the Orientation Program at Converse. With the help of Director Lexi Stoneburner and Advisor Taylor Onkst, we all came together to create the annual Orientation TikTok, which ended up being a BLAST! This program has served as an impactful part of who I am as a student, and to create a lasting memory that each student leader can take with them every year just brings me so much excitement. I attached the link of the video (because budget doesn't allow us to edit for YouTube, I think) and you will see LOTS of familiar faces who also got the pleasure of making this a memorable experience for them and the rest of the years to come for the program <3. 

https://www.tiktok.com/@converseadmissions/video/7406350060511841567?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7460654529335035438

If you are unaware of this song, here is the music video, it is a very fun song, and every time I hear it, I just get transported right back to those hot summer days of hard work, touring our new freshman, and so much more. 

I am not too sure, if this previous song matches a tradition, but this definitely serves as an opportunity to be one. 

I think this is all I have for you for this Blog, but I hope that you did enjoy reading this <3 REMEMBER THAT YOU ARE GREAAATTTT!!!