Martinsen,+Madalyn

Madalyn Martinsen

Three Goals for 2012-1013 School Year: 1.) Better intonation on oboe -To accomplish a more precise pitch, I will practice with a tuner. I will also make sure to listen to the lower voices more in ensemble. By listening in general, I can blend my style and pitch with the rest of the group and become an overall better player. 2.)Better Rhythmic Sense with guitar in Jazz Band - I find one of my only struggles in jazz is to figure out appropriate rhythmns for each chart. Besides the basic 1 strum per beat in a standard swing chart, I sometimes do not know if I am blending well with the group. To become more intune with myself amongst the others, I need to listen more closely to the drum set and bass. I also need to make sure I am paying attention to the piano fills so that I do not add too much or too little to the background of the rest of the ensemble. To be more precise in general with timing in charts, I should practice with a metronome once I have become comfortable with the chord changes. Listening to charts with prominent guitar parts will add additional strength to my style and playing. 3.) Establish a better practice routine -I hate to admit it, but my practice routine, or lack-there-of, is horrific. I am privledged if I pick up my oboe out of school once a month. I want to write out specific parts I need to work on and actually take my oboe home at least once a week in order to get better. With guitar, I practice once or twice a week but that is still not much. The fact that I do not practice makes me realize how much better I could be...this is my biggest concern for this year.
 * To actually be on time for something...SORRY!

These are very good goals for you, especially #3! #3 will certainly help your other goals. There is no special remedy - to keep improving, keep practicing!! You are a very talented musician and I will be excited to hear your progress this year as you develop a better practice routine and improve your goals!!

Great essay!! I love your connection to so many different styles of music!!

ESSAY...

How has music shaped my life...well, this loaded question drenches my head with so many thoughts. Time-and-time-again, I find myself relating things to music. Not just playing an instrument, but listening and experiencing music has dramatically effected my personality, social-life, schooling, and family. Right now as I listen to Bob Dylan's "Don't Think Twice, It's Alright", I can't help but think how strong music is in its affect on emotions and actions. Music's many roles in my life all hold importance. One in particular, the source of comfort certain pieces and songs have served to me. A story I tell often when talking about how strong music is emphasizes the "universal language". While in Germany as part of a short-term exchange program, I learned so much about myself as well as the world (although I have a bunch left to experience). Being surrounded by German-speaking people all of the time was hard considering I didn't speak anything more than "nein", "bier", "toilette" and "essen". It was especially difficult being away from my host-family, who I had become so close to. On a five day trip with my German class, I became very homesick for the first time while away. After a day of sight-seeing with my friends and teachers, I started to get frustrated with the little English that was spoken the whole day. Calling my mom was probably not the greatest idea, considering it made me even more upset. I sat in my dorm for a while with the door open until I noticed one of my teachers head outside with a guitar. I followed, getting sort of excited. Out in the courtyard, he opened up the case and everyone quickly followed. He started to play "Fly Me To The Moon" and other familiar songs that the others sang along to. In an instant, I felt more at home than I had my whole trip. Looking back on it, this moment has really made me appreciate the power of music. Music has also served as a connection between my sisters and myself. Right now when we are all more than 500 miles apart, the simple text of "Beethoven 9 conducted by Bernstein...listen to it now", makes me feel closer to them than ever. Our passion for music as a family has been a key source in our close relationship. I definately believe that my parents' playing Big Bird's Symphony for us as children in the car sparked our love of music. Or our annual trip to see the Nutcracker with my mom and grandma...either or, my family's connection through music is certainly evident. Being in band in school has had profound influence in my social-life and academics. The thoughts that music provoke allow imagination and desires and dedication. Playing in an ensemble has allowed me to connect with so many people, of all backgrounds and social-groups. Band, in general, has introduced me to many of my best friends. I honestly cannot imagine going into high school last year if I was not in band. Having to spend a good portion of the summer at band camp, I became close to a group of people who were older than me but appreciated and welcomed me. With the whole summer to get to know them as well as I did, I was not nervous to enter high school, like many of my other friends who aren't in band were. During my school day, if I haven't had the greatest day, I go to jazz and see my friends and play my guitar and things become one million times better. I don't know what it is. I could ramble on all day (in an unorganized fashion, of course) about how great music is and how it makes me who I am, but I'm sure you do not have time to read that...AND I have other homework to finish, although writing this is much more benefical in my eyes. To sum it all up, my life without music would be dreary and boring. I would probably sit and stare at the wall or walk around my neighborhood in silence. Truly, I have no words to express how much music is a part of my life and why....that's why we all need to listen to this: []. If everyone knew about this, the world would be so much greater than it already is. "Your magic reunites What custom sternly divides; All people become brothers"