Budd,+Clarissa

Clarissa's Page = >GOALS AND HOW I PLAN TO REACH THEM< =

Ever since I started Clarinet in elementary school, I was in love with the idea of turning to something and be able to put all my worries and ideas into music. But over the years of growing as a musician I have noticed that sightreading has been a struggle for me. Sometimes I find that when a piece of music is presented to me in band, marching band etc. that I seem to 'stress' over the idea of learning something new. I always feel excited, but it is just the tiny voice in the back of my head that tells me I will have to work extremely hard to play it correctly just once. Also, I want to pay more attention to dynamics and articulations the FIRST time. I find it annoying to go back and learn the articulations and dynamics I already know. In order to achieve this goal, I plan to practice pieces and exercises from my beginner Rubank book. Even though I have already played through these once, it will be a nice review.
 * 1. SIGHTREADING **

Fingerings are eveything, and now that I am being exposed to mroe advanced music with harder key signatures, it will be helpful to know scales with 4 sharps/flats or more. I plan to start out simpler with the 4 sharp/flat scales and learn both articulated and slurred. The arpeggios will also help in learning the scales. In mastering both 4 accidental scales, I will move on to the 5 sharp/flat scales and their arpeggios.
 * 2. LEARN Ab, E, B, Db, SCALES **

I have issues that when I begin something, it must be finished. Over the summer, Mrs. Stephens presented me with a project of learning a Clarinet solo by Bernstein. I fell in love with the piece, but have been somewhat busy and have been pushing it aside. I have decided to resserect it from the back of my folder and learn it, possibly for future auditions, or just a fun stress reliever. Even though this piece is challenging, I have set my expectations high and will master it!!! I will work on this piece little by little in what time I can make.
 * 3. FINISH LEARNING LEONARD BERNSTEIN'S SONATA FOR Bb CLARINET **

Excellent goals and outstanding essay!! You are well on your way to becoming a phenominal musician!! Keep up the excellent work!!

= >WHAT MUSIC MEANS TO ME < =

=
Ever since I was little, I was exposed to music everywhere. Whether it be listening to tapes and CDs in the car or singing in church, I always felt a special feeling when I heard a song. I loved singing as loud as I possibly could to anoy my brothers. But when I began playing the clarinet, I discovered new means of annoying them. However, I look back on my childhood with a lot of "what ifs" considering music. "What would have happened if I had played an orchestral instrument?" "Where would I be if I had taken voice lessons at a young age?" "What if Jeremy never suggested I play clarinet over flute?". =====

=
It was not until recently I really discovered how much music affects me. In the beginning of ninth grade, my ultimate goal in life was to be a successful otolaryngologist. (I know, strange) But it was weird; I would sit at home and listen to sad music and wonder if that was really what I wanted. Did I really want a life of medicine and meeting new people each day? Or, did I want to do something I really, truly love, even if that meant struggling against the current? I found that my inner mind raging war against itself, attempting to stay sane at times. I found myself always being unsure of myself in everything I did. However, there was one thing that always seemed to lift my spirits. Music. =====

=
Music has taught me how to really look at life with an open mind, and really see true beauty in the world. I have found who I am and who I want to be through music. I now really know how to be myself without feeling indifference inside of me from being a different kind of person. I really am not trying to be emotional, but music really is the most important thing in my life. Without music, I feel like I've lost a lifelong friend. Miss Maya Angelou I believe put it perfectly: "Music was my refuge. I could crawl into the space between the notes and curl my back to loneliness." =====

=
I have always been one of those people who is easily frightened by basically everything. (People, change, anger...) Music is one of those things that makes me feel like I really can do anything I want, and "Defy Gravity" (I had to use a Wicked reference somewhere). Continually, however, I feel lost and alone in the little world of Clarissa Budd. I'm not trying to make a sob story or have a pity party here, but there has always been a piece in the back of my mind that reminds me how alone I really feel. But when the music begins, that all goes away. I'm a bird flying in the wind, or an autumn leaf falling through the breeze, taking flight. =====

=
To conclude, Music is a friend and a guide. I may not reach my ultimate goal of becomig a professional musician, but at least I will never be alone. =====

= >6 WORDS THAT DESCRIBE ME AS A MUSICIAN< =

Serious
I take music extremely serious as music is something I want to do for the rest of my life. It really bothers me when people just blow off practicing something or not even trying.

Emotional
Whenever I hear some songs, there are many I can just very easily connect with. I also attempt to put feelings of anger, shame, happiness and just what I'm feeling into what I'm playing or singing.

Unconfident
I've always been afraid of what people think of me and what people think of me as a musician. Sometimes I just want to hide behind other parts in band music so I'm not heard. I also become petrified when I play something wrong and when I play by myself. I feel this is one of the reasons I get nervous in auditions because I am always second-guessing myself. One of my ultimate overall goals for high school is to become more confident in myself and in my playing.

Impatient
Just thinking of the time I spent learning one section of 'American Salute' for Full Orchestra is ridiculous. I was so upset with myself I couldn't just play it; I had to take my time and learn it piece by piece. It was frustrating to keep going back over and over when I made mistakes. I really just want to learn something instead of spending a large stretch of time on one simgle thing.

Persistent
<span style="color: #1021ad; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Again with 'American Salute', I was determined to learn my part. My parents have always told me that hardwork always pays off. (And for sure it had). I consider myself a perfectionist when ot comes to music, and in learning this particular piece, or a solo piece for an audition, I try to get everthing right, even if that means taking time.

<span style="color: #1021ad; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Improving
<span style="color: #1021ad; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Ever since I began my lessons with Mrs. Stephens, I have noticed that I can pick up on things more quickly and easier. Each day I learn something new about music and I improve just a little bit. Through practicing and participating in band, I can eventually become the musician I really want to be.