Für Elise: CalArts Audition

I moved!

We're still in the process of unpacking but I am operating with no cave (I'm a bear so I have a cave) and no studio. Technically, the cave will combine with the studio. I can't wait to get all my stuff set up so I can make more content and more content and more content and more content and...

Anyway, I stumbled upon this video which was one of the audition requirements for the CalArts Performer-Composer program - your original work plus one classical piece. At that time, I was NOT playing classical and hadn't taken lessons since I was a teenager. I listened to classical and film scores all the time but my fingers were not prepared to delve into that.

I was absolutely dreading it and almost didn't go through with it but then I said to myself...I'm not a classical pianist and that's not what I'm trying to be but if they want me to play this piece then screw it, I'll play Beat-Oven's Für Elise (Naje, lol) and muscle through. I don't know if it was that night but I pulled an all-nighter getting all of my application materials submitted.

I won't get into my whole rant on the classical canon and how it's elitist but I do think that while it shouldn't be the gateway to playing piano (and other instruments), there are beautiful pieces that I love and enjoy listening to. I am currently taking piano lessons from one of my classmates and finally learning Clair de Lune, a piece I have ALWAYS wanted to play (way before them Twilight hoes got all obsessed because of Edward n'em). I hope to post my progress one of these days...if I'm brave enough.

Looking back, I had no idea that I was going to get accepted to grad school and I also had no idea that the Covid-19 pandemic would extend my two-year graduate experience to three years since I took a year off in between. So many times fear held me back from taking chances and I'm so happy I did.

Later Anomalies. Take them chances.

Happy Mother's Day weekend Mamas!

*As Brandon Lee's character Eric Draven says in The Crow: Mother is the name for God on the lips and hearts of all children.