I'm back!

It's been well over a year since I've last posted. Graduate school has consumed so much time. Perhaps it is time to begin posting again. I'm nervous, dear readers, for how my tastes have changed and whether you are to find my new interests as captivating as my old ones. Before we get to music, here is a wonderful German language video. Enjoy! http://mentalfloss.com/article/54048/heres-how-crazy-long-german-words-are-made

Newest TED Obsession

Watching these TED Talks can be dangerously diverting. However, they often inspire me. Elizabeth Gilbert's TED Talk on the concept of creativity struck me and energized me. Her ideas are ones that I've believed for a long time - but, she goes deeper and presents it in a radical fashion which I find "genius."

Gustavo Dudamel - A.K.A. The Rockstar of Conducting

The most famous conductor of our time is Gustavo Dudamel. He is the coolest young conductor on the orchestra scene right now and everyone is talking about his work! He is from Venezuela and is a product of their government operated youth orchestra program. The Venezuelan government invested a significant amount of money to purchase orchestra instruments and set up orchestras across the country for young people - especially those who could not afford their own instrument. Dudamel grew up playing in one of these orchestras and was recognized for his ability and was offered the conductorship of the Simon Bolivar Youth Orchestra. They toured the US in 2004 and became a sensation. Before long, he was offered to be the conductor of the LA Philharmonic Orchestra, making well over a million dollars a year. His passion for music is clear. Watch for yourself!

Gustavo conducts his Simon Bolivar Youth Orchestra in Caracas in 2007. These people are LOVING classical music - and the orchestra is having crazy-fun while sounding top notch.



Here, Gustavo conducts a the Gothenberg Symphony (Sweden) at a PROMS performance in the UK. This is Mahler 4 - the final movement. This truly shows his incredible talent. The world is lucky to have him!

Woah.

This TED conference video is my favorite yet. Probably because I relate well, but I'm curious to see how you are affected by what the speaker has to say.

Jane is incredible!

Jane Monheit is a fantastic jazz singer that I ran across while researching musicals this summer. Leonard Bernstein's On the Town was on the short list for me to choose for this fall. I didn't end up going with it, but I found this incredible singer and her fabulous version of this song. I think you'll be impressed!

Water Shortage Video

Madrigals-

I found an interesting video to introduce you some of the problems regarding the world's clean water shortage and one man's innovation to help solve the problem. It is from one of the TED (Technology, Entertainment, Design) Conferences - which I find fascinating and often moving. There are tons of clips on hulu.com if you'd like to watch more - they have a wide variety of topics. Also, ted.com has other options.

After you watch the video, work in your teams to research charities for us to support!

TED and Spoken Word Meet

At the 2011 TED Conference, Sarah Kay was invited to speak. She is a fantastic Spoken Word Poetry artist who I think deserves some attention. Unlike the previous TED video I posted - which was technical, this "talk" is more artistic and heart-felt. I was moved by spoken word poetry for the first time earlier this summer when I ran across the young man who performed at the White House. I was watching a variety of TED talks this weekend and found this young woman. Again, I was moved. I think the teacher in me related to the teacher in her and the artist in me related to the artist in her. I found several of the other talks interesting and also moving - but this one was my favorite. I hope you enjoy it and my next post will take us back to my male singer kick! :)

It is a bit long... so wait until you have 20 minutes!