November 2011

Wow.  Um...this new look of blogspot/blogger/whatever it is these days is way different.  Maybe if I posted as regularly as I wanted to, it wouldn't  be such a surprise.

I just finished my own personal 2 weeks of stress.  Here's the rundown:

I was offered a job with Kenai Peninsula Borough School District (KPBSD).  Actually, they told me I could select one of 5 positions open there.  I took the only high school job.  Next fall, I will be teaching 6-12 Band and Choir at Nikiski High School.  More details to follow.

My students did an excellent job with the plays.  I thought they got better each night, we made a bunch of money, and I was told it was "the funniest play in the last 5 years."  That's good.

My kids kicked butt at Regionals.  I'll try to have a Regional post soon, but here are the stats:

2 of my students (soprano 2 and baritone) were selected as First Chairs.  That's the best person on their instrument/voice in the Region.

Kenny Lake had 6 out of 5 state-eligible acts make it to State.  That's possible because a junior high student was selected to go to State.

Glennallen had 7 out of 17 acts go to State.

Both schools had 3 acts selected for Command Performance, which is the top honor from Regional Solo/Ensemble.  Usually there are only 3-5 Command Performances selected, but this year we had over double the number of judges in an effort to be efficient.  Therefore, there was a record 18 Command Performances selected.  So, out of 16 schools, my kids took a WHOLE ONE-THIRD of the Command Performances.

I'm trying to think of the most effective way to throw this information at the Administration and School Board for cutting my position. 

Here's November 2011's Playlist:

1.  PAPA - I Am The Lion King

 - Besides the amazing name and killer guitar riff, this song packs it all.  Like an amped up Rilo Kiley mixed with Tom Petty.

2.  The Little Indians - What Makes You Grin

 - Nice, bright harmonies meld into pop-punk.  The kid inside me who once loved Blink-182 is jumping for joy.

3.  Brite Futures - Too Young Too Kill

 - Okay, so the lyrics are awful.  But it's so stupidly catchy.  "Make it a club hit, we can go dancing.  We don't give a shit what it's about.  Make it a pop song so we can sing along."  Oh, and "I bought a helicopter just so I can make it rain."  I hope they're being ironic.

4.  Inspired And The Sleep - While We're Young

 - Thumping toms, a nice riff and also handclaps.  What a great combo.

5.  Los Campesinos! - Hello Sadness

 - I know most of their songs sound the same, but I like the subtlety in the lyrics and the catchy pseudo-chorus.  "It's only hope that springs eternal and that's the reason why this dripping from my broken heart is never running dry."

6.  Bastille - Flaws

 - I can't help but sing this song at the absolute top of my lungs.  It's like catharsis.

7.  The National - Twenty Miles to N.H.  (Part 2)

 - This cover has odd lyrics, but it has this lovely sheen with the piano and guitar.  Mmm.

8.  The Rest - The Last Day

 - Just a nice catchy tune.

9.  Jonny Dylan Hughes - Dreamsssss

 - Catchy electronica/pop.  Poptronica, perhaps?

10.  Piney Gir - River Song

 - I think you'll either love or hate this song.  No in between.  I love it.  Her voice is so clear and the wooden, country bass line make my day.

11.  The Joy Formidable - Cradle

 - She just sings with so much passion.  I totally believe everything she sings.

12.  Contrakids - Bulletproof (I Hurt You)

 - Token dance number.

13.  Hard-Fi - Stop

 - Blues/dance music.  Reminds me of some aspects of Of Montreal mixed with OK GO.  Stop!

14.  Tycho - A Walk

 - Post-rock isn't generally my bag.  But every once in a while, a lyricless song pulls me under.  This one is done so well.

15.  Daughter  - Youth

 - Crystal clear voice, ominous piano and great lyrics.  "We are the reckless, we are the wild youth."

16.  To Kill A King - Bloody Shirt

 - OOOOHHHH....a vibraphone!  OOOH...crisp guitar!  OOOHHHH...a singable chorus!  Get on it!

17.  Andrew Bird - Darkmatter

 - What I love about Andrew is his commitment to featuring his violin and incredible whistling skills, while still creating lovely guitar-driven folk-pop.

18.  Big Tree - This Fall

 - The harmonies here are so good.  And then you get to the breakdown and you're like...YES!

19.  Caroline Smith And The Good Night Sleeps - Birch Trees & Broken Barns

 - I love her voice.  And I wish I had written this song.

20.  NO - Stay With Me

 - This low ballad is full of raw emotions.  No subtlety here, just what the singer is feeling.

21.  James Blake - A Case of You

 - A beautiful cover of a Joni Mitchell tune.  It tells a great, but sad story and features some lovely auto-tuned piano.

More coming!  I'll catch up one day!