I am sorry for not keeping you all in the loop about my life this term. Things have been crazy, but enjoyable. Since this is only my second blog post for the term I think I am just going to do a general update.
Tutorials
Extracurriculars
Composition: This term I have written in a variety of compositional styles. For one assignment I created a new tonal system based upon the octatonic scale. This was particularly challenging because I am very used to composing with a normal major or minor scale and chord system. Even though I was using completely new chords and melodic ideas I still gravitated towards the chords closest to those I was already familiar with. For another composition I wrote aleatorically (in this style of composition a lot is left up to chance and to the performers). This was also challenging because I am used to dictating every little thing I want on the page, but it was also freeing in that I could just put down notes and leave things such as rhythm up to the performers. For the past three weeks I have been working on a song accompaniment and variations. Although, my variations are so varied that it is difficult to tell where they originally came from and therefore, have become pieces on their own. I have especially enjoyed experimenting with serialism in these compositions and with extended techniques and ranges on both the piano and cello. For my final tutorial I wrote three miniatures, and while some miniatures were more ideas then actual miniatures I had one that actually was self contained and a complete idea that my tutor seemed to like!!!
Topics in Music History After 1700: Since the Oxford system of music history has four topics for after 1700, I did one essay for each topic. Therefore, my studies traveled through Handel's operas, twentieth century string quartets, the changing tonality of Webern, and finally the effects of recorded music on our engagement with music. I have really enjoyed diving into these topics and getting to know some new repertoire because of them. My favorite paper was definitely the one on string quartets because I spent a week listening to all of my favorite pieces such as Shostakovich's Eighth String Quartet....aka the best piece of music of all time.
Thesis: So, it's not really a tutorial, but I have to write a 5,500 to 6,000 word thesis and even though it's not due until mid April, I have already started reading and planning out the paper. I am quite excited to be writing about musical theatre to film adaptations. Once term ends I am hoping to go see Phantom and Les Mis in London in order to better write about experiencing the music and then I will also write about Sweeney Todd. Basically, I get to spend the next month and a half submerged in film and musical scores...tragedy 😛
Orchestra: This term I was a part of three orchestras. I am still in the OUPhil and we had our concert almost two weeks ago. We played Beethoven's first piano concerto and Brahms's first symphony. I have really enjoyed been part of this ensemble and it is probably the best orchestra I have ever played with. The Brahms's was definitely my favorite this term and the cello part was challenging, but still enjoyable. I also played for OUSinf whose concert was last week. We played a Boccherini piece whose name I cannot recall, a new composition by an Oxford student, and Shostakovich's 9th Symphony. The Shostakovich was definitely my favorite and the most challenging. Finally, I have been playing with the Oxford Open Orchestra who played Dvorak 9, a new composition, and Jurassic Park. Dvorak's 9th is my favorite symphony and I really enjoyed playing it :)
Focus: I have been going to an undergraduate group with my church, St. Ebbe's, this term and have really enjoyed getting to know other Christians in Oxford outside of Wycliffe and SCIO. We spent the term going through the book Uncovering the Life of Jesus and talked about how to share our faith with non-Christians. I now feel more confident about the prospect of talking to non-Christians about Jesus and hope that I will have many opportunities to share what I have learned.
So...This post is going to be kind of short because I really need to sleep before my 7 am flight to London from Stockholm but I promise to post an update about my spring break travels when I get back to Oxford on Wednesday!!!
~ Brynn
