02/03/2019
Hey, everyone!
We've reached the end of the first week of uni! I was a little nervous when I started but eventually got into the swing of things after Thursday. It's definitely a change of pace and will take some getting used to but all the initial excitement with being in my course is all still there!
I had my Modern Times lecture and Harmony lecture and tutorial on Monday. I'm really pumped for Modern Times because I'm a huge nerd with music history and I just can't wait to learn more about Modernism in music. I sat next to Alex in the lecture theatre which I found a surreal experience in itself. He wasn't as into it as I was but I don't think anyone can measure up to how giddy I get when it comes to learning
Harmony was a little more challenging; the lecturer Lewis is a precious soul so I want to do well, even though I know it will be hard to. My tutor for the course is really cool too so that will motivate me, despite my concerns with not being good at harmony and analysis.
Tuesday was a rather full-on day. I got to the Con early with Alex for our voice placements for Choir. I already knew I was going to be singing alto so it was no surprise but I got to meet Liz up close, as opposed to only seeing her from the top of the arena theatre during School Spec. We got through some study together and had our Modern Times tutorial afterwards. I was a little intimidated by how much everyone already knew and I thought I was pretty well-prepared too. It'll be what keeps me driven though so I think that it was a good thing I felt that way. I also had Musicology Workshop which was awesome
It's a small class and everyone seems really friendly. We get to do a PIP-style research project for the semester and present it. Four major works has prepared me well
I've been brainstorming some ideas which I'd like some insight from you all about. As non-musicians, and musicians too, which of the following topics would you be interested in hearing a talk about?
- A comparison between Antonio Vivaldi's
The Four Seasons and Astor Piazzolla's
The Four Seasons of Buenos Aires, looking at how context has influenced their musical styles and compositional decisions in representing "the four seasons." Vivaldi was an Italian Baroque composer and Piazzolla was a 20th century nouvea tango composer, so I would explore musical conventions from both periods and how they manifest in those works.
- A conceptual investigation into a collection of Franz Schubert's compositions, exploring his fascination with death as a theme that underpins many of his works. I would analyse how death is portrayed musically by Schubert and what this says about mortality as a driving phenomenon in Romantic music-making.
- An analysis of Fritz Kreisler's
Love's Joyand
Love's Sorrow to explore how emotion is communicated with musical techniques and devices. Both of some of my favourite pieces of music and I would look at the similarities and differences of the two pieces.
Would love to see what you all would be interested in seeing me research into this year!
Thursday was a heavy day for me. I had a 9am-1pm block with Aural tutorials and Key Ideas in Music Education. I enjoyed them heaps though so it wasn't too bad! I have an awesome Mus Ed cohort and they're all very fun people. I'm excited to spend the next four years with them and hopefully having lifelong friendships even when we go out to teach. I had a break which I spent relaxing in the uni cafe and then went for Choir which lasted for three hours. Loving the repertoire so far and I'm looking forward to learning it.
My last class was yesterday which was Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Music. It's a class designed for second years but due to my enrolment pattern being weird, I'm doing it in first. The second years seem nice though so I hope I can make some friends. My first assessment is a group task too so it sorta needs to happen soon
Other than that, my tutor is ahead of the times so it'll be great to have him.
Long recap over, I guess I really like uni so far. I don't feel exhausted, though I know a lot of my friends do, but that's because I enjoy learning! I'm actually really happy to be in environment where I'm not that weird kid who likes analysing music anymore. While the standards are much higher than ever, I feel more normal amongst the people. It's definitely going to be a feeling I'll love for a long time.
For this week, I have homework to complete for basically all my subjects but I also have to do the Consent Matters module that is compulsory for USYD students. I am also aiming to get ahead for Harmony if possible to not be entirely lost in my lecture and tutorial classes.
Love the story of your nickname! so cute!! You sound like such a beautiful soul cant wait to hear (well read) more of your journal! Hope uni is going well x
And you're so sweet! Keen you have to on board with the journal too
I too hope uni will go well in the next few weeks! We'll see
That'll be all for this entry. Have a lovely weekend and toodles!
Angelina