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raystrobel47From alaricmacconnal :
1. You play many different types of musical instruments. What was your very first one and how did you get started?
My first lessons were on piano when I was 7 or 8. My mom got a used upright for me and I took lessons from an older woman, who I remember not liking very much because she made me sing, and I didn't like to sing back then. I found out from my mom that I also was very critical of her, which of course she didn't want to put up with that, but I honest to God don't remember that.
2. What are your top three favorite musical genres?
1) Classical (Neo-classic, Prokofiev and the like)
2) Progressive and hard rock/metal (Yes, Dream Theater, Def Leppard, Queen)
3) Techno
Now, I really can't leave it at that. Funk is too dear to me, and if you consider a capella a genre, that's gotta be up there, so it's too difficult to narrow down to just three.
3. What is the thing you like best about teaching (and the worst)?
Best: Seeing kids get it, and liking it. Those joyful 'a-ha!' moments are really special.
Worst: Abject apathy. I have students who stick it in my face on a daily basis that they don't care, and *want* to fail my class, because music is not important.
4. If you had the chance to go back in time and observe, when and where would you go?
I would go back either to San Francisco in 1967 or Houston in 1972. The former because I would love to see the cultural and music revolution of the time at its source, but barely accessible to my early memories in the days of dial phones, no internet, and black-n-white TV. The latter because I have an odd desire to be where I was just a young'n so I could recognize my home town in an age past, but I'd *be* there. Just too young to understand. Yes, I'm weird. I know.
5. What superhero would you like to be, and why?
I was infatuated with the Incredible Hulk as a kid, because he had the ability to change and take control of the situation, but was not in control of the change. Then I heard of transformers, and watched the cartoon, and was hooked. They could change, when they wanted to, and do more than any one person ever could. Hell, I'd still like to be one of those if I could.
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And now foralfiechat 's:
1. If you could go back in time and meet any particular musician, who would that be and why?
That's a tough one. There are so many good, interesting composers that I would love to have met and talked about music. I'm going to say Beethoven, for his use of emotion, for knowing how to break the rules, and for his finding joy amidst his pain.
2. If you hadn't become a teacher, what career path would you have taken and why?
Originally I'd gotten my degree in music composition, and wanted to get my master's degree in composition from Rice University. Not getting admitted led to my education and career as a teacher. I imagine I would've continued my quest to earn a living writing music, but I don't know how well that would've turned out.
3. Other than your family, what do you consider your greatest accomplishment to date?
As much as I'd love to name a particular work I've written, my greatest accomplishment is continuing to reach out to the kids in Wilkinsburg and trying to make a difference in their lives.
4. What particular incident in past or present United States History has had the greatest impact on you?
I'm guessing here, please forgive my ignorance. I'm going to say the passing of Act 80 in the PA legislature, necessitating professional development, and giving the opportunity for some useful music-related workshops that I've taken.
5. Is there any place that you would like to visit that you have not had the opportunity to do so?
Here's but a short list:
-New Orleans
-The Alamo
-Australia
-Germany/Austria
alaricmacconnal :1. You play many different types of musical instruments. What was your very first one and how did you get started?
My first lessons were on piano when I was 7 or 8. My mom got a used upright for me and I took lessons from an older woman, who I remember not liking very much because she made me sing, and I didn't like to sing back then. I found out from my mom that I also was very critical of her, which of course she didn't want to put up with that, but I honest to God don't remember that.
2. What are your top three favorite musical genres?
1) Classical (Neo-classic, Prokofiev and the like)
2) Progressive and hard rock/metal (Yes, Dream Theater, Def Leppard, Queen)
3) Techno
Now, I really can't leave it at that. Funk is too dear to me, and if you consider a capella a genre, that's gotta be up there, so it's too difficult to narrow down to just three.
3. What is the thing you like best about teaching (and the worst)?
Best: Seeing kids get it, and liking it. Those joyful 'a-ha!' moments are really special.
Worst: Abject apathy. I have students who stick it in my face on a daily basis that they don't care, and *want* to fail my class, because music is not important.
4. If you had the chance to go back in time and observe, when and where would you go?
I would go back either to San Francisco in 1967 or Houston in 1972. The former because I would love to see the cultural and music revolution of the time at its source, but barely accessible to my early memories in the days of dial phones, no internet, and black-n-white TV. The latter because I have an odd desire to be where I was just a young'n so I could recognize my home town in an age past, but I'd *be* there. Just too young to understand. Yes, I'm weird. I know.
5. What superhero would you like to be, and why?
I was infatuated with the Incredible Hulk as a kid, because he had the ability to change and take control of the situation, but was not in control of the change. Then I heard of transformers, and watched the cartoon, and was hooked. They could change, when they wanted to, and do more than any one person ever could. Hell, I'd still like to be one of those if I could.
----------------------------------
And now for
alfiechat 's: 1. If you could go back in time and meet any particular musician, who would that be and why?
That's a tough one. There are so many good, interesting composers that I would love to have met and talked about music. I'm going to say Beethoven, for his use of emotion, for knowing how to break the rules, and for his finding joy amidst his pain.
2. If you hadn't become a teacher, what career path would you have taken and why?
Originally I'd gotten my degree in music composition, and wanted to get my master's degree in composition from Rice University. Not getting admitted led to my education and career as a teacher. I imagine I would've continued my quest to earn a living writing music, but I don't know how well that would've turned out.
3. Other than your family, what do you consider your greatest accomplishment to date?
As much as I'd love to name a particular work I've written, my greatest accomplishment is continuing to reach out to the kids in Wilkinsburg and trying to make a difference in their lives.
4. What particular incident in past or present United States History has had the greatest impact on you?
I'm guessing here, please forgive my ignorance. I'm going to say the passing of Act 80 in the PA legislature, necessitating professional development, and giving the opportunity for some useful music-related workshops that I've taken.
5. Is there any place that you would like to visit that you have not had the opportunity to do so?
Here's but a short list:
-New Orleans
-The Alamo
-Australia
-Germany/Austria
