Hey Tucson!  Ever wanted to sing with a group of amazing young ladies?  This is an all-female A Capella singing group at the University of Arizona made up of students and alumni.  This ensemble was created just a few years ago at the U of A.  Last year, Dolce Voces performed at the Arizona A Capella Festival in Flagstaff with Catcall and Notoriety, the two other two talented A Capella groups at U of A.  They are dedicated and hard working young ladies wishing to spread the joy of their “sweet voices.”  In less than a week, Dolce Voces will be having their fall 2012 auditions for the group.  This group has creative freedom, these ladies are able to arrange their own music and even are able to use vocal percussion/beatboxing in their songs as well!  Auditions for this group will be held next Wednesday, September 5th, 2012 at 7pm at The University of Arizona School of Music (Room 204).  Contact us to set up an audition time at: dolcevoces@gmail.com or simply arrive and sign in! First come first serve. People who contact us will have dibs on an audition time.  All female majors or alumni of the U of A are welcome!   Their facebook page is https://www.facebook.com/DolceVoces?success=1 and their website is http://dolcevoces.wordpress.com/.
Photo credit: Dolce Voces

For the audition:
Prepare 1 pop song (including rock, r&b etc, just as long as it’s relatively well-known) or musical theater song. 2 minute max A Capella and Memorized!  This event is also a facebook event on the Dolce Voces page: https://www.facebook.com/events/427404983979129/

Thanks for reading

~*Music: The Heart and Soul*~

A Rising Star in Tucson

SPECIAL EDITION: An Interview with Lexa Raquel

*~Music: The Heart and Soul~*

Passionate and talented, Lexa’s single “One of a Kind” in April appeared #19 on Billboard’s Hot Singles Sales Chart

Musicians wish to share their gift of music with the world, but in this cutthroat competitive music industry it is very difficult to succeed.  Despite the odds, Lexa Raquel has etched her name into the constantly critiquing music industry.  She accomplished this feat in April when her single “One of a Kind” rocked the #19th spot.  Just to give you an idea, that month Adele, One Direction, and Nicki Minaj were artists that were in the Top 10 spots (source: http://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100#/charts/billboard-200?chartDate=2012-04-23.)  I interviewed Lexa Raquel for more insight about her life and her success story.

Lexa’s passion began at a very young age.  “I actually auditioned for the Arizona Opera Company at the age of 3, but wasn’t successful…But that’s okay! I’m sure it was a great learning experience for me.”  Although she was unable to gain admission into the group, she did not give up on her dreams and she continued on with her music.

As she got older, she trained and improved her vocals with the help of a famous American Idol Season 5 finalist Crystal Stark.  I asked her about her experience of working with this talented singer: “It was incredible! I had so much fun with her and I learned so much not only about my voice, but myself as well. She is an extremely gifted woman and I am extremely blessed to have spent 4 years with her as my mentor.”

Lexa began her college degree endeavour at the University of Arizona with a music scholarship this past fall.  Academics can be tough to balance with a music career and she replied: “It wasn’t hard at first, but as the year progressed, so did my interest in music… exclusively. But I made it through my freshman year at the University, which has an excellent classical music program with an incredible staff!”

Her success began soon after that in April when she released “One of a Kind.” When asked about her inspiration for the song, it was an incredibly touching and personal story: “On the day that I wrote the song, it was the one year death anniversary of my grandpa who was very influential man in my life. He was prevalent in my mind and ended up inspiring ‘One of a Kind’” 

Lexa will soon be singing for NBC as a featured artist on one of their music segments in the upcoming month.

Her music has even started to touch people on a global basis.  “I recently discovered that I have fans within the US, Canada and Germany. I’m trying to reach as many people as I can with my music.”  Before she performs, the band says a little prayer for safety and success.  Lexa likes remind everyone to ultimately have the time of their lives, since they are doing what they love.  While Lexa is performing, she describes the feeling as a special experience, “Performing in front of an audience produces a hard feeling to describe, but definitely resembles the best feeling in the world. Being up on stage with my band, that I love dearly, and making music with them is an addicting, adrenaline rush that I wouldn’t trade for the world.”  Some of her favorite memories include performing at  Molly Malone’s, The Mint L.A. and at The Whisky A Gogo with her band.  She also adds, “I’ve never thought much about a dream venue, but I approach each venue like it’s the Madison Square Garden…”

And so then I asked her, “What are your goals over the next few years?”  Then she replied, “There’s a definite desire for a finished album and some touring, but ultimately getting things to explode for everyone.”

 ”I draw inspiration from almost everyone; from parents, who have always been there for me, to musicians that I’ve taken a particular interest in over the years. Experiencing life and the people within yours to the fullest will get you the closest to where you want to be.”

-Lexa Raquel

  It was an absolute thrill to interview Lexa Raquel!  From what I can see, it looks like this star will keep on shining and make fellow Tucson citizens proud!  Above is her hit single, “One of a Kind” and as always don’t forget to check out the poll at the bottom!  Please leave comments on the article and about other people that you would want me to interview! 

Because…music really is the heart and soul.

Thank you for reading!

~*Music: The Heart and Soul*~

Justin Bieber and Fun. : The Low Down of These Top Artists

 Music: The Heart and Soul

Justin Bieber.  I bet almost everyone has heard these two words.  And when you have the huge support of a large percentage of the preteen/teenage girl population…there’s no reason why you wouldn’t be all over the main stream media.  The jump start of his career all began with a Youtube channel.  Bieber’s mother posted videos of this singer up on Youtube for the world to see:

via Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J65D6fgpoGg

But one day while searching for another artist, a ex-marketing exec at So So Def Recordings (Scooter Braun) accidently clicked on his video.  From that point on, Bieber’s life would change forever.  Soon after, he was signed for a contract at Island Records and has released countless popular singles like “Baby”, ”Runaway Love”, and “Boyfriend”. 

Fast Facts on Justin Bieber:

• 18 year old Justin was born in London, Ontario, Canada. 
• This teen is not only talented with his vocals, but knows how to play the drums, trumpet, piano and guitar
• He is not interested in becoming a U.S. citizen and claims that Canada is “the best country in the world”
• He sang for President Obama and Michelle Obama at the White House for the Christmas in Washington TV special in 2009
• He identifies himself as a Christian
• His twitter account is the 2nd most popular celebrity (1st is Lady Gaga)
• In the TV show CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Justin appears on episode 15 in Season 11 as Jason McCann (All info above was also paraphrased from “Justin Bieber” on Wikipedia.org)
• Justin has been nomiated for 107 awards and has won 57 (“List of awards and nominations received by “Justin Bieber “ on Wikipedia.org)

 Justin Bieber, whether you love him or hate him, has changed the music industry of today.  His usage of autotune and his unique voice have sparked this artist to become one of the more popular ones of today.  Personally I do think his songs are catchy, however I am not a true die hard Belieber.  But, I do respect him as an artist.

Next let’s have fun with Fun.  Fun has sprung up from the former band The Format and were formed in NYC in the fall of 2008.  Most of us know them as made famous from the hit single ”We Are Young”.  This actually was the very first alternative/rock song to reach the Billboard Hot 100 chart since Coldplay’s 2008 song ”Viva La Vida”.  Since then the band has released two albums, which were Aim and Ignite and Some Nights.

 Fast Facts on Fun. :

• One of the band members Andrew Dost, along with singing can play piano, guitar, bass guitar, keyboard, trumpet, flugelhorn, glockenspiel, drums, and various other percussion instruments
• “We Are Young” took the spot on Billboards Top 100 for 7 weeks straight and is the only song that has gained more than 300,000 downloads for this 7 week period
• Their only live album is Fun. Live at Fingerprints in 2010 (All info above was also paraphrased from “Fun (band)” on Wikipedia.org)

via Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dS-dbz9XQQQ

 Fun. for me has been an enjoyment to listen to and I couldn’t stop listening to “We Are Young”  when it first came out.  However, this song did get overplayed and that is what makes me depressed about the music industry today.  Once a song is main stream, radio stations cannot stop playing it.  They overhype it to the point that the song does not sound enjoyable anymore.  I think that once a song reaches the Billboards top 100 (in the top 10) it should be played only once a day per radio station…that way it will not get old fast.

 Please vote in the Poll!

Thanks again Tucson!

Sincerely,

*~Music: The Heart and Soul~*

 There’s “Someone Like You” Who Shines Out at Grammy Awards

One of the biggest nights (if not the biggest night) in the music industry happened on February 12th 2012 at the 54th Grammy Awards.  This night marked some incredible performances by some of the most star-studded icons in pop culture, such as  Bruno Mars, Paul McCartney and even the Beach Boys returned to the stage once again for their 50th anniversary accompanied by Maroon 5 and Foster The People.  These performance had overwhelming effects on both the live audience at the Los Angeles Staples Center and in the hearts and minds of the many who watched it live on CBS television that night.  Without a doubt, I was glad that I took a few hours out of my Sunday night to watch such a memorable event.  I have to admit I was very skeptical, I was not sure I was that impressed with the talent that 2011 had to offer.  In fact, I was almost 100% sure that I was not going to even watch.  But then I realized this…I should give this a shot.  I have never watched a Grammy awards show before. 

After tuning in about a half hour late, I turned on my television set to CBS.  I caught about the last few minutes of Bruno Mars’s “Runaway Baby”.  Instantly, I was hooked.  I remember when I first heard Bruno Mars on my friend’s iPod.  At first, I did not care for his “Talking to The Moon”.  His tone sounded so different and I couldn’t figure out what about him was so special.  After a few weeks later, I started to like it after hearing it on the radio several times.  Then, when he came out with “Just The Way You Are”, I never doubted his talent again.  This song was real and had lyrics that made any girl feel confident and happy in their own skin.  To me, songs like these are so rare.  Songs that promote your own self-image and make you relinquish your inner self-doubts are hard to come by.  When I saw him sing “Runaway Baby” on live t.v. at the Grammy’s, I was instantly reminded what made me fall in love with this artist to begin with…his passion for his music.  On that stage, he was literally putting all of himself out there.  You could tell he felt, breathed, and lived that song.  It was a spunky breath of fresh air.  The fire and fun of the song ended up convincing me to buy the track on iTunes.  I loved every minute of it.  Although his 3 time nominated ”Grenade” or his 2 time nominated album “Doo-Wops & Hooligans” did not fire off any Grammy awards for Bruno, his Grammy performance sure made a lasting impression on his success as an artist last year.

The next performance that I had a chance to see was that of Katy Perry’s.  I was a fan of hers when she first released her “Hot N Cold” single awhile back.  It took awhile for “E.T.” to grow on me and “Teenage Dream” just got annoying.  But then, I found out that she was nominated for “Firework” for Best Record and Best Pop Solo Performance.  This track will probably never get old to me because again the song had that rare quality of a song that inspires people just like Bruno Mars’s “Just The Way You Are” does.  However, Katy Perry I think sometimes is trying to mix herself with Lady Gaga as an artist.  She wears outlandish clothes and has some really different ideas for music videos (I still am not sure why Teenage Dream had anything to do with candyland…perhaps it’s some metaphor that she was going for that I’m still not getting…?). Furthermore, I was not impressed with her Grammy performance, which was an awkward mash-up of her “E.T.” and another song of hers.  Don’t get me wrong TC, I’m a Katy Perry fan…I just wasn’t a fan of her performance that night.  Next, I would also like to say that I thoroughly enjoyed  “Don’t You Wanna Stay” by Jason Aldean with Kelly Clarkson.  It was well done, it was a perfect blend of both their voices.  The Foo Fighters were also one of the memorable performances of the night.  I have heard of them and that was the first time I had ever watched them perform.  I got to say that I am impressed with them.  They have a different kind of “raw” type sound that sets them apart from most artists and it gave me vibes of a great rock sound.  I can also tell in the way that they perform that they really were into it and I feel like their band did deserve 5 Grammys that night.  I have now become a fan!

 Coldplay’s “Fix You” was spot on and Paul McCartney really rocked it that night.  The Beach Boys shared the stage with Maroon 5 and Foster The People for a great show.  However, the most disappointing moment of the Grammy performances was probably that of Nicki Minaj.  It was like watching some horror flick mixed the movie Angles and Demons.  Not only was it weird to watch, but her song offered no form of her vocal range, complexity of a song, or even a beat that you could tap your feet to.  I tried to be unbiased while watching her, but there was something about it that just felt wrong.  Granted Lady Gaga has had some really weird performances but at least she showed off her vocal ability.  Nicki Minaj’s song did not really do anything for me.  I thought that  Eminem could pull off rap better than she can any day.   Sorry, I was not a fan to start off with and probably never will be.

Finally, I will move on to the one that was the most influential artist of the year, Adele, who walked away with 6 Grammy awards that night.  Not only was her Grammy performance immaculate, but that was her first time performing since her surgery in the fall.  Her voice has so much power, spirit, and she has an incredible range.  Adele’s thank you’s and tears really showed that she was not only an appreciative artist, but I felts that she also meant every word of it.  To me, she does not seem fake.  Granted, I have done way more research on Lady Gaga (from my last post) but what I do know about her is that she is a fantastic singer with British roots and that she ”became the first artist ever to have an album, 21, hold the number one position on the Billboard 200 concurrently with three number one singles” (Wikipedia’s “Adele” article).  Congrats on the wins Adele!

 ”LOS ANGELES, CA – FEBRUARY 12:  Singer Adele, winner of the GRAMMYs for Record of the Year for “Rolling In The Deep”, Album of the Year for “21″, Song of the Year for “Rolling In The Deep”, Best Pop Solo Performance for “Someone Like You”, Best Pop Vocal Album for “21″ and Best Short Form Music Video for “Rolling In The Deep”, poses in the press room at the 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center on February 12, 2012 in Los Angeles, California.  (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)”

Among some of the newer artists of 2011 was those of Bon Iver and Skrillex.  Bon Iver has an interesting sound.  I was very impressed with him as I listened to the “Holocene” track.  Not bad at all.  Next, I have come to realize one thing that the United States is starting to take a liking to and that is of Dubstep, the new mainstream form of electronic dance music.  With insane mixing, bass drops, and minor keys Dubstep has a truly unique sound unlike anything you have ever heard before.  Skrillex has made a lasting impression on today’s mainstream pop culture with his album “Scary Monsters And Nice Sprites” walking away with 3 Grammy’s including “Best New Artist”.  Hats off to you Skrillex!

 (Left) “LOS ANGELES, CA – FEBRUARY 12:  Justin Vernon of Bon Iver accepts the award for ‘Best New Artist’ onstage at the 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards held at Staples Center on February 12, 2012 in Los Angeles, California.  (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)” (Right) LOS ANGELES, CA – FEBRUARY 12:  Recording Artist Skrillex accepts the Best Dance Recording for “Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites”onstage at the 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards held at Staples Center on February 12, 2012 in Los Angeles, California.  (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)”

I was very pleased and happy with the Grammy’s this year, because it was a nice reminder of how much the music industry has changed over the year and how much influence it has had on my life.  Watching the Grammy’s each year, will now become a new tradition of mine.

But the biggest thought that I had when I walked away from watching was this: these artists are just like us (hence the title of my article cleverly referencing Adele’s single).  They all eat (I think), sleep (hopefully), shower (really hopefully), and breathe (most hopefully) just like you and me.  The only difference between these stars and the average person is this, one has national fame and the other does not.  But just because you don’t have a Grammy and they do, does not mean that what you do for the world doesn’t matter.  We find ourselves freaking out over Justin Bieber and Carrie Underwood.  But really, for the most part, they are no different than we are.  They are people and we are people.  They are just more well-known than the average person…that’s all.  The same goes for actors and dancers as well.  These people all have the fame, but just remember that we really aren’t too much different than they are.

Leave a comment below telling me what you think about the Grammy’s, the music industry, the last paragraph, or just any other thoughts related to music below.  Also, don’t forget to participate in the poll!

Sincerely,

~*Music: The Heart and Soul*~

Hey everyone!

First, I would like to take care of some logistics.  This post is much different than the other two posts.  Music: The Heart and Soul is a blog about music education and about music in general as well.  Starting from now on, this blog will not only post about music education in the country, but also also about music now, then, and in the future.  So just a heads up!  It’s a new direction that I think will be beneficial to the blog.  Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to say, have a wonderful New Year ! 

Lady Gaga is On “The Edge of Glory”

“Well, that’s your opinion, isn’t it? And I’m not about to waste my time trying to change it.”
― Lady Gaga

Whether you think she is talented, insane, ronchy or simply brilliant…that is really for you to decide.

(Video credit  by Youtube)

Lady Gaga Performs for Canal+ on the Croisette – 64th Annual Cannes Film Festival

CANNES, FRANCE – MAY 11:  Singer Lady Gaga Performs for Canal+ on the Croisette during the 64th Annual Cannes Film Festival on May 11, 2011 in Cannes, France.  (Photo by Michael Buckner/Getty Images)

 Lady Gaga has taken the world by storm.  Whether it’s her vocal performance, energy, or her memorable performances, surely all of us have heard of this celebrity.  But where did all of this fame rise from?  If we turn back the clock 26 years, we can see just how this star was born.  Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta was born in NYC and had a low income family working to make ends meet.  She attended Convent of the Sacred Heart, which was a private all girls institution and then later on was accepted into the high caliber Tisch School of the Arts at NYU.  For awhile, she performed with the SGBand (Stefani Germanotta Band) with some fellow NYU students in local bars.  Later on, SGBand disbanded and Stefani was discovered by Rob Fusari, the famous music producer.  He compared her vocals to Queen’s Freddie Mercury.  After trying to come up with a stage name, Rob thought that “Radio Ga Ga” would be appropriate because it was one of Queen’s songs.  However, Rob texted Stefani ”lady gaga”…the text was a glitch that was supposed to read “radio” instead of “lady” and thus she was coined Lady Gaga.  Yet, this information was proven inaccurate according to The New York Post which claimed that she received her name after a marketing meeting.  She was then signed to Def Jam Recordings in hopes of completing an album in 9 months, but then unfortunately she was dropped just 3 months and so began her rough patch of life that would later be the inspiration of the songwriting of “Marry The Night”.  She experimented with drugs and go-go danced at bars…it was indeed a rough patch.  Then, she met music artist Lady Starlight and the two performed at Lollapalooza in 2007.  Soon after, she was hired from Interscope Records.  She was also hired from Sony/ATV Music Publishing to write songs for artists, like Fergie, the Pussycat Dolls, and even Britney Spears.  The famous artist Akon realized Gaga’s potential and then eventually Gaga was signed with famous music producer and songwriter, RedOne.  In collaboration with RedOne, she made the hot and popular singles of “Just Dance” and “Poker Face”.  From that point on, her 2008 album The Fame and her 2009 The Fame Monster albums received outstanding success with 1 Grammy nomination for “Just Dance”, 2 Grammy nominations for “Poker Face” and one win for Best Dance Recording.  In addition, she has earned many Billboard Hot 100s in the top 10 with “Alejandro”  and many others.  In 2011, Born This Way was an incredible feat with 1.108 million copies of the album sold in the U.S. WITHIN THE FIRST WEEK.  (All info above paraphrase from Wikipedia’s  ”Lady Gaga” article).  From my experience, still even to this day Born This Way songs come up on the radio very frequently. 

In a way, Lady Gaga is standing on the height of her fame, if you will, “the edge of glory”.  The media always is watching her and she gains attention from her provocative and racy dance routines and unique outlandish clothing styles.  In an interview with 60 Minutes Gaga tells CNN’s Anderson Cooper about her outfits, “there is always some sort of a story or concept that I am telling”.  One of the most controversial outfits was her “meat dress” at the 2010 MTV awards…because she was accompanied with several discharged gay service men and it was a commentary on Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.  Her ideology behind her clothing is this: “At part of my mastering of the art of fame, part of it is getting people to pay attention to what you want them to pay attention to and not pay attention to things you don’t want them to pay attention to”.  Her clothing gets the public eye to focus on her career instead of her personal life.  Gaga has thousands of acclaimed fans, “Little Monsters” she calls them, that all are in support of her ideas that you should shine just the way you are–don’t let anyone else control what you believe in.  She supports the LGBT community and has contributed to the fight against HIV and AIDS with Cyndi Lauper by endorsing Viva Glam lipstick and raised $1.5 million for the cause.  (All info above paraphrase from 60 Minutes Lady Gaga interview and Wikipedia’s  ”Lady Gaga” article).

So what does this mean?  I believe that Lady Gaga is one of the most influential icons of the music industry in the 21st century…and here is why. 

• She directs their attention on her work, outfits, and character rather than her personal life
• She goes on interviews and seems to never miss a beat (from the 7 interviews that I have seen)
• Gaga only shares and knows what will inspire and help her fan base. 
• Lady Gaga is unique, her voice is so recognizable that it’s almost impossible to mistake her for another artist.

Think about it.  Lady Gaga whether you like her or are in deep disgust with her…she always has the attention of the public eye.  I believe that Gaga plays her cards right with a true poker face.  If the music industry were a game of chess, Lady Gaga would surely be the queen.

Thank you for reading.  Leave comments below and vote in the poll below too!

~*Music: The Heart and Soul*~

That Special Sound of Christmas

“What if Christmas, he thought, doesn’t come from a store? What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more?”

-Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas

Christmas is that special time of year.  A time of giving.  A time of charity.  The time of the year when the FM radio starts to play Christmas songs, starting the day after Thanksgiving.  But what is it about that sweet sound of “Silent Night” that always seems to make your heart melt?  What is it about “Winter Wonderland” that makes you want to go outside and hope for snow (since only Flagstaff gets most of snow)?

Christmas music, like Christmas, only happens once a year.  We must enjoy it!  I do not understand why some people complain about how ”annoying” Christmas music is.  Well yes, ”The Chipmunk Song” (Christmas Don’t Be Late)” can become a bit over the top, if heard more than a frequent amount.  But, you know what? Christmas music can only be listened to once a year.  Then, in the blink of an eye…it’s GONE!  That’s true for almost anything…it’s there and then it’s gone.  You don’t really realize the impact it had on you until it’s gone. 

So crank out the Christmas tunes!  The second Christmas is over, then radio will go back to the way it was…LMFAO will come out with another single and Justin Bieber will be selling his new non-Christmas album.  Enjoy this time of the year with the special Christmas spirit of joy, giving, and kindness…and Christmas music. 

I leave you on this note: did you know that during Christmas time 56% of American pet owners sing to their pets? (http://www.theholidayspot.com/christmas/facts.htm)  Christmas is a wonderful time and now more than ever music translates to this time of the season. 

Have a safe and wonderful Merry Christmas Tucson.

Thank you!

Sincerely,

~*Music: The Heart and Soul*~
 

Hello!  This is Music: The Heart and Soul, a brand new blog! 

First off, I would like to wish everyone a happy Thanksgiving.  And that got me thinking, what are you thankful for?  In this rough economy and through all the job cuts, it gets harder and harder to find the silver lining each day.  But even in the darkest times, these times prove just how much we can rise above it all and find the light.  How are you finding the light?  One thing is for sure, music will always be there.

Music is in each and everyone of us.  Whether it’s just a song on an iPod or a symphony in a concert hall, music all around us.  But it is disappearing in these times, less money is being funded to schools around the nation for the arts programs.  This is wrong.  This is a nightmare.  Imagine, a world without the gift of music!  The arts programs are being destroyed.   Imagine going through elementary, middle and high school without a music class…no band, no choir, and no orchestra.  No theater, no drama clubs, no glee, and forget jazz band.  According to an article “Starving America’s Public Schools” it was stated that

This blog was created to spread the word about the importance of music education/the arts programs, the positive effects of having music in our daily lives, and the sheer stellar brilliance of the creation of music.  No matter how much money is being taken away from the arts, the impact of music that has already affected others will still be there.  Whether it’s a kid in middle school band, a member of  a college marching band, a young adult in drum corps, or a band director…music will live forever.

And so I will close with this final statement, Gene Wilder could not have said it better than in the film Willie Wonka and The Chocolate Factory:

“We are the music makers… and we are the dreamers of dreams” -Willie Wonka 

If we want to fight for the arts, fight for music, and fight for the gifts that music has to offer, we must stand up for it.  This blog is just the start. 

I am thankful for music and all of the opportunities that it has given me…but that’s a post for another day

Thank you!  Have a safe and wonderful Thanksgiving.

~*Music: The Heart and Soul*~