Now that we've had our finale concert, most of the music groups are done. At least, all the ones I was involved in. At about this point, I lose all motivation to be at school and to try in my classes. My music groups are pretty much the reason I can tolerate school: without it, I just get way to bored. Right now, I'm just trying to plow through school and just get my work done...
Buuuuuut, luckily, there's music camp next weekend! (My final blog post'll be about it)
 
Last night, we had our Finale concert. Most of the school's music groups performed, and it was amazing. I was in 4 groups: Jr strings, Sr strings, a small ensemble and Symphony.
    My favourite group that I played in was symphony, and this was due to the fact that we played selections from Les Mis. It was amazing. The piece ended in 'Do You Hear the People Sing' and we enlisted the help of a niner to wave the french flag throughout that bit. It was so powerful, and the crowd loved it.
   My friend wrote a song, La Belle, which is what the small ensemble performed. I was the 2nd cellist, which was nerve-wracking, but a great opportunity. I heard some people say that they wanted to cry, because the piece was so beautiful, and it really was.
   The feeling I get when playing along with everyone is indescribable. This is definitely my thing: I'm a music kid. And I hope everyone is able to find their thing, what they enjoy most.
 
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Last night, Grand River had their last coffee house of the year. It was the first one that I went to, and it was only because the music ensemble I'm in was playing. We played, 2 violinists, 2 cellists, 1 bass and 1 piano player, and the crowd really enjoyed it. Our piano player actually wrote the piece, which was incredible.  After we played I decided to stay and watch other acts: I'm really glad I did. So many people have talented voices, and can play really well. I like that we have the chance to gather together and enjoy each other's talents.

 
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I remember back in younger grades, when  teachers would put on music while you were quietly working. I really enjoyed that, just hearing music softly playing in the background. I know for some people, they say that music distracts them, but I find it actually helps me to work. I think we should bring back music in the class, because I miss it. Luckily though, some teachers don't mind when people use their ipod/phone to listen, and I'm really thankful for that. But it's not the same as when the whole class is working, and you're all listening together.

 
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So, I like to spend a fair amount of time on Youtube, and one day, I happened to click on 'Sun of a Gun' by Oh land. I'm really glad I did. She's a unique singer; I like her style. I like how she dances in her songs, instead of just standing there.  Plus, I've seen some live videos, and she's pretty good at live singing, which is something I really respect about musicians. I also adore when people's accents carry through when they sing (she's from Denmark). One of her genres is 'experimental...' I don't even know what that is, but it sounds pretty cool.

 
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Michael Buble recently released a new album, To Be Loved, and I think it's amazing. I love the fact that he sounds good live, because so many artists today autotune everything.  He actually has talent. It also helps that he's Canadian, because Canadians are awesome.
His voice is amazing. As my sister said, "it's so silky and smooth." I don't really know how to describe it; it's just awesome.
My favourite song is It's a Beautiful Day, because it's just so happy and upbeat.

 
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Entertainment, I think, is an art. It requires skills to know what will appeal to your audience.  Entertainment involves many categories, stand-up comedy, acting, singing, playing music, etc. I don't know anyone who doesn't enjoy being entertained. Personally, I love funny things/people. Not vulgar entertainment or words, I don't enjoy that.

Being able to entertain people is a skill I wish I possessed. I envy those people who can throw out a quick joke, because I really can't. I'm the kind of person who thinks of a good comeback... After

 
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Last year in Symphony, we had the chance to play a piece called Marche Slave. It was a lot of fun to play, especially because I found it challenging. It's a long piece, about 9 minutes, but it doesn't seem that long because you get so absorbed in it. Those are my favourite songs, the ones you get lost in.  If you haven't heard Marche Slave, you should definitely Youtube it because Tchaikovsky was such an incredible composer.

 
“People haven't always been there for me but music always has.” - Taylor Swift.

I feel like I can really relate to this quote, because I tend to turn to music instead of people. I'm the kind of person who bottles up my feelings, and I rely on music to help me feel better. Music's the one thing that's always there, whether it's a tune in your mind, or notes played on a piano.

Music can kick away the feeling of loneliness, because you're surrounded by the voice of the singer. Music can keep 
 
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So this girl is Lindsey Sterling, and she is amazing. She makes music videos on youtube, and collaborates with some awesome talented people. One of her recent videos, a cover of Radioactive - Imagine Dragons, collaborates with Pentatonix, a singing group. They try to look cool in the video, but I really don't buy into it. But, getting past that, I enjoy listening to it. Now, it doesn't hurt that there's a cellist... But really, Lindsey is so, so, so talented: how many violinists do you know that can dance while playing? Her channel is Lindseystomp, you should check it out.