My high school dream - finally on action
Dec 7th, 2007 by JungHee
One day, our AP Literature teacher mentioned senioritis very briefly. He just had one comment. “You guys are going to face senioritis anyway, so wouldn’t you want to do something that’s outside of classroom, yet meaningful?”
This conversation arose because there is an audition for a play, “Waiting for Godot,” going on in our school. Well, people who have been around with me for a long time would definitely know that I am not an actor.
But I can do something with music. In fact, I had this plan in mind since the beginning of 9th grade. It’s just that I never had consistent time to complete it. So maybe this is the actual time to put it into action.
Here is the plan.
I have been composing songs, most of which are incomplete, since 9th grade. I will complete viable ones, and also make some new songs over the winter break and first part of the second semester. I will pick maybe around 12 songs and record them. I already have two songs that I recorded in 9th grade and 10th grade, but I will rerecord them anyway because my recording sound quality has been improving significantly over last four years. After recording all the songs, I will figure out some places where I can make CD jackets and cases. That will become my personal album that contains all my history as a high school musician.
I mean, wouldn’t it be really cool if inside a CD player is a CD with a picture of me?
Anyway, I can finish everything at my room, or maybe I could talk to my music teacher at school for some supplies.
At last, I can have the school keep it.
Well, so I’m leaving a legacy to my high school. Now how can I make this even more meaningful?
I just went to Habitat for Humanity in Bangladesh. In Bangladesh, I felt the definite need for even a miniscule help. I am also a devoted Christian. I am obliged to serve God in every possible way. So here is a possible way for greater use of my personal CD. I can make about a hundred copies of the CD and sell it to the students and congregation in my English Worship Service. Of course, the price will be fairly low, such as $5. Then half of the profit will go to church, and the other half to poor areas in Bangladesh.
Some may have already noticed that I am actually losing my personal money because it would cost more than $5 to produce one CD. So why not just send my personal money to church and Bangladesh? Remember, the main point of doing this is to do something that I wanted to but could not do because of endless work that the school was enforcing me to do. That “something,” to me, is to create my personal album.
I will be making a new category to this blog and jotting down the process of this personal project.
Photo credit: teira joisu and me
Technorati Tags: kisaplit, kisaplit07, music, recording, album, goal, dream, senior, senioritis, composing
JungHee, this is a fantastic idea. It’s good to see somebody finding a purpose, a niche, and an active, project-based direction with their weblog. (You notice my own blog is basically about my own project to simply become a better, more creative, more relevant teacher - it makes all the difference, when you finally find that focus and purpose.)
Have you subscribed to any musicians’ or composers’ / songwriters’ blogs? I’m sure there are many. Would be cool to see you begin connecting with people who share that.
In fact, check out Sean’s blog in Scotland. He’s a bassist. He made the music (and the video) for the Students 2.0 blog Nicole is involved in.
Reading much of your blog both breaks my heart and makes me like you at the same time.
JungHee,
Creating a personal legacy is an important concept. We don’t all learn in the same ways and our creative output should mirror this diversity.
Someday your music might inspire, console, or entertain others. Or it might remain a personal “journal” of your own journey through life.
Your linking of Waiting for Godot and music intrigues me - that is such a static play, I’d be interested how music could complement or alter it.
Please put some of your music online for us to share.
Good luck and keep blogging. I need to hear more young Voices and I’d like to follow your progress.
diane
JungHee,
I just read your post about your senior project. That’s a great idea. It sounds like you have been recording music for a few years now. I would encourage you to follow through on your project, and don’t let anything get in your way. To actually record and press a real CD of original music would be a huge accomplishment. I like how you said in your post that a CD of your songs would represent the history of your high school years. That means you put a piece of yourself in your music. When, not if, you complete your project you can depend on me buying one of your cd’s. There’s a website called Lulu.com that presses cd’s at very affordable prices, you should check them out- lulu.com.
Also, here’s a link to a very interesting article in the latest edition of wired magazine about the music industry. You may find this of interest:
http://www.wired.com/entertainment/music/magazine/16-01/ff_byrne
Perhaps you could drop a demo track of one of your songs on your blog? Good luck with your project. I look forward to hearing your full CD sometime in the future. PEACE
George
teacher in DC-
JungHee,
I applaud you for making a commitment in writing to share your talents and complete your compositions.
And I also think leaving one to your school(maybe in your library?) for future students to discover as well as using it as a fundraiser is an excellent idea.
I’m wondering even about posting it online somewhere where a purchase or a download of one of your songs could contribute as well.
It’ll be interesting to follow your progress via your blog, and I’m hoping you’ll share a few excerpts there as you go?
Learning to harness our talents because we want to, because it fulfills us, not just because we have to is a great thing.
Congrats on your effort!
[…] yes, I know; I have to owe a big thanks to Mr. Clay Burell for mentioning my project in his […]