3 cool. so cool.

Not very many of my friends know any other national anthems other than the Star Spangled Banner. Jamaica's national anthem is very special to me because as a 7 year old, I took the time out to research and learn the meaning behind the national anthem, so as to have a connection with my mother and my Jamaican family. It's funny to think that my mom, an immigrant from Jamaica, thinks that the Star Spangled Banner is one of the most beautiful and liberating songs that could ever grace one's ears! I feel such pride whenever I hear Jamaica, Land We Love.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMdaY0j4bMI

Carnival/Bacchanal is a very well known parade that takes place in the majority of the Caribbean and some South American countries. There is an annual Carnival in Brazil, Trinidad and Tobago, Haiti, Jamaica, to name a few. Carnival is a parade of celebration, dancing, drinking, and pure fun. Everyone on the streets are moving to the music in whatever way they can and it is a beautiful festival that brings many people together. The word Bacchanal means a time of drunken festivities, but I think this Trinidadian Soca song can explain it far better than I.
https://youtu.be/1m9FNP25vM0

(lyrics if you can't understand)
Yeah, baby you know how we do
You, me
You tell your friends
I'll tell mine
It's dat time again

[verse 1: Destra]
Carnival in T and T
Is so special to all ah we
Like we need blood in we vain
Dats how we feel about Port-of-Spain
When de posse dem come in town
Beating pan and ah bongo drum
Is madness everywhere
Carnival is ah true freedom
Make ah noise or ah joyfull sound
And jump up in de air
So...

[Chorus:]
Everybody take ah jump, take ah jump, take ah jump up now
Start to wave, start to wave, start to wave up now
Start to wine, start to wine, start to wine up now
Because, it's Carnival

[Bridge 1:]
So put yuh rag dem in de air, in de air, in de air
Stomp yuh foot dem on de ground, on de ground, on de ground
And lemme see you jump around, jump around, jump around
And let dem know we comin' down, comin' down, comin' down
Yeah ya

[verse 2: Destra]
All de pettiness have tuh down
We is de soca vagabonds
Is madness everywhere
Marinating under de sun
Dis is how we does all come one
And jump up in de air

[Chorus x2]

[Bridge 2:]
So put yuh bumper like ah truck, like ah truck, like ah truck
And lemme see yuh push it back, push it back, push it back
And now yuh ready take ah jump, take ah jump, take ah jump
Well lemme see yuh jook it up, jook it up, jook it up
And lemme see yuh roll

[verse 3: Destra]
Seasons come and seasons go
But Carnival will last
From Port-of-Spain straight to S'ando
Take it out, take it out and play ah mas'

[Chorus x2]

[verse 4:]
Carnival when I comin' down
Jumpin' to dis crazy song
People spreading rumours in town
Machel is ah mad man
You know you love bacchanal
Is part of dey festival
All dat is Carnival

[Bridge 3:]
So put yuh flag dem in de air, in de air, in de air
Stomp yuh foot dem on de ground, on de ground, on de ground
And lemme see you pull yuh rag, pull yuh flag, pull yuh rag
And let dem know we comin' down, comin' down, comin' down
So push yuh bumper like ah truck, like ah truck, like ah truck
Well lemme see yuh push it back, push it back, push it back
And when yuh ready take ah jump, take ah jump, take ah jump up now
Because, it's Carnival

[Outro:]
Watch de ride...
Push it, push it, push it
And everybody take ah, take ah, take ah
And lemme meh see yuh push it, push it, push it
And everybody take ah, take ah, take ah
And lemme meh see yuh now
Like ah truck, like ah truck, like ah
And lemme meh see yuh take ah wave, take ah wave, take ah
And lemme meh see yuh take ah jump, take ah, take ah
And when yuh ready push it, push it, push it
Yeah, ha

It is amazing to me how there is so much talent in EVERY single country on this planet. I looked up "Brazilian Idol" to see if there were any shows similar to American Idol, and I found this video from Brazilians got Talent"of this WONDERFUL young man who goes by the name Jotta A. This video speaks for itself but his voice is absolutely outstanding. It's great that there are opportunities like "idol" shows or "got talent" shows that allow people to create a name for themselves! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_tb2KKjUpM 

Cool Stuff #2

As a child, I really enjoyed watching American Idol because I have always loved music and I loved seeing the different levels of talent that was tucked away all over the country. I looked up Arab Idol Auditions on Youtube and came across this video. On American Idol, you can always almost immediately tell whether or not the singer would be going to Hollywood, either by their voice or by the judges' reactions. Unfortunately, since I have absolutely no knowledge of Arab music or how it "should" sound, I had no clue how well this young man performed. Judging by some of the judges faces, some seems very pleased while others tried to hide their laughs. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JT5B3vHb2Io

While looking for blues music on youtube, I decided to search my high school's jazz band to see if there were any videos on there, and surely enough, there was a video of my band performing at an outdoor concert during my junior year. The song is called "Blues-Bari Pie" and it features a baritone saxophone solo (my friend Willie). (I am in the second row on the far right if you were wondering) 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKfEKr1e-1o

When I first discovered the didgeridoo when I was younger, I was absolutely amazed. I learned about this instrument many years before I began playing the trumpet in 6th grade, so it confused me as to how a hollow cylinder could produce such a sound! After learning about buzzing, embouchure, and the different methods of playing instruments, I then completely understood the science of the didgeridoo. Here is a 10 hour video of the wonderful music of the didgeridoo. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHSRv4Hsxn0 

Music and Gender

In my seven years of being involved with music, I have noticed that there aren't very many gender divisions regarding who played what instrument. It seemed as though most students only wanted to play the instrument with which they had the most talent and produced the most enjoyable experience. I remembered hearing that there aren't very many female conductions in the world of classical music, and while that is true, it isn't the same within middle and high schools, as I had both male and female band directors all throughout my grade-school years and they were each equally as talented and knowledge as the next.
I was in marching band from 7th-12th grade and was the drum major my senior year and the only gender separation that I have noticed within my middle/high school marching band is that there weren't very many female students playing the bigger brass instruments. Not because they weren't able to, but because the instruments were simply too heavy for them to carry while marching smoothly AND playing a crisp sound. There were still boys playing the flute and clarinet and girls playing the baritone and bass drum in the marching band and my friend Anna Kate and I both took turns playing the drum set in our jazz band. Each of the students played the instrument that interested them and had no care in the world that it may have been "too masculine" or "too feminine. I find that music is music no matter who is playing it. The gender of the person holding  the instrument doesn't change the sound that they are producing. the only thing that is different at Converse in comparison to what I have experienced at my previous schools is the singing. Not very many boys/men sing like the women here. That would be strange. Beautiful, but strange.

-NTP

This Stuff is Pretty Cool! #1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sqq3U_mydv0I really found Carlos Nakai's music very interesting when we listened in class. I know that a lot of instrumental music can have great meaning, even though there are no words, but it fascinated me that Nakai's songs each have their own significance that greatly affect the Navajo people. Not only is his music absolutely beautiful, but it is also very pure and soothing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYrTyJBoAmk
I decided to look up "Navajo children" on youtube and came up with this video. The description says "Navajo school children compete in a Native American singing competition". In the many elementary schools that I had the great pleasure of attending, there was never a competition held for the students. There were always talent shows and talent showcases, but students were never put up against each other for a price or reward. I find it very interesting that everyone is included in the Navajo community; kids, adults, males and females, everyone has the opportunity to participate in a large setting and competition is looked at as great fun.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CV0kgidzGqY
This video is a little bit cheesy, but I have always been very interested in other languages and comparing them to the languages that I do know. While this seems very silly to watch, I find great value in this video as it allows me to learn simple words in another language.

Music and Religion

For me personally, music is the most important aspect of my religion. I am a Christian, and my favorite way to feel close to God is through praise and worship, or just listening and studying gospel music. Here are a few of my favorite songs:

https://youtu.be/rFNHmA9a2gI

https://youtu.be/W7zwlHZ4fxU?list=RDrFNHmA9a2gI

Music is my favorite form of worship because it is also something in which I have great skill, so, if I ever wanted to create a worship song of my own, I feel as though I would be fully equipped to do so. Music I generally used in church services the traditional form of worship through hymns and/or praise bands. This time allows church goers to send praises to the Lord before and after hearing His word. 

I have found that many gospel artists have attempted to make their music sound more secular so as to reach out to and attract younger listeners. These artists are beginning to focus more on how the music sounds rather than what the words are saying, therefore defeating the purpose of the song and I think that this is the wrong method of taking things from society and applying them to music. One rule that should be followed within the realm of gospel music is that the lyrics of the song should do nothing other than tell a story of God's grace and mercy, rather than attracting more people solely for the style of the music. When the focus of a song is taken away from The Lord and placed upon the singer or the audience, it is no longer gospel music. It is selfish to try to classify songs that have little to nothing to do with God as gospel. 

My Global Music Autobiography

My parents and siblings were all born in Jamaica while I had the pleasure of arriving on earth in Bridgeport Connecticut, a melting pot of cultures. Growing up, my mom worked on the radio where she played a wide array of music from reggae and dancehall to the Temptations and the O'Jays. As a child, whenever I was asked what my favorite genre of music was, I would always reply, "Anything but country music and rock. I can't stand either of those genres. They don't make sense to me." I grew up listening to reggae artists like Gregory Isaacs and Jah Cure, gospel artists like Mahalia Jackson and even some of Elvis' gospel, "old hits" artists like Dionne Warwick, The Jackson Five, and Celine Dion. From the young age of even three years old, I was singing songs that people generations above me listened to in their teen years. In high school I was introduced to more jazz songs than I'd ever imagine I'd know by heart as I was a part of the Jazz band for two years.

Now, as an eighteen year old, I feel as though my musical palette is slightly more broad than my close friends because I was introduced to such a wide selection at a young age. This has allowed me to be more open to new types of music as I have a newfound love for soca, bachata, and afro beat music and I have taken the time out to learn about these new cultures. 

As I am creating music of my own, and somewhat focusing on R&B and hip hop beats, I am finding ways so incorporate my favorite genres into my own music. Many of my friends point out that my songs have a "bachata twist" or "reggae vibes" throughout them, and that inspires me to find more genres that I can somehow transform into my own. 

-NTP

FINALMENTE

Before coming to Converse, I was just a baby.

I actually thought that maybe

I’d grow out of that name.

Seeing that we are all adults and are viewed as the same,

I actually hoped and prayed that I’d grow out of that name.

Unfortunately, I didn’t.

It’s my own fault, I couldn’t keep it hidden 

That I was only 17.

But I am 18 now.

It’s been exactly one month but I’m still shocked at how

I was able to fly home by myself and celebrate the day of my birth

With the things i go through mentally,

my experience could’ve been worse. 

Every day is still a slight struggle,

some days better than the last.

As time goes past I think it’s going too fast.

I still don’t know why I’m at Converse, but I know its for a good reason

every trial and tribulation, I know there’s a reason for this season.

In these few short months, 

I have grown and matured.

While my anxiety isn’t cured, 

I constantly look forward

to the day I am able to look back on this time of my life

and say with pride, “I appreciate that strife”.

During my time at Converse, 

I have been able to use my sense of independence

I have learned to manage my time wisely and take care of myself. 

I’ve learned that not everyone will like you, and not to take it to heart,

not everyone deserves to be a part

of your life, and that’s fine. To each her own. 

I hope they all know, they can always contact me by phone,

or email, or in person. 

I’d never be one to worsen someones day with any sort of negativity.

I’m still not sure where I’m going

But i know my future is glowing.

I hope to graduate knowing that I did my part

I hope to help everyone, no matter who you are.

My life Is still unclear and I know that’s normal. 

I hope that in the future, if you forget these words,

that you remember my face, and know my troubles are with the birds. 

I feel as though my "poem" does a great job of explaining my transition into college over the last few months. I did mention in class that I would share a lot more about myself in my blog, and I apologize but, I don't really feel comfortable doing so yet. There is a lot to know about me, and there are many things that I can share with you all. But for now, just know that I have experienced many things in my short life and I am continuously growing, evolving, and learning from those things. I have an amazing mom and a wonderful best friend (who I call my brother) who both give me constant support on a daily basis. 

The character that I'd most like to emulate in my own life is George I, but not to the fullest extent. His work ethic is something that I admire and would like to be able to acquire for myself. Although he was constantly painting and neglected his social life, he truly became one of the best artists of his time and I personally believe that that is because of his attention to detail and perfectionism. I would love to have the drive that he has in order for me to be the best that I can be in whatever it is that I decide to do with my future.

(Backstory on my best friend and I)

We met in 9th grade (I'd already been attending our school since 7th grade) and I was going through a huge change in my life. I'm a really, really shy person and the other kids at my school were extremely judgmental and pretentious and I figured that I had nothing to lose by going to him for advice. Little did either of us know that that one moment of advice would turn into nearly four and a half years of a bond that many of our friends, students at our high school, and some of the teachers truly admire. We have honestly become siblings more than anything else and we have taught and continue to teach each other A LOT. And, as expected, many people assumed that we were dating, but that was never the case. He is an only child and I grew up being the only child in the house so it has been good to have an older brother who I can look up to, and he has enjoyed having a little sister to look after. :)

(I hope this video works. It was the day after our graduation and we'd gone to so many grad parties over that weekend)

PS, my mom is AMAZING. I would add a picture of her but I truly cannot find any recent ones of us together.

-NTP