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Just a simple, thoughtful think-outside-the -box type of guy that enjoys writing, music and anything involving fine arts and science. Spent some time in the Army once, and currently working in veteran employment services and teaching. I am here to freelance write and share music opinions as well as some personal creations of my own.

Tuesday, November 18, 2014

Some Inspiring Moments with UT Arlington's Department of Music



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I started private piano lessons a the age of nine. I auditioned for piano and producing as a freshman and was accepted at Booker T. Washington for the Performing and Visual Arts High School in Dallas. I then studied music at Richland College for two years.


All of this might sound like I was on my way to having a career in music someday, but the fear of failure emerged and held on like a death grip, eventually causing me to make alternative life decisions. Even with the What if's and should have's, I don't regret it.

 You have to go all in, or don't, and I chose the latter.

But my point is that,  I met some brilliantly talented UT Arlington music students that have their eyes set on the prize. It was fun and inspiring to see such dedicated freshmen on my recent story endeavor.

I first met piano majors Julia Large and Wade Girton, who caught my ear when I heard them playing Beethoven's 5th Symphony as a duet on piano. Most people have heard this catchy piece before, with its raw and distinctive G triplet bass notes in the beginning. They worked hard to be able to perform in an honor's recital as freshman, and did a flawless performance at their recital. Unfortunately, regarding the video below, I lost the footage of them playing at the concert, but managed to catch them rehearsing a few times. The experience was great, and I loved finding out what composers/pieces they were studying. Turns out, I know, or had known quite a few that they knew or were working on.

Although piano is my thing, the most entertaining experience was the percussion ensemble performance. The beauty of the xylophone timbers harmonizing with bells in a fury of melodic rhythms was like a trance into a far galaxy. I was lost in a trance with all of the pings and dings, and could close my eyes to see a winter wonderland below a starry black and purple skyline into space.

The world/ethnic rhythms, most of them noted on the program as having African origin, was ear candy and dance worthy. Dr. Michael Varnes, a passionate and very entertaining conductor and director, praised the students for their hard work in preparation for the recital, (some of the percussion parts were obviously very difficult) and thanked them for such dedication, even though for many students this ensemble is an elective.

In the video below, I have highlighted some of the moments I spent with these students, and captured some of the music they performed. The UT Arlington music calendar of events that mark student and faculty performances with instruments and music styles of all types, most of them all free. I highly recommend checking a performance out this semester


If you started learning music at a young age, would you attend college for it and pursue it as a career?


With the type of music that is popular today, do you think jazz and classical music are good options to choose to study in order to find a reliable career?

Thank you, and I hope you enjoy. (I do realize there is some shake camera a few editing mistakes, but this was my first time. I learned a lot of ways to improve the next video though.)




Tuesday, November 11, 2014

A Day in Fort Worth at Martin House Brewery



Martin House logo inside the warehouse



Driving up to Martin House Brewery on Sylvania Avenue, you might wonder if your GPS has failed you. The seemingly abandoned warehouse of the correct address shows no remnants of life. A quick phone call to the main number posted on their website directed me to pull around the corner in the back. Before turning into the actual parking lot, you see a neato view of the Downtown Fort Worth Skyline on the horizon with the river only feet away. The neighborhood is somewhat sketchy, surrounded by rusty junk yards and auto repair shops, but Martin House is neatly placed like a jewel in the middle of a satisfying location.
Patrons at Martin House waiting for tour to begin




The Martin House logo sits high above the warehouse garage door, which is the entrance for patrons taking the tour. I'm greeted by none only but the owner who seems a little tipsy himself. The friendly volunteer at the door accepted the ten dollar cover, which allows me three pints of the beer of your choice and a souvenir glass. As you can see from my twitter posts


















 The place has a fun atmosphere, which makes you want to semi-party and practically forget about the tour (the tour is really just a guy explaining the brewing process in front of the brewing equipment in the middle of the warehouse.) The floor is concrete, and the benches are contrived of a large block of wood and two kegs. The walls are made of uneven drywall, and painted in quality art with creates a nice aesthetic value. 


Craft beer is a fun past time for me, but it also is becoming the new snob wine. Most of my experience with trying new flavors are from restaurants, but I felt like this was a much more fun and relaxed atmosphere in comparison to the over priced vendors. 




Out of the four beers on tap there are two that definitely hold their own. The pretzel stout has a rich flavor worthy of a meal that, dare I say, Guinness doesn't hold a candle to, and the Daybreak had a lighter honey taste better suited for the connoisseur who prefers less kick. 




Souvenir glasses
This place has a great following, with at least 200 people there, even right up until closing at 5. Music was performed by a lone guitar player with several funky looking guitars and instruments (yes, I probably should have focused on the music a little more, but he was just wrapping up his set as I got there.) In the back yard there are folks playing a bean bag game and playing fetch with their dogs. A Central Market truck in the mostly packed lot served some unique and socially conscious food.


A view outside in the back of Martin House Brewery





Overall, I had a great time, and it seems as though there are at least several other breweries popping up around Dallas and Fort Worth. Have you been to one yourself? What was it like?