Dar Williams: “The Christians and the Pagans”

“The Christians and the Pagans” has been one of my favorite Dar Williams songs for a long time — so much so, in fact, that I chose it as my senior solo with my a cappella group in college (it helped that my friend offered to arrange it for me, though). It is not, however, a song that Dar performs frequently, from what I’ve been able to tell from my four concerts (and multiple YouTube searches). Nevertheless, at her concert at the Fitzgerald Theater in Saint Paul, MN, Dar sang “The Christians and the Pagans,” and it was wonderful.

From Soprano 2 to Tenor 2: I’m Joining a Chorus!

For months, I have considered auditioning for a local LGBTA chorus: I love to sing, and I miss choral singing. Since I started T three months ago, however, my singing voice has changed immensely, which made selecting an audition piece absolutely nerve-wracking (not to mention the actual rehearsing of it and auditioning itself). As of Monday of last week, when I worked on my voice with my former high school choir director, I had a six-note singing range. That’s less than one octave. Nevertheless, I auditioned, and they accepted me!

“Rolling In The Deep” — Adele, Sam Tsui, Lea Michele, and Jonathan Groff

I keep getting Adele’s “Rolling In The Deep” stuck in my head. It’s catchy but powerful, and it’s unique. It has also inspired a number of covers that I think are really impressive, particularly Lea Michele and Jonathan Groff on Glee and Sam with Tyler Ward on KurtHugoSchneider’s YouTube channel. 

Stanford Fleet Street Singers’ “Prayer To The God Of Partial Credit”

A lot has happened today; hopefully, I’ll post about that tomorrow. Until then, I have one of the first videos I ever took with my very first digital camera, way back in 2007. My camera’s quality wasn’t very good; my hands weren’t very steady; I hadn’t quite figured out how to take the perfect a cappella video (I had it basically perfected by my senior year, though). However, the Stanford Fleet Street Singers are amazing (well worth watching an imperfect video), and “Prayer To The God Of Partial Credit” has been one of my favorite a cappella songs since I first saw it performed at Bryn Mawr, in March of 2007.

Caitlin Heaney: Talented Singer/Songwriter and YouTube Performer

You should all check out my friend Caitlin’s YouTube channel at CaitlinHeaneyMusic. She’s got a fantastic voice, and she also plays piano and guitar. She writes her own songs and music, as well as singing really great covers of a wide variety of songs (she’s very talented). I haven’t heard her sing in person in years, but I always love watching one of music videos on YouTube. 

Mamma Mia! (The Musical)

I love Mamma Mia!. I really do. I know it’s ABBA, and it’s cheesy, and it’s not exactly the most intensely emotional or weighty of musicals (yes, musicals have depth and messages; they’re not all just fluffy bits of song and dance), but I don’t care. I’ve seen it . . . ooh, probably four times? I pretty much try to see it whenever the touring cast stops in Minneapolis. It’s just so much fun!

Something I’ve Never Told Anyone

Write about one thing you’ve never told anyone and explain why

This sounds odd, but I’m not actually certain what I’ve told people. There are, of course, a number of things I’ve kept under wraps, so to speak, but I’ve not really kept track of my secrets. I email certain people and just sort of unload everything in my mind at the time . . . pretty much without a filter. And then I don’t necessarily remember every single word of the tens or hundreds of thousands. But I’ve shared most of my secrets, whether they be related to gender, queerness, my worries, insecurities, fears of being forgotten. It’s difficult to think of something I’m certain I’ve never told anyone. And then if I can, it’s not necessarily something about which I want to blog — really, if I haven’t told the people I trust most, why would I tell the internet? Still, there’s one thing I’m willing to share that I’m pretty sure I’ve not yet told to anyone. 

Two Weeks On T!

For the first month I’m on T, I’m supposed to get my shot every two weeks, and this past fortnight since my first shot has gone by so slowly. Of course, by the weekend after my first shot of T, I was already getting impatient for my next one. I was so tempted to get my second shot last week — I am really not good with this patience thing — but I managed to restrain myself. I got my script from a doctor, after all; I might as well listen to her directions (especially since I’m sure there’s a good reason for it).

Glee Live Was So Amazing!

Glee in Minneapolis

The Glee Live Tour came to the Target Center in Minneapolis tonight, and I got to see it! It was incredible. Despite my problems with Glee as a show, I really do adore the cast and music of Glee. The cast of Glee is so talented (and Darren Criss joined them for the tour!), and the show exceeded my already high expectations.

Darren Criss, Chris Colfer, and Candles = Perfection

I cannot get the Glee/Darren Criss/Chris Colfer version of Hey Monday’s “Candles” out of my head. It is so gorgeous. And the video of it is just adorable (even though, listening to the lyrics, it’s not exactly the most apropos choice for their love song/duet vibes and the little hearts in both their eyes).