Hello, and welcome bace to Captured Moments! This week, I picked Thursday, 28th, as a day to show what I did.

9:30-10:30

I started the day with a test in Music Theory. The test had material had material on seven diminished chords, passing 6/4 chord, pedal 6/4 chord, and cadential 6/4. I found it challenging to differentiate between these chords because they all look and sometimes sound similar, but each chord has a purpose. For example, the seven diminished chord creates tension and acts as a leading tone. Once you hear it in a piece, you can identify them easily because there is a certain quality of sound that you can hear.

12:30-1:30

Next, I had my weekly lesson. I performed Chopin Ballad No.3, and I found some things that I had been practicing on show up seamlessly during my playing. There are still some things, dynamics and flow, that I need to work on, but the progress is going well!

3-4

Then, I have my French class on central. I am learning about superlatives and comparatives. Also, I can start to see some connections between learning French and in classical music. I can pronounce French music pieces that I was not able to before, and I also know some culture that I can incorporate into my playing to evoke certain emotions.

4:30

I had a wellness check up for my hand and hearing. I received very good advice on how to keep my hand in good posture, as well as some stretches to do before and after I practice. I received a hand brace to prevent my wrist from bending while I sleep. I also received earplugs to wear when I am working with large ensembles. The SMTD wellness program is very helpful for musicians like myself!

5

I practiced the rest of the day before I perform at my jury!

“(Modern love) walks on by, (Modern love) gets me to the church on time,”

My parents visited Ann Arbor this past weekend, and it was great to be able to spend time with them for the first time since January. I’m lucky to be able to have had some rejuvenating family time to help me recharge for the last stretch of the semester. I have a lot coming up: exams, papers, senior events, student organization commitments, and, of course, graduation and moving out of my house in Ann Arbor.

“(Church on time) terrifies me, (Church on time) makes me party,”

It’s finally starting to hit me that my “lasts” are fast approaching: my last undergraduate assignments, my last tour I give as a University of Michigan Tour Guide, my last club meetings, my last nights staying up late in this college house with my friends. Being able to have these “lasts” is a luxury that I did not receive in high school: due to the pandemic, everything in high school was cut off in mid March of 2020. I had all of my high school “lasts” without even realizing it: my last lacrosse game, my last class, my last test, my last lunch in the cafeteria. I’m realizing that this bittersweet feeling about experiencing my University of Michigan “lasts” is a new one for me, but after the way my high school experience ended, I am well aware that being able to know when my “lasts” are going to be is a blessing.

“(Church on time) puts my trust in God and man,”

Even though it may be sad to knowingly have my “last” experiences, I am grateful to  be able to have these “last” experiences in the first place, since I know firsthand they are not to be taken for granted. I will approach each “last” with enthusiasm and gratitude, and I will be thankful for every “last” I am able to experience.

“(God and man) no confession, (God and man) no religion,”

While my ending to high school was less than ideal, I can appreciate what it taught me: be grateful, take nothing for granted, and make the most of every moment I have, whether or not it is my “last.” This year, in these next few weeks, I have the privilege of experiencing my “lasts,” and I will not let a single one go unremembered or unappreciated.

“(God and man) don’t believe in modern love.”

Listen to Modern Love by David Bowie here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHzVjGBxOJs