A Musical Discussion

Many of you might wonder what music I like, and who inspires me. As you know, I've always been into music, but this year, I've understood that music is much more than listening. Its what you choose to do with every note, and make it dynamic and energetic. Its learning about what chords you are using, in what progressive order. What embellishments are you using? Are you using a passing tone, or an upper neighbor tone, or are you using a perfect authentic cadence to end your phrase? There are so many things that are hidden deep beneath the musical surface. No matter what background we come from, what are talents are, or how much music we are exposed to, music is still the universal language that speaks directly to us leaving a successful and profound impact. I grew up with music all my life, and when from playing the piano, to cello. I still compose my own work on the piano, but am studying professionally on the cello. I've seen it explained in a quote that "Music is what feelings sound like." Throughout my life, I have shuffled through many different artists, and throughout the sifting, here are the main influences that remain in my life today!

First and foremost, my all time favorite composer would be the Great Alan Menken. I cant even begin describing what his music has done for me in my life. His stuff is incredible! Most people are not familiar with his name, but recognize his work. He was going to be a dentist, but later decided to write musicals. He started his first work for "Little Shop of Horrors" (which included dentistry) and then started his hit score "The Little Mermaid." After that it was "Beauty and the Beast," "Aladdin," "Pocahontas," "The Hunchback of Notre Dame," "Hercules," Enchanted," and "Tangled." His chords are so warm and alive. Such an emotional and remarkable musician. Best of them all in this century in my opinion.

Amy Lee has always been a strong influence and example to me. I look up to her greatly and hope to even become half the person she is. I've studied her for many years and feel that my study has not been in vain. I feel like I connect with her the most out of any person because we share a deep interest in darker sounds. The way she sings is so beautiful and haunting at the same time. She grew up as a classical trained pianist who enjoys Beethoven and Mozart. Her lyrics are always emotional and powerful. I cant think of a greater example of a true musician today than Amy Lee. She is indeed a role model for all of us. She is extremely determined and hard working in all that she does and displays complete loyalty to music and her fans. None of her work include lip-syncing, auto-tune, or any other type of dishonesty. Her passion for music her one and only reason for her work, and often shares that fame, sex, and money are never the motivation for her work. She has released 3 albums: "Fallen," "The Open Door," and "Evanescence." She's married, plays the harp, and lives in New York City. Check out this amazing interview: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZbcgsjmNzO4

Hanz Zimmer composer for "Prince of Egypt," "The Dark Knight," "The Lion King," "Inception," "Pirates of the Caribbean," and many more is such an outstanding composer. I can always tell if i'm hearing his work because of the intensity. He is amazing.

Viktor Uzur is somebody that I've personally met and worked with weekly. I admire him because he doesn't just play music. Every note he plays is distributed with the educated weight, pressure, speed, vibration, and texture. He also knows every detail of just one note and the theory behind it. It wouldnt be inaccurate to say that he is the best performing cellist in the nation.

Josh Groban, in my opinion, is the best male vocalist alive. Listening to his voice is like having a icy cool breath mint in your mouth. Not only is his tone the best, but his vocal abilities are incredible. He has a very wide range and is able to hold notes for a long time. Everybody should hear this guy sing. 

David Osmond is the son of Alan Osmond, and the nephew of Donny Osmond. He has appeared on "American Idol," "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat," and Liken productions such as "Jonah." I admire him not only for his talents, but for his life changing story of MS and new perspective on life. He is a man of strength and hope, and has two albums out titled: "Reflected," and "Road Less Traveled." He sings with EFY singers like Jenny Jordan Frogley and writes his own lds music like: "Today is the Day." He went on a mission, married in the Salt Lake City Temple, and has two beautiful daughters.

 Mack Wilberg attended Brigham Young University upon finishing his missionary service, and earned a bachelor's degree in music in 1979. He then earned a PhD in music from the Thornton School of Music at the University of Southern California.He is a former professor of music at (BYU) where he directed the Brigham Young University Men's Chorus and Concert Choir. His compositions and arrangements are performed and recorded by choral organizations throughout the world. In addition to the many compositions he has written for the Mormon Tabernacle Choir He is so amazing and his music lifts and inspires all listeners. Every song he writes invites a strong spirit.                                                                                                                                           

Nathan Pacheco graduated from the music program of Brigham Young University, and also followed his love of culture and languages by continuing his education abroad in South America and Europe. Nathan spent over two years in Brazil, being immersed in its culture and allowing its influence to contribute to his musical development. He eventually traveled throughout Brazil, performing both classical as well as some of Brazil’s cultural music. He also spent time in Italy, studying the language while performing with the Opera Festival of Lucca. In all of these adventures to different countries, he was relentless in his efforts to learn the languages. The result is his ability to speak and compose in English, Portuguese, Italian, and Spanish. He has a self titled album out. Visit his website at nathanpacheco.com                                                                         

William Joseph at age 8 won a full music scholarship provided by the Boys Clubs of America, enabling him to study piano with Russian pianist Stella Saperstein. He was the first teacher hired by Piano Warehouse in Phoenix, Arizona and taught for the company Arizona Music Lessons, later renamed the Arizona Music Academy, for which he still performs short teaching periods.In 2003, Joseph performed at a charity event in his hometown and bumped into David Foster, for whom he played. Foster was impressed, and they began collaborating, eventually writing several songs together that would appear on 2004's Within, Joseph's major-label debut. By this time, Joseph was signed under Foster's 143 Records, a sub-label of Reprise Records and Warner Bros. Records. He sacrificed musical opportunities to go on a LDS mission, and returned with many blessings and opportunities because of his choice.

When Emily Bear was two years old, her grandmother recognized her talent at the piano. Emily began to study with Emilio del Rosario at the Music Institute of Chicago. Within four years, she was enrolled at the Winnetka campus to study classical music. Bear started to compose music at the age of three. By the age of eight, she had composed more than 350 pieces. For her piece Northern Lights, she won the ASCAP Foundation Morton Gould Young Composer Award for composers under 18 years of age. She also won the Rockford Area Music Industry Award (RAMI). Emily was the youngest solo performer in the history of the Ravinia Festival. Bear has made six appearances on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, played at the White House for President George W. Bush when she was 6, and performed Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 23 with the Champaign-Urbana Symphony Orchestra. In 2011, Emily made her debut at the iconic Hollywood Bowl. With more than 11,000 people looking on, Emily played a medley of her own arrangement, “The Bumble Boogie” and performed “Miss Celie’s Blues” (from the score of The Color Purple) with singers Gloria Estefan, Patti Austin, Siedah Garrett and Nikki Yanofsky. That summer, Quincy Jones also presented Emily at the 45th Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland and the Festival Castell in Peralada, Spain where she performed solo as well as with Grammy Award-winner, Esperanza Spalding. Emily's mentor Quincy Jones stated: “I am at once astounded and inspired by the enormous talent that Emily embodies. She is the complete 360-degree package, and there are no limits to the musical heights that she can reach.” Emily is currently studying classical piano with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s principal keyboardist Mary Sauer and jazz improvisation with Alan Swain. Emily also studies with Veda Kaplinsky, head of the piano department at Juilliard and Ron Sadoff, head of New York University Film Scoring Department. One of Emily's greatest loves is composing for film and she has already scored many short films.

Stephen Schwartz is somebody that I admire greatly. He has worked with Howard Ashman and Alan Menken for Disney films and wrote lyrics to Disney's "Pocahontas," "The Hunchback of Notre Dame," and "Enchanted." He also worked with Hans Zimmer for the songs of "The Prince of Egypt." He has also taken on the task of writing the songs and lyrics for the new musical titled "Wicked!"

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky was a Russian composer who wrote many Symphonies, Concertos, Opera's, etc. He is well known for his Ballet works of "Sleeping Beauty," and "The Nutcracker." If you listen carefully to the Disney soundtrack, the exact scores for the ballet is used in the film. I enjoy his unique classical style. 

RED is a influential Christian group with minor, and passionate chords and tones. I enjoy their vocalist, lyrics, melodies, and style. I feel that deep down in my soul, this is everything there that comes out when I write. I was so excited to find a group that matches my style. Deep down, this is the music that communicates the best to me. Minus the screaming vocals, this album absolutely gorgeous and emotional.

I also enjoy Horror soundtracks such as The Grudge and The Grudge 2 by Christopher Young. I enjoy and appreciate all the clashing and dissonant chords that can effect mood. Also, there are a few tracks that are absolutely gorgeous and phenomenal.   

Below are more inspirational music I really enjoy. We Are The Fallen, Within Temptation, Tarja Turunen from Nightwish, and Flyleaf.

*There are many other artists who I enjoy, but do not include on the list due to time. Beethoven, Bach, Mozart, Rachmaninoff, Chopin, Danny Elfman, Dvorak, etc.

I believe that the music we chose has an impacting effect on our spirit as well as our health. Just as one bag of chips or one cigarette does not result in immediate death or serious illness, so is this the case to a few exposures or experiences to destructive music. Smokers survive years and years before death or illness, but after all that time, they are collectively and overall filled with pollution and decline in responsive health. Cheap, raunchy, and distasteful music most likely wont lead to death, but it dulls sensitivity and can change our ways of thinking and feeling to even an extreme case of murder or suicide. Richard Paul White, a serial killer in Colorado claimed that heavy metal and violent movies contributed to his killing. Music can influence us in a way that is difficult to understand or comprehend. Besides from the negatives, music was given to us to quicken our progress here on earth. To feel and understand love faster, and to improve and be motivated to do our best. Correct music is healthy for our brain and can improve our overall health. 

Some if you want to kill me for putting this out, but there is some music that I dont enjoy/never listen to. Some of these may give you an idea about who I am and may determine your future relationship with me. Who knows? haha. Hope not to offend.

• Lady Gaga
• Katy Perry
• Ke$ha
• Guns and Roses
• System of a Down
• Rise Against
• The Beatles
• Metalica
• AC/DC
• Britney Spears
• Justin Bieber
• Michael Jackson
• Elvis
• Beyonce
• Little Wayne
• Eminem
• Akon
• Kanye West
• Snoop Dogg
• Niki Manaj
• Taylor Swift
• Rihanna
• Madonna
• Adele
• Bruno Mars
• Miley Cyrus
• Pink
• Chris Brown
• Usher
• R. Kelly
• Jason Derülo
• Pink Floyd
• Led Zepplin
• The Rolling Stones
• Queen
• Aerosmith
• Black Sabbath
• Ozzy Osborne
• Marilyn Manson