"Sharp Like a Razor, Steady Like a Train"

These words (spoken by Reese Witherspoon, as June Carter) describe the Johnny Cash's music and the movie , Walk the Line. The movie is longer than most, but keeps you interested as if you were Johnny Cash yourself. Reese Witherspoon and Joaquin Phoenix were wonderful in their roles. I was watching the promotion on Oprah a few weeks before it came out. I remember celebrities admitting they had to learn to sing for the role. Not many actors make good singers, nor singers make good actors, but these two were pretty close to the original voices. I'm hoping for the soundtrack at Christmas.

Both Witherspoon and Phoenix deserve an Oscar for this one. I really liked the portrayal of June Carter in this movie. Yes, she went through a few relationships. Overall though, I think she really held herself together, despite all the spotlight and judgements. You can really see her love for music, comedy, and mankind. Her faith in God is headstrong, and saves Johnny as he struggles with a drug addiction. This had definitely been her best role. Anyhow, that's my two cents. And folks, if you haven't seen the movie: "Let's go, time's a wasting!" I really wish the pair had finished this song in the movie. It made a great duet!

H. M. S. Pinafore at UNC-Greensboro

Last Thursday, my students, my principal as the bus driver, 2 chaperones, and myself took a trip to UNCG to see a performance of Gillbert and Sullivan's H. M. S. Pinafore. Before the performance, I fully prepped students in hopes they would gain more appreciation opera as an art form. I told of the range of voices in the opera, the different parts (aria and recititive-that is a fun word to say, so I made them say it.) I told them the difference between a play, musical, and an opera. And of course, I gave them a test. They had to tell me what the opera was about after it was over. They could care less. They were just happy to be missing out of their academic duties at school, nevermind they would be responsible for making up their work. They are lucky they got almost a full day. We sang carols and many other songs on the way over and back to Reidsville. When we arrived, they were several things going on that day. There was a show playing next door to the performance we were supposed to see. When I got off the bus, I was told to send my bus driver to the Greensboro Colliseum. Just my luck, they send my principal to some place he can't see the performance. Thankfully, David Holley, the director, was able to save the day and have someone retrieve him.

Everyone from my crew( hehe) enjoyed the performance tremendously. I thought the shipmates greeting us when we came in were wonderful. All the girls especially enjoyed the ladies' costumes. The set was neatly done. I ran into Brian Hodges, an awesome cellist. I showed my students the orchestra pit, which they were amazed by. We had wonderful seats in the orchestra section. I really enjoyed the music. Some tunes were rather catchy! I am also glad they had the words up on the screen above the stage. Some of the words were hard to catch, although the voices were beautiful. When we arrived on the bus, I was really suprised how the children remembered several of the characters names and the main plot of the story. I guess they past the test and gained some appreciation along the way. (Another teaching success story!) As for me, this was the concert/performance I had been longing for since my college days.

Children of Eden

Last night, I went to see the musical, Children of Eden. The show was put on by Greensboro Day School, just down the street. For anyone who hasn't seen the show, the basic story is Genesis 1-8. It follows the story of Adam and Eve, Cain and Abel, and Noah's Ark very well. It is is very popular by many (especially large and small church groups.) Although I have never seen the musical, The Lion King, I think Children of Eden could be equally as popular professionally done on Broadway.
Considering Greensboro Day School is a private school, I was hoping for a little over the top vocally, but as a whole it was a great show. It was still high school level, however, there were some voices that stood out. The young lady playing Mama Noah, could definitely have a spot on American Idol, with her unique voice. The animal costumes were very eloborate. I especially liked the turtles on skateboards and the stuffed sea animals floating atop the orchestra pit. The lighting was exceptional. Glowing stars, rain, and lightning were well presented. There were some minor problems with sound but overall still good. There was no lack of equipment at this private high school. There was a full theatre with orchestra and balcony seats, a fully equipped sound room, and very nice restrooms. This is any musician's dream. (I'll stick to my computer and MIDI system, considering I just learned the ropes of home recording.) This would make a great Sunday evening show for you and your family.

Anyone heard of disc golf.....

Today I learned a new sport, it is called Disc Golf. I've been attending Health Nuts, a group after school dedicated to helping children eat right and exercise. It was there, we had another teacher come in and show us the ropes of disc golf. From my understanding, this goes way back (not sure how far) I will check on that. Now considering I have never played real golf before, except for miniature golf, I had no clue how to take score, and so it appears that golf and disc golf are very similar in the rules of the game. From my understanding there are places you can go in Greensboro and play for free or sometimes there is a fee depending on where you go. All the information about disc golf can be found at the Professional Disc Golfers Association website. So happy disc golfing folks....