ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT & REVIEWS
Take It From the Team: Stage Fright
BY CORI KRONSCHNABEL
On March 5, 2016, students from all over Milwaukee will go to Rufus King High School for the Wisconsin School Music Association District Solo and Ensemble Festival. These students are either singers or instrumentalists, and they are going to perform a piece of music in front of a judge, receive a rating, and maybe go on to the state festival.
The Wisconsin School Music Association (WSMA) is a non-profit, statewide association that was founded in 1932. Their mission is to provide statewide music programming activities, leadership and support for school music programs, and make music an important part of school and community life. They believe that music is a basic human need, and that the study of music develops important life skills, creativity, self-expression, discipline, and teamwork. They are the leader in providing programs that challenge youth to achieve excellence in music, because they believe that participating in music during school encourages lifelong learning, along with appreciation and involvement with music itself. The event that they are most famous for is the WSMA Solo and Ensemble Festival, which takes place throughout Wisconsin from October to May. |
In order to participate, students first have to choose a piece of music from a giant list that WSMA creates. The piece is either class A, B, or C - A being the hardest and C being the easiest. Students can play with any group of people - by themselves, with another, or with a large ensemble, or group. With the help of their teacher, students must register for their district competition and practice their piece so they are ready to perform in front of a judge and get rated on the date of their district festival. The highest score you can get is a 1 if you play a class B or C piece, and a 1* if you play a class A piece. If you get a one star on your class A piece, that means you are qualified to go onto state and play with a piano accompanist for another judge and get rated again. Students are able to receive medals if they achieve good scores for any class of piece. |
Every year, over 32,000 students at 11,000+ events qualify at district festivals to perform at State Solo and Ensemble. By participating in WSMA Solo and Ensemble, students learn to become disciplined at practicing their piece, and they learn that it is worth it to challenge themselves musically by playing advanced music. There are many student musicians that enjoy playing music - when they are by themselves. As soon as they play in front of others, they get dreadfully nervous and clam up. Their performance becomes worse than it is when they play it by themselves. WSMA challenges the fear of performing in front of people, and then it gives you the advice and skills you need to improve both musically and as an individual.
Valerie Mecha My most recent “performance” was at my middle school with my best friend. Being sixth graders, the freshman of middle school, we decided to participate in the school talent show. Needless to say, we were some of the least talented people, singing, I’d Rather be Anything but Ordinary by, Avril Lavigne, while swaying our hips. The best thing that came out of this experience was discovering who my true friends were. They were the ones who held the posters with our names on it, cheered us on, and told us we sounded great, despite popular belief. The worst part was finding out that our mics weren’t malfunctioning like we thought, but instead, the students that handled sound cut our mics repeatedly, because we sounded that awful. If I had to do it all over again, I’d still do it exactly the same way, because it made a great story! Gabby Newton In my life, I’ve performed in middle school choir concerts and musicals, as well as piano recitals. I was always excited to sing with my peers in front of audiences, and while the musical was a one time thing, I enjoyed that as well. Piano on the other hand, I was endlessly nervous for. I blame my anxiety on my ill-preparedness and bad tendency to procrastinate practicing. While performing I would be shaking from my toes to my fingertips, and more than once I would stumble over the keys and make a mistake. If I were to go back, redo my several recitals, I would make piano a higher priority in my life in order to perform better and feel more confident about my musical abilities. |
This month’s questions for the Husky Howler members are these: What types of performances have you done in your life? (WSMA, forensics, concert, etc) What did you like about the experience and why? What did you hate about the experience and why? If you could go back and do it all over, what would you do differently? Morgan Stark My most recent performance was last year, and I was in middle school forensics. I loved my time on the team for many reasons, being that I enjoy public speaking and presenting in front of people, but also meeting many new people that loved the same thing too. Although I enjoyed speaking I got nervous all the time or when I got scored I would get down myself for messing up. This was a great learning experience and really helped me grow as a speaker and over all I don’t think I would change anything about it. Chloe Haapala I have been in forensics. I hated the feeling of sitting in the room and waiting for my doom. I would get really nervous and my hands would be super clammy and my stomach was not okay. Ever. I really loved meeting all of the nice people that do forensics and having a partner who I could just use forensics as a reason to hangout with. I hate being on stage, but I love every other aspect of presentations. |
Freedom Gobel I have been in multiple plays over the last few years. The scariest one would definitely be”A Christmas Carol” in 2012 at the Pabst theater, which seats 1,300 people. Opening night came and I could hear the murmuring of the audience behind the screen. I was shaking and couldn’t stop myself. To make matters worse, I was center-stage in a 1800’s dress too large for comfort with a live burning candle in my hand. But it was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. As soon as the lights went out and the stage lights came on, I stopped shaking. After 3 years of 36 shows per run, it was still the same routine. I just loved the people I met. It’s always great to meet people who love something as much as you do. I wouldn’t change a thing. Cori Kronschnabel I play the flute, and for multiple years I have been participating in WSMA Solo and Ensemble. I like playing duets, and I hate playing solos. Last year I went to WSMA, performed my class A flute solo, and ended up getting a 1*. That shouldn’t have even happened because I didn’t play with an accompanist, but oh well. So I ended up going to state, and played my piece worse at state than I did at regionals. It was awful. I ended up having a panic attack because I was nervous, anxious, and felt very unprepared. If I could reverse time and do it all again I would have practiced more. Much, much more. If I practiced more, I would have felt better about my piece, and I would have had a more rewarding experience. |
This month’s questions for the Husky Howler members are these: What types of performances have you done in your life? (WSMA, forensics, concert, etc) What did you like about the experience and why? What did you hate about the experience and why? If you could go back and do it all over, what would you do differently? PICTURE BY VALERIE MECHA
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Professional Musicians: Inspirations, Advice, and Sacrifices
BY FREEDOM GOBEL
Professional musicians, Peter Mulvey and Melody Betts have seen and heard it all when it comes to music. Peter Mulvey, from Milwaukee, Wisconsin tours the world as an American folk and indie/rock singer-songwriter, but plays often in the Midwest. Melody Betts, from Chicago, Illinois is a singer-songwriter as well that experiments with new genres, mainly focusing on gospel and soul, sometimes including hip hop. She also has experience as an actress. Both are solo artists.
At what point in your life did you know you wanted to pursue music?
Peter: Ever since I was little, I liked to tell stories. I took up the guitar at seven, and so I have very few memories that don't involve my identifying as a storyteller through music. All my life. It's not so much something I chose to do as something I just am, and then got lucky enough, and worked hard enough, to make a living at. Melody: Well, I've been singing all of my life. It's just been a part of who I am since birth. I attached myself to it and we've never parted since. Everything I've experienced in life has been connected to music in some way or another, and so when I realized that I had gifts and talents in the area of music...and those gifts/talents seemed to be greater than everything else in my life, I figured that was a sign that music was the path for me to take. It was made obvious. |
How has music affected you and your life as a person?
Peter: Music is an inherently spiritual language. Playing music can be an almost daily meditative practice. There's plenty of studies to show that this has likely made me happier, healthier, a more flexible thinking, and more emotionally resilient.
Melody: I would be dead without music. Literally, I would be dead. I would've left this earth voluntarily many years ago. But music has been the main catalyst in carrying me through life's ups and downs. I, like many other artsy folk, have experienced lots of trauma in life. If music wasn't there to encourage me, give me hope, teach me about life, teach me elements of self-love and confidence, then I don't know how I would've carried on. The music around me shaped my life. It's a part of everything that I do. |
As a professional musician, what is your advice to young people pursuing music?
Peter: I tried to play live in front of people every chance I got. I've been playing over a hundred concerts a year for nearly thirty years. It's like the playwright David Mamet said: if you devote a lot of energy to something consistently for a few decades, you will have some kind of career. Small words. Tall order.
Melody: Study. Study those who came before you. Never behave as though you've made it. I am preparing for a new album right now, in a new genre and I'm studying. Studying the music and the artists that have gone before me. There is so much to learn and though you may not do exactly as they did, which isn't expected, you will do well to be inspired by those artists, those songs, those lyrics, those processes from the past. |
In what places do you enjoys playing music and singing the most? Peter: Alaska and Ireland are my two favorite places to tour. They're both, in their own way, deeply resistant to the culturally bland sameness that our world seems to be inclined to become. Melody: I enjoy singing to myself in the privacy of my own home and especially in the car. Other than that, I love singing in ANY venue where the environment is encouraging. The vibe is so important to an artist and too many people don't understand that. I don't care what the venue is as long as the room feels nothing but all love. Haters can stay at home. |
Is the majority of your time spent on music? Peter: It permeates the hours, yes, and I write regularly, and I spend a great deal of time doing desk work for my career, and in cars and airplanes. But there's time as well for bicycling, for reading, for family. Luckily, I have a job that I don't have to just put away. Music can permeate supper with friends: it should, really. Melody: The majority of my time is not spent on music. The majority of my time is spent on being a mom. If I wasn't a mom, my time would majorly be spent on music and acting. But they have to take a back seat when it comes to raising my daughter. |
Who are your musical inspirations?
Peter: David Hidalgo and Louie Perez of the Latin Playboys. Greg Brown, from Iowa City. Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington. Leo Kottke. Tom Waits. Gillian Welch. Kendrick Lamar. Emmylou Harris. It's a long, long list.
Melody: God, love, people...generally just human behavior. As far as other artists are concerned, I pay attention to a number of people for different reasons. I might listen to someone for their ability to do tricks, for their musical knowledge and growth, and most importantly, if they are actually saying something in their music and use their talents to make statements that will move humanity in the right direction. Right now I'm really interested in Kendrick Lamar. He's peaked my interest and I want to hear what he has to say. I've always loved India Arie, Rachelle Ferrell, Kim Burrell, Arrested Development, and Drake too. I'm inspired by the people around me that I get to see or work with and when it's over I want to be better at what I do.
Before a show or performance, what runs through your mind? |
What sacrifices have you made to continue with music as your profession? |
Peter: Very little. Honestly, performing is my day-to-day work, so I'm usually thinking about supper, or the book I'm reading, or when the rivers are gonna thaw and run again. Performing is more about openness to the present moment, at least in my world: I come from a tradition of improvisation, and looseness, which I learned from playing with some wonderful jazz players over the decades. So whatever is in your mind at the time can be useful.
Melody: ‘Uhhhh, what's this show again?’ No seriously, if it's a theater piece, I like to do a check in with myself to make sure I have everything I need and remember the story I'm telling and my part in telling the story. I remind myself so that's the only thing on my mind before a show. If it's a show where I'm singing, then my check in has to do with a centering exercise of some sort so I can shake any nerves and I like to survey the audience to see who I may be dealing with. I'm usually praying to God and asking to be used in a productive way that will inspire and heal and for me to maintain control so that I don't just go all over the place with no recollection as to what happened. |
Peter: I spend too much time on the road, away from home. And nobody is going to take care of my retirement except me. Then again, in the business landscape, that is often true of people with more traditional jobs... overall I think there's little to complain about beyond the travel, and of course even that has its upsides.
Melody: Money. It takes money to make music. Time away from my child and family. |
What message do you hope to get through to your audience with you music?
Peter: Joseph Campbell said "The problem of the myth, and of the poet, is the reconciliation of consciousness with its source, namely nature." Shakespeare said it this way: "But we are nature too." And in one of the Gnostic gospels, Jesus said "If you bring forth what is within you, what you bring forth will save you. If you do not bring forth what is within you, what you do not bring forth will destroy you." That's all lofty stuff, I suppose, but at its heart that's what art is for: reconciliation. Truth. Honesty. Empathy. Compassion. Insight. I think music can serve you at least as well as religion in this life. Sure, there's a Kenny G for every Pat Robertson, but honestly, I think Kenny G does less harm.
Melody: My life themes are God, love, and dreams. I've been given those themes so that I can communicate messages surrounded around these themes to the world. So that's what I hope to share with the world and my prayer is that my music will influence people to be better, kind, to choose love over the alternative, to be considerate of their fellow man, to seek wisdom, to seek understanding, to have faith and hope and things of the like.
Peter Mulvey has multiple albums released. His most recent, Silver Ladder, was made public in 2014. Melody Betts is currently in the process of recording her first album, and hopes to expand her musical understanding and knowledge. It’s important to be aware of the artists and general creativity around us. In a world of the internet and social media, less and less people are going out so support live artists. Music needs to become a higher priority in the lives of people, where we can meet others already at that point.
POP MASHUPBY ALEXIS TORRES
Imagine this: You are in the car and a song you have heard repeatedly comes on. You really want to know who the artist singing the song is that is capturing your soul. Artists today have been able to grasp the audience's attention for years. And now, with the radio playing featured artists like Justin Bieber, Fetty Wap, Ariana Grande, Ellie Goulding, and so much more, it’s easy to do!
Music has brought people together since the beginning, allowing us to get socially involved with our neighbors, peers, family, and even strangers. Music allows us to form bonds with those around us. For instance, at Reagan, so many students are interested in doing these dances they learned from the music they listen to, like the Whip and Nae Nae, Hit the Quan, Cupid Shuffle, and so many more. I introduce a remix created by Yabanci Műzikler of all the hit pop songs from 2015 leaning into 2016! ENJOY! |
Upcoming Reagan Event: Solo PerformancesBY KRISTEN LEER
One of the hardest things to conquer is the creation of an original idea, thought, or belief. To start and follow through with simple things like creation of an essay to a piece of art, writing, and music is just as difficult. The IB senior solo music performances is a showcase of students who have been learning about musical theories and techniques that has prepared them to perform 20 minute or longer solo recital or repertoire. Some of these performances have a combination of original compositions and well known pieces from instruments ranging from the marimba to the piano.
Simon Kronschnabel is one of these individuals who is going to be performing. One of his transcriptions, as he explained it, isn’t the actual piece because it was written for a full operatic orchestra; it was an overture for an opera by Mozart. An overture is the instrumental introduction before any of the singers come on stage. Simon said one of the difficulties he has had with the preparation of this performance is, “I don’t actually own a marimba, so all of my practicing has to be done at school. Compositions are entirely different especially since all of my compositions are for marimba. So it’s a lot of learning different instruments. Not necessarily knowing how to play them but knowing how they work and writing the composition.” This preparation for this recital began in his junior year, so it wasn’t surprising when asked what Kronschnabel was looking forward to to the result of his performance was, “Just being done with it. Just being done with it is going to be a huge accomplishment for me.” Angeli Kramer whose chosen instrument is the piano says that she is doing six different pieces that are all from different music eras such as Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Hispanic, Jazz, etc. One of her influences to choosing such pieces was that, “(she) likes the melodies and it’s a challenge. A challenge to learn these pieces but (she) decided to embrace that challenge.” And by embracing these challenges in her pieces and recital she hopes to, “Not fail.” The music recital is March 19 at 5 p.m. Be sure to come back to Reagan to hear the recordings and photos for this recital. |
Music
BY CHLOE HAAPALA
DeadPool
BY VALERIE MECHA
The newly released R-Rated Deadpool movie hit the box office February 12, 2016. Its debut obliterated previous box office records when it raked in 135 million dollars already making back the 58 million dollar budget it spent in production. Its higher ratings and accolades are well deserved!
The main character, Wade, aka Deadpool, played by Ryan Reynolds, begins as a mercenary. He accepts money to rough up some unsavory citizens, because it is what he enjoys. After finishing a job and heading to his usual watering hole he meets the love of his life, a prostitute named Vanessa acted by Morena Baccarin. Their happiness falls short when Wade discovers he has cancer. As a last ditch effort to stay alive and continue his life with Vanessa, Wade accepts an offer from a nameless recruiter who said he could turn him into a superhero. Wade escapes the laboratory with the ability to regenerate his body and with immunity from any diseases. However, these abilities came with a price. His entire body is covered in scars. No longer able to see Vanessa, he spends his time after the change as an anti hero, trying to catch up with the man who did this to him, in hopes that it can be undone. He did this under a new name, Deadpool. When watching this movie, it is almost impossible not to appreciate the Marvel character’s dark sense of humor, sarcasm, witty comments, and skill which never ceased to make the audience laugh. Deadpool is a refreshing character to add to the pool of superhero movies, because he was different. He opposes the idea of being a cliche, cookie cutter, superhero and refuses multiple times to become one. Deadpool is the exact opposite with his trash talking, cursing, sexual references, and bloodthirsty behavior. |
Ryan Reynolds acting is spot on. Throughout the 20-30 minutes that Vanessa and Wade are on screen the audience can feel the connection between them. Leaving the movie theater, the audience had a hard time accepting that the character they witnessed was not a part of reality, no matter how much they want him to be. The most surprising thing in the film is when Deadpool breaks the fourth wall. On many occasions he would acknowledge the audience was there and at one point he even welcomed the viewers and waved. However, some there were some awkward moments in the theater. Several full frontal nudity shots and sex scenes were projected making the film a little uncomfortable, especially if this was planned as a Valentine’s Day date. That begs the question of whether or not this movie was the best accompaniment for the holiday.Then again, the numbers do not lie. When ticket sales were through the roof, it suggests that they were doing something right. Another addition to the movie the did not necessarily need to be there was the introduction of the two X-Men Negasonic Teenage Warhead (Brianna Hildebrand) and Colossus (Stefan Kapicic). It is unusual to see the crossover of the two. Deadpool himself makes the comment when visiting the mansion, “Wow, this is such a big house, but I only ever see the two of you here. It's like the studio didn't have enough money for any more X-Men…” Which makes the audience wonder if it was a valuable addition or if the movie would have been better off without. |
The R rating is not just an advisement, but it is something that should be taken seriously. This is meant for a mature audience, so no kiddies allowed! All in all the movie experience was enjoyable. It is definitely a film that could be watched again and again and never get old.
Get some Drama
BY MARC CRUZ
Legacy of Love -The Career of Elton John
BY BASHIR ADEN
In perfect timing for our theme of the month, “Multitude of Music”, his birthday (March 25), and the release of his newest album “Wonderful Crazy Night”, it’s time to talk about Sir Elton John. John is one of the most influential, prolific, and iconic pop stars of the 20th century.
However, it would be a mistake just to call Elton John a pop star. He is much more; he is a musical genius, an icon, and one of the most groundbreaking gay rights activists. Within 1969-1979, he released 10 full-length albums, his production of hit music is so rapid and extraordinary compared to other artists.
His career began when he released his debut album “Empty Sky” in 1969. While “Sky” wasn’t released to the whole world until 1975, it is still seen as a present example of John’s potential. It wasn’t until his sophomore album that he fully cemented himself as a world class musician. In 1970, John released his second album, “Elton John”. Some of the breakout hits on the album went on to be some of John’s best music. Hits like “Border Song” and “Your Song” are still remembered today as a shifting point in pop rock music. However three years later, John would release one of his best albums and one of the most influential albums of all time; “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road”. “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” was released at the peak of John’s popularity. Everyone knew, listened to, and talked about Elton John when he released this album. On the work, John mixes heartfelt piano ballads with pop choral sounds. He sealed himself as one of the best pop stars of all time. His uplifting chords and guitar riffs meet the deadpan lyrical stories John presents to make an unforgettable sound.“Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” was filled with hit after hit, from “Bennie & The Jets” to “Candle in the Wind”. |
Despite all the musical advancements Elton John ever did, nothing would ever surpass his impact on the LGBT community. In an interview with Rolling Stone in 1976, John came out as bisexual. This was a watershed moment in the music industry and LBGT community. Elton John was on top of the world when he announced this and it made thousands of people confident on their sexuality. His work with the fight for LGBT rights will not be forgotten. John has been devoted advocate for same-sex marriage in England and in 2014, he was finally able to marry his long time partner David Furnish. For 45 years, Elton John has been an incredibly impactful and popular singer of the 20th and 21st century. His work has ranged from powerful piano ballads to movie soundtracks (“The Lion King”). He has been creating compelling music since the 1960s and is one of the few artists that will never be forgotten. |
Showtime! Reagan’s First Ever IB Senior Theater Recitals
BY GABBY NEWTON
Photography by Cori Kronschnabel
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Ms. Baker began working at Reagan in 2008. At the time, the only art programs the school offered were visual arts and choir. (Mr. Murphy began working that same year and had yet to start the band program.) “I saw the need for there to be a performing arts program because I always felt like I was a very artistic person, but I was not visually artistic; I was not someone who could draw, paint or sculpt, but I could perform,” Baker professed. She recognized the same inclinations among students. Determined to begin a theater program at Reagan, she pitched the idea to former IB coordinator, Mary Ellen McCormick-Mervis - who shared Ms. Baker’s excitement - and soon began IB theater training. “Seven years later we have a performing arts program that’s pretty awesome,” Baker proudly said. |
About Theater
“I think generally kids who do theater like to collaborate because more often than not there is a collaborative effort,” Ms. Baker observes. “Even if there is a one person show, there’s always someone who is working a lights’ table or someone working a sound booth, or someone behind the stage working on moving prop pieces or set pieces forward.” On the other hand, the independent element of the performances is a change of pace that some students may like better. “I think the students on some level have really enjoyed being able to choose a theme and a focus that is really meaningful to them individually and present it.” |
Solo and collaborative performances share a common challenge: staying in character. Ms. Baker shares a personal story between her and a senior theater student: “Fefe [Jaber] has a hard time performing for me because if something is funny I will laugh; I will laugh aloud and then she’ll start laughing and say, “stop laughing at me!” But it's funny, right? I’m supposed to laugh. So then we’ll start to argue, right in the middle of the performance. For some reason, she doesn’t do that when she performs for anyone else - it’s only for me.” The moral of Ms. Baker’s story is that when it comes to live theater, anything and everything can happen. “You have to realize that the audience is going to react and you need to be able to stay in character but also feed off that reaction… Every show is different because of who is in the audience.” |
About the Assessment
The project was created in order to align with changes in the IB theater curriculum, which sees alterations typically every five to seven years. IB theater students must complete four assessments, three of which are focused on devising theater, or in other words, developing, writing, creating and producing individual theater work. “I collaborate with the Milwaukee Chamber Theater and students participate in the Young Playwrights Festival. There they learn how to effectively write a one act script, which is essentially what they’re doing for this solo performance,” Ms. Baker mentioned.
Students picked a theater practitioner they have not previously studied in class and then modeled a performance after that practitioner’s ideas. When preparation is all said and done and students are ready to take the stage, performances are recorded twice: once during a rehearsal run-through and a second time during the actual performance (for the sake of student’s choice). One is to be shipped off to international IB assessors, along with a ten to fifteen page paper illustrating the importance of their chosen topic.
“I’ve had them do mini versions of all the different aspects of this project so that by the time they begin the actual project, they’ve got experience in all these different areas.” Over the past two years, students have partaken in the Fall One Acts and a handful of collaborative projects, not to mention in class performances and staged readings.
Recital Night
The recital featured a total of 13 individual performances, one from each student in the IB senior theater class. Each performance lasted anywhere from four to eight minutes in length. Starting at 4:00pm, seven students performed back to back. Audience members were seated on stage in a horseshoe arrangement of chairs, up close and personal to the performers. “Most students don’t need more than a 6’ x 6’ space, so we’re going to have a square right in the middle of the stage and then seats surrounding, almost like theater in the round.” Following the first half of performances, a reception was held in the pit area before the stage. The second group will began around 6:00pm. The overall procession of the night was modeled after the IB music recitals, an annual spring concert. “I think it’ll go well, but who knows?” Ms. Baker jokes. Photography by Cori Kronschnabel
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