BY BRIANNA SKELTON
ISSUE NO. 35 | JANUARY 2022
It’s that time again, we’re ringing in 2022 with a bang. People all around the globe are celebrating the fresh start feeling that washes over us when the clock strikes midnight. If you listen closely, in between the endless celebrating, bidding farewell to the previous year can be heard with a familiar song that most people have heard, but not everyone knows.
THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF MODERN DAY MUSIC SCHOOL
When the ball drops at the stroke of midnight, “Auld Lang Syne” can be heard trickling over televisions, radios, and anywhere that is ready to say goodbye to the previous year and ring in the start of a new year. For most, this is just a song that is played during that time of year, but little know the history behind a song that has become such an iconic role at a celebratory time of year. “The Auld Lang Syne” that we hear today, started as a Scottish poem by Robert Burns in 1788,. It was based on a song of ‘olden times’ that had never been transcribed, put into text, but instead, passed down by word of mouth from generation to generation until some of the lyrics were collected and composed by the poet.
BRINGING IN 2022
Auld Lang Syne:
To pay homage to the original song from years long gone, the song is often found set to a traditional folk tune, though in the last several decades have been updated in the rendition often heard by Dougie MacLean. For those who know the lyrics from years of hearing it , most often don’t understand the meaning or words behind the tragically beautiful poetry. Those digging a little deeper into what this song represents will find the author/poet posing a simple and rhetorical question, “Is it right that old times be forgotten?” With questions like this, it is very personal to the individual interpreting lyrics, whether ready to forget old times past or holding onto said moments, people can find the optimistic hope hidden behind those words. Traditionally you’ll find “Auld Lang Syne” sung at the conclusion of New Year gatherings in Scotland, where the song originated from, before transitioning through the British Isles, Ireland, and now often used and celebrated in English-speaking countries. This beautiful song isn’t only for ringing in the New Year! While you might hear this more frequently in Scottish celebrations, this song will often pop up in other situations to symbolize an ending or new beginning. Whether it's funerals, graduations, elections of new governments, farewells, or weddings, this song has become a timeless tune for the beginning of something new.
auld lang syne: bringing in 2022
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Here at MDM, we look forward to ringing in the New Year with everyone and look forward to seeing where our students kick off their new beginnings for 2022 and their musical endeavors. To leave you with stanza from the original ballad from the early 1700’s: Should Old Acquaintance be forgot, and never thought upon; The flames of Love extinguished, and fully past and gone: Is thy sweet Heart now grown so cold, that loving Breast of thine; That thou canst never once reflect On old long syne.
New Years Resolutions for 2022 in Music
With the start of the New Year comes the time where people are looking forward to setting new goals, resolutions, and expectations for the year ahead of them. While those often are broken down into different categories for personal, health, work, or even just vowing to be a better person in general, why not add some creative resolutions to the list that might add a little fun and even help re-enforce what you’re learning in your weekly lessons! Below are some popular resolutions that musicians and music lovers alike can aim to achieve in 2022. 1. Learn a New Technique: Study up on the instrument you’re learning and make a list of techniques or skills you would like to learn in the next year. Whether it’s adding on extended techniques for those that have been working at their skill for awhile, or something more standard, such as music theory, make a list and check them off as you tackle them both in lessons with your coach and at home. 2. Establish a New Practice Routine: With how hectic every day life gets between school, work, and other responsibilities, by the end of the year we often fall behind on a set practice routine. With the start of the new year, it’d be the perfect time to establish a new routine that fits your schedule going forward.
3. Work on Increasing Practice Time: Already have a practice routine that works for you? Maybe it’s time to make a resolution to increase your practice time! As many might know, ‘practice makes perfect’ can be a daunting thought, but practicing consistently with a good set amount of time will help you continually grow and thrive with your instrument. 4. Complete the 100 Days of Practice Challenge: Violinist Hilary Hahn set a goal for herself that ended up blowing up into a popular goal at the start of the year. Setting a goal of how many days you want to practice is often beneficial to moving forward and continually growing. Want to join in with other musicians and music fans around the world? #100daysofpractice is the hashtag you will often find photos being tagged on Instagram. 5. Get to Writing Your Own Original Music: Never written original music before? 2022 might just be the year to start! With a little help from your coach, Google, and continued work at it, you could start writing your own music. Already a songwriter? Set a numeric goal for the amount of songs you want to write. Break it down by year, month, week, whatever is best for your schedule! Songwriting is often therapeutic for musicians to process through emotions and that can be a huge value to growing musicians. 6. Audition for a Project / Book a Gig / perform at an Open Mic: Get out there and show off your talent! While performing in front of others can be scary, it could be a great resolution to add to your list! Conquer your fear of stage fright by finally auditioning for that part you’ve been eyeing or signing up to perform at a local café. Perks of performing on an open mic night? Most people are just as nervous and not going to notice a potential mistake or two! Plus it’s a chance to support a small business in keeping those open mic nights going. 7. Support the Arts: If you're not ready to join into something so set and stone as far as resolutions, you could start small by just supporting the arts. Some great ways to show support could be popping into a local performance at a small coffee shop or local bar, buying tickets to a show, or learning about local arts education programs in your local area.
Michaela's Corner
JANUARY CALENDAR
1 - New Years Day (MDM Closed) 3 - John Paul Jones of Led Zeppelin’s birthday & The Beatles make their first appearance on U.S. television. 6 - Gibson patents the Flying V guitar 7 - Gabe (Ampevene), Super Dark at Rare Form Brewing Company 6-9pm 8 - Elvis Presley’s birthday 10 - Open Mic Night at Caffè Lena at 7pm 12 - Led Zeppelin debuts in U.S. 17 - Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday (MDM Open) Open Mic Night at Caffè Lena at 7pm 19 - Janis Joplin birthday 24 - Open Mic Night at Caffè Lena at 7pm
Exciting news! We are opening Fridays for piano, guitar, bass, ukulele, and voice beginning 1/7. Let the office know if you are interested in switching to a Friday time slot!
A ROUND OF APPLAUSE FOR OUR NEW STUDENTS in DECEMBER!
Dustin H Chase L Juliana M Wyatt M Amelia B Arin B Ella C Charlie C Giuliana P Kate H Joseph M Zachary M Gabriel F Logan R Bob F Paul P Teju K Daksha K Charlie R Zahia Z Safa Z Ben C Eliza O Max S
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