iPod Psychoanalysis: Inside Miller’s Mysterious Mind
Welcome back to our special feature “Psychoanalysis…by iPod.” Today’s subject: Ms. Mary Miller. You may know her as Presentation’s principal, and today we are going to be delving into the mind of Ms. Miller based on the top five most listened to songs on her iPod. To start off, let us just say that based on Ms. Miller’s favorite genre, we can say she is one classy person. Let’s start with her top song.
Für Elise
This first song was composed by Ludwig van Beethoven in 1810. The title translates into English as “For Elise,” and this classical masterpiece has been world renowned for generations. That’s right, we’re talking about “Für Elise.”
Ms. Miller’s version is by Annerose Schmidt, and her top song reveals many interesting things. First off, Ms. Miller likes to listen to soft, relaxing tunes to help relieve the stress of her busy day. As a principal and an English teacher, Ms. Miller is constantly running from one place to another, and she needs a chance to slow down and catch her breath; what better way than a beautiful song like “Für Elise?”
Clair de Lune
We now move on to the second most listened to song. The version on Ms. Miller’s iPod is by Alain Planés, but was originally one of the most famous piano suites by Claude Debussy. This song is the third and most famous movement of Debussy’s Suite Bergamasque. Meaning moonlight, this next song is titled “Clair de lune.”
Once again, we can see that Ms. Miller loves her classical music. We can take the analysis further by focusing on the title, “Clair de Lune.” What does moonlight say about Ms. Miller? Maybe it refers to the way she sheds “light” on the subject in her English classes. Whenever she is teaching a novel or a poem, her insightful analysis benefits her students and allows them to become “brighter” young women with a great English education.
Winter
You may or may not have heard Ms. Miller’s third song. It is the oldest of the songs we’ll be analyzing today, and as a part of Antonio Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons, it is definitely a classical favorite. Ms. Miller’s pick is “Winter.” More specifically, part II, Largo.
This song is appropriate for Ms. Miller because the four concertos in The Four Seasons were written to go along with four sonnets. She loves teaching and reading poetry, and, although “Winter” has no lyrics, it is designed to complement a sonnet. Also, seasons figure prominently in the life of anyone whose schedule revolves around a school year. As Ms. Miller has eloquently explained in the past, each fall is an opportunity to start new at the beginning of the school year. Maybe “Winter” is when things at Pres are in full swing and life is as busy and fun as ever.
Hasta Mi Final
Ms. Miller’s next two songs are by Il Divo. She definitely likes to practice her español, and this next song titled “Hasta Mi Final” means “Until the Day.” Let’s start off with the most literal analysis: one of the tenors in Il Divo is David Miller. But aside from that, the four singers in this quartet come from different countries and different musical backgrounds. Maybe Ms. Miller dreams about traveling the world to all of the different places that the singers come from: Switzerland, France and Spain (David Miller is American). Going along with The Four Seasons, maybe Ms. Miller is planning a trip this winter; we’ll see!
En Aranjuez Con Tu Amor
The last song on the list is “En Aranjuez Con Tu Amor.” The first line of the song is “Aranjuez, Un lugar de ensueños y de amor.” For all you French students, this means “Aranjuez, a place of dreams and of love.” Aranjuez is actually a town in Spain near Madrid. It is known for the Palacio Real de Aranjuez, a Spanish royal site, as well as its strawberries. Maybe Ms. Miller has revealed her favorite fruit, maybe she just loves Spanish, or she once again wishes to travel to far-off places. One thing’s for sure, she’s sticking with the classical theme, and this song once again shows us how calm and peaceful she is.
Maybe the next time you see Ms. Miller in the hallways, you’ll know a little more about her inner psychology. Or maybe you’ll just know that she really likes classical music. Either way, we hope you’ve enjoyed this psychoanalysis!
A Collection of Thoughts from Black and White
By Tanya Padgaonkar, Special Sections Editor
A Perspective from a Chaperone…
Hey everyone, Mr. Mumper here. I’ve dreaded it for all of October, and now it’s finally here. Black and White. Someone please rescue me? Actually, no, it’s alright. I can do this, with this handy-dandy checklist in hand. Okay, so…
Flashlight: check.
Detention slips: check.
Protective gear…? Er, check?
I think…I think I’m ready.
But the moment I walk into the Hollywood themed gym, I know I’m in for a long night filled with sweaty teenagers, but (hopefully?) maybe a little bit of fun for myself too. I’d have to say though, the coolest thing I’ve seen all night was the crowd of boys and girls jerking and break dancing to the song “You’re a Jerk.”
Well, I guess people seem to be having fun. Standing atop a large ladder with a flashlight isn’t exactly my ideal Saturday night… I wish there was some Hawaiian music on. But at least the kids seem to like the DJ since they are singing along with almost every song. I’m not sure why the majority of the people seem to be in the middle of the gym though, since the foyer has spiffy looking card tables and there are refreshments outside. CI and NAHS really managed to incorporate the Hollywood theme into everything, from the decorations to the movie of old Hollywood films in the background, they thought of everything.
But apart from that, the whole experience is making me a little bit sad. I’m not in high school anymore! I can’t dance or even go to these things without a legitimate alibi. You know, I’m actually pretty impressed with all of these girls though. I’m supposed to be checking for drugs, alcohol, etc. and I haven’t found anything! Hey, these are actually some pretty good quotes. I’ll have to be sure to keep these and other positive Pres-related thoughts in mind in case one of those yearbook or newspaper students comes to interview me. Mr. Case warned me about them before I left. Now, where’s that checklist of mine?
By Angelia Tran, Business Manager
A Perspective from a Pres girl’s date…
Name: Jonathon Stutchman
High school: Saratoga High School
Grade: 12
Mission: Black and White Charity Ball at Presentation High School
Thoughts: Presentation is a typical private school, small, only females, and not too exciting. The dance will be kind of boring, not many people will be dancing, and there will be chaperones patrolling. But I told Ivy Nguyen I would go since she’s a senior and it’ll be her last Black and White.
October 24th 2009: It begins…
Preparation: 30 minutes to get ready and dressed. I must remember to wear something that matches lots of things to be safe since Ivy isn’t sure which dress to wear.
Mission begins: We are meeting at one of Ivy’s friend’s house for pictures and such. Perhaps I will meet other dates. I have a feeling I’ll be with them for the rest of the night. Then time for dinner! Ivy says we’re splitting the bill at Pasta Pamadora.
7:45 PM: Dinner is done and now at Presentation. The beginning of this dance is awkward since no one is dancing. This is typical of dances though, so, hopefully, things will improve. For now there are other things to do, like take professional pictures and play blackjack. How nice.
9 PM: For the most part, the music is pretty good. The DJ isn’t too amazing, but I’ve been to dances with much worse. Actually, this dance isn’t too bad and not too different from the ones I have gone to before. The only difference is, typically at schools like mine, there aren’t so many cops…and the chaperones usually aren’t so strict about the dancing.
11 PM: Time to leave. Wow, they really want us off campus fast. That’s different.
Notes: I didn’t think that the gym would be so big, and didn’t know that the school was really nice looking. Also there was a lot more sports awards in the gym than I thought would be at a private girls school. I really like the people though; they weren’t at all how I pictured. They seem a lot more real and fun than previously thought. Also there were more of them than I had thought.
A Perspective from a Police Officer…
Matt Christian and his brother are police officers, but their high school alma mater is Mitty. Still they came to Presentation, teenage stereotypes put aside, to chaperone the Black and White Charity Ball, the first for Matt who has only chaperoned other Presentation events such as the Mother-Daughter Breakfast. Unlike his experiences at Mitty, Matt found the Bellarmine boys to more well-behaved than he had thought and the Pres girls pretty decent. He was even further impressed with the charity aspect of Black and White as the proceeds of the night are given to Sacred Heart. Also, there were no incidents as he checked the parking lots and the rest of the campus for any criminal activity, critical or minor, to keep those on campus that night safe. The only safety breach came when some local neighborhoods kids hiding out at St. Chris managed to soak some students with water balloons as they were leaving the dance. While he and the other officers had rushed over, there was no one there. So, sadly, while the night had gone well otherwise, there was a casualty that night – a girl’s chic dress.
Trend Report: Fall 2009
Every season comes with new trends. Here, The Voice gives you an update on what’s in.
Fashion
The chilly season is coming up quicker than Pres girls can handle. With school, family, and social lives, many do not have time to hit the mall to browse for new trends. Have no fear, The Voice has all the trends that are in for this upcoming season.
One of the main focuses for girls is staying warm while attending events or going to school. There are ways to do this without layering three sweatshirts! Buy an insulated pea coat that has buttons or a belt. With a little extra length, they keep your torso and upper thighs warm throughout the day. These jackets are a huge hit with teenage girls as they allow girls to adjust the belt or buttons to accentuate their waists, the thinnest area in a woman’s midsection. Pair your jacket with a cute cashmere sweater underneath. Cashmere is a material that is extremely soft and traps in heat so your body stays warm and cozy. If bought in a neutral color, (black, white, tan, navy blue,) the sweater can be paired with almost anything, including your school uniform! If you are going out, match your jacket and sweater with a cute, fitted pair of skinny jeans. These jeans are still popular in the fashion world, and thus are sold at almost every store that carries jeans. Find a pair that fits your body type and rock your outfit at a football game, the movies or a family event.
As girls, we need to carry around our makeup, wallet, cell phone and iPod everywhere we go. Carry the “essentials” in a stylish new purse. The perfect purse for this season is a large, dark purple one. Purple is the new black for this season as seen in shirts, jackets, scarves and accessories. With a purse like this, girls will always be able to show off this beautiful color.
Finally, many girls’ favorite part of an outfit: the shoes. This season’s most popular shoe is the boot. The most versatile boots are the booties that go to the ankle. These come with buckles, peep toes, ruffles, studs or flats. The variety is endless with plenty of options for all kinds of styles. So grab a friend (or a computer!) and score some of the essentials for this season.
Music
Need to update your iPod soon? Don’t forget these three top songs for your playlist! For a calm, peaceful song, purchase Owl City’s song “Fireflies” which is currently number one on iTunes. If you are feeling overwhelmed from school, “Fireflies” will lift your spirits, due to the pleasant lyrics, such as “‘Cause I’d get a thousand hugs, From ten thousand lightning bugs, As they tried to teach me how to dance” and the soft voice of the lead singer. Another popular song to get girls out of their seats is “3” by Britney Spears. This song- exactly three minutes and 33 seconds long- is good to listen to while driving or cleaning up; it will bring some fun into tedious activities. For a sweet, upbeat love song, purchase “Replay” by Iyaz. This song will bring smiles to everyone’s faces. Since its release, “Replay” has been on the iTunes top songs and has remained there for more than a month. Other top songs include “Paparazzi” by Lady GaGa, “Empire State of Mind” by Jay-Z, and “Forever” by Drake, Kanye West, Lil’ Wayne, and Eminem.
Technology
One of a girl’s favorite pieces of technology is the cell phone. AT&T and Verizon came out with some cool new phones that seem to have unbelievable abilities. AT&T’s newest phone is the Blackberry Curve 8900. This black phone has voice-guided GPS, a 3.2 megapixels camera and Wi-Fi access. Text messaging capabilities allow sending pictures, videos, and voice recordings quickly, and the use of Instant Messaging through AIM, Windows Live and Yahoo Messenger. Another new phone available at AT&T is the HTC Tilt2. This cell phone has a touch screen front, and a slide-out full keyboard. There is access to full HTML web browsing and mobile email. The Tilt2 also offers Video Share, which is sharing live videos streaming videos with other phones. These new phones are very popular within AT&T and are expected to become more popular after they have been released for a longer period of time.
Verizon Wireless also offers some amazing new phones. One of the new phones is the Blackberry Tour 9630. This phone received four and a half out of five stars by customers according to verizonwireless.com. This smart phone has Visual Voicemail, VCAST music with Rhapsody and Bluetooth capabilities. The buttons of the phone are tilted for faster, easier texting. Verizon is currently offering a deal for buy-one-get-one-free Blackberries. Another new phone is the Samsung Rouge. This phone has a touch screen front and a full keyboard that slides out. The screen is large and easily reacts to the touch of a finger for easy texting abilities. This phone has a Widget toolbar with one touch access to Facebook, Twitter, Myspace and YouTube. The camera, which is more advanced than others, also offers multi-shot picture taking. No matter what network you are on, there is a cool cell phone that will fit your needs and make texting your friends easier for you.
This season has plenty of new and exciting trends for everyone. Whether you are looking for clothes, music, or technology, designers have made something for you. So go treat yourself to some new items or start some early holiday shopping for friends or family. Happy shopping!
Pres Jazzes up October Concert
Presentation’s Jazz Band and Choir held their debut concert “Get Jazzed!” on Friday, Oct. 16 in the Valenzuela Theatre. Directory Jerry Lovejoy said that he was especially happy with the choir’s newest members. “I think the freshmen make an incredible contribution to the Choir,” he said. “It’s refreshing to work with such a close-knit group.”
He was similarly complimentary toward the band: “Since becoming a class at Pres, the Jazz Band has been developing skills so rapidly. We can tackle tougher charts and perform at a much higher level than before.”
The small but skilled band began their set with “We Will Rock You,” composed by Brian May and originally performed by the rock band Queen. The band also performed a rendition of Miles Davis’s “Milestones” and finished their first set with Jeff Darrohn’s “Gospel Blues.”
“The Jazz Band has really progressed since last year. We’re even more dedicated than before,” said senior Nicole Rodrigues. “This year, because we had all kinds of experience, we’re doing really well.”
“I really enjoy being in band because we have so much fun with each other,” added Angel Santos, sophomore.
The choir was next to take the stage. As always, they treated the audience to a strong and melodious performance. They began their set with Snyder’s “Nella Fantasia,” which is written entirely in Italian. Tiffany Merritt, senior, started the song off with a lovely solo.
Shruti Swaminathan, freshman, said, “It’s so much fun. We’re just like a gigantic family.” Many of the girls seem to be in agreement. “We can be really loud and obnoxious, but it’s okay to be like that here,” said Victoria Schmitt, senior.
The Choir’s second song was Funk’s “Yonder Come Day,” Danielle Marquez, sophomore, said, “There’s a little bit we need to work on, but I think we’re doing well, and I really enjoy being in the group.” To wrap up their first set, the choir sang a beautiful, albeit wordless, version of Tchaikovsky’s “Dance of the Sugar-Plum Fairy” from the ballet The Nutcracker.
The band then retook the stage for their final song, “You Really Got Me,” the 1960s hit composed by Ray Davies. They were then joined on the stage by the choir, whose final song, John Leavitt’s Festival Sanctus, closed the night with a bang.
Overall, it seems as if the Presentation Music Department is off to a good start this year. The donations collected at the concert and future shows and fundraisers will help pay for the groups’ trip to New Orleans this April. You can see the group next on December 19 at 7 p.m. for their Christmas performance in the San Jose Basilica.
When asked what he hopes the two groups will accomplish this year, Mr. Lovejoy said, “I’d like to see them each become the very best performing group they can be. Not only in performance and rehearsal, but also in relationships. We perform better when we relate to one another at a deeper level.”
For any questions, comments you can contact Mr. Lovejoy at http://www.pres-net.com/academics/art/lovejoy/lovejoy.html
CD Review: The Resistance
“It’s time that fat cats had a heart attack.” These words of Muse’s hit single and opening track “Uprising,” capture the recurring theme of resistance throughout their long-awaited fourth album – you guessed it – “The Resistance.” Muse brings to light a waging war in which sides must be chosen and critical battles against Wall Street greed must be won. Largely inspired by George Orwell’s 1984, the album’s namesake, “The Resistance,” takes a new approach toward opposition, claiming that “Love is our resistance.” This innovative perspective emphasizes the defying nature of falling in love through outstanding lyrics, undoubtedly some of the best on the album. The song is creative, musically sound, and has an ending that would put any rocker to shame.
Standout track “I Belong to You” opens with a light, staccato and implausibly catchy piano riff, instantly capturing the attention of listeners. The lyrics are deep, singable and a nice break for those who don’t appreciate the politically charged lyrics of tracks like “Uprising,” and “United States of Eurasia.” The song eases into a slow, mesmerizing lullaby, where frontman Matt Bellamy makes a weak attempt at speaking French. While it’s hardly original, especially for Muse, it doesn’t drone on long enough to be intolerable. A gradual buildup leads to an epic clarinet solo that only Muse could pull off without generating laughs, and the overall quality of the piece is outstanding.
“Undisclosed Desires” utilizes a basic R&B beat, comparable to something Fort Minor would create. While recreating the catchy, synthesized rhythms of “Supermassive Black Hole,” this controversial track is a rarity in terms of lyrics. Typically, Bellamy conceals the emotions behind his lyrics with complicated metaphors or excess ambiguity, disguised as being void of meaning; however, “Undisclosed Desires” reveals straightforward, yet intricate emotions that are sure to stir the minds of attentive listeners.
Despite the overwhelming success of the album as a whole, Muse falls short of their usual excellence with the disappointing “United States of Eurasia.” Heavily influenced By Dr. Who and Queen, perhaps too much so, this experimental track gives innocent listeners whiplash, jumping in and out of awkward “Bohemian Rapsody” moments. The sudden stylistic changes are unnatural and forced, and the repetitive chanting of “Eurasia” is hardly pleasing to listeners.
Possibly the most anticipated tracks on the album, Muse’s 15 minute Exogenesis Symphony, is nothing short of brilliant. The piano is soothing, yet entertaining, and it speaks volumes despite the usual absence of lyrics. Part I, “Overture,” displays an obvious theme of pain, and its heartbeat rhythm and science-fiction qualities effortlessly draw the listener in. Bellamy’s falsettos flow naturally with the ups and downs of the music, and the foreboding guitar solo introduces a flawless expression of the sorrow of the piece. Part II, “Cross Pollination,” begins with a piano piece that wouldn’t sound out of place in Phantom of the Opera. The song builds up to a powerful coupling of Muse rock and piano genius, ending on a soft note that easily sets the tone for Part III, “Redemption.” This conclusory track is an apologetic sonata. Chopin’s influence is evident, and Bellamy’s simple lyrics are tremendously strong as he concludes his masterpiece with the line, “It’s our last chance to forgive ourselves.”
Popular New Music Review
Humbug – Arctic Monkeys
Humbug is a collision of newfound maturity and a slower, more musical sound previously foreign to the A.M. 23-year-old frontman, Alex Turner, captivates listeners with a smooth, hypnotic voice he’s been hiding until recently. Leaving quite a few loyal but closed-minded fans disappointed, Humbug’s mysterious, darker sound appeals to a whole new genre of listeners. The punk pop melodies were replaced by softer, haunting tracks that are not necessarily better or worse, but different. It would be easy to dismiss the album as a mediocrity due to its unexpected and experimental nature, but once the shock has settled in, the genius behind this innovative third album is hard to ignore. Standout tracks “Crying Lightning” and “My Propeller” exemplify the new, sharper direction taken by the A.M. The quality of the songs is magnificent, as each measure was meticulously constructed, coupling bleak, yet clever lyrics with complex, menacing guitar and bass riffs. “Potion Approaching” and “Dance Little Liar” pacify nostalgic fans who preferred the danceable indie rock of the first two albums. So what inspired the A.M. to abandon the Oasis-like path before them for a gloomier, weirder future? A little bit of soul searching in the Mojave Desert with Queens of the Stone Age’s Josh Homme did the trick. Homme produced seven out of the album’s ten tracks, and it shows.
The Resistance – Muse
Today is a glorious day for Muse fans worldwide, who can now hear more than a fifteen second sample of the trio’s long-awaited album, The Resistance. A sneak peek into the album’s classic Muse style and political agenda, the newly released single “Uprising” did not disappoint. After rumors of the band taking a new experimental direction, it was reassuring for fans to hear a little bit of Muse’s signature modus operandi at work, over-the-top political messages and all. While the recently released “United States of Eurasia” is heavily influenced by Dr. Who and Queen, perhaps too much so, “Uprising” has the sort of other-worldly qualities that Muse fans traditionally love, stylistically similar to the much esteemed “Time is Running Out.” Despite the success of “Uprising,” Muse fans noted “United States of Eurasia” as a red flag. Giving innocent listeners whiplash, frontman Matt Bellamy can’t decide whether or not he wants to be a cheap imitation of Freddie Mercury. One minute the song is indistinguishable from Queen’s “Bohemian Rapsody,” and the next it’s a typical Muse ballad. Even Bellamy’s accent is inconsistent. The almost humorous lyrics are also a concern. Muse has always been obsessed with conspiracy theories and taking down the government, but they’ve gone to such an extreme that even they can’t help laughing at their own lyrics. Nevertheless, there are still high hopes surrounding The Resistance. Political controversy has never weakened a good Muse album before, and its rock opera structure is already the object of much praise.
Love Drunk – Boys Like Girls
Boys Like Girls is back, strong as ever with their much anticipated second album Love Drunk. Its automatic success is inevitable due to the band’s massive following and the pristine quality of the production. However, Boys Like Girls is still young, and the album has the sort of immature annoyances that leave a lot of room for improvement. The predictable, repetitive qualities of Love Drunk clump lead vocalist Martin Johnson with the dime a dozen pop artists who make the charts but fail to gain respect from serious musicians. The myopic lyrics reflect an adolescent worldview with excessive emphasis on relationships. But really, what else could be expected from a band who christened themselves “Boys Like Girls?” It may not be the most insightful or innovative album out there – not even close, but fans aren’t looking for anything more than a replica of the pop punk band’s self-titled freshman album. The catchy chorus chants and na-na’s liven up the album’s namesake, “Love Drunk,” which has already received a warm welcome into the music industry. It even gets a little fancy near the end with a glorious key change. Tracks “Heart Heart Heartbreak” and “Chemicals Collide” are natural radio hits with the type of singable melodies that will easily find a place in the hearts of their target audience, teenage girls. Fortunately for everyone else, Boys Like Girls has a little more up their sleeve than a few happy choruses and a handful of cute haircuts. Johnson’s epic vocal mastery more than makes up for any second-rate or just plain boring melodies. His pure talent as a vocalist is arguably the band’s strongest asset, although it gets a little lost in the musical chaos of Love Drunk. Regardless, the typical songs and cliché lyrics actually render an effortless enjoyment that, overall, outweighs petty criticisms.
Fall Trend Report: There’s No E.N.D. to These Incoming Trends
Prepare to step out of your comfort box and go on a shopping rampage. This fall will go down in trend history. Designers have created a brilliant, exciting collection of must-haves for this autumn. Apple has worked endlessly to perfect the most convenient MP3 player. Musical artists have strived to create unique and catchy songs. They have all assisted in transforming this year from “just another fall” into unforgettable. From electronics to fashion, 2009 is exploding with edgy, fun styles sure to be enjoyed by all.
Fashion
Fashion, something many girls hold close to their hearts, showcased some great styles during New York Fashion Week. The top fashion trend this year? Plaid. Motorcycle jackets, dresses, and flannel have all been hit with the plaid plague. A clothing item with plaid print is a necessity for this year’s look. Pres girls are of course already way ahead of the fashion world with this trend. Finally the Presentation blue plaid skirt is in. Girls can stand proud in their skirts off campus knowing they are stylish and trendy. Other major trends include the boyfriend jean, zippers, boots, and bright, neon colors. Shoe stores, such as DSW, have dedicated at least eight rows for boots alone. Designers found unusual ways to incorporate zippers on flats, purses, and pants. Boyfriend jeans appear on legs of women throughout America and are sold at most retail stores. The famous Michael Kors had his models strutting a neon pink and neon green dress down the runway. So hit the mall as soon as possible and pick up clothing items of these fierce fashion trends that fit will your style.
Music
Many musical geniuses produced top hits this year, but the genre that really took off was pop. According to iTunes’s statistics, “Party in the USA” by Miley Cyrus is the number one most popular song of this fall. This hit single soared to the top of the charts within its first week of release. The second most popular song is “I Got a Feeling” by the Black Eyed Peas. It is not uncommon to hear people chanting this catchy tune. Its feel-good vibe attracts many teens to want to listen to it. Third on the charts is “Down” by Jay Sean. This song received 4 ½ out of 5 stars from iTunes listeners. “Down” has an optimistic, loving beat instantly attracting teens. It also helps that the infamous Lil’ Wayne is featured in the song with his 30 second rap segment. Other top pop songs include “She Wolf” by Shakira, “Whatcha Say” by Jason DeRulo, and “Fallin’ for You” by Colbie Caillat.
Technology
In order to listen to music, having the essential MP3 player is crucial. Apple’s new iTouch second generation not only allows you to listen to your music without headphones, but includes internet, games, calendars, and even texting. This all-in-one device is the trendiest and most efficient way to hear your music while communicating with your friends. You can even access the Presentation Voice website and keep up to date with school and other events. The website includes pictures, articles, and even fun quizzes. Check out more at www.presentationvoice.com.
If you’re looking for an adventurous, futuristic movie to see, keep your eye out for the upcoming film Avatar. Written by James Cameron, this 3D action packed movie will be unlike any other you have seen. According to Screen Rant, all actors are filmed special bodysuits and head rigs with a standard definition camera that is constantly snapping photos of the actors’ face. The image is then transmitted to another camera that is able to see the actors in their “CG” costumes. “The way we developed the performance capture workflow on ‘Avatar’ is we have our virtual camera, which allows me to, in real time, hold a camera — it’s really a monitor — in my hands and point it at the actors and see them as their CG characters” Cameron says. This movie should be coming to theaters in the summer of 2010.
This fall will surely be an explosion of exciting new things. Keep your eyes out for these trends to stay up to date with all the latest fads. Remember, originality is the new pink! So what are you waiting for? Go out, buy, and stay in style!
Jammin’ For Jesus
A new year, a new beat, and a new leader. At the request of former director and Dean of Discipline Ms. Schrader, religion teacher Mr. Buell has taken authority over the Liturgical Band this year. “I just felt like in some ways we needed to have a different kind of energy brought to [the group],” Schrader said. “I’m willing to continue being a part of the band and praying and singing with everybody. I’m just taking the back seat.”
Buell was a new teacher last year and immeditately took interest in the group. He started off as a singer and now trades off playing the piano with Ms. Ray from the English department. The group has grown larger despite the large number of seniors who have moved on since last year. The band now features two new guitarists, Mr. Pistacchi and freshman Emma McCarthy, as well as at least six new singers. “I would like to see [the group] keep just keep going, staying strong,” Buell says. With a group this big, the outlook seems promising.
Despite being fairly new to Pres, Buell is certainly not new to music. He’s directed liturgical music for nine years, he says. His experience helped him to pull off a great first performance at the opening liturgy, despite the fact that the group had only two rehearsals beforehand. “He has good energy,” says Schrader. “It’s not fair to judge him on the first one, but I think he did great.”
For Buell, though, it’s all about the music and the students. He says he’d love to add numbers, but a solid group is more important. His goal is not only for group to sound good and present themselves well, but also getting the student body involved. According to Buell, “That’s our job: to get the entire body—faculty, staff, students—to sing and participate at mass.”
As for the students in the band and choir, the consensus seems to be pretty clear. Singer Shelby DieBold, senior, said Buell’s style allows students to truly understand what they’re doing and to “really get it into your head.” Violinist Natasha Azevedo, sophomore, agrees. “He’s extremely enthusiastic and hilarious,” she said.
So it seems that the Liturgical Band is off to a strong start this year. You’ll hear them around next at the Mother Daughter liturgy on Sept. 13 and the school wide liturgy for Parish Day on Sept. 15. Remember to sing up and follow your leaders’ hand motions. Buell said, “When someone asks you to do something and you can do it…why not?”
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