Thank You for the Music

When I was in Kauai last month, my family stopped in at this little cafe near Port Allen to grab some lunch. It was nearly empty, with only one other family in there finishing lunch. When we walked in, I heard the faint sound of "Mamma Mia" playing against the noise of fans and quiet chatter. It made me smile and I thought it was rather serendipitous to be stopping into eat somewhere that was playing my favorite music. As we sat in a booth looking over the menu, "Waterloo"came on, followed by "Super Trouper". I was in complete awe that this little hole in the wall cafe was playing ABBA! The waitress noticed that I was singing along and mentioned that she was a longtime ABBA fan and had felt a little down, so she decided to play ABBA because she knew it would instantly put her in a better mood. Oh, how right she was. The food was fantastic, service friendly, and my day, made. Thank you Grinds Cafe! The rest of the day, I played ABBA in the car, much to my family's liking;)

So, I am obsessed with ABBA. There is video of me dancing in my neighbors yard to "Take a Chance on Me" when I am about 6 years old. My dance moves were about as amazing then as they are now, ha. Mamma Mia is my second favorite movie (after Cheaper by the Dozen, of course) and I enjoy the weirdness of Muriel's Wedding. There's just something about the catchy beat and slightly corny lyrics of all ABBA songs that I just adore. Back in April, I was looking up what shows would be at Red Rocks in the summer. As I scrolled through the list, I saw that in late July, an ABBA tribute band would be performing. I clicked a few links and listened to some videos and was blown away by how similar the tribute sounded to the real deal. A call to my mom later, I was figuring out how to buy tickets. They sadly were not on sale yet, but I was still determined to go. The semester ended, summer was in full swing, and the tickets were bought! We had a big group of ladies to go with us- the ultimate girls night out.

We grabbed sandwiches and picniced in the parking lot of Red Rocks (classy right?) and made our way into the breathtaking amphitheater. As we waited for the show to begin, we took some pictures (duh) and were so excited we could hardly handle it. The audience was quite the mix of a handful of young people, but mainly middle-aged and seniors. We were certainly the anomaly- while we were singing "The Winner Takes It All", an older lady in front of me turned around and asked how the heck we even knew who ABBA was. The show began with a number of lesser-known songs, but really picked up about 20 minutes into. Everyone was singing and dancing and I had never felt so alive. Lucky for us, this concert is an annual show at Red Rocks so this is a new tradition that I have a feeling will continue for many years to come. It was the best show of my whole life, and will be hard to beat.

Red on the Rocks lolz

SO MUCH EXCITEMENT FOR ABBA

No truer friend than Mack

Yep, we're talking about ya

Love my Petersen ladies! 

Bling sistas

Chiquitita tell me the truth, I'm a shoulder you can cry on 

There was something in the air that night, the stars were bright, Fernando...

xo
Hannah

Songs of the Semester

Music is our universal language. While we might all have a different taste in music, we can all find a song that we can tap our foot to and dance around to. Music is such an integral part of my life and I feel like I blab about it all the time and get all emotional but yo, music is all about the feels.

Example: Last night, I was reminiscing watching my Europe video and the fourth song, "Now is the Start" came on. First and for most, that is my favorite song in the whole world and always will be. It has so many dang meanings to me. I think about Europe, I think about off periods my junior year, I think of drives to Sonic, I think about the future, I think about it all! I do this thing quite frequently now that I like to call "deep listening". I text Mack and tell her to deep listen to a certain song quite regularly and we then text about all the emotions. For me, this song holds so much value and I don't think it's something I'll ever properly be able to convey with words here on the blog, but I bet you all have that one song that makes you feel this way too.

While I was on break I thought about writing a post about all the songs that sort of composed my first semester. Because honestly, in college, I'm always listening to music. Walking to class, while doing homework, in the shower, hanging out with friends, just about every second of my day, I've got some melody playing. And the best part about music and emotions is how there is a song for every emotion! Music is magical in the way that it helps to convey the mood so appropriately. I digress. Anywho, here's a just few songs that I listened to lots first semester that got me through the big transition.

Ribs- Lorde

Thick as Thieves- Katie Herzig

Kiss Me Slowly- Parachute

Heart's On Fire- Passenger

My Dear- Bethel Music & Hunter G K Thompson

Blank Space- Taylor Swift

The list could go on and on, but these were just a few that popped in my head right away. So now we have a new semester and while I still listen to these songs, here's the latest batch of music! This playlist eventually will cover a whole year's choices in music, which I love because I know will eventually listen to "old" songs and will be flooded with memories of what my life was like at that time.


So there you have it, just a sample of my favorite music! I feel that music is very telling of a person (in a good way!) so if you really want to know me better, listen along;)

xo
Hannah

Footnote: Mackenzie just wrote a very similar post over here. I saw it last night while I was drafting up this post and couldn't help but laugh. #telepathy

{Giving Thanks} Songs

My friend Jessica, who blogs over at Polygamy Joe, has done a few posts where she posts her songs of the week. I really liked the idea and thought I would do something like it over here! I'm sort of tying it into a thankful post, as I am very very thankful for music. I think my appreciation has only grown upon coming to college because I am constantly listening to music, whether I am sitting studying or walking to class or singing in the shower. I even get to take a music class next semester-- I'm ecstatic! My taste in music ranges from white girl pop to soft mellow indie to show tunes to old soul crooners to Christmas music. I base my music on my state of mind for sure. I think music is an incredible way to express yourself, whether you are singing to it, listening to it, or dancing to it. I'm a choir singer, shower soloist, and Spotify addict.

So here's my current life soundtrack, in no particular order. You can also find my favorite songs of 2014 here.

1. My Dear - Hunter Thompson
I didn't realize that this was a worship song until recently but nonetheless it's still amazing. Makes me so happy :)

2. Life in Technicolor ii - Coldplay
This is one of those songs that I know will follow me for the rest of my life. Coldplay does no wrong.

3. Kiss Me Slowly - Parachute
You can find me singing this loudly with my headphones in in Mackenzie's dorm quite frequently (okay just last Friday). Maddison! If you are reading this, I remember sophomore year when you told me how much you loved this song so I just thought I would say YES this is the BEST song ever!

4. When We Were Young - Lucy Schwartz
This song used to be the opening song for the TV show, Parenthood, a favorite of mine. It just makes me all sentimental and think back to the simple days of childhood.

5. I Want What You Have - Willamette Stone
I watched some of "If I Stay" (the version I was watching online didn't have the whole movie I guess since it just ended in the middle of a scene??) but I really liked this catchy song.

6. Blank Space - Taylor Swift
Yes, I'm one of those girls that loves T Swift. Yes I guess she's dramatic and a little crazy but the girl has sold millions of albums so obviously she's doing something right. Plus there's a Taylor Swift song for every situation. Her new album is pretty good (Speak Now will always be my favorite). Some other favorites are Clean, This Love, Style, Bad Blood, and I Know Places.

7. 'Til the Season Comes Round Again - Amy Grant
I grew up listening to Amy Grant during the holiday season. Sure we would listen to all the classics too, but whenever I hear Amy Grant, I think back to being bundled up in the car and listening to this. Or I think back to walking in from the bus, and the house would be warm from the fireplace and all the Christmas lights would be on as the sun would be setting (I didn't get off the bus until almost 4:20) and my mom would have warm cookies waiting for us. It sounds too dreamy to be true but my mom made the holidays so special and that's what is already making this holiday season hard.

8. Promise - Ben Howard
 Not much to say on this one. I just really loved Ben Howard.

9. Bravado - Lorde
This was in an episode of Grey's so yep, it doesn't get much better. Any music in Grey's is the best. Especially when it's Lorde.

10. Home - Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros
Is an explanation even necessary? I CANNOT WAIT TO GO HOME!!! THREE MORE DAYS!!!

xo
Hannah

Katie Herzig

Last night, Mackenzie and I got to break away from campus and go to a concert! About two weeks ago, I saw that Katie Herzig, who is probably my favorite artist ever, was going to be in Boulder!!! For a few years now, I have been trying to go to one of her shows because she usually has a few in Colorado. Finally, she would be in a place that was rather convenient and tickets were cheap, so it was one I had to go to! Mackenzie also shares a love for Katie - shocking, I know, what do we both not like? Actually, I like beans and she doesn't so there's that. Anyways, I texted her and we both bought tickets in a matter of minutes. It was quite impulsive of us, but certainly worth it.

Wednesday evening, Mack and I went to Pearl Street and had a very nice (very expensive) dinner at The Cheesecake Factory, because sometimes you just gotta treat yoself. We then made the four minute walk to eTown Hall, the concert venue.

Crazy concert lighting #rave

So the concert was not your typical concert. It was actually being recorded for the radio and a podcast so in about a month, anyone can listen to it. It went from 7-9 and there was two hosts who were rather annoying but what else is new. Mackenzie and I were basically the youngest people there (which ALWAYS happens to us) but we got stellar seats and obviously like music that has substance if adults like it too. There was another act there, The Barr Brothers, who were pretty good, but I could have gone without them. They had a harpist though and she was really awesome.

The Barr Brothers, Katie Herzig, and the two hostesses

Since it was a recorded show and could only go for so long, Katie sang six songs: Charlie Chaplin, Walk Through Walls, Closest I Get, Way to the Future,  Frequencies, and Lost and Found. There were a few more that I wish she would have sang, but that just means I have to go to another concert!

What I loved most was how real she was. She's not widely known, so her music is something special and unique. Her voice in real life is just like that on her albums, which is so important to me. There is nothing more disappointing than going to a concert where the singer doesn't sound remotely like they do on their album. Katie is down to earth and simple, something I deeply admire. Oh, and she went to CU so that's always exciting:)

Low quality picture, high quality enertainment

After the show, Mackenzie and I got to MEET her! It was SO exciting, even though we were nervous wrecks (looking back, I'm not sure why we were so nervous). The night was a blast, and I am so happy that I not only got to see in concert, but meet the artist who's music has had a profound impact on my life.

xo
Hannah

A favorite song of hers, which is in Mack's graduation video

Choir

Wherever she was, she carried a song in her head, and a rhythm and harmony in her heart...

Music. It's the thing that can make us feel so many things in only a few minutes. It's what we all seem to love. It's our common language. It's one of those things that carried me through high school.

All four years of high school, I was in choir. I've been in choir since I was third grade and have always loved to sing, so it only seemed natural to me to continue on in high school. What I didn't know at the time was the impact it would have on my life.

Choir was the class where I could work hard, but also release whatever stress was balled up inside of me. Music has that sort of magic. There were days where the class seemed to never end, where on other days, it was the shortest class in the world. No matter how I felt about it though, it was a class I needed. I remember on the days I wouldn't have choir due to the block schedule, by halfway through the day, all I wanted to do was sing! I just needed to let it out! I made so many close friends in that class who felt the same way. Choir was more than just a music class; it was a life lessons class. My amazing teacher, Dubbs, taught us so much more than notes and keys and dynamics and sigh reading. We heard his stories everyday, laughing at them and sometimes begging for more, but most importantly learning from them. He is one of the most insightful adults I have ever met and looks at life with fresh perspective. He wanted us to be the best possible choir, but also the best possible people.

The thing about performing arts at my high school was anyone was welcome. It didn't matter if you were an athlete, math genius, or just a plain old teenager trying to make it through. Once you were in B-wing, you were simply you. You came to express yourself. There were the kids who were crazy about B-wing and spent every free minute they had there. Then there were the kids who would come there to seek solace, as it was a not necessarily their second home, but a branch of the school where they could simply let their creative passion flow. I was one of these kids. We were all apart of not just the arts, but the place where we let our souls run wild.

A few nights ago, I was putting away some laundry and listening to music. Out of the blue, I felt the need to listen to choir music. I put on a song that I first sang at Continental League choir in January and then again, at our mid-spring concert. It is such a beautiful song that has so many different components and simply leaves me with goosebumps. When I was singing it all alone in my room the other night, I finished with tears in my eyes (sorry to get all sappy guys). Surely the music made me feel emotional, but also the memories. I remember singing this in class, at Boettcher Concert Hall, and again on stage at school. I studied the words and music of this particular song so much for some reason and it just hit me in the heart. Soon, I was listening to choir songs from over the past four years, still remembering each harmony and word.

This year has been an extra special year. I made it into Honors Choir, the top of the top. I remember the first time I heard them sing my freshman year and knew right away I wanted to be part of their group. I worked hard and when I saw I made it, I was elated. We were a tight knit group from the start. Our first concert was one of the best I've ever been part of. Dubbs told us that we were as good, if not better, as his best choir he's ever conducted. We worked as a group and became a force to be reckoned with. One song in particular, Idumea, is one that will go down in the books. When we performed it at competitions, we would always have an insane reaction. We became the best of friends in Winter Park, and I miss this group so much already.

The best of the best

At my final concert about two months ago, I was not as sad as I thought I would be. Looking back on it, I think it's just because so much was still coming, like graduation. It hadn't really hit me what I was finishing.

Aww their shirts spelled out Hannah and they had CU tattoos <3 

Ya gurl had a duet with another ging

My wonderful aunt traveled two hours to come to this concert! She is the best!

I do adore my fans

Ain't nobody messin with my clique

Embrace it ladies 

If only she would do choir...

Choir wouldn't be the same without this girl. So happy to have her with me!

Best director a choir could ask for 

It's been a fantastic four years!

 At the end of the last concert, all the girls sing the song, The Blessing by the Celtic Woman. It's a special moment for the seniors that gets people all sorts of emotional. I was expecting myself to maybe cry a little but nope, not a tear. I think it's because I knew this wasn't really my last time singing with my choir, the people I loved so much. That was at graduation. We sang Some Nights by Fun. and I remember thinking, as I stood on risers in the May morning sun in my cap and gown, "This is it. This is my last time following Dubbs as he conducts us. This is the last time I will make music with all these people. Take. It. In."

And I sure did.

There we are, singing our little hearts out.

I am SO happy that my brother decided to join choir because that means I have an even better excuse to come home for concerts! I really hope to join a choir at CU because I don't know if I can quite go without. There is no better masterpiece than the one you create with thirty other voices.

xo
Hannah

A Look at Choir in the Past

A blurry pic of me and Kylee freshman year 

Some of us altos freshman year 

Grammy and PopPop after a concert freshman year (they had just surprised me with Les Mis tickets!)

CHSAA competition sophomore year

Mid-spring concert senior year

Fall concert senior year

#ChoirTrip2k14

I'm baaaccckkkk! I needed to take a short blogging hiatus and focus on some school things and just enjoy and savor these moments in April. I've been so busy but time is running out in my little hourglass of high school so it's good to know that each last moment is filled with only the best. I was going to start back up with my birthday post, however all my pictures are on my camera memory card, and my camera is downstairs so we'll have to wait until tomorrow for that.

Let's start things up with #ChoirTrip2k14. Holy shoot do I love choir. Especially my choir this year. I've been in choir since my elementary school days and am so happy that I have done it forever! Singing truly is my outlet. I love choir singing the most though because you are part of something so much bigger than yourself. You all have to work hard to sound good, and boy our choir sure does that. I'll just take this moment to toot my own horn because we really are a great choir, singing wise. We get superior ratings at all competitions, have that wow factor, our sound and dynamics are spot on, and our teacher says that we are as good, if not better, than his best choir ever. But above all else, we work together and achieve great things.

As a member of Honors Choir, or Varsity Choir as Riley and Sierra call it, we get to go to the best competition ever- the Winter Park Ski-Music Festival. Basically, we went and competed on Friday morning and then skied for the rest of the weekend. We left the school at 5:15am (WOO!) and made the trip up to a high school in Granby where we sang. By 9am, we were done and at Winter Park getting ready to go on the mountain! It was fantastic.

What I loved the most about this trip was the deep bonds that were made. I roomed with Taylor, Haylie, and Alyssa and I can say without a doubt that the four of us became super close, super fast. It's amazing the type of bond that forms when you share a small room with three other girls! I love these girls to death and will forever remember the deep conversations we shared late at night and the nonstop laughter. They are simply the best.

Basically all we did was ski and boy was I ok with that. My mom was worried about me and my concussion, but I wore a helmet and went slow... well slow enough;) I didn't come home with another concussion right? But really, I never fell and hit my head so we were all good. On Friday, most of us girls skied together, but we then split up on Saturday and Sunday. After we would ski all day, we would ride the gondola back to our hotel and relax in the hot tub for hours with the guys. We would eat, talk, sleep, ski, repeat.

Saturday night was the awards ceremony and dance party. You should all be proud of your fave ginger blogger because she was the life of the party, and I'm not even joking. Things were getting a little crazy but it was the best. Our choir took home 2nd place, but our teacher swears that if we had not performed at 7:30am, we would have taken home 1st. Cest la vie, I suppose. I'm still so proud of our choir. And then the dancing followed. By the end of the night, I had Facebook friend requests and messages, as some boys were quite impressed with my moves;) I guess you could say I have game. It was wild, crazy, and the epitome of a high school movie moment, as the snow fell on us as we danced under the neon flashing lights to the usual dance-pop tunes. But I still loved every minute of it.

It was sooo sad going home on Sunday, but our choir came back with a bond stronger than ever. I am especially grateful for the friendships and bonds I formed with Taylor, Alyssa, and Haylie, as we came back so much closer. Love my fave alto girls <3

DAY ONE:

perks of being up so early in the mountains-- pink clouds

lunch with lauren and tay

tay, madi, and alyssa 

lift selfies are a must

Love all of these choir girls so much!

damn straight we know we are hot

DAY TWO:

oh she's the best 

I LOVE THESE GIRLS. BEST ROOMIES EVER. ALTO PRIDE BABY.

pictures never do justice 

ughhh I love snowy mountains!

casually skiing mary jane, it's whatevs

getting ready for the partay

love them so.

DANG WHO'S THE GIRL IN THE RED HOLDING THAT MASSIVE TROPHY?! 

DAY THREE:

early morning gondola (or gondolabala as Haylie called them) selfie

THIS MEANS FRESH POWDER 

best of the best 

trophy selfies because we can and because we are amazing and because we are game 

we may or may not have snuck into the hot tub and sauna after we checked out. and YES we were wearing pants

 Overall, it was one of the best weekends of my life. No exaggeration there. This is why classes like choir are SO important. I have been with these girls all four years and we are such close friends now. I will miss my entire choir so much next year and really hope to get involved with some sort of choir at CU. Singing is so important to me and it's something I never plan on giving up. Now, let's go back all together to Winter Park. Are you game?

xo
Hannah