“Alman” Worksheet

 Date for Entry: (Sunday 14 June 2018)

Actual Date of Online Entry: (Saturday 13th August 2022)

Dear Diary,

    After lunch, I was expecting a visitor at home number two in Curepe. His name was Joshua and he had passed for Hillview in this SEA period that just went. He was accompanied by his mom and aunty Zida brought them for the evening. These were our first acquaintances.

    The visit today was for me to assist/tutor Joshua with a recorder piece called “Alman”. He showed me the piece that Ms. Saunders gave the class. I remembered having to prepare and learn this for marks in my Form One time at Hillview.

    Before our lesson and practice began, I took a blank sheet of paper and rewrote the same piece from his notebook into the image above. I only had a green and a black marker at the time. I showed Joshua the page and told him that the letters will mimic crotchets, minims, and whichever note symbols were needed for the rhythms.

    I was comfortable enough to watch the same sheet on the table and read it upside down. I played the piece from my own recorder that I walked with for the session. I gave him two trials on his own but asked him to pause after the first playing before trying again. I had to see if there was difficulty with the music or to see where I could give suggestions on breathing. In the image, you will see where the use of commas (or ‘breath pause’ like makings) to indicate how and where to inhale.

    We tried the same piece twice again and that was the end of the lesson. I also gave Joshua photocopies of some notes with music theory and from the Recorder Book 1 that I had in case he might need it later. That was the orange book. We had a good chat about his first experiences with Hillview and some of the teachers over some good ice cream. One last play of “Alman” was requested by everyone before leaving. We did play the piece on our recorders together.

[UPDATE]

    Some weeks had gone by until I was given the news that Joshua’s mom passed down from Zida that Joshua did the “Alman” piece in class. He said that the class clapped for him but he only made a mistake and stopped to breathe. I was very happy for him.

 

Daryl Zion M. Ali

Animal Farm's Anthem

 Date for Entry: (Wednesday 6th June 2018)

Actual Date of Online Entry: (Wednesday 26th January 2022)

Dear Diary,

    During my vacation time, I got the idea to visit the “Animal Farm” novel from Form Two. I did not read most of it at all but what I do remember the strongest apart from the animals was the anthem that the character sang. I recall Mrs. Mahase asking for some of us to create a melody just to see what we might come up with. Since I had finished the Fundamentals of Pan Arranging course, I decided to get the words from the internet and come up with a melody first.

    It was easy coming up with chords to use for the other background instruments. Only when it was finished did I have a confident feeling about it. It sounded as if it was workable to the task that Miss asked us to do long ago. Since I created this version, I did not get to share it with the literature teachers at school. I know they may not be able to guide me in the music aspect but I wonder what comments may come from the literature part.

Link(s):

1. Description document. ** [Document Lost.]
2. Score for Anthem. ** [Document Lost.]
3. Recording.

Daryl Zion M. Ali

Renelle-Lee Portrait

Date for Entry: (Friday 1st June 2018)

Actual Date of Online Entry: (Saturday 13th August 2022)

Dear Diary,

    It’s amazing how after one person asks me to do their portrait and another sees the finished outcome, they immediately ask me to draw them. This time an acquaintance and possible friend named Renelle-Lee from my Intermediate Ensemble class from DCFA saw the portrait of Josiah and asked me to draw her portrait.

    I accepted the challenge when she asked me but had a great fear of the type of ‘curse’ that my portraits possess with me losing friends. This time around, I got to ask the person what their favorite shape and she said hearts.

    This is the reason for the background. Just like Josiah’s portrait, I did not paint the face. Everything around was placed in colour. The clothing again was my own creativity. She seemed to enjoy the painting. I hope we are still friends.

 

Link(s):

• Black & White Version – Picture.

 

Daryl Zion M. Ali

Josiah’s Portrait

 Date for Entry: (Saturday 26th May 2018)

Actual Date of Online Entry: (Saturday 13th August 2022)

Dear Diary,

    I was able to complete something for Josiah’s portrait. Josiah is another person I met on Facebook that asked me to draw him. He saw the previous portrait that I did for Shazard. He sent me a picture of himself wearing a celebratory garment to use.

    I did not have enough paint to finish his face while others at home found it looked better without. The background for the painting was done as a stained-glass effect from a church since he was dressed for that venue.

    Strangely enough, the same strange pattern as with Shazard occurred. I had to end up losing a friend in Josiah also. We crossed paths and we discontinued being friends. I’m wondering if to do another portrait or stop completely. I don’t wish to have to lose another potential friend.

 

Link(s):

• Black and White Version - Picture.
• Shazard’s Portrait – Journal Entry.
• Shazard’s Portrait.

Daryl Zion M. Ali

Music Theory 2 - Finals Exam & TEXTBOOK

 Date for Entry: (Tuesday 8th May 2018)

Actual Date of Online Entry: (Tuesday 25th January 2022)

FINAL EXAMINATION.

    The examination for this course was very long and a lot of focus was needed. I honestly needed to lay down after the exam. There were not many pages in the script but we had to do a lot of music notation. I sometimes find the time should be three hours instead of two because they keep us in class for three hours.

    I did my best and handed it up with just a few more minutes left. Justin and I had a short chat on the outside. We had the exam up at MD3 with the dangerous gallery. I loved the view from there. We spoke about the exam, the degree, and how we both wanted to give up and withdraw from the program and aural training. This really was a hard year with an unbelievable amount of classes.

Link(s):

1. Music Theory 2 – (Final Exam) Candidate’s Receipt.**

 

TEXTBOOK.

    I decided to do over the entire book that Mrs. Ramlal had people in the shop photocopy for us to use. The decision came after looking at the six-four notes that I had made for making it easier. I know for sure that the end-of-term examination will test all that was taught for the entire academic year.

    Having that in mind, I did not want to have to return to the frustrating textbook. I wanted to simplify the work so that it would be easier for me to learn and that when I read it once, I would be able to understand it without the confusion from the textbook.

Link(s):

1. Music Theory 2 – Textbook (Version 3).

Daryl Zion M. Ali

'Scenery' Challenge - School of Composition

 Date for Entry: (Saturday 5th May 2018)

Actual Date of Online Entry: (Wednesday 26th January 2022)

Scene 1

Dear Diary,

    This month the composition challenge was to select one of three photographs that would inspire you to make the music. My decision was painting number one. I felt something calm and easy. I wanted to do something with the harp and soon my mind began to call for the flute. Playing back all that I did, it sounded empty and that was the reason why the tambourine was inserted. 

    Seven pages were gone in three to five hours after church. I was really proud of this piece because it was a wish to make something soothing. I took that opportunity through this challenge. The question remains in the effectiveness of the piece and if the assignment met what was asked for. I must mention the difficulties of trying to paint over the same image.

Link(s):

1. May Composition Instructions. ** [DOCUMENT LOST.]
2. “Erasing Inner Conflicts” – Score. ** [DOCUMENT LOST.]
3. Recording of “Erasing Inner Conflicts”.

[UPDATE #1]

Scene 3

    Over some days, I wanted to have some sort of steelpan going in the song. Unfortunately, that ended up as a nightmare. Another painting was created for this separate operation. I wanted to have the one I did before. Both of these compositions were submitted.

Link(s):

1. “Melodious Forest” – Score.** [DOCUMENT LOST.]
2. Recording of “Melodious Forest”.

UPDATE #2.

The review came back and was posted on YouTube on July 1^st, 2018. I really appreciate the lesson on the harp being able to play only seven notes at a time in the way they are set up for a piece. Comments on the second piece made me wonder if Matt knew about steelpan. Other important messages from the feedback were:

“Six-four allows for a lot of melodies, especially in a really slow tempo. An ensemble in lutes is only limited in the possibility for colour, at least when it is for a wind quintet or chamber orchestra and because of this we would have to create some contrast and variety. Otherwise, this sound gets tiring… Flutes in a very high register often tend to stress the ear.”

“On our Facebook group, I recall Joshua saying that he didn’t have much time to compose this. I think we wish we all had more time to dedicate to composition but when the time is really limited, why not try a piece with fewer resources. Having so little time and so many instruments on the scores, and having so many empty bars in front of you, is bound to get overwhelming.” 

Link(s):

• ‘Scenery’ Challenge – Feedback & Critique. (Feedback 11:27)

Daryl Zion M. Ali

Diaspora Concert (2018)

 Date for Entry: (Unknown/Forgotten)

[Saturday 2018]

Actual Date of Online Entry: (Tuesday 25th January 2022)

Dear Diary,

    Diaspora Concert is here again. For me, it is now the Diaspora exam. The two-day examination asks for the most unbelievable and tests you more than a student. This is the only I view it, personally. For the event, I played music with two groups. Listed below are the groups and the music they played.

Link(s):

1. Backstage Directory.

 

INDIAN CLASSICAL ENSEMBLE

Other versions can be found in the Indian Classical entry for this particular semester.

1. Churaliya (Version 7).** 
2. Gulabi Aakhen (Version 4).** 
3. Ek Ajnabi (Version 8).**

 

INTERMEDIATE ENSEMBLE: [For Request by Email.]

1. Redemption Song.** 
2. One Note Samba.** 
3. Milap.** 
4. Hallelujah.** 
5. Sonata No. 14, Op.27, No.2.** 
6. Night Shift.** 
7. Full of Vibes.**

 

    I was not able to get a program for the even but only the backstage directory. I can recall carrying three sets of clothing to the event. I dressed up in my Indian wear for the beginning. 

    I never like to change backstage with everyone before the program starts. I feel comfortable changing at home in my Indian wear and then going down to Daaga. Usually, the Indian Classical Ensemble is supposed to start the show and then there would be performances from the Indian Classical class on Thursdays and then the World Music group of the certificate program. 

 

Daryl Zion M. Ali

'Lifesaver' Challenge - School of Composition

Date for Entry: (Wednesday 4th April 2018)

Actual Date of Online Entry: (Tuesday 25th January 2022)

Dear Diary,

    I decided to participate in the April challenge. It was posted on April 4th 2018. This challenge came from a lady named Barbara. She took care of a boy named Max during the period of ailment. The challenge as I realised was to be compiled all submissions and create a gift for Barbara for her birthday. I am happy to say that the painting I made was used as the cover of the CD they compiled the songs on.

    For this challenge, we were allowed to select one note alone for the letter R in B-A-R-B-A-R-A. I used four instruments in his process. In the review of the music recording, I’m still a bit shy over it. It did not sound like something I should have submitted. I was still convinced by an aunty to continue it. I see in the feedback they did not go to the second section which was really messy but fun, lolz.

    Painting was another difficult thing to do. No ideas were coming to me.  It ended up making me send in my submission close to the deadline again. I decided to draw an angel lady standing on the base of the mountain with other taller mountains around her. There was a larger river to the far end of the scene when I saw her.

 

Link(s):

1. Lifesaver – April Challenge Instructions.
2. “Rose of the Angel Barbara” – Score.
3. White & Black Version of Painting.
4. Recording of “Rose of the Angel Barbara”.

• ‘Lifesaver’ Feedback & Critique Video. (6:13 was feedback)

x

Daryl Zion M. Ali