Music & Me

Hi there everyone! My name is Jan, and I am a music therapy major at Converse. I am currently in my junior year. I have always wanted to help people, but until four years ago I didn't know you could use music to help people. In hindsight it makes sense, but hindsight is 2020. I started my musical journey playing viola and then I moved to upright bass after about 6 months. When I came to Converse I started to learn how to sing, play guitar, play ukulele, play piano, and play a bunch of percussion instruments. I listen to music when I am doing anything from driving to homework to reading. I am so ready to tell you all about my music journey and life. Without further ado let's start!!

My Current Go-To Music:

My current go-to song is The Devil Went Down to Georgia by The Charlie Daniels Band. This song was released in 1979, but I found it a couple months ago and have been unable to put it down since. I found it. while looking up songs for nursing home residents for my practicum class. I did not use it in my session, but I do think that it opened my eyes to even more music that is older than I am. There have been plenty of references to this song in media and shows like Futurama and Hazbin Hotel. I love singing along with this song because it is very fun to do with a southern accent.

Meaningful Music:

All of the music I listen to has some meaning to me. Some remind me of the people I have lost and some remind me of the people I have left in my life. One song that resonates deeply with me though is the song Wake Me Up When September Ends by Greenday. I say this because I started listening to this song when I was in a dark place in middle school and it has always been in my playlists. It has always been in the background and it has helped me process a lot of things going on in my life. The message of the song is about the lead singer's father dying and I found the song around the time my great-grandmother died. Me and her were very close and it hit me hard and I could relate a lot to the message he was singing. This song still helps me through a lot of problems that pop up in my life.

Music I don't connect with:

I am a big fan of musicals, but I don't get turning musicals into movies. Phantom of the Opera was okay and Dear Evan Hansen was okay as well, but they weren't the best and I think they were better as musicals. I also am not a big fan of Ariana Grande. I get that people are and all the power to them, but I am just not a fan of her voice. With that being said I just don't vibe with the new Wicked movie soundtrack. I was a small fan of the original Broadway music, but I think the movie didn't do the Broadway show justice. 

Other Songs:

The first song is a Disney song. I love Disney and grew up watching their movies and listening to their music. If I had to pick one Disney song it would be What's My Name from Descendents 2. It is a callout to rally the troops. It is a very catchy song and it has stuck in my brain for a long time and still will come to the front of my mind every now and then without even listening to the song. I also just love China Anne McClain's voice and her presence on the screen. 

I am also a big fan of Phantom of the Opera. It has stayed with me since I first watched the movie a few years ago. Since I watched the movie I found a recording of the 25th anniversary Broadway show in the Royal Albert Hall in London. I love all the songs on the soundtrack, but I have to pick only one that really calls to me otherwise I am giving out an almost 3 hour musical performance. The song that stood out to me most was The Phantom of the Opera. It shows off both the ranges of Christine (Sierra Boggess) and the Phantom (Ramin Karimloo).

Thanks for reading and I really hope you enjoyed!!!!