Fireside Chat

You think you know people after a semester with them. You have seen their work, watched them fight each other to sound effects, and heard them reveal intimate and personal beliefs and stories in front of the class, but I learned after the fireside chat there was still much to know.

More than a simple bonding experience for the class, this final assignment of ours was very effective in teaching a number of lessons. First of all, I spent a large number of hours practicing, teaching, and orchestrating my song. For the entire week prior, I was a nervous wreck. When I got to the actual event, however, and saw the others perform as well, I realized we were all in this together. Though that realization didn’t get rid of all my nerves, it certainly took much of the load off my shoulders. I felt among friends. It really is interesting to see the transition we all went through, starting as sort of hostile to each other trying to show how good or smart we were. Now there is much more of a feeling of collaboration.

As far as my own personal process for preparing a fireside chat, this was the hardest I had worked on something in a good while. The nervous wreck mentioned above spent weeks putting the song together. The song meant very much to me, so I wanted to get it as near perfect as possible. Witnessing it all come together and being successful was very satisfying, but even more humbling.

The song is from the perspective of society personified. People today, including myself, are often self-absorbed with an exaggerated sense of self-entitlement. “America is the greatest country on earth!” and, “I’m an American, so I am the best!” are words often found on the tongues of today’s citizens of the United States of America. These same people often sit lazily doing nothing while talking about how great they are, or complaining about how it’s not fair that others are doing better than they are. This is a rut I have fallen into from time to time, and it is an embarrassing way of thinking. The song’s point is to remind everyone, from anywhere, that it doesn’t matter where you came from as long as you work hard and aim to please more than your own selfish desires. Focusing on others will make the world’s citizens truly great.

Another element that expressed a belief I have was the use of buckets and wine glasses over conventional instruments. The point of this was that music, or art in general, can be found anywhere; it doesn’t have to be created by experts to be beautiful. Half of the people I had helping had no musical experience or training, yet they still played beautiful and meaningful music. There is more music than what is on the Top 40. My favorite music has always come from those less known by the world because they are more free to do what they want. They don’t make much money, so their songs are full of passion and emotion. I want people to search for this type of music.

Overall, this experience was something I will unlikely ever forget. The emotions I felt and lessons I learned will stick with me throughout my life. Thanks, everyone, for an incredible evening and an incredible semester.