Tuning in The General ~ ~~ Note from the editors:
Whether you l ike punk, rock, classical, jazz, hip hop or anything in betwe en, sharing music has be en a part of human history for centuries. Enjoy our sick music special. -Karen Garcia & Rebekah Marki ll ie [ }
UP graduate collaborates to compose fi lm score
Illustration by Rebekah Marki ll ie
When a beat hits your brain By Al ina Rosenkranz
Most people that listen to music have experienced the effect it can have on their emotions and thoughts. It can feel like music has the ability to create magical moments. Music is part of our everyday lives, but we don’t often think about the effects it has on our minds.
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Your heart beat mimics the music you listen to according to Luciano Bernardi, a professor of medicine at the University of Pavia in Italy.
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According to a study done by Nusbaum and Silvia (2010), over 90 percent of people have experienced chills running down their spine while listening to music. How strongly music affects us depends on our personality. The study suggests music has more powerful effects on people with a high “openness to experience.”
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People associate colors with music and it appears that people from different parts of the world associate the same music genres with the same colors. A study done by Palmer (2013) shows people from the U.S. and Mexico both associate sad music with dark colors and upbeat music with lighter colors.
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Music utilizes the entire brain. It can activate motor, creative areas and emotional areas of the brain according to a study by Suomen Akatemia (Academy of Finland).
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Research by Ferguson and Sheldon (2013) suggests that actively listening to music as opposed to letting music wash over us leads to a higher emotional experience with music.
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Playing music on a regular basis will change your brain structure. The cortex volume is the highest for professional musicians according to Dr. Pascale Michelon who has a Ph.D. in cognitive psychology and worked as a research scientist at Washington University in Saint Louis.
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Listening to music while you work out has the ability to strengthen your workout performance according to research done by Costas Karageorghis and David-Lee Priest from Brunel University.
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According to a paper from the University of London, music can even influence how we see visual images. Through an experiment, researchers found that happy music made happy faces appear happier and sad music made sad looking faces perceived as even more melancholy.
Photo by Thomas Dempsey
The concert is Saturday, Jan. 23 at 7 p.m. Reserve your free ticket at BC 235 ahead of time. Call the PFA office at 503-943-7228 for more information. A livestream of the show can be found through the orchestra’s Facebook page. By Michael Shively While some may have spent the four long months of summer break sunbathing, traveling or interning, Dana Coppernoll-Houston was busy composing music for four to six hours every week day. Coppernoll-Houston was awarded with a research grant that allowed them to compose the score for the orchestra accompaniment of one of the most critically acclaimed silent films of all time, “The General.” Beloved by film buffs everywhere, “The General” gave Coppernoll-Houston a lot of material to work with. The story follows a railroad engineer during the Civil War whose fiancée is accidentally taken away on a stolen train. A rescue mission ensues with one comedic, stunt-filled obstacle after the next. Coppernoll-Houston says that the event has something for everyone. “If you really like old movies and the history they have in them, you can come to this concert,” CoppernollHouston said. “If you really like watching strings play, come to the concert. If you really like exciting action movies, come to the concert. If you’ve have a stressful day and you just want a break for an hour and a half, come to the concert.” According to music professor David De Lyser, hearing the soundtrack played live is something most people don’t get the chance to experience; it’s unique because it brings a whole new level of energy to the film. Although CoppernollHouston is currently working on her Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) degree at UP, she and De Lyser
first met when she was an undergraduate student minoring in music, with a focus on composition. “I was taking lessons for two years from De Lyser before this project even started,” Coppernoll-Houston said. Coppernoll-Houston has been writing music since middle school, where she played percussion. Her first pieces were written for her and her fellow drummers, but her vision soon grew. Before long she was writing compositions for the entire band and soon other musical groups. In high
"I love playing in these dynamic shows. It really adds another element that ke eps the audience engaged." - Crysta Ross school she got composition software, and the rest is history. Although CoppernollHouston admittedly has “tons” of composition in her laptop, only five of them are finished enough for a band to play. Aside from “The General,” two of her other pieces have been played, one for a wind symphony, and the other for an orchestra. This is the only piece she has done for a movie. “With normal compositions, I could write whatever I wanted, like choosing to paint with any colors I want on a canvas,” Coppernoll-Houston said. “But with soundtrack composition, which is what I did here for this piece, it’s much more restricted by what’s happening in the movie.” On top of the hours she
put in over the summer, Coppernoll-Houston’s writing continued into the school year, with nearly two hours a day spent perfecting her work. The entire process took 10 months and finished just before March — the first time the show was performed. This Saturday will be the second, and likely final, performance of the work. Crysta Ross is the principal flutist of the piece, and has been playing with the orchestra for over a year. “I love playing in these dynamic shows,” Ross said. “It really adds another element that keeps the audience engaged.” Ross noted that this engagement also held true with the orchestra’s previous show, last semester’s “The Snowman,” which was accompanied by a narrator. She said that having both composers present in the orchestra during the performance was useful, because it allowed them to make changes during practices and see how excited the composers were to see their work come to life. Coppernoll-Houston suggests that anyone itching to see the fruits of their own creative labor should start composing their own music. “Just really listen to the music you are already listening to,” Coppernoll-Houston said. “Ask yourself: ‘Why do I like this?’ and really think hard about it.” You can come experience the hard work of CoppernollHouston, DeLyser, and all of the 53 orchestra members, this weekend. If you can’t make this performance, the orchestra will play two shows with the Bravo Youth Orchestra on Feb. 28 and in April.
THE BEACON • JAN 21, 2016 • UPBEACON.COM
Tuning In
Setting the record The resurgence straight: of vinyl
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By Natasa Kvesic There’s nothing quite like pulling a shiny record out of its sleeve, popping it on the turntable and hearing the crackle of the needle running over the grooves. Listening to music on vinyl is like experiencing an album in a completely different way than hearing it digitally; each instrument and vocal is exemplified on a completely different level. Records are tangible. They’re like owning a piece of history from an artist. Being able to have the records and throw them on anytime gives a sense of nostalgia that streaming music can’t compete with. This feeling is what drives a recent movement coined as the “vinyl revival.” Since 2006, vinyl sales have increased tenfold. People want to be a part of the rich history that vinyls are accompanied by, they want to revert to the retro lifestyle. Freshman Erik Wingfield is a firm believer and pioneer of this old school revival. He believes that vinyls represent a deeper admiration for an artist, and that the convenience of downloading and streaming music makes it easy to ignore the labor that goes into producing the record. Wingfield initially caught the collector’s bug from his father, and can now boast of a collection of 35 records in his home. “My collection encompasses rock legends such as Zeppelin, Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaun, 80s synthesizers and bangers such as Billy Joel and David Bowie, and even some solid 90s rap such as LL Cool J’s “All World,” Wingfield said. As the vinyl revival has
progressed, more and more young people have been the ones purchasing records. This is usually due to the fact that their parents were ‘70s and ‘80s rockers who had their own weird obsession with collecting vinyl and would spend hours cuddled up to their record player.
"I want to ke ep getting more ... I l ike fl ipping through records, just to se e what they have . Like when get 10 more bucks, I'll come back and get it - Isabelle Linkous For freshman Isabelle Linkous, it was both of her parents who were obsessed with vinyl. “They had just boxes of them and I would look through them. My dad, at our old house, he had an entire wall of AC/DC vinyls,” Linkous said. “For him, (his collection) is a lot of classic rock like Van Halen.” Linkous’ collection is full of records that bring her back to her pre-teen angst, with bands like Panic! At The Disco, Fall Out Boy and Paramore. “It was just what I listened to all the time growing up and those artists have a lot of special releases, like different color press vinyls,” Linkous said. “The special edition is just fun to have and it’s like: ‘Yeah! I have all of these from the music I used to listen to!’ I put them on for some old
throwbacks, but it gets emo really quick.” Like any determined and devoted vinyl revivalist, the need for more records is constantly looming over a collector’s head. Whether it’s getting the new Kamasi Washington record for a modern jazz trip into space or copping “The Chronic” by Dr. Dre in mint-condition, a true collector never stops looking for the next best buy. “Being in Portland, I can easily expand my collection. I want to buy some rap vinyls as of now,” Wingfield said. “One of my favorite rappers is Travis Scott from Houston, Texas. I saw him live in Seattle this fall and ever since I have not stopped listening to any of the music he puts out.” But some collectors just enjoy being in a record store. Meandering around, hoping to find a diamond in the rough, while being immersed in a dream world of nostalgia. “I want to keep getting more, I just need somewhere to store them all, especially at school,” Linkous said. “I haven’t gone to any record stores here yet. But even if I don’t buy them, I like flipping through records, just to see what they have. Like when I get 10 more bucks, I’ll come back and get it!” In 2007, the third Saturday of April was established as Record Store Day, evidence that the vinyl revival is a permanent fixture of the cultural lexicon. Vinyl collectors not only pride themselves on the number of records they own, but on their identities as music curators.
Isabelle Linkous
Erik Wingfield
[ A breakdown of popular con Edgefield Theater
Wonder Ballro om
Capacity: varies This outdoor concert venue holds performances year-round, regardless of the weather. You can: sit or stand in general admission, bring a lawn chair, take pictures with point-and-shoot cameras, and purchase beer or wine. You can’t: smoke, record, tailgate, or camp.
Capacity: 778 This former church hosts some of the most exciting music events in Portland throughout the year, and you and offers only general admission seats — whether you watch from the balcony or dance on the floor is up to you. You can: have access to a full bar, rent the venue for personal events, and use point-and-shoot cameras.
2126 S.W . Halsey St. Troutdale, OR 97060 503-669-8610
128 NE Russell St. Portland, OR 97212 503- 284-8686
THE BEACON • JAN 21, 2016 • UPBEACON.COM
Tuning In
7
8 track vibes
By Rachel R ippetoe
For the mellow morning studier: 1. 2. 3. 4.
"Passepied (Debussy)" Punch Brothers
"Heads of the Valleys Road" Jess Morgan
"All The Pretty Girls" Kaleo
"Whole Wide World" Bahamas
5. 6. 7. 8.
"King of Carrot Flowers Pt. 1" Neutral Mi l k Hotel
"Instrumental II" Noah And The Whale
"Ducks on the Mi llpond" Pine Tre e String Band
"Boatman' s Dance"
Yonder Mountain String Band
For the optimistic afterno on studier: 1. 2. 3. 4.
"Origins" Tennis
"Nancy From Now On" Father John Misty
"Matchstick"
American Royalty
"Spinning Signs" Painted Palms
5. 6. 7. 8.
"Caring is Cre epy" The Shins
"Take It or Leave It" Great Go od Fine Ok
"Dream a Little Crazy" Architecture in Helsinki
"You & I"
Crystal Fighters
For the comfy evening studier: "Skanky Panky" 1. Kid Koala From This Kaos" 2. "Save MeRompante El T iempo Es Muy Largo" 3. "Dub-A Mexican Institute Of Sound "Finally Moving" 4. Pretty Lights
*** Photos by David Allen DiLoreto lll & Parker Shoaf f
5. 6. 7. 8.
"Edge"
Cheroke e
"Archangel" Burial
"Swim ming Away"
Prince Club, Geof froy
"Concept 16" Kodomo
For the midnight procrastinator: 1. 2. 3. 4.
"Movin' Away"
My Morning Jacket
"Four Walls" Bro ods
"Is This Sound Okay?" Coconut Records
"Arrival To Netherfield"
Dario Marianell i, Jean-Yves Thibaudet
5. 6. 7. 8.
"Give Me a Sign" The Vaccines
"We ekend In The Dust" David Byrne, St. V incent
"Struck Me Down" Mo on Taxi
"She Treats Me Well" Ben Howard
*Find the extended playlists on Spotify at upbeacon
ncert halls around Portland * All photos by Natasa Kvesic
Roseland Theater 8 NW 6th Ave . Portland, OR 97209 971- 230-0033
Capacity: 1,400 Let the music guide you to this venue in Chinatown, where most shows are standing room only. Some shows are are held in Peter’s Room, a low-capacity restaurant and bar. You can: drink alcohol and opt for limited seating in the balcony if you’re 21 and over, although tickets are sold on a first come, first serve basis. You can’t: bring any recording devices.
HEALTH EDITION
A tribute to the
THE BEACON • JAN 21, 2016 • UPBEACON.COM
Starman
“I don’t know where I’m going from here, but I promise it won’t be boring.” - David Bowie David Bowie was, by all accounts, the epitome of a rock star. His work as a gifted musician, composer, actor, and artist permeated and transformed the music industry throughout the last five decades. In that time, he compiled an arsenal of 25 studio albums, 22 film roles, as well as countless other associated projects and awards. As far as I’m aware, he’s the only man to duet with both Bing Crosby and Freddy Mercury and still hold superior name recognition. Bowie, or rather, Ziggy, defined the glam-rock genre of the ‘70s and remained at the forefront of the music industry until the days before his untimely
passing on Jan. 10, 2016. Despite his quite literal star status, Bowie maintained a humility and genuine kindness that was evident to friends and fans alike. To me, David Bowie was Starman. He was the somber night-time glow of “Ziggy Stardust” and the rest of the noticeably less-dusty vinyls in the separate stack atop the rest of my family’s collection. He was the songs my mother used to sing softly in my ear while we gazed at the glowin-the-dark constellations on my bedroom ceiling. He was the name written a hundred different ways throughout the pages of her teenage diary and the shoebox full of ticket stubs I came to discover years later. If I had been a boy, he would have been my namesake. It appears I’m not the only person he’s made a substantial impact on. Even in the first week following his passing, Bowie’s legacy is tangible. His most recent studio album, Blackstar, released on his 69th birthday, became his first No. 1 album in the U.S. The mobile app Snapchat dedicated a two-day story and created a personalized filter in his honor, amassing videos of fans belting his works from London to Los Angeles. (I’ll be one of many to admit that the Brixton crowd’s rendition of “Starman” reduced me to a shallow puddle
Submission by Elena Roberts Photo courtesy of Wikimedia com mons (1974) of tears every time I played it.) The Cincinnati Zoo welcomed a penguin chick named “Bowie,” while British astronaut Tim Peake shared condolences via Twitter from the International Space Station. Perhaps the most fitting tribute was the commemoration of Starman in an interstellar constellation of the iconic “Aladdin Sane” lightning bolt by Belgium’s MIRA Public Observatory. In addition, Google Sky launched the “Stardust for Bowie” project, which allows fans to create online, personalized tributes contained within the constellation itself. Writing a memorial tribute to David Bowie is, at the very least, a remarkably intimidating task. How do you summarize the astronomical impact of such an icon in less than 500 words? The answer is simple: You can’t, and I don’t believe Bowie would want us to be able to. In a 1976 interview with Rolling Stone, Bowie noted, “I’ve always had a repulsive sort of need to be something more than human.” I think it is apparent now more than ever that he truly was the closest thing this world came to superhuman. Ziggy, Major Tom, Goblin King, Starman, Bowie, rest somewhere supremely and delightfully not-boring.
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faith & fellowship We are in a special Year of Mercy, proclaimed by Pope Francis as a way to remind the world of what’s really important — the healing power of mercy. Christians, and indeed most people of faith throughout history, believe that God helps us untie our knots whatever their cause. That is what we will celebrate in this Year of Mercy, the belief that God, through his Son Jesus, works in the world and in our lives to untie the many knots we carry. In the Psalms we sing “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds… The Lord God lifts up the downtrodden!” (Psalm 147: 3, 6a). At UP, Campus Ministry invites you to turn to God and to each other to give and to receive mercy. This year can be about returning to the message that Jesus proclaimed from a mountain almost 2000 years ago: “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy” (Matthew 5:7). You may have noticed some new decorations on the front
of the Chapel of Christ the Teacher. These are strips of fabric tied in knots to fishing nets. All members of the campus community are invited to write the “knots” of their lives on the strips and add them to the nets. You can already see that, whatever your struggle, you are not alone in needing help to get your knot untied. On Sunday, Jan. 24, we will begin to untie each of those knots that are up there. Join us in doing so, and, whatever knot you uncover, pray for the person who struggles with it. In this way, we can become more aware of both the need for mercy in our neighbors and in the amazing ability we have to offer mercy as a campus. In the coming weeks, look for stories of mercy from students right here in The Beacon. Hopefully, we will all become more aware of the knots on campus and find ways to help untie them for each other. Anthony Paz is Assistant Director for Liturgy and Catechesis in the department of Campus Ministry. He can be reached at paz@up.edu.