Facebook. Twitter. Gmail. Yahoo. Youtube. These names are very much popular in our Age of Information. These nouns are even used as verbs. I am currently “facebooking” while typing my reaction paper. I often wonder why our age was that of information, when in reality the past age was more concerned with true and hard-earned information. Yes, technology makes us easily informed, therefore making research and information dissemination easier. On the other hand, too much use of technology makes us unaware of time. Finally, I found an apt, yet not positive, term for such a way of life, “temporal disorders”.
Last October 3, I was able to attend Dr. Jonas Baes’ colloquium entitled “Music and Temporal Disorder: The Dissolution of Form and Tonal Structure in the Piano Piece A Priori (and myths about composing the other self)”. I am not unfamiliar with the pieces of Dr. Baes, since I have composition major friends and, in some instances, we discussed about his music and the music of his composition students. This colloquium has led me to see Dr. Baes and his works in a new perspective.
He told us the philosophical background of his works. He leans toward Emmanuel Kant’s epistemological views (a priori and a posteriori). His music usually defies the a priori in music. He makes music without form and without distinct melody. He defies the norms of today's music, he deconstructs the constructed idea regarding music. He introduced to us the term temporal disorder, a term used by Elissa Marder in her book Dead Time: Temporal Disorders in the Wake of Modernity. Temporal disorder is defined as a disorder of being unable to live in time. In our present age, time is usually commodified. Dr. Baes mentioned happy hour and prime time. He also gave examples of temporal disorders in the Philippine context, such as addiction to video games and watching Telenovelas. I was really struck by the Filipino’s fetishism for the camera. I usually hate people who will tell me that they will just wait for the performance videos to be uploaded on Youtube, even if the place is just one jeepney away or the concert is free. I will always tell them that the live experience is very much different from watching it on a computer screen. I am very thankful for my parents because they watch recitals and performances whenever they are free. I remember my father attending the Viva España concert at the Abelardo Hall despite his very busy schedule because he told me that, “mas kakaiba ang pakiramdam kapag nakikita mo mismo yung kumakanta, tumutugtog at sumasayaw (the feeling is different when you experience the singing, playing, and dancing in person)”. My mother would always ask me if there will be recitals in the college because she would usually bring some of her friends and relatives to watch. My churchmates also supported our church choir when we performed last September 23 at the PhilAm Life Auditorium for the Coro Et Al concert. We might be the most amateur choir that night, but our churchmates told us that the worship experience was very different when you see it live rather than watching it on Youtube. It’s as if they were part of the singing, they feel the experience of simply being there. I usually equate this to church worship as opposed to television worship services. The experience of worshiping with your fellow worshipers is more precious than watching sermons on TV. Yes, we can learn something from TV sermons, but the feeling of being with other people, of singing a heartfelt song during singing time, of hearing people’s testimonies, and of praying earnestly for those who need it is more fulfilling and engaging. TV worship can feel so artificial sometimes.
Temporal disorders affect a person’s yearning to experience music making in the flesh. Because of technology, people are satisfied to see performances on video and see how beautiful the stage design is or the costume of the performers are through photos posted on Facebook. These people would be comfortable in their own homes, in their own comfort zones. Some would say that, in watching a performance, they felt as if they were there. One of my church-mates told me that she saw the performance of AJ Villanueva’s Prayer of Stillness and that the soprano was very good. I told her that her hair would stand on its end and her ears will be filled with her voice and the sounds of the piano only if she was in that exact time and space of the performance. The piece was composed for a small hall, not for earphones. What many people do not understand is that, in our kind of music, the aural aspect is as important, if not more, as the visual aspect.
The reason that I appreciate watching performances, be it classical, contemporary, or avant-garde, is because I understand the importance of time and space in music. Being with new music and contemporary composers cause me to dialogue with them regarding their music, their motives, and their considerations in making their pieces. It was also applicable to Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, and even to the priests in the Middle Ages. It is also applicable to the nose flute, tongatong, and kulintang. I would never forget the day when I heard a nose flute being played as I travel in the mountains of Kalinga. It was more beautiful and more serene when it was played in the echoing mountains as compared to playing it in Abelardo Hall.
The problem with so many people today is that they let technology dictate their way of living, instead of using technology to improve their way of living. Temporal disorders may be the reason that schools do not value music education and music making because they can simply download songs they can dance to during Linggo ng Wika. They can just watch Youtube videos to learn how to sing and play the guitar. They never valued the fulfillment they can gain when they learn a skill that can not only improve their physical dexterity, but also their emotional, cognitive, and even moral aspects of their being. They never saw music education as a tool to help a person develop holistically. Since I am a pragmatist type of educator, I believe that you should learn music by doing, not merely watching.
This generation seriously needs some reflecting to do. Did we improve along with our technology? Or did we regress because we let technology progress, making it a substitute for everything that humans can do? When we are stripped of our gadgets, can we still function normally? These are the questions that my generation should ponder.
05 October 2012
28 August 2012
Morning reflections
The Lord has been good to me. He has always been.
For the past weeks, I have been worrying so much about every thing. It makes me sad, anxious, grumpy. As if every smile drains my energy. Then, I would blame God for everything I feel.
But, it was me who brought it to myself.
It was very disrespectful to blame a God who has always been merciful, gracious, and even just.
After all of the bad things I hurled at Him, punishments with great love and concern were what He threw back. Why would I be angry when He exacts punishment on my sinful acts and thoughts? He is just! That is what I deserve. I even should be dead by now. Thank God for His unending love and grace.
O Lord, let me be an instrument of Thy peace. I beg of you, please keep my thoughts and actions pure and holy. :)
*Good morning! It's a brand new day. A brand new start. Another chance to show the world who I really live for. :)
____________________
29aug12
A morning reflection and prayer :)
20 August 2012
Do I speak loudly in class?
Do I speak loudly in class? Yes, I believe I do. Being a musician, I know how to modulate my voice depending on the size of the room. I was trained to do that. I took it seriously because I am a choral singer, too.
The better question to ask is, “Do I always speak loudly in class?” Do I answer honestly in class or do I answer what my professors like to hear from me? My answer: No, I don’t always speak "loudly" in class. Usually, I don’t speak loudly in class when I know that my opinion or answer will cause a disturbance in the minds of those inside the classroom.
I experienced it so many times in the College of Music. When I did share my opinions or ask questions, I was usually shunned because what I said was not “in the book”. Thank the heavens, not all of my professors are like that. I encountered one professor who was always ready to hear his students’ questions and insights. If he doesn’t know the answer to my question, he would honestly say he is not sure what to answer. Then, he would encourage me to research about it and give the answer next meeting. That certain professor even defended me when I got a 5.0 in my solfege panel exam. He showed the panel my class performance. After doing so, he then talked to me and asked what happened. I told him I was so scared to fail. He told me it was normal, but he believed that I can survive the UP College of Music because I have the drive to do so. True enough, I am still in the College of Music.
I’m afraid (and SO TIRED) of professors not answering my questions and professors who even brand me as disrespectful when I ask a question they cannot answer. I don’t know why some professors get easily intimidated with their students. Some of my college professors caused a big issue in the college, which I will not disclose here, all because of students who asked “so many questions”. I thought UP professors are open-minded and had the best interest for students. Unfortunately, not all of them are like that. On the other hand, I am very grateful for professors who always want their students to learn and speak their mind freely.
I do not solely blame my professors for not always speaking loudly in class. I am a partly to blame because it is my decision not to always speak in class. When I think of something during the class, it shows in my face and my gestures, but not all are keen enough to see it or ask if I had something in mind that I would like to share.
I’m not sure if not speaking all that is in my mind is going against the UP student expectations. However, there should always be a balance between assertion and quiet pondering.
The better question to ask is, “Do I always speak loudly in class?” Do I answer honestly in class or do I answer what my professors like to hear from me? My answer: No, I don’t always speak "loudly" in class. Usually, I don’t speak loudly in class when I know that my opinion or answer will cause a disturbance in the minds of those inside the classroom.
I experienced it so many times in the College of Music. When I did share my opinions or ask questions, I was usually shunned because what I said was not “in the book”. Thank the heavens, not all of my professors are like that. I encountered one professor who was always ready to hear his students’ questions and insights. If he doesn’t know the answer to my question, he would honestly say he is not sure what to answer. Then, he would encourage me to research about it and give the answer next meeting. That certain professor even defended me when I got a 5.0 in my solfege panel exam. He showed the panel my class performance. After doing so, he then talked to me and asked what happened. I told him I was so scared to fail. He told me it was normal, but he believed that I can survive the UP College of Music because I have the drive to do so. True enough, I am still in the College of Music.
I’m afraid (and SO TIRED) of professors not answering my questions and professors who even brand me as disrespectful when I ask a question they cannot answer. I don’t know why some professors get easily intimidated with their students. Some of my college professors caused a big issue in the college, which I will not disclose here, all because of students who asked “so many questions”. I thought UP professors are open-minded and had the best interest for students. Unfortunately, not all of them are like that. On the other hand, I am very grateful for professors who always want their students to learn and speak their mind freely.
I do not solely blame my professors for not always speaking loudly in class. I am a partly to blame because it is my decision not to always speak in class. When I think of something during the class, it shows in my face and my gestures, but not all are keen enough to see it or ask if I had something in mind that I would like to share.
I’m not sure if not speaking all that is in my mind is going against the UP student expectations. However, there should always be a balance between assertion and quiet pondering.
____________________
21aug2012
Reflection paper for my EDFD120 class. :)
01 August 2012
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