Jimmy Chang's Blog

Friday, 5/22

jimmy10430g — Sat, 23 May 2009 05:56:36 +0000

Today I performed at the Sequoias with Sarah and Anna. Anna was there to help me sing a duet, “Falling Slowly.” Sarah was there to perform 5 piano songs. I performed 6 guitar songs while singing. It was really a great opportunity to perform to such a different crowd because they were old people. It was refreshing and kind of amazing to perform in front of 20 old people. I could see they were all smiling and happy when we performed. They were all really friendly. Some of them thanked us, and said to the volunteers, “make them come again!” It was really nice of them.

Right now it’s 3 down, 1 more to go. I have to prepare a lot for the concert on Wednesday and the presentation on Tuesday.

Thursday, 5/21

jimmy10430g — Fri, 22 May 2009 05:59:14 +0000

Tomorrow I am performing at Sequoias with Sarah Shin at 3:30. I practiced for about one and a half hour today on my guitar some more. I think I will perform 6-7 songs tomorrow while Sarah will perform about 4-5 piano songs. D was lurking around in the music room today while we were practicing and he said we sounded really good. I am excited for tomorrow’s performance. I hope it will go well.

After the performance, I have to do my powerpoint presentation on the weekend, but I will be on a rafting trip. So I guess I will be doing it on Monday, Memorial Day. After my presenation day which is on Tuesday, I have my recital with Sarah Shin on Wednesday night at 7.

Wednesday, 5/20

jimmy10430g — Thu, 21 May 2009 06:38:55 +0000

Today I was very busy, and I kind of laid back on my project a bit. I went to Day of The Arts this morning, and performed in front of the whole school again. I guess that was another advertisement I made for my concert next week. I got a pretty good response from some teachers and my peers, and classmates from yesterday’s performance in chapel. So I am happy with what I have done. haha.

Later I had a spring concert at night, where I sang more. Then I went to the Visual Media show.

I am performing again on Friday at Sequoias and Ms. Anderson’s Dance Recital.

Tuesday, 5/19

jimmy10430g — Wed, 20 May 2009 06:05:22 +0000

Today, I performed in chapel and Ronald McDonald House!!!! two down, two more to go!

I performed in chapel for reflection music. I wrote that song for the value of spirituality under the topic of homesickness. It was quite hopeful and soulful I would say. I also performed that song because I needed to advertise Sarah Shin and my concert next Wednesday on the 27th. I told the whole school about our concert date, and what I am doing for my project. I will put the date and time for our concert next week in the bulletin. I already got some students and teachers saying that they will attend our little recital

On the other hand, I performed at Ronald McDonald House today. It was really nice to perform there because it was dinner time for them. I thought it would be pretty chaotic because the volunteer coordinator told me that people will be talking, eating and minding their children, so I got pretty scared. She also told me that there will be a lot of families. However, I went there today, and I gave a pretty decent performance to a crowd around 30 ish people. Their ages were from 2-60. They were all different colored people too, there were Asians, Whites, Latinos, and Blacks. I performed about 8 songs, including 2 songs I made. The whole performance was about 35 minutes. I couldn’t really talk in between the songs because I didn’t want to interrupt some people’s conversations. But they were really nice audience because they always clapped at the end of each song. The kitchen staff and the volunteers told me they really liked my performance. I also advertised Woodside Priory to some people there because they were asking me what school I went to. Also, I went today with Ms. Thayer, Sharukh, Anna, and Woosik. Mr. Lai also came to watch my performance. It was really nice of him. I brought them with me just for some spiritual support. Anna actually sang a duet song with me; it sounded pretty good

My objective for this project was to spread happiness and hope to these people, and I think today I did it. I think some people really enjoyed my music and singing. The kitchen staff told me that this was the first time they have ever had people singing for them during the dinner time. They said my music make them work more efficiently and comfortably. They could hear music while they work, and they were satisfied. The audience was great, and I saw many of them smiling after I sang. So I guess it was a small success.

I will be performing at Sequoias this Friday with Sarah Shin. We will be ready!!!

Monday, 5/18

jimmy10430g — Mon, 18 May 2009 23:36:57 +0000

Today, I practiced a lot more for my project songs. I am performing tomorrow at 5:30- 6:30. Ms. Thayer will be taking me to Ronald McDonald House, and Anna Lee will be going with me also. She is helping me sing on 2 of the songs. I asked her because I think people will get tired of my voice, so I think asking her to help me will add more variety into the music I am performing.

I am also performing in chapel tomorrow. I am doing so because I am going to advertise Sarah Shin and my concert on the 27th. I will be performing “Home”, which is the song I made.

Wednesday, May 13th

jimmy10430g — Thu, 14 May 2009 00:50:39 +0000

Today, Ms. Dimminger helped me with the guitar chord progression for the six songs I am performing. She was such a huge help. I got so much done in just 40 minutes. I think I can play every song pretty well now. I just need to practice more everyday. I have AP Economics exam tomorrow, so I will not be doing a blog, but I will be practicing. I will also need to perform for Ms. Paulson on Friday.

So far, I have 8 guitar songs and 4 piano songs. I think that is enough for a 45-55 minute performance.

Tuesday, 5/12

jimmy10430g — Wed, 13 May 2009 06:15:14 +0000

Today, I practiced my six other songs by other artists. These songs are

- Heaven by Bryan Adams

- As Long As You Love Me by Backstreet Boys

- Falling Slowly by Glen Hansard

- Upside Down by Jack Johnson

- All You Need Is Love by The Beatles

- Somewhere Over the Rainbow by Israel Kamakawiw

I have some problems regarding the chords. I already scheduled my appointment with Ms. Dimminger tomorrow at 11:45, and she will teach me how to play these chords. Other than that, I am pretty solid on my singing.

If you have any questions regarding my performance dates, please look at my calender. It’s listed very clearly on there. May 19th, May 22nd and May 27th are the big dates for me, and for my senior project.

Monday, 5/11

jimmy10430g — Tue, 12 May 2009 06:42:54 +0000

Today, the volunteer coordinator from Ronald McDonald House sent me a confirmation saying that they have put my name down for the performance I am going to give on Tuesday, May 19th from 5:30- 6:30. I am performing at that time because she said the families will be there around that time for dinner, so it is the best time.

I finished my second song. It’s about friendship; I actually wrote this song for the dormers. But I will be performing this song anyway to people in Ronald McDonald House.

I will go to Ms.Dimminger on Wednesday during B period for some guitar help. I need her to teach me some hard chords that I cannot play on the guitar.

Other than that, I have to perform all my songs to Ms. Paulson on Friday.

Friday, May 8th

jimmy10430g — Sat, 09 May 2009 06:50:21 +0000

Today, I had a meeting with Ms. Paulson. I told her about what I am going to do.

- I scheduled my performance on Tuesday, May 19th, at Ronald McDonald House at Stanford

- I have an informal concert with Sarah Shin on Wednesday, May 27th, in the music room (I also scheduled to do a reflection song in chapel on Tuesday, May 19th, to advertise our concert)

- Sequoias people are still getting back to me (they said they’ll do so ASAP)

So far on my song list, I have 2 songs that I produced, 4 songs I can possibly play on guitar, and 4 songs I can play well on the piano. I will have Ms. Paulson listen to every single song by next Friday.

I got some work to do in terms of making music and playing guitar well since I just started guitar this semester, so I am still not very skillful at it yet.

Thursday, May 7th

jimmy10430g — Fri, 08 May 2009 04:34:31 +0000

So far, I have completed one song, and working on the second one, which should be done this week. I am practicing other songs on guitar as well. I will have a meeting with Ms. Paulson tomorrow, and we have a lot to talk about. I need to tell her what I have been working on, if I contacted the organizations, what date should I schedule my concert… etc.

I contacted the Sequoias, and the lady sent my request to perform there to another person, who should be getting back to me soon. I asked them if I can perform there on one of the days during May 19th- 22nd. I also contacted Ronald McDonald House at Stanford. I spoke with the activity coordinator, and she shoot me back an e-mail,

“Hi Jimmy, it was a pleasure speaking with you today. We are able to schedule you to come and play music/sing during the dinner hour since there is more activity occurring at this time. Let me know if Tuesday 5/19 from 5:30 to 6:30 will work for you.

Thanks

Monica

Monica Makela / Volunteer Coordinator / Ronald McDonald House at Stanford
520 Sand Hill Road, Palo Alto, CA 94304
Direct 650.470.6028 / Fax 650.470.6018
monica@ronaldhouse.net / www.ronaldhouse.net

I will tell her that I will be delighted to perform there, and the times she set for me sound perfect.

Right now, I just need to keep practicing songs.

That’s about it for now.