I even got the opportunity to perform in a gig with a gospel choir in Grenoble (called Sing for Joy), where I played with a string quartet, bass, electric guitar, drums, and a gospel choir. It was such an incredible experience! To be amplified and play for an audience of over 200 people who were singing and dancing was amazing. It really brought people so much joy. It was fun to play in a style I had very little experience with, and once again rehearse all in French!
In addition to playing my own music, I have been able to experience many different styles of music, from rap to gospel to classical in Grenoble, Paris, and even Vienna. My first introduction to French music was a concert in the first week of school, which featured a famous French rapper. Apparently, the French love their French music! There was so much energy, everyone knew the words and was dancing, but it wasn’t quite my style!
Then in October, I travelled to Vienna, Austria, for one of my school breaks, and I was able to see two different concerts. The first was a classical music concert where the symphony played Mozart’s Requiem as well as a series of different pieces from modern-day composers. There was even a piece that was written by an American composer that was all about climate change! Talk about cross-disciplinary! The concert hall was spectacular and was so grand and clearly had so much history. Later on that trip, my boyfriend surprised me by taking me to see the musical My Fair Lady (one of my favorites). It turned out to be in German, but it didn’t even matter. I knew the music and lyrics so well that I followed along the whole time. I was even able to see the pit orchestra and watch the musicians and conductors, along with the actors.
