Share: Deciding on a major is a big declaration that impacts a lot of choices and paths taken in the future. It is not uncommon for people to change majors more than once, or have second thoughts about their career selection. This will not be a problem for second year Sophia Kaloustian, who has already set her heart and mind for a life in music here at PCC. Follow:
A swinging centennial: Jackie Robinson at 100
Share: A lot can happen in one hundred years. Culture can shift and the beliefs and lifestyles of a society can change drastically. A major catalyst for a new wave of societal beliefs in our world was Jackie Robinson, who was honored at PCC’s Westerbeck Recital Hall this past Sunday, Sept. 29. Robinson was born in 1919, and the musical recital that took place on campus is aptly entitled “A Swinging Centennial: Jackie Robinson at 100.” Follow:
PCC’s symphony orchestra: Music is ‘like the air we breathe’
Share: The night started out quiet. Well, relatively quiet. As quiet as a trumpet and piccolo practicing in a literal echo chamber could be. The fluttering runs of the piccolo combined with the triumphant impacts of the trumpet created a disorienting atmosphere. Even a music aficionado would have had trouble picking out individual works. But then the trumpet rang out with a classic piece of musical literature — the kind that any passerby would recognize: the “William Tell Overture.” The trumpet part — built off …
Morgan St. Jean: The makings of a true artist
Share: In a tiny little home studio somewhere in the midst of L.A., lies a room full of guitars and keyboards and fancy synth machines. The plethora of musical possibilities is enough to make any musician’s imagination run wild. This is how it all happens, right? A single recording in someone’s basement and suddenly you get lucky enough to “make it” in Los Angeles. Follow:
‘A Star is Born’: Dazzling mix of talent and tragedy
Share: Bradley Cooper’s directorial debut, “A Star is Born” is a piece of pure magic. Lady Gaga transforms from the platinum art-pop diva we all know and love, into Ally, a shy, understated brunette who’s afraid to sing her own songs. Her performance is exquisite, gritty and real, you soon forget the edgy character she is in real life. Follow:
Listening to ‘Nobody’: Isolation and social media
Share: In her latest single, “Nobody”, Mitski Myawaki, better known as just Mitski, uses her expertise in embodying angst to transport the listener into a surreal hellscape of isolation that turns out to be more familiar than we would like to think. Follow:
‘Voicenotes’: Who tf broke Charlie Puth’s heart?
Share: Charlie Puth’s overnight success on “See You Again” (a tribute track for the late Paul Walker), resulted in him releasing what felt like a rushed, unoriginal debut album in 2016, earning one of the lowest scores ever on Metacritic and leaving many wondering if the pretty-faced, perfect-pitched singer is nothing more than a typical YouTube star. Now, Puth is back with his sophomore album, “Voicenotes,” to prove to music listeners that he is more than capable of delivering an authentic musical masterpiece. Follow:
‘Isolation’: An album with futuristic flare
Share: After the highly anticipated release of Kali Uchis’ first ever album, “Isolation”, was released it left many on Twitter tweeting about how they were vibing, and feeling themselves and honestly – that’s exactly what this album does. It’s got a mixture of all sorts of genres in each song. Leaving a futuristic vibe, while managing to give a flashback of what music once was, is what Uchis managed to do with such ease. Follow:
Lancers’ Lives: A music professor, her harp and Hollywood
Share: When she’s not busy playing at prestigious Hollywood parties or photobombing Mariah Carey’s paparazzi pictures, award-winning harpist, Dr. Alison Bjorkedal, spends most of her time teaching music at PCC or performing for others. Follow:
Performing arts dean taking final bow at semester’s end
Share: After 33 years of working for Pasadena City College (PCC), the dean of the performing and communication arts department, James Arnwine, has decided to retire after the Spring 2018 semester. Before coming to PCC, Arnwine worked at Pasadena High School as the band instructor for four years. He came to PCC in 1985 as an instrumental music professor. He instructed the bands, the brass groups and some music appreciation and fundamentals classes before becoming the dean of the performing arts division. Through his years …