CAS Reflections

CAS Reflection #1

Throughout my summer I would consistently meet up and rehearse with my string quartet around every two weeks. We would plan a date in the week to meet up at someone's house and practice whatever new repertoire we wanted to try out in terms of what we wanted to perform or busk with. 

One of our new pieces is Shostakovich’s string quartet No. 3 movement 3. I really enjoyed this piece because of the intensity and organized chaos of the piece. Shostakovich lived during the regime of Stalin which meant living in censorship and fear which can be heard in his music through sharp contrasts and grotesque pieces in general. Sections of this quartet are actually symbolic of bombs and sirens going off which makes the quartet that much more interesting. In many cases this piece is applicable to many other people today. The feeling of anxiety, fear, and intensity is prevalent today with the violence in Palestine and other social issues. This new piece is definitely one I enjoy playing because of the layers of emotion behind the music. And unlike many other quartets this one is interesting for all the members of our group. The first violin does have the melody for a decent amount of the piece, but the viola, cello, and violin 2 all have solos that contribute largely to the overall mood and tone of the piece. In terms of communicating and making musical decisions with the group, it usually isn’t hard to work out. We all usually think on the same page and with group coaching too it becomes easy to gel and form a unified interpretation. 

Another addition to our repertoire was the second movement and finale of Dvorak's “American” String Quartet No.12 in F Major. Dvorak actually wrote this four movement string quartet while in Iowa in 1893. The quartet actually embodies native american and african american spiritual music, but the scenery is also very much heard as well. In this period Dvorak became very interested in locomotives, and spent a large amount of time with them. Within the slow, sorrowful funeral march of the second movement I believe that Dvorak is able to replicate the cadence of the train through the inner voices of the quartet while the melodies are a representation of the scenery passing through. Our group has performed the second movement once before, but in contrast to the second movement we are in the process of learning the fourth movement finale which embodies an exciting ending. 

This fall I will probably be joining another quartet through Chamber Music Connection (CMC) and I hope to carry over the pieces I’ve worked on with my previous quartet when playing with the new one. With this new group I will continue to try to perform and compete and possibly volunteer with this new ensemble. I would love to share the interpretation of our repertoire, and hopefully introduce classical music to more listeners.

CAS Reflection #2

Mindful movement was an experience that would enable individuals to engage in physical activity that would bring awareness to the present moment. I helped to organize this with Danielle for a CAS experience. The activity we did for this experience was yoga which combines aspects of mindfulness like the attention to thoughts, feelings, and sensations. “The flow” routine is crucial for yoga. Rather than exercising purly for physical benefit, when participants of yoga focus on bodily sensations like the breath, people are more encouraged to notice how their body reacts in the moment which promotes a sense of relaxation and meditation. We lead this routine with the hope to bring mental clarity to participants during the stressful school year. 

Another experience that was very thought provoking was Mr. Mousa’s presentation on email etiquette. He stated that email etiquette is essential for making communication in the workplace, and educational environments more clear, precise, respectful, and professional. Mr. Mousa made it clear that well written emails, and well written responses are a direct telling of someone's character. Having good communication shows an understanding of detail and professionalism. Writing a proper email will also make the message more efficient. Good email structure will help recipients easily understand the message trying to get across, and it should hopefully help prevent miscommunication. And when teaching us how to respond to emails Mr Mousa gave us ideas on how to respond depending on the situation. For example if someone is angry, or if you yourself are angry, he suggested that the response time should be well after the initial message was sent, if a response is even needed at all. He learned this as a middle school principal. The respect for time is also important when writing emails. If an email is too long, and will not get to the point quick enough it may even be worth speaking with the recipient on the phone or in person. This could then lead to the formation of trustful workplace relationships, which is created by a positive rapport. And face to face conversations provide the facial, and physical queues that otherwise wouldn’t have been interpreted through an email. Misinterpretation can be avoided this way.

The organization One Dublin is a nonprofit organization that is dedicated to supporting local families that aren’t necessarily able to access or afford resources such as food or clothing. I have established a connection with someone in One Dublin named Heather Heins. But I would like my CAS project to be along the lines of bringing talented high school musicians to perform music for a charitable cause. And in this case particularly One Dublin. I already know a good amount of highschool musicians from Dublin Jerome, and a few from neighboring districts. I think rather than having auditions too, I would hand select the musicians who would be best suited for these types of performances. If this were to take place I would need to talk with Ms Heins about potentially hosting a performance at one of their locations. I could also explore public spaces or partner with a local business for charity concerts. Communication will be key for this because of hectic schedules during the year. Social media would also be one way to spread this.

CAS Reflection #3

Volunteering with Food Fighters

Reflecting on my recent volunteer experience at the Mid-Ohio Food Collective, I felt a strong sense of connection and purpose. Stocking shelves with items like grapes, milk, and salami might seem straightforward, but the physical tasks involved, like opening and reorganizing boxes required focus, and patience. At first, I didn’t expect that stocking shelves would impact me. When restocking grapes I thought about families who might rarely afford food, and as I organized milk cartons I tried to put myself in the shoes of another person. I realized how varied and important these resources were for different people with different needs. I felt both grateful for my own circumstances and inspired to continue helping.

Rather than just thinking of volunteering as a requirement, I realized volunteering is a choice that reflects my values and beliefs. Recognizing this has expanded my understanding of how many unseen hands are required in the process, and it made me appreciate the hidden labor of volunteers even more. One of the most eye-opening aspects was the interaction with the other volunteers. I was struck by the realization that my friends and I (Jonah, Zach, Andy), regardless of age or background, find a unique meaning in service. My experience was much more than just stocking shelves. It deepened my awareness of emotions, and people involved in service. It was a reminder that small actions can contribute to a larger purpose, and it left me with the impression of the power of community, and continuous learning.

2/21 CAS Reflection #4

The name of my project is Cadence Collective, and it’s a community-driven initiative that gathers musicians to perform in underprivileged spaces, such as nursing homes and free clothing shops. It started as a simple idea and grew into a plan to use music to uplift those facing hardship. Through live performances, we bring joy, comfort, and connection, making everyday life a little brighter.

When starting my CAS project earlier this year, it was initially hard to start. I also realized that starting is the hardest part of this project. My progress was impeded by procrastination and a reluctance to seek help from my teachers. Once I sent the initial emails to Ms. Heins and Ms. Wendy, the whole process became much clearer.

I learned the importance of taking initiative, time management, self-sufficiency, and support-seeking. Ultimately, this experience helped me balance independence and collaboration, which is also needed in other aspects of work. And I learned that working with others is much easier when communicating well.

It felt nice knowing that I was able to collaborate with Ms. Heins at OneDublin with the goal of serving the community. She invited me to visit the location to scope out the performance areas, and she helped me plan a day for when I could perform. And it felt better knowing that I succeeded. I was proud when I did the initial performance, and it also felt good knowing that I made someone's day more enjoyable.

The music I played was basic and sight-readable. I chose to play this music because of the simplistic melodies that aligns with the calm atmosphere of the OneDublin free clothing shop. Once I found the book that countainted my music I then went online to find the piano accompaniment part to add a layer of musicality to my performance.

Audio + Writing Reflection 1: ​​ IMG_2028.mov and Salut, d'Amour.mp4

Preparing to perform with OneDublin has been both exciting and meaningful. As part of my CAS project, I’ve been organizing musical performances in underprivileged and community-centered spaces, and OneDublin—a free clothing and essentials shop—has been one of the most impactful locations. To get ready for the performance, I carefully selected pieces that were uplifting, familiar, and emotionally resonant, including classical favorites and light, melodic tunes.

Aside from rehearsing, I coordinated with fellow musicians to ensure our set was cohesive and well-balanced. I also worked on improving my communication with Ms. Heins, who helped guide the organizational side of the project. At first, I was hesitant to ask questions or clarify logistical details, but over time I became more comfortable reaching out, setting up meeting times, and keeping her updated. I learned that being clear and consistent with communication made everything smoother and helped me feel more confident in leading the project. This growth has not only helped the performance run more effectively but also strengthened my ability to work with mentors and lead with purpose.

Audio + Writing Reflection 2: Emerald Campus Performance

For our CAS project, Elyse and I focused on preparing solo pieces that were recognizable, emotionally resonant, and not too technically demanding, which allowed us to focus more on expression and connection rather than just playing notes. We chose songs like Open Arms by Journey, See the Light from Tangled, and I Won’t Say (I’m in Love) from Herculesbecause they’re familiar to a wide audience and carry strong emotional impact. These pieces gave us room to interpret and personalize our performances, and we hoped they would bring comfort and joy to those listening at Emerald.

Our preparation involved choosing the right arrangements—ones that captured the spirit of the originals while being manageable on our instruments. Elyse and I practiced both individually and together, making sure our timing, dynamics, and transitions were smooth. We also rehearsed in the setting beforehand to get used to the acoustics and adjust our volumes accordingly. More than anything, we focused on the feeling behind the music.