Henry Darger, You Crazy!

So, we watched a movie about this guy named Henry Darger.  This guy was very strange in his own little way.  I would not exactly call him "mentally ill", but he was definitely different.  So Henry created his own little world of characters he created and he used these characters to mainly express his feelings. Henry did not talk to many people around him.  People around him described him as really quiet, and he did not talk to anyone except himself.  I believe he mainly blocked out the world and ended up creating his own personal world to which he can express his feelings through characters in the story.

Now, as if Henry was creative or not is the real question.  In my opinion, Henry is creative no matter what.  You could also consider the fact that what if his art was not discovered.  This does not matter in my opinion.  Even if his art was not discovered, it was still wildly creative.  Even though Henry mostly copied and traced his art, it still is creative because he made those pieces his own creation.  He had to form all the pieces he had copied and traced together to form the reals of the unreal.  I also definitely think we should care about his art because art is art.  Art is important no matter what and any kind of art can contribute to the future of the art world.  Although some people classified him as mentally ill, it shows that Henry Darger was a great artist of his time.
~Nick

Creativity with Cleese

John Cleese, in my opinion is mainly summed up by saying that creative people need to get into an open mind set before they do anything creative.  Cleese believes that you should take around a half hour one day a week and clear out your mind and relax.  During this time, you should write everything creative down that comes to your thoughts.  In my opinion, Cleese has different views then some people.  Here are my tips to being creative while also incorporating music into the whole situation.  

• When practicing your instrument, you should go at least once a day every day of the week for around an hour and a half.  This allows improvement over time without giving yourself too much of a break and forgetting everything you learned in the past.  
• Another tip when practicing is don't give yourself negative or positive comments.  Negative comments can be depressing and just beat yourself down.  Positive comments can make you have a big head and end up screwing up what you were probably doing fine already.  If you do point out things that are wrong, be more detailed about it.  Instead of saying "That was terrible", say "I maybe need to work on my breathing technique at measure 54".  

So basically, if you stick to those two things when practicing or attempting to be creative, you should succeed pretty well.  

~Nick

Creativity

My definition of creativity is thinking of something (items, ideas, etc.) that no one else has thought of.   Creativity is also that one something being unique in its own way, because you invented or made it.  In my views, I also think that creativity is coming up with an idea for something because no one has thought of it.  Going back to our “creative game” we played Wednesday, we had to think of ways to survive on an island using only a hanger, a bird feeder, and a crochet needle.  Our group came up with over 10 different ways to survive by using our creative skills.  For instance, the hanger could have been transformed into a bow and we could have used the crochet needle as the arrow.  We could also have used the bird feeder as a canteen.  Also, people can be creative whenever they want to be.  There is no limit to creativity because it is almost like using your imagination and applying it to certain situations.  In my opinion, creativity is mainly used in art and literature.  When an author writes a book, they have a clean slate and are able to use creativity to write a novel.  In the arts, when painting, the artist starts with a blank canvas and they use their imagination and creativity to paint a picture.  Even in the musical arts creativity is used.  When doing an interpretation of a song, anyone could write their own part or creatively make up their own part of the song.  In this case, it applies more to composing music than being a musician itself.  But, a musician can also be creative.  When doing a free piece where someone plays along and a person writes their own part, this lets the musician become widely creative and very unique.  All in all, I believe creativity is thinking of something no one else has thought of.   

~Nick

Who Am I?

Hey everyone!

My name is Nick Embrogno, and I am a freshman at the University of Mount Union in Alliance, Ohio.  I am currently majoring in Music Education.  My main instrument is euphonium/baritone.  I describe it as a small tuba when people ask about it.  This blog is mainly about each weeks experiences in the band here at Mount Union.  I like to write what we are playing, what is going on with everyone in the band, even quotes from our band director.  So mainly, this blog is about music.   Oh, and this blog will also tie in creativity dealing with music.  You will find out how these two things tie in with each other.  I went to high school in Minerva, Ohio at Minerva High School.  I participated in symphonic band, marching band, community band, and an honors band through which my band director picked me for.  I have played euphonium for around seven years.  I played trumpet for fifth grade and around half way through sixth grade.  Our band was nicknamed "The Pride of Minerva".  Music deals a lot with creativity, and that is what I plan on showing through this blog. 


~Nick

P.S.
I do have a Facebook, just look me up at "Nick Embrogno"
I also have a Twitter, follow me @NickBowler06