Singing in College
by Marissa Kartub
Hi guys! First off, just want to put in a woot woot for our first post that helped kick things off. So well done. I hope I can do it justice with this follow-up.
Music has helped me both through listening and creating. I always tell people that I love the ukulele, but that doesn't really do the instrument justice. When I was in high school, going through teenage angst and hating the man, I found solace in the plunky sounds of the uke, and I can honestly say it is a kind of medicine for me. All jokes aside, depression is something I've battled my whole life, but the simple act of playing the ukulele has given me so much peace. There's nothing quite like singing along with the ukulele to help you feel a little better. And it's simple to learn, too, which doesn't hurt.
In college, I again was aided by music. I was feeling alone in a big university. I had friends and things were going okay, but I also felt that I was missing something in my life. I wanted to create again and feel I was a part of something. That something became my a capella group, and I still can't believe how blessed I was to join it. Making music with people who you love is an indescribably magical experience. I encourage anyone who loves to make music to share the gift. Life is too short - sing out loud.
Singing for me feels like release, like breathing. It is a necessary thing for me to feel whole and I am always amazed by how it can match whatever mood I'm in. When I'm feeling depressed, I sing oldies from the likes of Etta James and Ella Fitzgerald. When I'm feeling happy, I sing silly pop tunes that have no real meaning but just make my mouth feel happy. And of course, listening to music is a huge game changer. A while back, I was working at an awful corporate job that was in an awful environment. I hated the work, hated my boss, and hated how useless I felt. I can honestly say that listening to Tupac and Biggie feud was the only way I could get through the day. I came across this quote "listen to some gangsta rap and get over it", and felt that it was pretty accurate.
I can't wait for us to get this ball rolling and start sharing more music and experiences with all of you. From RnB to rock to rap, there is so much music for us to delve into. Come join us, share your story, and be a part of our movement!
Here’s the song I wanted to highlight with my post:
