Spring Playlists Roundup

Posted on April 30, 2024 by marmstr3

As the spring semester winds down and you are working on papers, exams, etc., it can be fun to look back on what one has accomplished.

Our student employees have worked hard curating Parsons Playlists all semester, so here’s a roundup of all their posts for your enjoyment.
Clicking on the links will take you to each playlist on YouTube.

Graduation (Eliana, ‘24)

End of Senior Year! (Kiran, ‘24)

Monopoly Game (Nikoloz, ‘26)

Pop (Deisy, ’24)

Soul of the Tango (Xipeng, ’24)

Best of Blaine from Glee (Marissa, ’25)

Bollywood on the Block: Endgame (Kiran, ’24)

1990s & 2000s Hip Hop (Deisy, ’24)

A Classical Playlist (Alex, ’26)

Songs About Stars (Eliana, ’24)

Rainy Day Jazz (Xipeng, ’24)

Songs for your “Sea-D” (Isaac, ’25)

Victoria Monét (Amy, ’25)

Mt. Joy (Eli, ’24)

My Favorite Memory of All (Esther, ’25)

Study Gems (Marissa, ’25)

Karol G (Luis, ’25)

Loud Noisy Music in Times of Stress (Eli, ’24)

Black History Month Celebration(Susanne, ’26)

Coming of Age Movie Soundtrack (Nicole, ’24)

Peach Fuzz (Amy, ’25)

Sonnet 18 (Esther, ’25)

Road Trip Singalongs (Marissa, ’25)

Street Chronicles (Nikoloz, ’26)

You can also check out recommendations of items in the Parsons Music Library collection from students here: ARACHNOPHONIA

Parsons Playlists: Graduation

Posted on April 26, 2024 by marmstr3

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student manager Eliana (class of 2024) and features some tunes for upcoming graduation festivities.

Graduation

Graduation is here, along with the bittersweet emotions that come with it. Whether you’re thrilled, inconsolable or indifferent, here’s a playlist to remind you how far you’ve come and how much there is to look forward to.

Green Day – “Good Riddance (Time Of Your Life)”

Keane – “Somewhere Only We Know”

The Head and the Heart – “Rivers and Roads”

Macklemore – “Good Old Days”

Harry Styles – “Canyon Moon”

Hannah Montana – “I’ll Always Remember You”

Queen – “Don’t Stop Me Now”

ABBA – “Slipping Through My Fingers”

Taylor Swift – “You’re On Your Own, Kid”

Adele – “When We Were Young”

Phoebe Bridgers – “Scott Street”

Fleetwood Mac – “Landslide”

Noah Kahan – “You’re Gonna Go Far”

Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLU94rco57ZexfNkMoIV2Ip91qkDJqyCij&si=R3y9TrYYMFbPthZW

Parsons Playlists: End of Senior Year!

Posted on April 26, 2024 by marmstr3

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student manager Kiran (class of 2024) and features songs celebrating the end of her senior year at UR.

End of Senior Year!

Here are some of my favorite songs that have played during good memories over my four years at Richmond.

Mild High Club – “Homage”

Bryce Vine – “Drew Barrymore”

Juliette Armanet – “Le Dernier Jour du Disco”

Harry Styles – “Late Night Talking”

Twenty One Pilots – “Saturday”

Bad Bunny – “Tití Me Preguntó”

Black – “Wonderful Life”

Lil Uzi Vert – “Just Wanna Rock”

Zach Bryan (feat. The War and Treaty) – “Hey Driver”

Oro Solido – “Se Encendio el Beeper”

Noah Kahan – “She Calls Me Back”

Diddy (feat. Skylar Grey) – “Coming Home”

Dogpark (shoutout ex-parsons manager Chris Conte) – “Breaking in Brooklyn”

Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLU94rco57Zez0s6KL-8yUu0JKOrahWUwx&si=9LFa5_FiSV2TVYdO

Parsons Playlists: Monopoly Game

Posted on April 25, 2024 by marmstr3

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student manager Nikoloz (class of 2026) and features songs to accompany a game of Monopoly.

Monopoly Game

Playlist for our Monopoly Game

Men At Work – “Down Under”

Kanye West – “Devil in a New Dress”

Kendrick Lamar – “Alright”

Kanye West – “Father Stretch My Hands Pt. 1”

Fun (ft. Janelle Monáe) – “We Are Young”

Kid Cudi – “Mr. Rager”

Kanye West – “I Wonder”

Migos – “Stir Fry”

Gorillaz – “Clint Eastwood”

Kanye West (ft. Syleena Johnson) – “All Falls Down”

21 Savage (ft. J. Cole) – “a lot”

A$AP Rocky (ft. Skepta) – “Praise The Lord (Da Shine)”

Red Hot Chili Peppers – “Californication”

Bill Withers – “Ain’t No Sunshine”

Kanye West – “Flashing Lights”

Coldplay – “Paradise”

Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLU94rco57ZeyZv_LVQdr2Lv64e56GD-Mk&si=dWAlUKYSjUWtBtOJ

WDCE Charts 4-24-24

Posted on April 25, 2024 by marmstr3

WDCE 90.1: UR Radio is the voice of independent radio in Richmond, VA and has been student-run and operated since 1960.
Students have used it as a launching pad for careers in radio or other mass communications, and also as an engaging extra-curricular activity. Community members and UR alumni also continue to play an important role in the station.

We’re sharing chart information from WDCE as reported to the North American College and Community (NACC) Radio Chart.

Here’s the WDCE Top 30 from April 24, 2024 (click the image to see a larger version):

For comparison, here is this week’s national NACC chart (click the image to see a larger version):

You can stream WDCE live here: https://live365.com/station/WDCE-90-1-FM-a39711

Arachnophonia: Pierre Boulez

Posted on April 24, 2024 by marmstr3

Editor’s note: Arachnophonia (“Arachno” = spider / “-phonia” = sound) is a regular feature on our blog where members of the UR community can share their thoughts about resources from the Parsons Music Library‘s collection.

All links included in these posts will take you to either the library catalog record for the item(s) in question or to additional relevant information from around the web.

Today’s installment of Arachnophonia is by student manager Xipeng (class of 2024) and features a biography of French composer and conductor Pierre Boulez. Thanks, Xipeng!

Pierre Boulez by Dominique Jameaux

Pierre Boulez (1925-2016), born in Montbrison, France, was a composer, conductor, and theorist whose innovative composition revolutionized traditional ideas about contemporary classical music. He studied piano and composition at the Paris Conservatoire, and his early works were influenced by the serialist techniques of Arnold Schoenberg and Anton Webern. However, Boulez quickly developed his own distinctive style of complex rhythms and unconventional harmonies. Several of his groundbreaking works include: “Le Marteau sans maître (The Hammer without a Master)” for chamber ensemble and solo alto voice, “Répons” for soloists, ensemble, and electronics, and “Pli selon pli (Fold by Fold),” a cycle of five songs for soprano and orchestra based on texts by the French poet Stéphane Mallarmé.

Besides being known for his remarkable works of composition, Boulez was also renowned for his precision, clarity, and commitment to the score as a conductor. With traditional practices of classical conducting, he also applied his own modern interpretations. Boulez was known for his adventurous programming, featuring works by contemporary composers alongside more established repertoire. Boulez’s advocacy for new music and his willingness to challenge audiences with innovative and challenging works helped to shape the direction of classical music in the 20th century and beyond.

The book Pierre Boulez by Dominique Jameux in our music library talks about the intellectual and career biography of Pierre Boulez, including detailed discussions of his 12 representative compositions. We also have a concert film In rehearsal Pierre Boulez, which recorded Boulez running through his own compositions with the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra.

Parsons Playlists: Pop

Posted on April 23, 2024 by marmstr3

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student manager Deisy (class of 2024) and features a selection of pop music for your enjoyment.

Pop

This playlist will make you feel like a model.

Gwen Stefani – “Bubble Pop Electric”

St. Vincent – “Masseducation”

Grimes – “Genesis”

Madonna – “Vogue”

A$AP Rocky – “Fashion Killa”

Coco & Clai Clair – “Pop Star”

Charli XCX – “Vroom Vroom”

Daft Punk – “One More Time”

Tommy february6 – “Lonely In Gorgeous”

Vendredi sur Mer – “Écoute Chérie”

Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLU94rco57ZexqZHBWeRfZkoDdnSMTJRo-&si=mAsoIBIHrr9CH-mX

Arachnophonia: Dear Evan Hansen

Posted on April 22, 2024 by marmstr3

All links included in these posts will take you to either the library catalog record for the item in question or to additional relevant information from around the web.

Today’s installment of Arachnophonia is by student manager Marissa (class of 2025) and features the vocal selections score for Dear Evan Hansen. Thanks, Marissa!

Dear Evan Hansen

Premiering on Broadway in 2016, Dear Evan Hansen is a musical about Evan Hansen, a high school senior in therapy for social anxiety and depression. As an exercise, his therapist tells him to write a letter to himself about his feelings going into the first day of school. The musical also centers around Connor Murphy, another high school senior battling depression. On the first day of senior year, Evan and Connor bump into each other, and Connor ends up taking Evan’s letter. Later that same day, Connor sadly ends his own life, with Evan’s letter still in his pocket. Connor’s family later reads this letter thinking Evan must have been Connor’s best friend, and Evan goes along with it instead of telling the truth. Through classic songs like “Sincerely, Me” and “You Will Be Found“, Dear Evan Hansen tells the story of just how big a single lie can get, while also raising awareness for teen mental health and suicide.

Benj Pasek, Justin Paul, and Alex Lacamoire are responsible for bringing this world to life through their musical talents. Their music has been heard off and on-Broadway, on tours, and even in a musical movie. If you would like to learn how to sing these coming-of-age pieces through sheet music, you can check this item out now from the Parsons Music Library.

Parsons Playlists: Soul of the Tango

Posted on April 19, 2024 by marmstr3

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student manager Xipeng (class of 2024) and features tango music.

Soul of the Tango

Yo Yo Ma – “Libertango”

Astor Piazzolla & Roberto Goyeneche – “Balada Para un Loco”

Astor Piazzolla & Quinteto Tango Nuevo – “Milonga del Angel”

Curtis Chamber Ensemble – “Four Seasons of Buenos Aires”

Gidon Kremer, Alois Posch, Per Arne Glorvigen & Vadim Sakharov – “Allegro Tangabile”

Tango Rosa Rio – “Soledad”

Astor Piazzolla & Quinteto Tango Nuevo – “Escualo”

Evgenia Nekrasova & Nikita Kravets – “Butcher’s Death”

Hauser with the Zagreb Philharmonic Orchestra – “Oblivion”

Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLU94rco57Zew-4PqS9QemNgw_qIAGtgqn&si=EcBNdVISZlwTqLuF

Arachnophonia: Waitress

Posted on April 18, 2024 by marmstr3

All links included in these posts will take you to either the library catalog record for the item(s) in question or to additional relevant information from around the web.

Today’s installment of Arachnophonia is by student assistant Nicole (class of 2024) and features the cast recording and vocal selections score for the musical Waitress. Thanks, Nicole!

Waitress

Have you checked out Waitress yet? It’s a musical that serves up a slice of life with a side of humor and soulful tunes.

Based on the 2007 film, Waitress became an award-winning Broadway musical with lyrics and music by Sara Bareilles.

The story follows Jenna, a small-town waitress and exceptional pie-maker trapped in a tough situation of domestic abuse. She finds solace in baking and pouring her hopes and dreams into her pies.

The score, by pop singer Sara Bareilles, is a work of art. “Opening Up” and “What Baking Can Do” set the stage, while “She Used to Be Mine” steals the show with its powerful and heart-wrenching arrangement. Over the past few years, the musical has earned multiple accolades, including Tony and Grammy nominations. Another song favorite of mine is “Everything Changes,” which captures pivotal moments in Jenna’s life that eventually lead to her resurfacing power to get through adversity. As the story unfolds, it teaches the audience a lesson about resilience to get through life’s obstacles.

The ensemble members add depth and texture to the story, filling the stage with vibrant personalities. Whether they’re delivering pies, chatting over coffee, or sharing in Jenna’s triumphs and struggles, each member of the ensemble contributes to the vibrancy of the musical’s narrative.

Overall, Waitress serves as a story of resilience and human connection. The musical’s cast recording includes heartfelt performances, humor, and unforgettable melodies.

You can check out the Waitress score and cast recording at the Parsons Music Library!

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Monthly Archives: April 2024