Music and Me

 Hello people! I am Jared Rosen and I am a Freshman Vocal Performance major here at Converse. I have been singing since before I was even in pre-school, I would make up my own songs to pass the time. I will admit I was not any good until post-puberty, much like most guys, but that is not important. I did choir all throughout school and began taking voice lessons in ninth grade. I was in our state champion high school choir the Clover Choraliers for all four years of high school. I'm not the only musician in my family, my brother and mother also sing, not as much as me or in such a formal setting, but they are both beautiful singers nonetheless. Along with singing I also act and do various crafts, AND I LOVE TO READ.

I grew up in Clover, SC my whole entire life so I'd say I am very experienced with the south. In terms of my future goals I plan to go to grad school for Vocal Pedagogy and if I am lucky enough also pursue a doctorate. I hope to be able to go abroad for some schooling, but I guess I can handle more time in the states if my life doesn't take that direction. My favorite genres to sing are Musical Theater, Classical, and Jazz (hopefully I can get my hands dirty with some rock at some point!!!). Currently I make my money as a bass section leader at First Presbyterian Church of Spartanburg. This is a photo of me singing at a National competition through the program NATS. This was in Philadelphia (AND I WON MY CATEGORY!!!!!). What a great experience that was before starting college!

Now, to get into my musical taste, my go to most favorite artist since middle school has been Laufey. Now before anyone thinks it, I am not a performative listener cause I have been a fan since her Typical of Me EP  BAM beat that!!!!!  All of her songs are amazing and I totally would love to choose them all as my favorite but I'll just narrow it down to two.

Here is the first one, Questions For the Universe highlights the uncertainty we face in our life. Why we do what we do, is there purpose in our actions, will we ever get closure? Its a very beautiful song that I feel like anyone can relate to:

The next song is called Letter to My Thirteen Year Old Self. I know for a fact that anyone listening to this song will at least shed one single tear. We all had it rough in our teens and had no sense of where our life would go, I mean will we ever, and this song speaks to a younger version of ourselves and assures us that everything will turn out ok. This song was a big help for me to choose the path that I chose and gives me confidence to pursue any and everything. I will be specifically linking the version that is a duet with Barbara Streisand cause she is perfect in every way.

Walkup songs are only great when they are dramatic right? Those who know me know that I'm the best at being dramatic of course I am the youngest of all my siblings so I had to do something to survive. I also LOVE Frank Sinatra and old crooner songs. If I had to choose any walk up song at this point in my life I would choose My Way of Life specifically at the part that leads into the chorus for a very cool buildup. Now I know it's not the most chipper song but it makes me feel something so it stays.

This next part was very easy for me to figure out. The music that I just really don't connect with is Taylor Swift. I get it, she is a marketing and planning genius and puts on some very extravagant shows, but I am just not much of a fan of her writing or singing style. That's not to say that it's bad but personally I can not stand to listen to it but I will get off my high horse and respect others opinions. so here is a song of hers that is not my favorite.

and of course to end this blog off, I have to link another favorite of mine which will transport us to the theater world. My favorite composer is Stephen Sondheim so here is a little Sweeney Todd which is a big dream role for me before I die. 

Thank you everyone for reading my blog and I can't wait to read everyone else's!