The real reason I can't quit Twitter

A few weeks ago, Lindy West abandoned Twitter, saying that it was a platform that was unusable except for "trolls, robots, and dictators." She's not wrong. But still, I stay.

Another gay post: coming out as a gay composer

I already wrote about my experience as a craft blogger/content creator on my GamerCrafting blog. This is a little bit different, but the message is the same.

Last weekend, a homicidal homophobe gunned down 50 people at a gay club in Orlando. 50 more were injured. The entire LGBT community has been shaken to its very core. We're all thinking: what if it had been us?

What I'm listening to this week: the sound of me screaming into the void

Sometimes I look at the music community around me, and it's not hard to see why I can leave it behind. I'm astounded by the exclusion and disenfranchisement that I see on an annoyingly regular basis - and it seems like a lot of people just don't see it.

What I'm listening to this week: the sound of silence

No, I'm talking about the Simon and Garfunkel song. I'm not talking about the Disturbed cover of it, either (even though it's pretty awesome, click here to have a listen).

Don't worry, I'm not about to make you all listen to John Cage's 4:33. That's not what this is about. 

The real reason I stopped singing

I love the weekly @MusoChat discussion because people engage with each other in an open and honest way. This week was no exception.

Validation as a creative: what does it mean?

I read an interesting article on The Atlantic this morning about how many of us use the "Scarcity tactic" of using social yardsticks to measure our success. Are we getting paid more than our peers? Are we receiving more awards, more acclaim, more positive reviews?

Obviously that tactic is toxic: it uses scarcity as a measuring stick for success, with the mindset that only a few can be successful - and yet, we do it all the time.

Friend and fellow musician Justin Capps and I were talking about this recently, about how he's always truly and genuinely enthusiastic for other musicians' successes. Justin is a better person than me, because I frequently succumb to the Green Eyed Monster. I get jealous when I see my peers succeed, and I beat myself up about it. Why aren't I receiving recognition?



Last week, I got a very enthusiastic email from Listening to Ladies (Follow them on Facebook and Twitter, they are awesome). They really liked my piece Fractal (above) that I wrote over a year ago, and said that I was going to be featured.

Just got an email from @ListenToLadies that my piece "Fractal" will be featured tomorrow and it was so nice I'm actually crying at my desk.

— Angelina Panozzo (@AngelinaPanozzo) April 22, 2016

I started talking to Justin about how overwhelmed I was, when it struck me:

No one has ever complimented my compositions before (who wasn't a friend or family member). No one. Zip. Zilch. Not even my teachers in university (in fact, one told me my music was boring and "fatiguing to listen to"). So for a total stranger to find merit in my work was unbelievable.

So while I agree with the sentiment that we should aim for an "abundance-oriented approach" that focuses on realizing that there is room for everyone's creativity, it helps to have a little bit of reassurance that we aren't just spending hours, weeks, months (years) on something that no one except your college bff's dad (hi Randy) and your parents (and probably spouse) listen to.

With that in mind, can we all try to be a little more vocal about how awesome we think each other are? This isn't just about me, it's about all of us. Support your friends.

(And on that note, click here to visit Justin's site because he's an amazing lyricist and is writing some seriously awesome tracks lately.)

Where has all the music gone?

One goal for 2016: learn the fife and the Irish penny whistle

This blog has been quiet lately. I haven't sung solo in years, and I haven't composed music in almost 6 months. Here's why.

(more after the jump)

My music is (figuratively) killing me: mental health in the arts

The view from the kitchen

I have a confession to make. 

I'm not just a musician, I'm a creative

Recently, I was lamenting to a friend that I felt overwhelmed by work and the fact that I have so much to do, all the time, full stop. What she said to me changed my world view, or at least, my world view of myself.

9 signs you're addicted to classical music

Check out this article that I wrote for Polonious Music - click here!

(And please follow me on Bloglovin' if you like my blog! Click here to follow or use the widget on the right -----> )

Have a fantastic weekend, all! <3

City or Sea: where should a musician live?

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It's a debate that rages within every musician. I've lived in 4 countries in the past 3 years, and here's what I think.

Balancing work, music, and life

It's a balance we all struggle to strike. Whether we are lucky enough to be full-time musicians who struggle to have time for friends and family, or whether we are the vast majority of part-time musicians with full-time jobs, sometimes it feels impossible to have the best of both worlds.

Opera, the Undoing of Women - A book review

Opera, the Undoing of Women by Catherine Clément is still the foremost work on the inherent an latent misogyny in the beloved operas across the centuries. The book is written like a traditional opera guide, with short but insightful vignettes for each featured opera, which ranges from Turandot, to The Magic Flute, to the Ring cycle. This book was recommended to me by Alexandra Wilson (@amwilson_opera on Twitter - go follow her, seriously!), and it was one of the best recommendations I have ever received. 

In an audience of white faces, the only People of Color are the help

image credit: lemp-arts.org

I've attended several recitals, concerts, and shows recently, and total lack of diversity was astounding and repulsive.

Did Anna Magdalena Bach Write the Cello Suites? Who Cares!

Source: Wikipedia

Articles and think pieces about how Anna Magdalena Bach may have written the Bach Cello Suites and other pieces are making the rounds again, but it seems that everyone is missing the point. Who cares if she DID write the pieces - the point is, she COULD have.

Glastonbury Banned the Sale of Native American War Bonnets - Here's Why Other Festivals Should Follow Suit

Image Credit: Wikipedia

Whether you live in North America or Europe, the presence of Native American war bonnets is an unsightly and offensive blemish on the music festival scene. Glastonbury just banned the sale of these headdresses at their festival, but why is that important, and why should others follow suit?

You Can't Break Into This Industry - Film/Television/Video Game Composing

My video game cabinet - yes, my PS3 is dusty. Not pictured: Nintendo DS, Game Cube, or the pile of games on the coffee table.

It used to be that networking was enough - but not anymore.

Is Taylor Swift's New Song, "Shake it Off" Racist?

Sure, it's catchy and definitely NOT country, but is it racist?

Yes, Composers ARE Researchers, and Here's Why

Yes, this is a picture of my desk. But what do you see?

He's Got Friends in High Places - the Garth Brooks Crisis Over Dublin Concerts

Photo courtesy: CountryMusicIsLove.com

He's got friends in all places, but I've got friends in Dublin, and everyone has a different opinion of the situation. Politicians are weighing in, people are picketing, and the White House commented to say they wouldn't get involved. What exactly is going on in Dublin?