Greetings, and Happy New Year, from Nebraska!

[Anthony]

I realized I'd started commenting on threads, and had not introduced myself first.

I'm Anthony, briefly known as Sir Tarin (Sorry for the confusion. I was trying to decide which name to go by.), and my telluric abode resides in Eastern Nebraska.

I believe I had first come across Hayley's music from watching videos on Youtube from when she was with Celtic Woman. I think may have looked at some of her solo things as well, but it wasn't until a year or two later when I watched those Celtic Woman videos again that I, for whatever reason, got hooked on Hayley's voice in particular, and started listening to just about everything I could find of hers. I got Winter Magic for my birthday in 2011, then I ordered my first CD-not just of hers, but the first one I'd ever bought-in September, that being the UK special edition of Pure. Since then, my frugal nature has been at war with my interest in collecting her music, hence so far, I've been doing a lot of research into which versions have which tracks, and trying to collect nearly every song she's done, rather than every edition of every CD. And generally, I've quailed at getting a full CD, because I'm missing one or two tracks. Flowers will Bloom is really tempting me to get the new Best of collection from Japan, despite of that.

As for myself, I am an engineering student, with a variety of hobbies, and a love for more obscure and older words, particularly sesquipedalians. I love music, though I'm almost entirely self-taught. I was taught the basics of reading music, and my Dad's given me singing tips here and there, as well as a few other people on occasion, but beyond that, I've learned through research and practice. I sing a great deal, and lead singing at church frequently. Despite my introverted nature, when visiting places, I'm quite willing to lead singing (including hymns new to those I'm leading), even if I don't know most of the people. My record is about 450 people. I also play piano (primarily), as well as a little Mountain Dulcimer, and a Low Whistle that I made last May. I'm also currently awaiting a practice set of Uilleann Pipes that I ordered.

I've also recently started dabbling in audio recording, and just took a class on that for fun last quarter. Maybe I'll share some if I ever get some recordings I'm pleased enough with to share.

But also, if I get to go see Hayley in concert, maybe I can try to get some higher quality audio if they allow recording.

But before I can work on that, in about a week, I'm going to be helping some friends do a (hopefully) professional quality recording of a number of newer hymns.

Mayhaps that is sufficient rambling for now.

Happy New Year to all!

[amptique]

Hi Anthony,

Welcome to the Forum. I'm glad to see another member from the Great Plains. I live about a 3hr drive south of you in the Kansas City Metro area. Are you a student at Nebraska?

I hope you enjoy your time on the Forum. You will find here an eclectic group of the best people you will ever encounter. While they come from a variety of backgrounds, they share a common purpose and that is to support Hayley.

Again, Welcome!

Bill

[Bamafan]

Hey Anthony! Welcome to the forum. My name is Taylor, I'm a 17 year-old guy, and I live in central Alabama. I found Hayley through the video game Endless Ocean in which her music is featured. This fact is quite ironic since I really ever play video games! :je I too am quite involved in music. I am principal horn and one of three drum majors in our school's band program. I sing for our Jazz Band, and I am also quite involved in the musical facet of our theatre department (I am infamous for my random outbursts of song ). I've always found the recording process extremely interesting, but have never had adequate time to delve into into it.

Hope to see you around!

-Taylor i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif

[Anthony]

Thanks, Bill. Yes, I'm an off-and-on college student. Mostly because I absolutely refuse to go into debt, so I take classes as I can pay for them, and/or find them at a time that fits my schedule.

I do play video games, in spurts, generally, but I've never actually played that game. Probably a good 3/4 of the music I play is from games (There is really some fantastic music behind the video game experience, something I think a lot of people don't realize. Admittedly, there's a also quite a bit of "meh" stuff, too.), with another good chunk being from movies. I'm trying to get into more classical music.

I was actually homeschooled, so I didn't have any band or choir to join. We do sing around the house a lot, though. I do have an identical twin, with whom I often would try to play (He plays hammered dulcimer primarily), especially in the last few years. But he's moved away now, so we don't get to play together much anymore.

I've also been teaching myself overtone singing in the last two or three weeks, so I'm spontaneously doing that quite often of late.... And slightly annoying my brother with it at times, since I haven't gotten enough control of it yet to try doing much musical with it.

[Joe]

Hi Anthony,

Thank you for introducing yourself!  I enjoyed your post in its entirety; sharing your interest in antiquated words.  Sheet music is tricky for me...I have a huge sheet music book of 700 Christmas songs which I love (especially the popular songs with obscure third and fourth verses). 

I somewhat enjoy video game music; the standout music for me is the early Castlevania games. 

I have an identical twin also...he prefers the pop genre mostly, whilst I enjoy the classical crossover sound.  

I did for a time dabble in an iOS application called Sing! which is a sort of social karaoke.  Although my singing voice has above-average pitch it lacks in timbre and strength.  Notwithstanding, I can hum and whistle up a great tune. 

About ten years I was on a Celtic and Irish music kick with nods to Riverdance, Celtic Woman, The Cottars, etc.  I own a bodhrán of excellent quality, and am slightly jealous of the Uilleann pipes you have forthcoming, Anthony!

Do post further such ramblings when you can! 

[Richard]

Hello Anthony, and welcome to the forum!

Thanks for your fascinating introduction. Seeing you have an identical twin, you might like to check out a pair of singing twins from the UK called Classical Reflection. We have an interesting thread about them including some videos here:

hwi.proboards.com/thread/6926/classical-reflection

I hope you will enjoy your visits to the forum, and I look forward to your future posts.

Best wishes from London,

Richard

[Anthony]

Hello Joe,

Sheet music used to be a lot more difficult for me. That difficulty was greatly reduced when I decided to take a hymnal (I don't support instrumental music in worship, I was just using it as practice sheet music.), and play through every song I recognized, playing all four parts at once. Out of the 990 hymns in there, I played half or more of them. A couple years later, I did it again, except I played every song in there. I read music a lot faster than everyone else in my family now.

As for game music, my favorites include: Final Fantasy (Especially V, VI, VII, VII, IV, and X), Chrono Trigger, Chrono Cross, Xenosaga, as well as the Mario series and Legend of Zelda series having quite few good ones.

I added a picture of my twin and I, that my twin took (He's gotten to be a rather good photographer.). Reflection without a mirror!

We got our oldest brother a bodhrán a two or three years ago. I haven't heard much of how he's getting along with it. He's the sort who would drum on everything, so we figured a versatile, portable drum might be up his alley, though he's not into that genre of music nearly as much.


Thanks for the welcome and suggestion, Richard! I'll explore their music.

Anthony

[Libby]

Hello Anthony, and welcome from Seattle! Before I read your post, I actually thought that was you on both sides!

I like to sing, and have been in choirs, but I can't read music. In high school, the teacher went through at least the beginning part of the song, and I never could get it. I always found it very frustrating. I found it to be as frustrating as learning algebra. LOL I'm much better with words. When I was younger, I did try picking out tunes on my mom's keyboard, and managed to "learn" to play a few hymns that way, just by sound, and only one key at a time. I still haven't quite figured out how people play all those keys at the same time, but I'll let them worry about that. No instruments for me, unfortunately. If I could go back in time, I would have wanted to learn an instrument, but now I just don't have the time or need for it, so that's a lost cause for me.

[comet]

Jan 1, 2015 18:02:08 GMT Anthony said:

I'm also currently awaiting a practice set of Uilleann Pipes that I ordered.

Hi Anthony,

Have a listen to Uilleann pipes at their best, This piece is just haunting, it has a soul of it's own.


David's Song - Vladimir Cosma

Theme from 'Kidnapped' with Liam O'Flynn playing the Uillean pipes, music by Vladimir Cosma.
Liam is one of the masters of this instrument.

Finbar Furey is pretty handy with a set as well as various pipes The Lonesome Boatman

The last great lovesong

[frenchie]

Welcome Anthony! Glad you made yourself at home.

My name is Alicia. I am not very good with playing any instruments - a goal of mine though- but I played the clarinet in middle and high school. Then in college I participated in different choirs though mostly at church. All this has given me a greater appreciation for wonderful, inspiring music like Hayley creates.

Anyways, welcome again! Hope to see you around on the forum.
Alicia