The student project that was most significant to me was the one presented by group 4. I loved the imaginative atmosphere of their presentation. It was original and each member gave us a brief correlation between Bob Dylan/Billie Holiday and subsequent artist. First, Brock related Janis Joplin to Billie Holiday in how they played their music and lived their lives. Although I hoped no one believed that the way the died was cool (heroin overdose). Secondly, James compared Rage Against the Machine band leader Bob DeLarea with Dylan. He gave us DeLarea's vivid response to societies restraints on today's generation. I appreciated how James pointed out that Dylan combined rap w/ rock n' roll and Delarea combines rap w/ grunge music. Finally, Cory played a piece by the Smashing Pumkins and recited a quote by lead singer Billy Corkin. She showed how, like Dylan in the 1960's, Corkin is upset about contemporary issues. I have also contemplated how the issues of our previous generations were similiar with issues of today. We all have are own 'demons' to deal with and group 4 showed us some examples of how the generation of yesterday has influenced our generation.

Jerry Avalos

The group presentation that was most meaningful to me, was the last group , it was enjoyable and original. It related the works of Bob Dylan, Billie Holliday, and F. Scott Fitzgerald to some of the work by todays artists. The use of todays most influential musicians, such as Rage Against the Machine and Smashing Pumpkins, in comparison to Bob Dylan and Billie Holliday showed just how much their music has influenced todays top performers. Just as Bob Dylan, Billie Holliday, and F. Scott Fitzgerald were revolutionaries in their eras, Smashing Pumpkins and Rage Against The Machine have had the same profound effect on today's generation. Their popularity comes from their ability to move alternative music to a different level, by challenging accepted standards in today's society. Just like their predecessorsthey are not afraid to stand up to authority and cross conventional lines. I know this defiance and straying from the norm is what has made me a fan of both groups. In today's world of political correctness trhere is a tendancy to keep things to yourself and avoid confrontation, however I think the people who tell it like it is are the ones I most admire. I think a no fear attitude towards change is important in order to get people involved in issues. It makes people aware of what is going on around them, and makes positive things happen. That's what Bob Dylan Billie Holliday, and F. Scott Fitzgerald did for their generations, and I think that's how people will look back on Smashing Pumpkins and Rage Against the Machine someday. I thought the group did an excellent job of relating the past generations most influential figures to today's most influential figures. The presentation relayed a loss of innocene with the darkeness and quotes they used. This is something that can be seen in all the artists works.

C. Neal

I really enjoyed group number four's presentation on Bob Dylan and Billie Holiday in relation to other famous musicians. James, Cory, and Brock showed a very artistic representation of the material that we have been learning in class. I thought that by relating the music of Dylan and Holiday to other artists, the presenters made a strong point of showing that other artists also reflect life and it's harsh world of experience in their work. Although I am not the biggest fan of bands such as Rage Against the Machine and Smashing Pumpkins, I have a new found respect for their music. I never realized that the messages they try to express have the potential of influencing our society. Just as Dylan did, they teach youth to look for a different way of thinking. Not necessarily to challenge everything in society, but to look at what is going on in the world from a different point of view. I think that this is necessary in today's world because it pushes the youth in America to think about what is going on around them and to speak against things that they disagree with. I also enjoyed the way the group presented the material. They were very original and took an interesting approach to the project. By dancing in front of the audience, setting the mood with candles and music, and reading their interpretations of the artists work, I found myself captivated and intrigued about what they were going to do or say next. Overall, I thought this was one of the best presentations all quarter.

Natalie Jewell

I thought that this set of projects was full of creative ideas. I found the last presentation by group number 4, to be the most meaningful to me. I thought this idea was wildly original and it was very interesting to hear information on some of the great artists of our time that we have not discussed. I like the artist Janice Joplin and thought it was very appropriate to compare her to Billie Holiday. These two women did have a hard life, because they lived the good life. Their drug use was the straw that broke both of their backs but not before they produced some great music and live their life in the fast lane. I came to understand that both women had their difficulties with men. Janice Joplin was known for her sexual escapades and Billie Holiday sang about her trials and tribulations in such a way that it couldn't be from anything else but experience. I was unsure of the comparisons made of the Smashing Pumpkins and the artists we discussed in class. I was sure however that with all of the artists discussed there was a common theme in their music. This theme that was discussed in the presentation by group number 4 was the fact that all of the artists we have discussed have offered something in their music through their tragedies in life. Through my experiences I have come to this conclusion also. Many of the greatest artists of our time have expressed the difficulties in their lives through their passionate writing and performing. I also have to compliment group 4 on their style of presentation. The method you chose to present really had an impact on me. The use of the light, music candles, and sheet made me interested in what you were saying. I appreciate the originality after all of the presentations we have seen. Well done!

Kari DeSoto

I really enjoyed the last presentation given by James, Cory, and Brook. I thought these three did an excellent job of using creativity to apply the lyrics to our lives today. I enjoyed hearing more about the modern singers and their philosophies. I was especially touched by James' recitement of Zach DeLaRoncha's words. I so believe that we should all wake up and step outside of this miserable complacency. We all would live so much more fully in the real--- where alcohol doesn't exist as the only escape from our insecurities. James was so right in saying that we should develop our own life, outside of conformity. This group just did an excellent job of showing us how to go against the grain, and to realize that in the end what matters is that we have pleased our own soul. The songs of experience that we have been reading in class reflect offshoots of this same thing. They all dealt with it in different ways, but the same theme stood firm through each character. I was also very impressed with the fluidity of the group members speaking. Their words sounded so artistic and genuine, yet they had few note cards and just spoke right at us. Awesome job!

Jakki McDonald

Although I enjoyed all of them, the final presentation was the most compelling. Mr. McGarry, Ms. Symonds, and Ms. McCurdy's presentation illustrated connections between themes in Billie Holiday and contemporary music. In particular, the connection between Holiday and Janis Joplin interested me because both female artists had a similar lifestyle and death; further, both had an emotionally charged voice that conveyed their inner sufferings to their audiences. I also enjoyed the comparison between Bob Dylan and modern music. Rage Against the Machine combines heavy metal and rap music, and Dylan combines folk and pop music; further, both artists use music as a political means to accomplish the ends of their movements. Smashing Pumpkins' Billy Corgan uses a style of signing influenced by Dylan; further, Corgan's lyrics convey the sound of experience, just as Dylan's do. The setting of the presentation created an insightful ambiance, especially because the group played the music of the above artists when talking about them. Although it was difficult to hear the speaker sometimes, the presentation would have been less effective without this feature. The use of scrim and candles created a unique stage for the group, one that captured the moods of the music. Overall, the stage design was perfect, and the group performed a superb analysis of the artists discussed.

Nicholas Shantar

I'd like to reflect on the presentation by group number four. The choreographed skit gave wonderful insight on some other popular music artists and compared them with those that we studied in class. I liked how they drew comparisons between Janis Joplin and Billie Holiday in that both artists sang with a rough undertone and enthusiasm that the blues is so known for and these artists capture so well. Next, they played a song by a current popular music group called Rage Against the Machine. This rock band kind of mixes the rapping style of communicating the lyrics with an alternative instrumental style of music. I liked how they drew similarities to the style that Bob Dylan uses in his Subterranean Homesick Blues song. Dylan uses the popular Rock and Roll music behind a sort of rap style presentation of his lyrics as well. Not only are the styles of md to be as forward as possible with his work because there is something to offer through his suffering. I feel that the people discussed in this presentation have so much to offer as they express there experiences through music. Group number four did a fantastic job in portraying the beauty of that expression as seen in many different generations.

Aaron Drury (7) 543-11-3184