Roque’s Weekly Review for 11/14/18

November 14, 2018

Roque's Weekly Review

Hello Beautiful People,

It is time for another weekly update. This last week of school has been one of the most hectic I have ever had. Being on the crew for the musical 9 to 5 all last week took up so much of my time, but I am back in the swing of things.

Onward  .  .  .

  1. Photography
    Since I have been taking lots of photos lately, I was thinking it would be great to share some more of the newest ones that I have taken.

An old barn in my neighborhood.

An old wagon with lots of character.

Wood for warming.

Wood on wood and shadows on shadows.

My light painting

 

2.  This week’s Blog post: Living a Life of Curiosity

My blog post this week is a musing about what it means to be lead by your own curiosity. If you have a question or really anything that you are wondering about, what if you pursued that train of thought to the fullest extent? Where would it take you? What would you learn? How would it change you?

You can read the blog post by clicking HERE.

3.  Currently Reading: Behaving As If the God in All Life Mattered

This book was a gift from a dear friend, and I am about halfway through it. It is an autobiographical story written by Machaelle Small Wright, and it reveals a troubling account about her life as a child who was abandoned by both of her parents and how she had to survive out on her own. This is a compelling read so far, and I am eager to see what has happened to her.

4. Being published in MTSU’s Collage

My university has a creative arts magazine that publishes works from its students and alumni. It is extremely selective and competitive to have your work chosen, but I just received word that not one but TWO of my submissions were accepted. I will have more details on this as well as links some time in the next few weeks.

That’s all the news for now!!! There are other things brewing, and I will be sharing those tidbits in due time.

Be kind and be generous.

-Roqué

Roque’s Weekly Review on 11/7/18

November 8, 2018

Roque's Weekly Review

Hello Beautiful People,

It’s time for another quick update. I hope everyone’s week is going well.

  • Midterm Election Results

I live in an incredibly conservative state, and the two most highly contested offices (for Senate and Governor) were won by candidates from the Republican party that I did not support. I am disappointed, but I am glad that the democrats have regained control of the House of Representatives. Even a little progress can go a long way.

  • Light Painting

Last week, I completed a fun assignment for one of my classes. I have never done light painting before, and I did not think I would manage to pull it off.  I was wrong. If you do not know what light painting is, it is the process of painting different shapes with light through photography. Here are a couple of my submissions:

I had a ton of fun doing this assignment, and I hope to experiment more with this process in the future.

  • 9 to 5 The Musical

As I mentioned last week, I am part of the crew for my university’s production of the musical 9 to 5. As one of the deck electricians, I am helping out with some of the stage special effects. For those of you who live in the Murfreesboro and surrounding areas, I strongly encourage you to come see this show. There is an ambitious lighting and stage design, lots of choreography, and some powerhouse singing. Tickets are just $5.00, and it is free for MTSU students. The show runs this weekend only starting at 7:30 PM from Nov. 8-10 and at 2:00 PM on Sunday, Nov. 11.

Here’s a little promotional video:

 

  • Newest Blog Post

Since the big midterm elections were being held this week, I published a post outlining my perspective on our current political climate. My thoughts have more gravity now that we know the results. To read the post, click HERE.

That’s all the news for this week. More to come soon.

-Roqué

 

Roque’s Weekly Review on 10/31/18

October 31, 2018

Roque's Weekly Review

Hello Beautiful People!

Happy Halloween! Be safe out there with your children, and enjoy the candy!

Ready for the update? Let’s get to it.

  1. Jammin’ with the Best!

I went to a super cool Halloween party last week that was thrown by my friends Andrew and Maggie Weitze. They did all kinds of fun stuff to their house to give it a perfectly spooky look and feel. Here’s a photo of me about to jam with their guest pianist for the night.

2. 9 to 5 Musical at MTSU

The theater department at Middle Tennessee State University (where I go to school) is mounting its own rendition of the classic film and musical 9 to 5. I will be part of the technical crew handling all of the lighting for the show. I’ve seen rehearsals for it already, and the production is a total riot. The show runs from Nov. 8-11.

3. Las Vegas Trip Impressions and Details

This past week, I published a post on my blog detailing my thoughts and impressions of Las Vegas, NV during a recent trip. The culture of Sin City gave me much to think about. My recommendations for visiting that city along with several photos are featured. You can read the blog post HERE.

4. Light Painting

I’ve been doing some light painting for my photography class, and I will be sharing the surprising results next week on social media. I had no idea that this was an actual thing, and now I am hooked!! Look for new images on Instagram and Facebook in the next few days.

That’s all the news for now. Have a safe and spooky Halloween!!

-Roqué

Roque’s Weekly Review on 10/24/18

October 24, 2018

Roque's Weekly Review

Yes, it has been a minute since I last posted an update. This last month has been full of school projects and travel, but things are calming down for a little bit.

1. School Update

In the last month, I worked as a director for one film project and then as a producer for another. I worked within a team of fellow students to design ten minute variety show types of programs. We acquired actors/comedians and a vaudeville/juggling act.  Both projects were filmed in a studio, and we used multiple cameras, lighting plots, set decorations, and set changes. A lot of thought went into these projects, and we were quite happy with the results.

Since I am a singer and musician, I recorded a jingle for both projects in which I laid down vocal harmony parts. This was super fun. Wanna hear the jingle I created?  Just press play .  .  .

This next month promises to be even busier with our final projects.

2. Latest Blog Post

On my most recent blog post, I answered questions about how I work from a series of questions obtained from Lifehacker’s weekly series that asks professionals from all backgrounds what their work habits are. I provide all kinds of tidbits about my own best practices and hacks. Click on this link to read:

How I Work

3. Viva Las Vegas!

As displayed on social media, I went to Las Vegas over a week ago to reconnect with classmates from my alma mater, Marist Brothers High School, in American Samoa. With attendees coming from Washington State, California, and Hawaii, this was the first official gathering of my graduating class. There were only nine of us who made it, but there was no shortage of catching up to do. There are discussions of another reunion happening next year in Honolulu, HI.  I will be posting more pictures on my next blog post this weekend.

4. Subscribe to Pianissimo

Yup, the newest issue of my e-newsletter hits mailboxes soon. Feel free to subscribe here if you haven’t yet.

Subscribe to Pianissimo

5. More Piano to Come

You’ll be seeing lots more piano in my world and in social media from now on. I’m feeling a little adventurous .  .  .

That’s all for this week’s update. Check back here or find me on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter.

More to come soon .  .  .

-Roqué

 

 

Roque’s Weekly Review on 9/26/18

September 26, 2018

Roque's Weekly Review

So, what’s new this week .  .  .

1. Pianissimo

The second issue of my newsletter Pianissimo hits email inboxes this week. There will be another graphic poem and the debut of a new youtube video performance featured in the issue. If you would like to subscribe, just click below:

SUBSCRIBE TO PIANISSIMO

2. Photography

On social media this week, I posted a couple of images of a photography assignment I recently did for school. The assignment involved learning how to work with different shutter speeds in a camera. Here are the images for your perusal:

This image involved the use of a fast shutter speed that essentially freezes a moving object into a single image frame. The rings in MaxZine’s hand were actually rotating quickly.

This image utilized an extremely slow shutter speed that captured the blur of motion and color. The effect is quite bedazzling.

3. “My Personal Journey As a Pianist” Blog Series for September

This week, I posted the last installment of a series of posts for the month of September regarding my evolution as a pianist. Each post touches on an aspect of  what I have learned as a performing musician and why I do what I do. This last piece reflects upon the emotional life I have gained through all of my efforts. You can read the post by clicking on this image:

That’s all the news for now!

More to come next week!!

Be Kind and Be Generous.

-Roqué

 

Roque’s Weekly Review on 9/19/18

September 20, 2018

Intention / Roque's Weekly Review

It’s time for another update.  This week, I thought I’d show you a small part of one of the projects I’m working on in school in addition to everything else. So, let’s get this going.

1. Roqué on Youtube.

Plans are underway to film a small set of performances at my home of covers I’ve done over the years.  The first installment should be available in a few days. You will be able to view all of it on my Youtube channel. More details will be announced next week.

2. What’s going on at school?

I thought I’d take a minute to show part of one my school projects. In my digital photography class, we are currently exploring the concept of Aperture, which is commonly referred to as the f-stop. Every digital camera has a lens that expands or contracts to let in different amounts of light. I have been taking photos that convey the opposite ends of the Aperture spectrum.

Here is photo #1 with the f-stop at the lowest setting:

Here is photo #2 with the highest f-stop setting:

The higher the f-stop, the great the depth of field and the more everything is in focus. A lower f-stop has a narrower focus point. One setting is not better than the other, and both can be used to great effect. It is up to the photographer to determine what is appropriate for the subject matter.

I love playing around with this stuff!

3. My Blog Tropical Shade of Green

I am continuing on in my series about my experience as a performing pianist. You can read Part 3 of the series by clicking on the image below:

4. Pianissimo: the Roqué E-Newsletter

A new issue of my E-mail Newsletter Pianissimo hits mailboxes before the end of this month.  More details about upcoming projects, new photography, and another graphic poem will be included. It’s going to be a lovely issue.

Well, that’s all folks. I hope your week is going well. As of today, I am in my fourth week of school, and so far, all is going well.

Smile like a Sunshine!

Be kind and be generous.

-Roqué

Roque’s Weekly Review on 9/12/2018

September 12, 2018

Roque's Weekly Review

Hello Beautiful Friends,

It’s time for another weekly update on what’s new with me.

  1. The Roqué Youtube Channel

    At the end of this month, I will be posting a video performance on youtube. This is the first of a series of piano covers that I will be unveiling. More details to be announced soon.

  2. School

    As of this update, I am in the third week of my fall semester at Middle Tennessee State University. Work for all of my classes is really ramping up now. If I do not post on social media as regularly as I usually do, this is why. Just know that there is a ton of new stuff for me to unveil over the next year.

  3. My blog Tropical Shade of Green

    I am continuing my series of reflections about my personal journey as a pianist. Here is the second installment.  Click HERE to read the post.

  4. Flower Art

    I have made a little progress on this art piece. Here is its current state. There is only a little left to do before it will be ready. Maybe by next week it will be done.

    Well, that’s it for my update. I’ll have more to discuss next week. Until then, I hope the rest of this week brings productivity, rest, inspiration, and rejuvenation.

Be kind and be generous.

-Roqué

Roque’s Weekly Review On 9/5/2018

September 5, 2018

Roque's Weekly Review

Now that the dust has settled from all of the festivities from my birthday last week, it’s time to get back to business.

Here’s what’s new with me this week

1. Pianissimo

In case you missed it last week, I released the first issue of my new monthly e-newsletter Pianissimo. It’s full of new information about my life and creative pursuits. You can check it out by clicking here:

PIANISSIMO

2. Flower Art

Over the past month, I have been making steady progress on the first of a series of surrealist flowers that will be drawn in pencil.  There isn’t too much further to go on this first piece, and I hope to be done over the next week. Here’s the progress so far:

2. Jake Leg Stompers and the Eggplant Faerie Players Show

Last Saturday, I performed in the variety show/vaudeville circus that was mounted at the Cannon County Arts Center in Woodbury, TN. Instead of playing piano and singing like I usually do, I did a dance number with a balloon, and I played the xylophone. It was so much fun. My performance was part of a full ensemble that included lots of juggling, crazy costumes, Tomfoolery (literally), cool photography, and fun live music.

3. My Blog Tropical Shade of Green

For the month of September, I will be publishing a series of posts on my blog that explore my own personal evolution toward becoming a performing pianist. This journey has been full of pitfalls, surprises, and wonderful memories. Here is the first post. Just click on the image to read it:

As some of you may know, I am back in school right now. My second week of classes is in full swing at the moment, but I plan on keeping these regular updates, weekly blog posts, and monthly newsletters coming. I have a lot coming down the pipeline that I want to share with the world.

Thanks for stopping by, and I hope your week is going incredibly well.

Be kind and be generous.

-Roqué

Roque’s Weekly Review Birthday Edition (8/28/18)

August 28, 2018

Roque's Weekly Review

Today is my birthday!!! Instead of doing an update on Wednesday, I thought I’d do it today, August 28, 2018, on my actual birthday!

There is only one thing I want to announce today! I just released the inaugural and birthday edition of my new monthly e-newsletter PIANISSIMO. It is jam packed with all kinds of new information and updates that I have not previously shared.

It was sent out to all of the email addresses on my mailing list this morning, but I wanted to make it viewable to all of you as well.

To view the special first issue, click on the link right here:

Pianissimo

You will find all kinds of details about my life, information about upcoming releases, and an updated, visually-oriented Poetry Room.

I am going to thoroughly enjoy my birthday!

Have a wonderful week!  I know I will.

-Roqué

 

Roque’s Weekly Review on 8/22/18

August 22, 2018

Creativity / Culture and Society / Roque's Weekly Review

Hello Beautiful Everyone!

I’ve had a glorious week! Let’s get to the news .  .  .

  1. Roque’s 2nd Annual Piano Salon on August 19, 2018

Last Sunday, I hosted my 2nd Annual Piano Salon at my home in the woods of Liberty, TN. Nashville guitarist Andrew Weitze played electric guitar as I played my songs, and he was on fire!!! I love it when we play together!  Pianist Oliver Flowers played some lovely piano music, and in the absence of a couple of other performers, local musician Leopard played a song for us as well.

Here are some photos from the show:

Special thanks to Oliver Flowers who tuned all three of my pianos that same day and performed four musical pieces. He was AWESOME!

MaxZine did a terrific job preparing food for the show and making colorful floral arrangements from his flowers in our garden.

All in all, Roque’s 2nd Annual Piano Salon was a dainty and whimsical success! Thank you to everyone who attended!  We will see you when I host this again next year.

2. Pianissimo

My email newsletter Pianissimo arrives this coming week, and it is full of new information about my life and the creative projects to come. I’ve included some art and poetry as well as new photography. Keep a lookout in your mailbox.

3. Tropical Shade of Green Blog Posts

If you haven’t read any of my recent blog posts, here they are for your perusal .  .  .

A Payment Given Is a Gift of Appreciation

Plastic Is a Worldwide Problem All Of Us Must Face

I Live In a Generosity Loop

Learn From the Past But Live in the Present.

4. Flower Art

This month, I have been working on a new art piece. It is a first of a series of flower designs drawn entirely with one pencil. Here is the progress I’ve made thus far:

That’s it for this week folks! Next week’s update will be my birthday update, and it will be jam-packed with stuff!!

More to come soon!!

-Roqué