T-Byrd's Life

SNOW!!!!!!!

2010-02-03T14:46:00.002-05:00

So the past few weeks have been so busy for me!!! Between classes, clubs, and being a RA my world is full!!! Besides all that the snow is not making it any better!! If you love the snow and love to go snowboarding or skiiing then Appalachian is the place where you want to be! Personally I do not like the snow but is pretty when it is here. We are suppose to get more snow this weekend so that should be fun LOL....NOT!!!

Til next time bloggers!!!

FIRST BLOG OF THE YEAR!!!

2010-01-14T10:19:00.002-05:00

WOW!!!! So it has been awhile since I have written on here!! A lot of things have changed in the last year or so. I am now a Resident Assistant in Coltrane Hall and i love it! All of my residents are freshman and they are so cool...I love them all!!! Being a RA has been such an experience and I plan on being one next school year as well. RAs serve as leaders on Hall floors and guide the residents who live there. I love working in Housing and Res life and I highly recommend that you apply to become one. It is great to be back....more posts coming soon!!!!!!

Taking Gospel to South Africa!!!!

2009-05-15T18:47:00.003-04:00

So even though the Gospel Choir does not go anywhere in the summer this year some of the members of Gospel Choir got an awesome opportunity to go to South Africa and spread the Gospel down there. I wont be able to go, but I think it is awesome that some other members will be going. The students that are going will be working with kids and teaching different songs. They are going with Dr. Mills who teaches at the Hayes School of Music. In the past Dr. Mills has taught us different African songs and we have performed them at many of our concerts. She really is a blessing, she even join the choir one semester and we loved having her. She's really good at what she does. They will be leaving in a couple of days and I am excited for them and can't wait to hear all about their trip!!! let's keep them in our payers!!!

Gospel Trip and End of Year Concert!!!!!!!!!

2009-05-13T17:16:00.005-04:00

Well summer is here and I am so excited!!!! First I would like to tell about our tour to Atlanta,GA!!! It was so much fun!! We went down there and spread the awesome Word of God. the hotel was so nice. We sang at two churches, one on Good Friday and then again on Easter Sunday. Both of the churches fed us some great food! While we were in the ATL we had two days of free time. So me and some of my friends we went to the Underground Mall and the Lennox Mall along with the Choir Director, Mr. Thompson. We all had a great time. Some of the other students went to Morehouse College, which is a Historical Black College (HBCU), to see some famous Gospel groups and singers such as Donald Lawrence and Tye Tribbett. I heard the concert was awesome. Once again the trip was a success and I cannot wait to see what will happen next year!!!

We had our End of Year concert and it was amazing!!!! I would say that the Spirit was in the place and you could tell everyone was having a good time. People came from all over just to hear us sing. It was such a blessing to see the look on people's faces, the joy and the tears. The concert was a great way to end the semester. I don't know if ill be writing a blog next semester but if I do I will be writing in it. Also I was voted to be one of the new Member-At-Large and they do is basically if you have any questions or concerns then you go to him or her. I am really excited about the position and really looking forward to next year. Hope everyone has a great summer!!!
GOD BLESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Gospel Choir Travels!!!

2009-03-21T18:10:00.002-04:00

Hello all!!! Sorry I have not be on here lately a lot has been going on so let me try to catch all of you up! Well remember the really big snow we had the first day of March? Well we were supposed to be singing in Ladis,NC that day but we couldn't get down the mountain! So we had to reschedule it. Now we will be going down on April 19th to sing.

Also in April Gospel Choir will be going on their annual tour and this year we will be going to ATLANTA!!! We all are so excited!!! Every year during Easter the Choir goes on tour somewhere for a few days at really good prices! my freshman year we went to New York City and sang at different Churches. We even got to go all over the city so that was a lot of fun. We got to stay on Broadway. Now the year before I got to Appalachian they went to Chicago and I heard that that trip was the bomb! I wish I could have gone! Another year they went to Orlando as well.

It is so much fun going on these trips because you get to spend time with your friends building lasting memories! Sometimes I think the best part of the trips are the bus rides themselves because we just have a good time talking and laughing with each other. Being in the choir you will make so many friends; it really is like being in a family.

Til next time bloggers....GOD BLESS!!!

Welcome Back!!!

2009-01-11T19:22:00.005-05:00

Hey and welcome back to a brand new year!! Hope you all had a great break! For those of you who don't know who I am my name is Trenda. I am a sophomore here at Appalachian State University and I am a history major, but the reason why I am writing this blog is because of what I do as one of my passions...singing. I love to sing and I love singing for the Lord so when I came to Appalachian I wanted to continue that so I decided to join the Gospel Choir. In this blog you will read all about what the choir is doing and concerts that will be coming up through out the semester. Plus ill be giving the inside scoop on what goes on in this great choir! I am so excited for this semester! Its going to be great and I look forward to all you readers!!!

til next time! GOD BLESS!!!

OH NO!!! The Last Concert of the semester!!!

2008-12-13T19:18:00.002-05:00

So this was it....the last concert of the semester!! First of all I would like to that it was AWESOME!!! the house was packed and everyone had a really good time. The audience got so involved with the worship and you could really fill the Spirit in the auditorium. I hate that it was the last concert for the semester but I know next semester is going to be even better!!! Next semester the Choir is going to Atlanta for tour and I cannot wait!!!

Until next year....MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!!!!!!!!!

Jazz Time!!

2008-12-06T17:46:00.002-05:00

So the whole time I have been writing blogs about Gospel Choir so I thought this time I would tell you all about another group I am in, Jazz Vocal. Ever since I can remember I have always loved jazz and could not stop singing it!! Some of my favorite jazz artists include Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Billie Holiday, and many more. So when I heard there was a jazz singing group I jumped on that wagon real quick! Not only was I excited when I found out there was a Jazz Vocal group, the fact Mr. Thompson, the Gospel choir Director, taught the class!!!

This is my second semester doing it and I love it! We already had our concert and it went really well. We sang songs like " Aint Mis' Behavin" and "Take Five." Singing jazz is so different then singing gospel. The style is totally different. Jazz is more of a feeling where you can sing freely and gospel is my personal time with God. You can play with jazz in so many different ways especially if you are in a group. Being under the direction of Mr. Thompson in two different groups has been such a blessing and a learning experience.

keep it jazzy!!! God Bless!!

A Very Gospel Christmas!!!!

2008-12-06T17:34:00.003-05:00

Wow!! I cant believe the semester is coming to an end, it seems like it has only begun! This semester has been so great and such a blessing. Mr. Thompson and the Gospel Choir have done such a great job and I had a blast!

Sadly to say it is time exams!! I know nobody likes them but it is something we have to do ( or do we?!?!) This time of the year is not only the best because it is Christmastime but it is also the busiest especially for Gospel Choir. Friday we snag in the annual Holiday Scholarship Concert. It is a concert that involves the whole Hayes School of Music where all the choirs, Bands, and Orchestras play and it is filmed. then during the latter part of December the program is played on UNC-TV. It really is a lot of fun.

Then this Sunday December 7 at 6:00 PM is the Gospel Choir's end of semester concert. It will be in Farthing Auditorium and it is free!!!! so all should come out and have a great and blessed time with us! we have worked so hard this semester in putting it together and we have some great songs for you all.

So til next time...MERRY CHRISTMAS, HAPPY HOLIDAYS, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY GOD BLESS!!!!!!!!! :-)

Gospel Choir on the Road!!

2008-11-30T21:20:00.002-05:00

So this past Sunday we sang at First Baptist Church in Mocksville, NC. I love traveling to sing because it gives us a chance to spread the Word of the Lord and the bus rides are the bomb!!!! As usual we did an awesome job singing, but the best part came when we got to eat!! I Had not eaten the whole day because I was waiting for the delicious food the church fed us; it was bangin!!!!! It felt like early thanksgiving! people even went back for seconds and took plates home! Well bloggers til next time!!

God Bless!!

kwanzaa!!!!!!!!

2008-11-30T21:11:00.002-05:00

On November 18, the Gospel Choir had to sing at the annual Kwanzaa Celebration. during the celebration we learn the purpose of Kwanzaa and where it comes from. Kwanzaa is not a religious holiday; it is a cultural holiday so anyone can choose to celebrate it. Also they always have African Dancers which is so fun to watch and we even got to get up and dance with them!! The Gospel Choir did such a great job!! We sang two African songs that we learned and one of our favorite gospel songs. I love doing this every year because it is a chance to learn more about my culture and share it with others.

God Bless!!

Tennesee OH YEA!!!

2008-11-10T15:17:00.002-05:00

Hey Everyone!! So the Gospel Choir went to go sing at the Heritage Hall in Mountain City,TN. The concert went so well; I even had a little solo!! I was so exited and I think I did OK. But anyway traveling is one of the many perks of being in Gospel Choir. we have been to New York City and Orlando and this year we are going to Atlanta!!

well till next time readers!!!

Gospel Choir at a Wedding!!!

2008-10-18T12:28:00.003-04:00

So the other weekend some members and I sang at a wedding and it was so much fun!! The Wedding took place in Blowing Rock at a really nice resort. Although it was raining the wedding was beautiful. We sang two songs, "Oh Happy Day" and and African song. after the wedding a group of us went out to eat with Mr. Thompson which was really fun. It's really nice when you can hang out with professors. You see a different side to them. Alot of the professors here at App are really cool and down-to-earth when you get to know them.

til next time readers!!

Singing and More Singing!!!

2008-10-18T12:19:00.002-04:00

Hey there!! I know I haven't wrote anything in awhile so let me catch y'all up. Gospel Choir is goin so well!!! Last Thursday Mr. Thompson had to go to a workshop so the President of Gospel directed practice that night. President, Houston Sloan, is a vey good friend of mine and practice that night was such a blessing! We practice the songs Mr. Thompson left for us but we also sang other songs because the Spirit was moving that night. I had so much fun!! It was really nice just to sing for the Lord not having to worry about stopping or anything, but that's what practice is all about and it's how we get better.

Music From Trinidad and Tobago!!

2008-09-26T22:03:00.002-04:00

So tonight the Gospel Choir sang with the Steel Drum Band of Appalachian and it was awesome!! We only did one song with them but it was so much fun. Also we were near the end so we got to hear the Steel Drum Band and they were fantastic!! We did a song called "I Will Sing Praises" and I absolutely love it! I love how Gospel music can be mixed in with different cultures. It shows that no matter where you are in the world you can sing praises.

:) see ya!

Gospel Choir!!!!!!! OMG!!!!!!

2008-09-17T16:16:00.002-04:00

Hello all! Well Gospel Choir been going so well. We have been learning so many new songs. I am excited about a concert we have coming up, we are going to be singing with the Steely Steel Drum Band and it's going to be aewsome!! Hey funny story: so I was in Gospel Chior this past tuesday and we learned a new song called More Abundantly by Ricky Dillard. This type of song is like the old school gospel; hand clapping and foot stomping type. So after practice i noticed my hand was KILLING me! When I looked at my hand the bottom of my palm was blue and purple! it turned out that I had been clapping so hard I bruised my hand! lol Anyway I just thought was funny. I can be random sometimes :)

til next time!

The Aftermath

2008-09-04T21:01:00.003-04:00

This past Tuesday Gospel Choir had to sing at the Annual Walk for Awareness and it went so well!! The walk is where people walk to remember those who have died or have been victims and of violence, especially sexual violence. It is such a great cause. This was actually my second year doing it. When we were done singing I could tell people were touch by what we sang. It feels really good knowing that we have at least touched one person's heart.

We have some awesome things coming up for Gospel Choir. Like we get to sing with the Steel Drum Band here at App and sing at the Heritage Hall in Tennesee. Gospel Choir is known for having some really cool t-shrits which has a different theme each year. This year our theme is: "Mustard Seed Faith....Mountain Size Praise." I cannot begin to tell you what a true blessing it is to be in such a choir. Our director, Mr. Thompson is such a blessing, not only to me but to the choir and to the school. He knows what to say when you are down and can always make you laugh. Also when you really get to know him you can tell he is such a down-to-earth kind of guy.

til next time readers!

Victory In Appalachian's Eyes

2008-08-30T20:07:00.002-04:00

Well today the game did not go as well as everyone had hoped but the guys played fantastic! I enjoyed watching the game and I not really a fan of football. It was so much fun being with my friends and now I like football. Even if you do not like football the intensity and the atmosphere of being in the stands is awesome!! No matter what had happen App did not give up, they played well beyond their potential. I know a lot of the football players and they are a great group of guys who are truly dedicated to what they do.

ASU vs. LSU

2008-08-29T14:36:00.002-04:00

So this is the weekend we play LSU! Wont be going to the game but I'll be watching it on TV. Im so excited! It would cool if we beat LSU like we did with Michagan. I remember how excited and pumped everyone was. The best part of coming back to campus in the Fall is Football season. the first game I went to as a freshman was so cool. The crowd was going wild! One thing I like Appalachian is the support system. Not just in the classroom but on the courts and fields. We have so much pride for our athletes. At the football games the stadium is packed! In the student section we stand up and yell different things which is so much fun! I look forward to watching the LSU game. GO APP!!!

End of a Great day!

2008-08-28T23:40:00.002-04:00

Well today was a great day! i love how you can make your own shcedule. This year I made it where Tuesdays and Thurdays are like my music days.

Gospel Choir was great tonight. We learned two new songs which were off the hook! This is my 3rd semester (2nd year) being in the choir and I cant say enough how much it has been a blessing in my life. before I came to Appalachian I knew i wanted to get involved in Gospel Choir because I had heard so many good things about it. Not only is Gospel Choir a class or a club, it's a ministry and Mr. Thompson makes sure poeple understand that. People's lives are transformed everytime we meet. I love how the energy in the room seems to never be gone, truly it is something I look forward to make my day complete. And what a better way than with God.

:)

1st time!

2008-08-28T09:22:00.000-04:00

Hello everyone!! My name is Trenda. This is my first time writing a blog so wish me luck!
I am a sophmore at Appalachian and i love it!! All the people are amazing and it it really like a family. Here at Appalachian there is so much to do; from sports to clubs to well anything. Im involed in many things but out of all of them I enjoy the ASU Gospel Choir.
It is such a blessing to be part of a amazing choir. It is a big choir which is awesome because you meet so many new people and make alot of new friends. Not only is it a club but you can take it as a class as well, so let's just say its an easy "A" lol.

This past Tuesday was the first day of practice. I was so excited, I had been looking forward to it all summer! It was great seeing everyone and all the new faces. Also it was nice to see Mr. Thompson, the choir director. He is a great man and an awesome director. He is so energtic. you can really tell he loves what he does. When practice started we went right into singing because we have to sing for "Walk for Awareness" on September 2nd which just around the corner!

Well hope you enjoy my 1st blog EVER!!! til next time GOD BLESS!!!