daisymay17

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Inside Johkang Monastery: Face to Face with the truth

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LDS Sacramento Temple by stevefranklin
Get this custom print at Zazzle

Artist Shaun Barrowes, from American Idol to Personal Idol: joining the fight against cancer for his brother and many others. In his own words......
Here's what we're doing:
Between now and Christmas of 2008, 100% of the proceeds gnerated from the sales of my upcoming single, “Never for My Sake” will be donated to Gateway for Cancer Research. I feel like I’ve been really fortunate this past year in both my personal life and with my music and I wanted a way to give back by contributing to a cause I really believe in.Here’s the reason I chose Gateway for Cancer Research: My brother was recently diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor. He underwent brain surgery and was very fortunate to make a full recovery from the procedure. He’s one of the lucky ones, and I’m very grateful for the Cancer research that provided doctors like his with the necessary means to cure him.However, this experience has brought me to an awareness of the dangers of cancer, and has inspired me to take action. So I came across Gateway for Cancer Research and found it to be an effective organization dedicated to curing cancer through funding patient-centered clinical studies that make an impact on those battling cancer (http://www.gatewayforcancerresearch.com).You can contribute by:1) Purchasing the song, “Never For My Sake” on iTunes:2) Inviting all your friends to, also, purchase this song on iTunesI believe this is a great way for you and me to make a difference in the world. I’ve always wanted to improve the world with my music, and here’s my chance. Will you join me?
For more info: www.myspace.com/shaunbarrowes

The 5 Browns -- classical music's first family of piano virtuosos begin the ’07-08 season with their third CD released October 2: Browns In Blue. Their latest effort features atmospheric classical and jazz-inspired piano music, performed with the sublime virtuosity that propelled these twenty-something year old siblings -- Ryan, Melody, Gregory, Deondra and Desirae -- to the top of the nation's classical music charts first in 2005 with The 5 Browns (which spent 8 weeks at #1 on the Billboard Classical chart) and the next year with No Boundaries also #1 on the charts for 21 weeks.
With Browns In Blue, The 5 Browns extend their individual and collective mastery of the piano and their command of classical repertoire through a series of emotionally complex works by Rachmaninoff, Brahms, Chopin, Debussy, and Saint Saens (featuring violin virtuoso Gil Shaham) to the jazz-influenced contemporary masterpieces of Gershwin (with special guest performance by trumpeter Chris Botti), W.C. Handy and Piazzolla. The 5 Browns round out Browns In Blue with a newly-commissioned five-piano piece by John Novacek.
Whether performing individually or together in various combinations from duo to complex five-piano arrangements, The 5 Browns reveal a deep connection to the intent of their material while bringing a fresh energy and dynamic character to the color and tonal spectrum of their sound.
The 5 Browns -- Ryan, Melody, Gregory, Deondra and Desirae -- are the sons and daughters of Keith and Lisa Brown from Utah who wanted their Mormon children to have music in their lives. The goal was to raise “five good people.” Not only did they achieve their goal, but they also managed to raise five great pianists. Each child at around age 3 showed a clear talent and interest in piano lessons, and while the children were introduced to other instruments, their passion was the piano. Playing came as naturally to them as eating or sleeping and as early as age 9 they had each made their debut with a major symphony orchestra-a major pay-off for the hours of practice and dedication the entire family had devoted.
When Desirae began to plan for college – Deondra, a year younger, decided to accelerate her education in order to attend with her sister – the family began looking into music schools and scholarships before deciding upon New York’s Juilliard School. One year later when Gregory, Melody and Ryan were accepted to Juilliard, they became the first family of five siblings ever accepted simultaneously and so the entire Brown family, along with their five pianos, moved from Utah to New York.
The quintet enjoyed their first wave of critical attention in February 2002 when People magazine dubbed them the "Fab Five" and at about the same time they were featured on Oprah and 60 Minutes. The siblings caught the eye of multi-platinum recording producer Joel Diamond, who landed them an international recording contract with SONY BMG Masterworks and became their personal manager. Their success grew with the 2005 release of their debut album on RCA Red Seal. Simply titled The 5 Browns, the New York Post proclaimed: “One family, five pianos and 50 fingers add up to the biggest classical music sensation in years…When these kids do Rachmaninoff, they'll make you forget about Marshall amps.” By the end of 2005, The 5 Browns were one of the top classical artists of the year.
In the music world they are an unprecedented concert attraction: a singular quintet of world-class concert pianists, performing on five pianos and various ensemble combinations, dedicated to bringing classical music to the lives of people everywhere. And they present the music true to themselves by focusing not only on the content, but through their presentation. To that end you won’t see The 5 Browns in tux, tails or formal gowns. Instead they take advantage of their two act concert to not only show their more “dressed up” side, but also their casual and “cool” side, as they can feel just as comfortable playing in concert dress or in jeans.
The quintet has garnered extensive coverage from media outlets ranging from The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, The View and The Martha Stewart Show to Public Radio’s Performance Today, as well as The New York Times, Parade, the Los Angeles Times, the Sunday London Telegraph and Entertainment Weekly who called them “… five young Mormons who all play scorching piano. Thundering down on five Steinways together, they're button-down cute and somewhat otherworldly.” Following an appearance with the Dallas Symphony, The Dallas Morning News said: “Send them out to schools from shore to shore, with piano teachers on hand to sign up students afterward and the future of classical music will look a lot brighter…The 5 Browns proved that classical music can reach teens and twenty-somethings on their own ground, but without posturing or cheapening the product.” ..
Audiences in the UK, France and Germany, as well as Japan and Korea have also been dazzled by the 5 Browns who present themselves just as they really are: young adults with a modern look who love fashion, sports, computer games, dancing and all types of music – most of all, classical. And audiences, especially the kids, are enthralled when the five perform in concert. When The 5 Browns sit down to perform on their five Steinway grand pianos … their eyes lock … a silent signal passes between them. And in an instant they are transformed, from “regular kids” to musical dynamos. Flawless in precision and steeped in passion, they invariably stun critics and shatter the preconceptions of those who think classical music inscrutable or intimidating.
How could a classical musician ever imagine walking out on a stage with a sea of university students roaring as if we were the latest band!” Melody Brown has said. “Never before could I have thought that I'd be performing works by Debussy or Rachmaninoff for so many people my age and find that they actually really enjoyed what they heard! It just shows you that classical music is not only meant for those who have grown up around it. It can be placed in a concert hall, stadium, or living room, and it has the same effect – this music can transcend everything!”

This red ribbon has been posted to raise awareness of cardiovascular and congenital heart disease, which claimed the lives of both my parents. For more information: www.americanheart.org

Bono appeals for prayers for Burma
ROCK star Bono has said he is praying for the Burmese people and called for everyone to lend them their support.The U2 frontman said he had "slept uneasily" after seeing the extraordinary pictures of the violence in the country.He said: "It is extraordinary to see the Buddhist monks isn't it? Their non-violence may, I pray, win out over the ugliness of the situation."He continued: "There is jeopardy. I slept uneasily last night and I'm sure everyone else that watched did too."How far are they going to have to go?"Bono said the situation did not belong to the 21st century. The singer, speaking at the London premiere of movie Across the Universe , said he had met and corresponded with Aung San Suu Kyi, the pro-democracy leader of the opposition the National League for Democracy Party.He said: "I have a little bit of a relationship with Aung San Suu Kyi. I've met her family and corresponded with her. U2 actually wrote a song - "Walk On" - for her."I've always followed her progress and that of the Burmese people."He added: "She is a study in grace and they are a study in patience."Bono said everyone should offer their support to the Burmese people.

"If Everyone Cared": One of a series of three videos made by my daughter, "Lutearina" (her username), featuring songs by Canadian band "Nickelback". To this date, she has edited almost 50 videos with characters from "Final Fantasy" on Youtube. Rachel, YOU ROCK!!! I love you :)
The Kate Bush Tribute Page

Eleanor Purcell has written and recorded "The Fallen", a special musical tribute to those who have given their lives in the service of their country, Great Britain. Downloads of the song will soon be available; all proceeds will go directly to "The Poppy Appeal", a volunteer organization to collect funds for the British Foreign Legion, which provides much-needed financial, social, and emotional support for those who have served in the Armed Forces and their dependents. On Remembrance Day, or Veterans Day in America, may we remember their sacrifices, and help support artists like Eleanor.