Everyone enjoys listening to music be it old or young

By Animesh Gupta,(XI)
The Doon School,
It provides relaxation to mind and lessens the stress and calms your heart beat. Music also gives a beat to dance on .It melts your heart in its own way. It is played in different forms and can be chosen according to your mood. Music neutralizes the environment by its sweet rhythm. Different type of music is enjoyed by various people. People have different taste of music. Music is a form of art which is going on from ages, music comprises of basic rhythm and time signature which makes up one part while the melody and chord structure makes up another. Harmony is another and an important element which is very important in music. When we talk about music we go through different categories like classical, pop, rap, wizard rock, jazz, blues, alternative, dance, electric, country, folk, rock, vocal and many more. There is also spiritual music which heals a person and provides him with mental relief. But as we go back to the history of music. Indian classical musical is one of the oldest musical traditions in the world. It comprises of "sur" and "taal" which evolves a passion and emotion in people and gets rhythm in ragas". If we compare the type of music played now there can be a huge comparison. As we know classical music is still very much wanted in the world but nowadays rock, pop and many more types are dissolving the old history of music. Nowadays Western music is most wanted. Artist like linkin park, Eminem , greenday , are wanted on the stage to show there talent and energy which stir peoples heart. Music is a creation of god. In olden times a "mantra" was also chanted in tune and rhythm and this is why correct rhythm is needed in music. Carnatic music is largely devotional; the majority of the songs are addressed to the Hindu deities.But now people like to listen to rock music. Even Bollywood has taken a step in the world of rock music. Yes it is true that some years back bollywood had great singers like mohammed rafi , kishore kumar ,mukesh, who are today know and rememberd as the legends of music in inidan cinema . it is true that today’s music is also good but the class which was present at that time is simply missing (exceptions are always there). If we see western music has influenced us a lot . I am not criticizing any type of music because every music has its own specialty and there are many varities in this line.It depends on person to person.Everyone should respect all type of music whether it is death metal , rock or indian classical music . as i said there are choices. western music also have a good history of music artist like "BEATLES" " "JOHN LENNON" "THE KINKS" "BEETHOVEN" OR "PAUL MCCARTNEY ". They are still heard and liked by people. I myself listen to western music and I love it. As I quote "music is life and life is incomplete without music". So enjoy your self and listen to music u like and respect all type of music.

Easy Freezy Chocolate Ice Cream

1 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk
2/3 cup chocolate syrup
2 cups heavy cream, whipped
Combine all ingredients in a bowl and stir together. Pour into a 9 X 11" pan lined with aluminum foil. Freeze overnight. Remove from fridge, turn pan upside down to remove ice cream from pan. Peel off the foil and slice.

Kid's Kitchen

3 eggs
1 cup sugar
3/4 cup cake flour
1/4 cup cocoa
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
coffee or vanilla ice cream
1 quart powdered sugar (icing sugar)
Preheat oven to 425F degrees. Line a greased 15 x 10 inch pan with wax paper and grease again.
Beat eggs very lightly and add the sugar gradually, beating after each addition. Add 1/4 cup cold water. Sift flour, cocoa, baking powder, and salt together. Add egg mixture, beating slowly. Add vanilla extract. Pour in the batter, spread smooth, and bake for 12 to 15 minutes.
Turn out on a towel sprinkle with powdered sugar. Remove wax paper and trim crisp edges. Roll up in a towel. Cool. Unroll and spread with coffee or vanilla ice cream, softened enough to spread. Roll up quickly, wrap in foil and freeze 1 hour. At this point you can warm any chocolate frosting in microwave until it is pour able. Pour over log and decorate as desired, return to freezer. Keep in freezer until ready to serve.Slice and serve.

Yashaswani, (V), Ann Mary School

Actual Answers From Students On Music Exams

The principal singer of nineteenth century opera was called pre-Madonna.
Gregorian chant has no music, just singers singing the same lines. Sherbet composed the Unfinished Symphony. All female parts were sung by castrati. We don't know exactly what they sounded like because there are no known descendants. Young scholars have expressed their rapture for the Bronze Lullaby, the Taco Bell Cannon, Beethoven's Erotica, Tchaikovsky Cracknutter Suite, and Gershwin's Rap City in Blue. Music sung by two people at the same time is called a duel; if they sing without music it is called Acapulco. A virtuoso is a musician with real high morals. Contralto is a low sort of music that only ladies sing. Probably the most marvelous fugue was the one between the Hatfields and the McCoys.A harp is a nude piano. Refrain means don't do it. A refrain in music is the part you'd better not try to sing. I know what a sextet is but I'd rather not say. My favorite composer was Opus. Agnus Dei was a woman composer famous for her church music. Johann Sebastian Bach wrote a great many musical compositions and had a large number of children. In between he practiced on an old spinster which he kept up in his attic. Rock Monanoff was a famous post-romantic composer of piano concerti.

My two Passions

By : Vikramaditya Bhatnagar,

Class VII , St. Josephs’ Academy.
I am eleven years of age and studding in class VII, St. Josephs’ Academy, Dehradun. My two great passions are books and music.
I have read a number of books by different writers and am often inspired to write. I have been writing for my school magazine in the past and for the last few weeks sending my stories and articles to " Garhwal Post", to be published in the children’s section.
Music is my second passion. I like to sing and play music. At my previous school , I was a part of my school choir. I have learnt to play harmonium and qualified in the first year exam for the Indian classical music. It was my father who wanted me to learn music and when I was in class second, I was sent to a music school to learn harmonium and vocal music.As a beginner, I started to learn to play the keyboard. I learnt some sargams and songs on the keyboard and one fine day my dad got me a harmonium. I played on a different scale, on the harmonium. It took me a few months, but I finally got a knack of it. After learning classical music for some time, I wanted a change. I wanted to do some thing different. I told my mother that I wanted to learn Guitar. My mother is also interested in music and often sings with me. So we both decided to take lessons for playing the Guitar. Presently I am learning Guitar along with my mother. We go together to my favourite music teacher, who was teaching music at my former school, for learning Guitar. I hope I am able to continue with music once my school reopens, after the summer vacations. As I get a lot of home work from the school, I fear that I may not be able to find time to continue learning music.
I would continue to play and sing, as music is a good pastime. It is also a good throat exercise and a way to express my feelings. It is a great stress- buster too. I can rejuvenate myself with music, when I feel tired or tense, so it also helps me to concentrate better in my studies.Whatever form of music I learn or play, I am certain that music would always remain an important part of my life in the present and the future.

Passion for music

By Rohan Kapoor
Class: VI-D
St. Joseph’s Academy

I love listening good music. Music can be enjoyed while meditating, doing Yoga or in free time. My father tells me that one of his friends, who is a doctor, is so fond of music that even while performing operations he listens to music, to be relaxed! My sister has a nice MP3 Player which she sometimes lends to me for listening songs. Whenever my father brings a new music CD, I immediately copy it in my folder, on the computer. I love listening to Sufi music and very few new songs. Instrumental are my favourite, specially the flute and guitar. My two favourite singers are A.R. Rahman and Kailash Kher.
My five favourite songs are:
1. Jai Ho.
2. Heal the world.
3. Top of the world.
4. Allah ke bande.
5. Khalbali.

Hygiene at home

By Mitali Joshi (V)
John Martyn Memorial School
We should keep our house neat and clean. This will help us to remain healthy. We should not throw garbage on the road outside our gate, but use dustbins. Sweet wrappers also should not be thrown here and there. The house looks dirty and gets more flies and cockroaches. If dustbins are not used for throwing away left over food, rats and ants will be all around our house. If our surroundings are kept clean diseases will not spread. Prepared food should not be left uncovered as it will get contaminated by flies and not fit to eat. One first-aid box containing dettol, band-aid, cotton, etc., must be there in every home. If a person cannot be treated at home, he should be taken to the doctor immediately.

Education of women

By Jyoti Dangwal Class- V
John Martyn Memorial School
In India women play many roles. She is a mother, a daughter, a sister and an important member of a family. If a woman is educated she will do great things for her family and for her nation. We have some great examples in our country. Our President is a woman, so many Chief Ministers have been women, Indira Gandhi, our Prime Minister was admired by everybody and for the first time the Speaker of the Lok Sabha is a woman. All these women also have families and are mothers and wives. Yet there are some people in the country who do not want women to study. In my opinion women should study for their better future. To help educate women, we should educate the old fashioned people of the villages who only want women to do household work. Our government is encouraging girls to study, but a lot more still needs to be done before all women are educated and earn their livelihood.

The sound of music

By Mriga maithel

Music often called the essence of life and rightly too. The true real music has power enough to snatch you from the claws of the whirlpool of your tiresome life and take you an a high as you rise to the feeling of ecstasy and bliss they call nirvana Soft ringing melodies , perfect rhythmic beats the tinkling of instruments – it’s all you need to completely lose yourself as you dance and sway , or just sit with your eyes closed and forget everything else. then truly nothing else matters. Neither does it matter whether you are listening to rock and hard metal or pure Indian classical music, or Mozart and Beethoven or even Sufi and Arabic .it’s all music .everyone has their preferences and there is a need for the older generations to respect hard rock as much as the young generation must respect and Indian classical music . Talking to different people one always ends up hearing the same phrase "I love music but domehow I just never got into it". My only answer is "if u leave it , you must have it and if u truly want it , build up the guts to do it". So far all those people out there still wondering how to get music into their lives wake up and feel the sunshine! Music is everywhere .open your heart and you’ll know the way to real music and definitely real nirvana!So what are u waiting for

BRINGING MUSIC TO LIFE OR VICE VERSA

By Jacob Ephraim
Manager , Talent Search
There's nothing new about this assertion; people have known it since before recorded history. Making music brings people together, breaks down barriers and almost always leads to a good time. Playing really well can make you feel like you're on top of the world. And even if you're not brimming with talent, doing your best and even messing up occasionally is a lot more engaging than staring at the TV.

* Making music is good for the brain. Over the last decade, a series of new scientific studies has demonstrated a link between active music making-not just passive listening, but actually taking part-and increased brainpower. Young kids who make music show improved spatial-temporal reasoning, which is the foundation of later success in math and science. And they actually get better grades than kids who don't take music. Click here to learn more.

* Making music is good for your body. Did you know that making music is a proven stress reducer? And stress on the body has been linked to the performance of the immune system. Studies show that people who make music have had higher levels of melatonin, a revitalized natural production of Human Growth Hormone-even an increase in the immune system's natural "cancer-killer" cells. Click here to learn more.
* Making music is good for the soul.
Everyone knows that music is beautiful. And beauty helps your peace of mind. But did you know the benefits of music on well-being have been scientifically measured? For example, older people who make music show reduced levels of anxiety, depression and loneliness. Among younger people, those who make music together are less likely to use drugs or get in other kinds of trouble.
* Making music is good for the social life.
Does this one really need an explanation? No matter what your age there are a variety of musical activities to help you get started - preschool kids can enjoy the the same activity even during their summer camps.It's always good to learn to play some instrument like the most soothing instrument would be the violin. If you're not a musician already, you may feel a little embarrassed to get started. But the next time you're at a party and people start picking up instruments, you'll feel embarrassed not to.
Regards n take care
jacob28in@yahoo.co.in

Bildungsroman

By Garvita Khybri
As the Sun paces its journey upon the Earth, and sends darkness to a dearth, a new hope is given to one and all, to work upon our mistakes or sweeten the gall. As the day grows old, People start refusing the gold, The gold of opportunities that Is lying in front of them, Hence wasted creates mayhem. As the evening approaches, the people rejuvenate and concentrate on healing the scorches. No time is better than Twilight; they say when lovers meet with sparkling eyes and colours gay! The Moon makes its slow march and gives the most perfect end to the day

SINMIT face of theweek-A Conversation

Your Name: Charu Virmani
About you: I consider myself to be perky, pragmatic and perfectionist.I am extrovert, god fearing, hard working, honest and realistic.
Your Qualification: Pursuing my Psychology Honours from Punjab University, Chandigarh
You dream to be- a successful psychologist
3 things a model must have- Confidence, diligence and a versatile personality
If not a model, I would have been- a Psychologist
One beauty tip- takes proper and healthy diet! Keep smiling
A tip to aspiring models- The art of taking one perfect step is what seperates winners from losers. So give your best in every task you do and have confidence.

Importans of trees

By Preeti Dangwal (V)
John Martyn Memorial School
Trees play a very important part in our lives. They purify the air by taking in carbon-dioxide and throwing out oxygen into the atmosphere. They make the environment clean and pure. Without trees we could not live. In summer trees give us shade and cool air. They also give us juicy, delicious fruits to eat. We use deadwood as fuel and furniture is also made of wood. Even the paper which we use for writing is made of wood pulp. Trees also provide us with useful medicines.
Trees give us so many things and yet people cut trees which causes great problems of pollution in the environment. Besides our valleys have become barren and their natural beauty has been lost. Day by day the land is becoming like a desert.
To protect our earth from all these problems we should save and protect our trees. We should grow more and more trees. On World Environment Day we planted some trees in our school. Every man on this earth should plant at least one tree and should take a pledge not to destroy these wonderful life-saving miracles of nature.

The king of pop 'michale jackson'

By Animesh Gupta,(XI)
The Doon School
Birth name: Michael Joseph Jackson
Born August 29, 1958
Gary Indiana
Died June 25, 2009 (aged 50)
Los Angeles California.
Genre(s) Pop, R&B, rock

Occupation(s) Singer, songwriter, record producer, arranger, dancer, choreographer, actor, author, businessman, financier, philanthropist
Instrument(s) Vocals, multiple instruments
Voice type(s) Countertenor [1]
Years active 1967–2009
Label(s) Motown, Epic

It is so grieve to hear that "the King of Pop", Michael Jackson has passed away. I thought it was a fool that the media was playing with all MJ fans and the world. But believe it or not, it is true. It could be taken as a big punch to the pop music world. I was greatly attracted by his unique dancing and singing. We imitated a lot of his dance moves, like the "moon walk". Michael Jackson was The son of African-American parents Joseph Walter "Joe" Jackson and Katherine Esther (née Scruse). He was the seventh of nine children. In 1993, Michael Jackson was accused of abuse by Evan Chandler, on behalf of his 13-year-old child, Jordan Chandler. Jackson and Jordan had become friends in May 1992, to the father's disapproval and concern. Evan chandler was the one who then made an agreement by financial settlements to dissolve this matter. He also blackmailed him and threatened him to damage his carrier. As the pressure got more on Jackson he got into drugs and January 1, 1994, at last he settled the case by giving chandlers family 22$million dollars.
His father reportedly nicknamed him "Big Nose".
Michael Jackson was probably created as a warning for all of us – not to go too far in plastic surgery. As you can see at his early pictures the very fist rhinoplasty was very good, the second nose job was also fine, even the third nose surgery was ok, but he could not stop and the crucial moment was when he lighted his skin and started reshaping his poor chin and his African eyes which finally turned him into a total disaster.
Although after his several plastic surgeries his nose was already small and feminine, but Michael kept destroying it, wanting more and more changes. Still there is no official document or investigation answering the question "How many nose jobs and other plastic operations has Michael Jackson had?". In the famous documentary Michael said he had two, but plastic surgeons who studied his photos suggests may be 30 or 40…
But at last the rumors, scandals, and blames pointing to him doesn’t affect the love for him. He and his songs and dance moves will always be remembered.
Top 10 Michael Jackson Songs For Kids
"ABC"
"Wanna Be Startin’
"Somethin"
"Rock With You"
"P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)"
"I Want You Back"
"Say Say Say"
"The Love You Save"
"Farewell My
"Summer Love"
"I’ll Be There"
"Black or White"

Brotherly affection

By: Vikramaditya Bhatnagar, Class VII , St. Josephs’ Academy

In the thick jungles of Jhajhara, near Dehradun lived two boar brothers. The siblings were named Chotu and Motu. Chotu was strong, muscular and a fast runner while Motu was fat, slow but a hard worker. The two brothers were good companions but would often fight with each other on small matters. The two boars loved to eat beetroot and sweet potatoes from the fields near the jungle. Motu usually dug them out from the ground and Chotu would often eat them behind Motu’s back. Chotu would run away with the sweet potatoes and Motu would chase him but was never able to catch him as Chotu could run very fast. This often led to a fight between the two brothers. One day, Guldar the ferocious leopard was on the prowl. He was terribly hungry and was also loosing his temper because he found nobody to eat. Just when he was thinking of returning to his cave empty stomach, he saw the two plump boars fighting amongst themselves. They were none other than Chotu and Motu, one chasing the other.
Guldar licked his lips. "Ah, that’s tasty, two plump boars. They’re going to be delicious and easy to catch as they are engrossed in fighting. They are young and would make a good meal. But whom should I attack first?" Guldar thought a little and then made up his mind. "Yes, the fat one would be easier to catch". Guldar charged at Motu with a mighty roar. Motu turned back to take the leopard head on. Seeing him stop Chotu shouted, "It’s good that the Leopard has got you, you deserve it. Now I can eat all the sweet potatoes taken out by you." But then he heard a painful grunt. Guldar had injured Motu’s leg. It was badly bleeding. Chotu was shaken up. It was like a stone hitting his head. "How dare , the leopard injures my brother".
Chotu snorted angrily, "I’ll kill you!". He charged with all his might at the leopard and dug his tusks in the leopard’s stomach. Guldar roared in pain and agony."I thought you were enemies", said Guldar. Taking out his tusks from Guldar’s stomach, Chotu replied, "You thought so? Then you should also have thought we can kill big cats like you". Guldar immediately fled from the scene. Over the next few days Motu was looked after by Chotu, dad and mom, till his wounds heeled completely. Although the two never fought as before, but still the boar brothers fought and argued, as most siblings do. Moral of the story: Brothers and sisters always fight a lot and trouble their parents, but they also love each other. In times of trouble one would help the other because they know that, "united we stand and divided we fall"

The Brother Sister Ruckus versus Love

By Aishwarya Sharma
Convent of Jesus & Mary
How interesting on earth would it be to have a younger brother and an elder sister? Or rather how irritating would it get to have the same?? Phew!! I am tragically intermediate between an elusive young woman of 25 years [di will surely kill me for leaking out her age in public, abide by the rules, and never speak out a girl’s age!!] and an equally hyperactive younger brother. The similarity being that we never stop bickering about each other. Fights, quarrels, and sometimes, [to be true, change sometimes to ‘most of the time’] scuffles make it an eventful day for our parents who are already tormented by the stinking cupboards already filled with dirty sweaty clothes, the used up utensils filled with ice cream leftovers, mango seeds, lunch snippets all around the bedroom coupled with the sneaky creepy stuff we do everyday.
Struggling to grab the packet of Kurkure lying in the no man’s territory lying in the middle of our territories, snatching the TV remotes from each other because he yearns to watch the boring cricket matches and the irritating Shinchan [fine I like it, but I hate watching the same episodes over and over again and he never admits he’d watched that one before!], she yearns to watch Splitzvilla and all [I like it but soon get bored because she’s watching it!] and well, my huge choice ranging from daily soaps, music videos, to Chinese Kung Fu films and NDTV 24X7, using each other’s things without letting each other know, threatening to tell mom about each other’s new sets of mischief and getting a set of tasks done in barter, we’ve done many other crazy things like this and more will follow once my brother properly fits into the category of an adolescent and as it its, teenagers are evident lunatics anyway!
I slyly wear my sister’s shirts to the evening class, pinch and tickle my brother who responds to this with either a big loud whimper, a complaint to mom, or an attack of his fist [that really hurts by the way!
We really do at times compare the things our parents got for us, and who got more, and who got less, always jealous that they love either of us more than the other. Calling each other troublemakers, stupid, idiot, moron, and practically every bad word we could ever learn while we feel angry at each other for some reason or the other.
Me, complexed with my sister’s fair skin and attractive appearance and the fact that everyone, practically everyone knows her and not me, or probably doesn’t recognize me, and my sister bickering about me having more clothes than her, and my brother also trying to quarrel at some reason or the other.
But well, we also find a great sense of entertainment with each other too. Laughing at the stupid characters in serials and reality shows, making fun of the groom at the baraat, criticizing our parents sometimes, exchanging smiles when our parents are scolding us and we aren’t serious at all, imitating the neighbourhood ‘aunty’ and mocking every possible trait of her personality, teasing our parents, teasing each other, helping each other get out of the messes we end up into, whether its secretly going into the restaurant with friends on a holiday at the pretext of going to school for a practice [in my case of course], going to a friend’s place for playing [in my brother’s case], returning home late from office [in my sister’s case].
I’m five years elder to my brother, and eight years younger to my sister, that means my brother is thirteen years younger to my sister! Three people from three completely different age groups end up being siblings!! Hola! Our parents have gained an interesting group of unique devils to rampage the house!!
Well, we’re different, we’re crazy, and we bicker, quarrel, fight, and well, go on a plunder, a complete plunder!! But well, we just love each other, in our own special ways, without letting each other know [sometimes, we get to know though!!]
My sister has this amazing kind of sixth sense that intrigues me so much, without me telling her, she can easily and accurately guess what’s going on in my mind. Well, I didn’t tell her about the guy my friends linked me to, but she knew this, and even the guy’s name. phew! This is just one thing, there are thousands of such examples. Sinister, isn’t it?
Kissing my brother goodnight when he’s fast asleep [this devil looks so innocent, cute and sweet when he’s sleeping], saving each other from the anger of our parents, sharing every little thing we’re eating, [though we end up fighting for it], missing each other when either is gone somewhere [though we pretend to be in incredible peace due to their absence!], getting worried for each other out of some reason or the other, well it’s a long list, but there’s one recent incident that’s left deep impressions in my mind.
My mother couldn’t find the key to her cupboard, and I was the suspected culprit, all the suspicion was on me because the other day I surreptitiously took out mom’s sophisticated mobile phone because my own phone was out for repair, though this time, I didn’t do anything at all. These two devils advocated my side but my parents indignantly refused to believe me. But they did! I was aghast with shock and grief and kept on repeating I didn’t do anything, I was beaten up, shouted at in the middle of the night, and out of anger and shock, I started beating myself up, and sobbing uncontrollably when my parents realized their folly and came to apologize and soon I was down with high blood pressure. Moaning dizzily, I couldn’t stand, I was feeling wobbly, and was in a state of complete shock, but as I briefly opened my eyes, I could see these two devils crying uncontrollably and doing each bit of help and advocating they could possibly do. This made me realize, no matter how much of fighting I do everyday, I know that these two guys will be there for me no matter what! We love each other despite the quarrel, despite the animosity, despite the irritation, and well, despite the irritating sounds my brother takes out from his mouth, shouting, burping, mimicry, imitation, trumpeting, whatever. Despite my sister being too nosy at times, despite me feeling like lynching them in public. We share a loving and wonderfully amiable bond and surely no one can replace us in each of our lives!
Love u Neha Di, and Sid!

Make your own path

By Jacob Ephraim
Manager , Talent Search

Never walk on the path that others have made. Make your own so that you can say it is newly laid, Make your own path and be proud of it There may be thorns, but move along bit by bit.
When you walk in somebody's footsteps A lot is expected and that is no help, Its not possible to walk in someone's shoes So different are the thought, so hazy is the view. Take a new path at the break of dawn Get the feeling of being again reborn, And at dusk, as you trudge back Feel proud that you are far ahead of the pack. In any sphere make your own rules Ones that can bend and help you to keep cool, As you move along, do not forget to pause Life has its ups and downs, without a cause. Walk tall and straight in the path of the unknown Eyes sparkling, vision clear, muscles aching, but not a moan And should the shoulders sag at the end Just thing of those who have not reached the first bend.

I don't know.....

By Apurva Kaushik, (XI)
Convent Of Jesus And Mary
I don’t know where the time will take us,
All I know is that our friendship is eternal.
I don’t know what you and I will be,
All I know is that our friendship will be an example.
I don’t know where is the end of the world,
All I know is that our friendship has no end….
One thing I know is that we might Separate,
But this will give me a chance to remember you my entire life.

The Lacerated Soul

Cadet Anshul Roy (XI) (RIMC)
Nature is omnipotent. It can seep into the very soul of an individual, healing him of all aberrations. Such was the case with me during a month long Kashmir sojourn while undergoing a Basic Mountaineering Course at Pahalgam. Having been moved by the all pervading beauty which had strong undercurrents of lurking danger, the poet in me was compelled to pen these lines in a tribute to the irony which is Kashmir.
Heaven So serene And yet, Such restlessness.
The wind So cold But glowing with Lambent energy.
The snow White, surrounded by Dark hues Of verdant foliage.
The people... Nice, so fine Marred by violence. Kashmir
Beautiful Withering, with Blood Spilled all over.
Heaven.