Well. . .wow

It was marvelous and manic - all at the same time. It's amazing what a bit of healthy panic can do for one.
Personally, I was ready to sing. I was on the front row feeling like a five feet four and a half inch Hobbit (honestly, I felt REALLY short last night). I enjoyed bonding with the trumpet and the french horn.
I have to admit the Dona Nobis Pacem was my favorite. I've become a bit of a fanatic about RVW - I've devoted considerable time to understanding him and reading about his connection to Whitman's poetry. In the meantime, I've learned a lot about Whitman that I never knew. I am now a semi-walking repository of RVW and Whitman lore. If you want to be royally bored - just ask. I find it interesting.
The Dona moves me - really transcendentally. I mean - how do you not respond to "Open to me the gates of righteousness - I will go into them." "For as a New Heaven and a New Earth which I will make shall remain FOREVER". Whoopee!!!! That's it. . that's it. Thank God for that. We aren't stuck here with the war and remnants of war. God has provided a way. Glory be to God in the Highest and on earth PEACE. . . .
We all get wrapped up in a difficult passage or difficult stroph - when it comes down to it, it is as the Maestro says - get to the text. Always get to the text.

I am so energized