Last night I attended a Washington Symphonic Brass production at Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts in Annapolis. The 36 of us who were there were moved by a piece that was performed by the brass with the words of Dr. King spoken by a former professor of my conductor friend E. This professor was a wonderful man - African American. In his youth, his amazing voice led him to pursue singing as a career. Unfortunately, he is of an age where the black man could not get hired - no matter how amazing he was. So, he went to Europe. Funnily or poignantly, he convinced European Opera houses that if a white man could sing in black face a black man could sing in white face. He went on to have a wonderful career in Europe. Meanwhile, the climate started to change in the U.S. and he came back to be a professor at both Howard and Peabody Conservatory.
He did not sing last night - he spoke. With power and resonance. He spoke the words of Dr. King. He spoke about equality and nobility of spirit and triumphing over odds that are staggering. It was so beautiful for its relevance to this gentleman's life.
I wish everyone could have heard it.
We all need to see one another as brothers. If music and words - the combination of which is more powerful than one can know - can convey that message then all should hear it.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Sunday, January 17, 2010
26 years and Counting
Some marriages don't last that long. . . .
that's how long my tenure has been with the Annapolis Chorale/Live Arts Maryland. Hopefully, I can continue that tenure as long as I am physically capable of singing well. Shudder. . . .
At the Gala last night I looked around the room and realized that each person I saw that I recognized was a gift that came with "purchase". If I weren't a member of this organization my life might not have the depth, color, and variety it has. I have no problem with saying that I owe the best part of my life to my involvement with this organization. There is no pride standing in my way there. It just IS.
I had a pretty good time. The people that I was sitting with all left before the show was over, the other couples at the table were Chorale members. It was fine. Some year I'd like to actually sit not in the back corner. I don't know who does the tables and - heaven help them - it's a task I wouldn't want. I guess sometimes I could be allowed a little "say" every now and then. I would like a front table because - well. . . maybe I've earned it once in a while? Maybe I've gotten a few points for job well done? My problem is I don't have any money and, as I was told last night, those tables are usually for people with money. Sigh. Oh well :) It is what it is.
The performers were fabulous - really fabulous. I think they all sang better than they sang last year. I liked the music better. It fit the audience better. It was shorter. Liked the auction better. It was a remarkable evening. I'm so blessed to know and be involved with those folks.
Now, onto thinking about St. Matthew, Haydn, and O. . .Klahoma. I need a 12 gauge shotgun - any takers?
that's how long my tenure has been with the Annapolis Chorale/Live Arts Maryland. Hopefully, I can continue that tenure as long as I am physically capable of singing well. Shudder. . . .
At the Gala last night I looked around the room and realized that each person I saw that I recognized was a gift that came with "purchase". If I weren't a member of this organization my life might not have the depth, color, and variety it has. I have no problem with saying that I owe the best part of my life to my involvement with this organization. There is no pride standing in my way there. It just IS.
I had a pretty good time. The people that I was sitting with all left before the show was over, the other couples at the table were Chorale members. It was fine. Some year I'd like to actually sit not in the back corner. I don't know who does the tables and - heaven help them - it's a task I wouldn't want. I guess sometimes I could be allowed a little "say" every now and then. I would like a front table because - well. . . maybe I've earned it once in a while? Maybe I've gotten a few points for job well done? My problem is I don't have any money and, as I was told last night, those tables are usually for people with money. Sigh. Oh well :) It is what it is.
The performers were fabulous - really fabulous. I think they all sang better than they sang last year. I liked the music better. It fit the audience better. It was shorter. Liked the auction better. It was a remarkable evening. I'm so blessed to know and be involved with those folks.
Now, onto thinking about St. Matthew, Haydn, and O. . .Klahoma. I need a 12 gauge shotgun - any takers?
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Fascinating Music of the Night Rhythm
Music has such variety and delight! Last night as we were working on putting together the Gala it was simply wonderful. Picture a room full of 10 - 12 quality singers. Picture a very talented pianist. Picture wine and food flowing along with the tremendous good will. That was great. Then I was "forced" to listen to soloist after soloist rehearse. . .darn that :)
You know, I know lots of folks who are like me - choristers who simply sing the repertoire shoved in front of them - sometimes don't feel important because they aren't soloists. I think that sometimes this is part of some lack of urgency to learn music. Then we choristers have heard a LOT of soloists. We have a fairly decent handle on what we like and don't like. We do feel quite free to criticize what we don't like. Speaking for myself, I've never been to music school which, to my way of thinking, is what qualifies you to be a "real" musician. Hmmm. . .I'm not sure where the "years served" starts to give you an equivilency in a music degree program :) However, we NON real musicians sometimes get it right and sometimes get it wrong.
Last night was just pure fun. These unapproachable soloists on the stage in the midst of the spotlight are real people and are usually REALLY nice. We talked football and movies and religion and politics - they really aren't all "bubble boys/girls". I would say that most musicians - with a few exceptions - are among the smartest people I know. I don't know if this is because the pool of people from which I draw is largely that of musicians. I do know that they are stimulating conversationalists and compassionate individuals.
So the Gala. . is going to be fun. I hope the audience enjoys it. I gave up on the "going home" concept and took a room with my BF for the evening. We just have to get up early and go to church down the street anyway.
Let's all have fun!
You know, I know lots of folks who are like me - choristers who simply sing the repertoire shoved in front of them - sometimes don't feel important because they aren't soloists. I think that sometimes this is part of some lack of urgency to learn music. Then we choristers have heard a LOT of soloists. We have a fairly decent handle on what we like and don't like. We do feel quite free to criticize what we don't like. Speaking for myself, I've never been to music school which, to my way of thinking, is what qualifies you to be a "real" musician. Hmmm. . .I'm not sure where the "years served" starts to give you an equivilency in a music degree program :) However, we NON real musicians sometimes get it right and sometimes get it wrong.
Last night was just pure fun. These unapproachable soloists on the stage in the midst of the spotlight are real people and are usually REALLY nice. We talked football and movies and religion and politics - they really aren't all "bubble boys/girls". I would say that most musicians - with a few exceptions - are among the smartest people I know. I don't know if this is because the pool of people from which I draw is largely that of musicians. I do know that they are stimulating conversationalists and compassionate individuals.
So the Gala. . is going to be fun. I hope the audience enjoys it. I gave up on the "going home" concept and took a room with my BF for the evening. We just have to get up early and go to church down the street anyway.
Let's all have fun!
Friday, January 01, 2010
"Noting" the New Year
Personal resolutions don't do it for me usually. I'mnot much on 'self improvement' as I've discovered that while I do have goals for myself - they can begin whenever they need to begin - on any day of the year. Take January 11 - Why not? or, February 4.
In the New Year I hope for all things to be better. I want another chance at being my best self. This extends to my music. In the year 2010 I hope to continue to revel in the joy of music. To think less about what I'm giving to the pursuit of music and more of what I'm getting FROM it and be eternally grateful that God deemed me worthy of the talent to do what I do.
I want to grow as a musician - I want to stretch. Mostly, I want to relax and just enjoy the music. To be lost in the sound and the harmony and the text and the melody. I want to wear my heart on my sleeve and not be screwed up by over analyzation of how I produce. At the same time, I want to be aware of how I'm singing. One does not exclude the other - but I've found that a technically perfect performance is not nearly as satisfying as a soul wrenching, turn you inside out, leave nothing on the stage sort of performance. THAT is what I want to do. I do not think they are mutually exclusive but I've found that if you dwell on technicality - the fun disappears and the magic evaporates.
Be technical - but not technical first. Music is a soul thing. It isn't a head thing. One must find a way to connect these disparate parts of self and revel in the simple joy of creating. To dissect something is to understande its parts. How does that help you to know the joy of living? I can dissect a frog - but do I get what it means to be frog? That may sound silly, but bear with me. I can dissect a piece of music ( and I do) or I can dissect my performance - but does that help me to understand the soul and vitality of the piece - no. In order to find myself and my joy in a piece of music I have to have complete trust in the ride. Same reason I ride rollercoasters. I'm not afraid. I just want the joy - the exhiliration of the experience. Do I fasten my seat belt? Keep my head back? Duh - sure - it's only safe. I feel the same way about music. But if I never got on the ride - never connected with the simple thrill - how would fastening the seatbelt enrich that experience?
One thing I've learned about music - if you are in control in all aspects of your life, or striving for control - music is one place where you can simply immerse yourself in the production of something better than you. You have the tools - the notes, the words, the support of a musician or two other than yourself. Your head - that nagging little negative that you live with all day - needs to stay out of it. Make a mistake - and go on. . .one mistake or two or three doesn't ruin the whole piece. It's the whole. The gestalt. The soul that is important.
So, in the new year I expect to continue to be obnoxious about the sheer joy of making music. I get to do this. Daggone - I'm privileged to sing BACH! Think about that. Most people hum Barry Manilow tunes and think that's prettty cool. I have the entire repertoire of music at my disposal and I get to sing it - me, I get to produce it. . isn't that freaking amazing!?
Thank God for the privilege. May I continue to have it for my lifetime.
Ecstatically Yours
In the New Year I hope for all things to be better. I want another chance at being my best self. This extends to my music. In the year 2010 I hope to continue to revel in the joy of music. To think less about what I'm giving to the pursuit of music and more of what I'm getting FROM it and be eternally grateful that God deemed me worthy of the talent to do what I do.
I want to grow as a musician - I want to stretch. Mostly, I want to relax and just enjoy the music. To be lost in the sound and the harmony and the text and the melody. I want to wear my heart on my sleeve and not be screwed up by over analyzation of how I produce. At the same time, I want to be aware of how I'm singing. One does not exclude the other - but I've found that a technically perfect performance is not nearly as satisfying as a soul wrenching, turn you inside out, leave nothing on the stage sort of performance. THAT is what I want to do. I do not think they are mutually exclusive but I've found that if you dwell on technicality - the fun disappears and the magic evaporates.
Be technical - but not technical first. Music is a soul thing. It isn't a head thing. One must find a way to connect these disparate parts of self and revel in the simple joy of creating. To dissect something is to understande its parts. How does that help you to know the joy of living? I can dissect a frog - but do I get what it means to be frog? That may sound silly, but bear with me. I can dissect a piece of music ( and I do) or I can dissect my performance - but does that help me to understand the soul and vitality of the piece - no. In order to find myself and my joy in a piece of music I have to have complete trust in the ride. Same reason I ride rollercoasters. I'm not afraid. I just want the joy - the exhiliration of the experience. Do I fasten my seat belt? Keep my head back? Duh - sure - it's only safe. I feel the same way about music. But if I never got on the ride - never connected with the simple thrill - how would fastening the seatbelt enrich that experience?
One thing I've learned about music - if you are in control in all aspects of your life, or striving for control - music is one place where you can simply immerse yourself in the production of something better than you. You have the tools - the notes, the words, the support of a musician or two other than yourself. Your head - that nagging little negative that you live with all day - needs to stay out of it. Make a mistake - and go on. . .one mistake or two or three doesn't ruin the whole piece. It's the whole. The gestalt. The soul that is important.
So, in the new year I expect to continue to be obnoxious about the sheer joy of making music. I get to do this. Daggone - I'm privileged to sing BACH! Think about that. Most people hum Barry Manilow tunes and think that's prettty cool. I have the entire repertoire of music at my disposal and I get to sing it - me, I get to produce it. . isn't that freaking amazing!?
Thank God for the privilege. May I continue to have it for my lifetime.
Ecstatically Yours
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