Friday, April 26, 2013

Sigh...

One of those.... But this, too, shall pass....

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Heaven's New Worship Leader

George Beverly Shea 1909-2013




Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Once in a Lifetime Experience

Since high school I have loved singing composer John Rutter's music. I love his simple choral songs ("For the Beauty of the Earth" is still a favorite), and his larger works are sublime. When I heard that he would be conducting at the American Choral Director's Convention I was impressed. However, when I found out that I could audition for the choir and was ecstatic! What a thrill to sing under the man whose music I have loved for longer than I care to admit!

Auditions were blind--as in send a digital recording with no identification except voice part and hope for the best. Georgia Symphony Choir conductor Bryan Black was not only a tremendous encourager, but he also helped me with the recording. And then the wait.

A few weeks after the recording was sent, I got a Facebook message from Bryan telling me to check my e-mail. Of course, I was away from a computer, but I suspected he would only contact me with good news. And it was. I made the choir.

Fast forward three months to the ACDA convention in Dallas. I had learned the music and fallen absolutely in love with Rutter's Mass of the Children before the first rehearsal. (Once we began work on Rutter's arrangement of the Faure Requiem I was equally smitten, but I needed to be educated by the master first.)

Rutter is serious about his music, but delightful as conductor.  His illustrations to explain what he wanted from us were often funny (lots of emphatic gesturing and even some running around), but so effective that we rarely had to be told more than once. We got it. We loved it. I loved it. And, according to the note he sent to the Festival Choir organizer, he enjoyed himself as well.

There we gathered: 116 voices from 22 states, all musicians who had auditioned as I had, learned the music, and who were committed to making MUSIC. Accompanied by the Dallas Symphony Orchestra and the MASSIVE organ in the Meyersen Symphony Hall, we who were once strangers came together in a tightly woven tapestry of singers making magic under Rutter's direction.






Once in a lifetime--and magical.

Monday, April 08, 2013

The Cardinal



We have a family of cardinals living in a bush near our garage. Every day the male makes sure the yard is safe and then calls to his family to come to the feeder.  It's fun to watch.

safe here
 okay here 

let me check over there


 yup, looks good

 no squirrels or hawks

 okay kids, time for lunch!

 thanks, Dad! yummy seeds...

 
Keeping an eye out for danger---just Papa Cardinal and the Lion

Sunday, April 07, 2013

The Phoenix Never Dies

Atlanta Quest Indoor Drumline and Front Ensemble 2013
 Caty Mae plays the far right marimba.