Last week I gave my choir a light rehearsal and sent them home early. I was concerned that they get enough rest and not fall prey to this bug going around. This week, I will have them sing through the recital pieces they are singing by themselves without the other ensembles joining in to remind them of what we have learned, to fix any little errors, to help them feel like they are ready.
We are low in numbers tonight, but I know this group. They are dependable and will be there for the dress rehearsal and recital. Those who are overwhelmed have already let me know that they will not be joining. I am sad to lose a few singers, but their lives have changed and they are wise to keep their priorities straight.
We sing through our music, and as I suspected, we are in good shape. I take them right up to the last minute of rehearsal time, but I believe they too sense that they sing the music well. In fact, it is possible that we have moved beyond worrying over what note comes next and how to pronounce the words. It is possible that the music is beginning to speak to us, to have internal meaning, to become a natural expression of something deep within us.
That is the appeal of folk music. A melody is sung so often that it becomes part of who we are, it shapes us and - for musicians - more importantly, we shape the music. Imbue it with our hearts, our passion. What better text than the Lord's Prayer for such an endeavor? Can it be that some of this music will stay with us after the concert? Will it continue to be there in our moments of crisis when we need something solid to hang on to?
Surely that is far more important than the recital. To connect with the things of God through the medium of music whereby we may retain that connection to God. That has been my prayer throughout. And not just for the musicians. For the congregation who will attend. That they be touched by God, be drawn into his presence, take away something in their hearts that will bring comfort and assurance for decades.
We shall see.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Hefty Work Schedule
My friends from other countries have a habit of doing almost nothing the days before a recital, and nothing the days immediately following one. Its a great plan and allows one to focus on the music, not be stressed about anything, and totally recuperate afterwards, enjoying the celebration of the event.
That's what I wanted to do with this recital. But alas! My life is not my own. Not only do I need to continue working at the Library right up to the dress rehearsal, but I will return to work on Monday - as if nothing had happened, in the words of my friend.
It's sad really that a milestone event such as this one will slide by with hardly a ripple in my calendar. Just another block of time. In fact, I didn't block off the days beforehand, and people just filled up my schedule without awareness of how much I wished to focus on this other part of my life. In some respects, that is my own fault.
Unfortunately, we are short handed as it is, and I have had to take more than my fair share of time off, between kids and grandkids and mothers and health issues. I would not think of pressing an already overwrought staff farther. There is much to do, and I should be somewhat in a tizzy over the details. But by the grace of God, I feel as if I am on autopilot.
I have done what I could, the time, effort, work, and prayer have been there all along. Now I keep moving forward, confident that the result will be a culmination of years of thought, study and practice. This is freeing. I can give my best to the appointments on my calendar at the Library without getting all "het" up, as Gram used to say.
By day, a faithful faculty person. By night a sacred music director. It's a good mix.
That's what I wanted to do with this recital. But alas! My life is not my own. Not only do I need to continue working at the Library right up to the dress rehearsal, but I will return to work on Monday - as if nothing had happened, in the words of my friend.
It's sad really that a milestone event such as this one will slide by with hardly a ripple in my calendar. Just another block of time. In fact, I didn't block off the days beforehand, and people just filled up my schedule without awareness of how much I wished to focus on this other part of my life. In some respects, that is my own fault.
Unfortunately, we are short handed as it is, and I have had to take more than my fair share of time off, between kids and grandkids and mothers and health issues. I would not think of pressing an already overwrought staff farther. There is much to do, and I should be somewhat in a tizzy over the details. But by the grace of God, I feel as if I am on autopilot.
I have done what I could, the time, effort, work, and prayer have been there all along. Now I keep moving forward, confident that the result will be a culmination of years of thought, study and practice. This is freeing. I can give my best to the appointments on my calendar at the Library without getting all "het" up, as Gram used to say.
By day, a faithful faculty person. By night a sacred music director. It's a good mix.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
March Entrance
In like a lion, out like a lamb. That's what the old saying is. But today is beautiful. Can you believe it is still winter with gorgeous blue sunny skies and no snow on the ground?Is this right? I know I have been praying that the weather will cooperate for my recital so that people will be able to travel without problem, but this is amazing!
If it keeps up, people will just want to be outside and not inside listening to music on a Sunday afternoon. Ah, everything in perspective. Of course, the temperature fluctuations are wreaking havoc with health. The coughing thing is making rounds. It is hitting some very hard. And repeatedly. Just when they think they have thrown the cold, it suddenly turns into bronchitis. And when they get help for that and are finally coming up for air, they have pneumonia. And after battling that, they get either a broken rib from so much coughing or pleurisy, just as bad if not worse.
Doctors are calling this the 100 day cough. That's what they used to call pertussis or whooping cough. I remember when Michael had that. Since his immune system was compromised, the immunization didn't take and the poor little tyke - all of about 6 years old - begged me with tears in his eyes to take him to the Emergency Room again and again, convinced that someone would figure out how to help him stop coughing.
Back then there were no super duper cough medicines. He just had to wait it out. My heart was so torn for his agony. As it is now for people going through this thing. I wish I could wave a magic wand and they would be over it. As soon as I hear that anyone is starting to cough, I immediately suggest they go to the doctors and head off anything serious. I suppose the doctors don't appreciate that.
Well, March may not be coming in like a lion weatherwise, but it certainly is healthwise. Here's hoping health improves for everyone continually until by the end of March this stuff is done with!
If it keeps up, people will just want to be outside and not inside listening to music on a Sunday afternoon. Ah, everything in perspective. Of course, the temperature fluctuations are wreaking havoc with health. The coughing thing is making rounds. It is hitting some very hard. And repeatedly. Just when they think they have thrown the cold, it suddenly turns into bronchitis. And when they get help for that and are finally coming up for air, they have pneumonia. And after battling that, they get either a broken rib from so much coughing or pleurisy, just as bad if not worse.
Doctors are calling this the 100 day cough. That's what they used to call pertussis or whooping cough. I remember when Michael had that. Since his immune system was compromised, the immunization didn't take and the poor little tyke - all of about 6 years old - begged me with tears in his eyes to take him to the Emergency Room again and again, convinced that someone would figure out how to help him stop coughing.
Back then there were no super duper cough medicines. He just had to wait it out. My heart was so torn for his agony. As it is now for people going through this thing. I wish I could wave a magic wand and they would be over it. As soon as I hear that anyone is starting to cough, I immediately suggest they go to the doctors and head off anything serious. I suppose the doctors don't appreciate that.
Well, March may not be coming in like a lion weatherwise, but it certainly is healthwise. Here's hoping health improves for everyone continually until by the end of March this stuff is done with!
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