One more week left of constant rehearsals and concerts, then I can go into auto pilot mode until Christmas. Actually, it will be the first year in a long time that I am "done" with regards to Christmas shows so early, so I consider myself lucky.
Next week I have a symphony pops concert (blech!) where besides the ubiquitous "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year" jazz arrangement (yes, a symphonic choir of 120+ choristers singing in close harmony!) we are also presenting two Christmas epics by Randol Bass, who is John Williams' answer to an orchestral Christmas. Following that will be a two performances in one day show with the local Baroque Orchestra, with the crowd favourite "Vivaldi Gloria". Don't get me wrong, I love Vivaldi, but if I didn't have to sing the Gloria again for at least thirty more years, I'd be OK with that (I could add Faure Requiem to that list as well, but that's a little off topic).
On to the topic at hand. If it weren't for Christmas, choirs would probably starve to death (most are eating from the bottom of the gruel pot as it is). For the last two yeas, I've managed to avoid programing a Christmas "potpourri" concert in favour of an early November concert. However, it's not to say we haven't done our share of Christmas shows. Last year, My chamber choir was asked to sing at the Symphony's Christmas pops concert - highlights included two Randol Bass Christmas medley's (there are so many thing wrong with that, that I don't know where to begin), and a women's choir arrangement of "Mele Kalikimaka", complete with Hawaiian leis. For a choir that is used to doing programs of the odd Bach Motet, plenty of Vaughan Williams (I'm Anglican after all) and Romantic part-songs of Brahms, Elgar and the like ... Mele Kalikimaka is bit of a stretch. The rehearsals were met with a certain amount of groaning and dissatisfaction from the choristers - no where near a mutiny, but displeasure was in the air. In the end it was an enjoyable experience all around, as symphony concerts often are (it was actually my wife's idea to buy the Leis for the Hawaiian number, putting them on without the conductor's knowledge. It was a great moment). One thing I will not forget though is the look on our financial secretary's face when he was presented with the cheque from the symphony. To which my reply was ... "it's sort of like 'musical prostitution' isn't it." Turns out singing easy Christmas arrangements for two nights would basically cover the costs of our next two concerts, and still have change left over to put into our tour account. It almost makes you feel guilty.
About fifteen years ago, in the prime of my undergraduate career, I joined a caroling quartet. We worked about four or five caroling shows a week starting late November, and closer to Christmas about three gigs a day mostly in shopping malls. The money was lucrative, I made more cash in that month then I did all year as a freelance musician at the time. The music is mind-numbing at the best of times, and only involves being able to sing the right notes, and have enough stamina to sing for three hours, louder than the ambient noise around you. It does nothing to further your ability to sing better (in fact, one might argue the contrary), or improve your general understanding of music and musicality. Yet, wow ... $$
It seems that the public, and businesses, are willing to spend so much money on music during the Christmas season, and we as musicians are wired to take advantage of it. I'd be willing to bet that the majority of funds in any business which are budgeted towards "social activities" go into the annual Christmas party, and entertainment is one of the larger expenses.
I'm not complaining though - secretly, I love it, and I'm not only talking about the money here. Christmas brings out the best in musicians, and even though my friends in my profession are running from gig to gig for the whole month, few complain about it. I'm sure a big part of it is the money that comes with it, however, there is something else, something intangible about it. Perhaps its the larger audiences, the friendly faces in the crowds, the ability for most patron to look past a wrong note or two in favour of MORE. Even at those dreaded shopping mall caroling gigs, there was always a moment, every time we were there, that a young child stopped his or her parents, who were usually in a mad dash to get in and out of the stores, to hear one more verse of "Up on The House Top." "Kid, if you like this ... you should have heard us last month performing Britten's War Requiem!" OK... maybe not yet.
December begins tomorrow and many of us are preparing for a slew of concerts - here's hoping that you see many smiling faces, full houses, and ... some extra spending money!
Friday, November 30, 2007
Monday, November 26, 2007
Beers to you!
I think every day should be "St. Arnold's" day.
St. Arnold is the patron saint of breweries after all. One of the many delights of the church I work at, is that we annually celebrate St. Arnold's day - never actually ON his day, which I believe is the 8th of July. It involves an evening of beer tasting, along with a historical account of St. Arnold, and a description of the beers of choice for the evening, all researched by my most wonderful wife. I wouldn't say that her knowledge and love of Beer attracted me to her in the first place - but it sure doesn't hurt!
This year we celebrated the beers of England and Scotland. Where my wife and I visited this past Summer on tour with my chamber choir. London Porter was the heavy handed favourite of the night, and it even came with a recipe for a stew, to which the first instruction is to "open the bottle and pour yourself a half-pint" for your enjoyment while you prepare the stew. All good recipe's begin this way - or should begin this way. If not beer, then red wine will do nicely.
Cheers!
St. Arnold is the patron saint of breweries after all. One of the many delights of the church I work at, is that we annually celebrate St. Arnold's day - never actually ON his day, which I believe is the 8th of July. It involves an evening of beer tasting, along with a historical account of St. Arnold, and a description of the beers of choice for the evening, all researched by my most wonderful wife. I wouldn't say that her knowledge and love of Beer attracted me to her in the first place - but it sure doesn't hurt!
This year we celebrated the beers of England and Scotland. Where my wife and I visited this past Summer on tour with my chamber choir. London Porter was the heavy handed favourite of the night, and it even came with a recipe for a stew, to which the first instruction is to "open the bottle and pour yourself a half-pint" for your enjoyment while you prepare the stew. All good recipe's begin this way - or should begin this way. If not beer, then red wine will do nicely.
Cheers!
Saturday, November 24, 2007
Wing flapping
A very busy week has left my blog deprived of a post, for this, I apologize.
It has, however, been a very exciting week. I had my DMus convocation on Thursday. It feels great to have this closure to my life as a student - one that has taken me from the first day of my Bachelor degree, to the last day of my Doctoral degree, sixteen years, 2 months and 22 days (who's counting?) It's been a great ride however, especially the last ten years of Masters and Doctoral studies.
Perhaps there should be some explanation as to why it took sixteen years of post-secondary and graduate school to get here. As this blog is relatively new, I feel the need once in a while to give some background information on myself to fill in the thirty-some years of my life before I started Podium Speak. If for no other reason, than to have a journal of my life for future eyes to see - family, friends, and who knows, my biographer?
High school was NOT my thing. I passed - barely. I think a few of my teachers allowed me my 50% minimum as a gift in fact. It wasn't that I wasn't smart, or didn't have the ability to do well in school. There were a number of factors, both internal, and external. I was a late bloomer (my grade nine school picture, when I was fourteen, looked as though I was about eleven). I didn't fit in very well with the "Jock" high school that I attended. Football, Basketball and Volleyball was our chief export of the school. I found myself in the band room most of the time, playing the piano for the school choirs, the stage band, playing trumpet and timpani in the concert band. I had a few friends from the school, about only five of which I still keep close contact with. I was also heavily involved in music outside the school, with piano, voice, harmony and history lessons on a nightly biases, coupled with three nights of church choir. I did most of my piano practicing in the mornings, and the rest in the evenings. School Homework tended to fall of the plate.
Needless to say, my first and second attempts at full time admission to the university, even with a strong audition - in piano of all things, was declined due to my poor academic record. During those years, I did two part time years in the department of music proving that I was able to take University courses and do well. I completed four courses a year, the maximum allowed by a part time student, was finally accepted as a full time student, where I did the remainder of my four years, switched from Piano to Organ performance. My last year was on scholarship, and I graduated "Cum Laude" with my BMus. If only my high school teachers, not to mention elementary school teachers, could have seen me. (One quote from my grade four teacher to my parents "The world is too big for him.")
The next fall I was accepted as the top applicant into the Choral Conducting program, 3,000 km away from my home town, for what was to be a three year journey, hoping to return back home. After I received my Masters, I decided to stay out west. After a year off, I entered the Doctoral program. Both degrees were on scholarship and full teaching assistantships. I did most the course work in two years, the second recital at the end of the fourth year, candidacy in the fifth year and defended my thesis at the end of the sixth. In the midst of all this, I've found a home here. A wonderful wife, great jobs (although, still longing for the tenure track), and wonderful friends, who enter and leave the city from time to time.
I had considered calling this post "The last days of the best of my life" as the past year really has been among the best, if not THE best of my life - however, I really believe there are many more great days to come. I can only think of the joys that will come to us as we continue our lives together from this point on. Job opportunities for both of us, starting a family, music, music and more music.
To quote the honorary doctorate speech at my convocation. We shall continue to flap our wings!
It has, however, been a very exciting week. I had my DMus convocation on Thursday. It feels great to have this closure to my life as a student - one that has taken me from the first day of my Bachelor degree, to the last day of my Doctoral degree, sixteen years, 2 months and 22 days (who's counting?) It's been a great ride however, especially the last ten years of Masters and Doctoral studies.
Perhaps there should be some explanation as to why it took sixteen years of post-secondary and graduate school to get here. As this blog is relatively new, I feel the need once in a while to give some background information on myself to fill in the thirty-some years of my life before I started Podium Speak. If for no other reason, than to have a journal of my life for future eyes to see - family, friends, and who knows, my biographer?
High school was NOT my thing. I passed - barely. I think a few of my teachers allowed me my 50% minimum as a gift in fact. It wasn't that I wasn't smart, or didn't have the ability to do well in school. There were a number of factors, both internal, and external. I was a late bloomer (my grade nine school picture, when I was fourteen, looked as though I was about eleven). I didn't fit in very well with the "Jock" high school that I attended. Football, Basketball and Volleyball was our chief export of the school. I found myself in the band room most of the time, playing the piano for the school choirs, the stage band, playing trumpet and timpani in the concert band. I had a few friends from the school, about only five of which I still keep close contact with. I was also heavily involved in music outside the school, with piano, voice, harmony and history lessons on a nightly biases, coupled with three nights of church choir. I did most of my piano practicing in the mornings, and the rest in the evenings. School Homework tended to fall of the plate.
Needless to say, my first and second attempts at full time admission to the university, even with a strong audition - in piano of all things, was declined due to my poor academic record. During those years, I did two part time years in the department of music proving that I was able to take University courses and do well. I completed four courses a year, the maximum allowed by a part time student, was finally accepted as a full time student, where I did the remainder of my four years, switched from Piano to Organ performance. My last year was on scholarship, and I graduated "Cum Laude" with my BMus. If only my high school teachers, not to mention elementary school teachers, could have seen me. (One quote from my grade four teacher to my parents "The world is too big for him.")
The next fall I was accepted as the top applicant into the Choral Conducting program, 3,000 km away from my home town, for what was to be a three year journey, hoping to return back home. After I received my Masters, I decided to stay out west. After a year off, I entered the Doctoral program. Both degrees were on scholarship and full teaching assistantships. I did most the course work in two years, the second recital at the end of the fourth year, candidacy in the fifth year and defended my thesis at the end of the sixth. In the midst of all this, I've found a home here. A wonderful wife, great jobs (although, still longing for the tenure track), and wonderful friends, who enter and leave the city from time to time.
I had considered calling this post "The last days of the best of my life" as the past year really has been among the best, if not THE best of my life - however, I really believe there are many more great days to come. I can only think of the joys that will come to us as we continue our lives together from this point on. Job opportunities for both of us, starting a family, music, music and more music.
To quote the honorary doctorate speech at my convocation. We shall continue to flap our wings!
Friday, November 16, 2007
Cats, Crackers and Cheese
It is the eve before my parents arrive from the east, and my lovely wife and I are madly cleaning house, making the spare room ready, drinking Australian Shiraz, and training the cats not to jump up on people. Well, the last one is going to be a loss cause. My mother isn't a big fan of anything that isn't bipedal - especially if most of their mass is covered in hair, and especially if they are stupid. Which describes both of our cats. We do love them dearly however - not to worry.
Plans for the weekend include a reception in honour of my graduation tomorrow night at a dear friends house. I'm not a huge fan of this kind of attention. ... Oh, hogwash - I love it, every minute of it - and I can't wait to share it all with my parents. I am a conductor after all, there needs to be some little tiny thread of self-right-ee-ousness, egotistical "LOOK AT ME" attitude, or I probably wouldn't be where I am today. However, the shy and quiet side is also evident at times - hence the anonymity of this blog. Anyhow, beautiful wife is right now in the kitchen putting together massive trays of veggies, crackers, and various sorts of cheese in preparation for tomorrow night.
Aside from the party tomorrow, and convocation on Thursday - everything continues on at the same rate of speed - which is somewhere between a brisk walk and a gentle gallop. I have a rehearsal with a whole pile of brass instruments and organ tomorrow afternoon, in preparation for a dress rehearsal on Monday, and concert on Thursday evening. Parents leave again on Friday midday - I'm predicting the week will fly by - but with much joy.
One of three potential job applications is now in the mail. The other two will be prepared after Christmas. Not holding much hope for any of them, but that's OK. The joy is - I love everything that I am doing - so if something comes along - it's going to have to be a good one!
Plans for the weekend include a reception in honour of my graduation tomorrow night at a dear friends house. I'm not a huge fan of this kind of attention. ... Oh, hogwash - I love it, every minute of it - and I can't wait to share it all with my parents. I am a conductor after all, there needs to be some little tiny thread of self-right-ee-ousness, egotistical "LOOK AT ME" attitude, or I probably wouldn't be where I am today. However, the shy and quiet side is also evident at times - hence the anonymity of this blog. Anyhow, beautiful wife is right now in the kitchen putting together massive trays of veggies, crackers, and various sorts of cheese in preparation for tomorrow night.
Aside from the party tomorrow, and convocation on Thursday - everything continues on at the same rate of speed - which is somewhere between a brisk walk and a gentle gallop. I have a rehearsal with a whole pile of brass instruments and organ tomorrow afternoon, in preparation for a dress rehearsal on Monday, and concert on Thursday evening. Parents leave again on Friday midday - I'm predicting the week will fly by - but with much joy.
One of three potential job applications is now in the mail. The other two will be prepared after Christmas. Not holding much hope for any of them, but that's OK. The joy is - I love everything that I am doing - so if something comes along - it's going to have to be a good one!
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Closing the Flu
This morning I finally got around to getting my flu shot. I haven't had one in a number of years. It seems that by the time I get around to thinking about getting my flu shot, I am too sick to take it, and it's too late in the season to worry about it. I actually felt sickness setting in on Monday, after my busy weekend, but I think I've managed to stay it off for the time being. Large doses of Cold FX and rest for the next few days should help.
Speaking of concert weekend - it was a very successful weekend all around. My chamber choir concert on Saturday night went exceedingly well, and was well received. A 75% standing ovation at the end of the show, which our faithful followers don't give very readily, so I was quite pleased. More importantly though, the choir peaked in all respects. The music making was some of the highest we have achieved - adding the level by which I was pleased.
The professional choir's show on Sunday was also a resounding success. As predicted early this week, it was exactly as what people expected. All were entertained in every sense of the word, which was the goal of the whole production.
This week brings in my inbox two job applications - one local - one out east. I'm not certain that either of them will go so far as shortlisting me, but I have to get into the routine of applying for everything that comes across my plate, so I will apply for all and everything that is available. I have to say, it does feel nice to see "Doctorate required" and be able to say "That's me!"
Parents are arriving on Saturday afternoon for a week - where I have a concert, and convocation on Wednesday. There is much joy to look forward to in the days ahead ...
Keep working Cold FX!!
Speaking of concert weekend - it was a very successful weekend all around. My chamber choir concert on Saturday night went exceedingly well, and was well received. A 75% standing ovation at the end of the show, which our faithful followers don't give very readily, so I was quite pleased. More importantly though, the choir peaked in all respects. The music making was some of the highest we have achieved - adding the level by which I was pleased.
The professional choir's show on Sunday was also a resounding success. As predicted early this week, it was exactly as what people expected. All were entertained in every sense of the word, which was the goal of the whole production.
This week brings in my inbox two job applications - one local - one out east. I'm not certain that either of them will go so far as shortlisting me, but I have to get into the routine of applying for everything that comes across my plate, so I will apply for all and everything that is available. I have to say, it does feel nice to see "Doctorate required" and be able to say "That's me!"
Parents are arriving on Saturday afternoon for a week - where I have a concert, and convocation on Wednesday. There is much joy to look forward to in the days ahead ...
Keep working Cold FX!!
Monday, November 12, 2007
10 Random Things
As requested by way of tagging by I am Chorus, here are my ten random things:
1. I love my wife's cooking and baking
2. If I had to take only one composer to a desert island - it would be Bach ... and Vaughan Williams ... ok, that's two.
3. I'm addicted to Facebook
4. I could watch episodes of "The Office" from any season, all day, any day.
5. I like to participate in home renovations. I think I'm good with a drill and a hammer.
6. If there are chocolate chip cookies and milk in our house - they don't last long.
7. At some point, every day, I say "Stupid cats"
8. I have over 10 remote controls in the house. My wife doesn't understand that this makes me a better person.
9. I'm learning that a consistently clean kitchen is a good thing. My wife thinks THIS makes me a better person.
10. My wife makes me a better person.
1. I love my wife's cooking and baking
2. If I had to take only one composer to a desert island - it would be Bach ... and Vaughan Williams ... ok, that's two.
3. I'm addicted to Facebook
4. I could watch episodes of "The Office" from any season, all day, any day.
5. I like to participate in home renovations. I think I'm good with a drill and a hammer.
6. If there are chocolate chip cookies and milk in our house - they don't last long.
7. At some point, every day, I say "Stupid cats"
8. I have over 10 remote controls in the house. My wife doesn't understand that this makes me a better person.
9. I'm learning that a consistently clean kitchen is a good thing. My wife thinks THIS makes me a better person.
10. My wife makes me a better person.
Saturday, November 10, 2007
Never underestimate a man with a vision
For all my complaining about the concert that I am singing tomorrow with our professional choir - - we had our dress rehearsal this morning, and I have to say, it's going to be pretty entertaining! I'm still not completely overwhelmed by a great majority of the music, but as an overall concept, the concert will have it highlights, and I think those who have bought tickets will leave with the feeling that they got what they came for.
Speaking of concerts - I have my chamber choir's concert tonight - and as I predicted in my last post, Thursday's actual dress rehearsal did not go as well as Monday's rehearsal. Many factors involved, including the "end of the week" stress most of us feel, and some under the weather voices in the choir, which promise to be better by tonight (here's hoping).
I've been tagged by I am Chorus to do my 10 random things - I'll try to get those posted later tonight or tomorrow.
Peace to you all this weekend.
Speaking of concerts - I have my chamber choir's concert tonight - and as I predicted in my last post, Thursday's actual dress rehearsal did not go as well as Monday's rehearsal. Many factors involved, including the "end of the week" stress most of us feel, and some under the weather voices in the choir, which promise to be better by tonight (here's hoping).
I've been tagged by I am Chorus to do my 10 random things - I'll try to get those posted later tonight or tomorrow.
Peace to you all this weekend.
Monday, November 5, 2007
A great Monday night rehearsal
There really is nothing more therapeutic than a great rehearsal.
Tonight was the "rehearsal-before-the-dress-rehearsal" rehearsal for my chamber choir, but it had all the feeling of a dress rehearsal. The music is in great shape, soloists are all healthy (knocking on wood right now), and there is a general feeling throughout the choir that we are well prepared. It actually makes me a touch nervous. I'm hoping we haven't peaked in some of the repertoire.
Hopefully something will go wrong in the actual dress rehearsal so that the singers will still be "on edge" for the concert on Saturday - however, if everything goes well on Thursday, then I'll be OK with that too.
Tonight was the "rehearsal-before-the-dress-rehearsal" rehearsal for my chamber choir, but it had all the feeling of a dress rehearsal. The music is in great shape, soloists are all healthy (knocking on wood right now), and there is a general feeling throughout the choir that we are well prepared. It actually makes me a touch nervous. I'm hoping we haven't peaked in some of the repertoire.
Hopefully something will go wrong in the actual dress rehearsal so that the singers will still be "on edge" for the concert on Saturday - however, if everything goes well on Thursday, then I'll be OK with that too.
Sunday, November 4, 2007
For All The Saints
Today is All Saints Day - well, removed from last Thursday anyway. One of the joys of a major feast day is that no matter when it is celebrated through the week, it always makes its appearance at church next Sunday, at least in the Anglican faith it does. I have the feeling that the only reason All Saints' Day receives this status is because of Ralph Vaughan Williams - however I'm good with that.
It didn't get off to a great start. I didn't sleep all that well, mainly due to having a very large empty bed, with my wife away at a conference, and also due to a late arriving house guest who was caught in the snow storm south of the city. Yes - snow. Winter seems to be here. Then there was the daunting thought that after church I would have to stick around for a bit while someone ran an audition in the church, and then I had to head off to rehearse music with the city's professional choir for which the music, as stated earlier, was not something I was looking forward too. Once I had to leave the house at 8:30 am, I would not plan to return until close to dinner time.
After a stop through Tim Horton's on the way to church for the ubiquitous "Medium, double cream and a toasted bagel with cream cheese", I planned my day through the rest of the short drive to Church. I COULD get through the afternoon rehearsal, smiling the whole time, for there was a full bottle of Shiraz on the wine rack with my name on it. I wonder if I could train the cats to open it around 4:30 so that it had 45 minutes to breathe before I got home?
Church was great as predicted, R. Vaughan Williams in at least three separate occasions, including Sine Nomine "For All the Saints" - a definite top ten on the "favourite hymns to play and sing" list. The service did go a bit overtime, however, not to worry - if there wasn't this audition scheduled at the church, or if I didn't have my 2PM rehearsal, it could have gone all day for all I cared. I'll get back to this audition later.
As I arrived at my "not looking forward to this" rehearsal - the accompanist, who is also the organist and choirmaster of the Anglican Cathedral asked if I could sing Evensong - as he was short of tenors. I didn't hesitate much, and said I would. I had already paid for parking directly outside the cathedral for the day due to the afternoon rehearsal, and besides, I love Evensong. Perhaps there'd be another opportunity to sing Sine Nomine.
The rehearsal was also not a complete waste of time. It is starting to come together a bit, and there are at least two Beatles' arrangements we learned today, that I probably wouldn't be upset to sing again - so that was a bit of a relief.
From Rehearsal - to Evensong rehearsal at 5:30 pm, no time for dinner, to evensong itself at 7:00 PM, still no dinner. Never mind though - great anthems - great canticles - and yes, the final hymn: Sine Nomine. I sat in the congregation during the postlude, a wickedly atonal voluntary by Langlais - for which the congregation didn't move for a good three minutes afterwards - I'm not sure they new if, when or, in some cases perhaps, why to applaud, so they didn't. I figured they were awe struck ... or perhaps ... just "struck". My mind went through the events of the day - from getting up and not looking forward to the middle part of the day - to sitting in the Cathedral at 8 PM with no food in my stomach for quite some time, as content as I could very well be.
My thoughts shifted back to the audition that happened at my church in the afternoon. The auditionee, a young, barely twenty, soprano was auditioning with a few of the slower arias from Handel's Messiah "He shall feed his flock" being one of them, "How beautiful are the feet" the other. They started 30 minutes late, due to the length of the service (a parish photograph near the start of the service put us overtime - but what a lovely gift to our retiring Bishop it will be!) - the accompanist was understanding of the situation at first. Until the audition turned into a coaching session by the "auditioner" (excuse me for making up words). Visibly, the accompanist became extremely agitated by the fact that her time was being "wasted" at a session for which she thought she would be only two minutes. The session ended up being over twenty minutes long. Every passing minute she became more visibly agitated. Adding to the fire was when the "auditioner"acutally began suggesting ways for which the associate professor of music could improve her accompanying. She finally got up and left in a huff, so I took her place. I'm not sure if she really had to "be" somewhere, however I suppose she felt as she was only being paid for the audition, that it was in her right to leave - even though the young girl was getting what turned out to be a free lesson from a very reputable clinician. Perhaps she was in her right.
Back to the pew at the Cathedral - the final chords (or discords) of the Langlais filling the nave - I couldn't help to think that I had just donated three extra hours of my day - just for the thought that I might get to sing Sine Nomine one more time. And yet for one person - twenty minutes of their time was twenty minutes too many.
When I arrived home after dinner, which we had with the choir of the cathedral at a small Polish bistro, popular to local musicians in the city, it was nearly 10 PM. The cats were happy to see me, in other words - they were hungry beyond reason - the bottle of Shiraz will have to wait another day.
I do have time to sing two more verses before bed though:
"The golden evening brightens in the west;
Soon, soon to faithful warriors comes their rest;
Sweet is the calm of paradise the blessed.
Alleluia, Alleluia!
But lo! there breaks a yet more glorious day;
The saints triumphant rise in bright array;
The King of glory passes on His way.
Alleluia, Alleluia!"
It didn't get off to a great start. I didn't sleep all that well, mainly due to having a very large empty bed, with my wife away at a conference, and also due to a late arriving house guest who was caught in the snow storm south of the city. Yes - snow. Winter seems to be here. Then there was the daunting thought that after church I would have to stick around for a bit while someone ran an audition in the church, and then I had to head off to rehearse music with the city's professional choir for which the music, as stated earlier, was not something I was looking forward too. Once I had to leave the house at 8:30 am, I would not plan to return until close to dinner time.
After a stop through Tim Horton's on the way to church for the ubiquitous "Medium, double cream and a toasted bagel with cream cheese", I planned my day through the rest of the short drive to Church. I COULD get through the afternoon rehearsal, smiling the whole time, for there was a full bottle of Shiraz on the wine rack with my name on it. I wonder if I could train the cats to open it around 4:30 so that it had 45 minutes to breathe before I got home?
Church was great as predicted, R. Vaughan Williams in at least three separate occasions, including Sine Nomine "For All the Saints" - a definite top ten on the "favourite hymns to play and sing" list. The service did go a bit overtime, however, not to worry - if there wasn't this audition scheduled at the church, or if I didn't have my 2PM rehearsal, it could have gone all day for all I cared. I'll get back to this audition later.
As I arrived at my "not looking forward to this" rehearsal - the accompanist, who is also the organist and choirmaster of the Anglican Cathedral asked if I could sing Evensong - as he was short of tenors. I didn't hesitate much, and said I would. I had already paid for parking directly outside the cathedral for the day due to the afternoon rehearsal, and besides, I love Evensong. Perhaps there'd be another opportunity to sing Sine Nomine.
The rehearsal was also not a complete waste of time. It is starting to come together a bit, and there are at least two Beatles' arrangements we learned today, that I probably wouldn't be upset to sing again - so that was a bit of a relief.
From Rehearsal - to Evensong rehearsal at 5:30 pm, no time for dinner, to evensong itself at 7:00 PM, still no dinner. Never mind though - great anthems - great canticles - and yes, the final hymn: Sine Nomine. I sat in the congregation during the postlude, a wickedly atonal voluntary by Langlais - for which the congregation didn't move for a good three minutes afterwards - I'm not sure they new if, when or, in some cases perhaps, why to applaud, so they didn't. I figured they were awe struck ... or perhaps ... just "struck". My mind went through the events of the day - from getting up and not looking forward to the middle part of the day - to sitting in the Cathedral at 8 PM with no food in my stomach for quite some time, as content as I could very well be.
My thoughts shifted back to the audition that happened at my church in the afternoon. The auditionee, a young, barely twenty, soprano was auditioning with a few of the slower arias from Handel's Messiah "He shall feed his flock" being one of them, "How beautiful are the feet" the other. They started 30 minutes late, due to the length of the service (a parish photograph near the start of the service put us overtime - but what a lovely gift to our retiring Bishop it will be!) - the accompanist was understanding of the situation at first. Until the audition turned into a coaching session by the "auditioner" (excuse me for making up words). Visibly, the accompanist became extremely agitated by the fact that her time was being "wasted" at a session for which she thought she would be only two minutes. The session ended up being over twenty minutes long. Every passing minute she became more visibly agitated. Adding to the fire was when the "auditioner"acutally began suggesting ways for which the associate professor of music could improve her accompanying. She finally got up and left in a huff, so I took her place. I'm not sure if she really had to "be" somewhere, however I suppose she felt as she was only being paid for the audition, that it was in her right to leave - even though the young girl was getting what turned out to be a free lesson from a very reputable clinician. Perhaps she was in her right.
Back to the pew at the Cathedral - the final chords (or discords) of the Langlais filling the nave - I couldn't help to think that I had just donated three extra hours of my day - just for the thought that I might get to sing Sine Nomine one more time. And yet for one person - twenty minutes of their time was twenty minutes too many.
When I arrived home after dinner, which we had with the choir of the cathedral at a small Polish bistro, popular to local musicians in the city, it was nearly 10 PM. The cats were happy to see me, in other words - they were hungry beyond reason - the bottle of Shiraz will have to wait another day.
I do have time to sing two more verses before bed though:
"The golden evening brightens in the west;
Soon, soon to faithful warriors comes their rest;
Sweet is the calm of paradise the blessed.
Alleluia, Alleluia!
But lo! there breaks a yet more glorious day;
The saints triumphant rise in bright array;
The King of glory passes on His way.
Alleluia, Alleluia!"
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