It was a cool, crisp, Autumn afternoon. The golden rays of sunshine lovingly caressed the lake's surface as they disappeared from sight. Birds trilled, then hushed as evening fell.
In the distance, a sound was heard. Tentative and waivering at first, it swelled in chorus as melody tumbled out the doors of the old brick church. Scintillating lines, ebbing and flowing like the tide, wrapped the listener in delight. I was drawn in through the doors to the front of the glowing interior.
A small ensemble concentrated on the pages before them. Mouths opened and closed in unison, creating harmonies close to heavenly. Bathed in sound, I sat, enthralled.
Suddenly, a discordant noise broke my music-enduced trance. There, in front of me, sat a man, unwashed, unshaven, his eyes glazed by the poppy's elicit humor. "Hey," he said. Then again, "Yeah, I like that."
The singers concentration waivered. Notes seemed to fall from the air, broken from the magical spell cast over the audience. Still the man persisted. "Yeah. That's what I like. Yeah. I'm hungry. Want some soup. Yeah."
I glanced around. Had none other noticed this debauching of Heaven's highest art? Had none heard the lines of sweet melody shudder beneath the onslaught?
Fellow listeners looked away, hoping to recapture their own, personal moments of bliss. It was not to be. The man turned around.
"Hey," he said to me. "I like you."
My heroine's heart beat faster in protest to the crime against music the man was perpetrating. Could he not hear the notes fluttering in agony while his bold commentary raved on? Who was this man that he should attack the very thing I love the most and make a mockery of the performers? Someone had to act. But who?
That someone would have to be me, Defender of Choirs Everywhere.
"Psst." I whispered. "You want soup? Let me buy you soup." The man eyed me through a glassy stupor. His loud "Huh?" reverberated off the brick walls like ice snapping off a glacier, crack, crack, crack!
"Yeah, you. You hungry? Come on, I'll buy you some dinner."
The man lurched from his seat in anticipation of a feast. Calmly I lead him down the aisle and into the clear, cool air, taking his racous repartee from that Holy sanctuary, away from the tremulous chords longing to be heard.
As I closed the church door, I felt the song's parting notes grace my exit. The music swelled, the church doors closed, and I knew, in my heart, that medieval choral music was safe for one more day.
Friday, November 21, 2008
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Ateneo Chamber Singers Concert a Success!
San Francisco Choral Artists was priviledged to join the Ateneo Chamber Singers in concert on Saturday.
The Chamber Singers were completing a 3 week tour of the United States, hitting both coasts on tour, singing sometimes 3 concerts a day. They sounded great, though they must have been exhausted!
It was interesting to sit in the audience and hear some of the repertoire SFCA had sung the previous season, like Mark Winges' Ave Maria. The Chamber Singers made many beautiful sounds and we were suitably impressed.
St Mark's Lutheran Church was a beautiful setting for the concert, with a calming cream and blue color scheme and great acoustics.
All in all it was a good start to the SFCA 2008-2009 Season!
The Chamber Singers were completing a 3 week tour of the United States, hitting both coasts on tour, singing sometimes 3 concerts a day. They sounded great, though they must have been exhausted!
It was interesting to sit in the audience and hear some of the repertoire SFCA had sung the previous season, like Mark Winges' Ave Maria. The Chamber Singers made many beautiful sounds and we were suitably impressed.
St Mark's Lutheran Church was a beautiful setting for the concert, with a calming cream and blue color scheme and great acoustics.
All in all it was a good start to the SFCA 2008-2009 Season!
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Scientists Prove that Quilting Addiction is Genetic!
I would hope that most of us can claim to be inspired by our parents. We see their life achievements and hope that we can leave a similar legacy. Sometimes we also see in ourselves characteristics that we have learned from our parents - singing random songs, quoting scraps of once-learned poetry. Of course, we (who are not adopted) also inherit genetic traits.
I inherited an addiction to fabrics from my mother.
Mom, I have only you to blame for my desire to spend endless hours in fabric stores matching colors, patterns, and textures. What will I use them for? Well, eventually, some project must come up that these perfectly coordinated fabrics will be good for. And buy a little extra of the ones that you like, because they will be great for another as of yet unconceived project too.
Although I am not even in the minors for the league that my mother's quilting belongs to, I proudly display my little wall-hangings around the house (but don't look too closely at the stitching or the alignment).
I recently finished this small wall-hanging (I finished it on July 3rd, actually). Don't worry, my fellow Canadians, while displaying my new country's colors (colours) outside, I proudly displayed our own flag inside.
PS Mom, I need some help with the corners on the binding!
I inherited an addiction to fabrics from my mother.
Mom, I have only you to blame for my desire to spend endless hours in fabric stores matching colors, patterns, and textures. What will I use them for? Well, eventually, some project must come up that these perfectly coordinated fabrics will be good for. And buy a little extra of the ones that you like, because they will be great for another as of yet unconceived project too.
Although I am not even in the minors for the league that my mother's quilting belongs to, I proudly display my little wall-hangings around the house (but don't look too closely at the stitching or the alignment).
I recently finished this small wall-hanging (I finished it on July 3rd, actually). Don't worry, my fellow Canadians, while displaying my new country's colors (colours) outside, I proudly displayed our own flag inside.
PS Mom, I need some help with the corners on the binding!
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Overcoming challenges
Well, friends, no one took me up on my fundraising challenge for SFCA, though some other singers did tell me I inspired them to ask their friends for money.
The great news is that, without any motivation by competition, I surpassed my goal of raising $1,000 for San Francisco Choral Artists.
Many thanks to Thirsty Horses Group (www.thirstyhorsesgroup.com) for the generous corporate donation; also a big thank you to Mom & Dad, Kathy, and Harold & Gloria.
For those of you who feel left out because I didn't ask you for a donation, you can still give money to SFCA. Either contact me, or go to www.sfca.org and make a donation through their website.
Don't let choral arts die out! Keep singing alive!
The great news is that, without any motivation by competition, I surpassed my goal of raising $1,000 for San Francisco Choral Artists.
Many thanks to Thirsty Horses Group (www.thirstyhorsesgroup.com) for the generous corporate donation; also a big thank you to Mom & Dad, Kathy, and Harold & Gloria.
For those of you who feel left out because I didn't ask you for a donation, you can still give money to SFCA. Either contact me, or go to www.sfca.org and make a donation through their website.
Don't let choral arts die out! Keep singing alive!
Friday, June 20, 2008
Fundraising Challenge Part Deux
(Please read with a French accent)
Voila! I am well on my way to raising my target fundraising amount.
As of June 20th, I have raised $905. And 'ow about you? You say that there is still time? Well, time is soon to run out, mon ami.
I shall be the winner of the challenge! La Belle Soprano is victorious again!
Voila! I am well on my way to raising my target fundraising amount.
As of June 20th, I have raised $905. And 'ow about you? You say that there is still time? Well, time is soon to run out, mon ami.
I shall be the winner of the challenge! La Belle Soprano is victorious again!
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
C'est la grande challenge!!
(Please read with a French accent)
I challenge you to a duel to the centime! What, you are afraid? Ha ha! And so you should be, mon ami. La Belle Soprano is no mere mortal to be trifled with. Many hopefuls 'ave tried, and many fools 'ave failed.
Should you accept ce challenge, you will 'ave to raise le money pour les chanteurs, San Francisco Choral Artistes. Are you quaking in your little boots yet? Remember who you are talking to.
Yes! The challenge is to raise $1,000 by le 30th of Juin. (Dat is June, for you Anglaises).
Thus far, I 'ave raised $730.00. Ha! Now you should very afraid. No one can beat the fundraising mettle of La Belle Soprano! Moi! Ha ha! What is dat, you say? You accept la challenge! You think you can raise more than moi?
We shall see - draw your foil and lunge!
I challenge you to a duel to the centime! What, you are afraid? Ha ha! And so you should be, mon ami. La Belle Soprano is no mere mortal to be trifled with. Many hopefuls 'ave tried, and many fools 'ave failed.
Should you accept ce challenge, you will 'ave to raise le money pour les chanteurs, San Francisco Choral Artistes. Are you quaking in your little boots yet? Remember who you are talking to.
Yes! The challenge is to raise $1,000 by le 30th of Juin. (Dat is June, for you Anglaises).
Thus far, I 'ave raised $730.00. Ha! Now you should very afraid. No one can beat the fundraising mettle of La Belle Soprano! Moi! Ha ha! What is dat, you say? You accept la challenge! You think you can raise more than moi?
We shall see - draw your foil and lunge!
Thursday, May 22, 2008
News Flash: Pierce Shower Fully Functional
After many long hours, the Pierce Shower has been proclaimed fit for human use.
Two weeks ago, the shower was a shambles. Drywall and plaster hung from the skeleton of the house, exposing beams, pipes, and spiders. A thick layer of fine white dust covered the entire contents of the house.
Now, the shower is gleaming.
Pure white tiles radiate freshness, and a perky glass tile accent ties the new shower in to the existing color scheme. It is a miraculous transformation. Owner Susan Pierce commented: "Well, you know, I never, like, thought it would end. I thought for sure that, like, the inlaws would have to go without showers for two and a half weeks. Not good, you know?"
The inlaws could not be reached for comment.
May 2008
Two weeks ago, the shower was a shambles. Drywall and plaster hung from the skeleton of the house, exposing beams, pipes, and spiders. A thick layer of fine white dust covered the entire contents of the house.
Now, the shower is gleaming.
Pure white tiles radiate freshness, and a perky glass tile accent ties the new shower in to the existing color scheme. It is a miraculous transformation. Owner Susan Pierce commented: "Well, you know, I never, like, thought it would end. I thought for sure that, like, the inlaws would have to go without showers for two and a half weeks. Not good, you know?"
The inlaws could not be reached for comment.
May 2008
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
The Great Bathroom Renovation
What did I do this past weekend? I spent Saturday tearing out drywall from the bathroom, in preparation for new backerboard and some tiles instead of the old vinyl shower surround.
Lots of dust, particles, and even some mold (yuck).
The key is to finish the entire project before my in-laws arrive!
Total project includes:
-tiling shower surround
-installing fan (which involves cutting a hole in the roof!)
-removing the old dormer tropical window and installing a skylight
-installing a shower door
It is interesting to get down to the 'skeleton' of your house. Fortunately no other skeletons were found.
Lots of dust, particles, and even some mold (yuck).
The key is to finish the entire project before my in-laws arrive!
Total project includes:
-tiling shower surround
-installing fan (which involves cutting a hole in the roof!)
-removing the old dormer tropical window and installing a skylight
-installing a shower door
It is interesting to get down to the 'skeleton' of your house. Fortunately no other skeletons were found.
Monday, March 3, 2008
Ah, the life of a star!
An expectant hush settled over the audience as the performers took the stage. Spotlights sparkled off sequined gowns and glowing tuxedos. A few listeners rustled their programs restlessly, others moved to the edge of their seats in anticipation. The room crackled with tension as the conductor waited for silence.
The choir drew a corporate breath.
Music warmed the room, waves of harmony and dissonance rolled over the astonished crowd. Listeners bathed in sound, relaxing in complex chords and stirred by passionate words. Softly at first, the music spread like sweet perfume, passing the first rows of the audience, the second, the third, gradually filling the entire room.
The audience luxuriated in sound.
As the notes rose, fell, then rose again, the listeners became one with the sound, became part of the choir, became part of the music itself. For thirty minutes the music rolled on, evoking passions the audience thought long dead, stirring dusty hearts and dry emotions. Ebbing and flowing, the sounds washed wave over wave through the listening crowd.
The song ended.
The music faded, lingering in dark corners of the auditorium before exiting up through the ceiling. Notes ascended, one by one, until only the memory of the notes was left, and then, not even the memory, but silence. The audience sighed, trying to capture the last few chords as they melted away, sad at the loss, but changed forever by the caressing sounds.
Finally, roused from their somnulence, first one listener shouted 'Bravo!', then another, then another. The silence was filled with applause as the audience jumped to their feet. 'Encore! Bravo!' echoed through the auditorium.
The singers took a bow.
Still the applause continued, the audience expressing their feelings in the only way they knew how. Women fainted, men wept. The applause crescendoed to peak, more shouting, more emotion, more, more, more.
The choir walked off the stage.
San Francisco Choral Artists participated in the Western ACDA conference in Anaheim this past weekend. For more information about the choir I sing in, go to www.sfca.org.
The choir drew a corporate breath.
Music warmed the room, waves of harmony and dissonance rolled over the astonished crowd. Listeners bathed in sound, relaxing in complex chords and stirred by passionate words. Softly at first, the music spread like sweet perfume, passing the first rows of the audience, the second, the third, gradually filling the entire room.
The audience luxuriated in sound.
As the notes rose, fell, then rose again, the listeners became one with the sound, became part of the choir, became part of the music itself. For thirty minutes the music rolled on, evoking passions the audience thought long dead, stirring dusty hearts and dry emotions. Ebbing and flowing, the sounds washed wave over wave through the listening crowd.
The song ended.
The music faded, lingering in dark corners of the auditorium before exiting up through the ceiling. Notes ascended, one by one, until only the memory of the notes was left, and then, not even the memory, but silence. The audience sighed, trying to capture the last few chords as they melted away, sad at the loss, but changed forever by the caressing sounds.
Finally, roused from their somnulence, first one listener shouted 'Bravo!', then another, then another. The silence was filled with applause as the audience jumped to their feet. 'Encore! Bravo!' echoed through the auditorium.
The singers took a bow.
Still the applause continued, the audience expressing their feelings in the only way they knew how. Women fainted, men wept. The applause crescendoed to peak, more shouting, more emotion, more, more, more.
The choir walked off the stage.
San Francisco Choral Artists participated in the Western ACDA conference in Anaheim this past weekend. For more information about the choir I sing in, go to www.sfca.org.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Territorial Band Storms Seattle
The only reason it was sunny all weekend in Seattle is that I didn't pack my sunglasses. Why take sunglasses to Seattle? It rains all the time there anyway. It's just one more thing to worry about losing.
Thursday afternoon we arrived in Seattle, and settled in at Sea-Tac Airport for a nice long wait as other band members arrived. We then were shuttled via exotic chaffeur (ok, it was a bus) to Seattle Temple for a 4 hour practice. I like being the last percussionist to arrive on the scene; it means that all the equipment is already set up.
Practice involved reading through the pieces for the recording the next morning, and touching on a few tricky parts in 'Purcell Variations', a major work based on the hymn tune 'Westminster', which, ironically, is not attributed to Purcell.
Our luxious accomodations for the night were the Holiday Inn, which provided breakfast for us early the next morning. Friday morning was spent recording some items for a Christmas CD and also for the CSB's (no, the CSB, not Chicago but Canadian) 'Windows of the World' compilation. Friday afternoon we had a few hours to eat lunch and relax at a nearby mall (relax at a mall?), then back to Seattle Temple for a well-attended concert, followed by tear-down of the equipment and packing it on to the truck. At the concert I was suprised to see Roy Cornick (Mr. C), a theory teacher from Pine Lake days. How horrible we were in his class! I was suprised he was happy to see me!
On Saturday morning, the sight-seeing venture was dropped in favor of sleep. Off to Puyallup for a Saturday evening concert at the Nazarene Church. Set up of the equipment on the side of the band very close to some treacherous steps. This church featured a Starbucks-style cafe, which many band members commented on. The cafe is open before Sunday morning services, and does a brisk business. Tear down and pack the truck again.
Sunday morning we left the hotel, with bags in hand, and took our aluminum chariot to Tacoma Corps for the morning service. Set up and tear down at this point is science.
Back to the airport Sunday afternoon, and after many attempts by Mike to get on a flight, I boarded by Alaska flight, and he boarded his Southwest flight back to Oakland.
Home, sweet home!
Thursday afternoon we arrived in Seattle, and settled in at Sea-Tac Airport for a nice long wait as other band members arrived. We then were shuttled via exotic chaffeur (ok, it was a bus) to Seattle Temple for a 4 hour practice. I like being the last percussionist to arrive on the scene; it means that all the equipment is already set up.
Practice involved reading through the pieces for the recording the next morning, and touching on a few tricky parts in 'Purcell Variations', a major work based on the hymn tune 'Westminster', which, ironically, is not attributed to Purcell.
Our luxious accomodations for the night were the Holiday Inn, which provided breakfast for us early the next morning. Friday morning was spent recording some items for a Christmas CD and also for the CSB's (no, the CSB, not Chicago but Canadian) 'Windows of the World' compilation. Friday afternoon we had a few hours to eat lunch and relax at a nearby mall (relax at a mall?), then back to Seattle Temple for a well-attended concert, followed by tear-down of the equipment and packing it on to the truck. At the concert I was suprised to see Roy Cornick (Mr. C), a theory teacher from Pine Lake days. How horrible we were in his class! I was suprised he was happy to see me!
On Saturday morning, the sight-seeing venture was dropped in favor of sleep. Off to Puyallup for a Saturday evening concert at the Nazarene Church. Set up of the equipment on the side of the band very close to some treacherous steps. This church featured a Starbucks-style cafe, which many band members commented on. The cafe is open before Sunday morning services, and does a brisk business. Tear down and pack the truck again.
Sunday morning we left the hotel, with bags in hand, and took our aluminum chariot to Tacoma Corps for the morning service. Set up and tear down at this point is science.
Back to the airport Sunday afternoon, and after many attempts by Mike to get on a flight, I boarded by Alaska flight, and he boarded his Southwest flight back to Oakland.
Home, sweet home!
Thursday, January 3, 2008
Christmas 2007
Christmas 2007 was a whirlwind of people, noise and family!
We spent the Christmas holidays with the Fishers in Raleigh, NC. (Laurette Fisher is Mike's sister). With us were Rick and Laurette, and their children Josh, Joe, Micah and Evan, and Belle, their dog; also there were Harold & Gloria Pierce.
I must admit that I live a pretty quiet life. Grommet does bark at people coming in the door, but otherwise, the office is small and uneventful, our house is quiet, and my life is generally peaceful.
Not so at Christmas! Four nephews kept us busy, and there was always something happening!
Christmas Eve was quiet - we enjoyed a nice dinner of seafood Gumbo (a Fisher tradition) with a chocolate fruit fondue for dessert. We played a game of cards with the Pierces and Josh & Joey, then the kids went to bed and the adults wrapped presents. Mike flew in to RDU in the evening - he was schedule to be ahead of Santa, but ended up arriving after midnight. Fortunately, the airport is only 20 minutes away from the Fisher residence.
Christmas morning we were awoken by Joe & Micah at 7:15 (not enough sleep!!!), and the whole family congregated near the fireplace to open stockings. After a healthy breakfast of Toaster Strudels (yes, my low-carb high protein diet did not survive the holidays), we opened the main gifts in a confusion of wrapping paper.
Christmas dinner was served in the early evening - Turkey, pumpkin pie, green bean and corn casserole.
After the Christmas rush was over, we drove up to Washington DC for a few days (Mike had to return to CA for work). A 3 1/2 hour drive turned into a 7 hour drive with traffic and bad weather along the way.
DC is wonderful - the architecture tries to make a statement about the power and wealth of the U.S. On Thursday morning, the family split up, with some going to museums, and some going to Art Galleries. Josh & I walked the Mall, viewing the Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, and various other memorials along the way. We also managed to catch a glimpse of the White House.
We met the family for lunch at the National Art Gallery, and then Rick, Joe, Micah, Josh & I purchased tickets for a double-decker bus tour of DC. It was cold on the open upper deck of the bus!
DC is definitely worth a longer visit.
The rest of the time was spent just hanging out with family: Sunday evening we enjoyed a live performance of 'White Christmas' (with Mike flying back to RDU just in time).
New Year's Eve was spent watching 'National Treasure: Book of Secrets' as the clock ticked down.
What a great way to spend the holidays!
We spent the Christmas holidays with the Fishers in Raleigh, NC. (Laurette Fisher is Mike's sister). With us were Rick and Laurette, and their children Josh, Joe, Micah and Evan, and Belle, their dog; also there were Harold & Gloria Pierce.
I must admit that I live a pretty quiet life. Grommet does bark at people coming in the door, but otherwise, the office is small and uneventful, our house is quiet, and my life is generally peaceful.
Not so at Christmas! Four nephews kept us busy, and there was always something happening!
Christmas Eve was quiet - we enjoyed a nice dinner of seafood Gumbo (a Fisher tradition) with a chocolate fruit fondue for dessert. We played a game of cards with the Pierces and Josh & Joey, then the kids went to bed and the adults wrapped presents. Mike flew in to RDU in the evening - he was schedule to be ahead of Santa, but ended up arriving after midnight. Fortunately, the airport is only 20 minutes away from the Fisher residence.
Christmas morning we were awoken by Joe & Micah at 7:15 (not enough sleep!!!), and the whole family congregated near the fireplace to open stockings. After a healthy breakfast of Toaster Strudels (yes, my low-carb high protein diet did not survive the holidays), we opened the main gifts in a confusion of wrapping paper.
Christmas dinner was served in the early evening - Turkey, pumpkin pie, green bean and corn casserole.
After the Christmas rush was over, we drove up to Washington DC for a few days (Mike had to return to CA for work). A 3 1/2 hour drive turned into a 7 hour drive with traffic and bad weather along the way.
DC is wonderful - the architecture tries to make a statement about the power and wealth of the U.S. On Thursday morning, the family split up, with some going to museums, and some going to Art Galleries. Josh & I walked the Mall, viewing the Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, and various other memorials along the way. We also managed to catch a glimpse of the White House.
We met the family for lunch at the National Art Gallery, and then Rick, Joe, Micah, Josh & I purchased tickets for a double-decker bus tour of DC. It was cold on the open upper deck of the bus!
DC is definitely worth a longer visit.
The rest of the time was spent just hanging out with family: Sunday evening we enjoyed a live performance of 'White Christmas' (with Mike flying back to RDU just in time).
New Year's Eve was spent watching 'National Treasure: Book of Secrets' as the clock ticked down.
What a great way to spend the holidays!
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