Hi there. Yes I disappeared, once again, and I'm really sorry. I was in a play and rehearsals got really crazy and then we opened and have been running so my life's been kinda hectic.
So... While I was off NOT blogging (sorry again.) I did a concert with my choir and our city's symphony. We had a great christmas lineup of carols, gospel pieces and a baroque song or two. We had 3 performances over the course of two days and the frist two had gone fabulously well. The third was not in the same location as the first three as we had been unable to book the theater for three shows during the busy Christmas season. Instead it was at a church outside of the city.
We arrived early and hung out in a Youth Center next to the church. We had been there about thirty minutes before being led to the church. My choir (being the youngest of the participants) was charged with standing in the rain and taking the other participants coats as they filed into the building. It was absolutely pouring and thunder and lightening.
When all the coats had been taken and we were all inside disaster struck. The power went out, and a few seconds later sparse emergency lights came on. Of course spirits were low and anxiety high as we tried to figure out if we'd be able to perform or not. The general feeling was that we wouldn't be.
After fifteen minutes we were led onstage in the dark. We sat there, staring at a full audience, waiting. Suddenly a french horn played out four notes and before we knew it the entire orchestra and choir had chimed into 'Silent Night' entirely for memory and in the dark. People took out their cell phones and candles were light. Everybody was hugging and the music seemed to sound much purer and more raw than any other song before. When it ended we continued on to sing 'Angels We Have Heard on High' , 'O Little Town of Bethlehem', 'Joy To The World' and 'O Holy Night'. I had major chills and I swear I felt God's presence. Right in that very room. The symphony director then got up and said that we were going to perform the one piece of our program that we had all memorized 'Go Tell It On The Mountain'. It's a Rock/Gospel song and it was absolutely amazing! We danced and sang our hearts out lighted only by cell phones and candles.
When the song was over the conductor thanked the audience and they began to file out. The orchestra started packing up and suddenly two clear, bell-like voices started singing 'Hallelujiah, Hallelujiah, Hallelujiah, Hallelujiah, Hallelujiah". Before you knew it the entire chorus, comprised of over 200 voices, was singing the Hallelujiah chorus from 'Handels Messiah'. The audience stopped in their tracks and began singing along. When the song ended there was eery silence and then the most thunderous applause I've ever heard.
It was honestly the best performing experience of my life. I felt so complete, so raw, emotional, and pure. Most of all I felt happy. Happy to be who I was, where I was and happy to be able to share such a special experience with the people I love. Merry Christmas!
Wednesday, 14 December 2011
Thursday, 27 October 2011
Yes I am Still Alive
Hello blogosphere. How have you been? It seems I fell of the face of the earth for a while but don't you fret, I'm back! So not much has really gone on in my life until quite recently which prompted me to return to my poor and isolated blog.
The other day I was in a Mac's Milk just minding my own business and this guy came up to me. He tapped me on the shoulder and when I turned around he told me plainly that I wouldn't survive the zombie apocalypse. Now most people would be offended by this statement but I was too amazed to be upset.
I mean what kind of guy does something like that? If you ask me, the awesome kind. Was I frightened by the occurance? A bit. Was I offended? Not in the slightest. It takes a lot of courage and creativity to warn someone of their impending zombie doom.
Although I would've loved it even more if he had to me I would survive, I still found his remark most entertaining and brilliant. So if you're reading this; Thank you zombie apocalypse warning guy. I appreciate your service to this country and your mission to warn all citizens of their fate.
The other day I was in a Mac's Milk just minding my own business and this guy came up to me. He tapped me on the shoulder and when I turned around he told me plainly that I wouldn't survive the zombie apocalypse. Now most people would be offended by this statement but I was too amazed to be upset.
I mean what kind of guy does something like that? If you ask me, the awesome kind. Was I frightened by the occurance? A bit. Was I offended? Not in the slightest. It takes a lot of courage and creativity to warn someone of their impending zombie doom.
Although I would've loved it even more if he had to me I would survive, I still found his remark most entertaining and brilliant. So if you're reading this; Thank you zombie apocalypse warning guy. I appreciate your service to this country and your mission to warn all citizens of their fate.
Wednesday, 21 September 2011
Hilarities and Arpeggios
Every Wednesday night I sing in the city Youth Choir. We practise for two hours and we sing with the symphony, CBC radio, at churches, synagogs, memorial services and in holiday shows. My choir is like my family. I've known many of them for years and we love each other like crazy. The behaviour at rehersal isn't really as strange as it seems. I mean what do you expect when you take a bunch of teenagers, put them in a room where they feel completely comfortable and tell them to express themselves? Obviously hilarity ensues.
Since I just came home from rehersal and choir is fresh in my mind I thought I'd tell you guys a few of our legendary stories. Okay here goes, but I must warn you that the following is not for the faint of heart... DUH DUH DUH DUH! Just kidding, I hope...
First story; It was our Christmas concert and we had just finished a wonderful round of 'We Wish You a Merry Christmas' and were supposed to be filing down the aisle and to our seats in a calm and orderly fashion as our director said a few final words of thanks. I had on the most amazing brown leather boots with five inch heels and I was feeling particularly beautiful that night. I stepped down from the top step of the church stage/stairs and felt a slight tug. Thinking nothing I continued my descent when suddenly I lost all control of my body. My legs seemed to have a mind of their own as they ran down the middle aisle of the church trying desperatly not the buckle and let me fall. I tripped and sprawled down the aisle arms flailling, legs running and screaming just a little bit. I have to say it was not my most graceful moment. The worst part is that every time we have a concert our director tells everybody not to wear heels that are too high or they might trip and then stares at me for a good ten seconds. Good times.
This brings me to my second story. One of our directors and conductors took a year off from the choir and went back to school to pursue conducting at a higher level. Now let me describe this guy. He's a big tall guy with a deep voice who used to say things like "That note makes me want to eat babies." Of course he's totally awesome and we missed him like crazy the year he was gone. What we didn't expect was how he returned. He's still a big tall, deep voiced, totally awesome guy but now he's very zen. He says things like "I don't want to cut you off, that sounds too violent" and "Don't try, do or do not." I made the mistake of thinking out loud when I remarked that he was a hippie now. If you know him at all you know that a hippie is the EXACT opposite of who he is. And yet every time he says something like "We'll just relax and let the note come to us" I can;t help picturing him in a flowery top and headband singing the Beatles in a meadow.
Now there are millions more where these stories come from but for the purpose of time (and because I have civics homework) I'll just list a few funny things that have been said or done in choir.
-Our director told us to envision sqeezing a dime between our butt cheeks in order to hit high notes.
-One of my friends advised the choir to think of 'strawberries and anime characters frolicking in snow' to get in the right mood for a song.
-One of my friends and I consistantly break out in a square dance.
-I've been told that choir could only be improved by tacos.
-An adjudicator (judge) told us the true meaning of 'fa la la la la'. (If you don't what it is google it. You will never sing 'Deck The Halls' the same way.)
There's tons more that I can't think of at the moment but I think I've named enough that you get the gist of what goes on in Wednesday night rehersals. We are insane and to outsiders we may appear to need psychological treatment but we love and care for each other and most of all we love music. And that, my friends, is what brings us together.
<3
Since I just came home from rehersal and choir is fresh in my mind I thought I'd tell you guys a few of our legendary stories. Okay here goes, but I must warn you that the following is not for the faint of heart... DUH DUH DUH DUH! Just kidding, I hope...
First story; It was our Christmas concert and we had just finished a wonderful round of 'We Wish You a Merry Christmas' and were supposed to be filing down the aisle and to our seats in a calm and orderly fashion as our director said a few final words of thanks. I had on the most amazing brown leather boots with five inch heels and I was feeling particularly beautiful that night. I stepped down from the top step of the church stage/stairs and felt a slight tug. Thinking nothing I continued my descent when suddenly I lost all control of my body. My legs seemed to have a mind of their own as they ran down the middle aisle of the church trying desperatly not the buckle and let me fall. I tripped and sprawled down the aisle arms flailling, legs running and screaming just a little bit. I have to say it was not my most graceful moment. The worst part is that every time we have a concert our director tells everybody not to wear heels that are too high or they might trip and then stares at me for a good ten seconds. Good times.
This brings me to my second story. One of our directors and conductors took a year off from the choir and went back to school to pursue conducting at a higher level. Now let me describe this guy. He's a big tall guy with a deep voice who used to say things like "That note makes me want to eat babies." Of course he's totally awesome and we missed him like crazy the year he was gone. What we didn't expect was how he returned. He's still a big tall, deep voiced, totally awesome guy but now he's very zen. He says things like "I don't want to cut you off, that sounds too violent" and "Don't try, do or do not." I made the mistake of thinking out loud when I remarked that he was a hippie now. If you know him at all you know that a hippie is the EXACT opposite of who he is. And yet every time he says something like "We'll just relax and let the note come to us" I can;t help picturing him in a flowery top and headband singing the Beatles in a meadow.
Now there are millions more where these stories come from but for the purpose of time (and because I have civics homework) I'll just list a few funny things that have been said or done in choir.
-Our director told us to envision sqeezing a dime between our butt cheeks in order to hit high notes.
-One of my friends advised the choir to think of 'strawberries and anime characters frolicking in snow' to get in the right mood for a song.
-One of my friends and I consistantly break out in a square dance.
-I've been told that choir could only be improved by tacos.
-An adjudicator (judge) told us the true meaning of 'fa la la la la'. (If you don't what it is google it. You will never sing 'Deck The Halls' the same way.)
There's tons more that I can't think of at the moment but I think I've named enough that you get the gist of what goes on in Wednesday night rehersals. We are insane and to outsiders we may appear to need psychological treatment but we love and care for each other and most of all we love music. And that, my friends, is what brings us together.
<3
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