When I was five years old, I had my first public singing performance. It was a holiday pageant for children and I was Head Angel.
I know the details are a bit fuzzy, but I assure you this is me. I still have the wings and the halo, in fact. My mother made them.
As circular as life can be, it seems things may have come ’round. This evening I played the role of The Angel in a performance of a Calvin Hampton arrangement of We Three Kings. His title of choice is The Wisemen Cometh and it is a really lovely 20th-Century adaptation and harmonization of the story and melody. See the three kings in the lower right-hand corner of the photo up there? Well, this time around I got to stand nearer the kings. Like, right next to them. And, they sang better, too.
What’s even better is that I … Read more »
Well, despite the fact that it had been snowing for about 20 consecutive hours, this morning’s rehearsal at Old South Church still took place. The MBTA bus service was even running on time! After a trudge through the snow and a rather rough warm-up, I was pleased to find myself in good voice (all high notes there!) and rehearsal thoroughly enjoyable. I even felt confident in all my bits by the time rehearsal drew to a close and I stepped out into the snow once more.
Despite the fact there will be no organ played this Christmas Eve, the evening will still possess musically dynamic and enjoyable performances. We’ve got a brass quintet, timpani, grand piano, cello and clarinet lined up. Oh, and of course many wonderful soloists. There may be other instruments as well, but not all people could get to the rehearsal due to the recent snowfall.
It’s … Read more »
Dear MBTA,
Yes, indeed, this is my second open letter to you.
I cannot express the shock and dismay that crossed my face when I walked into rehearsal at Boston’s Old South Church this evening. Apparently, sometime Tuesday night, or perhaps early Wednesday morning, a huge crack appeared in the Eastern wall–the Dartmouth-facing wall containing multiple large stained glass windows–of Old South Church. Earlier, I had reported that it was 30 feet in length. Now I know it is much greater than this.
A closer inspection revealed the crack begins at the foundation, works its way up the right side of the stained glass, wends its way around one of the rose windows, and then angles towards the ceiling, making its way across the plaster to the lantern at the base of the cupola. It also branches off into the organ tower and paneling. The crack is deep enough to extend from the exterior … Read more »
Yesterday afternoon featured the fundraising “cabaret” at Boston’s Old South Church with many classic Broadway songs. It seems my concern for and focus on memorizing lyrics paid off: I didn’t forget anything! The performance was very well-attended, seemed to successfully raise money and was appreciated by all. I must admit, though, I didn’t pay attention to the morning’s sermon. (Sorry, Quinn!) I was busy scrawling the lyrics to “I Feel Pretty” in the margins of my bulletin in one last (Hail Mary?) attempt at memorization.
CONNECT