Ok, so I have lagged in my posting and it seems that interest may have also (understandably) lagged. So, I have 3 more posts in mind that will share other facets of my life here and then I will close up this shop. Today's topic: singing.
It took me a while to even think about joining a singing group. Leaving Musica Sacra was heart wrenchingly difficult and it almost felt like betrayal to join a new group. I realize this is somewhat irrational, but it was a way to cope with the loss of that amazing community.
It took me a while to even think about joining a singing group. Leaving Musica Sacra was heart wrenchingly difficult and it almost felt like betrayal to join a new group. I realize this is somewhat irrational, but it was a way to cope with the loss of that amazing community.
However, my need to sing with other people soon overtook my other issues and I auditioned for a group called the International Orange Chorale. Still haven't gotten to the bottom of the name but it is a group of young singers (ages 24-35) who perform a variety of music, including work composed by singers in the group! Their mission is also to perform for free. This group definitely has a different vibe than any other I've been in (Does using the word vibe, actually qualify me as someone who lives out here?) but I do like it. It's younger, and doesn't have the publicity materials or fundraising capability of many Boston groups. But the members are certainly talented and it gets me singing.
We rehearse in San Francisco in the fifth floor of the opera house and enter in the back stage door.
It's amazing to hear and see the opera on the backstage screens as we come in. Last week there was a group of chorus members in costume for Mozart's The Magic Flute hanging around. And when we were asked to move out of our rehearsal space due to a miscommunication we ended up in a ballet studio. Crazy.
Our first concert was to perform a song composed by a former member, Jason Bush. He held a concert of work he composed at a Presbyterian church in San Francisco. These are performers of another piece warming up.
We have also performed in our director's master's thesis concert. Our winter concert is motets by Brahms, Poulenc, Durufle, Holst, and Bach and we will perform 11/30 and 12/2 in San Francisco. Anyone and everyone is welcome! I will be sending out my thoughts to Musica Sacra on 12/1 as they perform their winter concert.
So, beginning new routines...in some ways it feels good to try new things and begin to put down roots. And sometimes the routines trigger memories of all that I miss in Boston. It's a strange time as I try things out while attempting not to make comparisons. But little bits of acceptance trickle in when I'm not looking.
love to all.
love to all.
