Sunday, July 19, 2009

Peace...

I've just returned from the International Peace Gardens where I had a great time working with vocal jazz students at the International Music Camp. It's on the border between the USA and Canada. I took this picture of the peace towers. They also have part of the twin towers from NYC. It was my second summer conducting vocal jazz with Jennifer Parker. I mention Jen in an earlier blog. She's at McNally-Smith. We had 2 groups - one SSA and one SATB, then combined them for a gospel jazz number. I hope to keep in contact with the awesome singers. It rained a couple days so we really appreciated the sun when it finally did peek out on Saturday. -------When I arrived home, I made it just in time to check out University of Mary's 50th year alumni reunion activities out at Buckstop Junction. Great band - Rift. They play well. All alumni of course. I got a chance to sing in the alumni choir this morning for their concert and the mass. Tom did such a nice job. We all came from a variety of conductors within the school's history, so we didn't have the same trainging. There's a video link up on facebook. Very nice. So, I'm definitely at peace. I'll keep praying for my colleage, Bill Schmidt, and for all the students & their families. Peace to you!

Thursday, July 2, 2009

Independence Day - freedom to relax


Happy Fourth of July!

Summer is here. I can just feel myself relaxing. On Monday - Nick Schneider, Russ Kovash, and Josh Ehli were ordained. The music was very special. A lot of work went into the selection, by Nick and Bill Ruelle. The choir was made up of 38 singers from Saint Anne, Cathedral, and even St. Patrick's in Dickinson. We even had additional guests playing-singing with us. The singers were extremely dedicated and really sang well. Some music was not even available on recording for those who like to learn that way. I think they are starting to trust me and that will make a difference in preparation. Muriel was awesome, jumping back and forth between organ & piano with the blink of an eye. The choir had 3 trumpets, horn, trombone, tuba, and oboe for accompaniment. I really am proud of the singers and instrumentalists. We sang "Praise His Holy Name" as postlude and while the newly ordained were getting pictures taken with the most Reverend Bishop Zipfel and I think I caught him dancing with his crozier while we sang the last page. :-) Everyone really did their best and it paid off. Wow. So, now I'm filing music away - looking for all the lost music - and getting ready for my week at the International Music Camp. I'll be conducting vocal jazz and working with wonderful faculty. It's a real treat. The Singing Saints cleaned diamonds for the McQuade Tournament also this past weekend and we turned in 155 pounds of aluminum. We'll need some decent fundraisers this year if we plan on getting to NYC in June 2010. Some of my singers will be with me at IMC. That's always nice. Well, fly the flag. I'll have my flag out. Sing the national anthem at the top of your lungs. Make someone join you.