This past few days have been quiet, as I'm resting in preparation for several busy weeks of singing. This coming weekend my choir in performing Carmina Burana, which means a week of nightly rehearsals. Two weeks from now, we'll repeat the schedule, singing Mahler's Third Symphony.
Even if you are not musically inclined, Carmina Burana is super-duper famous. It's been used in movies and commercials galore, because it's filled with very powerful, percussive singing. (Here's a version of O Fortuna, the opening movement. Even better, here's an animated, less serious take on that first movement.) The Mahler symphony is more traditional, and only has four minutes of choral singing in the entire concert. I am still rather nervous about it, as we are singing with Cleveland Orchestra, which is considered one of America's finest orchestras. The Cleveland Orchestra has its winter home in Miami, and they've hired our choir to sing. Last week the Director of Choruses attended our rehearsal and we spent two hours fine-tuning our four minutes of song. It was exciting and terrifying and I am so glad that I am not a professional musician.
And when I am stressed, I turn to ice cream. In this regard, I am well prepared. I received an ice-cream maker for a gift recently and have three flavors stockpiled in the freezer: strawberry-limoncello (pictured below), fudge-mint, and frozen yogurt. The ice-cream maker was actually part of our budget plan, because I figured out that it's cheaper to buy whipping cream then the super-duper premium ice cream that I love to eat.
Hurricane Sandy brought us cool weather* and a bit of rain, but its effect was relatively minor.** The cooler weather was welcome on Saturday when we helped out at our congregation's gardening day. The church has five acres, most of which is gardens or wooded areas. I was once again reminded that South Florida is teeming with life (in case the most recent flea infestation hadn't been enough reminder). We hacked down invasive air potato vines and other weeds. Here, Andrew shows off one of the largest plants he took out - a 10-foot tall tree.
*It's 60F degrees right now! I'm wearing two sweaters.
**And my thoughts are with everyone on the East Coast right now.
5 comments:
Carmina Burana and honey ice cream (from the ice cream factory at Tywyn, Mid-Wales) are both favourites in this part of the UK.
how exciting!!! So much work and preparation goes into it. I bet it feels great to get that deep into a piece of music.
The singing gig is very exciting. Working with a major orchestra like that is very big time.
OMG - I seriously must stop reading your blog - it just makes me hungry!! ;)
Sending good vibes for the upcoming choir gig. It's stressful, but it sounds like something that is very fulfilling for you. Wish we could be there to hear you in person.
How fun and exciting is that?! How did it go? I'm sure you and your choir were great!
Post a Comment