Rejoice!

Our weekends are generally filled with music but this weekend, even more so. It started with a chant workshop with Floriani Saturday morning at St. Clare of Assisi. That evening we sang with them at Mass. Every time we have a workshop or coaching session, I am reminded again and again of the basics of good singing--breathing, giving shape to a phrase, carrying over the long notes. I learned a couple of new things: to sing high notes softly and 32nd notes, so prevalent in Indian music (see an explanation of the most common flourishes here: How to sing Gamakas? | VoxGuru ft. Pratibha Sarathy). Floriani gave a free concert on Sunday evening, which we had to miss because we were singing Palestrina's Missa Brevis for Laetare Sunday. Oh, how beautiful to see so many altar boys processing in... Our pastor reminded us to persevere in our Lenten devotions, to be aware of the joy of the Lord. Lent is almost over; it is preparation for resurrection, for freedom, for joy. Rejoice! 

It is extra-special to sing with Michael and Dagny! And the fun continues. Local friends, we are having our barbershop dress rehearsal 7:30 pm at Franke's at Seaside (1500 Franke Dr. in Mt. Pleasant) as we prepare for regional contest this coming weekend in Florida. We also have two quartets competing: Encore and Put a Ring On It. I can't wait to hear their contest sets. We're so stoked, we're singing all the time...while doing housework, driving, in parking lots :)  

Pick-Up Notes by Jane Lebak

Jane Lebak gave a fantastic talk on character development at the Online Catholic Writing Conference, so of course I had to check out her books. I picked up Pick-Up Notes because it's about a string quartet and I love stories set in a musical milieu. The narrator is a violist and the butt of many jokes, including self-deprecating ones. But it's the second violinist who steals the show--what a great character! And not just because she's an Indian blue-haired, vegetarian, Catholic convert, but because she can improvise on the spot and that's what takes the quartet to a whole new level. The cellist is a stutterer and boy, as a life-long stutterer, did I feel the words stuck in his throat (I speak more fluently now, but stress and nerves can trigger horrible stuttering). The first violinist is the alpha male--rich, spoiled, but talented, generous, and driven. Ms. Lebak has done meticulous research on both quartets and stuttering (I thought it strange the violist was analyzing the celllist's speech--but it's educational for those who don't know anything about it so I'll give it a pass). There's also family drama and romance.

Music lovers, I encourage you to pick up this book for its excellent storytelling. It is difficult to write about music, because as Victor Hugo said, "Music expresses that which cannot be said and on which it is impossible to be silent." 

Lent

With a storm coming through, I worried that Ash Wed services might be canceled but by late afternoon, it was sunny. We celebrated with a Solemn High Mass. I received my ashes, marking me as a sinner, yet reminding me that I have a Savior. I'm happy to have Lenten Healing--it begins with tackling the sin of sloth. The short daily reflections are a perfection companion to the daily Mass readings. Grateful for this time to walk more closely with my dear Lord Jesus. I sing: A Prayer Of St Richard Of Chichester