Settled. Also, a retreat report.
In Brooklyn in ordover's basement. I'm in one piece physically but, frankly, I'm numb. Can't say more about it. It's not in me and I have no words for it. I just want to express my enormous gratitude to snarke and ironymaiden for making the trip possible. I love you both.
It has been suggested to me that I should post about chorus retreat, so I'll do that now. We got in Friday evening after dinner, a full car, after a lovely trip on the ferry to Bremerton. That was the last of the good weather we'd see all weekend. Still, between rehearsals, these were some of the highlights:
Saturday afternoon, a group of us hiked the trail behind the retreat center up to a cemetary that's been on the hillside since at least the Civil War. The grave markers are all different shapes and sizes: obelisks, flat slabs, plaques. One tombstone was set up next to a tree which has since grown around the stone and partially encased it. Other stones had beautiful botanical carvings on them that have since filled in with almost luminescnt moss. I have some pictures and will post them when I return to Seattle.
At the Saturday night talent show, I read my favorite book from childhood to the group, a little book called "The Fish," which seemed to please everyone.I think snarke stole the show, however, with his lounge-lizard performance of "Rubber Ducky". He wore black tie and tails, and was a huge hit.
Each year the chorus performs one song for all the guests at the retreat center right before breakfast. Employees come in early for their shifts to hear us sing. We performed "Soon in the Morning," a spiritual, a code song full of amazing Biblical imagery. I enjoy singing that piece so much. I'm ooking forward to performing it at the concerts.
On the ferry on the return trip, we gave a more impromptu performance. ironymaiden wanted us to perform a particular tune in the boat, so as we approached Seattle, we got out our music and sang "Let the River Run." We did pretty well, and received a rather unexpcted ovation. Lovely way to end the weekend.
It has been suggested to me that I should post about chorus retreat, so I'll do that now. We got in Friday evening after dinner, a full car, after a lovely trip on the ferry to Bremerton. That was the last of the good weather we'd see all weekend. Still, between rehearsals, these were some of the highlights:
Saturday afternoon, a group of us hiked the trail behind the retreat center up to a cemetary that's been on the hillside since at least the Civil War. The grave markers are all different shapes and sizes: obelisks, flat slabs, plaques. One tombstone was set up next to a tree which has since grown around the stone and partially encased it. Other stones had beautiful botanical carvings on them that have since filled in with almost luminescnt moss. I have some pictures and will post them when I return to Seattle.
At the Saturday night talent show, I read my favorite book from childhood to the group, a little book called "The Fish," which seemed to please everyone.I think snarke stole the show, however, with his lounge-lizard performance of "Rubber Ducky". He wore black tie and tails, and was a huge hit.
Each year the chorus performs one song for all the guests at the retreat center right before breakfast. Employees come in early for their shifts to hear us sing. We performed "Soon in the Morning," a spiritual, a code song full of amazing Biblical imagery. I enjoy singing that piece so much. I'm ooking forward to performing it at the concerts.
On the ferry on the return trip, we gave a more impromptu performance. ironymaiden wanted us to perform a particular tune in the boat, so as we approached Seattle, we got out our music and sang "Let the River Run." We did pretty well, and received a rather unexpcted ovation. Lovely way to end the weekend.