On Saturday morning, April 17th, I was the guest soloist at Ebenezer SDA Church, in Philadelphia, PA. I was warmly received, and that kind of reception makes you not think twice about returning. Many people told me how much they enjoyed my selections,which really made me feel good, because I wanted to present songs to them that they could both relate to, and enjoy. An especially humbling moment came when one of the elder congregants walked over to hug me, after I sang, and began to caress my throat with her hand, knowing that from there is where my voice emanates. Every time I think about that moment (even now, as I write) I'm reminded that one's singing voice is a marvelous gift from God.
I sang two songs; "Eternal Life", composed by Olive Dungan, and "Guide My Feet", arranged by Jacqueline Hairston. It was one of my best solo experiences, thanks to my accompanist, Ann Foster. She neither rushed me, dragged me, nor over-powered me on the piano. She seemed to anticipate my every breath and phrasing - without us having had the luxury of a rehearsal. She made it so easy for me to, well, just sing. Ms. Foster was magnificent.
This past weekend, I sang Aaron Copland's, In the Beginning, with my church chamber choir. This is an extremely (some consider impossible) work to perform. I really had to work hard, away from rehearsals, on the soprano lines. The entire work is sung a capella, is full of dissonances, and no one section gets much of any help from another section. There were times when we all wondered if it would come together, but it did. It is absolutely gorgeous music, and the audiences (we gave two performances) just loved it - including the children who were in attendance. It's a work that I'm now glad to say I've performed.
I sang two songs; "Eternal Life", composed by Olive Dungan, and "Guide My Feet", arranged by Jacqueline Hairston. It was one of my best solo experiences, thanks to my accompanist, Ann Foster. She neither rushed me, dragged me, nor over-powered me on the piano. She seemed to anticipate my every breath and phrasing - without us having had the luxury of a rehearsal. She made it so easy for me to, well, just sing. Ms. Foster was magnificent.
This past weekend, I sang Aaron Copland's, In the Beginning, with my church chamber choir. This is an extremely (some consider impossible) work to perform. I really had to work hard, away from rehearsals, on the soprano lines. The entire work is sung a capella, is full of dissonances, and no one section gets much of any help from another section. There were times when we all wondered if it would come together, but it did. It is absolutely gorgeous music, and the audiences (we gave two performances) just loved it - including the children who were in attendance. It's a work that I'm now glad to say I've performed.
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