I don't know how long I'll have. Jan is likely to want the computer soon. So this may be multi-part.

First I wanted to ask Rapaire about an article in today's Wall St Journal about libraries being much more heavily used these days--mainly due to the sagging economy. " Libraries acrosss the country are reporting jumps of as much as 65% over the past year as newly unemployed people flock to branches to fill out resumes and and scan ads for job listings...."

Do you find this in your area--or is it just places like California, Florida, Ohio and other hard-hit parts of the country?

Also, article says "most" libraries have put in free Wi-Fi and computer service.   Do you think that's accurate?




Then I had a lot to say about the choral season here.   We've just gotten through the December high season--which ended with a Martin Luther King concert last Sunday. Now we've started rehearsals for a two concerts in early spring--each done by half the group. And some of us--including me--will be doing selections from Porgy and Bess with a Chinese orchestra.   Unfortunately they've knocked out a lot of my favorite parts--like "Overflow" and "Robbins is Gone" (after the hurricane).   Those two are really stirring pieces--but won't be done this time.

The December schedule was packed, to say the least.   The whole group did 3 concerts, with a Czech flavor this year--every year an embassy sponsors that series--this year the Czechs.   They sent a cultural attache to teach the audience to sing a verse of Silent Night in Czech. He was a gem--told the audience they were great but had a really strong Prague accent, while he was looking for high academic Czech. (This after about 5 minutes of coaching).

Then I was part of a group which did the music for a play--aimed at kids--which was evidently based on some Czech legends--including the historic St Nicholas--who's accompanied both by an angel and a devil--both teenagers.   They'd written a particularly great part for the devil--and he carried it off with real flair. He was such a debonair devil I suggested to him that he check out the role of Mr. Applegate in Damn Yankees--especially "Those Were the Good Old Days".

Then after the play we arranged for visits from Frosty, Santa and Rudolph--with, of course, appropriate music. "Santa Claus is Coming to Town", it turns out, was written about 1934.   It's so obvious that all those descriptions of toys must have been just a dream for all but a tiny number of kids at that point.


I also had my SATB caroling also--every year since 1992.   It's becoming more and more a neighborhood event--which is great.   We had at least 11 neighborhood people participating, out of about 23 singers. High point was a 4-year old, Boone, who wanted to sing "Away in a Manger".   We didn't have it in the 25-page packet I've put together--which keeps growing--but I and few others know 2 verses so we did it anyway. Then we went to sing at Boone's house for his mother and sister. He again wanted to do the same song--so we did. When we finished he was still singing. What he had done was go to the shelf and take off a tome--War and Peace, Count of Monte Cristo--that size---and he was singing from his upside down open book.

We also sang A La Nanita Nana for some Hispanic neighbors--since we get the idea they may be tired of Feliz Navidad.   I understand even some Anglos are tired of it.

Then went back to our house and sang parodies, seasonal songs etc--and ate and drank.



Anyway, as I said we just had a Martin Luther King concert.   That's always a real kick--especially when all the groups are onstage--about 250-300 of us--rocking with "I Can Tell the World" or a black gospel version of Amazing Grace, etc.   Jan said she wasn't impressed this year--says we need a children's chorus every year. Of course she says my group can't swing to save its life.   I thought it went pretty well--admittedly I'm not exactly an impartial observer.

We even had a processional and a recessional this year for the first time. Processional was "Marching To Zion"--which I really like, so now I've memorized it, to add to the songs I sing while walking to the Metro and back--( it's 4 long songs or 5 short songs to the Metro).


Recessional was "If I Can Help Somebody"--which it turns out was Martin Luther King's favorite gospel song--not "Precious Lord", as many of us thought.

Also in the concert the massed group did a rocking version of "Leaning on the Everlasting Arms". Wow. I think you know the technique, Jerry, from earlier postings. First we clapped on all the offbeats. Then the conductor more or less demonstrated what he wanted each part to do--not remotely close to what was on the page.   It was some really fast rote learning--but it worked like a charm--probably since all the black choruses knew what to do. My group just hung on--though I know some of us felt at sea without a paddle.

So now we are doing those 2 concerts I told you about earlier. But no matter what you do you can't avoid modern music. Jan says it's crazy we always do depressing concerts at the end of winter when people are depressed enough already. This time we'll be doing a Vaughn Williams piece which set some of Walt Whitman's Civil War poetry.   So we're depicting war in music.   This time I have to agree with Jan. We really ought to do some upbeat stuff this time of year.

Well that's enough rambling from me for now. Don't mean to monopolize the conversation.

It's great this thread is back in action.

What's going on musically and otherwise with you all? (I'd be especially interested to hear about Deirdre's group).   But whatever anybody wants to bring up.