I’m still struggling to process the fact that Cam passed away from cancer last month. He was my go-to photographer for more than a decade.
Continue ReadingCategory: Musings
May 25 is my birthday day!
Happy Birthday to MEEEEEEE!
Top 10 Favorite Things This Month
10. My Sodastream soda maker (I don’t enjoy water that’s not carbonated).
9. The USB thumb drive I can play in my car, onto which I downloaded such treasures as “Yo Gabba Gabba,” “Carmina Burana,” my friend Dave Tull’s album “I Just Wanna Get Paid,” old concerts I conducted with LACHSA and SGVCC, stuff by Lambert, Hendricks and Ross, Aretha Franklin, Kurt Elling, and much, much more.
8. Vincent’s meatloaf
7. The book “Staying Composed” by my friend and fellow composer Dale Trumbore
6. The organ at Neighborhood Church
5. The mango and sweet rice dessert at the Harvard-Westlake cafeteria
4. Dorico notation software
3. Trader Joe’s soup dumplings
2. The djembe party I had with my family on Mother’s Day
1. The “Burnt Offering” at Mezcalero on Broadway in DTLA
Singing
Earlier this month, I sang “Come Together” by Lennon and McCartney as an anthem for the Sunday morning service at Neighborhood UU Church. The whole service, led by our amazing senior high youth, was really cool! If you’re curious, check it out here: https://youtu.be/s7rNJDoQnLY. “Come Together” starts around 24:40.
Teaching
The Harvard-Westlake Jazz Singers had a blast and sounded great at their year-end recording session at EastWest Studios in Hollywood this month. The experience that students gain from these sessions is incredibly valuable to their music education. Recordings made from these sessions are used for archival purposes and help the group prepare for future performances, festivals, and competitions.
Composition
It’s here! My first organ piece “Flourish on Adeste Fideles” is available in an awesome new volume of organ works by contemporary women composers, edited by the incomparable organist Ann Lapwood and published by Stainer and Bell. Love and thanks to my friend and fellow composer Dr. Melissa Dunphy, who recommended me for this project. Melissa’s piece “Rorate Caeli” is also featured in this volume.
Organists: buy a copy of this cool new collection and check out our stuff!
For Fun
I had so much fun attending the Westminster Concert Bell Choir tour performance called “All You Need is Love” at Pasadena Presbyterian Church last Friday night. They were amazing! I got to sit with several of my fellow ringers from Neighborhood Church. And they even let me test out the bells after the show!
Ollie’s Corner
Heeeeeeeere’s Ollie!
Liminal space
Zanaida Robles posts content from her September newsletter
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An Unlikely Spiritual Practice
Almost everyday, for better or for worse, I log on to Facebook, sometimes multiple times per day. If I can stay away from negativity, I’m sometimes able to connect and catch up with friends and colleagues in fun and creative ways through this social media outlet.
Every morning, Facebook lets me know how many friends are celebrating birthdays on that day. I know from experience that there’s something really sweet about receiving birthday greeting from all your “friends” on Facebook. Sometimes, there are like 20 friends who all have birthdays on the same day. That’s a lot of “Happy Birthday!’s” to write, which could take up quite a bit of time.
One day this month, it occurred to me that the daily Facebook birthday list was a tool I could use to send positive vibes, even prayers to all my “friends” through out the year. It doesn’t matter that I don’t necessarily “know” every single person. I have an opportunity to send light and love to all these people; to meditate on and acknowledge the worth, dignity, and belovedness of about 3,000 specific individuals in my circle of facebook friends over the course of a year just by wishing them a “happy birthday.”
When I look at it like that, wishing a happy birthday to all these folks seems like the least I could do to actively send positive energy into the world on a daily basis, perhaps thereby making it a better place. Actually, this “happy birthday” practice is more for ME than it is for them.
Composition
Since this time last year, more 100 schools, churches, community choirs, professional ensembles, and individuals from around the world have purchased or commissioned my music. I never EVER imagined I could make it this far as a composer.
Thank you to everyone who who has shown an interest in my work; everyone who encouraged me and believed in me; my family, especially my incredible mom for being the very best assistant on the earth; and Lauri D Goldenhersh for helping me share my news and my music with the world.
Singing
Earlier this month, I was elated for my first live vocal recording session since the pandemic began. I had forgotten how much I love session singing. I loved seeing friends and meeting new singers. Plus, I had forgotten how pretty-darn-good I am at this kind of high-pressure gig. I’m grateful to live in a city where this work is possible. Here’s hoping for more!
Community News
As the chair of Tonality’s Board of Directors, I am pleased to announce that our new album America Will Be has just been released. America Will Be speaks to issues that have been quieted in our attempt to portray the United States as a beacon of opportunity. In styles as diverse as the topics, this music brings voice to the most vulnerable – to lift them up, to reflect on the reality of our society, and to sing about peace and unity. Through our song, we look toward a more perfect union for ourselves and future generations.
Congratulations, Tonality! Check it out here
Ready to Join the Choir and Sing With Me?
Neighborhood Chorus at Neighborhood Church in Pasadena is now accepting singers on all voice parts. The excitement is building as we turn our attention toward returning to our beloved sanctuary for live worship in September. Neighborhood Chorus is finally coming back in-person with regular Thursday night rehearsals in the sanctuary beginning on September 2 from 7:15pm-9pm.
Conducted by Dr. Zanaida Robles, Neighborhood Chorus is a non-auditioned chorus open to all adults. Our repertoire consists of a variety of classical and non-classical styles, sung in various languages. No training is necessary, however classical choral experience and/or basic sight reading skills are encouraged. Our new Sunday worship schedule calls for the Neighborhood Chorus to sing 3 Sundays per month during the 2nd service only. COVID vaccination is required of all singers, and we will wear masks for the duration of all rehearsals and services.
Please fill out this short form to let me know you plan to sing with us this year. I can’t wait to make music with you again!
For Fun
I actually went out to a thing!
Earlier this month, I fed my soul with some live jazz, compliments of the John Tegmeyer Quartet. Can’t wait to see these cats play again!
And finally (below), here’s Ollivander, the magical kitten, helping me multi-task ❤❤❤
Metamorphosis
In this house, for which I am so grateful,
Sometimes I feel like we’re in a cocoon.
I don’t feel trapped.
I think I see us changing, growing, blooming, awakening.
I hope.
There are many painful and awkward days.
There is uncertainty and risk and failure ahead.
Often, change feels like loss.
And there is deep grief and pain.
But something is holy here,
Here in this holy cocoon from which we cannot yet emerge;
Where we are stuck and in pain.
Are we stuck and in pain because our legs have fallen off?
Is that what has changed?
Is that why we can’t move?
Will we never walk again?
We had better be growing wings, then.
COMPOSITION
Yay! I finished movements 2 and 3 of my Nocturnes for Piano. Now to crunch out the 1st movement. I’ve got a good start on it, but I’m struggling with the development.
CONDUCTING
I shot a video of my conducting practice the other day. Ugh. So much work to do. I’m working on preparing the Duruflé “Sanctus,” which I’ll need to record for real soon for an upcoming virtual choir project.
SINGING
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| I had fun using GarageBand to create a multitrack recording of my setting of “Veni Sancte Spiritus” today. Singing alto, tenor, and bass is fun for this reluctant soprano. |
FOR FUN
I’m playing “Zelda: Breath of the Wild” on Nintendo Switch. It is a masterpiece of a video game! The landscapes are vast and beautiful, the animation is exceptional, and the story is classic. Best of all, the music is wonderful! It’s like they use chamber music textures to give the game a more intimate feel. It’s a great way to escape from the troubles of this world for a little while.
