I’m excited to get back to making music with my choirs at school and at church this week, but it’s hot out here in SoCal! Don’t be deceived by the pumpkin spice lattes and halloween decor showing up in stores— summer is still with us.
As for me, I kinda like the heat, but I’m praying for a mild fire season this year. Be careful out there.
The Arid Land by Lynn Riggs
There will be willows plunging Their bloodless roots in air And the hard crooked flying Of buzzards circled there.
About the treeless wastes No sand may ever heap With water, nothing will run And nothing creep.
Arid, desolate, defiant Under its iron band Of sky, we yet may love This so sunny land.
Composition
Not gonna lie: I’m a little overwhelmed at the moment, but looking forward to some extra composing time afforded by the upcoming Labor Day holiday… What will you do with yours?
Conducting
As the Director of Music at Neighborhood UU Church Pasadena, I cordially invite you to join our Neighborhood Church Music Ensembles this fall!
Soundcloud Song of the Month
Magnificat
by Samuel Coleridge-Taylor
Memories of the Samuel Coleridge-Taylor Singers from 2022 – what a joy it was to rehearse and perform with this group! Here’s the Coleridge-Taylor Magnificat from that concert.
Listen to Magnificat by Samuel Coleridge-Taylor by Zanaida Stewart Robles on #SoundCloud:
I’m somewhere in between Juneteenth and Independence Day. I feel fiercely American. I feel fiercely Black. Balancing various aspects of my identity is challenging. While I’m finally proud of who I am and where I come from, I am still learning to live authentically and humbly in community with other Americans who are both the same and different from me. In other words, I’m still trying to “do the work.” I inhabit creative spheres where ADEIB and social justice are at the forefront of our consciouness – where we often talk about “doing the work,” which means…well what does it mean??
I asked Perplexity, a conversational search engine, to define “doing the work.” Here’s what it said:
“The phrase “doing the work” is often used in personal development, professional growth, and social justice contexts. It generally refers to the process of putting in effort, time, and energy to achieve a goal, improve oneself, or address important issues…The key aspect of ‘doing the work’ is that it often involves challenging oneself, facing uncomfortable truths, and making consistent efforts over time. It’s about taking active steps towards growth and improvement rather than passively hoping for change. This phrase emphasizes the importance of personal responsibility and commitment in achieving meaningful progress in various aspects of life.”
Welp…there you have it.
Soundcloud Song of the Month
Veni Sancte Spiritus
by Zanaida Stewart Robles
I guess you could call it my best seller! Listen to Veni Sancte Spiritus by on #SoundCloud
My piece “Once I filled My Hand With Mist” in the Out From the Shadows Series with Gentry Publications, edited by Marques L. A. Garrett and James Green, is here!
Are you a singer aged 15+? Take part in an intergenerational summer choir experience that will: ✨ Sharpen your choral skills ✨ Serve your community ✨ Rediscover your love for choral music ✨ Engage spiritually and culturally through music
FEATURING: Musical Selections from “Songs of Ascent” by Shawn Kirchner
Program Fee: $100 (Suggested Donation) Proceeds benefit Neighborhood Church Music Programs
📅 Dates:
Aug 5, 6, 7, & 8: 7:15 – 9:15 PM Piano Rehearsals Aug 10: 10 AM – 12:30 PM Dress Rehearsal Aug 11: 9 AM CALL, 10 AM Church Service 📍 Performance Location: Neighborhood UU Church 301 N. Orange Grove Blvd. Pasadena, CA 91103
Gloria to God in the highest, and peace to all people on earth!
Now the rejoicing! Songs fill the hall. Now the doors open, welcoming all Of those who have waited with hope for this peace And this love and this joy to commence with increase.
Gloria to God in the highest, and peace to all people on earth!
Now for the child inside of us all; The twinkling of lights on trees so tall; For the giving and getting of so many gifts; For dancing and feasting and mending of rifts.
Gloria to God in the highest, and peace to all people on earth!
Now the reunion of fam’lies and friends; Now the forgiveness and making amends. Now is the time when we welcome the light; when we find what was lost, when what’s wrong is made right.
Gloria to God in the highest, and peace to all people on earth!
Now that we know we’re no longer alone; Now that the miracle has been made known; Now that our heaven is made here on earth; Now at long last, as we welcome new birth!
Gloria to God in the highest, and peace to all people on earth!
(This is a carol I wrote for inclusion in the 6th edition of Oxford’s Carols for Choirs, which was published this year. We gave the world premiere performance during the 8pm Christmas Eve service at Neighborhood UU Church, Pasadena)
Christmas Eve Service
Sunday, December 24 @ 8pm Neighborhood UU Church, Pasadena
Celebrating Kwanzaa with a Blast from the Past
I got into the Kwanzaa spirit this year by watching the Neighborhood UU Church virtual Kwanzaa service from 2021 on youtube. My segment on “Decorating for Kwanzaa” happens around 13:15. There are also dance videos of my songs “Kujichagulia” (Self Determination) and “Kuumba” (creativity). Watch the entire 44 minute videos service for a beautiful and informative exploration of this annual celebration of Black and African-American culture.
This Thankgiving, I’m devoting my little blog post to my cat Ollivander. Having wanted a cat my whole life and never having had one, I am absolutely in love with our precious kitty, and I’m so thankful for him. My husband and daughters and I agree that Ollivander has changed our lives profoundly. He’s simply the best thing that’s ever happened to our family. After our three pet ratties passed away (yes, we had pet rats for 2 years) we knew we needed a new therapy pet. I wasn’t sure if we could afford a cat, and I was worried that our allergies would prevent us from enjoying having him in our home. I was worried he would be too messy, that he would ruin the carpet or the furniture, that he would be a nuisance. But when the chance came to adopt a kitten, I took a leap of faith. Maybe we got lucky, but somehow we ended up with the PERFECT cat. And yes, he can be messy and a little unruly sometimes, but his comic timing and endless loving cuddliness make it all worth while. I can’t thank God enough for this little precious creature. And I can’t imagine how we ever got along without him. Like Natalie says, “now our family is complete” — gotta give thanks for that!
Do you have a pet or other being that you’re thankful for? Pics please!
In the meantime…
Conducting
On Christmas Eve, I’m conducting the Neighborhood Chorus on “What Sweeter Music” by John Rutter, and “Bethelehemu” by Wendell Whalum. I would love to have more singers on all voice parts, so here’s your monthly invitation to join us! We rehearse on Thursday nights in the sanctuary from 7:15pm-9pm.
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. Neighborhood Chorus sings 3 Sundays per month at the 11:30am service. COVID vaccination is required of all singers, and we 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. Or just email me.
Composition
I’m flying up to Seattle to hear the premiere of my new choral anthem “Ecstatic Expectancy” at St. Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral for Advent Lessons and Carols conducted by the Canon for Cathedral Music, Michael Kleinschmidt on Sunday, November 28, 2021.
Now I feel like a REAL composer!
Upcoming events
NANM Western Regional Holiday Party
NANM Western Regional Holiday Party is Saturday, November, 27th 2021 @ 5-8pm. Venue address: Marmalade Café 2014 E. Park Place, El Segundo, CA. Menu: Veggie Plate, Salmon, and Steak. Eat, drink, and be merry while enjoying live performances, singing Christmas Carols, and celebrating NANM. Door prizes valued at $100. Tickets are $55.
Harvard-Westlake Winter Choral Concert
Harvard-Westlake Winter Choral Concert, Friday, December 10 at 7:30pm in Rugby Auditorium on the upper school campus (proof of vaccination required). My choirs are singing music of Moira Smiley, Juhi Bansal, and Morten Lauridsen, among others. And my HW Jazz Singers are performing with live jazz combo!
On Sunday , December 19 I’m doing a “Listen Up!” pre-concert talk about Handel’s “Messiah” with Grant Gershon and Jennifer Miller at Walt Disney Concert Hall. Get tickets and come on by.
