I opened the newspaper this morning to the headlines, VACCINE ACCESS EXPANDS, with the good news that people in my age group are now eligible for the coronavirus vaccine. My doctor’s office called me in the early afternoon to schedule a vaccine appointment which will take place on Tuesday, just four days from now. Yippee!… Read More Good news!
Yesterday I was pleased to read this announcement on Facebook: ICYMI: We had some good news hiding in this month’s issue of the Chimes – Joey Fala has been named our new Director of Music Ministry! While Joey has been with us since last summer, we are thrilled that he is now a permanent part… Read More It’s official!
I’m always excited when I find musical or other special answers in the newspaper crossword puzzle which I have been doing daily for the last fifteen years or so. In the past I have found words like ORGAN, ORGANIST, BACH and even CROSIER. Today’s clue was “Sang _______; without accompaniment” and the answer was A… Read More The perils of singing “a cappella”
With a twinkle in his eye and joy in his heart… that’s how I remember Sam Hammond, the longtime carillonneur of Duke University in Durham, North Carolina, who died at age 73 on Thursday. The notice of his death made the national news and was sent to me today, “Man who played Duke Chapel bells… Read More With a twinkle in his eye …
This morning I was contacted by Linda Borecki, the editor of In Tempo, the quarterly journal of the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians. She asked if I might contribute an article in a new series called “Fiasco! The Worst Musical Debacles and Lessons Learned from Great Musicians.” Apparently she had found this blog and wrote:… Read More Fiasco!
This afternoon I am enjoying a virtual performance by the early music choral ensembles, Stile Antico, presented by the Boston Early Music Festival. Stile Antico is one of the world’s finest vocal ensembles, renowned for vibrant and expressive performances of music from the Renaissance. The concert was posted on the Boston Early Music Festival website… Read More All in the family
Imagine my relief when I opened this morning’s newspaper to read the headline: “TIER 3 ON THURSDAY,” saying that Oahu residents will be able to have larger gatherings starting on Thursday, due to the drop in coronavirus cases. The latest 7-day average of new cases has remained below 50 for two weeks and under a… Read More Turning point
There was a complaint, today, on the American Guild of Organists Facebook page, about the extra amount of work it requires for an organist to play for a Zoom service compared to an in-person gathering. After almost a year with zoom church services, I finally realized that I am doing three times the work of… Read More Zoom organists
With all the recent news about the extreme winter weather over most of the United States, delivering heavy snowfall and icy conditions in places as far south as Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi, we in Hawaii have to be grateful that we live in a place where our local weatherman calls it “the best weather on… Read More Cold hands, cold feet!
Recently I changed my Facebook cover photo to the little organ in my condo, and it raised a bunch of questions about the instrument. In the comments section, I answered by reposting the link to “Birch, cherry, and plum,” to which a friend replied: Shane Morris Wise I love how you posted “blog” answers to… Read More The organ vs. the piano