Well Rested and Well Toured

Today is Saturday and it's our second day off. Yesterday was our first day off and it was great to just wander around Canterbury and get a feel for this wonderful city. It's how much the cathedral is the center of the city, acting as a large magnet drawing one back towards its heart - whether on the meandering roads or visually as you find yourself casting a look towards a stray roof top and seeing the cathedral tower off in the distance centering your senses in the direction of home.

A small band of us meandered around yesterday taking a leisurely flat boat ride (punting) down the mill race, off to have a pint with a hearty meal. Then off to the castle ruins (echos of "Have fun stormin the castle." ringing in my ears!) where a group of young people were having a poetry reading. From there we walked along the old walls overlooking the city and Don John park. Dinner was near the cathedral and then we shared another pint at a local pub.

The pictures are of the vesting room at the cathedral were we would line up and wait for the Dean to come out and pray with us just before the service. (I should point out that the room is dedicated to St Andrew!) You can see the remants of the Norman cathedral architecture - most filled in when the added on and "updated" to the spiring gothic arches.

The other picture is of course of our fantastic director, Dr. Deborah Simpkin King, and our wonderful host and precentor, David Mackenzie Mills.

A Few Pictures

I thought I'd share a few of the pictures I've taken so far. I'll be sharing more, but it's late here and dinner was good and the bed is calling my name!

These are some shots from the room where we rehearse. It's upstairs next to the south transept. You have to climb a very steep, narrow staircase to get to it, but once there it's quite airy and light. There are some very old and interesting bits of graffiti scratched into the walls.

Two Down...

Well, I really meant to post last night but after a heavy day of singing, rehearsing... and eating, I decided to go to bed! The weather here has been great... hot during the day, but cool at night. And with the peace and quiet of the close, sleep comes easy!

This evening we sang our second Evensong and again we were excellent (if I do say so myself!) It really fun and exciting singing in the quire of this magnificent cathedral.

We Arrive!

Well, we've arrived at Canterbury! Yesterday was a bit of a whirlwind as we arrived at Heathrow, slightly jet lagged, boarded our bus and headed to Canterbury. Our excitement mounted as we neared the city and could see the beautiful cathedral tower in the distance.

We attended Evensong in the quire. It turned out to be "Sob Sunday" - the Sunday in which they traditionally say goodbye to the Cathedral choir for holiday. The service was beautiful and was a great way to prepare us for our own residency.

Today is a jam-packed day of rehearsal, Cathedral tour, more rehearsal... and yes, more rehearsal!

The weather, by the way, is beautiful! Sunny and warm!

More later...

Season 15 - Here We Come!

WOW! I can't believe we actually at Season 15! This is going to be an amazing season full of some really great things... not least of which is some fantastic music.

We've just finished our 2nd rehearsal and already the sound we make just leaves me with chills. Dr. King has an amazing way of just pulling out of us this wonderful blend and sound. I get so energized at each rehearsal that I find it hard to get to sleep once I get home... the tunes just keep whirling around in my mind as I lay there trying to drift off.

I can't wait for our first concerts this October to share this amazing music with my friends.

What's new?

The suitcases are fully unpacked, the souvenirs displayed, but the music and the sights still linger in our memories. It is safe to say, however, that our feet have finally hit the ground and are running to keep pace with the NEW activity that launches our 14th Season. There are many NEW things to be excited about:

• New season of impact-filled experiences: All three performing groups---Schola Cantorum on Hudson, Schola Repertory Singers (chamber ensemble), and Schola Sings Solo (solo recital series)---are preparing for an exciting this season. Check out the full listing our Web site
  
• New rehearsal and performance home at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Jersey City and working with singing member Chris Greene, who is St. Paul's music director & administrator
• New singing members: Eight(8) singers from across the metropolitan area---Essex, Hudson, and Union counties in New Jersey, Manhattan, and Staten Island.
• New opportunities collaborating with major arts organizations in innovative programs--- stay tuned for more!!!

Reflection, as life moves on . . .

A week and a half later, we've all put our bags away and done our laundry, to be sure; and photos and stories continue to be shared and enjoyed in many various gatherings. I have been touched to learn how many toured with us 'virtually,' and this has been a very special delight, as we share what has truly been an experience by which we've all been changed. The experience feels joyfully public; indeed, one that belongs to all who carry it within their heart to be moved by music; . . . by beauty.

While our musical travels were 'everything' to 48 of us for eleven magical days, they comprise but one small contribution to a grander vision of what lifts all who so chose to an elevated level of human consciousness. May the 'magic' live on. May the number increase.

In this, blessings continue to abound.