A good night. The return of the long-silent “Arts at the Aviary” Sunday evening gathering. Here are some slices of what went down… Meet John. {insert picture of John with your imagination} John has an audition tomorrow at the Chanhassen Dinner Theater. He wanted feedback on his audition selection – a song from The Light… Continue reading Tonight
I’m a fan of vocalist and improvisor Bobby McFerrin. The year after I graduated from my community choir, the group attended a choral festival for which Bobby McFerrin was one of the clinicians: 0ne more reason to consider flunking senior year. But alas, I did not, and have never seen the man in person. I’m not even sure how I… Continue reading Daily Practices Toward Peace and Creative Improvisation
Today I accomplished something I’ve dreamt of doing for a very long time – canning! In my own home, all by my self (more specifically, without Mom’s help). Perhaps canning doesn’t typically fall within the realm of ‘arts’ that I try to stear this blog around, but I really think that there is something incredibly… Continue reading You Say “Tomato,” I say “Canning Time!”
As indicated by our concert last week, our weekly Arts at the Aviary meeting, a typical post on this blog, and other projects that we always having going, Nathan and I obviously place much value in the process and product of collaboration in music. There is something almost magical about multiple people working together toward a common goal of creating a musical experience.
That said, I read something the other day that reminded me of the value and simplicity of art, especially music, even when experienced in a solitary manner. I will share the passage with you here.
Love of music does not dwindle because of being alone. Need of music does not decrease because of being alone.
Shepherd Piper, 1881 by Sophie Gengembre Anderson
A Hungarian shepherd can play fantastic music for the empty hillside full ofstones, grass, scrubby bushes and flowers,with sheep and lambs nibbling in soft chorus. Do no ears hear it? His own ears do. Is he alone in the universe with no other ears to hear?
Lady Playing a Spinet, C. Holsoe (1863-1935)
It is important to say for all who find aloneness as a part of life’s history that one pair of ears, one rib cage as a sounding board, one person’s understanding of music and one person’s need to be enveloped in music is reason enough for that one person to play the piano, flute, violin, viola, cello, bass, trumpet, bassoon, harp, sackbut, or whatever.
One person’s need of being both performer and audience is suffient to make the playing have value.
Fonografo Edison, 1878
For those who reach for records to fill the workshop, the kitchen, the garden, the room being plastered or painted, the lonely record player is important. Simply because nobody else is around and only one set of ears is listening is no reason to silence the music that is available and needs to be a part of the balance of one’s life during each day.
Das Standchen, 1854, Carl Spitzweg (1808-1885)
One human being alone needs music as much as one human being alone needs water and food.
Many of you already know this about me. I am a Conquistador of Chaos.* For the most part, I honestly enjoy all facets of housework. I also love baking and cooking pretty much everything from scratch. I also don’t have a dishwasher. Problem is, I really really really love to have a clean and bright… Continue reading Love, Your Kitchen
Arts @ the Aviary 