I promise I'll come up with more original titles soon.
I guess it's been more than three weeks since I posted. Well, we're settled now. The moving truck showed up about a week early, amazingly. So Samantha and I were able to do a lot of unpacking together (to her chagrin, I'm sure -- she was expecting me to do the bulk of it while I was unemployed). The place has come together pretty well, though it still looks sparse. We don't have a lot of furniture. We're hoping to add a love seat/small couch and a couple of chairs in the living room and another dresser for Samantha. Send any leads our way.
We've explored town a little. We found our grocery store, our Target, our ice cream joint... you know, the important stuff. We're settling on a sports bar though more data needs to be gathered. (Yes, I know there are no Yelp reviews at either of those links. Give me a couple weeks and there will be.) Amy, we still need that advice on pizza. I have done a little church shopping -- nothing impressive so far, though there is more news on that in a moment.
I've started my new job. As long time readers know, it's This Side of Lost policy not to discuss work here. So that might be the last you hear about it.
I'm still investigating my options for choral singing. We are just far enough away from New York City that going downtown for a weeknight rehearsal is out of the question. But options closer to my commute just don't seem as good. But I do have auditions for two possible church gigs nearby. (Which would alleviate the need for further church shopping. Sadly, there are no Lutheran churches interested in hiring a bass right now, so it may be back to the Episcopalians for me.) Perhaps the directors there can give me some tips.
This process has also been assisted by the discovery of my new favorite website ever: Vocal Area Network. Unbelievably useful. It's got a directory sortable by alphabetical, geographical location and rehearsal night. Plus an events calendar, audition postings and church gig ads. I think I'm in love. They need to make this nationwide. Chorus America, where are you? Pay attention.
Yes, I am a huge choir nerd. Moving on.
The Twins are rocking out. Amazingly the hitting is holding up and our young quintet in the starting rotation is keeping us in the game. They took two out of three from the Yankees at home this week and are giving the White Sox a run for their money for the division championship. Crazy! It's been fun to watch the past couple weeks -- here's hoping they keep it up.
That's it. I have plenty more to post about (more AFI reviews, the other two installments on my Singing in LA series) so hopefully I'll be back with more in sooner than three weeks. Peace!
Comments (2)
Hey Wick! I don't know why I didn't think of this before, but I can give you advice on choirs. If you're willing to make the drive to Greenwich, there's a fantastic, fantastic choir at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church. It's a group of about 16 outstanding singers, volunteer and paid. When I joined, the director indicated he had money for a true bass (like you!) but not for baritones. In any case, I was delighted to sing for free; you may have better fortune (no pun intended) than I did given your experience, your range, and the fact that at least two basses (me and my friend Jonathan) have left the choir in the past two years.
Anyway, the St. Barnabas Choir focuses on Renaissance and baroque music, and also gives special attention to British/Anglican masters such as William Byrd and Healy Willan. The church itself has a wonderfully traditional liturgy, with the choir singing every psalm and high British mass given ("It is meet and right so to do") during Lent. The pastor is warm and a terrific preacher, and the congregation is intimidatingly wealthy but quite welcoming.
The director runs wonderfully efficient rehearsals (scheduled conveniently before Sunday services), thoughtfully selects literature appropriate to the scripture readings and sermon, and brooks no messing with consonants, intonation, or anything else. His name is Michael and I can't think of the last name because all that comes to mind is Michael Phelps, and I know that's not right. Anyway, I miss that choir dearly, and I'd be happy to recommend you to Michael and introduce you (by e-mail) to some of my friends there, if you're willing to make the drive to Greenwich to sing. It's a beautiful drive.
Oh, and I mentioned that the congregation is wealthy. Many of the wealthy congregants love music, with the result being that we got to do things like sing Bach's Mass in B Minor with a top-notch period orchestra.
In short, you should really join that choir! I think you'd be thrilled with their dedication, skill, and love of music.
Also, pizza: Try Planet Pizza. It's a franchise, but it's local and it's good. I miss CT's pizza almost as much as I miss the St. Barnabas Choir.
Posted by Rob Grace | August 18, 2008 3:05 PM
Posted on August 18, 2008 15:05
P.S. Just Googled the drive from Danbury to Greenwich. It's about an hour. But as I said, it's a beautiful drive! And if it's any indication of the quality of the choir, some of its members come all the way from New Jersey for the privilege of singing in it. (Perhaps it's just an indicator of the insanity of the choir's members, or of NYC-area commuters generally. But no, I'm going to say it's an indicator of the quality of the choir. I'm obsessed with the idea of you joining it.)
Remember, too, that the only commitment is Sunday; you get your rehearsals and your performances done in one swell foop.
Posted by Rob Grace | August 18, 2008 3:12 PM
Posted on August 18, 2008 15:12