updating a confession, in harmony

Last week I said I was going back to the chorus that sang Kumbaya (1) in their warm-ups. I also said I was a little uneasy, because sometimes my impressions are right on, and sometimes I need to stretch and pull against a little internal antagonism. Sometimes I need what I don’t want or like.

I didn’t go. Didn’t want to. Didn’t  go.

But, I saw another notice in the local paper this morning, or maybe it was yesterday. I went to practice tonight, and I found a fit.

Yippee!

Serious but not intense. Non-audition. Nearby (six mile commute & on the west side). Classic choral arrangements, but not stodgy. Mixed voices; young and old singers. They’ve started on holiday music, and one is my very most favorite of all, “The Holly & the Ivy,” (2) and there’s a great spiritual (new to me, from a Seattle men’s chorus) and a swing tune that uses the tight harmony skills I learned in my last group.

So if you are in Portland around the holidays, head to The Grotto on December 18 19th (8 PM). I’ll sing holiday songs for you (along with 30-35 others).

* * *

(1) Another little factoid: I sang this song, and played it on the guitar, too, in Catholic folk mass when I was in Junior High. I sang it, and played it on the guitar, too, when I went through my period of fundamental Christian religious ecstasy from 17-23 or so. I’m done with this song.

(2) This even though English holly and ivy are noxious plants in the Pacific Northwest and hateful (the ivy is drowning the forests of Portland). I still love the song. Always have, always will.

Related posts:

1. setting myself up (another confession)
2. it is still Tuesday where I live
3. Confession Tuesday
4. Confession Tuesday (deb)
5. Confession Tuesday (deb) late in the day