We’re live

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/music-in-the-parlour

We will start in about 10-15 minutes from right. . . NOW, which is 7:25pm CST.

Tonight’s webcast

Here’s where you need to go for tonight’s concert if you want to join us via the web.  

Tonight’s set will include music from Ralph Vaughan Williams, Mozart, Manuel de Falla and a few others.  The program is a bit Easter and a bit otherwise — we’re even throwing a ‘popera’ duet into the mix!  Music will kick off at 7:30 CST.  See you then!

Vaughan Williams

This past week I got an email from Charles Snider, an organist friend of mine in Glen Ellyn, IL, asking if I was available to do some vocal work for him during Holy Week.  Rule #1 with Charles: If there’s any possible way to get involved in a service he is planning, do it.  Back in college I had some amazing experiences singing four part chant pieces for the Sunday evensong service that he organized.  I’ve just been thumbing through the music that he gave me yesterday for all of this week’s services and they’re all pieces that are, in a word, beautiful.  I remember digging on everything that my professor played in my pre-1600 music history class — doing music with Charles reminds me a lot of that experience.  Even the more modern pieces that he picked are ones that have those same strains of longing and transcendence that were so moving to me in that history class.  It should be fun to let loose with these tunes.

Music and Time

During one of my many late night Facebook sessions I got an IM from my buddy Nick telling me about Daniel Barenboim’s new book Music Quickens Time.  I’m looking forward to pouring over that one with a cup of coffee loaded with too much cream and sugar.

Songs online

We’re working on putting up all of the tracks from past performances.  Look for those this week!

My community and my inspiration

A few years back my brother did a documentary on New Hope Missionary Baptist Church, an African-American church here in our hometown.  In the 8 years since that first Sunday when I detoured from my route to my usual church, I have learned and been inspired by this community in ways that I could not have imagined.  My good friend Larry Pringle, who you will see singing in this video, has been a particular inspiration to me musically.  The man has this crazy knack for pulling in his listeners and taking him with them on the journey of the song.  Oh yeah, and the man can SING.  Lordy.