A collection of photography and exploration focusing on Upstate South Carolina and beyond.
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I think I can safely say, without giving away any spoilers, that the overriding theme of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows deals with Harry’s coming to terms with his own mortality. Those lessons have hit home in numerous ways this week. First there are the subtle, constant reminders of the unrelenting passage of time … Read More “Bereite dich zu leben!” »
The photograph above is part of a display we keep in our house from our year in Arizona. I carved the fake kokopelli petroglyph as well as the Native American Flute. The year was 1991. Laura was on sabbatical from Furman and had an opportunity to do research at the University of Arizona. I quit … Read More “Native American Flutes” »
The entire weekend was tied up with our performance of Carmen. Rehearsals Friday night and Saturday morning, with performances Saturday night and Sunday afternoon. Even with sections cut from it, the piece was 2 hours and 45 minutes, including half-time. The weekend took on the tone of perform-collapse-perform-collapse. Friday night was our first time hearing … Read More “Carmen, The Post Game Show” »
Don Jose sings of his love for Carmen. Then, just to drive home the point, he stabs her to death. The chorus responds with a rousing happy song. The audience applauds. We all go home.
Don Jose and Escamillo attempt to sing each other to death.
Maestro, it’s time for a break. But vwe have one more piece! Veel break zhen. That’s tomorrow’s dress rehearsal. Zhis frustrating, no? Thus, the Union speaks.
Ask any non-musician to describe their concept of opera, and you’ll most likely get a Wagnerian Brunhilde. Ask that same person to hum a few bars from an opera, and if they are able to produce anything at all, it will probably be a snippet of Figaro from Rossini, or one of the many recognizable … Read More “Songs You Know by Heart” »
Tonight we started working on a concert version of Bizet’s Carmen. It’s a Spanish tale, sung in French by an American Choir, conducted by a Russian. It will be a real international affair with all the songs you know by heart. Of course, I know very different words to these tunes. My knowledge of Carmen … Read More “Harold Hecuba Presents…” »
For every situation in life there exists at least one song or bastardization thereof. Taylor’s Axiom I’ve posted them before. As a musician, those are words I’ve tried to live by. As a hobbyist, I like to find songs that fit my current passion. I’ve collected river songs for when I’m kayaking, songs about maps … Read More “Photography Songs” »
Prior to our concert at the Peace Center last night, the entering audience was serenaded (if that’s the right word) by a group of 35 tubas playing Christmas carols. Apparently this is a national event that takes place the second weekend of December each year. According to the TubaChristmas website… TUBACHRISTMAS was conceived in … Read More “TubaChristmas” »