A collection of photography and exploration focusing on Upstate South Carolina and beyond.
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I think I’m finally getting my digital music library straightened out. I wasn’t sure I was going to like iTunes, but it’s growing on me, and I’m finding ways to organize my nearly 60 GB of audio files. Many of those files are duplicates, and though they are contained on one shared drive, they are … Read More “The Single Dilemma” »
When I first started working at First Presbyterian in Laurens I was single. As is typical for someone of that age, I enjoyed hanging out with my friends in Greenville. Sometimes we would have some late Saturday nights, so I would crash at my sister’s house and get up early enough on Sunday to make … Read More “The Hidden Choir” »
I really blew it this morning. The morning’s scripture was from the Book of Mark. And they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great glory….Watch, therefore – for you do not know when the master of the house wil come, in the evening, or at midnighht, or at cockcrow, or in … Read More “Advent Antonym” »
…at least, in a relative sense. I haven’t dropped to a four-day week – quite the contrary. With Chorale rehearsals Monday night, church staff meetings and planning Tuesday night, and choir rehearsal Wednesday night, I’ve started looking forward to obligation-free Thursday evenings. Last night I think I finally got beyond the choir’s comfort level and … Read More “Thursday is the New Friday” »
Saturday night marked the 45th Anniversary performance of the Greenville Chorale. For this occasion, the Chorale had commissioned a work by Mark Kilstofte. Mark is a colleague and fellow vocalist, in addition to being a world-renowned composer. His works are innovative and beautiful, but can be challenging to perform. The commissioned work, “Of Rivers Within”, is no exception. Also on the program was Ralph Vaughn William’s “Dona Nobis Pacem.”
First full choir rehearsal at Fourth on my own. Things went well, except… Sunday’s Anthem: "How Can I Keep from Singing?" Quaker hymn made famous by Enya. Today’s News from Florida: Choir refuses to stop singing and must be removed by authorities. The pastor of a Charlotte Harbor church had 16 church members booted from … Read More “Cosmic convergence” »
I tend not to be nervous on Sunday mornings. I figure what’s going to happen will happen. Wendesday evenings are another matter, as I worry about getting everything ready. Even with this being my first Sunday as choir director at Fourth Presbyterian, I wasn’t too nervous. Excited, yes, but not nervous. This, despite nightmares this … Read More “First @ Fourth” »
Last night I officially met the Fourth Presbyterian choir and had my first rehearsal with them. I don’t start until October 9, but the Wednesday before that is supposed to be a celebration of the tenure of Dr. Kyser, and it would have been awkward for me to follow that with a rehearsal.
Came up with a couple of good titles for Country and Western songs today.. "It’s Just Thursday and I need it to be Friday Night" "Your Love’s a Tornado and My Heart’s a Mobile Home" …although I can’t really claim that second one. Of course, with brilliant titles like these, I just had to do … Read More “Never could get the hang of Thursdays” »
Monday night there was a call waiting for me from Fourth Presbyterian in Greenville. My good friend and colleague, Dr. Ramon Kyser, is retiring, and I was asked about taking the interim Minster of Music position. The call did not surprise me – I’ve worked closely with Dr. Kyser over the years, as well as … Read More “Picking up the baton” »