A Long-Overdue Update

Greetings, dear choristers!

Profound apologies for the slow start to the season. Your favorite underground, unauthorized, pirate choir blog is finally back!


Class Notes:

We started off the evening with a light-board masterclass. If you find yourself walking in darkness, see Rosemary or Angie, who now hold all knowledge of the Sanctuary lighting system.

And started off singing with: Christmas! With Handel and Gjeilo, both of which will test your "skill of being stubborn". If you are looking for extra inspiration for the Norwegian pieces, I highly recommend SlowTV, now on Netflix (especially the boat ride)!


The highlight sof the night were stories about the Handel-era musicians, and their various hijinx

(In my head, the following facts are the basis of a Hamilton-type rap musical)

- During a performance of 'Cleopatra', Handel was hitting the keyboard while this guy Matheson was on stage singing. But Matheson's part ends in act III (he was playing Antony, which never ends well), so he heads down to the orchestra pit to take over conducting/harpsicording and Handel was like 'no way, man, I'm on a roll tonight' (paraphrased).

So accusations fly, someone insults the other's mom (presumably), and they wind up in a real-life, legitimate sword fight out in the street in front of the opera house!

Handle (age 18ish) was narrowly spared when Mattheson's (age 22ish) sword hit his metal coat button and 'broke apart' or 'diverted it'. (Note: I have no idea how "button" beats "sword" in this game, I'm guessing it's the same sort of convoluted logic where "paper" beats "rock"). Who knew 'Messiah' owes its existence to a coat button.

Interlude has a good recap with other reasons why they weren't  BFFs

(...including the story of the organist post in Lubeck they both turned down because the fine print included marrying the spinster daughter of its predecessor. As a spinster daughter, myself, I am beyond grateful my father has never used job interviews as a way to vet potential boyfriends. Yikes!)


- Similarly hot-headed, a 20-year-old Bach apparently had a terrible run-in with one of his students, and received quite a beating for calling him, quote: "a ninny-goat bassoonist".

I would give you the full recap, but ClassicFm has done a bang-up job of this one.

Also, Bach apparently went AWOL from his church in Armstat (technically, he did ask for time off, but somehow a couple weeks became three months) when he decided to *walk* several hundred miles to Lubeck. (Yep, same Lubeck.)

Also, the "ninny-goat" insult is the word "Zippel". Use with caution.

Seriously, somebody needs to do a modern-era musical of Bach, Handel, Matheson, and Reincken.


This Sunday:

I have *no* idea what we're singing. I know it's not Lux Aeterna (because that's for All Saints), and it's not Christus Paradox (Oct 22nd). Maybe Order My Steps? What was it we sang last week?

My Swiss Cheese memory strikes again.

Oh! but the most important part -- Edye asks for our enthusiastic participation in the 'audience participation' portion of the children's choir section of the service.

Noted.


The Truant Chorister is glad to be back, and appreciates your patience and encouragement. Don't forget the marvelous Nancy is still recovering from surgery, Susan's brother, and the many other life and health challenges going on in the choir and the church!

Don't forget to greet your neighbor, and we'll seeya next Sunday