(no subject)

[jaala]

Oh yes, some musical news. The Old Saint Paul's church choir is probably the most exposed/frightening thing I have ever done vocally, and additionally probably the best learning experience. The amount of choral literature consumed each week has most certainly improved my sight-reading. I have to be quite vocally independent too. There are only two altos in the whole choir; we sat next to each other for a few months, but now we're on opposite sides so it basically sounds to me like I'm singing the part alone. There are times I get really frustrated and embarrassed when I just can't manage to makes things work properly physically--because it feels as if absolutely everybody can hear how terrible I sound--but I've also made some fascinating discoveries. The morale of the choir is apparently unusually low right now, mostly connected with various upheavals of personnel, but it's still one of the best with which I've sung. John made a lovely compliment the other day when he said that, even at our worst, we are still among the best parish choirs.

I'm growing quite attached to the Anglican repertoire and liturgy. On the other hand, I still don't entirely believe some of what I'm saying and I don't think I could abandon Sydenham Street United in Kingston. I've been thinking that perhaps a good compromise, if I can manage it, would be to join the Evensong Singers of St George's Cathedral.

I do get a sort of melancholy feeling in the pit of my stomach when I think about oboes, flutes, pit orchestras or wind bands, unfortunately. Acquiring an instrument, teacher and practicing space just wasn't going to work. But I do hope I can resume activities in that field when I return to Queen's.