Cup XXIV: Beauty and the Blend

Tea: Joseph's Dream (chamomile/grapefruit)

Music: Echoes of various selections, by various high school ensembles

Time: Evenight

The beauty of choral music eluded me for a long time, I must confess, even though I have been in several choirs over the years. My enjoyment was in making the music, not so much in hearing it. Even now, I still can't be in an audience hearing the "Hallelujah Chorus" without joining in under my breath.

It wasn't until the now-junior daughter hit high school, and I started going to her concerts, that I discovered how to be what Robert Fripp might call an "attentive audient." I say "might," because, well, he can be a bit Fripptic, as it were.

(Digression: She didn't join the choral department until her sophomore year, but has been in orchestra all three years. The winter concerts are blended, between choral and instrumental groups.)

I've just come from an all-choral concert at her school. The performances were all lovely, but not all perfectly so. The one exception was not for lack of beauty, but for too much of it in one place.

One ensemble -- not my daughter's -- is possessed of an alto with a strong, vibrant, powerful voice. Too strong, too powerful. It dominated the mix, especially in the portions where the sopranos and altos played off one another.

The teacher is good at what she does. I am sure the next time I hear the ensemble, it will be as an ensemble.

Still, it does give one an opportunity to think. There is much value in letting one's light shine -- God knows we seem to be headed toward a "Harrison Bergeron" world as it is -- but in a group setting, there's nothing wrong with minding one's wattage.

Scary Story: I could let the Vonnegut story stand, but the whole prescience thing makes it a little too creepy. Here's something -- well, not lighter, but you get the picture.

Robert W. Chambers, "In the Court of the Dragon"