...let's see. Saturday was spent ferrying Oldest back and forth again to UAB for more rehearsals and leaving clothes in the dryer so we could all go back Saturday afternoon for the recital.
Very, very nice, I must say. This was UAB's honor choir presentation, so there were kids here from all over the state. The practice for this one certainly paid off--the last one we went to down in Tuscaloosa was a model of inefficiency, and the hall's acoustics made everything sound like someone drowning in a convenience store restroom.
But Saturday everyone was where they needed to be, and there was little of the uncharming kids'll-be-kids shenanigans. And the sound was very nice--the folks who designed the Jemison Hall at the Alys Stephens Center are to be commended for doing their homework. The room was lively without being harsh, and warm without muffling any of the upper or lower ranges. And the piano accompaniment didn't drown out the singers. AND the doors didn't make loud crashing sounds anytime anyone went out. AND the patrons were a bit better behaved this time, although there was one one right in the front who kept taking pictures during the songs even though an announcement was made at the start not to do that, and it was in the program. There was also someone two rows back who kept "whispering" during various parts. Frankly, I think it's time we start working on a way to fulfill the saying, "if looks could kill."
Anyway, the music was wonderful, and especially that of the hosts of the recital. Their conductor has his own blog (of course--oh, and be sure to check out his blogroll if you think all liberal arts academics are a bunch of fawning, squishy "progressives") and he was a bit tough on them in his comments, but for a rube like me, once you get to that level of talent there's no way I could pick out anything that was out of place. Y'all done good, Doc.
And, of course, so did the junior and senior high kids--it never ceases to amaze me how talented they are and how disciplined they can sound. And how incredible Oldest can sound in a venue like this, compared to how tone-deaf she sounds when she's singing--screeching--along to a CD with her headphones on in the back seat of the van. Oh well--when it counts is what matters, I suppose.
Posted by Terry Oglesby at January 17, 2006 10:37 AMPossum! Or Terry . . .
Greetings from UAB. I found your blog last Friday night and was going to watch it to see if you had any more comments about our Honor Choir.
I GREATLY appreciate your compliments, both in the organization of the festival (tribute to Dale Reynolds) and the nice things you said about the singing of the choirs.
You look to have a fabulous blog here and I look forward to keeping up with it. I'll look forward to exploring your blogroll, too . . . I knew very few of the names on there.
Interesting that you noticed I'm not a "progressive." Not all college professors are liberal voters! (although, alas, most of them are.)
Thanks for attending the concert, saying such nice things, and having such a great blog.
philip l. copeland
Posted by: Philip Copeland at January 18, 2006 09:19 AMI forgot, I blogged about your observations today:
http://uabchoirs.blogspot.com/2006/01/parent-blogger-beats-me-to-blog_18.html
So you may get a few college student visitors today.
Thanks again!
Posted by: Philip Copeland at January 18, 2006 09:23 AMHey, thanks for dropping by, Doc! I neglected to mention Dr. Reynolds' organization of the program--she did a superb job of making sure it ran smoothly, and she's a credit to the department.
And yes, I know there's a bunch more of you mean ol' conservatives up there in the higher education places. I was looking through the blogroll the other day and it hit me that I've got a good many professors and PhDs on there, and I don't think any of them would have been likely Dean supporters.
ANYway, thank you again for being such kind and helpful hosts, and if any of your students drop by, let me tell you personally what a great job you did.
Posted by: Terry Oglesby at January 18, 2006 09:53 AM