About Me

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Recent retiree--35 year's experience teaching reading, English, adult basic education and volunteer leadership skills. Started this blog to exchange ideas and commentary with friends and others having an interest in joining the discussions. Greatest life accomplishments include: 1.organized my 3rd grade class to check out library books for me to get around librarian's weekly limit--Amazon.com, the Mullins Elementary 3rd Grade Class of 1956 is still waiting for "thank you" notes; 2. volunteered in the Peace Corps, island of St. Kitts, West Indies; 3.taught adults to read, earn their GEDs., and speak English as a second language; 4. bought a border collie puppy for $6, got evicted rather than give him up, and began a life-long love affair with all things "Dog"; 5. joined a physical fitness boot camp in my mid-50s--don't mess with someone who's been doing regulation pushups in wet grass at 5:30 a.m.; 6. walked across Northern England with best friend Sally--over 80 miles from the Irish to North Seas; and 7. travelled to many foreign countries for pleasure and work.

Sunday, February 10, 2008

Soul Music

(This week's Fun Monday assignment from Crown Princess is to share the ONE song that most reflects who we are. The song that, wherever it is heard, we smile.)



I was standing in back of the auditorium at Pikeville College nervously waiting to go on-stage to perform in the girl's (yes, it was a long time ago. . .) ensemble portion of the all-state choral competition. My trio would sing "Lo, How a Rose er Blooming" (repeating, it was a long time ago. . .). I prayed I'd remember my part. I hoped no one would notice that the black skirt that I wore was more rusty-red than black. Since I didn't own a black skirt, my mother had helped me make do by dyeing a red skirt black to wear with a white blouse for my costume.

As we waited to go on, the Prestonsburg High School Glee Club walked on-stage. They filled all the risers, looking splendid and professional in their red blazers. And then they opened their mouths and I forgot what they were wearing, what I was wearing, and whether I would remember my trio part later on.

The first soaring a cappella notes of Felix Mendelssohn's "Lift Thine Eyes To The Mountains" from the oratorio
Elijah drifted over the auditorium. I was overcome by its beauty. Right now as I'm typing this I have a lump in my throat. It was the first piece of great classical music that I had heard in a live performance.

I sang the refrain over and over, trying to remember as much as I could. I sang it at the top of my voice, directing an imaginary chorus, while washing dishes. This got me in big trouble with my no nonsense mother who didn't believe in multi-tasking. Eventually, I got to perform "Lift Thine Eyes" with a large choral group. And you know how you'll sometimes drive while singing at the top of you're lungs when you're happy? Well, after all these years, you still may be able to catch me driving down the interstate, singing and conducting My Song.

Now if classical isn't your thing, go over to Crown Princess and check out other Fun Monday participants and their special songs.

(If you'd like to check out the lyrics, just click on sheet music to enlarge.)

26 comments:

Serina Hope said...

I love that you posted the sheet music. What a great idea! Have a great Monday.

Kim said...

That is a wonderful memory, Faye. I had a similar experience, but in mine the was an orchestra instead of a chorus.

ellen b. said...

What a lovely piece of music.
"thy keeper will never slumber"
How blessed to have a keeper like that!

Sauntering Soul said...

What a beautiful memory to have for all these years!

Princess Jewelee said...

how cool is that. What a great memory and thinks for sharing a different genre of music. I love to hear (or read) different things

-Ann said...

Lovely post.

my4kids said...

Something with such memories is always a great song to consider yours.

Attie said...

I have never had the pleasure of going to an opera or a Orchestra..how memarable!!

ChrisB said...

What a lovely memory, you have music in your soul.

Celeste said...

That's beautiful.

Aoj and The Lurchers said...

That is such a goose-pimpling, spine-tingling piece of music. Good choice!

Unknown said...

There are lots of classical music I truly enjoy. Our choir would used to sing them, and I learned to appreciate them. What a good way to display your music! Happy FM!
Nekked Lizards

Sandy said...

That is a lovely memory and a beautiful way to honor it.

Thank you.

Hootin Anni said...

No....no Classical IS my FAVORITE!!! And your post sent chills down my arm as I read it. Fabulous.

the rotten correspondent said...

That's a great post. And I love how you put the sheet music on there.

Your mom didn't get multi-taking, huh?

Lane Mathias said...

Lovely post.
Music really can evoke the 'whole' memory can't it? A few bars and you're right back there.

Your mother dying your skirt? That's exactly the sort of thing my mother did:-)

(I love the image of you driving, singing and conducting too!)

Ari_1965 said...

It is a beautiful piece.

Here's my Fun Monday

Alison said...

what a wonderful post and a wonderful memory!!

Molly said...

I sure that you sing as lovely as you did then.

Patience-please said...

A purely delightful post!
Thank you for the heart smile-
Patience

Linda said...

The lyrics were a little small for me to read, even when I clicked on them, but I'll take your word for how beautiful they are based on your post. If you're singing classical music in your car, you are miles ahead of the rest of us poor slobs - OK me - warbling along with Billy Joel!

kitten said...

Beautiful song and story!

Joy T. said...

So cool to see the sheet music to this! And reading your memories behind it is priceless.

Junebug said...

Awesome choice. So beautiful that it is a song that you got to preform.

Karen said...

Thanks for commenting over at mine, Faye. I've scrapped that whole storyline now, thanks to the helpful feedback!

I often see people singing their heads off in their cars, and wonder what song it is! My personal favourite is I Can See Clearly Now, by Johnny Nash. Just uplifts me.

KittyHawk said...

I couldn't get the sheet music to embiggen, but Kay Anne MUST see this entry! I'll remind her.