Tag: CHoral

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The Great Northeastern War

War, what is it good for? Absolutely nothing!

Except pillaging afterwards! And bling!

This is my goof off year at GNE {NEVER GNEW!!!!} It was hot, I didn’t fight, and I definitely went swimming. I was in charge of a thing, Oh Odin, Oh Thor, aw hell!

Guess my ideas about Partying and shopping have to be curtailed a bit, because my home away from home this event would be: Gate!

I had organized over 80 volunteers to fill 40 different shifts give or take. When I wasn’t at Gate, I spent my time perusing merchants. I’m not really sure I slept the entire event. Because after all, what better way to spend GNE, right? After all, I was showing my Malagentian pride and getting my shopping war points, since I wasn’t fighting…

PARTY!! SHOPPING!! WOOT!

What does a true Viking do, but hang out with the likes of Thunder? The real challenge is walking home when you’re done. Especially if they’ve laid out the glow-sticks… My companion and I were heading back to our campsite, when we heard music coming from the Endeweardian encampment. Who else could it have been, but Aneleda Falconbridge?

Like a sailor to their siren, I slunk into their encampment, thankfully missing all the tent ropes. At one point, Aneleda Falconbridge, Jean de la Montagne, Master Lucienne, and Mistress Dreda had decided to perform one of my favorite quartets: Ave Verum Corpus by William Byrd. However, they seemed to be struggling in spots. I knew this piece like the back of my hand, even in my cups, as it had been my final in my conducting class in college. At one point, Aneleda asked the audience if anyone knew how to conduct, because she decided they clearly needed a conductor. I raised my hand sheepishly, not knowing what I was getting myself into. I was handed a copy of the score, made a few quick notes to jog my hazy memory, and quickly analyzed the situation.

Once I figured out where the hiccups were occurring, the derailed train was now back on track. What had been a struggle was now performed with ease, and we made it to the end as a team. At that point, the group started to dissipate, after all, it was 2am. Before leaving, the quartet approached me, and asked when we could do this again. I was star-struck, having four talented performers ask lowly little me, who didn’t even have her AoA when we could make sweet, beautiful music again.

#SpoilerAlert   I got my AoA the next day!

 

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Stonemarche Yule

Season’s greetings! And all that falala. Christmas, Chanukah, and Kwanza have all passed, but now it’s time for us to celebrate with some logs and hidden babies in cake!

The household of Bard’s Rest, like it’s name, is notorious for making sure there’s entertainment at events, whether it’s alcohol, story, or song. This event would be no different. I had been told there was a need for performance, so I did what every good Jew does for Yule, and brings their Christmas songs. The room was filled with an array of homemade treats, chatter, and cheer — especially the alcoholic type. But what it didn’t have was music. I was still shy about performing in public, but with a little help from my friends, I had mustered courage enough to get up and perform. First I picked a few ditties of my own, then I received requests. Luckily, I brought my choral music as well, because then everyone wanted to sing.

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It wasn’t the prettiest arrangement, but the experience alone was enough to bring smiles to everyone’s faces. There was even a photographer there, singing out of the corners of her mouth while she captured everyone else having a great time. We would later reunite, she as Photographer-Girl, and me as That-Bard-Who-Sings/Hey Bard!

It was then I realized how much music could bring a family together, and this, of course, was meant to be a family event.