Just got back from the first of three intense evenings of choral singing:
Sunday evening rehearsal, the first with Nova Sinfonia and our guest conductor, Dr. Mark Shapiro, from New York.
Monday evening dress rehearsal
Tuesday evening - concert!
I confess I was a bit nervous all day, knowing that he would make us work hard. We're a combined choir of amateur singers ( my choir, Dartmouth Choral Society and the Chebucto Singers) and he's used to professional singers.
However, he turned out to be extremely forgiving, yet at the same time took hold of us and yanked us up to stand tall and let loose our inner divas.
For today's stop on the Poetry Train, I give you this American sentence:
First violinist introduced conductor to director - old charm.
For more poetry, Ride the Poetry Train!
For any of you in the Halifax area, my concert is on:
Tuesday, April 20th
St. Matthew's Church
1479 Barrington St., Halifax, Nova Scotia
7:30 pm
The concert program:
Schubert's Mass No. 2 in G major
Vaughan Williams' Antiphon from Five Mystical Songs
Schubert's Symphony No. 9 in C major
Tickets are:
$15 adults
$10 seniors
$5 students
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Poetry Train Monday - 148 - American sentence 6
Posted by Julia Phillips Smith at 6:13 AM
Labels: American sentence, Concert, Dartmouth Choral Society, Guest conductor, Poetry Train, Schubert
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Poetry Train Monday - 147 - Something Which He Knew and Which I Did Not
This poem began as a writing exercise from this afternoon's workshop, given by Renee Field.
For more poetry, Ride the Poetry Train!
Something Which He Knew and Which I Did Not
I stood in the great hall
In my best doublet
My doublet stiff and musty
Sweat collected along my brow
A draft blew the tapestry behind me
I stood in the great hall
My feet both heavy as stone
Well drilled in court dances
Roland and Stuart entered
My relief loosened a loud guffaw
In the great hall, those around me
Stopped their conversations
Stopped to stare at me
I hurried to join my friends
I wiped the sweat upon one brow
In the great hall, Stuart's voice broke
It broke as he said, "There you are, old man."
Roland grabbed my arm, dragging me
Out of earshot
"We've news."
I stood in the great hall
As Stuart said, "She's here,"
"She?" I said
My heart stuck in my throat
Roland nodded toward the end of the hall
I stood in the great hall
As Roland said, "Yes
And he is also here."
Something told me not to look
Just then
In the great hall, I stood there
A glance and
I locked gazes with Guilford
Why don't I ever listen
when something tells me not to look?
I stood in the great hall
And Guilford smirked over something
Which he knew and which I did not
- Julia Smith, Apr. 11, 2010
Posted by Julia Phillips Smith at 8:14 AM
Labels: Poetry Train, Renee Field, Royal Ballet, Something Which He Knew and Which I Did Not
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Poetry Train Monday - 146 - No Cure
Hard at work on the second draft of my vampire story, this long weekend. It's inspired this assessment of the affliction I suffer.
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No Cure
Story attacks like a virus
No cure except to write
First attempt inside out
Like the transported fly
Years of workshops
Tears of surrender
When it just won't make sense
When it won't leave you in peace
Light bulb moment
Only leads to dissection
Your story's scenes sliced bare
Moments amputated on the floor
Rebuilt version sent out
Fragile as spun sugar
The heart bruises
With every rejection
An offer is made
A contract is signed
Champagne cork popped
Dreams now stock on a shelf
Someone you've never met
Stays up all night
Reading your story in one gulp
As another story attacks you
- Julia Smith, Apr. 4, 2010
Posted by Julia Phillips Smith at 8:56 AM
Labels: No Cure, Poetry Train, writing