GentleGiantMusic

Old friends

Today I went to the local electronic superstore and ran into a former student who is an asst. manager at the store. As a student he was gifted, insecure, searching for recognition, and for a while he became a part of Ulla's and my family. He and his brother spent a cold Christmas Eve with us when their family situations were insecure. Then on Christmas day the 2 boys and I went to the Vets building in Santa Rosa and helped serve Christmas dinner to 200-300 people.

We talked a bit about his children. His struggles with supporting them in the best way. His daughter was born the same year Rowyn was. This former student and I are contemporary Fathers facing some of the same challenges. What a conundrum. This boy couldn't put 2 focused hours to0gether in a row at 16 and here is is years later, managing a store, taking pride in his work and striving to be a good father. I am humbled by his journey.

As I left he said of all his teachers he respected me the most. His friends at the time gave him all kinds of platitudes for his singing which was good. I however, he said never over complimented him, didn't allow him "airs". I expected something from him. 

I told him I loved him and he responded in kind.

"J" you are something special

Bass Winter Concert

http://www.typepad.com/account/files?path=%2FBass09Winter

Tenor Winter Concert

http://www.typepad.com/account/files?path=%2FTenor09Winter

Alto Winter Concert

http://www.typepad.com/account/files?path=%2FAlto09Winter

Winter Concert Music

If this works, students will be able to download their parts of of the site.

Here we go Sopranos!!!!

http://www.typepad.com/account/files?path=%2FSop09Winter

Ulla's Birthday

So, on Thursday October 1st my girl turned ? (I'll let her describe her age, a gentleman never tells) So I recalled a time back in 1986 after we had first met and were courting. I sang her a Gordon Lightfoot song "Beautiful", which became one of her favorites.

Later in the Winter of 1987 I wrote the song "Mariposa" for her. For like any beautiful butterfly she has had to grow into her wings and fly.

 

I offer the songs here in honor of her birthday and for your enjoyment.

Beautiful MP3

Mariposa

In The Beginning.......

The purpose of this blog as of today:

• Support my choir students with access to mp3's of their parts for homework.
• Communicate with my choir students families.
• Showcase former students who are following their dreams.
• Begin to put my own work out in the ethers.
• Connect with other bloggers making the world a better place to live. (like my spouse at Ullabenulla)

There will likely be fits and starts be patient and all shall be revealed.