(not necessarily in that order)
Today was my first follow-up appointment after last week’s surgery. Everything is healing well, exactly as expected.
So, tomorrow will officially be my first day back to work (okay, I confess: I did go in for a little bit this afternoon).
I’m definitely ready!
Once Christmas is over, Advent calendars mostly disappear until the next year. But I continue to revisit the ChoirMate Advent calendar because I still marvel at the wide variety of groups that were highlighted.
They were truly from all around the world, including Poland, Norway, USA, Italy, Canada, Brazil, Sweden, France, Malta, Denmark, Germany, UK, Australia, and Iceland!
I haven’t had a chance to listen to every single choir yet, but want to share a few with you.
Medici Cantares (which loosely translates as “Medicine Singers”) consists of sixty Polish doctors, medicine students, representatives of other medical professions and other music lovers. They created the above video as a musical showcase of the group — reflecting “the friendly atmosphere of rehearsals, the diversity of concerts and the spontaneity of singing!” Below is a translation of the lyrics from Polish into English…
I measure time with intervals between two shifts
Seasons I only recognize the leaves by their colors
Washing, cooking and cleaning is waiting at home again
Where to find a moment of respite, relieve all stress
REFRAIN
Medici Cantares you don’t get bored at all
It’s rehearsals, concerts and festivals
Because singing together is good fun
Relaxation and health, sometimes even fame
Not a gym or a swimming pool, just a choir rehearsal sometimes
And it doesn’t matter what voice you sing – alto or bass?
Everyone will find a place in the choir, some for a shorter time, some for a longer time.
But the band must always be one organism.
REFRAIN
Here you will regain self-confidence, here you will meet cool people
The conductor, although seemingly delicate, commands respect
Here you can find friends and learn empathy
Here you will develop your own talent during many hours of rehearsal
REFRAIN
The first time I listened to this video of The Spirituals, I was totally blown away by the joy, the devotion, and the incredibly high energy of this London-based group.
Here’s AcaVoca, a choir from Denmark that’s about jazzy rhythms and intricate harmonies.
Well, it’s been fascinating exploring these choirs from around the world, but I’m going to finish up now with the Reykjavik Queer Choir singing Stafasupan, which translates as “Alphabet Soup” and is sung to the tune of (wait for it!) — Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!
How fun is that (though slightly surreal)! 😂
I was all set to follow-up on my Thelonious Monk theme, but then I started seeing related articles about other great jazz musicians.
One thing led to another and… well, I now know a lot more about Chick Corea, Wynton Marsalis, Elvin Jones, Paul Desmond, and Michael Jordan(!), but I’ve run out of time to actually write the blog.
Oops. 😂
Today was my six month follow-up appointment with the bone marrow transplant doctor from UC Davis, and he was even more enthusiastic about how well I’m doing than my oncologist was!
I don’t have to see him again for a year. Whoo hoo!
Inner Renewal Week is over.
I said good-bye to musically-involved friends from Dallas (TX), Tucson (AZ), Scotts Valley (CA), Tahoe (CA), and Portland (OR).
Tomorrow I begin following up: sending music to those who requested it; pursuing ways of offering online support to fledgling choirs; and sorting through the possibilities of traveling to meditation groups and teaching centers.
What joy to feel stronger connections forming as a result of spending this week of inspiration together!