Tag: singers

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Grateful for so much today

It was actually a fairly crazy morning.

We were missing singers due to illness; had to make last-minute changes to the Festival of Light musicians; and a miscommunication meant one of our quartet singers didn’t even know we were performing until it was time for rehearsal (yikes!). 🤦‍♀️

So, I’m obviously very grateful that all those glitches got worked out…thank you, God!

But there are other things for which I’m even more grateful…

🎉 Jyotish and Devi giving their first Sunday service since their return from three months of traveling in Europe and India.

🎉 An incredibly beautiful Thanksgiving-themed altar.

🎉 And a fun and successful CD-signing after service.

All in all, a joyful and productive day.

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From start to finish, nothing but joy

Singing “Little Kathy” with the Ananda LA choir.

These days have been full to overflowing with teaching, sharing, singing, connecting, driving, laughing, meditating, and more.

Ramesha and I had been feeling sorry not to be able to sing “Little Kathy” for Sunday service at the Village, but we were extremely well compensated by singing it with the singers from Ananda LA. We rocked it!

Plus the Ananda Village group rocked it as well. All is truly well in my world. 😊

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Off to a great start

We had close to eighty singers at tonight’s choir rehearsal (for the SRW concert).

Then there are another ten or so who couldn’t make it tonight but will join us for the warm-up rehearsal and concert on Tuesday.

I’m just not sure how or where we’re going to fit them all in!

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This makes me so happy!

L-R: Chika, Shamini, Nayantara, Bharat, and Shivendra

For years now, Ramesha and I have wanted to travel to India to work with Ananda singers there, but issue after issue and obstacle after obstacle have repeatedly gotten in the way.

We do our best to connect when people come to visit Ananda Village, or via Zoom when in-person isn’t a possibility, but still it’s been a little frustrating.

However, in this moment I’m feeling completely heartened, encouraged, and inspired by the way this group of singers from Ananda India are taking ownership of the music and forging ahead with presenting it with enthusiasm, deep attunement, and JOY!

I found Bharat’s introductory remarks to be especially impressive.

It feels like a breakthrough moment for the music in India and for our worldwide music ministry.

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All talked out

We started the day enjoying cinnamon rolls and coffee while catching up with fellow singers, who recently returned from travels overseas. We talked and talked and talked…

That was followed by a family Zoom call to connect with my brother and his wife in Sunnyvale. More talking, talking, talking.

A quick bite of lunch, then one final meeting to discuss upcoming choir events and catch up with another friend. No surprise that I’m completely talked out.

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Like grade school days

Every now and then preparing Sunday service music requires non-musical skills learned in grade school, involving colored pens.

Why? Because not only does tomorrow’s song require a goodly number of singers, but we have to be in a specific formation. And that means we can’t move people around to achieve a nice distribution of colors.

Welcome to my world! 😅

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Book launch fun

Bhagavati, Satyana, Prashad, and Ramesha before the event.

We were privileged to provide music for Jyotish and Devi tonight, as they launched their latest book, “Touch of Peace.”

Being a “virtual” book launch, there were just Jyotish and Devi, Dhyan and Shyama, and the four singers, all in the Online With Ananda studio. It was cozy!

Jyotish and Devi were their usual deeply inspiring selves.

Here’s the video if you want to enjoy the event for yourself.