The Choir Sections Part 1

I've wanted to do a blog series for a while now that talked about the defining characteristics (and characters) of the eight sections of a standard choir. And I say eight sections because I believe that second sopranos are different from first sopranos, basses are different from baritones, etc. Obviously, there are differences between professional choirs and community choirs and church choirs, but there are some distinct similarities too!

So I'd like to start my survey at the "bottom" with the basses.

I've heard it said that double-bass players in an orchestra love their job. I think the same applies for choral basses.

Basses love what they do. Most of the basses that I've had the pleasure of knowing love being the root of the choral sound, the pedal point, the foundation. There's a consistency and a comfort to the traditional bass sound that is, from a witnesses point of view, as pleasant to sing as it is to hear.

Despite the love, Basses often present an outward persona of gruffness and disapproval. Don't mind them; they don't mean it.

Basses tend towards suspicion of music that asks them to sing up in their high range or even worse, falsetto, because it takes them out of their comfortable rooted place in the deep low range. After all, that's what we have baritones and second tenors for, right?

Basses live for singing KING OF KINGS in the Hallelujah chorus.

I have never sung in a choir that didn't have at least one deaf bass. Often, there are TWO deaf basses who sit next to each other and try to help each other out. This is not productive.

Basses are the section most likely to keep singing when the conductor signals a stop in the rehearsal, but Basses need, and love, a conductor who cues well.

Basses are the singers most likely to have mustaches.

Trader Tuesdays

Honestly, I can't think of anything today. I made a great mushroom and sausage stew last week that was fantastic, but I want to make sure I get the proportions right because the recipe came from the WW 20-minutes meal cookbook, so quantities are important. Look for that next week, I hope...

In the meantime... are you the kind of person that keeps old bananas in your freezer waiting to bake something with them? I am that kind of person. Except, I don't usually get around to the second part, i.e. the baking something. So I'm looking for inspiration. What do you do with the rotten bananas in your freezer??????

Friday Five: Cabin Fever

Today's Friday Five from Singing Owl is all about the long dreary days of winter. She writes:

Here in snow country we are settled in to what is a very long stretch of potentially boring days. The holidays are over. It is a very long time till we will get outside on a regular basis. The snow that seemed so beautiful at first is now dirty and the snow banks are piling up. Our vehicles are all the same shade of brownish grey, but if we go to the car wash our doors will freeze shut. People get grumpy. Of course, not everyone lives in a cold climate, but even in warmer places the days till springtime can get long. Help! Please give us five suggestions for combating cabin fever and staying cheerful in our monochromatic world?

1. Cook wonderful food. There is nothing like a hot, home-cooked meal to make a person feel cozy and comfortable, no matter how hard the elements are raging outside. Bonus points if the wonderful food comes with wonderful wine. And double bonus points if it comes with wonderful company.

2. Take advantage of weather relief: Here in Prairie City, where the current temperature is -25C and a forecast calling for a wind chill tonight of -38C, you have to take advantage of any respites from the cold that might appear. Last week, we were fortunate to have a string of days when the temp was above freezing, so WH and I took advantage by getting outside, doing some yard work, taking walks, and enjoying the sunshine.

3. Take care of yourself: I think that one of the things that can make the long days of winter more difficult to bear is when a person stops putting the effort into making themselves feel good. So even if it's cold and layers are needed, make sure those layers are in flattering cuts and colors, do your makeup, brush your hair, get exercise, stay mobile and of course, no matter how big and clunky and practical your winter boots are, have your fun shoes in your bag for indoors!

4. Play board games: This Christmas, WH and I discovered King's Cribbage, which is essentially a combination of Cribbage and Scrabble. The board is like a Scrabble board, but instead of making words, you make cribbage hands. We have spent many happy hours this winter playing this game and others!

5. Make summer plans: I always find that one of the things that keeps me going in the winter is to make plans for spring and summer, whether those plans are for travel, for home and garden, for outdoor activity. How lovely is it to think ahead in a productive way to the beautiful days to come?!

Have a great day everybody!

Not a lot to say...

... about yesterday that hasn't been said already, but

• I thought it was a really neat day to witness, even from afar
• I thought he spoke beautifully, both at the ceremony and in his various speeches through the evening
• The First Lady is FIERCE
  
• I wonder what was said in the helicopter on the way to Texas
• Aretha's hat was a wonder to behold, and I could not pull it off in a million years
• It is a powerful thing to see people inspired

The time has come to set aside childish things.
...
In the face of our common dangers, in this winter of our hardship, let us remember these timeless words. With hope and virtue, let us brave once more the icy currents, and endure what storms may come. Let it be said by our children's children that when we were tested, we refused to let this journey end, that we did not turn back, nor did we falter; and with eyes fixed on the horizon and God's grace upon us, we carried forth that great gift of freedom and delivered it safely to future generations.

Things that make me hysterical

Pantry Product Replacement Challenge

So, Maureen over at fotos by Meg has launched what I think is a really cool culinary challenge that involves choosing an item in your pantry and then replicating that item from scratch! I've signed up to play along because WH and I eat a lot of pre-made frozen dinners and I've always thought that we could make our own if we were just a little bit more organized and determined about it. This challenge seemed like a great way to go about it. I encourage you to read more about the challenge at the link I've provided! If you participate, post on your blog what you've chosen and how you went about replicating it. Recipes, people, recipes!!

And don't feel restricted to food! If you're the kind of person who makes your own cleaning products, soap, etc., post about that too!!

Have fun!

Friday Five: Take me, Baby, or Leave Me...

Today's Friday Five from the Revgals asks us to list five things that people should know about us!

1. I have many wonderful skills and qualities. Patience is not one of them.

2. I work better, either at home or at my job, when I have music on. This morning that music is Handel's Solomon.

3. I desperately dislike being bullied. I have a number of ninja-esque anti-bullying techniques that I have spent many years honing. These skills include killing them with kindness, being gracious but firm, and saying mean things about them behind their back.

4. I'm an alto. Altos rule.

5. I'm a big sports fan. Baseball, mostly, but also hockey and football and curling and golf and the Olympics and a myriad others.