• Home
  • A Festive Christmas Tickets 2022
  • A Festive Christmas Program Book
  • GIVE: Friends of Bagaduce
  • About Us
  • Meet the Team
  • Rehearsal Resources
  • Contact Us
  • Rehearsal Blog
  • "To The Stars" Program Book
  • Lutkin Benediction
  • Board Mtg 8/15
  • Home
  • A Festive Christmas Tickets 2022
  • A Festive Christmas Program Book
  • GIVE: Friends of Bagaduce
  • About Us
  • Meet the Team
  • Rehearsal Resources
  • Contact Us
  • Rehearsal Blog
  • "To The Stars" Program Book
  • Lutkin Benediction
  • Board Mtg 8/15
   

Rehearsal Blog

Witty.  Pithy.  True (mostly).

House painting, the passion & Euphoria

5/5/2019

2 Comments

 
While painting a room "Meeting House White", this writer had one of those random moments of euphoria that can turn an otherwise mundane task into a near spiritual endeavor. I was filling the roller tray, spreading drop clothes, making a cosy bed for the dog out of some old bedding. I took a look round deciding where to start and I hit play on the music machine and started rolling paint to the opening strings of the St Matthew Passion. I was getting into the rhythm just where the chorus enters for the first time and I began to sing along and lo, what’s this? “Come my joy!” The accoustics in the room were remarkable, like singing in an old church or a cavernous shower.
The room is what realtors call a “bonus” room. In this case where the adults in the house used to hang out and play poker and pool, or cozy up to the large wet bar of polished maple at the end of the room, complete with high swivel stools and a brass bar rail and watch sports on the large ceiling mounted TV.
As I was listening to opening sections of the Passion, where the talk is of the Passover meal, I imagined this would make a great room for a last supper, though I am pretty sure the Disciples and Jesus all sat at a long table and not around a bar. As I continued singing along to the chorales, I was giddy with the wonderful (so it seemed to me) sound of my voice and I imagined how I could use this space. “I know, I could start a small 8 or 12 voice chorus, the kind I always wanted to sing in and we could rehearse right here.” Of course, with a sinking sensation, I realized, I know virtually nothing about music. How would I ever start a chorus! But then the euphoria returned with a vengeance. How could I be so foolish, I already sang in the best chorus in all of downeast Maine! I didn’t need to start a new choir. All I had to do was do a lot of practicing so that I could hold my own with all the wonderful and talented singers of the Bagaduce Chorale.
So as I rolled and rolled that cavernous space, I played thru and thru the St Matthew Passion multiple times, trying to mind-meld my voice to the rehearsal tracks. And lo, by the time the last paint can was empty, though my euphoria had subsided, I felt a fine inner glow of confidence in the my mastery of the bass part and a new appreciation of the mystery and majesty of this masterwork by Bach!
Come hear that majesty and mystery and mighty music this coming weekend, May 10 & 11th in Blue Hill and on Sunday the 12th at Ellsworth High School. Accoustically speaking, it will be filled with sadness, sorrow, yearning, pathos, pity and above all else the euphoria of hope!

​
2 Comments
top paper companies link
5/12/2019 06:58:20 am

You have a very good attitude in life which is I like! If all people would have the same trait and start seeing life positively, I guess that's going to be a great thing! You are a passionate person and you do everything with lover. May it be related to your work or not, you are choosing to give your 100% best because you know that it's the right thing to do, There's no reason for me not to admire a person like you.

Reply
Kayla Sullivan link
4/7/2021 05:49:27 am

This is a great post thankss

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Author
    ​Richard Shute

    He's smart. He's funny. If you read his blog, you will be too.

    Picture

    REHEARSAL
    RESOURCES

    Archives

    February 2023
    June 2019
    May 2019
    July 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    December 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Proudly powered by Weebly