Monday, July 13, 2009

Musical Monday -- Fluting Edition

As I mentioned in this post, more than a month ago I began practicing the flute again -- after a lapse of almost 25 years -- so that I could play part of the accompaniment for a special number our choir at St. Mary was doing. Our choir is an adequate bunch, with flashes of better (and worse), and although we now have eight men compared to the three we started out with 10 years ago, SATB is often beyond our reach. We do a fair number of SAB arrangements, plus our best stab at whatever is in the hymnbook. But this particular piece was simply "men" and "women," with an echo verse and about half a verse of harmony at the end.

If you're wondering why I'm talking so much about the choir in a "fluting" post, it's because the only reason our director let me play the flute was because it was such a simple piece. Usually I need to be with the altos; although there are six of us, only two have enough confidence to sing out and usually know the part, and I'm one of them. But on a "women" part our sopranos could take it away. (I don't mean to slam any of our altos -- they all work hard, and several of their voices are better than mine. I'm just one you can hear...)

Anyway, the piece went well, we said goodbye to Father Simeon -- and I am still practicing the flute. I don't know for sure what I'm going to be doing with it outside my living room. I have been practicing several pieces from a book of "Sacred Solos for Flute" which have piano accompaniment, but whether they will ever be fit for public consumption I can't be sure. But I am enjoying it anyway! Having small children for so many years put a dent in my musical expression, and it feels very good to have that outlet back. I'm just sorry I didn't figure it out a little sooner.

1 comment:

Rosemary said...

Good for you! Keep it up. Making music gives glory to God, in your living room or in a recital hall, or in church...don't you think?