Let's Form A Singing Group

Good singin' in church this morn. Our anthem was "The God Of Love" by Jane Marshall. That is the song I mentioned a couple of weeks ago that has the middle section of what I called "madrigal harmonies", in which seemingly disparate vocal lines are all split up between sopranos, altos, tenors and basses, but which all merge to create a shimmering, oddly blended effect. It is counterintuitive to suddenly sing what seems like an "off-key" line, with sharps and flats, and which seems entirely out of place and unconnected to the very melodic and unison line you were singing just prior to that. And because you can hear the other singers delivering their lines, in a different time signature and without sharps and flats, you have to concentrate on your own notes to ensure that you don't "bleed over" into the other's territory. It's a challenge, but we pulled it off and it sounded doggone good if I do say so myself.

Now I hope we do some even more complex ones. As mentioned a while back, it is instructive to know that - hundreds of years ago - singing was all there was, for most audiences and musicians alike. Musical instruments were scarce; ditto traveling musicians, and while church organs did exist as far back as - what?.....the 1500s?....somebody do some Googling, but I think that's about right. Most churches did not have a pipe organ in the 16th century, and the piano was yet to be invented.

Which is why singing was so important then, and why choral music became so developed and the harmonic possibilities explored.

Well anyhow, let's form a Madrigal Singing Group and we'll tour. :)

All we will need is an old Gypsy Wagon (custom outfitted, naturally) and just our voices. We won't even need any roadies. We will stay at roadside Inns and sing either pre-scheduled or impromptu gigs, at churches, fairgrounds, campfires and taverns.

Signups are right here at the blog, no audition necessary. Dedication is the only requirement.

Let's sing.  ////

No other news to report. No movie was had, but I did watch an episode of "The Prisoner" with McGoohan. It was only a 17 episode series, and I love most of the shows, but the last few don't quite measure up to the first dozen. Ah, well.....I have studied the situation and have long since concluded that Patrick McGoohan would beat Brian Dennehy or even Wilford Brimley in a cage match.

It's one of those "you had to be there" things, and even then I know I'm a bit nutty.  :)

But then, it's also Sunday Night, and you know what that means.

Mega Tired Beyond All Hope Of Redemption.

See you in the morn. Have an awesome Middle Of The Night.  :)