Free concert this Sunday night (original) (raw)

THE BACKSTORY:
One of the things I've had to give up since taking this kooky travelin' job is singing with the Cathedral Choir. This stinks, because they are really awesome, and even though I'm not Christian-flavored, the the church is liberal and way-cool, and I can pretty much get behind everything else they do. Singing with the choir is really a tremendously satisfying thing, and is worth getting my lazy butt out of bed on Sunday mornings. This speaks volumes.

Anyhoo, the choir has a special subset of super-amazing singers who sing special gigs with minimal rehearsals called the Delaware Compline Choir, and I used to be a part of that group. I heard about their concert scheduled for this Sunday, and I was heartbroken not to be able to sing with them even though I'd be in town (a rarity for me... Sundays are usually my travelin' day). I called my choir director and asked him if I could help out in any way, and he said, "You can help us out by singing with us. Just show up-- you are always welcome to sing with us, rehearsal or not. We'll bring your music and vestments." How cool is that?! This is an INCREDIBLE honor, considering the caliber of people in this group (the best choir singers of Delaware and Philly)... yet he still trusts that I can show up an hour before showtime and sing this stuff down. Even stuff that's written like this. Wheeeee!

I'm in it for the music, and beautiful, moving music it is.

Compline

sung by the
Delaware Compline Choir
of the Cathedral Church of Saint John
Darryl Roland, Director

Sunday, October 28, 2007 at 9:00 p.m.
Saint Helena Parish
602 Philadelphia Pike
Wilmington, DE 19809

Evening has always been regarded as an evocative and mystical time which has inspired artists, poets and musicians throughout the ages. Join the Delaware Compline Choir for an evening of Gregorian chant and a cappella choral motets with incense and candles in the beautiful acoustics of Saint Helena Church.

Admission is free and open to the public.

Translation: Compline is a short, entirely candlelit, almost entirely sung, night-time service, not preachy at all, comprised of 80% Gregorian chant (aka "plainsong" -- in Latin) with some 17th Century polyphony (songs with multiple voice parts from the 1600s) sung by awesome singers... plus incense ("smells and bells"). It's intended to let your brain and body wind down. It's raining outside, but it's warm and good and quiet and pretty inside. Snuggle with your SO. Nuzzle your kid. Feel the warm relaxxy goodness. Sketch the shadows on the walls. Do some yoga, stretch out, nod off. It's OK-- encouraged, even.

So... If you'd like a peaceful way to mellow out after a busy weekend and mentally prepare for the week ahead (or if you're goth), even if you're not a fan of Da Lorrrd, you should come. The concert is this Sunday at 9pm at St. Helena's Church on Philly Pike (where the carnival is every May). It's free. Come as you are.

Totally, totally: all denominations are absolutely welcome and will not feel annoyed or preached at, I promise. Kids are also welcome; the service is short enough where they (or adults with ADD-- ha!) won't get too squirmy. (If anything, it'll put them to sleep. That's what it's designed to do, after all.) It usually runs about 30 minutes.

(x-posted from my journal.)