If those were the most difficult words that I ever had to say aloud, they were also the most liberating.
Sunday, April 14, 2013.
I arrive at church, late, because I overslept from my drinking binge the night before. Besides that, I got all the way to the church only to discover that I had grabbed my tails coat out of the closet instead of my suit jacket and had to return home to switch them out. My colleague Matt came up to me after our warm up with a worried look on his face. Apparently I looked like shit with butter. I sounded like it too.
Later in the morning, I felt my phone vibrate during mass. When I checked the messages, a nice young man was thanking me for allowing him to move in with me. Funny, I don't remember a damned thing about any conversation with this guy.
After I checked my wallet, I discovered to my horror that I had spent $275 the day before on alcohol.
Monday, April 15, 2013
Breakfast with Shirley and then off to teach one of my students. When I came in the house, I grabbed the mail. In it was a letter from the conductor of the Montana Early Music Festival. Because of my excessive drinking, my voice had been in horrible condition during the festival. I was hung over and unrested and I didn't know my music. I had been fired.
Although I was devastated by that letter, it was the best medicine I could have ever been prescribed. Shirley suggested that we go to an AA meeting that very day. I agreed.
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
Today I celebrate my seventeenth consecutive day of sobriety. In just a little over two weeks, my life has completely turned around. I have a new hope in life and a new reason to live. I cannot tell you how nice it is to wake up actually feeling good, to a clean house and with most of the money I made this week still in my pocket and being spent on bills and savings instead of vodka.
Starting any twelve step program is scary, but I want everyone who reads this to know that it doesn't need to be. I was welcomed into Alcoholics Anonymous with open arms. If you ever want to have an instant room full of friends, go to an AA meeting.
Over the next few weeks, I am going to share a number of stories from my illness and from my road to recovery. It is a journey that I have just begun, and so I in no way claim to be any kind of expert or guru. What I am is a pilgrim along the path to a better life. And every day that I don't drink, my life gets better.
I want to address those of you who think you might have a problem with alcohol. First, I am not an AA fundamentalist. It is not my religion nor is it the center of my being. I have a life outside AA, but thanks to AA, I am able to live that life to its fullest; to enjoy the gifts of being alive and of living in the world free from the slavery of the bottle. I won't preach to you, nor will I judge you if you drink, even if you drink to excess. Not everyone who enjoys a cocktail has a problem and it is not mine nor anyone else's place to decide whether or not another drinker has a problem.
What I can tell you is this: if drinking has taken over your life, caused you to behave in a way that you would never behave sober, is causing you to miss work, to make excuses to your family and friends, has made you unreliable, then you might have a problem. If you do, there is help and it is totally free of charge. I say again, I am only beginning my journey, and I know it isn't always going to be pink bubbles and rainbows. I have a lot of work to do and some of it will be uncomfortable and emotional. But in just seventeen short days my life has gone from hell to hope, and I know that in the near future it will move from hope, to hope with happiness.
If you are reading this and you need help, call me. My telephone number is 214 455 8380. If I can't help you I can help you find someone who can. Life can be beautiful, I promise.
I will have more stories of my journey for you soon, and some of them will be kind of ugly and pathetic. But I want all of you to know where I was so that you can better understand that no matter how dark the night, the sun will come up in the morning.
Please, if you need help with alcohol, call me, or come to a meeting. I want to help.
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Wednesday, May 01, 2013
Friday, April 12, 2013
In Memoriam Jaqueline Wollan Gibbons
It was with the deepest sadness that I learned of the passing of Jaqueline Gibbons. There are probably fewer than a dozen people in the world that I hold in the kind of esteem, respect, awe and love that I have for Jackie. Her death leaves a gaping hole in my heart and spirit.
Beyond brilliant, Jackie was an intellectual force of nature. Her depth and breadth of knowledge on hundreds of topics was astounding and sometimes a little intimidating. And yet she had a gentle way of sculpting souls. I shall never forget when she and Hal invited me to dinner in their home some twenty years ago, and Jackie took the time and compassion to have a serious talk with me about the merits of humility, grace and kindness. Without ever putting me down, she helped me to see that true success comes from being nice to people, by building up others over oneself and by letting one's accomplishments speak for themselves.
Jackie Gibbons was one of the kindest, gentlest, most gracious and beautiful ladies I have ever had the honor of knowing.
With her departure, the world has not just lost a loving wife, mother and friend. We have lost a poet, a dreamer, an environmentalist, a musician, a philosopher and a peacemaker. Jackie sought and found perfection in so many realms that it is impossible to categorize her life. She was all things to all people, or at least she tried her very best to be.
Words cannot express the influence that this quietly joyful woman had on my life. She was the voice of reason, the caress of compassion and a cauldron of calm. It is easy to say that she left the world a much better place for her having passed through it. It is painful to admit that without her, we are all diminished. Thankfully, she touched so many lives that there is a strong hope that the seeds she planted in all of us will continue to grow and flourish, and that her good soul will live on in the lives of all who loved her so much.
And so, dear lady, farewell and rest in peace. And as your beautiful spirit soars around the universe, please pause from time to time to come back and visit us and lend us a cosmic hand. You will never be forgotten as there is no way that a spirit as rich and beautiful as yours could ever really die. I'll miss you very much. Thank you dear Jackie for making such a positive difference in my life, and for sharing some of yours with me and so many others. I love you very much.
Beyond brilliant, Jackie was an intellectual force of nature. Her depth and breadth of knowledge on hundreds of topics was astounding and sometimes a little intimidating. And yet she had a gentle way of sculpting souls. I shall never forget when she and Hal invited me to dinner in their home some twenty years ago, and Jackie took the time and compassion to have a serious talk with me about the merits of humility, grace and kindness. Without ever putting me down, she helped me to see that true success comes from being nice to people, by building up others over oneself and by letting one's accomplishments speak for themselves.
Jackie Gibbons was one of the kindest, gentlest, most gracious and beautiful ladies I have ever had the honor of knowing.
With her departure, the world has not just lost a loving wife, mother and friend. We have lost a poet, a dreamer, an environmentalist, a musician, a philosopher and a peacemaker. Jackie sought and found perfection in so many realms that it is impossible to categorize her life. She was all things to all people, or at least she tried her very best to be.
Words cannot express the influence that this quietly joyful woman had on my life. She was the voice of reason, the caress of compassion and a cauldron of calm. It is easy to say that she left the world a much better place for her having passed through it. It is painful to admit that without her, we are all diminished. Thankfully, she touched so many lives that there is a strong hope that the seeds she planted in all of us will continue to grow and flourish, and that her good soul will live on in the lives of all who loved her so much.
And so, dear lady, farewell and rest in peace. And as your beautiful spirit soars around the universe, please pause from time to time to come back and visit us and lend us a cosmic hand. You will never be forgotten as there is no way that a spirit as rich and beautiful as yours could ever really die. I'll miss you very much. Thank you dear Jackie for making such a positive difference in my life, and for sharing some of yours with me and so many others. I love you very much.
Monday, April 01, 2013
News and Views from the Tenorsphere
Wow what a week!
Let me begin by saying that I hope that all of you had a blessed Holy Week, Easter, Passover or whatever religious or personal holiday you might have celebrated last week. We here in Dallas enjoyed some absolutely beautiful weather and I personally had a wonderful week of work, worship and relaxation with friends.
Tomorrow afternoon I am off to Montana for the eleventh annual Montana Early Music Festival. Maestra Kerry Krebill has assembled her usual cast of stars from all over the country to bring some magnificent Italian cathedral music to life. I never cease to wonder at how Kerry can bring off musical miracles year after year in the beautiful setting of the Montana mountains. Check out the festival at www.musikantenmt.org.
I don't have a single point to make with today's post, but a couple of things have caught my attention in the news of late.
One is the recent speech that legendary Dallas developer Don Williams delivered to a group of high powered Dallas land barons at the Dallas Country Club. Mr. Williams has always been an outspoken advocate for the less fortunate and he quite eloquently called out our fair city's more affluent for their lack of interest in developing the poorer parts of Dallas. Bravo to you Mr. Williams for having achieved so much in your own career and for wanting to help other people achieve their dreams as well. I encourage my readers to check out recent editorials and reports about Mr. Williams efforts at www.dallasnews.com.
On a lighter note, I have been exploring and enjoying one of our city's somewhat hidden gems, the beautiful Bishop Arts District in Oak Cliff. Chock full of delightful restaurants, boutiques and art galleries, this is a treasure of culture and grace. Noteworthy is Oddfellows Restaurant and Bar at 316 West 7th Street. Lovely atmosphere, charming (and very good looking) staff, reasonable prices and delicious food and beverages make this a must try culinary destination. Check it out.www.oddfellowsdallas.com.
Ok, it's off to the presses, and the laundry, and the packing, and the score marking.....ugh. Have a beautiful day and thanks for reading.
Let me begin by saying that I hope that all of you had a blessed Holy Week, Easter, Passover or whatever religious or personal holiday you might have celebrated last week. We here in Dallas enjoyed some absolutely beautiful weather and I personally had a wonderful week of work, worship and relaxation with friends.
Tomorrow afternoon I am off to Montana for the eleventh annual Montana Early Music Festival. Maestra Kerry Krebill has assembled her usual cast of stars from all over the country to bring some magnificent Italian cathedral music to life. I never cease to wonder at how Kerry can bring off musical miracles year after year in the beautiful setting of the Montana mountains. Check out the festival at www.musikantenmt.org.
I don't have a single point to make with today's post, but a couple of things have caught my attention in the news of late.
One is the recent speech that legendary Dallas developer Don Williams delivered to a group of high powered Dallas land barons at the Dallas Country Club. Mr. Williams has always been an outspoken advocate for the less fortunate and he quite eloquently called out our fair city's more affluent for their lack of interest in developing the poorer parts of Dallas. Bravo to you Mr. Williams for having achieved so much in your own career and for wanting to help other people achieve their dreams as well. I encourage my readers to check out recent editorials and reports about Mr. Williams efforts at www.dallasnews.com.
On a lighter note, I have been exploring and enjoying one of our city's somewhat hidden gems, the beautiful Bishop Arts District in Oak Cliff. Chock full of delightful restaurants, boutiques and art galleries, this is a treasure of culture and grace. Noteworthy is Oddfellows Restaurant and Bar at 316 West 7th Street. Lovely atmosphere, charming (and very good looking) staff, reasonable prices and delicious food and beverages make this a must try culinary destination. Check it out.www.oddfellowsdallas.com.
Ok, it's off to the presses, and the laundry, and the packing, and the score marking.....ugh. Have a beautiful day and thanks for reading.
Monday, March 25, 2013
Movie Day!
So after a seemingly endless Palm Sunday morning (that Gospel reading is LONG!), I retired to Shirley and Leroy's for a lovely brunch and what turned out to be a movie marathon. Here are some thoughts on what we saw.
Our first outing was to see Django Unchained. There is no question that Quentin Tarantino is a brilliant film maker, and that in spite of his pandering to gratuitous violence, he has a way of making the splattering of blood and guts all over a set seem rather funny. Sadly, the dear boy just doesn't know when enough is enough.
The first hour was admittedly rather entertaining, leaving us rooting for Django and the good Dr. Schultz as they wiped out one bad guy after another. Django's revenge on the evil overseers at Big Daddy's plantation was worth a good round of "getims" but the minute Leonardo DiCaprio opened his mouth, the whole show turned south. From his entrance on, scenes dragged on for far too long and we felt trapped in a bad dream with a bunch of foul mouthed psychopaths. Lose about forty-five minutes of the words "fuck" and "nigger" and this would have been an effective movie. Instead if left me wanting the damned thing to end so I could go shower off.
We next ventured into the world of the collegiate A cappella phenomenon for what turned out to be a delightful ninety or so minutes in musical geekdom. One might call this charming little movie Glee on Steroids. It tells the story of a male and a female singing group and their struggles to win a national championship while overcoming the typical personal demons of young adulthood. It's all there: fat girl who can wail a tune, geeky boy whose big dream is to be a singing star, and a very attractive boy and girl who eventually get over themselves to realize they belong together.
Spectacular singing arrangements and a careful balance between angst and joy make this a charming Sunday afternoon film.
Well, we were on a roll so we decided to check out Spielberg's acclaimed Lincoln. It was everything that you would expect from so artful a director and so gifted a cast. Daniel Day Lewis was brilliant in his portrayal of Abraham Lincoln, particularly in the way he captured Lincoln's voice, at least what we can conjecture that he would have sounded like. Tommy Lee Jones gives a tour de force performance as Thaddeus Stevens, Joseph Gordon-Levitt should have had a bigger role as the president's eldest son, and Sally Field delivered the same performance she's been delivering since Steel Magnolias. She and Shirley MacLaine should start an academy on how to play oneself in every role you take.
It turned out to be therapeutic to simply not recharge the phone and enjoy seven hours of fantasy land with good friends. I highly recommend it if you have an uncluttered day!
Our first outing was to see Django Unchained. There is no question that Quentin Tarantino is a brilliant film maker, and that in spite of his pandering to gratuitous violence, he has a way of making the splattering of blood and guts all over a set seem rather funny. Sadly, the dear boy just doesn't know when enough is enough.
The first hour was admittedly rather entertaining, leaving us rooting for Django and the good Dr. Schultz as they wiped out one bad guy after another. Django's revenge on the evil overseers at Big Daddy's plantation was worth a good round of "getims" but the minute Leonardo DiCaprio opened his mouth, the whole show turned south. From his entrance on, scenes dragged on for far too long and we felt trapped in a bad dream with a bunch of foul mouthed psychopaths. Lose about forty-five minutes of the words "fuck" and "nigger" and this would have been an effective movie. Instead if left me wanting the damned thing to end so I could go shower off.
We next ventured into the world of the collegiate A cappella phenomenon for what turned out to be a delightful ninety or so minutes in musical geekdom. One might call this charming little movie Glee on Steroids. It tells the story of a male and a female singing group and their struggles to win a national championship while overcoming the typical personal demons of young adulthood. It's all there: fat girl who can wail a tune, geeky boy whose big dream is to be a singing star, and a very attractive boy and girl who eventually get over themselves to realize they belong together.
Spectacular singing arrangements and a careful balance between angst and joy make this a charming Sunday afternoon film.
Well, we were on a roll so we decided to check out Spielberg's acclaimed Lincoln. It was everything that you would expect from so artful a director and so gifted a cast. Daniel Day Lewis was brilliant in his portrayal of Abraham Lincoln, particularly in the way he captured Lincoln's voice, at least what we can conjecture that he would have sounded like. Tommy Lee Jones gives a tour de force performance as Thaddeus Stevens, Joseph Gordon-Levitt should have had a bigger role as the president's eldest son, and Sally Field delivered the same performance she's been delivering since Steel Magnolias. She and Shirley MacLaine should start an academy on how to play oneself in every role you take.
It turned out to be therapeutic to simply not recharge the phone and enjoy seven hours of fantasy land with good friends. I highly recommend it if you have an uncluttered day!
Thursday, March 21, 2013
Twenty Questions
Good morning all. I thought it might be fun to give you a little trivia quiz today just for grins and giggles. There is no particular logic to the questions other than the facts are kind of fun. If you can answer all twenty questions WITHOUT using Google, you'll win a lollipop and a gold star. Have fun.
1. What secretive medieval organization effectively founded the first international banking system?
2. Who was the only former U.S. President to swear in a successor?
3. Who invented FM radio?
4. Name two southern female authors who became internationally famous on just one novel each.
5. Who discovered alternating current?
6. Which famous silent film era comedian made a cameo appearance in Sunset Boulevard?
a. Charlie Chaplin
b. Buster Keaton
c. Oliver Hardy
7. What world renowned composer was born on this date (March 21) in 1685?
8. In 1972, members of the Palestinian Group Black September kidnapped and later killed eleven members of the Israeli Olympic team. In what city did this attack occur?
9. Orson Welles' 1941 masterpiece Citizen Kane is based on the life of what American newspaper baron?
10. In his famous fifth, Beethoven introduced two instruments never before used in a symphony. What were they?
11. Why is November 22 a significant day for musicians?
12. What famous Broadway and Film musical is based on Christopher Isherwood's Berlin Diaries?
13. What are you if you're a sesquipedalienist?
14. Why are nickels larger than dimes?
15. Who was the first African-American to sing at the Metropolitan Opera?
16. Who invented the swivel chair?
17. Who said "Give me liberty, or give me death!"?
18. What makes white asparagus white?
19. Where were Orville and Wilbur Wright born?
20. Name two words in English that have no rhyme.
1. What secretive medieval organization effectively founded the first international banking system?
2. Who was the only former U.S. President to swear in a successor?
3. Who invented FM radio?
4. Name two southern female authors who became internationally famous on just one novel each.
5. Who discovered alternating current?
6. Which famous silent film era comedian made a cameo appearance in Sunset Boulevard?
a. Charlie Chaplin
b. Buster Keaton
c. Oliver Hardy
7. What world renowned composer was born on this date (March 21) in 1685?
8. In 1972, members of the Palestinian Group Black September kidnapped and later killed eleven members of the Israeli Olympic team. In what city did this attack occur?
9. Orson Welles' 1941 masterpiece Citizen Kane is based on the life of what American newspaper baron?
10. In his famous fifth, Beethoven introduced two instruments never before used in a symphony. What were they?
11. Why is November 22 a significant day for musicians?
12. What famous Broadway and Film musical is based on Christopher Isherwood's Berlin Diaries?
13. What are you if you're a sesquipedalienist?
14. Why are nickels larger than dimes?
15. Who was the first African-American to sing at the Metropolitan Opera?
16. Who invented the swivel chair?
17. Who said "Give me liberty, or give me death!"?
18. What makes white asparagus white?
19. Where were Orville and Wilbur Wright born?
20. Name two words in English that have no rhyme.
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
ACDA Revisited, Part II
Hello again. Here is the second installment of my review of the 2013 National Convention of the American Choral Directors Association. Let's begin with the concerts that I got to hear.
The University of Delaware Chorale
Interesting programming was the high point of this choir's performance. I appreciated conductor Paul Head's epoch spanning selections, with a nice balance of traditional favorites and new adventures. Giles Swayne's spiffy Magnificat was a nice little surprise, as was Kevin Memley's elegant Ave Maria, deftly paired with Bruckner's gorgeous setting. If there was anything to quibble about it was that the Delawarians bought into the convention's general trend of over singing. But not too much to offend.
The University of North Texas A Cappella Choir
The UNT A Cappella Choir delivered a beautifully executed performance of some very challenging literature. True to form, Jerry McCoy found delicious repertoire that was sadly hampered by the poor acoustics of the Winspear Opera House. I wish I could have heard their Meyerson performance. The two standout works were the Gloria from Frank Martin's near perfect mass setting, and Dan Forrest's lovely Entreat me not to Leave You. This is a choir with a reputation for seamless blend and balance as well as spot on intonation. In spite of the bad room, we got a suitcase full of pretty much flawless singing.
The Westminster Choir
For a group with such a stellar reputation, this was one of the more disappointing concerts of the convention. Although the repertoire was well chosen it just wasn't all that interestingly executed with Victoria sounding like Bach sounding like everyone else. The biggest flaw was the choir's tendency to shout, particularly in Holst's stunning Nunc Dimittus. Brandon Waddles rollicking Ride the Chariot sounded like a Pentecostal tent revival with the ending being unbearably loud and out of control. And my God, who unleashed those Banshee sopranos in the final bars? It was pretty bloody awful.
Britten's War Requiem
The Dallas Symphony Chorus rounded out the week with a world premiere performance of Steven Stucky's Take Him Earth, and Benjamin Britten's monumental War Requiem. Sadly, the Dallas Symphony Orchestra is away on tour and thus a pick up group of local musicians served as the orchestra. Although they were very fine, the Britten is not a work that is suited to bands that don't regularly play together and there was some sloppy playing including a rather nastily botched trombone solo in the beginning of the Dies Irae. The singing however was superb and Craig Jessop led a well paced and emotionally stirring performance. It was a little odd to see him beat out measures in seven and five meters as opposed to dividing them into groups of twos and threes. But I'm nitpicking. Phillip Cutlip and Stanford Olsen were superb soloists as was soprano Barbara Shirvis, although she was at times overpowered by the orchestra.
Steven Stucky's Take Him Earth, commissioned for the convention and in memory of President Kennedy, was well sung but the score failed to impress. To use a text that was so perfectly set by Herbert Howells is a risk and sadly, Stucky's music was a bit of a sound mush without central themes or interesting melodies.
Please note that if I didn't review your choir here it is because I did not have the opportunity to hear you. No choir that I heard went unreviewed.
Outstanding Composers
Four composers deserve special kudos for their outstanding and at times even amazing music.
Kevin Memley was well represented in ACDA concerts. Of particular merit is his She Walks In Beauty, which received a fine performance by the Indianapolis Youth Chorale. I had heretofore not heard Memley's music but I shall certainly seek it out in the future.
Dan Forrest was also a frequently heard composer and Entreat Me Not to Leave You as splendidly rendered by the University of North Texas A Cappella Choir was a particular standout.
Ola Gjeilo is one of two composers that I would award an ACDA Composer of the Year Award were there such an honor. His gorgeous O Magnum Mysterium was ravishingly performed by the Mt. San Antonio Chamber Singers and Ubi caritas was another fine work as performed by the Kennesaw State University Men's Ensemble.
Eriks Esenvalds stood out as the finest newer composer to be performed. Again the Mt. San Antonio Chamber Singers dazzled us with the hauntingly beautiful Long Road, and the Pacific Lutheran University Choir of the West gave us a stunning first performance of Northern Light. Luminescent sonorities and brilliant effects from the use of native instruments and tuned water glasses made this young Latvian's music stand head and shoulders above almost anything that we heard all week.
In summary, the ACDA put on an inspiring and informative conference, and it was a gas to get to see some old friends, particularly Dr. Douglas Amman, who was my choral professor at Ball State University long many moons ago. I also had the pleasure of meeting two fine young composers from Clarke College in Iowa. I am sure that Timothy Gelhaus and Adam O'dell will give us some fine music to listen to in the future if the works that I have already heard are any indication, and I am sure that they are. It was also great to meet a fine young singer from Wyoming in the person of David Ginger. The best part of ACDA is the new friends you make, and the old friends you see.
Congratulations to all who worked so hard to put on a great convention, and here's best wishes to everyone as we look forward to Salt Lake City in two years!
The University of Delaware Chorale
Interesting programming was the high point of this choir's performance. I appreciated conductor Paul Head's epoch spanning selections, with a nice balance of traditional favorites and new adventures. Giles Swayne's spiffy Magnificat was a nice little surprise, as was Kevin Memley's elegant Ave Maria, deftly paired with Bruckner's gorgeous setting. If there was anything to quibble about it was that the Delawarians bought into the convention's general trend of over singing. But not too much to offend.
The University of North Texas A Cappella Choir
The UNT A Cappella Choir delivered a beautifully executed performance of some very challenging literature. True to form, Jerry McCoy found delicious repertoire that was sadly hampered by the poor acoustics of the Winspear Opera House. I wish I could have heard their Meyerson performance. The two standout works were the Gloria from Frank Martin's near perfect mass setting, and Dan Forrest's lovely Entreat me not to Leave You. This is a choir with a reputation for seamless blend and balance as well as spot on intonation. In spite of the bad room, we got a suitcase full of pretty much flawless singing.
The Westminster Choir
For a group with such a stellar reputation, this was one of the more disappointing concerts of the convention. Although the repertoire was well chosen it just wasn't all that interestingly executed with Victoria sounding like Bach sounding like everyone else. The biggest flaw was the choir's tendency to shout, particularly in Holst's stunning Nunc Dimittus. Brandon Waddles rollicking Ride the Chariot sounded like a Pentecostal tent revival with the ending being unbearably loud and out of control. And my God, who unleashed those Banshee sopranos in the final bars? It was pretty bloody awful.
Britten's War Requiem
The Dallas Symphony Chorus rounded out the week with a world premiere performance of Steven Stucky's Take Him Earth, and Benjamin Britten's monumental War Requiem. Sadly, the Dallas Symphony Orchestra is away on tour and thus a pick up group of local musicians served as the orchestra. Although they were very fine, the Britten is not a work that is suited to bands that don't regularly play together and there was some sloppy playing including a rather nastily botched trombone solo in the beginning of the Dies Irae. The singing however was superb and Craig Jessop led a well paced and emotionally stirring performance. It was a little odd to see him beat out measures in seven and five meters as opposed to dividing them into groups of twos and threes. But I'm nitpicking. Phillip Cutlip and Stanford Olsen were superb soloists as was soprano Barbara Shirvis, although she was at times overpowered by the orchestra.
Steven Stucky's Take Him Earth, commissioned for the convention and in memory of President Kennedy, was well sung but the score failed to impress. To use a text that was so perfectly set by Herbert Howells is a risk and sadly, Stucky's music was a bit of a sound mush without central themes or interesting melodies.
Please note that if I didn't review your choir here it is because I did not have the opportunity to hear you. No choir that I heard went unreviewed.
Outstanding Composers
Four composers deserve special kudos for their outstanding and at times even amazing music.
Kevin Memley was well represented in ACDA concerts. Of particular merit is his She Walks In Beauty, which received a fine performance by the Indianapolis Youth Chorale. I had heretofore not heard Memley's music but I shall certainly seek it out in the future.
Dan Forrest was also a frequently heard composer and Entreat Me Not to Leave You as splendidly rendered by the University of North Texas A Cappella Choir was a particular standout.
Ola Gjeilo is one of two composers that I would award an ACDA Composer of the Year Award were there such an honor. His gorgeous O Magnum Mysterium was ravishingly performed by the Mt. San Antonio Chamber Singers and Ubi caritas was another fine work as performed by the Kennesaw State University Men's Ensemble.
Eriks Esenvalds stood out as the finest newer composer to be performed. Again the Mt. San Antonio Chamber Singers dazzled us with the hauntingly beautiful Long Road, and the Pacific Lutheran University Choir of the West gave us a stunning first performance of Northern Light. Luminescent sonorities and brilliant effects from the use of native instruments and tuned water glasses made this young Latvian's music stand head and shoulders above almost anything that we heard all week.
In summary, the ACDA put on an inspiring and informative conference, and it was a gas to get to see some old friends, particularly Dr. Douglas Amman, who was my choral professor at Ball State University long many moons ago. I also had the pleasure of meeting two fine young composers from Clarke College in Iowa. I am sure that Timothy Gelhaus and Adam O'dell will give us some fine music to listen to in the future if the works that I have already heard are any indication, and I am sure that they are. It was also great to meet a fine young singer from Wyoming in the person of David Ginger. The best part of ACDA is the new friends you make, and the old friends you see.
Congratulations to all who worked so hard to put on a great convention, and here's best wishes to everyone as we look forward to Salt Lake City in two years!
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
ACDA Revisited Part I
Last week's biennial national conference of the American Choral Directors Association ended with a bang. A fine performance of Benjamin Britten's War Requiem concluded a week of generally fine performances and interesting workshops. Here is a review of what I heard and saw. I will break it down by category to make it a little easier to digest.
The Event and Venues
Dallas' shiny new arts district is in the main a great place to hold performance related convention. The Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center is the gem of our city and it did not disappoint. Sadly, the Winspear Opera House proved again to be less than stellar. The hall is designed to showcase the solo voice, and thus it is pretty much useless for anything else. Ensembles sound dead in the space and there is no bloom to the sound. Several conductors complained that the whole acoustic changed the moment an audience came in and that everything they had done in rehearsal to make a good blended sound flew out the window. The brand new City Performance hall was strangely underused. This would have been a far better venue for choirs than the opera house. The Cathedral Guadalupe was reserved mostly for sessions dealing with church music. Aesthetically astute perhaps but the choirs who had to suffer through the Winspear's deadness would have benefited from singing in the Cathedral.
Exhibits were set up in the lobbies of the Meyerson and the Winspear, which worked well for the most part. The only instance of bad planning was on Saturday when the exhibitors blocked off the front entrance to the Meyerson to tear down, thus forcing hundreds of people to us a narrow side entrance making for several log jams of people. This should have been better planned.
Performances
I had the opportunity to hear about seventeen choirs over the four day span. I observed a number of trends. First, I am thrilled that we are moving away from the preponderance of music that is nothing but a string of cluster chords. As one of my colleagues deftly opined, you can stack overtones to the moon but if they're boring, who cares.
There was no shortage of dull, however. Any convention in which performers are performing for other performers is bound to generate an over abundance of esoterica. But even the most seasoned academics need to enjoy a show every now and then. I was disappointed to find myself falling asleep in concerts because of the endless stream of dull commissioned pieces whose final product did not merit the amount of rehearsal time they took to perfect. On the positive side, the use of instruments and movement in several concerts was not only refreshing, but often inspiring and thrilling.
Following are brief reviews of the choirs that I heard.
The Arlington High School Colt Chorale Varsity Men
This fetching choir, conducted by Dinah Menger and Mason Barlow stood well above the crowd. With brilliant programming, professional level showmanship and stellar sound, this choir's infectious enthusiasm was awe inspiring. It was obvious from the get-go that these young men were in love with performing. Truly fine singing and tasteful choreography made this one of the outstanding performances of the week.
The Arlington Martin High School Chamber Singers
Arlington, Texas seems to have a choir vitamin in its water supply. The Martin High School ensemble presented a solid program that got better as it went along. Sadly, I heard them in the Winspear which was a hindrance to any choir that had to sing there. I was particularly impressed with this choirs elegant performance of Kevin Memley's She Walks in Beauty. The inspiring It Takes a Village by Joan Szymko received a rousing performance with some fine solos and great enthusiasm.
Camerata Musica Limburg
Although some professional commitments kept me from hearing this outstanding professional mens ensemble in concert, I did get to attend their master class at the crack of dawn on Wednesday morning. If the beautiful sounds that they were able to produce at nine a.m., I am confident that an evening performance would have blown me out of the water.
The Florida State University Singers
Kevin Fenton led this largish mixed choir in a well executed but rather dull performance. This was an example of too much dull repertoire sadly, some rather perfunctory singing. Particularly disappointing was the they way that Dr. Fenton blew through the gorgeous harmonies in Mendelssohn's stunning Denn er hat seinen Engeln befohlen. To these ears, Fenton took Adolfus Hailstork's (whose name was misspelled in the Choral Journal program guide) Crucifixion entirely too fast, thus negating the pain that the composer masterfully built into the score. FSU's red costumes were unique but a bit of a distraction.
Fullerton College Chamber Singers
I hate to say it, but this concert was the most disappointing of all that I heard. John Tebay led his primarily undergraduate choir in an out of tune shout fest that was made all the worse by his clueless interpretations of the repertoire. Hans Leo Hassler's Exultate Deo was transformed from an elegant dance in to machine gun fire. There was no sense of rubato or finesse in Brahms' masterful Ich aber bin Elend. Sloppy intonation and a lack of blend destroyed the delicious harmonies. Eriks Esenwalds' stunning Long Road received a phoned in performance. (Compare it to the breath taking rendition from the Mount San Antonio College Chamber Singers and hour or so before). Shawn Kirchner's rousing O What a Beautiful City was hollered at us, not sung.
Highland Park Presbyterian Church Chancel Choir
One of Dallas' outstanding church music programs lives at HPPC under George Gregory Hobbs watchful hands. Dr. Hobbs led this large choir in solid performances of a number of excellent church anthems. I particularly appreciated the choice of repertoire as it showcased what the choir exists to do, that is, lead worship. No academic esoterica here. Solid singing and prayerful restraint were the hallmarks of this performance. Sadly, the monstrous and marvelous organ of the Meyerson Symphony Center showed that it wasn't designed to accompany. A lack of richness in the string sounds and overpowering principles were a bit of a distraction even though HPPC's fine organist kept the big Fisk under control.
Houston Chamber Choir
Robert Simpson led his professional chamber choir from Houston in an exciting performance, one that I sadly had to hear in the acoustically bereft Opera House. Of particular merit were the movements from Dominck DiOrio's A Dome of Many Couloured Glass. Not only is this a very exciting work, I don't think that these ears have ever heard a marimba played so amazingly. Srephen Tobin's virtuosity was quite breathtaking. Bob Chilcott's entertaining Weather Report was the other high point of this first rate performance.
Indianapolis Youth Chorale
Cheryl Eisele West led her gi-normous youth choir in what was one of the more inspired concerts of the week. Well chosen repertoire, fine intonation and elegantly shaped phrases made for a very enjoyable thirty minutes. Kevin Memley's She Walks in Beauty received its second fine performance of the week and Dan Forrest's Dance of Exultation was quite the rabble rouser. This large choir was able to pull off some exquisite pianissimos, but these ears thought that the fortes were over sung, a trend that seemed to permeate much of the convention. Louder ain't always better. But as an Indiana native myself, I was very proud of the home team, especially for exposing so many fine young singers to much great literature.
Iowa State Cantaums
This outstanding sounding choir definitely gets the nappy time award for most uninteresting music. Dedicated to new works, this ensemble holds its many commissions as a source of pride. And well it should. Now it should just commission some interesting pieces. We were treated to thirty minutes of beautifully executed difficulty that quickly wore on the ear. Enough already of the endless bands of cluster chords. Yawnsville.
Kennesaw State University Men's Ensemble
This fine choir brought about some confusion in the ranks. During their introduction, the host commented that this group had only four music majors amongst its members. The printed program however revealed that well over twenty singers were pursuing music degrees. This little revelation took a bit of the wow factor away. Personnel issues or no, this was an exciting performance and the highlight of its concert session. Using various percussion instruments, creative staging and well, fine singing, this choir presented a vigorous program that was well selected, finely balanced and excellently sung. The highlight was Ola Gjielo's lovely Ubi Caritas, in which the composer made a guest appearance playing an improvised piano accompaniment over his own score. It was pretty thrilling.
THE MOUNT SAN ANTONIO COLLEGE CHAMBER SINGERS
Let us stop here to declare that this was the finest choir to perform in the entire convention, bar none.
Bruce Rogers is a programming genius, and his flawless blend of music, motion and performance perfection are almost beyond words. This was a performance that was so beautifully executed, so passionately rendered and so gorgeous in its visual presentation that for this listener, time literally stopped for the duration of the concert.
From the first note of Victoria's exquisitely simple Regina coeli, we knew we were in for a treat. Ola Gjeilo's stunning O magnum mysterium was deeply enhanced by the lovely staging, complete with a Madonna in a simple white shawl.
And the gifts just kept on coming and from all over the world. Every piece on the program pleased more than its predecessor, and Eriks Esenvalds' Long Road, transported listeners to flights of ecstasy. Perhaps I gush, but I have not been treated to a choral experience like that one in many a year and I will be first in line to attend Dr. Rogers' next master class or workshop.
It was most obvious that this was utterly inspired singing. You could read it on the singers' faces. Dr. Rogers must be a most inspirational conductor to get such astoundingly beautifully and emotionally charged musicianship from his young ensemble. By far, this concert was the apex of the week.
PACIFIC LUTHERAN UNIVERSITY CHOIR OF THE WEST
The Choir of the West's superb singing and programming rate it the other choir of the week to get a red banner. Richard Nance led a well balanced program that was marked by first rate musicianship, outstanding balance and tone and music selections that flowed together beautifully. The highlight of this nearly flawless concert was again a work by Latvian composer Eriks Esenvalds. Northern Light is a hauntingly atmospheric work that combines a splendid text, eerie mystery and the marvelous added effect of tuned glasses. This performance brought chills down the spine. Mr. Esenvalds is certain to continue to rise in fame, but more on that later. It was refreshing to hear music of Francis Poulenc so beautifully rendered. ACDA conventions can tend to ignore the music of past masters, and Poulenc is a sadly neglected master. The rousing So I'll Sing With My Voice of Dominic Argento brought this Mary Poppins (practically perfect in every way) performance to a thrilling close. Along with Mt. San Antonio's Chamber Singers, this performance can be awarded Best in Show.
San Antonio Chamber Choir
Professional ensembles were very well represented this year and the San Antonio Chamber Choir comes to the top of the list both for vocal virtuosity and interesting programming. Timothy Kramer's Lux Caelestis, from which the choir performed two movements, stole the show. The performance provoked loud bravos from Dr. Jerry McCoy, who is arguably the biggest champion of contemporary choral music working today. If he gives you a bravo for a new piece you know it was good. Of additional merit was the lovely setting of the Medieval poem Mille Regretz by Andrew Rindfleisch. Amongst a sea of rather modern music, Scott MacPherson delivered a rather ravishing performance of Johannes Brahms' Dem dunkeln Schloss, der heil'gen Erde. It was a welcome intermission between all the modernity.
The Tallis Scholars
Known for their superb recordings and performances of sacred music from the Renaissance, it was a pleasure to hear the ten finely honed voices of The Tallis Scholars perform some new music. A new and as unyet named work by Eric Whitacre was rather typical of this composer's chord stacking. Arvo Paert's Nunc dimittis was hauntingly beautiful. Better even still was Palestrina's setting of the same text, through which this exemplary choir showed us just how this music is supposed to sound. It seemed to this listener however that the group might have been a little tour weary as little enthusiasm or body language came across in their performance.
There is more to come tomorrow as I will review more choirs, the closing performance of Britten's War Requiem, my choices for composers of the year and some general thoughts about the state of our art, but time and space dictate that I get this off to you, dear readers, and bring more tomorrow. Your comments are welcome. Feel free to send along your thoughts.
The Event and Venues
Dallas' shiny new arts district is in the main a great place to hold performance related convention. The Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center is the gem of our city and it did not disappoint. Sadly, the Winspear Opera House proved again to be less than stellar. The hall is designed to showcase the solo voice, and thus it is pretty much useless for anything else. Ensembles sound dead in the space and there is no bloom to the sound. Several conductors complained that the whole acoustic changed the moment an audience came in and that everything they had done in rehearsal to make a good blended sound flew out the window. The brand new City Performance hall was strangely underused. This would have been a far better venue for choirs than the opera house. The Cathedral Guadalupe was reserved mostly for sessions dealing with church music. Aesthetically astute perhaps but the choirs who had to suffer through the Winspear's deadness would have benefited from singing in the Cathedral.
Exhibits were set up in the lobbies of the Meyerson and the Winspear, which worked well for the most part. The only instance of bad planning was on Saturday when the exhibitors blocked off the front entrance to the Meyerson to tear down, thus forcing hundreds of people to us a narrow side entrance making for several log jams of people. This should have been better planned.
Performances
I had the opportunity to hear about seventeen choirs over the four day span. I observed a number of trends. First, I am thrilled that we are moving away from the preponderance of music that is nothing but a string of cluster chords. As one of my colleagues deftly opined, you can stack overtones to the moon but if they're boring, who cares.
There was no shortage of dull, however. Any convention in which performers are performing for other performers is bound to generate an over abundance of esoterica. But even the most seasoned academics need to enjoy a show every now and then. I was disappointed to find myself falling asleep in concerts because of the endless stream of dull commissioned pieces whose final product did not merit the amount of rehearsal time they took to perfect. On the positive side, the use of instruments and movement in several concerts was not only refreshing, but often inspiring and thrilling.
Following are brief reviews of the choirs that I heard.
The Arlington High School Colt Chorale Varsity Men
This fetching choir, conducted by Dinah Menger and Mason Barlow stood well above the crowd. With brilliant programming, professional level showmanship and stellar sound, this choir's infectious enthusiasm was awe inspiring. It was obvious from the get-go that these young men were in love with performing. Truly fine singing and tasteful choreography made this one of the outstanding performances of the week.
The Arlington Martin High School Chamber Singers
Arlington, Texas seems to have a choir vitamin in its water supply. The Martin High School ensemble presented a solid program that got better as it went along. Sadly, I heard them in the Winspear which was a hindrance to any choir that had to sing there. I was particularly impressed with this choirs elegant performance of Kevin Memley's She Walks in Beauty. The inspiring It Takes a Village by Joan Szymko received a rousing performance with some fine solos and great enthusiasm.
Camerata Musica Limburg
Although some professional commitments kept me from hearing this outstanding professional mens ensemble in concert, I did get to attend their master class at the crack of dawn on Wednesday morning. If the beautiful sounds that they were able to produce at nine a.m., I am confident that an evening performance would have blown me out of the water.
The Florida State University Singers
Kevin Fenton led this largish mixed choir in a well executed but rather dull performance. This was an example of too much dull repertoire sadly, some rather perfunctory singing. Particularly disappointing was the they way that Dr. Fenton blew through the gorgeous harmonies in Mendelssohn's stunning Denn er hat seinen Engeln befohlen. To these ears, Fenton took Adolfus Hailstork's (whose name was misspelled in the Choral Journal program guide) Crucifixion entirely too fast, thus negating the pain that the composer masterfully built into the score. FSU's red costumes were unique but a bit of a distraction.
Fullerton College Chamber Singers
I hate to say it, but this concert was the most disappointing of all that I heard. John Tebay led his primarily undergraduate choir in an out of tune shout fest that was made all the worse by his clueless interpretations of the repertoire. Hans Leo Hassler's Exultate Deo was transformed from an elegant dance in to machine gun fire. There was no sense of rubato or finesse in Brahms' masterful Ich aber bin Elend. Sloppy intonation and a lack of blend destroyed the delicious harmonies. Eriks Esenwalds' stunning Long Road received a phoned in performance. (Compare it to the breath taking rendition from the Mount San Antonio College Chamber Singers and hour or so before). Shawn Kirchner's rousing O What a Beautiful City was hollered at us, not sung.
Highland Park Presbyterian Church Chancel Choir
One of Dallas' outstanding church music programs lives at HPPC under George Gregory Hobbs watchful hands. Dr. Hobbs led this large choir in solid performances of a number of excellent church anthems. I particularly appreciated the choice of repertoire as it showcased what the choir exists to do, that is, lead worship. No academic esoterica here. Solid singing and prayerful restraint were the hallmarks of this performance. Sadly, the monstrous and marvelous organ of the Meyerson Symphony Center showed that it wasn't designed to accompany. A lack of richness in the string sounds and overpowering principles were a bit of a distraction even though HPPC's fine organist kept the big Fisk under control.
Houston Chamber Choir
Robert Simpson led his professional chamber choir from Houston in an exciting performance, one that I sadly had to hear in the acoustically bereft Opera House. Of particular merit were the movements from Dominck DiOrio's A Dome of Many Couloured Glass. Not only is this a very exciting work, I don't think that these ears have ever heard a marimba played so amazingly. Srephen Tobin's virtuosity was quite breathtaking. Bob Chilcott's entertaining Weather Report was the other high point of this first rate performance.
Indianapolis Youth Chorale
Cheryl Eisele West led her gi-normous youth choir in what was one of the more inspired concerts of the week. Well chosen repertoire, fine intonation and elegantly shaped phrases made for a very enjoyable thirty minutes. Kevin Memley's She Walks in Beauty received its second fine performance of the week and Dan Forrest's Dance of Exultation was quite the rabble rouser. This large choir was able to pull off some exquisite pianissimos, but these ears thought that the fortes were over sung, a trend that seemed to permeate much of the convention. Louder ain't always better. But as an Indiana native myself, I was very proud of the home team, especially for exposing so many fine young singers to much great literature.
Iowa State Cantaums
This outstanding sounding choir definitely gets the nappy time award for most uninteresting music. Dedicated to new works, this ensemble holds its many commissions as a source of pride. And well it should. Now it should just commission some interesting pieces. We were treated to thirty minutes of beautifully executed difficulty that quickly wore on the ear. Enough already of the endless bands of cluster chords. Yawnsville.
Kennesaw State University Men's Ensemble
This fine choir brought about some confusion in the ranks. During their introduction, the host commented that this group had only four music majors amongst its members. The printed program however revealed that well over twenty singers were pursuing music degrees. This little revelation took a bit of the wow factor away. Personnel issues or no, this was an exciting performance and the highlight of its concert session. Using various percussion instruments, creative staging and well, fine singing, this choir presented a vigorous program that was well selected, finely balanced and excellently sung. The highlight was Ola Gjielo's lovely Ubi Caritas, in which the composer made a guest appearance playing an improvised piano accompaniment over his own score. It was pretty thrilling.
THE MOUNT SAN ANTONIO COLLEGE CHAMBER SINGERS
Let us stop here to declare that this was the finest choir to perform in the entire convention, bar none.
Bruce Rogers is a programming genius, and his flawless blend of music, motion and performance perfection are almost beyond words. This was a performance that was so beautifully executed, so passionately rendered and so gorgeous in its visual presentation that for this listener, time literally stopped for the duration of the concert.
From the first note of Victoria's exquisitely simple Regina coeli, we knew we were in for a treat. Ola Gjeilo's stunning O magnum mysterium was deeply enhanced by the lovely staging, complete with a Madonna in a simple white shawl.
And the gifts just kept on coming and from all over the world. Every piece on the program pleased more than its predecessor, and Eriks Esenvalds' Long Road, transported listeners to flights of ecstasy. Perhaps I gush, but I have not been treated to a choral experience like that one in many a year and I will be first in line to attend Dr. Rogers' next master class or workshop.
It was most obvious that this was utterly inspired singing. You could read it on the singers' faces. Dr. Rogers must be a most inspirational conductor to get such astoundingly beautifully and emotionally charged musicianship from his young ensemble. By far, this concert was the apex of the week.
PACIFIC LUTHERAN UNIVERSITY CHOIR OF THE WEST
The Choir of the West's superb singing and programming rate it the other choir of the week to get a red banner. Richard Nance led a well balanced program that was marked by first rate musicianship, outstanding balance and tone and music selections that flowed together beautifully. The highlight of this nearly flawless concert was again a work by Latvian composer Eriks Esenvalds. Northern Light is a hauntingly atmospheric work that combines a splendid text, eerie mystery and the marvelous added effect of tuned glasses. This performance brought chills down the spine. Mr. Esenvalds is certain to continue to rise in fame, but more on that later. It was refreshing to hear music of Francis Poulenc so beautifully rendered. ACDA conventions can tend to ignore the music of past masters, and Poulenc is a sadly neglected master. The rousing So I'll Sing With My Voice of Dominic Argento brought this Mary Poppins (practically perfect in every way) performance to a thrilling close. Along with Mt. San Antonio's Chamber Singers, this performance can be awarded Best in Show.
San Antonio Chamber Choir
Professional ensembles were very well represented this year and the San Antonio Chamber Choir comes to the top of the list both for vocal virtuosity and interesting programming. Timothy Kramer's Lux Caelestis, from which the choir performed two movements, stole the show. The performance provoked loud bravos from Dr. Jerry McCoy, who is arguably the biggest champion of contemporary choral music working today. If he gives you a bravo for a new piece you know it was good. Of additional merit was the lovely setting of the Medieval poem Mille Regretz by Andrew Rindfleisch. Amongst a sea of rather modern music, Scott MacPherson delivered a rather ravishing performance of Johannes Brahms' Dem dunkeln Schloss, der heil'gen Erde. It was a welcome intermission between all the modernity.
The Tallis Scholars
Known for their superb recordings and performances of sacred music from the Renaissance, it was a pleasure to hear the ten finely honed voices of The Tallis Scholars perform some new music. A new and as unyet named work by Eric Whitacre was rather typical of this composer's chord stacking. Arvo Paert's Nunc dimittis was hauntingly beautiful. Better even still was Palestrina's setting of the same text, through which this exemplary choir showed us just how this music is supposed to sound. It seemed to this listener however that the group might have been a little tour weary as little enthusiasm or body language came across in their performance.
There is more to come tomorrow as I will review more choirs, the closing performance of Britten's War Requiem, my choices for composers of the year and some general thoughts about the state of our art, but time and space dictate that I get this off to you, dear readers, and bring more tomorrow. Your comments are welcome. Feel free to send along your thoughts.
Monday, March 11, 2013
Criminal Justice and the Modern World
It costs the state of New Jersey more to incarcerate a low level, non-violent criminal offender than it would cost them to send him to Princeton.
Such a fact can't help but give one pause to reflect upon our justice system and contemplate ways to appropriately punish offenders while not bogging down public budgets by feeding and housing low level offenders.
Such thoughts have occurred to the brain trust at the Deloitte Corporation who this week presented a fascinating alternative to incarceration for low level, non violent offenders. It involves the use of smart phone technology to create a "virtual incarceration" where offenders would be monitored by authorities but allowed to remain in society. Such phones would be equipped with applications that track an offenders job status, his general whereabouts and daily habits. An analytical computer program would allow judges to determine risk factors and sentencing guidelines and help them to determine which activities to monitor.
For example, a drug offender might be required to use an app that determines intoxication or drug use by the movements of the eyes, as read through the phone's camera. The offender could also connect with his or her probation officer via iPhone's Face Time app, thus saving time and expense of travel and allowing the offender to maintain a job without the interruption of regular visits to some far off office.
This seems like a brilliant plan to me on all sorts of levels. First, it would surely lower recidivism rates. Statistics show that a person who is removed from society and placed in prison is considerably more likely to offend again. And why not? The barriers that society places in front of persons who have erred in the past are tremendous. Most people with past convictions find it at best difficult to find employment and even more difficult to find adequate housing. If you've been convicted of a sex offense, regardless of the circumstances, the burden of registration and the easy availability of your address, workplace and car licence makes any kind of successful re-entry into society nearly impossible. Very few people who have sex related offenses on their records have the emotional and psychological stamina to face down the myriad obstacles that are thrown in their paths.
By allowing persons who are convicted of non violent crimes and that are deemed unlikely to offend again to remain in their homes, with their families and in their jobs seems to be a much better recipe for success in reducing crime and the expense of punishment. Of course we should also be discussing the nature of what constitutes a crime in this country, particularly as it relates to drug use, and the disproportionate way in which sentences are handed out according to race and socioeconomic status. But that's a story for another day.
Meanwhile, Deloitte seems to have come up with an innovative and cost effective plan to reduce the number of people currently held in jails and prisons in the US, which, incidentally holds a full 25% of the world's imprisoned population. It is a technology and philosophy that certainly deserves further scrutiny and consideration. To read more about the Deloitte presentation at South By Southwest, click on the link below.
http://schedule.sxsw.com/2013/events/event_IAP3755
Such a fact can't help but give one pause to reflect upon our justice system and contemplate ways to appropriately punish offenders while not bogging down public budgets by feeding and housing low level offenders.
Such thoughts have occurred to the brain trust at the Deloitte Corporation who this week presented a fascinating alternative to incarceration for low level, non violent offenders. It involves the use of smart phone technology to create a "virtual incarceration" where offenders would be monitored by authorities but allowed to remain in society. Such phones would be equipped with applications that track an offenders job status, his general whereabouts and daily habits. An analytical computer program would allow judges to determine risk factors and sentencing guidelines and help them to determine which activities to monitor.
For example, a drug offender might be required to use an app that determines intoxication or drug use by the movements of the eyes, as read through the phone's camera. The offender could also connect with his or her probation officer via iPhone's Face Time app, thus saving time and expense of travel and allowing the offender to maintain a job without the interruption of regular visits to some far off office.
This seems like a brilliant plan to me on all sorts of levels. First, it would surely lower recidivism rates. Statistics show that a person who is removed from society and placed in prison is considerably more likely to offend again. And why not? The barriers that society places in front of persons who have erred in the past are tremendous. Most people with past convictions find it at best difficult to find employment and even more difficult to find adequate housing. If you've been convicted of a sex offense, regardless of the circumstances, the burden of registration and the easy availability of your address, workplace and car licence makes any kind of successful re-entry into society nearly impossible. Very few people who have sex related offenses on their records have the emotional and psychological stamina to face down the myriad obstacles that are thrown in their paths.
By allowing persons who are convicted of non violent crimes and that are deemed unlikely to offend again to remain in their homes, with their families and in their jobs seems to be a much better recipe for success in reducing crime and the expense of punishment. Of course we should also be discussing the nature of what constitutes a crime in this country, particularly as it relates to drug use, and the disproportionate way in which sentences are handed out according to race and socioeconomic status. But that's a story for another day.
Meanwhile, Deloitte seems to have come up with an innovative and cost effective plan to reduce the number of people currently held in jails and prisons in the US, which, incidentally holds a full 25% of the world's imprisoned population. It is a technology and philosophy that certainly deserves further scrutiny and consideration. To read more about the Deloitte presentation at South By Southwest, click on the link below.
http://schedule.sxsw.com/2013/events/event_IAP3755
Friday, March 08, 2013
My Love Affair with the Crawleys
Season three of Downton Abbey is now behind us with all of its shocking turns of event, and I am left to ponder how the first television series I have followed in years will fare in season four. With the departure of Dan Stevens, Jessica Brown Findlay and Siobhan Finneran from the show, there is room for some fantastic new plot lines, or for the show to jump the shark.
Let's start with Dan Stevens' departure. Since Matthew was the heir, and thus far in English Law, women cannot inherit, Lady Mary has no chance at all of being the Countess of Grantham. In fact she won't even be the dowager. Since she gave birth to a male, the child's future wife will be the next Countess and Lady Mary is consigned to spend the rest of her life as well, Lady Mary.
Then there's the scheming Miss O'Brien. Will she simply be gone at the beginning of season four, or will we see her just long enough for her to actually tell Lady Grantham that this time her rumored departure is for real? Remember SHE thought she was being let go in season one, (it was her Ladyship's soap) and then Thomas stirred up a nasty revenge rumor in season three. Let's hope that Miss O'Brien's replacement is at least somewhat nice. I know, the next lady's maid should be a lesbian who falls in love with Mrs. Pattmore.
How about Lady Edith? The poor girl always seems to take on Mission Impossible when it comes to boys. Will her editor be able to get out of his thankless marriage? Will Lord Grantham consent to Edith's on-the- side relationship with a married man? The poor girl's been jilted and jerked around since 1912. I think she deserves a little shot at happiness. And besides, editor boy is anything but ugly.
It seems that Thomas and Jimmy have come to some truce after Mr. Barrow took a beating to rescue his wannabe boy toy. It will be interesting to see if the conniving valet cum under butler actually becomes nice for a change.
Let us now consider Mr. and Mrs. Bates. Mr. Bates has been exonerated, Lord Grantham and Mr. Carson have managed to find a suitable job for everyone, and Anna and Bates have settled in to their little cottage on the estate. Isn't it about time that a little Bates enters the picture.
And what about Mr. Branson? Will Lady Mary fall for the hot little Irishman? Hmmmm? Let's just hope that his Lordship listens to Tom and doesn't blow all of the money for a third time.
Several new characters are joining the cast, including the first person of color. That's sure to stir up the Dowager's ire. So much to wonder and I hate it that season four is still months away.
Finally, here are some wishes for my favorite characters. I hope that Mr. Carson and Mrs. Hughes fall in love. I hope that Mrs. Crawley falls head over heals for Dr. Clarkson, in spite of the fact that she was the bane of his existence during the war. I bet that Daisy ends up moving from Downton to her father-in-law's farm. And let's hope that poor Alfred finally finds a girlfriend.
.JPG)
Let's start with Dan Stevens' departure. Since Matthew was the heir, and thus far in English Law, women cannot inherit, Lady Mary has no chance at all of being the Countess of Grantham. In fact she won't even be the dowager. Since she gave birth to a male, the child's future wife will be the next Countess and Lady Mary is consigned to spend the rest of her life as well, Lady Mary.
Then there's the scheming Miss O'Brien. Will she simply be gone at the beginning of season four, or will we see her just long enough for her to actually tell Lady Grantham that this time her rumored departure is for real? Remember SHE thought she was being let go in season one, (it was her Ladyship's soap) and then Thomas stirred up a nasty revenge rumor in season three. Let's hope that Miss O'Brien's replacement is at least somewhat nice. I know, the next lady's maid should be a lesbian who falls in love with Mrs. Pattmore.
How about Lady Edith? The poor girl always seems to take on Mission Impossible when it comes to boys. Will her editor be able to get out of his thankless marriage? Will Lord Grantham consent to Edith's on-the- side relationship with a married man? The poor girl's been jilted and jerked around since 1912. I think she deserves a little shot at happiness. And besides, editor boy is anything but ugly.
It seems that Thomas and Jimmy have come to some truce after Mr. Barrow took a beating to rescue his wannabe boy toy. It will be interesting to see if the conniving valet cum under butler actually becomes nice for a change.
Let us now consider Mr. and Mrs. Bates. Mr. Bates has been exonerated, Lord Grantham and Mr. Carson have managed to find a suitable job for everyone, and Anna and Bates have settled in to their little cottage on the estate. Isn't it about time that a little Bates enters the picture.
And what about Mr. Branson? Will Lady Mary fall for the hot little Irishman? Hmmmm? Let's just hope that his Lordship listens to Tom and doesn't blow all of the money for a third time.
Several new characters are joining the cast, including the first person of color. That's sure to stir up the Dowager's ire. So much to wonder and I hate it that season four is still months away.
Finally, here are some wishes for my favorite characters. I hope that Mr. Carson and Mrs. Hughes fall in love. I hope that Mrs. Crawley falls head over heals for Dr. Clarkson, in spite of the fact that she was the bane of his existence during the war. I bet that Daisy ends up moving from Downton to her father-in-law's farm. And let's hope that poor Alfred finally finds a girlfriend.
.JPG)
Severt Philleo and the author as Martha Levinson and the Dowager Countess, Halloween, 2013
Thursday, March 07, 2013
Alone in the Crowd
There is a lot of blabber about the use of personal devices and their effect on the ways in which we interact or communicate. Have they killed the art of conversation or have they enhanced our ability to stay connected with one another? Have they caused permanent damage to good manners or should we be adaptive and realize that there is a new code of social conduct in place? Big questions.
I think perhaps the answer is that smart phones and lap tops have done some damage to conversation. And I believe that in certain situations we should indeed turn the damned things off and just talk to one another. By the same token, there are some new rules and I think that since the only thing which should remain constant is change, then a little evolution on our part, (our meaning those of us that did not grow up with smart phones and the internet) is not amiss.
On two different occasions I have been accosted at my favorite watering hole by a patron who felt the need to make a rude comment about my using my phone at the bar. Both people made a case that a pub or bar was a place designed for socializing and that if he owned the bar, all phones would be checked at the door. Good luck with that buddy.
I completely disagree that public places such as restaurants and bars are by definition places to socialize. Yes indeed they can be, and if you go to one with the intention of meeting new people, then by all means put your phone away. On the other hand, I am the type who often enjoys being "alone in the crowd." In other words I like the stimulus of being around other people but at the same time I don't necessarily want to be bothered.
I go to my favorite coffee shop to check my email and write my blog entries and read the newspaper or a book. Sometimes after a long day, I want to go out for a drink and play my favorite video games or text with out of town friends and unwind for the day. Does this behavior make me rude or antisocial? Am I required to display my full wit and charm just because I am in a place where people gather with friends? Decidedly not. I have just as much right to privacy in a coffee shop as I do in my home. If I want to invite guests I will, if I don't, I won't.
Times and manners and customs change far more rapidly than they did when I was a twenty something. Technology has greatly enlarged the size of what could be called a community, and thus I believe that we should adapt to the changes and find a happy balance between electronic and face to face communication.
Given that the instant and online world is still relatively new, we might take a little time to find a balance between our virtual and actual realities. But things will be fine in the end, and if things aren't fine, then it's not the end.
I'm having a dinner party this weekend and the phones will be off. Meanwhile, as I sit here in the coffee shop writing this missive, feel free to text me. I am open for business.
I think perhaps the answer is that smart phones and lap tops have done some damage to conversation. And I believe that in certain situations we should indeed turn the damned things off and just talk to one another. By the same token, there are some new rules and I think that since the only thing which should remain constant is change, then a little evolution on our part, (our meaning those of us that did not grow up with smart phones and the internet) is not amiss.
On two different occasions I have been accosted at my favorite watering hole by a patron who felt the need to make a rude comment about my using my phone at the bar. Both people made a case that a pub or bar was a place designed for socializing and that if he owned the bar, all phones would be checked at the door. Good luck with that buddy.
I completely disagree that public places such as restaurants and bars are by definition places to socialize. Yes indeed they can be, and if you go to one with the intention of meeting new people, then by all means put your phone away. On the other hand, I am the type who often enjoys being "alone in the crowd." In other words I like the stimulus of being around other people but at the same time I don't necessarily want to be bothered.
I go to my favorite coffee shop to check my email and write my blog entries and read the newspaper or a book. Sometimes after a long day, I want to go out for a drink and play my favorite video games or text with out of town friends and unwind for the day. Does this behavior make me rude or antisocial? Am I required to display my full wit and charm just because I am in a place where people gather with friends? Decidedly not. I have just as much right to privacy in a coffee shop as I do in my home. If I want to invite guests I will, if I don't, I won't.
Times and manners and customs change far more rapidly than they did when I was a twenty something. Technology has greatly enlarged the size of what could be called a community, and thus I believe that we should adapt to the changes and find a happy balance between electronic and face to face communication.
Given that the instant and online world is still relatively new, we might take a little time to find a balance between our virtual and actual realities. But things will be fine in the end, and if things aren't fine, then it's not the end.
I'm having a dinner party this weekend and the phones will be off. Meanwhile, as I sit here in the coffee shop writing this missive, feel free to text me. I am open for business.
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