Winter Concert Series

This is going to be a video blog of the North Kansas City High School Winter (Choir) Concert Today, there videos of the A Capella Choir. Deck The Halls Still Still Still Sleigh Ride Tomorrow: Women's Choir

Caroling from AUMC

"Here we come A Caroling ..." "We Wish you a Merry Christmas ..." "Here we come A-Wassailing ... " "Joy to the World ..." "Silent Night ...." "Away in a Manger ..." The songs listed above are intertwined and linked in my mind, but historically that is a recent phenomenon. In doing a little web … Continue reading Caroling from AUMC →

Musical Ratatouille

"...Sometimes it can just be ratatouille" I made that comment at the end of a recent conversation and realized I had a great headline/subject for a blog post. The topic was church music, in particular, special music and worship music for services. We are a performance culture. Everyone wants to do something bigger, greater, different, … Continue reading Musical Ratatouille →

Listen to the Mocking Bird

This is one of those happy songs about death; Merry tune about a loved one in her grave. It is such a catchy tune and fun to sing that it is easy to lose track of the lyrics. The verse is written unison, with a solo at the beginning of the chorus, followed by a … Continue reading Listen to the Mocking Bird →

Jingle Bells

This one is going to require a sound track -- not because people know it so well, but because people know it so well a different way. The title as originally published was One Horse Open Sleigh, which was later published as Jingle Bells or the One Horse Open Sleigh. The verse has remained basically … Continue reading Jingle Bells →

I’ll take You Home Again, Kathleen

This song, composed in America, has gained a reputation as an Irish Ballad, and as such was used in Star Trek TOS: The song has been performed by many artists, including Elvis Presley. _______ I'll take you home again, Kathleen, Across the ocean wild and wide, To where your heart has ever been, Since first … Continue reading I’ll take You Home Again, Kathleen →

Home! Sweet Home!

This song is familiar/popular enough to have made its way into the Broadway musical "The King and I" in a certain format. The tune evokes the sense of sentimentality for home that is a dream for many, a reality for some. Even the life of its composer didn't match the hopes of the song itself. … Continue reading Home! Sweet Home! →

Pageant

Today's post is just a compilation of some blurry pictures from our church children's Christmas Pageant. The tall king in red with long hair is my son. Taking pictures with a hand-held camera from the choir loft requires a little more resolution than I was using to get the best pictures. P.S. -- For the … Continue reading Pageant →

Grandfather’s Clock

Today I come to the song that started the whole series: Grandfather's Clock. This is the song on the toy clock my son discovered Thanksgiving Evening that led to this review of all these wonderful pieces of times yore -- namely 19th Century American music. Published in 1876, this song was one of the most … Continue reading Grandfather’s Clock →