Virtual choir songs, and losing a singer
Nov. 8th, 2021 08:06 pmEarlier this year, I sent in tracks for "The Artistry of Balkan Singing," two virtual choir projects co-run by Kitka and Zado.
Zaspo Janko, I sang the middle (melody) part. Top row, second from right.
Dragana i Slaveja, I sang the middle-high part, with the "second choir," so I'm singing the second line where two choirs trade off.
Singing starts at about 1:00
Recording a video track is certainly a learning process! I compared it with signing up for a day-long bike ride. An accomplishment when I'm done, but in the middle of it I wonder what the heck I was thinking. I originally signed up for the high part of Dragana, which is what I usually sing, but after multiple attempts and bursting into tears, I wrote to them that they could have the middle or nothing. They graciously accepted the middle!
I can't find the words to post about this separately, so I'll put it here. Larry Gordon, founder of Village Harmony, is dying from a head injury from a bike crash. Here's the Caring Bridge site and Journal with more information.
They invited people to send notes to be buried with him. Here's what I sent.
He wasn't at that 2008 camp, but he was a teacher at several other camps I attended. Great teacher, warm bass voice, and a Balkan dancer. An incalculable loss to a worldwide community of singers.
Zaspo Janko, I sang the middle (melody) part. Top row, second from right.
Dragana i Slaveja, I sang the middle-high part, with the "second choir," so I'm singing the second line where two choirs trade off.
Singing starts at about 1:00
Recording a video track is certainly a learning process! I compared it with signing up for a day-long bike ride. An accomplishment when I'm done, but in the middle of it I wonder what the heck I was thinking. I originally signed up for the high part of Dragana, which is what I usually sing, but after multiple attempts and bursting into tears, I wrote to them that they could have the middle or nothing. They graciously accepted the middle!
I can't find the words to post about this separately, so I'll put it here. Larry Gordon, founder of Village Harmony, is dying from a head injury from a bike crash. Here's the Caring Bridge site and Journal with more information.
They invited people to send notes to be buried with him. Here's what I sent.
Dear Larry,
Thank you for creating the Village Harmony organization and keeping it going all these years with the wide range of skillful teachers who joined you. The 2008 Oregon camp changed my life. I'm still connected with friends I met there and singing songs I learned there. The camps I attended after that have also added to my singing life in wonderful ways. Thank you. May you enjoy gorgeous harmonies wherever you go next.
Love,
Sonia
He wasn't at that 2008 camp, but he was a teacher at several other camps I attended. Great teacher, warm bass voice, and a Balkan dancer. An incalculable loss to a worldwide community of singers.