I have a secret.
Some of you, like Tom, Jennifer, and Katy know about it. I think my sons-in-law are on to me. Janet (Country Mouse) likely remembers from our youthful days in college, and I’m sure my sister remembers. I will guess that most of you, however, do not know my secret, even if you attend the same church or have gone to a concert with me.
I’m tone-deaf.
Can’t carry a tune.
Can’t even remember the words to songs, often making up my own as I go along.
Oh, I’ll sing in the shower and Kezzie has heard me sing, though I worry about my influence on her. If you are nearby, I can be very, very quiet, so as not to frighten you with the sounds that come out of my mouth.
It was with amazement that I watched a feature on a national newsmagazine show about Erik Whitacre’s Virtual Choir.
Whitacre started with “a simple experiment in social media”. He invited visitors to his blog to submit videos of themselves singing. He imagined himself conducting these singers, posting himself doing just that. The singers were then digitally put together into a virtual choir made up of a range of voices from around the world singing Whitacre’s piece.
The first virtual choir morphed into a second and a third is soon to be released.
What an interesting concept and what a joyful sound, especially to someone like me. This idea of singers, now in the thousands, singing together, yet never standing next to each other, miles, oceans, hemispheres apart, following one conductor, Eric Whitacre, their voices soaring across the heavens.
Click this link to hear one of the virtual songs. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7o7BrlbaDs
You can click here to find out more at Eric Whitacre’s website.
I’ll sing along with, but, I promise, I will not record myself doing so.
It really is an amazing world, full of possibilities, don’t you agree?
Both my mother and my husband had the same experience as children singing with the class in school – they were told not to make a sound but just move their mouths! My dad had a lovely voice and sang in the church choir throughout his childhood. I think am somewhere in between! Eric Whitacre’s website sounds very interesting and I will certainly have a look. You’re so right about all the possibilities in our world today, we just need to focus on them in spite of so many distractions that tell us otherwise!
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How we stifle children’s creativity in so many ways, Janet. I think most people fall in between and just love to sing. I hope you get a look at Whitacre’s website. His own story about how he came to music is interesting and then how this virtual choir grew.
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Penny, thank you so much for those links. I’ve never heard of Eric Whiteacre but think this is a fantastic idea an have bookmarked his website.
Our family have always been singers, some better than others, but I have friends who like you can’t carry a tune, though they very much appreciate music. There are people who claim that anyone can be taught to sing with patience and practice but I’ve not had opportunity to follow that up and tend to doubt it. I don’t have a very accurate ear myself and DD says I have a tendency to sing flat at times 🙂 but I have improved by listening hard to myself over the years.
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You are quite welcome, Perpetua. It takes a bit of time to navigate his website, but is well worth taking the time. I’ve bookmarked it as well for a better look when time allows.
I’m not sure I’m teachable at this point, but, you never know. I enjoy music so much and can sing my heart out in the shower. One time I really sing, as I’m sure you do too, is those Easter vigils we both appreciate.
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My father had a wonderful voice and so does my daughter… but… you guessed… the gene skipped *me*. I can sing and just about carry a tune but never like those two. So I can sympathise. And I’m very sure you have other attributes, your writing, for instance, is beautiful.
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That is so sweet of you to say, Cath. Thank you. I’m surrounded by family who have good musical ears and talent with instruments, so, I just enjoy it.
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As my old hippie friends would say, this music is mind blowing! It brought tears to my eyes because it is so pure and celestial. This must be the sounds of angels when, if, we soar to heaven. What a blessing to be able to hear this so thank you.
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Indeed, it is Marilyn. Celestial is the perfect word to describe this music. The fact that they are all singing in different places across the globe and making such music does blow me away. You are so very welcome.
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The Virtual Choir is absolutely amazing. Thanks for introducing me to it. I need to listen to more of it.
Now, I do indeed remember you singing in college. I recall you singing at the top of your lungs a song you sang to the tune of Up On The Roof. I’m sure some of you remember the song. It was sung by the Drifters and later The Bee Gees and others. The words go “When I come home feeling tired and beat, I go up where the air is fresh and swee-eet.” You sang “When I come home feeling tired and beat, I take a shower ’cause it makes me feel so neee-at.” I love it. You sang for fun, not to impress anyone. My Dad used to say (pardon the grammar, he said it this way.)” If you can’t sing good, sing LOUD. That way people know you mean it.”
It was fun. I have problems with tune as well, but I love to sing. I try to be loud, but it usually doesn’t come out that way. I guess that’s why I was called Mouse.
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I’m so glad you think so as well, Janet. I’ve bookmarked it to return when I have more time to listen.
I just knew I’d set myself up for your remembrances. You were the one who told me, early in our friendship, that “If you can’t sing good, sing LOUD”. It freed me to sing for fun. My whole family will attest that Up On the Roof is still a favorite song of mine. I first heard it the summer we graduated from high school at a little concert with the Cryan’ Shames, a local group. James Taylor does it, though I’m very careful not to sing when he does it. tee hee Oh, my dear friend, you gave me a much needed laugh with those improvised words.
Mouse and Greek. We could have outsold Tiny Tim with our music.
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I didn’t mention the Cryan’ Shames because I knew they were kind of local group, but I remember them well. They played at our Senior Prom.
Those improvised words were yours not mine. I still do a lot of that silly stuff. Yesterday, I had 4th grade singing “Change Y to I and add -ed…Yeah!” We learned about irregular verbs and they didn’t care if I was off key. Ha ha.
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I remember you saying they played at your prom and being so jealous of that. ha! I figured they had to be my words, Janet. I’m often accused by my family of making up words to songs. Who, me? I used to entertain Tom by “singing the signs” along city streets in Chicago. It’s amazing the entertainment those can provide – Yeah!
A side note. There is a gardening center we all frequent in these parts. A big piece of property on a little hill with an old house for its business end. The owner once told me that before they bought it, the house was rented by a group of musicians then asked me if I’d ever heard of the Cryan’ Shames. She wouldn’t take me up on the roof, though.
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My something new to learn about for the day Penny — thanks! I can’t carry a tune in a basket — but I love to listen to music. thanks
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You’re quite welcome, Sallie. I hope you had fun learning these new things.
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And yet you obviously appreciate music very much! My dear husband is tone deaf, and the kids and I used to just cringe (God forgive me) when he would sing out in a loud, clear, yet “off” voice in church. He feels completely comfortable singing with a hearty voice…regardless! So I have mixed feelings about you joining the virtual choir! Maybe you should just go for it, and with gusto! This is an amazing project, and I want to know more. I’m so glad you shared it…and shared your secret 🙂 Debra
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Oh, I do Debra. I can see my family cringing at the thought of me joining in this virtual choir (as if I’d be accepted, tee hee). I’ll just be part of an appreciative audience. Good for your husband for feeling comfortable with his own voice. Isn’t it amazing? It takes a bit of time to navigate the website, but, so well worth it. Enjoy.
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Will be checking out that link! My daughter now sings in a choir in San Francisco and it brings her so much happiness. I attended their Christmas concert and I can’t tell you how magical it was! I cannot carry a tune at all and I am always inspired by talented singers. Thanks for letting us know about this.
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I think you will enjoy hearing it, Sunday. What a thrill that must have been to hear your daughter sing and use her talents in such a way. Makes me smile.
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It sounds ethereal, Penny. You should submit something. 🙂
Your picture today reminded me that the last version of The Scream in private hands is going on the auction block, expected to bring the biggest price ever for a painting.
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I does, doesn’t it Andra. Ah, my voice would ruin it all, I can guarantee it.
That’s right. It is. The Scream has certainly had many incarnations, thefts, sales. I wonder what this latest auction will yield.
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That is really very beautiful, Penny: what a vision! What an accomplishment! The conductor made me laugh, though: when I was at music college the conductors were always the chief poseurs. Nothing has changed 🙂
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I’m glad you got to see it, Kate. Ha! Conductors the same in any language or country.
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Dear Penny,
Thank you for sharing this video with us. I’d never before heard of a virtual choir. Truly, this century is going to be amazing. Perhaps someone can do something with “a virtual peace” and that will entice the warriors to put down their weapons.
Peace.
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Isn’t it amazing, Dee? In spite of all the social issues, wars, disasters, etc., I think you are right. It is going to be an amazing century filled with wonderful advancements – and maybe “a virtual peace”. Let’s hope and pray for that.
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