All Else Confusion

I finally made the decision - it's time to go to Virginia. Last summer, I had a wonderful time being a student. I loved studying, and I even loved it when I came back home and had to write papers (despite all the complaining!). So, I decided that I wanted to be able to go to school all year round - not just for a few weeks during the summer. But, in order to do that, I have to move to Virginia. This was not an easy decision - it means leaving a job that I've held for almost 7 years (not necessarily a bad thing, but it's comfortable) and figuing out what to do with my house as well as leaving my family and friends here in Massachusetts. And, of course, it means the dreaded job hunting in Virginia. So, while I'm very excited about all these changes about to happen in my life, I'm a little nervous too.

Labels: personal

The annual St. Paul's Music Festival begins this weekend. The Festival is a week of the best music in the Worcester area - which is really very good. Here's the schedule:

Sunday, June 3
The New England Ringers

New England’s premier handbell virtuosi ring in the 2007 Festival. The uplifting and joyful sound of bells will make you smile from the first note to the last!

$10 Adults $5 students and children

www.newenglandringers.org

Monday June 4
1:00 pm Organ Concert

Admission free

7:00 pm Worcester Chamber Music Society

Tracy Kraus, Peter Sulski, Mark Berger, Maria Ferrante, Ian Watson and Jonathan Yasuda perform a lively program featuring the C minor Piano Quartet, Op 60 of Johannes Brahms. Also on the program are piano music for 4 hands by Mozart, Rossini songs, and a little known gem by Friedrich Kuhlau, the Flute Quintet, Op. 51 for flute and string quartet.

$20 adults $15 seniors $10 students and children

www.worcesterchambermusic.org

Tuesday June 5
1:00 pm Organ Concert

Admission free

7:00 pm
Worcester Collegium Strings

Serenade in E minor - Edward Elgar

Chamber Symphony - D. Shostakovich

Serenade - A. Dvorak

This concert is preceded at 6.15 by a 20 minute concert by Worcester Collegium Youth strings

$10 adults $5 children

Wednesday, June 6

1:00 pm Organ Concert

Admission free

7:00 pm Harpsichord Fest! - Arcadia Players play Vivaldi and Bach

One of New England’s finest period-instrument ensembles, Arcadia Players present not only a harpsichord extravaganza, but Vivaldi, Bach and Vivaldi arranged by Bach. Not to be missed!

Harpsichordists: Gregory Hayes, Donald Meineke, Allan Taylor

Arcadia Players Baroque Ensemble, Ian Watson harpsichord/director

$10 adults $5 students and children

www.arcadiaplayers.org

Thursday June 7
1:00 pm Organ Concert

Admission free

7:00 pm
The Dynamics – Umass Amherst’s hottest A Capella group!

$10 adults $5 students and children

www.dynamicsacappella.com

Friday June 8

1:00 pm Organ Concert

Admission free

7:00 pm Worcester Collegium World Premiere performance

Simple Symphony - Benjamin Britten

Fantasia on Greensleeves - R. Vaughan Williams

Divertimento in F - W.A. Mozart

Sonata for Viola and Orchestra - Rebecca Clarke (World Premiere)

Peter Sulski solo viola; Ian Watson, conductor

Adults $20 Seniors $15 Children $10

www.rebeccaclarke.org

Saturday June 9
7:00 pm American Traditions – New and Old

Jointly sponsored by Salisbury Singers and Mastersingers of Worcester

In preparation for our joint concert tour to Europe, the Salisbury Singers and the Mastersingers of Worcester will once again collaborate in presenting the best in American musical traditions. Spirituals, folk songs, and new arrangements of traditional songs will fill the magnificent space of the Cathedral of St. Paul and the choruses will premiere a new work by Gwyneth Walker, New England Journey. The concert will also feature a performance of the popular Missa Kenya by Paul Basler.

$20 adults $18 seniors, students and children

www.salisburysingers.org

Sunday June 10
4:00 pm Festival Finale

Concerto for Organ & Orchestra in G minor - Francis Poulenc

"Nelson" Mass in D minor - Franz Joseph Haydn

St. Paul's Cathedral Choir, St. Paul's Festival Orchestra

Monica Hatch, soprano; Paulette Labarre, alto;
Raymond Delisle, tenor; Jonathan Labarre bass
Jeffrey Wood, organ; Ian Watson, conductor

Admission Free

Labels: art, choir

I just received word that my sister's mother-in-law died this morning after a long battle with cancer. Please pray for the repose of her soul and for the comfort of her family.

May the Lord have mercy on her and may the souls of the faithful departed rest in peace.

Labels: prayer request

I'm going to the Red Sox game tonight! It's a long story, but the conclusion is that I'm going to the game with the Past State Deputy of Massachusetts for the Knights of Columbus. He has season tickets at the curve by Pesky's Pole ON THE FIELD. Yup, front row tickets by Pesky's Pole.

Last night I attended a wonderful Vespers Service and Concert by the students of Magnificat Academy and Choir School in Warren, MA. Started in 2005, the students of Magnificat Academy have already been invited to sing for the Mass at the Worcester Diocese's priests' retreat a couple of weeks from now.

In addition to their choral program, the school focuses on a traditional liberal arts education with a focus on the Great Books. They will have their first graduate this year, and she will be continuing on to the University of Dallas in the Fall.

Good things are happening at Magnificat Academy.

Please pray for my sister's mother-in-law. She is suffering from cancer and hasn't been doing well lately. Last night my sister called to say that the family had been called because they didn't think she'd make it through today. Please also pray for her family, especially her husband, as they go through this difficult time.

Labels: prayer request