Happy People

I'm two weeks into my new gig as accompanist of Youngstown's Stambaugh Chorus. I'm brushing up the fingerwork on a bunch of Christmas and holiday songs, and I'm learning—for the first time at age 60—the Poulenc "Gloria". Ouch!

The "Gloria" is tough, tough, tough. Fortunately, the movements average about 2 minutes and 57 seconds each, so they're just bite-sized pieces. When I get about fives pages into a movement, I realize there's an end in sight. The light at the end of that movement's tunnel is not an oncoming train.

Okay, I'll confess that I don't love music that's written with a whole lot of sharps or flats. I don't just want the keys of C, G and F, but I don't like pushing my old brain too hard. Call me lazy if you will. But the Poulenc? There are so many accidentals on the page! Honestly, I should be paid by the amount of ink on the page, rather than just the amount of time I'm actually sitting and playing.

I'm enjoying working with this group, and I love working with Dr. Lee. He is so encouraging to the chorus. He's so enthusiastic about their music-making efforts. I can't imagine anyone ever leaving one of his rehearsals in tears (which, by the way, I've seen happen elsewhere).

The choristers are all friendly to me, which is nice, since I tend to turn into an introvert in new environments. Last night I directed the sectional for the women, and several women complimented me on my work. Whew! I'm hopeful they'll never know how anxious I was about leading that sectional!

The fun anecdote from last night was when a singer introduced herself to me and we realized our grandchildren go to school together and are good friends. Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley really is a small world.

All is well in my musical world, and I'm so glad to be playing on a regular basis again.