Summer Concerts
As you may have guessed, our summer concerts have taken a hit this year with the stay-at-home order. We had originally scheduled four concert events this year and planned to be spread out over the summer (one each month) rather than having consecutive weekly events. That being said – our May and June concerts have been canceled. However, we have The Lesters concert scheduled for July 26, and Timothy and Hosanna Noble are set to be here on August 9. We will proceed with these plans with the realization that proper precautions will be in place for each event. All safety recommendations for attendees will be set as we come closer to the concert dates.
Singing…
To sing or NOT to sing. As we are coming to grips with the issue of singing during this pandemic, we have become aware of the endangerment this activity can have on both producers and consumers. We will work throughout this unusual season of time to protect everyone from existing dangers.
An old Walt Whitman poem came to my mind while thinking about the luxury of singing. Though I feel unqualified to analyze the message, I love that this poet chose to use the idea of “songs” and “singing” to depict various characters singing their own “songs,” blending together in one unifying chorus that is America in his poem I Hear America Singing.
I hear America singing, the varied carols I hear.
Those of mechanics, each one singing his as it should be
blithe and strong.
The carpenter singing his as he measures his plank or beam.
The mason singing his as he makes ready for work,
or leaves off work.
The boatman singing what belongs to him in his boat,
The deckhand singing on the steamboat deck.
The shoemaker singing as he sits on his bench,
The hatter singing as he stands,
The wood-cutter’s song,
the ploughboy’s on his way in the morning,
or at noon intermission or at sundown,
This delicious singing of the mother,
or the young wife at work, or the girl sewing or washing,
Each singing what belongs to him or her and to none else,
The day what belongs to the day –
at night the party of young fellows, robust, friendly,
Singing with open mouths their strong melodious songs.