Well, hell week is over.  I think it went well. The choir did a splendid job. I’m a bit tired. Tomorrow I have tasks facing me: hand in music for the next bulletin, work on the composition, and think hard about the upcoming May recital.

The last is the most important. I want to design a recital that is not challenging for the players (besides myself…. I’m learning the dang Toccata and Fugue in D minor by Bach) and it fun for the people who bother to show.

I’m thinking of emphasizing variety. A Corelli trio sonata movement with violin and sax on the upper two parts and cello and harpsichord continuo. That would fun. John Dowland is on my mind a lot these days (as is Henry Purchell). I’m also thinking of pulling “Drek” out again. That way I would have at least one piece I could manage to play marimba on.

Anyway, it was a satisfying week for me. I think it was for the choir as well. Rev Jen announced to this morning’s congregation that the choir is top form or something like that. But I do wonder a little bit about how much of my work is perceived by listeners and congregational singers.  Don’t get me wrong. We get lots of compliments.

But I think my church work is pretty phenomenal.  I know  I make challenges for myself and my musicians when easier stuff would do. I guess I’m learning that doing something this well is best when done mostly for one’s self. And the glory of god of course.

I don’t mean to be presumptuous, but I relate to what Dylan Thomas said:

“These poems, with all their crudities, doubts and confusions, are written for the love of man and in Praise of God, and I’d be a damn fool if they weren’t.” Dylan Thomas