“To listen is to continually give up all expectation and to give our attention, completely and freshly, to what is before us, not really knowing what we will hear or what that will mean. In the practice of our days, to listen is to lean in, softly, with a willingness to be changed by what we hear.”
— Mark Nepo
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Reminder: The next Songtaneous session is Saturday, August 8. Visit the events page for more info.
“I’ve had to fall in love with playing music every day.” — Irvin Mayfield
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Spending the last two months temping really made me miss singing. While I enjoyed the new environment, my coworkers (everyone was SO nice!) and the regular paychecks *wink*, I didn’t have much time for “my music.” As you know, I blogged and hosted Songtaneous sessions, but my practice regimen became a little … er … nonexistent sporadic.
So this month, my singing and I are getting reacquainted. For our first date, we reinstated a practice schedule. We were a little awkward with each other at first, but quickly regained our comfort and familiarity with each other. (I really like singing!)
Next, we spent time with mentors Anthony Cox and Janis Weller. We talked next steps, grant proposals, international travel and improv projects. In other words, big, hairy, (and a little scary) goal setting.
Finally, I took my singing out to hear some music — Debbie Duncan at the AQ, Judi Donaghy and The Wolverines Jazz Trio at Hell’s Kitchen and, this weekend, we heard The Girls in concert at Minnehaha UCC. Singers and singing to admire and inspire. (Remember listening is an important part of singing.)
Now, we’re working on some lesson and class ideas and setting up some fall Songtaneous presentations (more to come about these) before heading into the studio this week to record some tunes with Lori Dokken and (then) Judi.
Falling in love again.
I can’t help it.
“The creative is the place where no one else has ever been. You have to leave the city of your comfort and go into the wilderness of your intuition. What you’ll discover will be wonderful. What you’ll discover is yourself.” — Alan Alda
