Another season comes to an end...

Last night, December 12, 2014, I had the privilege of going to the Kenny Rogers Concert in Van Wert to hear not only Kenny, but our own Voices of Ohio.  Those of you in the group know the amount of work that went into the performance last evening and I'm sure your families are well aware too.  The concert was worth the effort!  The Voices sounded like the professionals they are and were told so many times by both Kenny and Linda Davis, the special guest.

The Niswonger Performing Arts Center in Van Wert, Ohio, was truly a surprise.  Having lived in Lima for 11 years before we went to Georgia, and then in Columbus for two before returning to Lima just this past August, I never knew there was such a fine arts center in Van Wert.  Now, granted, I was away for a decade and in that time a lot changed - not the least of which was the building of a new high school for Van Wert and the addition of the performing arts complex as part of the high school.  It's a fair sized venue - 1,600 seats on two levels, but has the appearance and sounds of an exceptional location for entertainment.  High tech lighting, digital imagery on various surfaces, comfortable seating, great sound...well, this isn't a review of the center so  I'll stop there.  (But, it's really nice!)

A sold out audience welcomed "the gambler" to the stage with warmth and appreciation.  He talked candidly with the audience about his age (70ish) and the fact he was a little unsteady on his feet because of  knee replacement surgery.  His candor and interaction with the audience was just right as he reminisced about past hits and sang renditions that brought applause as soon as the opening notes were heard.  I don't think I could name one favorite song, because as he went from song to song, I smiled and hummed along. When he was finished with the past hits, he left the stage for 20 minutes to prepare for the Christmas part of the program.

Well, this was the part I really came for since VOO was performing and I'd lived with a member of the group for the past several months...lots of practice, lots of trepidation, stress, anticipation, and finally the day had arrived.  I went over all the parts of Bob's wardrobe Thursday night, checked for shoes, the right socks.  Friday morning, we went over it again together, removing items that would be excess, and assuring the right tie, studs and cuff links were all there until he left for the concert.  Then I relaxed!  I knew he would be keyed up until after the concert but he would be with everyone else in the chorus. They would take care of one another.  I just had to get myself to the concert by 7:30.

Now, the Christmas part of the program was beginning and I watched as the chorus quietly took the tiers across the back of the stage and naturally looked to find Bob - there he was right under the center of the Christmas graphics on stage. Luckey I could see him.  He and Derrick Davis are tall men but somehow get in between Malcom and Jeff, both of whom make them look short.  The local children performing with Kenny and Linda Davis acted as if they always had been on stage.  The chorus sang back up for one song with Kenny and Linda and then came quickly off the tiers to stage right and lined up with Girard at the ready.  Linda Davis' conversation sounded so natural as she started "Go Tell It On The Mountain" and the chorus joined her with a up beat, happy rendition that had the audience clapping along.  Her praises for the quality of the group were warm and professional as she got Kenny to agree with her that they might have a song of their own prepared.  "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas"  accappella never sounded so good. I say that honestly because I heard them practicing several times and knew there were some spots that needed work...but last night every voice hit the right note at the right time and gave me chills. Then they moved across stage behind Kenny, Linda and the kids, as they accompanied on the final songs of the evening.  The audience was on their feet even before the music finished.

I think the group sounded the best I've ever heard it since Bob has been involved.  There have been very few performances that I've missed over the last several years, both indoors and outside.  The blending of  voices seems so much stronger and cohesive when not competing with vendors and amusement rides - although they're good then too.  The only disappointment for me was the lack of recognition for the Voices of Ohio to the audience.  Yes, Kenny said their name and gave the director's name too and thanked them profusely...That was great.  However, the program guide I was handed when I went to my seat didn't give any indication that a chorus would be there...the program gave biographical information on Kenny, Linda and all five of the youngsters who performed (local children).  When I heard people around me, both while seated and as I was leaving, ask where the choir was from, I made my way to them and told them about the group and director.  I don't know who's decision it was to not include a few lines recognizing the guest chorus members and director.  I'm not even sure if it's appropriate to do so...maybe it was to comply with some professional standards...I don't know.  I just think when the Voices perform, there should be sufficient recognition that people can say, "I'd like to hear them again wherever they perform."  If they don't know the name they can't find the Voices and I want the group found!!

Well that was the final performance of the season.  I didn't write much this season with teaching, moving and then breaking my foot at the Dayton fair; I couldn't find what I  wanted to say.  Guess you could say my voice was hindered by my own problems and I didn't think you needed to hear all of them.  I am looking forward to next season....I remain a little ole lady groupie!  Bye y'all. Garlene
P.s.  there is a web site www.voicesofohio.com for information and pictures.

Between shows

So...the tuxedo and shirt went to the dry cleaners to be picked up before the next practice.  I picked it up, checked the bag for all his gear, put studs in the shirt and put all into the closet ready for practice since formal pictures are to be taken for the website and other advertisements.

Bob awakens me on practice day because I have a training session to attend over at the college - one that will take me out of the house before he's ready to go.  After a shower and playing a few games on the computer, I yell upstairs...I'm leaving (it's about a 20 min drive and I now have about 30 minutes before the training starts).  "Wait a minute, where's my tux?"  Together we pull out the hanging case, the tux and the shirt and take cleaning tags and plastic bags off.  Where's my red cummerbund?...(keep quiet, just look through drawers and closet)  Look in the pocket of the tux...Honey I took that to the cleaners...there was nothing in the pockets...never mind I found it!  Shoes - where's my black shoes and socks?  Did you check the carrying case?  Yep, got up.  (10 minutes gone.)  Honey I have to leave...okay give me a hug and kiss.  Be careful  see you later.

I'm a part time instructor of English composition and pre-composition at Central Ohio Technical College.  More than 30 years of administration and teaching for state universities, private colleges, and one school system allows a little privilege in getting into a job, the Doctorate in Higher Education does the rest.  So I teach...not because of the money, benefits or retirement system (I'm already drawing my retirement)...but because I love to teach.  The lead instructor has just started her presentation when I walk in, grab a water and a sweet roll and a seat at the back of the room.  What I really need right now is caffeine and there's none in sight.  Take a few minutes to catch my breath and catch up to the topic - I've missed the lead in - why we are here...so I have to wing it and ask questions later. Two hours later I'm chatting with the other teachers and comparing notes...I want to be outside with a cup of coffee!! It was a good session.  I learned things I've been just muddling through and they have been  right!  Guess sometimes you operate on instinct, and thank goodness mine was right on.   I also learned that the other teachers have the same problems in class, and the same concerns for some students and the "system."  As a part timer, I  really wish there were more opportunities to have contact with the lead instructors and other teachers...But it's time to head home and see how the practice went.

Bob comes in a little after I arrive home.  Grouchy, no voice, and everything took longer than expected.  Some of the group planned a surprise for Girard and he decided not to be in picture...guess it was a little chaotic until he was convinced to be in picture so that the planners could surprise him - and he was pleased with the surprise.  But practice, professional pictures, changing outfits from formal to informal and with different cummerbunds and ties plu a long afternoon of practicing leave my bass-o tired, hungry and grumpy - ears are ringing - a side effect of his years on locomotives before safety hearing covers were required.  The ringing gets worse after singing or after any event that has a lot of sound at differing volumes and pitches.  Something the doctors say could be tied to a med he takes and needs, or just the noise from the trains.  No real cure - but I can tell when it's really bothering him because he doesn't want to talk and he has a hard time hearing me.  So I just try to be sensitive to the fact that after a rough practice or concert, he' s going to need his own version of quiet time...usually playing some games on the computer or reading or just sleeping.  Tomorrow will be better and he'll be ready to talk about the practice, upcoming events or even happenings with other members of the group.

First Show of the Season

My adventure as a groupie continued last night with the first performance of the year of the Voices of Ohio.  They performed in a beautiful Lutheran church in Toledo.  The indoor setting is always a little different than the fairs and outdoor festivals.  Some of the music is different and the sound is usually more concentrated.  For this concert the chorus members were all in tuxes...resplendent in the off white sanctuary with stained glass windows behind them, and the quiet, elegant beauty of church pews, altar rails,dark red carpet and various symbols of the Christian faith all around them.  The sang a few of the favorite songs from the 60's and 70's, then launched into several new additions with a Zac Brown (Knee Deep) song and the title song from the movie Frozen, along with a funny song singing the praises of "doin nuthin."

The second half of the program was all patriotic and religious.  I don't know for sure, but I think the conductor was a teacher at one time...he uses the concerts as a means of teaching something or at least giving enough of an introduction to a topic that you want to immediately go home and check Google.  And that is the sign of a good teacher...this night he introduced "Natalie" from the Cincinnati area who sang an old American Negro Spiritual - " Steal Away. Before hearing the clear, strong soprano voice of Natalie, he talked a little about slavery and how the slaves communicated with one another about family and about escape.  I've always been interested in the underground railroad - maybe because one of the most famous abolitionist to be put to death was from Akron - where I grew up and there was a station in Akron for runaway slaves.  I also have a great interest in quilting and the markings and patterns that were reported to signal passage for run aways through the quilts hanging near  safe points along the trip from the south to the northern part of the Civil War United States.

Song praising God were sung by the whole chorus, a new member entertained the audience in her home church with "Broken Hallelujah."   One of the bass' provided a stirring rendition of "The Tribute" and the chorus sang a medley of praise songs before moving into the patriotic salute.  My step son Zac come over for the concert and asked, "how long will it be?"..."Oh, about an hour or so" I said....Two and a half hours after he joined me, he looked at his smart phone and said...long hour or so.. (Haha).  But he was impressed.  People stayed around and visited with family and friends before the evening was over and everything packed up and sent  on its way.

Getting there and home again was a goodly part of the adventure.  Weather forecasters predicted rain, sleet, snow and blustery winds for this end of March day.  (We are in Ohio, after all!)  We started out in a driving rain with the winds buffeting the car on the highway.  Bob is vigilant when he's driving and we listened to his practice tape as we drove for a while.  Once north of Delaware, we drove into the wind but also found some sunshine.  He had a 3:30 call so we left home before noon and were at the church in plenty of time for a 7:00 concert...the stage crew was already setting up tiers, speakers and the tangle of wires that keep the sound system running.  Every one was checking their phones and calling friends back in their home towns to check on the progress of this late March snowstorm.  After a practice run through and a break for dinner, the concert took place to an audience of about 100 folks...never know how big the audience is going to be and this was a free concert with a free will offering.  The other folks who could have filled St. John's Lutheran Church this Saturday evening missed a super opening performance for the Voices.  And it was good to see my fellow groupies.  We drove home through areas that had seen snow or rain but the roads were clear and as we got closer to Columbus, there was more snow and slush. However, it was 2:15 a.m. when we pulled into our driveway, let out the dog and dropped into bed.

Sunday after a concert is usually pretty quiet.  Bob is tired both from practice and singing and from the stress of performing.  He told me he was not as stressed this year as in the past two seasons...because there were a number of newbies in the chorus who needed to be reassured...just as he was in the past.  So for a quiet Sunday, we visited grandkids, snoozed, and generally took it easy.  Tux and shirt went to the cleaners today to get ready for the next show. You're gonna have to join us one of these times.  Ta!

Have no idea what I'm doing.

I spent weeks, even months writing an article that I wanted to share and finally decided to put it on the web as a blog.  I am totally lost now.  I know the post is out there, but  can't figure out how to tell people to view it.  There's supposed to be something about sharing but I can't seem to find it.  Honestly, they'll let anyone with a computer and some typing skills  but apparently without common sense get on it...lol                                                                                  

Bob enjoying the aquarium at Pigeon Forge - I think this is supposed to be a jelly fish.

JoJo and YaYa visit Santa's train.

Well I can post pictures even if I can't figure out how to get people to view them.  HELP ME PLEASE

What I do for love...

I was raising toddlers when the flower children and the rock musicians went to Woodstock, NY.  I was raising teenagers and helping college students when screaming mobs pursued the great rock bands and the Beatles.  I personally liked more sedate music and many of the composers were long dead, and the performers of these pieces didn't really have groupies -- as such.  Following a musician around, keeping his "costumes" clean and pressed, making sure there's water and light snacks in his music bag, listening to him practice, these are not  things I ever imagined myself doing.  But...there you have it.  I am a groupie.  A 70+year old, gray-haired, cane wielding little old lady who follows a singing group around the State of Ohio.  I admit it!!  I'm in love with a musician and he sleeps right next to me every night.  The group is the Voices of Ohio and my husband, Bob, with his deep bass voice (I call him Big Bopper), is a member of the chorus.

The Voices of Ohio perform at a variety of places, sometimes inside, mostly out of doors at a fair or festival of some kind.  This particular Saturday, They are at a fair.  When we arrive at the fair grounds, Bob heads off to find other members of the group and I gather up my chair, purse, cane, reading material and sometimes sewing or knitting and head in the general direction of the entertainment shelter or tent.  As I watch, men and women, all dressed in black shirts and beige pants, start arriving from all directions, singly, in pairs and multi-person groups.  I watch as my husband, a member of this elite group, joins several other men assembling the tiers and arranging and placing microphone stands and speakers.  One of the men reaches into the trailer and brings out several large rolls of orange and yellow heavy duty extension cords.  A few of the guys scurry over to grab an end and measure the cord off to the microphones and sound system "booth," a card table in the middle of the tent.

Small groups of singers sit around the area at picnic tables, applying makeup, women were taking out their earrings and replacing them with the uniform sparklers that all the women wear.  They laughed at some joke or other.  One of the women had a small hand held radio and a group was gathered around her.  Occasionally, I hear the Ohio State fight song or a loud cheer from someone in the crowd.  Other singers wander over to the coolers at the back of the stage area and get out a couple of bottles of ice cold water.  Several vocalists rehearse parts from one song or another, blending and listening to each other for cues or unusual sounds.  They fussed with one another's hair and brushed off specs of lint or dust while they talked and sang.

Nearly 40 people, appearing to range in age from mid twenties to over sixty, started to gradually hum and move toward a short balding, middle-aged man in a red shirt and beige slacks.  As they all assembled around him in no particular order, they grew quiet as he said something and raised his arms.  Then as one, they began to sing...he would stop them say something else and they would sing a few phrases from another song.  When the man in red (Girard, the conductor) dismissed them, he moved over the stage area, checking the tiers and microphone stands, testing microphones, rearranging wires that seemed to be in the way, checking for obstacles that might trip up someone as the chorus entered.  He collected some papers, placed them on a stand at the middle of the stage in front of the tiers.  When he seemed satisfied that everything was in order, he disappeared around the edge of the tent.

I position my chair so I can see Bob when he comes on stage.  I am usually near the sound system where the sound man and his wife (also a groupie) are seated along with a third groupie, the husband of a singer who has set up a video camera on a tripod.  I am joined by a fourth groupie, the wife of one of the other bass singers.  Some of these groupies double as "roadies"  or as photographer or some other job.  There we sit, waiting for the audience to appear and a concert to start. While we wait, we chat, buy drinks for one another from the fair vendors and watch people, sometimes read or sew and generally just wait.  People are moving in all directions with fair food in paper containers, riotous balloon figures on long strings and all sizes of drinks from a normal size "coke" to a jumbo something or other.  A few people are sitting on the benches in the tent chatting.  Mothers, with toddlers in strollers as well as older kids in tow, are sitting on the benches around the edge of the tent trying to collect everyone and wipe faces and hands of the stickiness left behind by some treat.  They are resting with the overstimulated kids who just want to head out for another adventure.  Older couples are smiling and holding hands as they stroll into the tent, moving quickly toward to the front rows so they don't miss anything.

Suddenly, with no warning, no trumpets, no flashing of lights, men in black shirts came from behind the stage and began ascending the tiers each taking a specific spot as if it were marked just for him.  They are followed by the women who soon have the tires filled with a beautifully arranged gathering of people...old, young, men, women, different races, different heights, some with glasses, some with no hair.  The pianist took her place and you could hear a pin drop (well, actually in this case you could hear the music from a video game just on the other side of the tent).  With a flourish, the man in red took his place at center stage facing the singers and raised his right arm.  The concert had begun.  "Overture, light the lights, this is it..."  The opening song drew more people into the tent, chatter stopped and the surrounding noise seemed to face into the background.

Following the first song, the conductor acknowledges the audience and introduces himself and the group. He describes the beginning of the Voices of Ohio from the time he and a number of those in the group were in high school and participated in the Ohio Youth Chorus at the Ohio State Fair and travelling to Europe to sing. While not everyone in the group had the same experiences, the majority had participated with the youth chorus in some way prior to Voices being formed.

Girard  abruptly turns back to the chorus, raises his arm and the group bursts into another song and then another.  Singers come down from the tiers to introduce s member of the group or to sing a solo with the chorus, Elvis spring to life and the female members of the group swoon.  The 60's musical "Hair" makes a return to the stage as group members don peace symbols and dark glasses and the whole audience sways as "Age of Aquarius" moves across the tent.  The sounds of Gladys Knight emerge from a petite brunette who belts through "Midnight Train to Georgia" with  a rendition that sets the whole audience making the train whistle sounds and brings them to their feet asking for more.  The first half of the concert flies by and the singers leave the stage for a ten minute water break.

By now, the entertainment tent is fairly full, the benches and chairs filled with people waiting to see what the second half will bring.  Ten minutes goes by quickly and the men start to file in and fill the top tiers of the stage followed by the women, each one taking their specif spot on the risers.  The conductor and pianist enter, the baton is raised and the second half begins.

Today, the second half is all inspirational and patriotic music interspersed with personal stories of triumph over tragedy and experiences with the United States Armed Services.  As the concert winds down to the final songs of the night, we are reminded of the men and women who have served and fought for this country since its inception and some of the music that inspired them.  TAPS is played on a single trumpet over the loudspeakers and there is not a movement on stage or off, heads are bowed until the final note when the conductor leads the chorus through a medley of service anthems saluting every veteran who is invited to stand at the mention of his or her branch of service.  The audience and chorus salute each service member with an extended hand and applause.  Then, the finale..."America the Beautiful" morphing into the "Star Spangled Banner" with people scrambling to their feet with hands over their hearts as the song is recognized.  And then, just when you think there is no more...comes "God Bless America" - all three verses with an ending that would make the late, great, Ohio-born Kate Smith proud.  The chorus, pianist and conductor bow as one to the warm applause of the audience and begin filing off the stage.

Within 15 minutes, the stage is broken down, all the equipment is loaded into the trailer, the singers have gone off to find some fair food or drinks and pile into their cars for the long drive to their homes all across Ohio.  Another concert is under their belts, yet another county has thrilled to the Voices of Ohio. 

In a normal season, the Voices of Ohio will perform at least 15 concerts around the state.  Many years, additional concerts or special calls might add two or three more concerts.  All these concerts require a great deal of work.  Vocalists come from all over Ohio to the practice site in Dublin.  Every vocalist has to learn their part by heart, and be ready for the group practices.  The vocalists practice together two times a month starting in January for 5-6 hours at a time through April when the concert schedule begins.  Additional practice times are called for new shows or to add additional pieces that have not been used before.  All chorus members pay yearly dues to belong, they purchase their own music and their own stage ensemble:  a tuxedo with white shirt, six sets of cummerbund/bow ties (in different colors), a summer shirt and another practice shirt, jackets, black shoes and beige slacks - both men and women.  In addition, the women have specific makeup and jewelry they wear to appear more uniform.  These dedicated musicians donate their time and travel to the organization.  Any fees the group receives for performing is channeled back into the organization to pay for equipment and to purchase musical rights to enlarge their selection of music.

Friends and family frequently question the sanity of participating in an activity which requires such dedication of time and money with no financial pay off...we can't even write off the travel on our income tax.  Occasionally, we'll have to purchase our own tickets or additional tickets for family members.  Sometimes, like this past year, a new vest is needed for a special performance -- this time with the Kenny Rogers Christmas tour.  So why do it?   Why follow the man I love, whose deep voice first drew me to him, over the rural back roads of Ohio, knowing we are expending additional money with no additional income?  For love of the man, that's why I do it!  He does it for the love of music...for the opportunity to perform, to bring pleasure to those who hear the group and for the opportunity to do what he has always loved and been denied for so many years.  Bob started college as a music major, but had to leave college and never got the chance to finish.  He has sung with some quartets at church and with the Lima Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, which is where I met him.  And, he has been in the church choir occasionally, but nothing of this caliber.

Life has a funny way of intervening.  When we returned from Georgia after an eight year try at retirement, he found out about the group through a high school friend.  Now the Voices of Ohio enables him to again utilize the talent that was recognized by a teacher in high school over 30 years ago when he performed musical theater.  Now his dream of performing music is being realized.  So, a groupie I will happily be as long as I am able.  As long as he can perform, you'll find me somewhere on the edges of the audience singing along or mouthing his part with chorus.  I'll be leading the audience in jumping up for "Hang on Sloopy" and yelling out OH-IO, swooning for the Elvis impersonator, pulling an imaginary train whistle to "Midnight Train to Georgia" and singing the "Star Spangled Banner" with my hand over my heart and my tear filled eyes focused on the American flag at the corner of the stage.