singing and spirituality
I was grateful for the opportunity to sing the Passion today with this talented crew. I sang this impassioned text thinking of the precious souls who lost their lives this week in Nashville. The rampant violence of the flesh and spirit continues to crucify the goodness humanity needs so desperately. Beyond beliefs and perspective, I truly believe kindness in the only way forward.
3.27.23
Elementary School Mass Shooting
https://www.reuters.com/article/tennessee-shooting-idAFKBN2VU0NZ
How You Can Help
https://www.sandyhookpromise.org/take-action/get-involved/
𝗠𝗮𝘀𝘀 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀
𝗝𝗮𝗻𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝟭 – 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝟮𝟳, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯
March 27, 2023 – Nashville, Tennessee
March 27, 2023 – Milwaukee, Wisconsin
March 26, – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
March 26, 2023 – Minneapolis, Minnesota
March 26, 2023 – Little Rock, Arkansas
March 26, 2023 – Minden, Louisiana
March 25, 2023 – Hempstead, New York
March 25 – Williamston, North Carolina
March 25, 2023 – Macomb, Illinois
March 25, 2023 – Shreveport, Louisiana
March 24, 2023 – Shreveport, Louisiana
March 23, 2023 – Baltimore, Maryland
March 21, 2023 – Trenton, New Jersey
March 21, 2023 – Sumter, South Carolina
March 20, 2023 – Milwaukee, Wisconsin
March 18, 2023 – Columbus, Ohio
March 18, 2023 – Chicago, Illinois
March 18, 2023 – Dallas, Texas
March 15, 2023 – Portland, Oregon
March 14, 2023 – Birmingham, Alabama
March 13, 2023 – Lubbock, Texas
March 12, 2023 – Dallas, Texas
March 11, 2023 – Brooklyn, New York
March 11, 2023 – Vancouver, Washington
March 10, 2023 – Hialeah, Florida
March 7, 2023 – Memphis, Tennessee
March 7, 2023 – Pine Bluff, Arkansas
March 6, 2023 – Sacramento, California
March 6, 2023 – Memphis, Tennessee
March 5, 2023 – Bolingbrook, Illinois
March 5, 2023 – Capitol Heights, Maryland
March 5, 2023 – Lake City, Florida
March 5, 2023 – Shreveport, Louisiana
March 4, 2023 – Los Angeles, California
March 4, 2023 – Douglasville, Georgia
March 4, 2023 – Cape Girardeau, Missouri
March 4, 2023 – San Pedro, California
March 1, 2023 – Cocoa, Florida
February 27, 2023 – New Richmond, Ohio
February 27, 2023 – Memphis, Tennessee
February 26- Pompano Beach, Florida
February 26, 2023 – Detroit, Michigan
February 26, 2023 – Memphis, Tennessee
February 25, 2023 – Saint Paul, Minnesota
February 25- Machesney Park, Illinois
February 24, 2023 – Abbeville, Louisiana
February 23,- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
February 22, 2023 – Orlando, Florida
February 21,- Colorado Springs, Colorado
February 19, 2023 – Chicago, Illinois
February 19, 2023 – Indianapolis, Indiana
February 19, 2023 – Memphis, Tennessee
February 19,- New Orleans, Louisiana
February 18, 2023 – Saint Louis, Missouri
February 18, 2023 – Loris, South Carolina
February 18, 2023 – Columbus, Georgia
February 17,- Coldwater, Mississippi
February 17, 2023 – Columbus, Georgia
February 15, 2023 – Baltimore, Maryland
February 15, 2023 – El Paso, Texas
February 14, – Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
February 14, 2023 – Buffalo, New York
February 13, – Paterson, New Jersey
February 13, – East Lansing, Michigan
February 12, 2023 – Louisville, Mississippi
February 10, 2023 – Brooklyn, New York
February 10, 2023 – Bronx, New York
February 8, – Laurinburg, North Carolina
February 8, – New Orleans, Louisiana
February 8,- Elizabeth City, North Carolina
February 6, 2023 – Corpus Christi, Texas
February 5, 2023 – Stockton, California
February 5, 2023 – Tucson, Arizona
February 5, 2023 – Newport, Arkansas
February 5, 2023 – Peyton, Colorado
February 4, 2023 – Huntsville, Texas
February 1, 2023 – Los Angeles, California
February 1, 2023 – Texas City, Texas
January 31,- Durham, North Carolina
January 30, 2023 – Lakeland, Florida
January 30, 2023 – Dallas, Texas
January 29, 2023 – Columbus, Ohio
January 29, – Greensboro, North Carolina
January 28, – Andrews, South Carolina
January 28, 2023 – Austin, Texas
January 28, – Beverly Hills, California
January 28, – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
January 27, 2023 – San Diego, California
January 26, 2023 – Newark, New Jersey
January 26, – Lancaster, Pennsylvania
January 24, – Red Springs, North Carolina
January 23, 2023 – Chicago, Illinois
January 23, 2023 – Oakland, California
January 23, – Half Moon Bay, California
January 22, – Baton Rouge, Louisiana
January 22, – Robinsonville, Mississippi
January 22, 2023 – Shreveport, Louisiana
January 21, – Monterey Park, California
January 17, 2023 – Houston, Texas
January 16, 2023 – Sanford, Florida
January 16, 2023 – Goshen, California
January 16, 2023 – Fort Pierce, Florida
January 15, 2023 – Rockford, Illinois
January 15, 2023 – Houston, Texas
January 15, 2023 – Homestead, Florida
January 15, 2023 – Phoenix, Arizona
January 14, 2023 – Saint Louis Missouri
January 13, 2023 – Cleveland, Ohio
January 9, 2023 – Minneapolis, Minnesota
January 9, – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
January 9, 2023 – Denver, Colorado
January 8, 2023 – Minneapolis, Minnesota
January 8, 2023 – Albany, Georgia
January 7, 2023 – Huntsville, Alabama
January 7,- High Point, North Carolina
January 6, 2023 – Dallas, Texas
January 6, – San Francisco, California
January 5, 2023 – New Orleans, Louisiana
January 5, 2023 – Miami Gardens, Florida
January 4,- Cedar City (Enoch), Utah
January 4, 2023 – Baltimore, Maryland
January 4, 2023 – Dumfries, Virginia
January 3- Washington, DOC
January 3, 2023 – New Orleans, Louisiana
January 1, 2023 – Ocala, Florida
January 1, 2023 – Chicago, Illinois
January 1, 2023 – Miami Gardens, Florida
January 1, 2023 – Durham, North Carolina
January 1, – Allentown, Pennsylvania
January 1, 2023 – Columbus, Ohio
“Our hearts ache for those families and the Covenant School and surrounding Nashville communities. Our hearts ache because we know gun violence is preventable. Now more than ever, remember that supporters, activists, and volunteers are essential to helping to prevent gun violence. While tragedies like the Covenant School shooting can be heartbreaking, please know that gun violence prevention advocacy and action saves lives. Together, in service, we work relentlessly to prevent these types of tragedies. You make a difference. Join us.”
THIS DAY
E. Perryman 3.29.23
Today, I learn more. This new day leaves me wide eyed. No more turning back for insight. The past gives no familiar balm. Tomorrow holds no foreshadow. Years of growth and knowing have waned. The growing pains of life now illuminate the deft importance of management. My early memories hold little foundation during this modern age of anguish. Each day brings slips and surges of coherence as I adjust my focus to the now spoken unspeakable. Suffering has pervaded the inexplicable. A kiss from beyond has surely been bestowed on those who continue to be afflicted by such bold terror. No longer do I live without hosting these devastating images; they loop to remind and emblazon.
Fred Rogers:
You make every day a special day. You know how? By just being you. You’re the only you there is. And I like you just the way you are.
It dawned on me today that Mr Rogers was a radical. He was ahead of his times. The love, acceptance, and hospitality he promoted fits right into our 2023 SEL initiatives. I had the honor to be the musical portion of the children’s sermon today along with Pastor Deborah Huggins today; singing the Fred Rogers tune” Did you know”. Thoughtfully, Donald Steele charged us to continue to wonder and marvel. He spoke about the blind man in the gospel of John who had his sight restored. He was able simulataneously wonder and marvel while actively believing in Jesus’ prophecy.
#mrrogers #abeautifuldayintheneighborhood #sel
Video: https://youtu.be/g77b-xIGNlo
Video: https://youtu.be/1inwqphj9lM
It’s 14 months since I started peeling back my diet bandaids with Noom. This year been all the things; eye opening, helpful, static, and resourceful. My 30 lb loss has anchored itself. This in itself is new for me. A 30 lb loss in the past was no problem. But a 30 lb loss maintained over a year I never achieved. White knuckling I did well; binging back the weight loss in quick form when I wasn’t dieting was my go to over the past 4 decades.
Noomilicious Liz changes have included:
1. More water
2. Addition of lower caloric density foods
3. No restrictive dieting on and off
4. Lack of food judgment
5. More knowledge
6. Consistent daily weigh ins
7. Consistent daily food logging
Things I’ve noticed:
1. Weight is cyclical and seasonal. Halloween to New years food grazing is no joke, bro.
2. I love water so now.
3. Good sleep is an elixir.
4. Better not to worry about avoiding triggers. Better to face them and build exposure skills.
5. I truly love my supportive Noom coach Jamie. Her positive vibes dance across our messages and are very healing.
6. Inflexible times have been instrumental in my tendency to fog eat.
7. I don’t feel bad about pitching food that tastes like ass anymore. And I have much less body dysmorphia because it’s been gradual. I don’t mind smaller sizes. I guess I’m not as afraid to gain in back because I’m living with the changes and not making unsustainable lifestyle demands.
I would like to send the scale back down another 10 this year so I restarted the noon curriculum. Today Noom had me explore Metacognition with an assignment. This was my contribution.
NOOM METACOGNITION PROMPT 3.9.23
Write down all the thoughts you’ve had today, from the moment you woke up until now.
Thinking about thinking.
Cognition about cognition.
Knowing about knowing.
645am
Damn I’m tired. I truly don’t like being up before at least 7
830am
Hearing Chorus kids sing is uplifting
930am
These 4th grade kids like surprisingly emo tunes
1030am
5 classes in a row on early closing days aren’t fun; I hope I have enough time to have lunch after rehearsal for Tues assembly
12pm
Sarku for lunch was great; it hit the spot. Jesus be some afternoon endorphins cuz I’m ready for the work day to be over
1245pm
First grade kids can be a lot of fun to teach
2pm
I’m feeling energetic enough to complete needed tasks
4pm
I wish my car could fly me home
Put a fork in me for the day
5pm
I’m glad I had something to eat but now I’m full and don’t really want to get out of my car
Happy Mardi Gras Eve! Laissez les bon temps rouler! #mardigras2023 #fattuesday #shrovetuesday #itsallabouttheBEADS #happygraz Oz New Orleans #bourbonstreet #bigeasy
Yeah. I don’t always get the memo right away about the right path to take but luckily the pony express eventually arrives.
AT 8: I’m gonna be a waitress not a singer.
AT 14: I really like this singing thing.
AT 18: I don’t want to be a music teacher.
AT 22: Crap, I really love it Donna Budil.
AT 25: Of course I’m straight.
AT 32: Come to me, delightful L world.
AT 35: I don’t want to teach college.
NOW: I really love teaching college voice.
TONIGHT: I gave a Voice Masterclass at Wagner College and it was a thrill. My cobblestoned dramatic soprano vocal journey has become an asset with helping others find their vocal ease and best use. Figuring out that 9 note passagio and how to roll my rrs, Jerry, has come in handy. 😉 Congratulations to the talented performers and enthusiastic audience!
It will be 20 years this spring when I first sang at the Newark Cathedral Basilica.
In 2003, I got a call on my Jersey City landline (the olden days) from the fabulous human and contralto extraordinaire Marion Gayles. I was singing both mezzo and soprano during those days when I was graduate student poor.
The Newark Cathedral needed an Alto 2 ringer for their upcoming Verdi Requiem. It would be the first time I would have the privilege to sing at the cathedral. To say that I had nerves is an epic understatement. I added as much as I could as I worked to silence the ongoing. “you’re a fraud” voices in my head. I had all the feels but not enough aol online connection to fully dial up my authentic self. I became a regular Cathedral sub and would become a soprano section leader a decade later.
No, I wasn’t out to my family yet during these days. It doesn’t go unnoticed that there was a connection between my self effacing persona and scared inner gay. Bouncing off a wild time living in Louisiana in 2003, I was still barely out to myself. I had just started exploring this mysterious L word part of myself that I had always silenced. My bro got the news first during what would be a sitcom worthy reveal at thanksgiving (luckily Eliz didn’t have to escape out of the window). He immediately became our staunch advocate and would help pave the way for bigger fish. 😉
So these 20 years have been a process of embracing my extra, rambunctious, occasionally inappropriate self. I do envy the today’s youngsters who aren’t all assumed straight until proven gay. Back in my day, people thought Liberace was straight; he was just theatrical.
Today, I was grateful to be the soprano soloist in our “we shall overcome” anthem at the cathedral MLK mass. I remember how it used to feel when I would seize up with fear before singing. In order to escape the nerves and do my best, I had to fully disappear into a role. Today, I was able to sing from my heart with all of my vocal facility and share my muse. There weren’t nerves, just excitement. I can see more clearly now which music most speaks to me as an artist. My heartbeat connects immediately with the spiritual genre. This style most matches the expressive sounds of my musical childhood and family; full throated, full of range, and emotional. I am grateful to my Grandma Bernadine for giving this musical gift to my dad who would pass it on.
I thought I might want to be a minister when I was a kid. I was always enamored by the passion. I was drawn to envision how to transcend a lot of the crap I endured as a child. I also feel fortunate to have grown up in an affirming UCC church with ecumenical singer parents.
Should I be granted, I will continue to seek to find ways to pastor with my voice and teaching.
“My Country Tis of Thee” was one of my first solos. It sounded more like “my coun (breath) tree (breath) Tis of (breath) me (I couldn’t say thee yet;-) Somewhere a reel to reel recording of this 1974 parlor performance exists at my mom’s house….
My first singing lessons began at 4. No technique was taught. It was a singalong. We sang fun tunes and explored range. My range was small and my voice was breathy. But I was lucky that my voice teacher dad taught me to use my lighter head voice. He didn’t push me to “belt” it out unnaturally.
One of my early memories includes singing this song for relatives in our living room. Truth be told, a relative was concerned that I wasn’t louder but my dad never dwelled on it. I learned how to refine, focus, and support my emerging and often recalcitrant dramatic soprano throat…
What triggers this memory, you wonder?
Allow me to share….
For the last few months, I have been working with a young private voice student (7 years old). She is very musical and very shy. I was very similar as a child. But I sense a very active spirit behind that docile presence…..
Her family sits in on her lessons. She regularly attends lessons and comes prepared. We sing scales, practice solfege, and learn age appropriate repertoire. Her ear is getting stronger and range is growing.
Today a family member emphatically requested that my voice student be louder (even though we were just learning the piece.) They said “tell her to sing loud.” Lol. I was bubbling up on the inside but I kept my cool. I asked my student to sing a more familiar piece to show the emerging strength. I felt for the child because it was clear they were uncomfortable.
When a voice has been trained and cultivated through authentic register integration, body supported breath flow, and vertical vowel placement, lack volume is not a concern.
Some people are also just naturally loud. That doesn’t mean it’s good. And some people have to learn how to access their volume. It is not a quick fix if you want to retain a healthy throat.
So I created a list of ways that I have personally learned will build organic volume….
Sleep was less than optimal this week but it was a good one. The play has wrapped and Wagner College is back in full swing. It’s now chorus spring music festival mode.
Some memorable moments this week included:
