Victoria’s View on the Christmas Gloria

Article by Vicki McCarty about my Christmas Gloria which debuted Christmas Eve 2007.

Victoria’s View

“Drop off the music you got Wednesday and pick up the new packet.  Conrad has revised it”!  Huh?  Our jaws dropped in disbelief…how can that be?  We just got it and have only had one rehearsal…and we’re singing it tonight!!!    We took note of the sign on the front door and shook our heads.  This was turning into a memorable Christmas – in more than one way.  I could not have imagined this kind of Christmas Eve even a few years ago.  We entered and emptied the notebook with the music we had just picked up 5 days ago.  We were still reeling from the announcement our young music director had made just 2 weeks earlier.  “I’m thinking of writing a new piece of music for Christmas in a week – just like Bach and Mozart used to do!”   He went on to explain that it was common for them to write something new every week for church the next week.  So, he sat down and did it himself, just to see if it was possible.  I could not help but think what confidence he had in our choir – to think we could perform it after just one long practice – and do it in Latin – that took some confidence.

Two hours later, the service began.  Could we do it – the small group of musicians gathered together – we rehearsed it through twice with the orchestra – then our moment came.  A quiet fell over the congregation – and the first performance of Conrad Askland’s Christmas Gloria in D was born.  And it was beautiful.   A true Christmas miracle happened that night.  A wondrous story was told again, and became new and real to all there.  It was heralded with a beautiful new composition written to announce the glory of God.  A new Bach had done the impossible – composed, rehearsed, and presented his new work.  And we got to be there for the event.

We returned home to a house with no decorations, no tree, no dinner, and only the two of us.  But our heads were still ringing with the sound of Gloria in Excelsis Deo.   A memorable Christmas – in so many ways.  Move over Bach and Beethoven – there’s a new kid in town.

With caring,

Victoria

Whidbey Island, WA Makes Top 10 Romantic Retreats

Whidbey Island, WA was recently listed in a top 10 of international top romantic retreat locations. That’s pretty much in my backyard right now and should be no surprise to locals. People raised in this area of Washington State can easily take for granted the beautiful landscape and slower pace that is lovingly referred to as “God’s Country”.

It IS a slower pace up here compared to Los Angeles and there is a little bit of a Mayberry vibe up here – but in all the best of ways. People are still hard workers and focused – they just take the time to make strong relationships. I think it’s partly because there’s so much natural outdoor beauty up here. It keeps everyone thankful and in check. Ok, maybe a bit sappy, but I really think it might be true.

Does this laid back attitude affect the economy? Well…..Microsoft is located about 50 miles from here, so I’d say we’re doing ok.

Excerpt:

Whidbey Island, Washington

Stress starts to melt away as you step off the ferry onto this Washington island, just one hour north of Seattle. Rich in natural beauty, Whidbey Island is also home to picturesque towns and romantic B&Bs. Spend the day in Langley (for a special treat, pick up a picnic for two from the Chef’s Pantry). Journeying north, drop by Greenbank Farms for wine and cheese before climbing the Admiralty Head Lighthouse for a gorgeous view of the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Toast to your travels at the new Frasers Gourmet Hideaway in Oak Harbor; whidbeycamanoislands.com.

Read the full CNN Romantic Retreat Article.

Funniest Musician Ad 2008

Just barely into 2008 I nominate this as the funniest musician ad. This is an actual listing off the Craig’s List website:

Hi my name is *name edited* and I am a Bluesman. I play a 1961 Fender Stratocaster which is all original and strung with .011’s into an Ibanez tubescreamer which has been modified with a 4558 chip and all carbon comp resistors. I use a Fender Deluxe Reverb amplifier which was gutted and all the resistors were replaced with NOS allen bradley carbon comps. I play the real blues like my main man Stevie Ray Vaughan, in fact I have one of his guitar picks which I wear around my neck for mojo. I am currently engaged to an african-american woman from Arkansas and our experiences together (such as people whispering about us and the dirty looks we get at dinner) form the basis for my blues.

I need a bass player and a drummer to back me up in the studio and maybe for some gigs too. The bass player needs to have a Fender bass built BEFORE 1965 with no ceramic tone caps ( I will have my tech at auditions to open up and check) must use all tube amplifiers pre-1980, with an 8×10 cabinet and own transportation. The drummist needs to be familiar with all the various blues beats like the shuffle, the flat tire, the shug, the funky dunk, and the whap-a-dang. Please, no Sonar or Pearl kits!

I have written an album;s worth of songs “The Blues Are Falling Down On Me” “Cold Blue Rain” “I Got The Blues For My Baby” “Bluesman Blues”. And need a back up band to help record it.

When applying for either position, please send a detailed description of your equipment (with photos) along with photos of yourself in gig clothing. After receiving that, I will call you to arrange an audition.

I got my mojo woiking and I hope yours is too!

Wisdom and Folly

 cirque-du-soleil-card.jpg

 “My wish to you is not for wisdom, but for folly.”

Cirque Du Soleil’s website has a feature to send friends greeting cards. I received this card today from a very good friend. Actually the one friend who has seen more of my gigs than anyone else. I thought it was just so cool they sent it, and very cool Cirque has this feature. Thanks for making my day!

For more info visit http://www.cirquedusoleil.com .