Poetry is meant to be read aloud.
This is my little poetry corner, containing dead folks’ poetry (for copyright reasons), in English (because it’s my native language), starting with William Shakespeare.
Continue reading Spoken Songs: Poetry Read AloudIn the summer of 2008, the Oregon Chorale toured Ireland, Northern Ireland, and Scotland. The best party of the trip was the banquet at Bunratty Castle, with dining, drinking, and singing together.
Continue reading The Oregon Chorale on Tour in Ireland, Northern Ireland, and ScotlandIn June and July of 2001, we were back on the boards, in Stage One’s production of Guys and Dolls, as a fundraiser for Hillsboro (Oregon) area high schools’ performing arts departments. It was so much fun to perform together, and with such a talented cast!
Continue reading At it Again, in Guys and DollsIn June and July 2000, the Co-Presidents were reunited on stage for the first time in 18 years (too long!): Linda played Golde, Tevye’s wife, and Brad played Lazar Wolf, the butcher, in Stage One’s production of Fiddler on the Roof. Stage One is a fundraising organization for the Hillsboro area high schools’ performing arts departments.
It was great to be on stage with my honey again!
Continue reading The Co-Presidents Reuinite in Fiddler on the RoofSure, everybody claims to have seen Elvis…but how many people get to be Elvis?
It all started early in 1998 when Silverna McCall, the Drama director at HilHi, enigmatically asked me “How’s your Elvis impression?” Little did I know that she was producing the musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and that, although she had assembled from HilHi’s student body the most amazing collection of singers and actors, she was short one adult baritone to play the part of the Pharaoh. Not quite knowing what to expect, I said “yes”.
Continue reading Elvis Has Left the BuildingIn June of 1998, the Washington County (Oregon) Chorale spent 19 days touring Denmark, Sweden, and Norway. Thanks to the tireless efforts of Gunnar Serrander of Scan Travel Center in Sweden, we had an unforgettable tour and sang to enthusiastic, packed houses in spectacular sites.
Here are just a few photos from the trip. Sorry for the low resolution – this was the previous century!
Continue reading The Oregon Chorale on Tour in Scandinavia(I apologize for the MIDI format of the anthem, which you need to download to play.)
(all rise)
Land of the Townsend’s Mole Saint George did fell
Where our Co-Presidents happily dwell.
Needhamia! Your land may be fictional in parts
And yet, you have a vast domain within our hearts.
Where else on Earth can one find such a land
Where sunlight dapples ferns placed by God’s hand?
Needhamia! Your history may be cast in doubt
But look — your valleys, hills, and trees are all about.
Worldwide, Needhamians join us in song;
Distant inhabitants swelling the throng.
Needhamia! Your citizens we may fabricate
Yet, counting all the hearts of friends, your land is great.
Music and Lyrics by Brad Needham
