A typical choir rehearsal...

Здравствуйте, ребята! Давно не виделись! Я только что вернулся из Австралии, где я с женой моей, Екатерина Кенгуруевна Капризова, провели каникулы на пляже...как мне хочется обратно...

Итак, обещал описать типичную репитицую хора. Готовы ли вы смеяться? Но опять же , над мной НЕЛЬЗЯ.

Let's depict a typical Saturday morning rehearsal. It's 11:30, I arrive at the church, head upstairs to the balcony where we typically rehearse. A few altos and sopranos have already arrived. As usual, I'm the first tenor to arrive, often the first man in general. I sit waiting, waiting, waiting. The awkwardness starts to set in, especially when Sergei randomly decides to start earlier than usual. There's nothing like being the only person in your section. Granted, I'm totally used to it, singing at MPC where I've been the only tenor since September. So we start with the Swedish songs. Apparently we aren't happy enough, because Sergei issues us one of his well-intended but inadvertently hilarious comments: "Your face must be without problems." Yes, I know he means well, and he definitely pushes us to sing our voice and look our part. Главное, что мы tell the story. Finally, after that torment has passed, my other tenors have decided to join me, one of whom, not mentioning any names, has "forgotten" to print up his copy of Mamma Mia. Far be it from Ваня Кенгуруевич to mention any names or publicly humilitate anyone. ;)

Fast forward to Monday, our first rehearsal with the orchestra. Кошмар doesn't even begin to describe that particular rehearsal. Yes, the first rehearsal with the orchestra tends to be tough, but to their credit, they did a decent job. As for the organist....no. As for the pianist...this kangaroo has not been privy to such a display of ужас. Я был просто шокирован. But it happens, and Wednesday's rehearsal was better, but I have to recall two brilliant moments from Wednesday:

1. Sergei, after I believe the first movement of the Gloria, or after the break, stood up on the altar of the church and said something to the effect of "You must play with me." Read into it what you will.

2. This may be the greatest quote I"ve ever heard in my life. In fact, this may even top "You're taking the train to Russia?" As rehearsal ended on Wednesday, good-natured Robert, who means well but has missed quite a few rehearsals said in response to singing the fugue, "The 3rd part of that classical piece seems a bit tricky." I love people, sometimes. :)

So yes, rehearsals are at times frustrating, at other times wicked hilarious. Never a dull moment at St. Andrew's, that's for sure. We are currently preparing for our first concert on Thursday at the Conservatory, whooooo!!!! We are singing as part of a choir festival! FREE ADMISSION. 7 pm, Rachmaninov Hall. Go. Our full-length concerts: May 14 and 21 (both Fridays) at 7:30. Tickets 450 rubles, available at the door. Or you can reserve by calling this number: 985-924-5581. Banya wants YOU to come and so do I! :D Bring a friend, bring many friends, come here the glorious glory of John Rutter's Gloria, songs from Russia, England, and Sweden, and dance to the driving pop rock of ABBA! You will thank us for the music, I promise. :D

Well, that's all for this week's blog. Stay tuned for more laughs, more reflections, and more rants about the difficulties of trying to define linguistic concepts. U-ra.

Пока всем! До скорой встречи! Отдыхайте! С праздником, Россия!!!