Wake, wake for night is flying

Despite our best efforts to avoid this, we have officially bid adieu to another summer, and enjoyed our last chance to enjoy grilled hot dogs, brats, burgers, and soy burgers without feeling like we were somehow faking out the calendar.

My family enjoyed one last summer weekend at my old house on Chautauqua Lake, and while it seems like I spent most of my time ridding the house of spiders, they seemed to think it was one of the finest Labor Days on record. What is it about being near the water in the summer that is just so rejuvenating? It’s amazing how you can spend hours on end staring at the blue horizon and not feel the least bit bored. On Saturday morning, the fog was so thick it seemed more like we were staying on Nantucket or Martha’s Vineyard, where the water goes on forever all the way to Europe!

But it didn’t matter whether you were staying in an old barn of a house on a lake, or watching the Air Show, or attending a concert at Blossom, or enjoying the Great Geauga County Fair, we were rewarded with a nearly perfect couple of days in which to be irresponsible for a few more hours. Now if I could just get the spiders to stay outdoors where they belong…

Speaking of unwanted guests in an old house, my family enjoyed the ultimate in unexpected visitors last night as we welcomed a big brown bat into our living room at 10:30 at night! There are few better examples of pure domestic slapstick than the collective freak-out of three humans (well two, while one mostly cowered under a blanket), armed with tennis rackets and wrapped up in hoodies and baseball hats, alternately charging and retreating at full volume from a flying mouse. You would think we were under direct attack from invaders from Mars as we stealthily crawled up narrow staircases all the way to the third floor chasing (and being chased by) the little varmint; slowing gaining ground and then giving it all back in a frantic retreat to safe ground. Even our cat, who likes to think of herself as the great fuzzy hunter, managed to vanish throughout the whole hullabaloo, and only turn up when the dust had cleared as if to say, “Yeah, no problem, I had the far corner of the basement covered if it came down there!”

After about 45 minutes exhaustion set in, and there was very little resistance or energy left to threaten personal injury or elicit high-pitched squeaking. …and the bat wasn’t feeling too peachy either! I was finally able to subdue it with a laundry basket (you’re only as good as your tools, after all!), and after three or four heart-stopping attempts to corral him in a couple of towels, was able to sprint down the stairs with my captive and release him back into the night. No doubt he has found a comfortable resting spot back in my eaves somewhere…

At any rate it was a memorable night, and an unforgettable end to summer.

Around The Music Settlement, we are preparing for the kick off of the new school year, with plenty of exciting offerings to fit your interests. We go beyond the standard lessons and challenge you with value-added opportunities and events. One good example is our Flute Choir. Here’s a brief description of the program from its Director, Kathleen Mylecraine.

The flute choir varies somewhat from year to year, but generally consists of 8 - 10 members. People in the choir are mostly adults, though some are high school players. The experience and level of members varies widely, from people who are taking flute up again after years or decades of not playing, to some who perform regularly outside the group and are excellent flutists. What brings us all together is that everyone in the group is there to have fun enjoying making music while playing the flute. And yes some of us are senior citizens, so you'll fit right in!

Varying performing levels work well in our situation. Since the group is small, I get to know each person, what he or she feels comfortable playing (picc, C, percussion, alto flute or bass flute -- the Settlement owns an alto and bass for our use during rehearsals and concerts!), and I assign parts accordingly. There are no 1st, 2nd, or 3rd flute, etc. players in the group as I mix parts and players for each piece. If a given piece is too simple for someone, I will write a more interesting line for them. If it is frustratingly difficult, I write a simpler part.

We play 5 fun concerts for small audiences of family and friends each season. On these concerts, I program most of the pieces for full choir. In addition, I encourage smaller groups, solos, duets, trios, quartets, etc. If people have their own music to play that is great. If not, I will find music and partners and make assignments. I group people together by friendships, neighborhoods (they can get together outside of choir and rehearse if they like), playing style/ability, or people they would like to get to know/play with. I am happy to play duos with anyone myself to make performance preparation simpler. It is just fine if you prefer not to play in a small group too.

I welcome suggestions and comments from choir members. If there is a piece of music you want to play, let me know. If there is a choir arrangement, I'll purchase it; if not, I will arrange it and dedicate it to you.

You will find opportunities to fit your every interest at The Music Settlement, please visit us to learn more!

Have a great week!