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Berries

Strawberry jam

Making strawberry jam is a ritual best performed in my mother’s kitchen: a sticky, steamy endeavour to preserve summer’s red treasure against winter’s white want. We have our moments of triumph. We embark on a quest to find fruit fresh from the field, and discover the perfect family-run berry farm in Huron County. They offer strawberries specifically suited to jam making; the berries that aren’t so pretty – irregularly shaped, ripened past their visual prime – imperfections which make them unsellable on grocery store shelves. But the taste of this smaller, uglier fruit is Ambrosia: its sultry flavour immortalizing the… Read More »Strawberry jam

Look what Larry’s doing!

My old friend and musical collaborator Larry Beckwith, recently retired as Artistic Director of Toronto Masque Theatre is conducting a very interesting programme performed by the Festival of the Sound Ensemble. The concert is called ‘Sounding Thunder’ and it examines the life of Francis Pegahmagabow, a local Ojibwe officer in the First World War who was decorated for his actions as a sniper. The piece is composed by Tim Corlis on a text by Ojibwe poet Armand Garnet Ruffo. Lucky for us we don’t have to go all the way to Parry Sound to hear this. There is a performance… Read More »Look what Larry’s doing!

In search of Shofar

Way back in my university days, my professor suggested I write a paper on the Jewish ceremonial instrument the Shofar, since I was interested in this sort of thing. I never took up that assignment, and now I wish I had. Years later, Bruce Hill would come home from leading choirs for High Holy Days at Holy Blossom Temple, and tell me how stirring and impressive the sound of the Shofar had been. I never attended one of those services, so regrettably never heard the thrilling ‘Tekiah’ call of the Shofar, and I wish I had. Now I’m preparing to… Read More »In search of Shofar

Birmingham Town Hall

Elijah and bicycles?

Wrapping up my final year with Pax Christi Chorale is a profound, bitter-sweet pleasure. Things will get rolling on the first weekend of November with Mendelssohn’s dramatic oratorio Elijah. I have adored this piece since I learned it in 1977, at 15 years of age, one of the younger singers in Waterloo region’s Mennonite Mass Choir, conducted by my Dad. I really could not believe that as a choral singer, you could throw yourself into the role of a Baal worshipper, and sing really nasty things. It was delightfully naughty and the big sound of about 230 voices with full… Read More »Elijah and bicycles?

Cloister Gloucester cathedral

Packing

I got the Wanderlust early on when my parents planned a three-month trip to Europe with four children aged 7-14 in tow. My late husband and I made travel a priority in our lives, and we often found interesting ways to fashion extended trips around organ recitals, visits with friends, choir tours, or musical exchanges. All of this was marvelous of course, but one thing in preparing for a long trip drove me around the bend. Whereas I would be fussing about and organizing my suitcase several weeks before the trip, Bruce would calmly leave his packing until the night… Read More »Packing

An open letter to students boycotting my work

Rehearsals are underway for the first performance of my choral symphony at Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo. I am saddened to hear that some students are boycotting my work since they consider it “blasphemous.” I believe a Canadian university must be a safe place to discuss controversial topics and respect differences – a haven for critical thinking, experiment and inquiry – and I hope every student pouring their hard work and musicianship into this project can feel safe and proud performing my piece. I post this open letter not to judge, but to invite reflection and reconciliation. Dear Students, Love… Read More »An open letter to students boycotting my work

Bruce Kirkpatrick Hill Memorial Fund

In March 2012, I was looking for a way to remember Bruce in a meaningful way. Marsha Goold initially set up a fund to help me through that rough time, and many friends contributed immediately. But after things settled down, remarkably, there was a bit left over. I asked for financial advice and approached a couple of different organizations. I needed to find a group that would be willing to do the ongoing work of administering the fund, acknowledge donors with tax receipts, and use the money to do something that would honour Bruce’s passion for choral music, his commitment… Read More »Bruce Kirkpatrick Hill Memorial Fund

Drop slow tears

Since Easter is only 4 weeks away, I’ve changed the choral music “free download” button on this website. Fairbank Music is no longer going to be publishing general choral music . So the copyright has expired, and this piece is, for the time being “out of print.” So it’s my gift to you for this month. You can feel guilt free to download it and copy it for your choir. I’ve also included an MP3 recording of St. Mary Magdalene’s lovely choir singing this live in the church. I would love to know if you will be performing it with… Read More »Drop slow tears

Valkyrie

Die Walküre

Besides rehearsing lost oratorios, teaching masterpieces of classical music, and enduring the rigours of Scottish country dancing, there were some exceptional events this week. I shared a few drinks (many drinks) with girlfriends whilst grooving to Mike McLean at the Jazz Bistro, drank champagne and celebrated the launch of a history book with my other girlfriends (who happen to be Anglican nuns) and also took my parents to see Wagner’s Die Walküre at the Canadian Opera Company. How can I find a theme for my blog, in a week otherwise defined by snow, snow and more snow? Let’s try… Wagner,… Read More »Die Walküre

Allan gardens

Allan Gardens

I had the great pleasure to experience a guided tour through the Allan Gardens Conservatory with my Pax Christi friends Emily and Jennifer. Our hosts Virginia, and Curtis the Foreperson of Plant Production, led us through this peaceful, indoor oasis. Right now Toronto’s “crystal palace” boasts a spectacular display of poinsettias and Christmas garlands. The soaring glass dome built in 1910 replaced the original garden pavilion built in the 19th century which was destroyed by fire. Filled with a permanent collection of tropical plants, the slightly humid atmosphere is a balm for dry lungs ravaged by dry and over heated… Read More »Allan Gardens