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Stephanus and Maximus

Merry Christmas

Stephanus and Maximus apologize to Mendelssohn

Dear Mr. Mendelssohn, (may we call you Felix?) We feel the need to inform you of some very disturbing occurrences in our local grocery store: a place where people from many lands gather to enjoy the liberty of carefree shopping for hard cheese, Panettone, and obscure pasta shapes. But lately there have been some… unfortunate developments concerning your music. We have always been big fans of your Christmas carol “Hark The Herald Angels Sing.” You must be pretty proud of it, since the tune bears your name in capital letters, and those old words by Charles Wesley – my goodness,… Read More »Stephanus and Maximus apologize to Mendelssohn

Scribe

Stephanus and Maximus on Art

Maximus: Wake up Stephanus. It’s your move! Stephanus: Gosh. Sorry. Am I white or black? Maximus: Oh for heaven’s sake Stephanus… and by the way, my knight has just taken your Queen so you’d better be a little more careful on your next move. What’s wrong with you tonight? Stephanus: I apologize Maximus. I’m distracted, and the candlelight lulls me into a brooding sort of mood. Maximus: Pray do tell. (Takes a draught of ale from his tankard.) Stephanus: Well, I’m thinking about my students once again. (Sighs heavily.) Maximus: What is it this time? Stephanus: They argue about Art… Read More »Stephanus and Maximus on Art

Scribe

Maximus’ cure

Dear Maximus, I write to you 9 days before the fruits of all our many months of labour burst into flower. All our preparation and rehearsing will be harvested before an audience in the great amphitheatre. I look forward to our performance, but I am plagued by one malicious spirit: an omnipresent fiddling upon my ears; a singer in my inward eye; a tiny orchestra in my head! Walking to class today I could not shake the music from my brain. The opening strains of the most violent scene played over and over in my mind, as if some small… Read More »Maximus’ cure

Time

On New Year’s Eve

Stephanus:  Where do the old years go when they die? Is there a country for old years that have passed away? Are the new years waiting, cued up in the wings, waiting to hear their music and make their entrance? Maximus: Stephanus, really, I think you’ve had a bit too much of the Wassail bowl tonight. Look around. We’re the last ones left at this party. All the New Year’s revelers have gone home early to their beds! Stephanus: Nuh- no – no.  I’ve been thinking about this for a long time. They say time passes, that time can fly… Read More »On New Year’s Eve

Thomas Morley treatise

Plaine and Easie Introduction to Modern Learning

Maximus: Ho there, Stephanus! Why run you so fast from your smart classroom? Stephanus: Oh, my dear Maximus, I’ve just lectured to my students and now I’m late for my Tenure and Promotions committee meeting. But I always have a moment to talk with you, my wise colleague. How are you? Maximus: I am in good health, but exhausted. So much to do this time of year! Stephanus: I should say so, what with exams in a month, end of term concerts and the lengthening darkness of the Autumnal season. My students are stressed out. And I am frustrated because… Read More »Plaine and Easie Introduction to Modern Learning