Friday, February 28, 2003

Well, that was just the longest rehearsal! Robyn and I went to Saledo at 9 today, arrived at 10, and rehearsed until 4:30. We got through the show 3 times. It's something of an issue of too many cooks. We'll get going, and Ken will stop for something, then VC and his wife will decide they have something that need to be addressed. And usually something does need to be addressed -- but when they all talk at once, it's hard to know where to look! Ok, now I'm going to go sew for a few hours...learn a chant....and then go to bed. I'm SOOOO TIRED!!!!!!
I have a quiz today in orchestration. I'm just going to have to blow it. I practiced and practiced and practiced last night -- no time for homework or studying until after my recital....in 5 weeks. AAAAAAAHHH

Thursday, February 27, 2003

I have the hardest recital in the world! I sang through it once today, then parts of it with Glenn later this evening. It's really really really tough -- deceptively simple for parts, and then just stinking hard. It should be good if I pull it off...if not, frightening! And Glenn thinks I need an encore. Would you encore me? really? Ok, so now what for an encore? Chi sa? Non so.
ROGERS DIED at his Pittsburgh home, said family spokesman David Newell, who played Mr. McFeely on the show. Rogers had been diagnosed with stomach cancer sometime after the holidays, Newell said.
From 1968 to 2000, Rogers, an ordained Presbyterian minister, produced the show at Pittsburgh public television station WQED. The final new episode, which was taped in December 2000, aired in August 2001, though PBS affiliates continued to air back episodes.
Rogers, who gently invited millions of children to be his neighbor, composed his own songs for the show and began each episode in a set made to look like a comfortable living room, singing “It’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood,” as he donned sneakers and a zip-up cardigan sweater. One of his red sweaters is now in the Smithsonian.
Rogers began his career in children’s television doing puppet voices for a local show on PBS affiliate WQED in Pittsburgh. He became a national personality in 1968 when “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” became available to PBS stations across the country.


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Key dates in the life of Fred Rogers
March 20, 19281954196319681985-'8619911993December 2000August 2001September 2002Feb. 27, 2003
Fred Rogers born in Latrobe, Pa.
Rogers introduces “The Children’s Corner,” a children’s show in Pittsburgh where he works as an unseen puppeteer.
Rogers accepts offer to develop his own 15-minute show, “Misterogers,” for the Canadian Broadcasting Corp.
National Educational Television, which later becomes Public Broadcasting Service, begins distributing the show, by then called “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood.”
Ratings peak for “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood,” as 8 percent of all U.S. households tune in.
During the Persian Gulf War, Rogers tells youngsters, "All children shall be well taken care of in this neighborhood and beyond — in times of war and in times of peace," and asks parents to promise their children they will always be safe.
At a ceremony marking the show’s 25th anniversary, Rogers says, “It’s not the honors and not the titles and not the power that is of ultimate importance. It’s what resides inside.”
Rogers tapes the show’s final episode.
Final episode airs.
Rogers comes out of broadcasting retirement to record public service announcements telling parents how to help their children deal with the Sept. 11 attacks anniversary.
Rogers dies of stomach cancer.


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The show was quickly embraced by both children and parents for an imaginative but simple approach and the ongoing message: “There’s only one person in the whole world like you.”
His message remained simple throughout the years, telling his viewers to love themselves and others. On each show, he would take his audience on a magical trolley ride into the Neighborhood of Make-Believe, where his puppet creations would interact with each other and adults.
Rogers continued to do much of the puppet work and voices himself.



GUIDANCE FOR A WIDE AUDIENCE
Rogers composed his own songs for the show and began each episode in a set made to look like a comfortable living room, singing ‘It’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood,’ as he donned sneakers and a zip-up cardigan.

Rogers taught children how to share, how to deal with anger and even how not to fear the bathtub by assuring them they’ll never go down the drain.
During the Persian Gulf War, Rogers told youngsters that “all children shall be well taken care of in this neighborhood and beyond — in times of war and in times of peace,” and he asked parents to promise their children they would always be safe.
Rogers came out of broadcasting retirement last year to record four public service announcements for the Public Broadcasting Service telling parents that children might be confused by the anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks.
“They don’t understand what an anniversary is, and if they see the tragedy replayed on television, they might think it’s happening at that moment,” he said.
The series remained popular through the years, including with children of baby boomers who watched the show growing up. Its ratings peaked in 1985-’86 when approximately 8 percent of all U.S. households with televisions tuned in. By the 1999-2000 season, viewership had dropped to about 2.7 percent, or 3.6 million people.

PUBLIC TV’S LONGEST-RUNNING PROGRAM
As other children’s programming opted for slick action cartoons, Rogers stayed the same and stuck to his message. The show was the longest running children’s program on public television.
“It looks like nothing much happens,” Hedda Sharapan, an associate producer with the show, said in 2001. “Listening has been one of the main focus points.”
Characteristically, the Web site of his production company Family Entertainment Inc. announced his death with advice on how to relay the sad news to children who will continue to see him on television.
“Children have always known Mr. Rogers as their ‘television friend,’ and that relationship doesn’t change with his death,” the message said.
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Rogers was born in Latrobe. He was ordained as a Presbyterian minister in 1962 with a charge to continue his work with children and families through television.
He studied early childhood development at the University of Pittsburgh’s graduate school and consulted for decades with the late Dr. Margaret McFarland, an eminent child development expert at the university. The show examined the tribulations of childhood, including anger, fear, even a visit to the dentist.
At a ceremony marking the 25th anniversary of the show in 1993, Rogers said, “It’s not the honors and not the titles and not the power that is of ultimate importance. It’s what resides inside.”
Off the set, Rogers was much like his television persona. He swam daily, read voraciously and listened to Beethoven. He once volunteered at a state prison in Pittsburgh and helped set up a playroom there for children visiting their parents.

Rogers was an unseen puppeteer in “The Children’s Corner,” a local show he and Josie Carey launched at WQED in 1954. In seven years of unscripted, live television on the show, he developed many of the puppets used in “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood,” including King Friday XIII, Daniel Striped Tiger and Curious X the Owl.
Rogers accepted an offer to develop his own 15-minute show in Canada. He brought the show, called “Misterogers,” back to Pittsburgh and in February 1968 began its public broadcasting debut.
Rogers’ gentle manner was the butt of some comedian’s jokes. Eddie Murphy parodied him on “Saturday Night Live” in the 80’s with his “Mister Robinson’s Neighborhood,” a routine Rogers found funny and affectionate.
Rogers is survived by his wife, Joanne, a concert pianist; two sons and two grandsons.


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The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.

Ok, life is looking up! I have my folder organized..music sorted by closest connecting keys, color coordinated dividers....little labels, all music taped front to back.....now all I have to do is LEARN it all. Nope. No time for a panic attack today. I have class followed by a midterm, followed by a rehearsal...followed by two and a half hours of freedom, followed by rehearsal with Glenn, followed by frantic practicing...followed by collapse directly into bed. (with a short stop for prayer and devotions of course)....then I get up, go to class, rehearse with my accompanist, go back to class, rehearse by myself...then the weekend! Consisting of all day rehearsal in Saledo...then sunday -- church, then practice, then practice, practice, practice, SEW on recital dress, practice, maybe youth group, homework, practice, practice practice......and then its monday. My what a restful weekend this will be! I'm off to get ready for the day -- and to study for the midterm!

Wednesday, February 26, 2003

Oh panic attack! I can feel it coming. Took the times for my recital pieces, and it seemed that I was 25 minutes short -- not good in a 50 minute recital. So I checked the times...and indeed I'm only 10 minutes short -- after adding 4 songs. So, yeah. Is Rachel a happy camper about all this extra work? She is not. Is she happy that she has 5 voice lessons that need to be made up? Nope. Is she happy that Matt is going to the Met the week of her recital? (actually, I'm thrilled for his sake, but ticked that he's taking VC with him) Is she happy that the recital is in five weeks, and she has music to memorize, a dress to finish, and an opera to do? Pretty much "scared spitless" is the proper work. I'll get back to you after my nervous breakdown commences. I'm going to bed.
Baylor decided not to close down today...apparently ON campus the conditions have improved. They didn't bother to take into account the many of us who live off campus who still can't drive in. I'm not going to my morning classes..but afternoon I have a midterm, unless she pushed it back a day to account for the day we lost. Please please please! Anyway, that's the news from the homefront!

Tuesday, February 25, 2003

Waco is blanketed in about an inch of ice, and temperatures didn't get above freezing all day today, so no meltage has happened. I got wallpaper put up today! That was my bit of productivity ... and I'm baking a strawberry pie! YAY ME! Adrian helped of course -- Like I can put up wallpaper alone! It's been a great day. But another front is moving in, so maybe Baylor will be shut down again tomorrow! Here's hoping!

Monday, February 24, 2003

HUGE ICE STORM COATS THE STATE OF TEXAS. Details at 11....
I have so much to do! Far Far Far too much! Tonight I have to memorize and opera, work on my recital, work on my recital, memorize musicthat I'm singing in studio tomorrow, work on my recital dress, work on my recital music, and ...oh, save my sanity. Tomorrow we block Little Red Riding Hood. I'm so tired! Off to work on more music!

Sunday, February 23, 2003

I went to a retreat in Austin yesterday. OOh, me and 5:00am don't agree. But it was a great conference. I came home with lots of resources and new ideas....and lots of things I was convicted of, and the hopes of going back into counceling to work out some things ... whatever did they do before Christian councelors came along? Confessed to priests I guess. Anyway! Yay Focus on the Family for providing this weekend.

Thursday, February 20, 2003

My new goal for the week. Giving thanks in all circumstances. Sounds easy, no? HA. Hard hard hard. Maybe that will be lent....
I went to Dr. Van Cura's recital this evening. It was so good! Nice to know my voice teacher is also an excellent performer! He did a piece at the end entitled "Old Mother Hubbard" which brought the house down....especially when playing the dog and shaking his leg. Amazing! And on the yay VC note -- He grinned his way through one of my lessons last week. Not just the occasional, lets make her feel better smile, but veritable grinning! YAY! That means I sound ok! Alright, enough gloating for one evening.
I got an A on my orchestration test! HA! Who says singers are dumb? And over the string section no less! HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA! So there!
More rehearsals, and then for fun, a retreat on saturday in Austin! What fun will that be? I watched the new "Anne Frank" movie last night and bawled my way through it. It's hard to feel sorry for yourself when you see what those people had to go through -- and somewhere in the world there is a group of people still going through it somewhere. On that fabulously lively note, I'm off to class. One more day of music history. I really don't want to go. It's a rainy day and I'd much rather sit inside and read all day. Doesn't that sound like a much better use of my time?

Tuesday, February 18, 2003

Raaargh. Life is beginning to pick up the pace. I'm glad I'm being proactive on everything except my housecleaning. My recital music is almost picked, and pretty well learned. Little Red Riding Hood is in less than three weeks, and I'm pretty near to being memorized....getting there anyway. And my dress is getting there! Except that on the trip to San Antonio last weekend, someone wadded up my skirt and put a bag on top of it. It's a wrinkled mess. But beaded must still be done. The last thing I need is a wrench thrown into things. I have a lot of family and may-as-well-be-family coming to see my recital! Last year I didn't publicize anything...I dind't want anyone to hear me. SO, if any of you are free on April 6th, come hear me! I'd love to have you!
I found this in a commentary, and liked it a lot. I thought I would share it with all of you, if for no other reason than I'm too tired to be creative tonight. Enjoy!

John 3:16

For God so loved the world that He gave his only Son so that every one who believes in HIm should not perish but have everlasting life.

ALL great men have had their favourite texts; but this text has been called "everybody's Text." herein for every simple heart is the very essence of the gospel. This text tells us certain very great things.

(i) It tells us that the origin and initiative in all salvation lies with God. Sometimes Christianity is presented in such a way that it sounds as if God had to be pacified, as if God had to be persuatded to forgive. Sometimes men speak as if they would draw a picture of a stern, angry, unfogiving, legal God, and a gentle, loving, forgiving Jesus. Sometimes men present the CHristian message in such a way that it sounds as if Jesus did something which changed the attitude of God to men from condemnation to forgiveness. But this text tells us that it was with God that it all started. It was God who sent His Son, and He sent His Son because He loved men. At the back of everything there is the love of God.

(ii) It tells us that the mainspring of the being of God is love. It is easy to think of God as looking at men in their heedlessness and their disobedience and their rebellion and saying: "I'll break them: I'll humble them and lash them and discipline them and punish them and scourge them until they come back>" It is easy to think of God as seeking the allegiance of men in ofder to satisfy HIs own desire for power, and His own desire for what we might call a completely subject universe. But the tremendous thing about this text is that it shows us God acting, not for His own sake, but for ours. It was not to satisfy His love. God is not like an absolute monarch who treats each man as a subject to be reduced to an abject obedience. God is the Father who cannot be happy until HIs wandering children have come home. God does not smash men into submission; He yearns over them and woos them into love.

(iii) It tells us of the width of the love of God. It was the world that God so loved. It was not a nation; it was not the good people; it was not only the people who loved Him; it was the world. The unlovable and the unlovely, the lonely who have no one lese to love them, the man who loves God and the man who never thinks of God, the man who rests in the love of God and the man who spurns the love of God - All are included in this vast inclusive love, the love of God. As Aufustine had it: "God loves each one of us as if there was only one of us to love."

Thursday, February 13, 2003

The test is over. Didn't study. Did just fine I think -- my lesson learned, I'll never study for this class if I can help it, and the next section is on American Musical Theater! YAY!!!!
Wow, I have another test today. Isn't that wonderful? But the good thing is that the class I'm taking is almost identical to a class that's a requirement for my major. So all of us music majors sit in the back checking off the list of things we already know, and Dr. Boyd teaches to the non-majors. We only have to participate when they've obviously missed the point of her lectures, at which point she calls on us in the back row. So, altogether not bad. I'm not going to study. Maybe glance over my notes a bit before, but no hours of reading. Especially not for short answer and matching. Anyway -- off to the test!

Tuesday, February 11, 2003

Finished the second half. It's the best movie I've seen in ages and aeons. Besides the obvious beautiful and tragic ending, may I say that it has the best love scene I've ever seen. Anne and Peter are upstairs, and she's playing with a pencil....there's like five minutes of conversation (I should say monologue -- she does most of the talking) as they play back and forth with it. Sounds cheesy, no? But it was so emotionally tense -- made every fiber of your being long......why don't they make movies like that anymore? I would far rather watch something with content, and plot, and characters that you can relate to than all the sex and violence in the whole world! And yet, there was plenty of terror and violence in this movie...the terror was more real because it was, obviously, REAL. The worst part of course is knowing the inevitable. Kind of like Titanic....you know eventually the boat will sink. Anyway, more on this later -- I have to go wash the mascara off my face.....
Has anyone ever watched the old black and white "Diary of Anne Frank?" It's a wonderful movie! I'd never seen it before -- but I'm sewing, and I need something to listen to, not read (a little hard with both hands occupied). The girl who plays Anne is very convincing. I really like her characterization -- the whole cast is strong. The only one I have problems with is the Dentist -- Mr. Dussel? He is played by the actor that played the buffoon in so many Disney movies. He was the toymaker in "Babes in Toyland" and the man who floated on the ceiling in "Mary Poppins." I just have trouble taking him seriously as I picture him bobbing about and laughing. I suppose every actor has a right to break out of a steriotype -- he's still playing the bumbling idiot, and that's pretty close. Anyway -- part two is rewound now. Time to go watch her have her first kiss, her first love, and then off to the tragic ending. Where's my kleenex?

Sunday, February 09, 2003

CONGRATULATIONS! To my friend Matt Moore who just won the regional competition for the Metropolitan Opera! YAY! 1st place is nothing to sneeze at -- now on to the finals in New York!!!
For those of you who know the hymn "Eternal Father Strong to Save" (otherwise known as the Navy Hymn) a new verse was just added to the Episcopal hymnal:

O God who names the starry host,

and by whose love not one is lost;

who stretched thy arms wide to the sky,

from cross to heav'n so death would die:

Oh care for those who traversed space,

Embrace them now who touch thy face.

The Rev. Vincent Uher, February 1, 2003.

Friday, February 07, 2003

More beading of the recital dress. Oh I'm losing perspective quickly. I've hit the point where I can't tell if its going to look good or not. As dad says, non only can I not see the forest for the trees, I can't see the bark for the microbes under it. Anyway -- back to the sweatshop! And I have to pick out more recital music tomorrow! One more italian set, on Bach thing-y from some mass....and maybe some english if I have time. We'll see how much music I'm talking about. But I've break-ed long enough. The beads are calling. Here I come master! Oh and yes, my Italian extra credit recital went splendidly. We all did very well....and we now have "extra credito" as we so masterfully call it! Ciao! A domani

Thursday, February 06, 2003

Well Crap! We have a four hour choir rehearsal tonight for TMEA. Blech. Basically that means that we'll stand there for an hour and a half waiting for Dr. Bailey to "fix our windows." -- (otherwise known as placing us all on the risers so you can see everyone). He always takes forever counting and re-counting -- somehow he doesn't ever count correctly. Never! Takes forever. Other than that it's Adrian's birthday -- so we're probably going out beforehand to celebrate. Does anyone else thinka daquiri would take the edge off? Oh, maybe not.

Monday, February 03, 2003

Ah, my recital is approaching! AAAAH!! And my dress is barely started (notice I'm more worried about the dress than the singing. But to use an old instrumentalist saying "Singers can practice anywhere" -- even when sewing). It'll be beautiful if I ever get it done. Not much hope of that from where I'm sitting now. I put the zipper in backwards last night. arrrgh. I should just suck it up and fix it, but I feel like I have so much accomplished with a zipper in. So I've put that on hold and I'm working on the skirt. anyway -- back to the sweat shop

Sunday, February 02, 2003

I just got home from my fourth opera of the year! The Merry Widow -- put on by Houston Grand Opera! It was so very good! And added to the others that I've been to (Romeo and Juliet-Fort Worth Opera, Lucia di Lammermoor-Houston Grand, and L'elisir d'Amore -- Baylor Opera Theater) I'm having far too much fun! And there are several more to go to before the year is over! And I'm going to be in Little Red Riding Hood March 6th -- so there we go! Everyone come see it who's near Waco! Yay!