How Colloquium Sounded

Quite a few recordings are up of the Colloquium. Its not CD quality. But it will give you an idea of the things we do, which are nothing short of amazing.

http://music.dierschow.com/2011Colloquium/

Registered for Colloquium XXI

Well I just dropped what I consider to be a ton of money in order to register for the Sacred Music Colloquium. (and I only paid roughly half the cost!) But it is certainly justified. There simply is no other place, no other way, to gain the experience of being surrounded by this many fellow musicians dedicated to true sacred music that to attend this event. You not only learn from the instructors but also from the attendees. The presenter talks are fantastic and so are the ensembles.

I am extremely happy that it is once again in Pittsburgh because it allows me to drive there rather than fly. Flying would probably add a considerable amount to the cost.

I just hope they keep the air conditioning on in the Church of the Epiphany this year. Unless they are going to bring professional recording equipment I'd rather not suffer through the heat.

Back from Colloquium

Well I'm finally home after the Sacred Music Colloquium. It was an incredibly tremendous experience and I am very glad to have been able to participate.

I always expect but am still always equally surprised at the natural fraternity shared by musicians. There is something different about our species that breaks down barriers instantly no matter the situation. From the first day the rooms were buzzing with conversation amongst people who had never met. It reminded me of a story that happened to me when I was in college...

One day I was in some history class in "Main Hall" and two non-music students sitting in front of me talking before it started.

"Have you ever been in the music building? I have a class in there and its unbelievable. They are always talking to each other and everyone is perpetually happy!" said one.

The other girl responded, "I know, what the heck are they so happy about? No other building is like that."

I interrupted them saying "Its because we're musicians. Its just the way we are."

Then class started. It struck me that they were right, the people in the other majors almost never spoke in the hallways...they were almost always gloomy, with a sort of blank look on their faces...at least in public. They were studying while we were playing.

The people at Colloquium come from all over the place and from all different kinds of backgrounds. But the instant bond was apparent amongst the 20 somethings and the Upper-Somethings. To add to the music, almost all of us had the Church in common...and we all wanted to talk about it, and talk about it, and talk about it.

The music itself was incredible and I was impressed a the level of musicianship of my fellow attendees. Even the less experienced came with an indefatigable enthusiasm that made up for their other deficiencies.

I hope I get to go next year. It was such a busy schedule that I never took the camera out of my bag. There are a phone pictures but that it. More later perhaps.