July 25, 2009
How does one wrap up an amazing experience in a few words?
On Tuesday I wrote the Sky Dancers poem reflecting on the opening event for Stratford Summer Muisc,(SSM), and posted it on this blog. On Thursday morning I happened to be chatting with SSM's artistic producer, John Miller, and offered to send him the blog site as I am planning to write about more of the wonderful musical events that will be offered here over the next few weeks.
On Thursday evening, John was in touch with me and asked if he could offer the Sky Dancers poem to Dr. Andrew Gant, who is the organist/composer/and director of Her Majesty's personal choir, The Chapel Royal, St. James's Palace, London, England. Dr. Gant was offering a three part lecture/concert series here this week as part of SSM and wished to write a choral number that he would dedicate to Stratford Summer Music as a finale for his time here. John felt my little poem would be perfect for the occasion.
Between Thursday and Friday night Dr. Gant composed the music. The Tactus Vocal Ensemble practised it briefly and presented it as the final number of this morning's concert. Lively and boisterous at times, thoughtful and moody at others, Dr. Gant captured the imagery of the poem perfectly. What an honour for me and for Stratford Summer Music! I spoke with him briefly after the concert before he packed up to fly home to England, in order to conduct and play for the services for Her Majesty tomorrow.
This is an example of the magic that can be experienced in my Stratford!
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