"The vowels carry the emotion, consonants carry the thought." - Louise Petrie
Today was a Good Friday
Today is a good Friday. Today is Good Friday. I didn't wake up this morning knowing that I was going to deconstruct my little backyard labyrinth on this sunny day. It came about during a leisurely conversation with my husband after attending the morning Good Friday service at our church and eating lunch on our back... Continue Reading →
New Beginnings
Very recently my friend followed her dream. She embraced a new relationship, lightened her life by selling most of her possessions, drove to the other side of the country and is beginning anew. Life teeter totters between fullness and paralysis, praise and self doubt. For anyone this can be a daunting thing. This song is accompanied by a... Continue Reading →
Sonic Breakfast
What is your sonic caffeine? What sound do you wake up to?* alarm clock? coffee pot gurgling? birdsong? high frequency Bach? harp music? motivating lyrics and tempo for exercise routine? You can design a sonic breakfast for yourself. How do you wake up in the morning? What allows you to feel alive, creative and stimulated to... Continue Reading →
Invocation for Change
This is an intuitive song invoking change. My heart is heavy for the world's largest Christian religion. Even though I am not a Roman Catholic myself, I sense a deep yearning for change from so many whose voices are seemingly never heard. I sing invented words or 'vocables' accompanied by a 22 inch 'Remo' brand... Continue Reading →
We are One Woman
This year, International Women's Day focuses on ending violence against women — a gross human rights violation that affects up to 7 in 10 women and a top priority for UN Women. As commemorations are underway in all corners of the globe, "One Woman" reminds us that together, we can overcome violence and discrimination: "We... Continue Reading →
How Fragile We Are*
Depression can sometimes feel like you're fighting for your life, perfectly captured by Oren Lavie's lyrics. Sun been down for days A pretty flower in a vase A slipper by the fireplace A cello lying in it's case Soon she's down the stairs Her morning elegance she wears The sound of water makes her dream... Continue Reading →
Hymnody and Theology
I still have enough skill on the piano to at least play hymns. Unless they are in 5 sharps or flats. Forget that. To pass the time in a personal care home I spent an hour playing a lovely Clavinova for my mother. The playing of hymns I hoped would spark some recognition in her memory. Page after... Continue Reading →
On Singing
"Vowels carry the emotion. Consonants carry the thought." Louise Pitre, Judge on Over the Rainbow CBC Competition, Fall 2012
Song for the New Year
http://youtu.be/VSMKlH96fio A intuitive song for New Year's 2013. The instrument is an Oscar© a steel tongue-drum, HAPI drum, created by Tribal Thunder from the original design of Oscar De Los Santos of Ontario, Canada. This particular version is a 6-note Ake Bono tuning.
Lament for Wind and Rain
The Destruction of Hurricane Sandy http://youtu.be/qG4UZVhGuPg The massive storm called Sandy is still whipping up tremendous wind and rain. Even on the very periphery of the system we are being affected. In sympathy for those lives which will be forever changed due to Sandy I offer this lament. With these vocables, I hope that my... Continue Reading →
Earth Hour Lament
http://youtu.be/byCHvVf_t2k Earth Hour March 2012. During the candlelit hour I recorded this little improvisational lament to our Blue Planet home. I hope that my soulful musical meditation conveys a little of my prayer for healing of our world. The 'words' I sing are a type of vocalise, invented words, or vocables in the spirit of... Continue Reading →
Sounding in Sedona
http://youtu.be/n78oZqMYoDo My recent trip to the mystical red rocks of Sedona, Arizona gave me the courage to experiment with recording my intuitive music for the first time. The Airport Mesa Vortex was where I filmed this. In my backpack I carried my little G minor pentatonic kalimba and I just set my camera down on the rock... Continue Reading →
Good Vibrations
Today I received this wonderful reading from DailyOM. It perfectly explains my new work. Sound Healing Everything in the universe is in a constant state of vibration, including our bodies. Sound is vibration that can be translated by the delicate structures of our inner ear, but it moves more than just those tiny receptors.... Continue Reading →