Experience of a new hymn

Wednesday night, 10th June 2009, I was getting ready to close down the ol' computer for the night, when an idea hit me about a hymn I'd been commissioned to write.
For only the third time in my life, I sat down and it just flowed like water. There were some edits to make, but in the main its form and content are the same as when it just poured out of me.
The first time this happened was writing The Light of the World, an Advent candle lighting song that is still used often these day, except of course in the weeks before Christmas.
The second time was writing Mary Wept. It took about five minutes - I was keeping a student waiting, but I knew I HAD to get it down on paper. I remember so clearly both times this happened.

Following this kind of experience, I often spend some time looking over what I've written, and I see all kinds of images in this new hymn (which I'll share later), and I'm very pleased. It was a great boost, only made better by the letter from Hope Publishing last week - about which more another time!

Early Monday Morning

So here I am, early on a Monday morning, trying to figure out the week ahead. Today I'm performing a funeral, then teaching for most of the afternoon. Tomorrow I have two funerals (one is just graveside, which, at this time of year, will be short) and after the two are over, it's up to the clinic for needles. Wednesday, I'm playing two funerals, so it's quite week ahead. Mercifully, it's a week with more income than we'd expected, and this is something about which we are both very grateful.
I have a new commission to work on - an Easter season hymn, with organ music to match. It will be a wonderful challenge to try to create something new, or at least put old ideas in new ways. The Baptismal hymn written for niece Emma is like that, I find. I haven't shared that hymn here, but if you're on Facebook, it's in the group about my music - Paul Chappel Music & Hymns. Yes, I know, an utilitarion title, but I quite like the simplicity and clarity it brings. Well, it's time to plan this morning's funeral and get cleaned up and ready - hopefully I'll blog again before the week is out!

Early 2009

I am now joining many of my friends in saying how sorry I am that it has been so long since I blogged. Heck, it's been so long, no one's likely even checked it in a year, but I'll get 'er going again.
Yesterday, Sara started a group on Facebook about my Hymns and Music. If you're not on Facebook, it's dead easy to join, and quite painless. We're exploring ways of getting the hymn texts 'out there' so they can be used. They're doing no one any good in my computer's silicon-based brain.
In the last three weeks I've cranked out two good hymns, which is quite nice. If I can keep that pace up, it'll be a productive year.
I got to the end of 2008 trying to figure out what I'd accomplished in the year, and it was a long, blank look I took. Well, maybe most of us are doing that, now.
In the coming weeks, I'm planning to post at least once a week, and maybe more. It's hard to keep so many different irons in the fire, but it's also challenging and fun in the long run.
Welcome, new readers, and welcome back, former folks who had given up on me!

Vicente Sings!

C O N C E R T

CONCERT! Sunday 18th November 2007 4:00 pm St. Paul's United Church 29 Park Street at Cross, Dundas ON

The music of Paul Chappel - in celebration of his 40th Birthday
MUSIC TENDS THE HEART & HUGS THE SOUL

Lakefront (premiered at the Glenn Gould Studios for broadcast on CBC Radio 1997) will be performed by David Gerry, Flute & Patricia Johnston, Harp.

The Noiseless, Patient Spider (text by Walt Whitman) - Sara Chappel, Soprano, Anne Barnshaw, Piano

The Song of the Arden (text by William Shakespeare, As You Like It) - Richard Crossman, Tenor, Anne Barnshaw, Piano

Prelude on Hyfrdol (published in Te Deum Volume II - RCCO Publications) - Ruth Watson Henderson, Organ

Quails - World Premiere Performance, David Gerry, Flute, Paul Grimwood, Piano

Riverbed - World Premiere Performance - Patricia Johnston, Harp

Can You Hear the Whippoorwill (text by Shirley Chappel) - published by Leslie Music Supply in English and edition Reimers in Swedish (Kan du hora natsckarren?) - Sara Chappel & Richard Crossman with David Gerry, Flute, Anne Barnshaw, Piano and Patricia Johnston, Harp

Follow the Star (tune: Path Head) - Douglas Brownlee, Organ

And I'll post more music lists as we decide on them!
There will be the premiere of a new hymn text, with Paul Chappel at the organ!

Second post in same day

I cann't help noticing that it's been exactly two months since my Chive Seeds post (which has been submitted to Harrowsmith, by the way). And I cannot pass today without recalling Dad's mother who was born this day in 1897. Her 80th birthday bash in 1977 was a blast, and I was looking at the photos only a few days ago. Only two years later, she had a devestating stroke that took her in mind, but kept her in body for another three years. Hard years, having your grandmother thank you 'strangers' for visiting. When she made that much sense. I think she knew we loved her - I'm sure of that.

Long time, no see!

Good morning (or one hopes it will be). I have neglected this poor blog now for FAR too long, and I wish to thank Matthew for his gentle reminder that anyone ever read the danged thing, so I'll start again.
Where have I been?
I've been enmired quite happily, if for unaccountably too much time in Facebook. It's the heroin of our age. You log on and suddenly an hour's gone. I won't complain any more, though, as for people in my age range, who went to high school shortly after the 70s ended (very shortly) it's wonderful to recconect with friends from ages ago. To see a old school chum's two lovely kids and happy gardens, to keep in touch with people we've not seen in twenty years is wonderful.

How is the garden here growing? Well, it's almost done. I've severed the zucchini plant at the base so it'll die eventually. Sara harvested almost a full 4 quart basket of TINY hot peppers - I've no idea how many there will be there when the final tally is taken, and I must havest the basil before the old frosts hit. It's been a better year than last year, so that's something. The gardens are beginning to bend to my will again, perhaps more than any gardens in a long time, as I had dreams of this years ago. It's good to move back in to the house you grew up in, as the ideas of childhood about the gardens (don't all kids have gardening ideas?!) can become manifest. Oh joy! Oh rupture!