The Plot Bunny Farm

Every year, Moravian College (and the associated seminary) have Vespers services for two weekends in December. The nondenominational* service begins with music (chorus, brass ensemble, woodwind trio, guitar ensemble, and flute troupe this year), moves to liturgy (including songs, readings, and prayer), and concludes with more music, partially in candlelight (choir, congregation, brass ensemble, and organ). We haven’t gone often (children squirm), but this year we did. ( Read the rest of this entry » )

Originally published at Erin M. Hartshorn. You can comment here or there.

Seems Wednesday is becoming my video day. Recently, my husband introduced me to the music of Scott Bradlee and Postmodern Jukebox. They take songs and make new arrangements of them — Dixieland, Roaring 20s, you name it. They also have some fun versions of Saturday morning cartoon theme songs.

So here is “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun.”

Originally published at Erin M. Hartshorn. You can comment here or there.

Because this was the first thing that popped into my head when I heard yesterday’s news. (Yes, I’m a sucker for classic movies.)

Originally published at Erin M. Hartshorn. You can comment here or there.

Because the Muppets are always wonderful. As is Queen.

Originally published at Erin M. Hartshorn. You can comment here or there.

Both B.C. and Nicki asked me questions about my music preferences:

Inspirational music for your favorite genres

One of your music preferences that’s a guilty pleasure

I’m going to address them both in this post.

When I was very young, all I listened to was classical music. And Christmas carols. I fell in love with the Grand Canyon Suite and the Flight of the Bumblebee. I didn’t even hear more popular music until midway through elementary school, when the school bus played rock and my mom played easy listening. Do I feel guilty that I can sing along to Barry Manilow’s entire repertoire? Not really, any more than I feel guilty for knowing the lyrics to “X’s and O’s” and “Grundy County Auction” (country rock songs from the late 90s, for those who don’t know).

I’ve listened to a wide range of music, although not death metal and very little rap or hip-hop. (Yes, I do know “Ice Ice Baby.”) And what I listen to on any given day is going to vary a lot — it might be Amy Grant, it might be Stravinsky. (The Firebird Suite is probably my all-time favorite piece of music.) One novelette I wrote almost entirely to Bon Jovi, and I find Blondie can be wonderful for mindless proofreading. Recently, I’ve been listening to an iTunes Radio station called Giuseppe Verdi Essentials, which is serving as inspiration for a science fiction novel I’m planning.

Most often, however, I work in silence because my brain isn’t as good at letting the music go by without it interfering with the words any more.

What kinds of music do you like to listen to?

And if you have more questions that you’d like to have me answer, ask away in the comments!

Originally published at Erin M. Hartshorn. You can comment here or there.

Today, I had books due at the library. My daughter wanted to come along, so we headed downtown. I’d completely lost track of festivals; I didn’t realize Celticfest was this weekend. Fortunately, we got downtown before the big crunch, and we had plenty of time to browse the library.

Before we got outside, the pipers started warming up. Of course, when we got outside, I walked my girl over to watch one of the pipers who was warming up on his own. She was fascinated (although she did comment on how loud he was). When he finished, we started to head to our car — but the pipers for one of the high school bands were warming up over by the City Council building and the girl tugged me over to watch and listen. As she did, I couldn’t help but think how much my dad would have approved her enthusiasm.

Of course, Dad wouldn’t have understood the desire to leave, go home, and get things done instead of staying to watch the parade and hear more music.

Originally published at Erin M. Hartshorn. You can comment here or there.