Vienna

Our one and a half day stint trip to Vienna was full of adventure, beauty and excitement. I have fallen in love with the city all over again. From its historic public buildings and monuments, to its shop lined streets and Grand Boulevard.
When we arrived, a SJSU student Dan Foley who is studying abroad in Germany came down to meet us and hang out with friends from home. He met up for us at dinner, which consisted of some traditional food of the area including a delicious soup with a crème base, pork, stuffing, and of course sauerkraut! Dinner was followed by a crème cheese dessert covered in custard served warm. The tavern was warm, but filled with laughter, and students deprived from sleep, as most had just arrived earlier that day from America.


After dinner, Michelle Hennessy, Kristyn Van Cleave, Brian Cummings and I headed out to explore the town, led by our trusty guide and my new friend Dan. We ended up in this cool place called the MQ or Museum Quarter. In a nutshell, the MW as its called is a large quad lined with museums. Inside the quad were 3 or 4 bars/restaurants and these large pink lounges and chairs and tables for seating. We arrived at the MQ around 10pm and there were probably close to 1300 people, between the ages of 18 and 35, all around the court. It was an amazing sight. We grabbed a beer and just sat around and enjoyed the evening. Around 11:45 we left the MQ and walked out to the rest of the city on the other side.


Beauty. Stunning silouettes against a dark sky. Grandeur. Historic presence and modern relevance. We continued our evening a little longer with a night tour of some of the historic buildings around the town center. It was a perfect evening. Finally we gave into our longings for sleep and headed back to the hostel.


Sunday came all too early. After breakfast, we grabbed our concert wear and headed down to St. Stephen's Cathedral. Stephansdom is the mother church of the Archdiocese of Vienna. It is a Romanesque and Gothic building made primarily of sandstone, which is always undergoing a cleaning, due to atmospheric acid which turns the white sandstone black. We were able to participate in the service at Stephansdom, which was a unique experience. The mass was all in german, and few bits were in Latin. We used songs in both Latin and English (Regina Caeli, Rise Up My Love, Ubi Caritas & Joshua Fit the Battle), and then followed up the service with an informal concert for all who wanted to stay. We had a nice crowd stay to watch.


After changing back at the hostel Kristyn, Chris, Summer and Jordan explored the city some more. We saw so many amazing buildings. I love all the symbolism in the Architecture, and I can only imagine the day and age that accompanied their conception. What would it have been like to have been a person living when these buildings were functional public and private spaces. What would it have been like when the buildings lining the streets around the city center were still palaces and private residences filled with dukes, duchesses, princes and wealthy merchants? One can only imagine a time before their own…

Leaving England

Saturday June 5, 2010

Well, I successfully made the jump from England to Vienna. Arthur and May dropped me by the train station in Maidstone so I could catch the 9:55 train to London Victoria. May waited with me on the platform, it was a final ceremonial moment. As the train neared its approached, we walked further down the platform where it was less crowded. The train pulled up, we said our final good byes and I piled onto the train with luggage intow. I found a seat for myself and my luggage, and all the while May stood on the platform, waiting for my departure. As the conductor signaled for the train to pull away May waived, a final good bye, neither of us knowing when we'll see eachother again.

Now we will once again resort to the endless family letter writing at Christmas and holidays. But for me I will see these letters in a new light. I can visualize the post in town from where she sends the letters off at. I can visualise the sitting room where she answers the phone when we call from Grams. I can now visualize the town of Maidstone, as I saw it through her historic eyes, when she mentions the events of her life in her letters. Another chapter of my family history has come to life and been written to life in my eyes. What a lucky boy I am. May took the time to walk me through Maidstone, as it was when she grew up, as it was when my grandparents and father lived there, and as it is now and what it has become. She took the time to help me discover more about my family. We discovered more about eachother as we shared tea time, and garden chats, and trips on the local bus and train. I shared my passion for architecture and music with her, and she listened intently. She proudly introduced me to all of her friends as her relative from America.

She is an amazing lady who is the epitiomy of everything I want to be when I am 86; active, involved, and a spitfire. She has lived through a lot. Her brother was killed in the prime of his life, after surviving the events at Dunkirk during WWII, her fieance was killed in the war, but she found love in a husband, and step children who adore her, and now grand kids who adore her. She lives out her faith as she faithfully serves her church, St. Andrew's, and the community it reaches through bake sales, and coffee meetings, and flower committees. She serves her family as she tends the grave of her brother in the graveyard at St Margaurete. She has lived life, and is going to go on living it till the end.



I hugged her long and hard knowing I may never see her again, but she has taught me much and for that I am grateful. With so much love in her heart she welcomed me into her home, made me feel welcome, and made me family. What a lucky boy I am to be loved my family, even when I have only just met them.

Hebrews 12:1-3
¹Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. ²Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. ³Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

The Pavillion @ Brighton, England

June 4, 2010: Trip to Brighton, England

WOW!!! Is just about all I can say, WOW!!! Today was amazing!! May, Arthur, Jean and I drove down to Brighton, so I could have a tour of the fantasy Regency pavillion of the Regent Prince and future King George IV of England. It was an experience I shall never forget. The Royal Pavilion at Brighton (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brighton_Pavilion) is one of the few and best example and living sample of Regency architecture and interior design available! The Regency era is very sort in the history of architecture, lasting from about 1795 to 1837. It is squeezed in between the Georgian period and the Victorian period. The Regency period was in it prime between 1811 and 1820, when the Regent Prince was ruled inproxy when his father was deemed unfit to rule, through his rule as King. The rooms are all restored to their original glory, even thought they went through some pretty major devastating times. A HUGE amount of the furniture is original, which is rare when it comes to period homes because often when the house is sold or changes hands, the furniture moves with it. However, with the Royal Pavilion, we have many, if not all of the original sketches, drawings, layouts, and details from the kings architects and designers who assembled the Pavilion. Thus may of the carpets and wallpapers have been accuratly duplicated when the original had to be replaced due to fire or irreversible damage.

Canterbury Cathedral @ Canterbury, Kent

June 2, 2010: Canterbury Cathedral

Another amazing day in Kent! May and I took the southeastern express out to Canterbury today. The main goal was to see Canterbury Cathedral, one of the oldest and most famous cathedrals in all England. The Cathedral at Canterbury is the cathedral of the Archbishop of Caterbury, the leader of the Church of England, and it is very symbolic worldwide, representing the head of the Anglican Communion.

Looking up and down the Nave. Notice how the ribbing goes along the columns and into the ceiling.

The actual spot where Thomas Becket was Murdered

The most pivitol moment in the history of Canterbury Cathedral was the murder of Thomas Becket December 29, 1170, by the knights of King Henry II, all because of conflicts between the two. That will teach one to have a conflict with the king. Granted Becket was the second of four Archbishiops to be murdered at Canterbury Cathedral.

Romanesque rounded arches are found throughout, but someone re-carved as an example of the "new" way- the new English Gothic style.

The Cathedral is a mix of architectural forms and fixtures, but it predominantly English Gothic. The East end of the Cathedral is Norman and Ealry English, while the Nave is English Gothic. Following a fire in 1174, the choir was rebuilt in an example of early English Gothic, with high pointed arches, rib vaulting, and flying buttresses. And of course who could forget the great cloister!!

Canterbury is an amazing place, and filled with peoples from all over the world. There were two moments where I got goosebumps. Twice while I was walking around the Cathedral, on of the monks stepped up to the lectern, gave a blessing, and asked the people present to repeat the Lord's Prayer in what ever language they were comfortable with. Everything around me stopped, cameras stopped, the light in the shop went out, people stood where they were and began to recite-

Our Father who art in Heaven
Hallowed be Thy name;
Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done,
on Earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day, our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive then that trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation;
but deliver us from evil.

For Thin is the kingdom,
And the power, and the glory
forever and ever.

Amen.

It felt incredible, it was truly an amazing moment that sent shivers up and down my spine. To think that on a given date, at any given moment, a truly random group of assembled peoples, could drop everything and together recite a prayer. And not just any prayer, but a prayer that Jesus himself used as an example of how to pray. After the monk finished leading the prayer, he encouraged everyone to continue to meditate or walk around as they were.

England

Well, I've made it! After a long but great flight with Virgin Atlantic, a ride on the tube from heathrow to Victoria station,and a train from Victoria to Maidstone-I've made it. The great garden district of England is beautiful. Green everywhere with remainder spring flowers and summer ones on the way. From cousin May's front room you can see other nearby villages in the hills, and part one of the few remaining orchards.She showed me round her garden and then we enjoyed a nice dinner of ham, brocolli, carrots, roast potatoes and gravy. For dessert we had a delicious apricot on sponge cake tart with ice cream...and of course all finished with a cup-o-tea.

We've just returned from a walk around the block and watched dusk settle. Had a call from gram earlier; it was strange to be on this side of the continental receiving line. Now everytime we call over I can visualize where the conversations take place.

Had an interesting realization earlier today. I told May to look out for the blond haired boy when her and arthur came to pick me up. Well as soon as I got on the VA flight...and the tube...and the train...I realized my uniquely colored light to dark blonde hair isn't so unique...at least not here. Lots of guys here have my coloring. I totally blend in.It was a interesting connection moment; where something that has always made me stand out at home, is just the norm here.

I am looking forward to my further adventures in maidstone this week.

new experiences while gaining higher education

well, my first few days at the renowned SJSU have been quite...interesting. I have been told many things...

"This is not the time to be getting an education"

"It sucks here, but you're better off here than in the real world where there are no jobs keep milking the education system for as long as you can."

"Enrollment is full, units are scarce, but at least you were admitted."

"It sucks to be here, but at least you have a spot"

"We have nothing for you to take, but you better not resend your admission, we can't guarantee you'll get back in."

Despite all of California's CRAP that they are going through, despite all the cuts, mandatory furlough days for teacher, reduced amounts of courses, enforced class sizes...and yet increased tuition rates (yes show me the logic there); there are still many amazing teachers out there, and I am lucky to have a handful guiding my education. Teachers who say things like...

"We will be having class on the furlough day before the concert, pending the dean shooting me, I will take my furlough day when it doesn't affect your education."

"We will be taking off campus adventures of furlough day."

...and the week is just half over! I can't wait to see what happens next!

::Art Blog 7

The beautiful cameos on the Gemma Augetea combines the heroic figures from Greek art with recognizable Roman faces.The Wedgwood company still uses similar techniques today when making their Jasperware products. Their vases, and cups, and plates, display many different styalized classical scenes.

::Art Blog 6

The statue of the Discus Thrower celebrates the olympic athletes victorious deeds. This is an example of how a great athlete was commerated for centuries to come, and has became the idealized athlete for hundreds of years. The Olympics are not just about sport, but the pursuit of the ideal, both in physical being, and in unity of cultures. Attention is focused on the individual human beings who seem able to surpass even their own abilities and limits, all to reach this ellusive "ideal"

Today on the campus of SJSU stands the statue commerating another set of athletes, finally praised for their actions in striving for the "ideal." 1968 Olympic Medal Winners Tommie Smith and John Carlos have been honored with a statue commerating their famous salute. As with the Olympic athletes of old, both men were physically strong and won medals for their country, but had the courage to pursue the idea of equallity. In a moment where all attention was on them, and in a moment the many take as their own, these athletes, representing the best of the best, took it upon themselves to further a cause greater then themselves. Just as the Olympians of old, the winners' deeds were celebrated by poets long after their victories; today's Olympians have their stories recorded in magazines and on TV, bu there is something to be said about being imortalized in art.

In case you are not familiar with the aformentioned story....

Quoting from "http://www.infoplease.com/spot/summer-olympics-mexico-city.html"

"It was the most popular medal ceremony of all time. The photographs of two black American sprinters standing on the medal podium with heads bowed and fists raised at the Mexico City Games in 1968 not only represent one of the most memorable moments in Olympic history but a milestone in America's civil rights movement.

The two men were Tommie Smith and John Carlos. Teammates at San Jose State University, Smith and Carlos were stirred by the suggestion of a young sociologist friend Harry Edwards, who asked them and all the other black American athletes to join together and boycott the games. The protest, Edwards hoped, would bring attention to the fact that America's civil rights movement had not gone far enough to eliminate the injustices black Americans were facing. Edwards' group, the Olympic Project for Human Rights (OPHR), gained support from several world-class athletes and civil rights leaders but the all-out boycott never materialized.

Still impassioned by Edwards' words, Smith and Carlos secretly planned a non-violent protest in the manner of Martin Luther King, Jr. In the 200-meter race, Smith won the gold medal and Carlos the bronze. As the American flag rose and the Star-Spangled Banner played, the two closed their eyes, bowed their heads, and began their protest.

Smith later told the media that he raised his right, black-glove-covered fist in the air to represent black power in America while Carlos' left, black-covered fist represented unity in black America. Together they formed an arch of unity and power. The black scarf around Smith's neck stood for black pride and their black socks (and no shoes) represented black poverty in racist America.

While the protest seems relatively tame by today's standards, the actions of Smith and Carlos were met with such outrage that they were suspended from their national team and banned from the Olympic Village, the athletes' home during the games.

A lot of people thought that political statements had no place in the supposedly apolitical Olympic Games. Those that opposed the protest cried out that the actions were militant and disgraced Americans. Supporters, on the other hand, were moved by the duo's actions and praised them for their bravery. The protest had lingering effects for both men, the most serious of which were death threats against them and their families.

Smith and Carlos, who both now coach high school track teams, were honored in 1998 to commemorate the 30th anniversary of their protest.

An interesting side note to the protest was that the 200m silver medallist in 1968, Peter Norman of Australia (who is white), participated in the protest that evening by wearing a OPHR badge."

Art Blog 5:: Aegean Art

The Vapheio Cup is so names because it was found in a large tomb at Vapheio, on the Greek mainland south of Sparta. The Minoan metalsmiths were highly trained artists, whose work was greatly sought after. The relief design was made by hammering from the back of the sheet of metal. This technique is called repousse.

The cup is very striking but what catches my attention is that something like the Vapheio Cup was sought after by others not just because it was a gold cup, but because it made by a highly prized metalsmith. This is similar to the way someone would seek after a piece of Jewlery, or to link a more specific example a baby cup from a rewnound "metalsmith" of this century, lets say Tiffany & Co.

This sterling silver baby cup was made by Tiffany & Co. circa 1891-1902. It is 3 1/2 inces tall, and there is an engraving on the bottom that gives us an estimate on teh date, it reads: "Katharine Smith FROM Commadore W. H. Starbuck, Oct 18 1894". This baby's cup recently sold at auction for $3,700.00. This goes to show that fine metal craftsmanship, no matter what the century will always be highly sought after.

Art Blog 4:: Ancient Egypt

This is Queen Hatshepsut's funerary temple at Deir El-Bahri (1473-1458 BC). Although this building was not intended to be her tomb, it is still an impressive structure, showing the simple grandeur that was accomplished across most of ancient Egypt. Rather that be on top of the cliff, or have the cliff leveled, the temple is beautifully tucked right up to the cliffs, almost as an extension of the natural landscape. Imagine the alternating levels filled with living fragrant gardens, and the architectural details just rising up from the shrubs and then disappearing into the clifs, as if the winds themselves had carved the temple.

In today's architecture and design, it is not uncommon to see architects and Interior designers pushing to make buildings and spaces more in harmony with their natural surroundings, instead of appearing to have "conquered" their surroundings. However, in antiquity, this unusual union of man with nature is a rare but exciting picture into the, even at that time, forward thinking minds.

Fast forward to the 20th century, and meet architect Frank Lloyd Wright, who spent most of his life looking to integrate His buildings and structures into the natural landscapes of their surroundings. To truly be in harmony with the land rather that dominate it. The pictures should clearly demonstrate that attention to how his structures fit into the landscape with as little intrusion as possible, seeming to "grow" from within the hills and trees, and having a life of their own.

Falling Water::
I love how this home relates to the same vertical and horizontal feeling of trees springing from a crevice in a rock. The horizontal cantilevers also resemble water rushing over rocks to the falls.

Marin County Civic Center::
Talk about civic architecture blending in with its surroundings! The building practically blends in with the contours of the hills that it is nestled in.

These votive figures are images dedicated to the gods, and date back to somewhere between 2900-2600 BCE. They were found in the Diyala River Valley in Iraq. The worshiper would commission a statue and have inscribed on it something they accomplished in that god's honor. Or the statue might simply be identified by what they are doing, ie. "one who offers prayer." This figure would represent the worshiper to the god. The physical form of these figures represents the conventions of Sumerian art, and show us today something about how they viewed beauty and the human form; just as the saint statues below epitomize art and what the human form in art had evolved to at the height of the Catholic church.

These statues of the saints that top the peristyle/collonade at St. Peters in Rome offer another idea of intercessory prayer. Each "patron" saint represents a different group of people (St. Christopher for travelers, St. Lawrence for cooks, etc.) The patron saint of a particular group of people is a saint who will pay special attention to, protect and love the members of a particular group. Prayers by members of a group are more likely to be answered by their patron saint. Some consider it a special devotion to God by displaying humility in asking a saint for intercession rather than expecting to be answered themselves, calling to mind Job 42:8, which implies God's favor to the virtuous.

Art Blog 2:: The Prehistoric and the Now

This is a picture of the aptly titled "Hall of Bulls" from the caves at Lascauz. At first glance its kind of strange to see paintings on the ceiling, then once that hurtle is crossed, it is hard for some to see these as art. I think no matter what one thinks of the subject, it can be generally acknowledged that they are regardless its amazing that they have survived through time. Even at the beginnings of our humanly existance we were fascinated with capturing the full energy of the "life" around us in something more permenant that just mere memory. I can imagine lying on the ground and looking up at the scene almost as it trying to sleep and my dreams were escaping to join the creatures up above. These delicate images, with their whispy outlines, manage to show the great power of its subjects.

Seeing a painted ceiling evokes memories of the Cistine Chapel, and looking at the simplistic, but carefully planned strokes, brings to mind the many grafiti pictures in cities across the nation. But more that those, the bright color from the "Hall of Bulls" ceiling, and the energy it creates, brings forward to my mind another modern master- Dale Chiluly.

This is his instalation at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art and it titled the Persian Seafoam Ceiling.

When thinking of ceiling installations many people think of the lobby ceiling in the Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas Nevada, but I think this instalation relates better to the "Hall of Bulls" above. This series title-Persian Seafoam Ceiling- hints different ancient glass styles and reflects the fusion of East and West. Chihuly worked at the Venini factory in Venice and historically, Venice showed an assimilation of Persian, Byzantine, and eastern ideas. His awareness of these historical ties and stylistic influences in Venetian art grew. Persians glass design highlights gently fluted edges, which are delicate and powerful, plus their jewel-like colors and sensuous curving forms make them stand out as some of Chihuly's most amazing work.

Art Blog 1: Art as Me

Pictured above is Mike Wilkins (born 1959) "Preamble" 1987, painted metal (real official state license plates) on vinyl and wood, 96 x 96 in.

This piece demonstrates the immense pride that I have for being an American. I love my European ancestral heritage, but I feel very honored to be an American-through good and bad times. As much fun as it is to travel outside this country to historic sites and places of unbelievable beauty, I want to discover the uncontested beauty of my own country first so when I go abroad I can truly appreciate these new landscapes, but always know my home holds the most beauty ever. This land is something special, the land reflects the people, who in turn reflect the land, and at just the right times the people and the land are in harmony and the many values and virtues of both become one- e pluribus unum.


Pictured to the left is "Snap the Whip" by Winslow Homer. Like the energy the painting shows, I love to have fun and hang out with my friends; goofing around, or just sitting and enjoying conversation. I value people, and the effect they have on others. Without friends or people to interact with, life can't be lived to the fullest. You can have all the knowledge, culture or money in the world, but without someone to share it with, it is pointless.


I love architecture, standing in building both old and new, large and small gives me an amazing feeling. The detail of older buildings, like these below, from the Panama Pacific Exposition of 1915 in San Francisco, is just incredible, and shows the dedication of the designers and the great technical ability of the craftsman and artists who built them. Buildings remind me of my passion for art and design.








Spirituality is an important aspect of my life, and these two spaces, the Chapel at the National Air Force Academy, and the Washington National Cathedral, are two religious spaces that I have enjoyed worshiping in. To me Christianity is not just a religion, it is a relationship, and how the journey of that relationship with Christ. That relationship helps define me as a person, and guides me in my daily life. I don't have all the answers about life or where I am headed, but I have faith in someone who has had a plan for me since before I was born. "For we walk by faith, not by sight" (2 Corinthians 5:7).






























This last video speaks to my love of music. Music is an artform that is an integral part of my life. I see music as something that can transcend all conflicts and speak where words would cause problems. Instrumental music can enhance the written word to add another dimension and give deeper meaning. For me music is an outlet in which I can create and work with others. As you see in the video, no matter what happens, music will keep on livin'!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1gNYwVdLoQ

Prague and England

The Beautiful City of Prague-The City of a Thousand Steeples

The Cousins: ME, Nathan the chef, Mark the DJ, Lucy the Director

SO I am now back from Europe. I never found time or a plae to update from in Prague, and England was just one exciting adventure to the next. PRague was beautiful. It had more of a gothic dark beauty than any of the other cities we had visited. I would be really interested in goin gback to Prague in about 20 years, to see if the rest of the city gets re-build like the main downtown part. With the fall of communisum and the rise of the free capitalist economy, a lot of the outskirts of Prague is filled with tiny strip mall type shops. It was liek suddenly everyone could have a business so no one wanted to miss out. A lot of the architecture is right out of the 70's and is very economic and boxy. However, many of the 1930's art deco buildings and old aristorcat mansions remain, but they are in need of great repair and are boarded up. The down town has been cleaned up and restored and it think it will only be a matter of time before the rest of the beautiful buildning are restored, and then Prague will become one of the most beautiful cities. Right up there with Vienna and Paris.

On the day the rest of the choir headed home to America, I said my goodbyes, and boarded a different plane for England. After a quick change in Amsterdam, I landed at Bristol International Airport, in Bristol England which is in the county of Devon in the South East. My cousin Susan picked me up and it was a 2 hour drive through the countryside, back to her house in Biddeford.

It was such an amazing 10 days in England meeting a great deal of my family for the first time. I got to do exactally what I had wanted to do, just slip right into their lives and live the way they live. Each day was an adventure and each cousin a different experience. Between them all I managed to see their favorite parts of their Devon. I explored the British coast and small seaside town of Weymouth with my cousin Lucy her fiance Mark, and my cousin Nathan. And then I saw London with Susan and Peter. And I had many fun night out with my cousin David and we went to the beach and did some skimm boarding with his mates. The atlantic ocean really isn't that cold :D It was just such an amazing trip, and I feel so lucky that I had the chance to take it. So many memories with my choir friends, and then the experiences shared with my newly discovered family.

Yesterday I watched the Sun come up in Prague as I headed to the airport at 4 am and then watched the Sun set over California as I was safely home. With all the craziness happining in the world it is nice to be home, but not for long. Off I go on my next leg of my travels to meet up with my parents and brothers on the beautiful island of Maui.

goodbye from salzburg

Goodbye from Salzburg
Hello All-
It was a great day, with some touring of Upper Austria, and the Church where Maria's wedding (sound of Music) was filmed. There was frantic last minute shopping in the city center of Old Salzburg, and then of course the Concert at the Dom, which was fantastic!!! Singing Mozart's Coronation Mass in the place it was written was fantastic. The house was full, and the orchestra was amazing! Even though the words for the mass are in Latin, the feeling and emotion could still be felt. At least among us choir geeks, the phrases from the masses are well known, and since we sing them all the time we know what they translate to. Let me share with you what we sang. Read the Latin even though you may not be able to do it right, it is pretty much said like it is spelled. Then read the English translation. Both are stunningly beautiful.

There is the First part the Kyrie;
Kyrie eleison
Lord have mercy
Chiste eleison
Christ have mercy
Kyrie eleison
Lord have mercy

Then the Gloria;
Gloria in excelsis Deo. Et in terra pax
Glory in the highest to God. And on earth peace
hominibus bonae voluntatis. Laudamus te. Benedicimus te.
to men of good will. We praise thee. We bless thee.
Adoramus te. Glorificamus te. Gratias agimus tibi
We worship thee. We glorify thee. Thanks we give to thee
propter magnam gloriam tuam. Domine Deus, Rex coelestis,
because of great glory thy. Lord God, King of heaven,

Then the Credo;
Credo in unum Deum, Patrem omnipotentem,
I believe in one God, Father almighty,
factorem coeli et terrae,
maker of heaven and of earth,
visibilium omnium, et invisibilium.
visible of all things, and invisible.
Et in umum Dominum Jesum Christum,
And in one Lord Jesus Christ,
Filium Dei unigenitum.
Son of God only begotten.
Et ex Patre natum ante omni saecula.
And of Father born before all ages.

Then the Sanctus;
Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus,
Holy, Holy, Holy,
Dominus Deus Sabaoth.
Lord God of Hosts.
Pleni sunt coeli et terra gloria tua.
Full are heaven and earth of glory thy.
Hosanna in excelsis.
Hosanna in highest.

And finally the Benedictus;

Benedictus qui venit in nomine Domini.
Blessed who comes in name of Lord.
Hosanna in excelsis.
Hossana in highest.

And Agnus Day;
Agnus Dei, qui tolis peccata mundi,
Lamb of God, who take away sins of world,
miserere nobis.
have mercy on us.
Agnus Dei, qui tolis peccata mundi,
Lamb of God, who take away sins of world, dona nobis pacem.
grant us peace.

I know to us today reading and singing the Latin may seem a like a pointless ritual, but if you know what you are singing about it puts everything into a different perspective. Each part of the song gives praise to God, and if you look at the translations, many of our "contemporary Christian" songs come from the Latin translations. Hearing these phrases echo through the Dom and watching as the sounds drifted higher and higher to the sky was amazing. The ceiling of the Dom is beautifully painted with scenes from the life of Christ, and looking at them while singing and listening to the soloists really made me think about the words.
Agnus Dei, qui tolis peccata mundi: Lamb of God, who takes away sins of world, Dona nobis pacem: grant us peace, Hosanna in excelsis: Hosanna in highest. The words are beautiful praises to God. After all the practice and all the hard work, for me, the songs turned from a piece of repertoire to a life song of praise. I couldn't help but think about God and giving the whole performance to him. Yes there was a whole full house there, and many people who put in hard work, but the true praise honor and glory goes to the one who gave the inspiration for the words and the praises.

We leave bright and early tomorrow morning for Vienna, and we will stop on the way to sing at a wedding we were invited to sing at. It is in the church where Silent Night was created and performed for the first time. I think it will be a fun unique experience. Hope everything is well on the California front. The people here are really grateful for what we are doing and they feel privileged to have us, while at the same time we feel privileged to be here. See you next in Vienna!

Love,
Andrew

Hello from Austria

Hello from Austria
Hi From Austria
HI GUYS I FINALLY MANAGED TO GET ONLINE AT AN INTERNET CAFE RIGHT DOWN THE STREET FROM THE HOTEL. EVERYTHING IS BEAUTIFUL HERE, and I apologize in advance for the typos in the letter, many of the keys are in different spots and there are added ones that we dont have at home. The flight was safe and fun with all the choir people. We had a nice and easy connection in Frankfurt to Munich. Then when we arrived in Munich we met our guide who took us to our tour bus. They are really nice, think royal coach meets Mercedes Benz! It took about an hour to reach Salzburg, but the drive was beautiful! There is so much green it is amazing. Mom, you would love the freeway direction signs, they are about 3 times as large as ours and they are blue. The freeway on and off ramps are all nicely landscaped with trees and grass. there is a lot of green but not so many colors like our highway daisies or CA poppies. The alps are beautiful, my hotel room window faces them and we got to view them all the way to the hotel. The Weather has been pretty good. we have had sunny days with nice cool cloud cover which turns into light rain in the evening. there are so many thunder storms, youd think you were in North Carolina :)

We are staying in what's called New Town, which is right on the outskirts of the main historic district known as Old town. There are three main churches in Old Town, the salzburg Dom (cathedral), University church, and St. Peters. We have had all our practices in the University Church, which is right across from Mozart's house, and is the church where Mozart's father and then Mozart were the churches musical composers. The Salzburg Dom is the main, well known church in Salzburg. We just left our first rehearsal there with the choir of over 500, and the orchestra and brass choir. The brass players are excelent. They are as excelent as the Kings brass, but with a tone that is even sweeter, if you can even imagine a sweeter tone. The French horns played so tight that it sounded as if there was one. And the trumpet solo in "festival Piece on St.Anne" Sounded to perfect to be real, but there he was playing it. And the oboe introduction on one of the othere pieces was unimaginable. The refinement of the musicians skills is like nothing else known to those in the states. For as much as we think we have it all, the music in the states dulls to the refined perfection of the musicians, and at such a young age!

We have had enough down time to explore the city on our own. I have taken over 200 pictures and I am so glad I brought my computer to load them onto. The city is so beautiful and singing the music is such a unique experience. Singing the Coronation Mass in the church is was written for seems so surreal. The Dom has 5 organs in it. One main one at the back, and then 4 smaller ones in each of the corners (hehe) of the circle underneath the Dome. Each of the churches are very beautiful, but everything seems so wrapped up in ritual and history, that it seems like some of the experience and reason for the churches existence gets lost. The churches are like gilded jewelry boxes, but with out the jewelry they are pointless. It was really amazing to watch each persons face as we sang in the cathedrals, the echo after we finished seemed to go on forever. The voices just echoed on to the heavens, it really made the songs come alive. Visiting the churches it was interesting to see people from all backgrounds and faiths become quiet and reverent as they entered the buildings. For some unspoken reason the building reminded everyone that wether the faith was theirs or not, this was a place that commanded respect.

The shops around the University church are very quaint. It is very reminiscent of carmel or solvang. The tiny shops are tucked away in every little nook and cranny. Some are no deeper then 6 feet and no longer then maybe ten, and that is from wall to wall, and then the shelves come out another foot and a half. But it is nice, there VERY VERY few cars in the city. everything is pedestrian traffic, so there is no fear of getting run over. Here in the city everyone walks, from the elderly to the young. One walks or bikes or takes the bus. We have seen a lot of the sites used in the Sound of Music. I must say the camera does wonders and makes them look a lot larger ;) But they are equally beautiful and cool to visit. As soon as I figure out how to load pictures I will send some. We have one more day in Salzburg, and then it is off to Vienna. The concert is tomorrow night and I am really looking forward to it. I am going to head to bed it is 11:24pm and we have to be up to up tomorrow early for another tour. This is such an aamazing experience. Feel freet o send this off to anyone. The address book isnt loading up and everything is in german and I dont want to loose this letter:) I love you all, and I wish you were here, you would enjoy it, there is something here for everyone!

Love,
Andrew

testing still

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first post, what to say

wow, who would have guessed that a mere 30 years or so ago, my parents were doing this exact thing, except they were recording their thoughts in a book, that may have been lucky enought to have a lock. Now with the creation of computers and passwords, and the advantage blogs like of xanga, myspace, and blogspot, just to name a few, it has become so easy to let our thought be known to the world, and at the same time record some of our most private thoughts in the same program. Where will the future take us next? Do we dare even guess, for it will change even in the next minute. Live is ever moving, just as God intended it. Roger Charlie...