Month: December 2010

The tribute I wrote for Frank Smith that appeared in the program for our concert was an edited down version of my earlier post, basically. (I had to keep under a certain word count.)

In Memoriam: Frank C. Smith

A New York music critic once wrote, “In no other art are amateurs
privileged to enjoy the spiritual beauties of a creation in the degree
that music offers to choristers.” For Grace Church organist and
choirmaster Frank Smith that was an article of faith, and he
wanted to offer that privilege to the community outside the church.
After rebuilding the church choirs and overseeing the installation
of a new organ, he established a community chorus with this wife
Dilys, in 1974. You didn’t have to be a member of Grace Church
—all that was required was a love of music and the ability to sing.

When I showed up at the church almost a decade later for my
audition, I was taken to the music room. I was terrified, but Frank’s
calm and gentle nature helped, and I sang as best I could.
“Welcome to the Choral Society,” he said. Since that day, I haven’t
found the sorrow that couldn’t be at least somewhat alleviated, or
the joy that couldn’t be made even greater, by singing.

Frank Smith died peacefully on Oct. 12, 2010.
On behalf of all former and future members of
the Choral Society of Grace Church, thank you for the music, Frank.

The Vornado space heater I bought at Bed, Bath & Beyond last winter stopped working recently. I really should be able to get more than one season out of the thing (it cost $80) so I called Bed, Bath & Beyond. I was hoping for was a coupon for a discount for another space heater.

“Bring it back.”
“But I bought it a year ago!”
“It doesn’t matter, bring it in.”

I was sure there was some sort of mistake, but I brought it in.

“Do you have the receipt?”
“No! Because I bought it a year ago!”
“It doesn’t matter. What do you want to do, exchange it?”
“Yes!”

My new space heater. Cat inspected, cat approved. Thank you Bed, Bath & Beyond!!

These are the windows at Henri Bendel’s. Aren’t they wonderful? This is looking up. Those ballerinas were suspended from the ceiling. Just glorious.

After the concert, my brother, his wife and I walked around a little before going out to dinner. 5th Avenue was just insane. It was so jam packed with people we had to shamble slowly, like zombies. I’m not going near there again until after the holidays. Unless I decide to go into the pickpocket business. Or I get hungry for brains.

I was asked to write a brief tribute to Frank Smith, the co-founder (with his wife Dilys) of the Choral Society, for the program for our concert. It was such a great gift to be asked to do that. It’s just a good feeling, being able to publicly acknowledge someone like that, it really is a privilege and I feel honored that it was me.

I was a little concerned about my spot for the performance. I am in the very last row and the last one on the left. My first reaction when I saw my assigned position was, “He hates my voice and wants it to be far away from him as possible.” Between me and the last person on the right, it isn’t possible to get any further away!

Except there were people with gorgeous voices all around me, so maybe it wasn’t the horrible-voice section. And it turned out I’m not that far away. This is the view from where I stand. I took this while people were lining up. (We’re not all there yet there’s 152 of us.) Even if it was the worst spot in the world, I can’t complain. Every concert someone has to be in the worst spot in the world, and I’ve had some great spots in the past. I was due.