When I started my volunteer "singalong" program at Kuser Park 9 years
ago, I found that there are many local area citizens who love to
remember the "MUSIC WE GREW UP WITH;" which just happens to be the
moniker I chose for this weekly summer Sunday concert series. As I
explained to my friend, former Mayor Glenn Gilmore back in the early
90's, when I volunteered to do this weekly program, I am not a
professional vocalist, but according to Miss Louise Baird, my Hamilton
High School vocal music teacher, I am
among those fortunate enough to be gifted with what is called "perfect
pitch." I have been singing for well over 75 of my 80 plus years from
our countless around-the-piano family singing when I was only 4 or 5,
all through my grammar and high school years, and even when I formed a
group of 3 other buddies from my company in the U.S. Army where we sang
for hours and hours during my time in the army. The accompanying photo
was taken by a member of my partner Jack Pyrah's family. We were, singing
along to "In the Garden:" ("I come to the garden alone, while the dew
is still on the roses, and the song I hear falling on my ear, the son of
God discloses....and He walks with me, and He talks with me, and He
tells me I am his own..": The young lady standing with my partner Jack is
Miss Kathleen Fennimore. She got out on the dance floor as I was
singing "Far Away Places" at our program yesterday afternoon, and as I sang
she was dancing and "signing" the lyrics (hand signs for the hearing
impaired). It was one of "those moments" for all who were there as
Kathleen visually interpreted each word I sang.
Tommy
ReplyDeleteSounds like there was a good time for all. "Far away places". A beautiful song. We sang that at one of our performances during our senior year. Something about other countries. I remember one of the girls who ran the show. She was head of the fashion club or whatever they called it. Can.t think of name of the show.
Lee