Takayama Women’s Chorale here in Denver August 11, 2017 for a free performance

Takayama, Japan has been Denver’s Sister City Takayama since 1960.  The Takayama Women’s Chorale is singing at Simpson United Methodist Church Friday, August 11, 2017 at 4:30 pm.  The Chorale will be performing traditional Japanese songs.  The performance is free.  For more information please contact Kaitlyn Lyle at 303.923.6865.  Simpson is located at 6001 Wolff Street in Arvada.  Want to learn about Takayama?  Visit the city’s website here:  City of Takayama website (English version): http://www.hida.jp/english/

 

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Shopping For My Favorite Things

 

I like to steal from laundry baskets, closets, table tops, well you get the idea.  Mom calls this activity “shopping” and I hear “Henry no shopping!” a lot.

I also love to watch TV and saw THE SOUND OF MUSIC.  Here is a song I made up about shopping, I sing it to THESE ARE A FEW OF MY FAVORITE THINGS from that movie.

Shoes with shoelaces and stinky warm sockies
Bright shiny pennies and used paper napkins
Brown paper packages from Uncle Sam
These are a few of my favorite things

Rust colored squirrels and crisp broken branches
Mom yelling Henry come in for your breakfast
Books from the library or the thrift store
These are a few of my favorite things

Mom in pajamas with plush yummy slippers
Dead leaves that stay on my nose and my whiskers
Open dog treat jars left too close to edge
These are a few of my favorite things

When my Mom yells
No shopping Henry!
When I’m feeling sad
I simply remember my favorite things
And then I don’t feel so bad

Today’s Muse, Singing in the Choir

Choir

Muse:  A source of inspiration and a guiding spirit.

Today’s Muse is the Choir

A few years ago I joined the choir at church.  I had never really sung publicly before and couldn’t read music.  They were looking for people who wanted to make a joyful noise!

What is a choir?  Just a group of singers?

A choir speaks to you through a song.  But it is more than that, it is a pouring out of stories, dreams and hopes.

Listening to another choir member during a solo makes my heart soar. Performing a solo in a choir is not a lonely thing.  It is an amazing experience as the entire choir supports you, sharing and experiencing the singing of the story and message.

The choir is not just a group of singers but is a group that has become one.

 

 

Singing in the Choir

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While listening to a VoiceBox segment on Colorado Public Radio I was surprised to hear that research shows singing, specifically singing in a choir, has significant benefits for your health.

I joined the choir at my church several years ago and I thoroughly enjoy being part of the group.  Even though I can’t read music the other choir members and choir director have made me feel very welcome.

Why do I enjoy the choir?  I just assumed that because the people were so friendly and fun.  Being in a choir is much more complicated than just opening your mouth and making a joyful noise.  What are the benefits of group singing?

Often compared to Yoga (which I truly love), singing in a choir has a calming and soothing effect on its members.  Group singing elevates spirits.

Could it be happy hormones are released during singing?  Science seems to think yes.  Much like eating chocolate or engaging in other activities that produce pleasure.

A group of singers actually synchronize their heart beats and pulses also increase and decrease in union.  I can attest, there develops a real bond with your fellow choir members, which starts with synchronized breathing and singing in harmony.  The whole choir experience makes you more sensitive to others.

So if you need some happy hormones think about joining a choir or maybe singing with the radio or your favorite cd.  I personally like to sing along with the torch song divas!