So much to do...So little time!

So, besides keeping up with my 3 busy kids, I'm trying to keep up with The Reminiscents

who continue to get busier and busier.  I've been singing some Seussome Twosomes with Capitol City Opera Company.  Marietta Princess has been quite busy, but I'm getting a break in June.  Mali has gotten in on the act as Sofia the First.  Looking forward to some quality summer time with my kiddos!   I'll be teaching piano lessons to some of my regular students over the summer.  Other than that, just looking forward to taking a little vacation time and seeing family.  And most important, to celebrate my 15th wedding anniversary with Franco!

The Reminiscents 2014

Christmas at Brighton Gardens of Buckhead

 

Dancing with Sam at Elcroft

 The Reminiscents are going strong, singing at lots of local Retirement Villages and having a blast.  Tish comes to sing with us on occassion, but usually these days it's me and Courtney dressed as Rosie the Rivetor doing a duet act.

Those who can't do....teach!

I think it should be more like ... You can't do...and teach!  At least that's been my case.  I really enjoy teaching, having the opportunity to share my passion for music with others on a regular basis, but it has kept me from singing, both because of the time constraints and also because these little germ factories keep me sick all the time.  However, I have enjoyed increased time with my beautiful family, who I appreciate so much!

This Christmas season brings a few singing opportunities.  First, at The Festival of the Nativity on Sunday, December 9, between 7PM - 7:30PM, I will share some pieces from classical Oratorios about the birth of Jesus Christ.  Second, The Reminiscents have 2 performances coming up.  The first is on Novemeber 29 in Athens for the Georgia Real Estate Education Association.  The second is a repeat performance for The Financial Network Associates annual Christmas party.

Still not much business for Marietta Princess.  Hmmmm!  Any ideas?

6 Months Later...

I seem to keep this blog as well as I keep a diary.  I'm not sure anyone looks at it, so it may not matter at all.  I was far too crazy with my 10 jobs last year to keep up with this blog, my family blog, and all my websites.  I'm trying to quit a few jobs and change my thinking a little for the coming year.  That will probably mean far less singing unfortunately, but that's what it is right now.

School is out now, and I'm enjoying summer poolside with the kids.  Life seems very calm now but I'm bracing myself for the storm, just trying to make the storm a little less tempestuous than last year.

I know this is supposed to be a blog about my musical career, but there's not much to report right now.  The Reminiscents have had several gigs lately, but no more scheduled for quite a while.   Marietta Princess went strong for about 6 months due to a deal on LivingSocial, but is drying up, so I'm trying some new strategies to get it going again.  Please cross fingers for me!

I chose not to participate in the summer fund raiser for Capitol City Opera, but will be there to help them raise money. 

Other than that, we'll just have to wait and see what my crazy brain comes up with.

Another New Year!

Well, my New Year's Resolution to slow down lasted until about July. I took on a teaching job at a private school. It's really tough! Hats off to all those teachers out there!

I'm still singing with the Michael O'Neal Singers. In October, I was the soprano soloist for The World Beloved: A Bluegrass Mass and we just started rehearsals for this year's Chamber Singers concert in March. It's going to be so great! It's called Double Exposure and features 2 versions of all the songs by 2 different composers. Not only is it fun to hear the different interpretations but it is absolutely heavenly music!

The Reminiscents did a gig in December. That was fun! Wish there were more!

I started a Princess Party business. That's going well! Very busy!

Still singing with Chords of Faith. Still have 3 kids. Still doing other private concerts. Still singing with CCOC for school shows and Dinner and a Diva.

So, life is really crazy! Here are all my websites:

Well, you're on this one...
www.thereminiscents.com
www.mariettaprincess.com
www.lopezluv.blogspot.com

Plays, Concerts, and Shows

So much to do and so much already done!

Mali and I finished performing in Cinderella. Alex decided he wasn't quite ready to be on stage.

There wasn't time for me to breathe as I had to get ready for Dinner and a Diva last Tuesday.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bzf6GKX1B3U

Now, I'm preparing to be the soloist for Michael O'Neal Singers in their upcoming concert of The Bluegrass Mass. Very cool!

Then, next on the books is Carmen at Petite Auberge in November. Then, it's time for the holidays and a whole new year!

School is in Session

Last week I did a wonderful performance of Classic Broadway and last night did a second performance of "On the Lightside" where I sang "Rags" and "Bewitched". But the biggest news is that I have started teaching at Shreiner Academy. I am teaching music for ages 2 years - 8th grade. It is really a challenge for me!

Mali, Alex, and I will be appearing in Capitol City Opera's production of Rogers and Hammerstein's Cinderella. Mali is becoming a seasoned stage actress, but this will be Alex's first production.

Summer 2011

I was able to somewhat clear my schedule for the Summer in order to spend lots of time with my kids at the pool. My very talented daughter Mali and I will be performing in a production of Annie Jr. together in July. On July 23, I will be performing for Capitol City Opera's yearly On the Lightside. This year is All-American Musical Theatre so I'll be singing some fun music from Oklahoma, Grease, and Ragtime. The evening will include about 10 of Capitol City's best singers and lots of group numbers as well.

I'm looking forward to a few performances of Classic Broadway around town as well as performances with The Reminiscents.

Most exciting, Michael O'Neal is releasing a new CD with a track of me singing "Straighten Up and Fly Right", which is due to be released in August and will also be available on iTunes and Amazon.

2011

Winter and Spring of 2011 have been very busy for me. I learned the role of Juliet for a performance of Dinner & a Diva as well as soloing for the Chamber Singers' February concerts. I have been performing in Elementary Schools for Capitol City Opera's Educational Outreach Program and also did a fabulous fundraiser for 500 Songs for Kids with The Reminiscents. So much for slowing down!

Mission Statement

I have been contemplating for some time having a personal mission statement. I thought it would help motivate me and explain to others why I do all that I do. So, after much thought, here it is:

As we now enjoy relative ease of existence, we are challenged to make life meaningful and to strive for something more within ourselves. To this end, I believe music gives us the opportunity to be in touch with something better in our core, to explore who we truly are and what we feel and by so doing, to become better and higher versions of ourselves.

From now on, it will be posted a the bottom of the page.

A New Year - 2011

December nearly killed me, but yet here I am, still singing. Most of what I performed in December was half prepared, I must admit, and as I became more and more tired, it got worse and worse. But, I a quite proud of my performance of "Come Unto Him" at the Messiah Sing-a-long.

As the year turns to 2011, I have a few musical endeavors up my sleeve. Of course, I continue to be a part of CCOC's educational outreach program (www.ccityopera.com). I also am still singing with the Michael O'Neal Singers and Chamber Singers (www.mosingers.com).

The Michael O'Neal Chamber Singers will present "Gloria: Expressions of Joy" on February 13 at Alpharetta Presbyterian at 3PM. It is just what it sounds like, a collection of Gloria's by various composers. We will repeat the program on February 15 at Peachtree Presbyterian at 7:30PM. The Michael O'Neal Singers are preparing the Brahms' Requiem with full orchestra on March 13 at RUMC at 3PM.

I am working with the opera club to learn the role of Juliette in Romeo and Juliette. When we are prepared, we will host a performance.

I am soon going to be teaching chorus and private lessons at the Shreiner Academy. I am very excited to be able to mold these young people in their musical education and to give them tools they can use for the rest of their lives.

Pictures of Tartuffe

Gearing Up for the Holidays

Halloween is over now so the race is on. Christmas will be here before we know it. The Reminiscents have 2 private gigs coming up before Christmas which I am so grateful for. We're still working hard to get future gigs. We'll be learning some Christmas tunes, which should be fun.

I'm not singing with MOS for the Christmas concert because I will be involved with Chords of Faith the first 2 weekends in December. But I'll be with MOS for the Messiah Sing-a-long. I am also singing with an SSAA group from my ward. We will be singing for several Christmas functions.

Opera club is going to get started with Romeo and Juliet after Thanksgiving. I'm really looking forward to that.

Post-Opera Life

Post-opera life has been a little hard to adapt to for me. After two weeks though, I'm settling in. I've been able to spend a lot of time with my children and concentrate on their needs.

I've decided not to have any more basement concerts. They have not been well attended unfortunately, so we will just push forward without the fundraisers and see how much we can get done. It may or may not happen by March.

Now I have Chords of Faith (www.chordsoffaith.com) on Sundays. We will have 2 concerts, one in December and one in April.

I'm also singing for my 7th season with The Michael O'Neal Singers and Chamber Singers. (www.mosingers.com) We have many concerts to look forward to which I will post of course.

The Reminiscents have not had a gig for quite some time. We're still praying that things will take off someday.

I'm trying to start an opera club (I'm sure we'll come up with a better name) in order to learn opera roles. I would really love to have a wonderful group to sing with on a weekly basis. We'll meet, learn the roles, and then perform the opera in concert.

Tartuffe Sept. 10-12

We have been in rehearsals now for Tartuffe for 2 weeks and have fully blocked the 1st and 3rd acts. They are looking good! We were excited for our Tartuffe to join us this week upon his return from New York and are looking forward to our Damis to come in on Thursday and make our cast complete (and so we can block Act 2). To order tickets, go to the Capitol City Opera website at www.ccityopera.com.

Tartuffe is an opera in English by the composer Kirke Mechem and Capitol City Opera Company is producing it on the stage at Oglethorpe University on Fri. and Sat. Sept. 10 and 11 at 8PM and Sun. Sept. 12 at 3PM. The costumes will be fantastic, but will not be able to overshadow the great singing that is going to happen. The opera is based upon the play by Moliere that premiered in 1660, but the opera premiered in 1980 at the San Francisco Opera. It is very easy to listen to and the comedy should make it easy to watch as well; however, that does not diminish the fact that it is tough to sing.

I can only speak for myself, of course, but the entrances are tricky and the first note of each phrase is sometimes elusive. I have never worked so hard to learn something. My part is also dauntingly large for me at this time in my life, but I am relishing the hard work. I play Dorine, the maid. She is intrical in scheming the overthrow of Tartuffe and therefore, I have conversations with each of the characters separately, sing the well-known aria "Fair Robin I Love" and laugh a lot (which in opera makes for some very difficult music).

I did some interesting research this week on the time period. The king of France at the time was Louis XIV. He reigned for a whopping 72 years, the longest of any European despot. He loved the theatre and was a dancer himself, taking part in several productions at court. Moliere plays were a favorite at court; therefore, Moliere frequently wrote scenes in deference to his sovereign (as seen in Act 3, Scene 2 of our opera). It was a relatively peaceful time for the country so our bourgeoisie characters would be living a life of pious devotion in the country, which is where all the trouble begins. In search of true Christianity, Orgon invites Tartuffe into his home. Everyone else in the house, Damis and Marianne (Orgon's children), Dorine, and Valere (Marianne's fiance) can all see Tartuffe's true colors, which include his lust for Orgon's wife Elmire, and must plot to get him out of the house and keep their inheritance at the same time!

I am thoroughly enjoying figuring out this character and learning the music and rehearsing with some other great singers. Now, if only we had an audience.....

Summer is coming to an end

Capitol City Opera Company gave another Summer On the Lightside on Saturday night. This year, we sang the music of Rogers and Hammerstein to a sold out crowd.

Next up, Build the Basement #4: Upon this Rock. The very talented Tom Gregory and I have been working on some of the Christian music I wrote when I was younger, bringing it back to life. Edward Galaviz will join us on drums on Saturday night, August 14th at 7PM in the basement. Franco and I have framed out the recording booth and Franco has been working on the wiring. So, the next step is the sheetrock. Then, it will really look like a room!

Next week, I begin rehearsals for Tartuffe. I'll be playing Dorine, the maid. It's a fantastic part for me and I am very excited about it. Tartuffe plays September 10th and 11th at 8PM and September 12th at 3PM at Oglethorpe University.

The Reminiscents are working on some bookings for the fall. I'll keep you updated on that.

The Michael O'Neal Singers and Chamber Singers are getting started again soon and I'm auditioning for Chords of Faith this year. That ought to keep me plenty busy!

Sing for Christ

I sang on Saturday, June 26th at the Sing for Christ concert. I don't get to sing this style of music very often so it was a treat, especially because I go to sing duets with Lee Herring.

July 2010

2 things for July:
1st is the 3rd installment of the Build the Basement concerts on Saturday, July 10 from 2-4 PM. It will be an ice cream social highlighted by some patriotic music.

2nd is the annual fundraiser for Capitol City Opera, On the Lightside. This year, the troupe will be performing Rogers & Hammerstein. You know I love that! Sorry, this show is already sold out, but we're seeking another venue to have a 2nd performance. I'll let you know!

A Successful Week

I thought I didn't have anything to do this summer. Boy, was I wrong! I gave 6 concerts last week. On Saturday, June 12, I had the 2nd Basement Concert. It was such a pleasure for me to share 14 of my favorite classic broadway pieces, which included "Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered", "Many a New Day", and "Much More". All of the pieces were from shows that debuted between 1940-1960 and many were by Rogers & Hammerstein, as they ruled Broadway during that time. Keri Hughes won the name that tune game. She named all 14 pieces and the shows they were from and got almost all the composers as well! Wow!

On Sunday, I went to sing in Roswell Square with Michael O'Neal Chamber Singers. I sang "The Sound of Music" as a solo also. It was so hot! But the audience still enjoyed the chamber, folk, and popular music. After the concert, John, Debbie and I went over to John's house with Allen and Catherine to practice for Dinner and a Diva. I sang through Queen of the Night twice and I was soooo tired afterwards. Long day!

Tuesday night was Dinner and a Diva at Petite Auberge. I sang "Der Holle Rache", "Chi il bel sogno", "In quelle trine morbide", "Saper vorreste", and "Caro nome". That was a lot of high notes, but I was well warmed up and it went rather well. I would have liked to have known the words to In quelle trine morbide a little more securely, but my brain was full. And Caro nome was rather funny. I got stuck in a loop on one phrase and after singing it twice, I looked at Catherine like "Help me!" and she skipped ahead, played a chord really strongly, and got me going again. John said it was the extended version of Caro nome. Luckily, the audience appeared to have drunk enough wine not to have noticed. We repeated the same program at Sugo on Thursday night and I sang Caro nome perfectly. I was so vocally tired by this time that my F's were a little closer to E and 1/4, but no one is perfect and that is the foibles of live performance.

On Wednesday morning, I did 2 Dr. Seuss's back-to-back. We don't normally have school shows during the summer, so I was glad this summer camp had hired us. Capitol City needs all the income it can get to prepare for Tartuffe.

Lastly, on Saturday night, the Alba's held a lovely party in their beautiful backyard and I got to sing a duet with Lee Herring. I sang "If I Loved You" and "Where the Boys Are" solo and then Lee and I sang "More than Wonderful" and "Upon this Rock". I closed the night out with a sing-a-long of "Que Sera Sera". In between there was a bagpipe player. Very cool! And a wonderful performance by the Tuesday Diva's. They're so great!

Lee and I will sing those duets again next Saturday at "Sing for Christ" at Chestnut Ridge Christian Church. I will also sing "Upon this Rock" and "We Shall Behold Him". I'm so happy to finally be able to sing these songs that I grew up hearing my mom sing. Very sentimental!

Then, I have to start learning the music for the Capitol City Opera Company's annual fundraiser On the Lightside. This year it is the music of Rogers & Hammerstein, so I already know a lot of it. That will be Saturday, July 24 at Callanwolde. Several tables are already sold out, so people should go ahead and make reservations. www.ccityopera.com

I definitely need to be working on Tartuffe. The role of Dorine is slighty larger than I imagined and will take some hard work to learn. Hopefully, I can perfect it before September 10th when we open at Oglethorpe.

I have my calendar ready for all the Build the Basement Concerts for the rest of the year. I'll add that here as well. Phew! I think that's it!

June 2010

The 2nd Build the Basement Concert is coming soon. Saturday, June 12 at 7PM in the newly framed basement at 3071 Woodlake Ct. Marietta, GA 30062, I will be doing "Classic Broadway: Music that Electrifies" to celebrate the installation of the designated breaker box. Tickets are $5 each. There will be a Name that Tune contest with a prize for the winner. Also, the 2X4's are still exposed and can be purchased and signed or decorated for only $2.50 each. This is a great opportunity to enjoy some really great music and have a little fun in the process. I can't tell you what I'm singing because that would ruin the Name that Tune contest, but I promise it's good! For more information, you can contact me at amber.brooke.soprano@gmail.com.

Sunday, June 13 at 3PM, the Michael O'Neal Chamber Singers will be singing for a 2nd year in a row on the Roswell Square as part of Roswell's Concerts on the Square series. This is free to the public. Bring a chair and enjoy the beautiful music and, hopefully, beautiful weather. www.mosingers.com

Tuesday, June 15 at 6:30PM, I will be performing the Queen of the Night aria as well as "Che il bel sogno di Doretta", "In quelle trine morbide", "Saper voreste", and "Caro nome" with the Capitol City Opera Company as part of their Dinner and a Diva monthly concert series at Petite Auberge. I will be joined by Debbie Rostad and John LaForge for "Mozart, Puccini, and Verdi". Tickets are $55 for a 4-course dinner and the concert. www.ccityopera.com (check out the new website) We will repeat this program at Sugo in Roswell on Thursday, June 17 at 7PM.

Saturday, June 19th, Ill be celebrating Father's Day at the Alba's and singing with Lee Herring (Yay!). Sorry this is by invitation only!

Saturday, June 26 at 7PM at Chestnut Ridge Christian Church, I have been invited to perform, with Lee Herring again, on the 2nd annual Sing for Christ. We will be doing a few duets and some solos each. www.ajcexchange.com/5-Community/27-art-music-theater/ads/566477/detail

I am soooo busy learning all this music, but I am in heaven. Not only is it all really great music, I love to be busy! There are so many choices for being entertained, I hope you choose one or two!