For years, a few of us intrepid “docents” at Historic St. Mary’s City have spent part of our weekends frying, freezing, or soaking wet in front of the reconstructed Brick Chapel, originally built about 1667. At first (~2002) we had a foundation to talk about, then over the next few years the walls gradually grew up, a roof was put on, the interior plastered, and today it is “completed” except for the alter area. It is an impressive building, as close to the original as history and archeology can determine. Come see it if you haven’t.
Over those years of explaining the history of the colony, the chapel, it’s construction, and general questions “Will this ever be a real church?” to museum visitors (no, it is an exhibit on State owned ground), us “Chapvols” (chapel volunteers) have sort of grown to feel some sense of ownership and pride in the building. There have been various activities at the Chapel, such as the “unlocking” last year, but so far not a real “event” inside the building.
So, when I heard there was to be a concert by the St. Mary’s College Chamber Singers in the Chapel Sunday night, I had to go. Despite being weary from that weekend convention in Ellicott City, MFO and I got in the flutter mobile and went on down to the “City”. Of course anytime you get to hear those singers or the full choir under the direction of Larry Vote, you should go wherever, they are such a great talent. The Chapel was filled with chairs, there are no pews (nor was there ever).
I think I’ve mentioned someplace before that the echoes within the Chapel make it miserable for the spoken voice and with several groups of visitors (or screaming kids), you can hardly hear yourself think. But, you put music in there, such as violins, it’s wonderful. An early indication of that was one time a group (~15) of Mennonites showed up and asked me if they could sing. “Of course”. And, sing they did, from music they brought. It was just great. So, the chance to hear the Chamber Singers was eagerly anticipated.
When we were seated and looked at the program we were pleased to see that Jeff Silberschlag and son Zach were going to play the trumpet, and there was also a gorgeous Harpsichord and a bassoon. Larry thanked Historic St. Mary’s City for the use of the Chapel, and had carefully selected the first piece to be a 17th Century Madrigal, such as might have been heard in the original Chapel. My (personal) speculation was that there never would have been the quality of music we were treated to. When Monteverdi’s “La bocca onde” began, the whole place just filled with the voices of the singers and you would think you were in a Basilica (or something like that) as those echoes reinforced the music so well..It almost (and I am mixing history here) sounded medieval…
What followed were several more pieces of varying historical periods, and the trumpets were like you might expect in heaven. Well, that’s a little poetic license, but they were beautiful. All in all it was a great event with great music performed by a great group of performers. We’re so lucky. To repeat what I said in a little note to the other Chapvols, I’m sure the remains of the early Marylanders who have slumbered under the floor of the Chapel for over three centuries were stirred, and probably said “It’s about time!”. It's so wonderful that the Chapel can serve as a venue for music (hopefully!) for all.. What a great place to live.
Warning Signs…
Acting on a tip from MFO, I stopped in at the McKay’s grocery store on Great Mills road yesterday. She occasionally stops there on her way up from the Archives at Historic St. Mary’s City to pick up dinner, like fried chicken. Sure enough, the shelves were beginning to be less populated. It looked like they were not replacing anything that came off them. Like scattered cans of soup or salad dressings. Hmmmmm. I went over to the Deli counter to get some bologna for my lunch, and the selection there was quite limited as well. I asked for my half pound of Boar’s Head beef bologna, and after rummaging around under the case, she had to come to my side and remove the one on display. And then I noticed little signs on most everything: “On Sale – only $X.XX/Lb”, or “Special – three bags of chips for $5”. Hmmmmm again. Given that they had to “close” Woodburn’s on the Solomons side, I am wondering if this place is next. Just a thought.
To Do:
Since this won’t wait till Friday, a notice that the Patuxent Habitat for Humanity will hold a fund raiser at the Front Porch over in Leonardtown tomorrow afternoon/evening. For only $20 to go to a great cause, your benefit will be that you get to taste some wines from Murrieta’s Well (with I think a rep from the winery), have some “paired” snacks, and listen to music from the COSMIC string quartet, Karl Wente on guitar, and closing by Wild Irish Rose. It all starts at 5:30 and runs for two hours. The name of the event is: “Whip and Spur”. Although a million snappy one liners come to mind, maybe it’s best left to the imagination of the reader…
And, speaking of “to do” alert readers will recall that I often refer to the area as “the land of nothing to do” emphasizing that there is PLENTY to do. Well, I just happened to notice that in today’s Enterprise (our local newspaper) in the upper left hand box on the front page, there is a little blurb drawing attention to their special insert of summer activities. The catch line in bold print is: “What do you mean there’s nothing to do?”. Coincidence? Maybe, or maybe not. You never know who reads the feeder (but the shadow do…)
How you dress for the Whip and Spur is up to you, but the Feeder and MFO will be
DFD
No comments:
Post a Comment