Thursday 17 December 2009


I'm in love.

And I suspect that Himself is a little envious. Though he pretends he's not.

For most of his life, his two loves have been music and boats, and these two are not usually compatible, so one took precedence over the other. Then I came along and confused matters.

But these two have been constants, and as we don't have a boat any more, Himself turned back to jazz. Unfortunately, having been out of the swing of things for many years, he found it very hard to get back into playing the cornet again. After trying for a year or so, he finally decided to hang up his cornet and hasn't wanted to listen to any jazz since.

I can understand that. It's like when a love affair goes wrong. You don't often want to be reminded of the person, so you shut it all out.

But now I've discovered this fabulous choir and I'm in love with music. I love the hour and a half that we have every Thursday to get together and make these incredible noises. Though I would add that all credit goes to our musical director, Claire, who is one of the most inspirational and musical people I have ever met.

For years I belonged to one conventional choir after another and each time I would leave, knowing that it wasn't quite right. Not their fault. Mine. But this one is just FAB. We have no accompaniment, just the natural harmonies of our voices, and Claire clicking her fingers and tapping her foot to keep time.

We sing gypsy music, a Liberian chant, a negro spiritual number, traditional carols, a Congolose folk song, a Bulgarian song, an American canon and many others and for that hour and a half every Thursday I am transported. I get back and can't concentrate on anything else, just the music roaring round my head.

And I would so like to be able to share this with Himself. It's not the kind of music that he has enjoyed in the past, but not to be able to enjoy music is such a loss. Particularly for someone as musical as him.

He's coming to hear us sing this weekend at a Christmas fair, and I hope he'll enjoy that. But somehow I must devise a Cunning Plan to get him back to music.

Any ideas gratefully received.

23 comments:

Elaine Denning said...

Perhaps you could sing to him at home and ask him, very nicely, if he would accompany you on the cornet? (Because it would help you immensely to have some musical or vocal support.)

Perhaps you could sit him down and tell him that you would really REALLY like to play the cornet, and would he teach you? Just a little bit?

Softly, softly FP! x

Flowerpot said...

I like it, Laney. Well, the first option - 2nd is a no no - the cornet is hellishly difficult to learn!

ADDY said...

An evening out at a musical venue?

Ellee Seymour said...

I'm very envious because singing is so uplifting. I sang in a show once with a choir and enjoyed every minute of it. I hope it continues to give you much pleasure.

Amanda said...

How lovely, I hope Himself is converted! :-)

Flowerpot said...

Rosiero - Ive tried that. With moderate success. He's not overly keen on another one though - other than hearing me this weekend.

Flowerpot said...

Ellee - what a shame you can't sing now - I presume you don't have time. Perhaps later....

Mandy - well, we'll see!

Akelamalu said...

Oh what a shame Himself has lost his zest for music. I hope your choir will enthuse him again. What about suggesting he learns to play a different instrument?

Flowerpot said...

Ak - I could try but I dont think that will work. But who knows?

Deborah Carr (Debs) said...

Maybe he'll be converted just by listening to the choir when he comes to hear you all sing. Have fun.

Flowerpot said...

Debs - I'm working on it. It was GREAT. He thought so too, but not enough to suggest that he joins the choir....

Pat Posner said...

Tell him your Christmas wish is to see and hear him playing his cornet again.

Happy Christmas to you, Himself and of course Mollie Dog
xxPat
woof woof Tim and Ted

Liane Spicer said...

No ideas for cunning plans, I'm afraid. I think his jealousy of the joy you're finding in the music might be all the plan you need.

It's fantastic that you've found the right musical niche like that.

Flowerpot said...

Pat - that's a good idea. And a very happy Christmas and woofings to you, Tim and Ted!

Anonymous said...

Are there any other instruments which Himself likes, perhaps you could take one up together. Enjoy the choir, I'm sure he will too.

CJ xx

Philipa said...

I used to love an ex of mine practising at home, he was in a brass band. The right music fills me with joy, I know what you mean, FP. My children are in a choir and the music lifts the soul. Just tell him how you feel is what I'd do. But hey, when it comes to getting the opposite sex to do anything I want I'm completely hopeless so good luck my friend. In my experience they always do precisely what they want. Then blame you for it.

Seriously though I hope you get to share your joy with your honey. Wishing you both a warm and wonderful Xmas, FP x

Flowerpot said...

Liane - I hope you're right!

CJ - that's a good idea. I will broach the subject gently over Xmas...

Flowerpot said...

Oh Phil what a lovely comment! I wish you all the best with your lovely brood over Cmas and have a cheering new yearxxx

Chris Stovell said...

Well, good for you! I'm just envious that you can sing - I'd be kicked out of any choir. I'm sure Himself will be impressed when he hears you all in full throttle!

Trubes said...

Oooh how lovely FP joining a choir
again...I'm so envious. I do hope himself can join you, it's so good to do things together.

Merry Christmas and all good wishes for 2010.

Di.x

Mopsa said...

I think the more one tries, the more the other pulls away and resists. Either he'll decide he wants music back in his life or not, and perhaps other interests will flourish - I'm sure they will!

Flowerpot said...

Chris - I'm glad to say that he was impressed! And it's such FUN. Several people in the choir have never sung before, so it just goes to show there's hope for us all!

Flowerpot said...

Trubes - I very much doubt that he'll join but perhaps something wil come up! Happy Cmas and New Year to you, too...

Mopsa - I so agree. That's why I'm putting a few ideas forward and let fate do the rest. What will be, etc....!