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Wonder, And A Full Heart

February 27, 2014

For all the cracking wise and exhaustions and glasses of wine, most of us are grateful for the warm memories. And this guest post from Don Schlienz captures that nostalgia. It is comforting for those of us still in the world of little kids, or those of us surviving the teenage years – all together now, exhale. It’s also nice to know that it’s not our imagination, we really do remember some bits and pieces forever. They become part of our mental repertoire, like the muscle memory of driving a stick shift or riding a bicycle.

Bedtime Stories and Lullabies

Don Schlienz - on right, in glasses - sings Bass 1, and is a frequent soloist.

Don Schlienz (on right, in glasses) sings Bass 1, and is a frequent soloist. (image by Jim King)

“Once upon a time, there lived a (fill in the blank)…and they lived happily ever after.”

“Hush, little baby, don’t say a word
Mama’s gonna buy you a mockingbird…”

Silly stories and nonsense rhymes, told and sung by a loving adult to a small child, a toddler, a baby. Meant to comfort and calm, and help young ones to ease into sleep. Many times done from the steady back and forth of a rocking chair, or told while lying together on a bed. The voice is warm and familiar. The blanket is soft and snuggly. A teddy bear or favorite doll is held close by. The light is low. The night outside the window is dark and threatening, but there is security and safety in the ritual. [Read more…]

Tagged With: bedtime stories, don schlienz, lullabies, nonsense rhymes

The Storyteller, Leigh Graf

February 26, 2014

If you’ve come to one of our family-friendly concerts, you know we go all out to engage the kids. Or at least get them to leave their seats, come to the front, and let the parents of the really young ones have a good five to ten minutes sans squirmy child in lap. This concert we’re delighted to introduce a storyteller, Leigh Graf.

We did have the advantage in getting Ms. Graf to join us – her husband, Greg, is our accompanist. And they have two children under the age of five. That’s right, they’re in the thick of the “one more please/but I’m thirsty/I’m not sleepy yet…!” world of bedtime rituals. We asked Ms. Graf how much of this informs her storytelling.

Leigh Graf, our storyteller for the Lullabies concert on March 15, 2014

Leigh Graf, our storyteller for the Lullabies concert on March 15, 2014

VCS: What do you love about storytelling?
LG: I’ve always loved inviting an audience into the story. Children and adults alike enjoy getting “lost” in the adventures of a character, suspending one’s present reality in order to experience something new. Imagination is wonderful! [Read more…]

Tagged With: bedtime stories, children’s bible, dr. seuss, greg graf, leigh graf, lullabies, melissa hindley

Goodnight, Sleep Tight…

February 17, 2014

Goodnight Moon, the Meal

Because when eating the book helps with going to bed on time, parents do not argue. (via Roger Deetz)

So, in addition to 50 of the Mosby Woods Mustang Singers and our usual numerous selves, we will also have a storyteller at Lullabies. Because one of the many things that needs must happen before kids go to sleep/are coaxed to sleep/flat out threatened into sleep (hey, it happens, ask a frazzled parent or seven….) is a story. Bedtime stories, silly stories, funny stories, scary stories, soothing “once upon a time stories.”

Naturally, we thought we’d have a storyteller for part of the concert. We don’t know exactly what Leigh Graf will tell us – although if it was Goodnight Moon, we’re pretty sure that at least half the room will have the words tattooed on their brain know the words by heart. All together now, “In the great green room…..” [Read more…]

Tagged With: bedtime stories, dad tell me a story, goodnight moon, john mccormick, leigh graf, margaret wise brown, mosby woods elementary school, mosby woods mustang chorus, panchatantra, storyteller, strega nonna, the little prince

About

Welcome to VCS! We are a teaching, non-audition choir where all voices and skill levels are welcome. We invite you to learn more about who we are, what we do, and if there's a place for you in our choir.

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