June 13-15
Singing is remembering. It's you on your grandmother's knee and her on her grandmother's knee and every child on the knee of every ancient that ever lived, on back to the first humans who held their young in their arms and poured out their love, wonder, surprise, joy, fear, and hope through what we now call song. We can keep this song alive. We sit in a circle and begin to sing. No promises , we're simply here to make music, to be alive, and to see what magic happens. This isn't performance or anxiety. It's saying we don't want to be too busy to live. The music begins to take over. Singing is primal , open the mouth and pure feelings come out. We become the rhythms; we become the harmonies; the intellect gives way to the heart.
Singing is an act of compassion, of wonder, of creativity. We'll begin with old and new songs, accompanied by stories behind the songs and our own stories. We'll explore the songs of other cultures and other times. We'll sing songs that changed the world , South African, Jewish, Irish, Latin American, Labor, Civil Rights , songs of rebellion and songs of compassion. We'll relax and have some fun with our own Rowe Coffee House. Bring a song that's important to you, that puts a smile on your face. We'll end with songs of reflection and thanks, hymns of praise. Imagine the sound of the most moving choir in the world, then realize it's you and those around you. Imagine this sound is connected, through senses we might not be aware of, to actions outside ourselves , indeed, to all Creation.
Play and music arise from the same basic instinct , to create, to express, to experiment. All people are born able to make amazing music, and most cultures have no separation between talented and untalented, between audience and performer. Marvel at the extraordinary power and beauty of your own voice joining with many others! Find yourself in the middle of a magnificent, electrifying, thrilling, humorous, and deeply moving performance. Teenagers are welcome at half their parent's fee.
Nick Page brings out the magic in others. He can turn any group into a harmonious community of powerful voices, singing songs of wonder and compassion, anger and joy, songs of tremendous power, songs that help define who we are and show us what we can become. A composer, writer, and teacher, Nick leads the two hundred strong Mystic Chorale of Boston, and is author of Sing and Shine On! The Teachers Guide to Multicultural Song Leading. His energy is amazing; his retreats have been delights. Welcome back!
"I have led songs across the country, but singing at Rowe has always been extraordinary. The environment is ripe for letting go, for sharing, giving, being, shining, living in wonder." Nick Page
"I've never seen anyone else who can capture the enthusiasm of a crowd and make them all into joyful, expressive, energized singers like Nick can." Lee Kessalman, composer