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Page 6 InCider Press December 2005 |
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I was raised in a household which was devoid of any vocal or instrumental music. We sang hymns during worship at church, but that’s all of my family did as far as music experience. My mother, however would sing or hum to herself as she worked around the home or while we were traveling. Perhaps my love of singing was developed by her influence; as a pre-schooler I was notorious for singing along with any song I heard on the radio. My mother enrolled me in piano lesions before I started school and I continued with those for several years. I was not a willing or serious student and resented being pulled away from my playmates for my Saturday morning lessons. I started playing clarinet in fourth grade which allowed me to escape from piano lessons. Clarinet lessons at school lasted through ninth grade and I continued to play in the marching band through high school. Other than limited participation in church music activities. I had no vocal music experience during this time. I started my college experience in 1959, the same year that a group called the Kingston Trio hit the music scene and folk music blossomed in popularity. One of my fraternity brothers encouraged me to join him in learning some songs. I spent $20 brought a baritone ukulele from Sear’s and eventually moved up to a guitar. I’m sure that calling our product music is a misnomer but we had fun trying. We would go to sorority houses unannounced and start performing some songs in hopes of getting better acquainted with some of the ladies. Now that’s music appreciation. The guitar experience was a lasting one and I still enjoy playing acoustic guitar. While at KU I was one of two baritones in a small group that won the IFC sing and participated in a choir composed of fellow Naval ROTC midshipmen. While in dental school, I participated in a chorus of fellow dental students. After dental school, my interest in group singing apparently declined or was displaced by other priorities—didn’t even sing in the church choir. I had been aware of the Little Apple Chorus for many years before I joined and always thought it was something I would really enjoy. Gene Klinger, Chuck Marr, John Schlender, Sam Kvasnica and Wayne Bailie had encouraged me over the years to at least attend the Spring show ( I never did). Then I started getting perennial singing valentines ( my wife is the culprit here) at my dental office supplied by the Manhattan Music Machine. As they say, if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em. Finally, in July,2002, Wayne Bailie escorted me to my first visit to an LAC Chapter meeting. I indicated that I could try to sing lead (wouldn’t that be easier?) and was told to sit by Gene Wiley and follow his guidance. I remember being very reluctant to sing at first, so I just listened for a while, occasionally chirping in on measures that were in my comfort zone. It wasn’t too long before Gene asked the rhetorical question: “You haven’t done much of this have you?” I still speak to Gene occasionally. I knew I was going to love the experience and I was “hooked” after that first trip. What keeps me coming back for more? I love to sing. Just that simple, but ringing a chord or two each time is like the one golf shot of the day that begs you to come back and try again. I appreciate the talents and efforts of our musical directors who strive to make us better musicians. I’ve always felt that anything we do might as well be done to the best of our abilities, and I feel that attitude among our leaders. I am grateful for those who regularly devote so much of their time and energy serving in leadership roles in the Chapter and those who regularly devote time to doing the numerous housekeeping chores necessary to keep our Chapter going. And I have enjoyed the opportunity to make new friends and experience the camaraderie among members of the Chorus. Ken Lyle Member at Large |
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Meet Member Dr. Ken Lyle |
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Gentlemen: Leo Dreiling and I looked at the St Thomas More church, and Leo has subsequently received approval from the priest at St. Thomas Moore for us to hold rehearsals there on Thursday evenings beginning December 29th carrying through the month of January. If our normal rehearsal hall will be available prior to that time, we can move back sometime in the middle of January. Leo believes that it may be possible for us to not only take our risers to the new facility, but perhaps be able to leave them up and not have to tear them down after each rehearsal. We will have to determine that week to week, however. Therefore, I suggest that we accept their offer Don Thomson ♪ |
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A very Important Message from Don |