I hope your 4th of July weekend sparkled!
It was a holiday weekend full of immense gratitude. As my mom beautifully said, “Every spark of every one of those fireworks - remember that they’re there because of those who sacrificed their lives.”
I rang in America 250 this week with my childhood besties who were visiting from Denver, San Antonio, and Washington, D.C. We had a big family gathering in the park, enjoyed quality girl time at my place, went to Sarris Candies for ice cream, and had a nostalgic visit to the local pool.
I also attended a neighbor’s 4th of July party, went to the beautiful LeMont Restaurant for dinner, live music and fireworks, and capped off the holiday weekend with a fantastic Sweet 16 pool party at Nemacolin Resort.
The weekend was full of food, fireworks, swimming, and great company - exactly what summer is supposed to feel like!
This summer is slow singing-wise, and I’m grateful for the much-needed break.
Of course, I’m still finding ways to sing and incorporate music into my life.
This week I’ve been practicing Martina McBride’s “Independence Day.” I remember when this song felt impossible to sing. Every year it gets a little easier. This year I finally feel like it’s almost ready for public consumption.
If you’re feeling like progress in your singing is slow, read that again. I’ve been working on that song for years.
I also put together a mashup reel of different anthems I’ve sung over the years. This was fun to make, but more than that it was a retrospective on what’s gone well, what hasn’t, what I like about what I’m doing, and what I’d still like to change. Year after year, the anthem is always a work in progress - a work in progress to sing and a work in progress for our country to live out.
Every year, I also take a few minutes out of my 4th of July weekend to learn about a patriotic tune from the book Songs of America by Jon Meacham and Tim McGraw. This year I flipped to Johnny Cash’s “Ragged Old Flag.”
The theme running through it all: America is unfinished and always in process. If decades of singing have taught me one thing, it’s that progress is - much to our dismay - not linear. It’s three steps forward and two steps back. But if we stay committed and hopeful, if we keep working toward our goals and acting in alignment with our values, we inch closer.
And, over time, we can look back and see how far we’ve come, knowing that there is always more room to grow.
In my mashup reel caption, I shared this quote that a Mendelssohn friend relayed to the choir. I think it perfectly captures what our country needs right now.
Dear Mr. Whitman,
I want to hear America singing
all those varied carols you mentioned.
But it’s noise now, Walt, more shouting
than song. As if volume makes a leader.
Any singer knows being louder
just makes discord, and harmony
needs constant attunement
to every other singer.
I want to hear America listening.
Want a citizen chorus that knows
our voices are only as good as our ears.
I want a new song that begins
with a silence that stretches
from sea to shining sea —
the kind of silence that holds
every one of us, every part of us.
And when the many parts do arise,
glorious in their differences,
I want to hear inside them
the careful attention that tunes
them to each other, I want to hear
in our song the deep listening that makes
even the most uncomfortable dissonance
beautiful.
— Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer
If you're ready to get back into singing and make real progress on your voice goals, reply to this email for more information on lessons, or book a Discovery Call here.
Have a beautiful day!
Be well and sing on,
Gina
P.S. What is your favorite song of America?
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