Currently Listening The Nightmare Before Christmas: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack By Danny Elfman see related

To Anyone Interested,

Tallis has been composing his own prayers and dinner time.  Ray has been in each of those prayers :)  I thought I heard him say something about a future wife for Ray.

Also, centonization is a term used to describe the process of composing chant, like Great Responsories, which are made up of pieces from other chants.

I almost have all the RC offices and orders learned.  Tomorrow is our "exam."

Finch

Currently Reading Anthology of Medieval Music see related

To Any Interested,

No real big news this week other than the fact that I sang for 15,000 people last Thursday at the Arizona Men's Basketball game.  I actually sang the National Athem without fainting :)  I also have been invited to be on a panel discussion for the American Choral Director's Association Western Conference in Salt Lake City.  I am to represent the perspective of high school programs--so it was cool to be invited to do that.

This week I am pooring over Medieval music history--most specifically the Divine Offices of the Roman Catholic Church.  I am learning the distinguishing aspects of Antiphons, Graduals, Psalms, Canticles, Responses, and many other genres.  One wonders why RC's make everything so complex?  (Hee Hee, Ray).  Nevertheless, I have small exam on the information this Friday.

We have successfully rebounded from listening to lots of Bon Jovi--it seems that Spiotta has a newfound interest in "Livin' on a prayer."  Tallis & Colby are quite sick this week and have been coughing and running fevers.  They miss "Friend Ray" very much.  Tallis is working on the project of potty training with much drama.  We will see how long it takes.  Colby continues to color and make up all kinds of interesting names for all of her imaginary friends.

Mrs. Finch continues to maintain continuity in our lives through her gifts of communication and organization.  We are enjoying 37 degree evenings and 75 degree days--at this point I really do not miss Chicago whether.

Thank you for your comments and romantic updates.  I know the affect of musical on many of you students--a little bit of bonding time + stress + Spring in the air = Twidderpaited couples :)  Feel free to email me at sjfinch02@msn.com and I will be sure to respond.

TTFN

Finch

P.S. Ray told me that WA students can chew gum--what is the world coming to?

Hello All,

Greetings from Sunny Tucson.  I am currently sitting in the living room working on the lab top I received for Christmas.  Ray has been pestering me to post so here it goes . . .

I do miss Wheaton Academy and am thankful for the time I had with you.  I miss lunch duty and keeping up with the happenings of the students.  If I did not know for sure that God had called me here I would be utterly depressed because I miss my students and friends.

I am currently in my second semester of studies at the University of Arizona.  I am the music director of Rincon Mountain Presbyterian Church in addition to my teaching responsibilities at Cornerstone Christian Academy where I teach K-4 "tiddlely-wink" music.  I also conduct two University Choirs.  One is entry undergraduate students and the other is an all-city high school group.  I am even busier than I was there mainly because I have responsibilties to a number of different institutions.

Colby turned 5 in November and is becomming a little young lady.  Tallis will be 3 in April.  Both love it that we can play outside in the evening all year long.  Colby is really excited about starting school in the fall and Tallis is just plain excited.

Mrs. Finch (Jen) has spent a tremendous amount of time working on putting up shelves and squeezing all of our stuff into our two bedroom condo.  The Lord has generously provided for us via school loans, scholarships, and church/school salaries so that she does not have to work outside of our home.

Ray has enabled me to catch up on your lives as of late (most especially your romantic interests).  I am glad to know for instance where Prof. Welsh's affections reside.  Now that Ray has shown me how to work this xanga site you can set the record straight as to your life dramas :)

I will do my best to post on a weekly basis and correspond with any are interested.  Our family continues to pray for WA and you as students. 

I have to sign off for now.

TTFN (Ta Ta For Now)

Finch