My goodness, August is here. (Well, in 12 hours.) Dear me. I don't know about you, but that makes me think about all the projects (a year's worth, in fact) that I saved up over the past year for this summer, and now have not yet completed.
Clearly, we should distract ourselves from such thoughts with concerts and summer sings!
First off, Chanticleer is TONIGHT at Tanglewood!
Second, I am happy to announce that there are actually some choral concerts this weekend in our fair city and not out in some idyllic bucolic pasture hours away.
On Friday, August 1 at 8:00 pm at Sanders Theatre in Cambridge, the Harvard Summer School Chorus will perform Schubert’s Mass in E-Flat. More information is here.
On Sunday, August 3, at 4:00 pm, you can go to the East Lawn of the Longfellow National Historic Site, 106 Brattle St., Cambridge, MA and hear a concert by the Longfellow Chorus from Portland, ME directed by Charles Kaufmann. This will be a collection of settings of Longfellow texts. More info is here.
If you are looking for bucolic, you can hear Aston Magna perform Monteverdi madrigals at Bard's College and Simon's Rock College or the Berkshire Choral Festival perform
Water Music from the British Isles in Sheffield.
If opera is your game, there are a few interesting things coming up, particularly a production of Carmen this weekend by Boston Midsummer Opera.
And next week, I am happy to announce that yours truly will be guest-starring in an organ concert with Josh Lawton at Old West Church, 131 Cambridge St., Boston on Tuesday evening at 8:00 pm.
Summer Sing Schedule for the upcoming week:
Monday, August 4, 7:30 pm, Old South Church, 645 Boylston Street, Boston
Chorus pro Musica hosts a sing-through of the Brahms Requiem with guest conductor Betsy Burleigh.
Monday, August 4, 8:00 pm, Old Town Hall, 32 Derby Square, Salem
The Paul Madore Chorale hosts a sing-through of the Manzoni Requiem with guest conductor Max Hobart.
Tuesday, August 5, 8:00 pm, National Heritage Museum, Marrett Road and Massachusetts Ave, Lexington
Masterworks Chorale hosts a sing-through of Vaughn Williams' Dona Nobis Pacem with guest conductor Katherine FitzGibbon.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Monday, July 28, 2008
Monday links - the Russian version
There is an interesting article in the Boston Globe today about Tchaikovsky's Eugene Onegin, which the BSO is performing at Tanglewood this coming weekend (and which I am going to see!) I find the last quote in the article by the composer resonates with me quite a lot, and so I hope that means that I will enjoy the opera!
I also heard an interesting bit today on NPR about Prokofiev's ballet Romeo and Juliet. A manuscript has been discovered in Russia that has an earlier version of the score than the familiar version of the ballet we know, and is the pre-Soviet-censors version. Lloyd Schwartz, the classical commentator for Fresh Air, has some interesting things to say about it. Mark Morris choreographed a performance to the newly discovered music, which premiered at Bard College earlier this month. The NPR clip is about seven minutes long.
I also heard an interesting bit today on NPR about Prokofiev's ballet Romeo and Juliet. A manuscript has been discovered in Russia that has an earlier version of the score than the familiar version of the ballet we know, and is the pre-Soviet-censors version. Lloyd Schwartz, the classical commentator for Fresh Air, has some interesting things to say about it. Mark Morris choreographed a performance to the newly discovered music, which premiered at Bard College earlier this month. The NPR clip is about seven minutes long.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Weekend Concert Calendar, 7/24/08
It has been a long week, featuring, among other things, me moving. So, you are going to get a particularly brusque calendar.
First of all, stop the presses! Chanticleer is coming to town! Well, to the state, at least. They will be at Tanglewood on Thursday, July 31 (one week from today.) Curses...I can't make it. But you should go!
On Saturday the Berkshire Choral Festival is performing Handel's Solomon at 8 pm in Sheffield, MA, if you are out that way.
On Sunday the Boston Landmarks Orchestra is doing a Neighborhood Concert in Dorchester Park. It's at 6:30 pm, and they'll be doing Gershwin and gospel. More info here.
Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, don't forget about the Boston Opera Collaborative's production of Mozart's The Magic Flute.
Summer sing: Monday, July 28, 7:30 pm, Mozart Requiem, hosted by Chorus pro Musica. Location: Old South Church, 645 Boylston Street, Boston.
Summer sing: Monday, July 28, 8:00 pm, Brahms Requiem, hosted by the Paul Madore Chorale. Location: Old Town Hall, 32 Derby Square, Salem.
Summer sing: Monday, July 28, 7:00 pm, Mozart's Regina Coeli and Vivaldi's Gloria (finally, something other than requiems!), hosted by the Nashua Symphony Chorus. Location: First Church of Christ, Scientist at 115 Concord Street, Nashua, NH.
Summer sing: Tuesday, July 29, 8:00 pm, Faure Requiem, hosted by Masterworks Chorale.
Location: National Heritage Museum, Marrett Road and Massachusetts Ave, Lexington.
First of all, stop the presses! Chanticleer is coming to town! Well, to the state, at least. They will be at Tanglewood on Thursday, July 31 (one week from today.) Curses...I can't make it. But you should go!
On Saturday the Berkshire Choral Festival is performing Handel's Solomon at 8 pm in Sheffield, MA, if you are out that way.
On Sunday the Boston Landmarks Orchestra is doing a Neighborhood Concert in Dorchester Park. It's at 6:30 pm, and they'll be doing Gershwin and gospel. More info here.
Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, don't forget about the Boston Opera Collaborative's production of Mozart's The Magic Flute.
Summer sing: Monday, July 28, 7:30 pm, Mozart Requiem, hosted by Chorus pro Musica. Location: Old South Church, 645 Boylston Street, Boston.
Summer sing: Monday, July 28, 8:00 pm, Brahms Requiem, hosted by the Paul Madore Chorale. Location: Old Town Hall, 32 Derby Square, Salem.
Summer sing: Monday, July 28, 7:00 pm, Mozart's Regina Coeli and Vivaldi's Gloria (finally, something other than requiems!), hosted by the Nashua Symphony Chorus. Location: First Church of Christ, Scientist at 115 Concord Street, Nashua, NH.
Summer sing: Tuesday, July 29, 8:00 pm, Faure Requiem, hosted by Masterworks Chorale.
Location: National Heritage Museum, Marrett Road and Massachusetts Ave, Lexington.
Monday, July 21, 2008
Monday links
Hm, Monday links, Monday links, what to link...
I know. I got this link from a fellow conductor friend. This is the kind of thing conductors e-mail each other. Very deep.
I know. I got this link from a fellow conductor friend. This is the kind of thing conductors e-mail each other. Very deep.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Weekend Concert Calendar, 7/17/08
Summer is not the boom season for choral music in the city, but I do have a few options for you.
If you want to go up to New Hampshire, you could hear the Great Waters Chorus and Orchestra perform at the Great Waters Music Festival this Saturday at 8 pm. The concert will be at 58 North Main Street, Wolfboro, NH.
The Amherst Early Music Festival is offering a bit of choral music down in New London, CT. On Saturday at 7:30 pm Robert Eisenstein will conduct the All-Workshop Collegium in works by Isaac and Senfl. This will be at the Evans Concert Hall, Cummings Arts Center, Connecticut College, New London CT, and more info is here.
If you want to stay in Boston, check out Gospelfest 2008, Sunday from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm at City Hall Plaza. This website has information about the headliners. I'm kind of bummed I'm moving that day, because this looks pretty awesome!
And finally, the Boston Opera Collaborative's performance of The Magic Flute opens this weekend! It will be two weekends - this weekend's performances are Friday and Saturday at 7:30 pm and Sunday at 3:00 pm. Performances are at the Boston Latin Auditorium at 78 Avenue Louis Pasteur in Boston.
Summer Sing Schedule:
Monday, July 21 at 8 pm, Diane Cushing will conduct Mozart's "Requiem" at the Old Town Hall in Salem (32 Derby Square.) This is hosted by the Paul Madore Chorale. More details on their summer sings here.
Tuesday, July 22 at 8pm Sean Burton will conduct Orff’s “Carmina Burana” at the National Heritage Museum (corner of Marrett Road and Massachusetts Ave.) in Lexington. This is hosted by the Masterworks Chorale. More details on their summer sings here.
If you want to go up to New Hampshire, you could hear the Great Waters Chorus and Orchestra perform at the Great Waters Music Festival this Saturday at 8 pm. The concert will be at 58 North Main Street, Wolfboro, NH.
The Amherst Early Music Festival is offering a bit of choral music down in New London, CT. On Saturday at 7:30 pm Robert Eisenstein will conduct the All-Workshop Collegium in works by Isaac and Senfl. This will be at the Evans Concert Hall, Cummings Arts Center, Connecticut College, New London CT, and more info is here.
If you want to stay in Boston, check out Gospelfest 2008, Sunday from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm at City Hall Plaza. This website has information about the headliners. I'm kind of bummed I'm moving that day, because this looks pretty awesome!
And finally, the Boston Opera Collaborative's performance of The Magic Flute opens this weekend! It will be two weekends - this weekend's performances are Friday and Saturday at 7:30 pm and Sunday at 3:00 pm. Performances are at the Boston Latin Auditorium at 78 Avenue Louis Pasteur in Boston.
Summer Sing Schedule:
Monday, July 21 at 8 pm, Diane Cushing will conduct Mozart's "Requiem" at the Old Town Hall in Salem (32 Derby Square.) This is hosted by the Paul Madore Chorale. More details on their summer sings here.
Tuesday, July 22 at 8pm Sean Burton will conduct Orff’s “Carmina Burana” at the National Heritage Museum (corner of Marrett Road and Massachusetts Ave.) in Lexington. This is hosted by the Masterworks Chorale. More details on their summer sings here.
Monday, July 14, 2008
Monday links
Most of you may have heard of this, but James Levine will have to miss the remainder of the Tanglewood season to have a kidney removed. The Boston Globe article is here - very sad! I hope that everything goes well and that he recovers quickly.
In more health news, Joan Sutherland broke both legs during a fall at her Swiss home. She is said to be recovering well.
In more light-hearted news, there was a chord change this past weekend in a performance of John Cage's "As Slow As Possible." The performance is being done on the church organ in Halberstadt, Germany. According to the BBC, "the performance began in 2000 and is scheduled to last a total of 639 years." (Weights are holding down the chords so that an organist does not have to be on duty at all times.)
In more health news, Joan Sutherland broke both legs during a fall at her Swiss home. She is said to be recovering well.
In more light-hearted news, there was a chord change this past weekend in a performance of John Cage's "As Slow As Possible." The performance is being done on the church organ in Halberstadt, Germany. According to the BBC, "the performance began in 2000 and is scheduled to last a total of 639 years." (Weights are holding down the chords so that an organist does not have to be on duty at all times.)
Friday, July 11, 2008
Weekend Concert Calendar, 7/10/08
In the summer, the music tends to go bucolic...meaning that stuff is happening in places that are not Boston, but out in the woods and pastures of rural New England. I have nothing for you in the city, but there's some things going on in other places.
If you are in the Amherst area, check out the Amherst Early Music Festival performances.
If you are in south-western MA, check out The Berkshire Choral Festival. This Saturday they are presenting an "All-American Program." This will be in Sheffield, MA at the Rovensky Concert Shed. There will be music by Thompson, Hanson, Dello Joio. Since the concert is conducted by Craig Jessop, former conductor of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, there will of course also be music by Mack Wilberg, current conductor and former assistant conductor of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, because they are tight like that. I would, in fact, be interested to know if Craig Jessop ever programmed a concert that had no Mack Wilberg on it. However, I digress! You should check this concert out, not only because the Berkshire Choral Festival is cool, but because Christophèren Nomura is a soloist! Remember him?
And, y'know, there's always Tanglewood.
Summer Sing Schedule:
Monday, July 14 at 7 pm Carlos Martinez will conduct Rutter's "Requiem" at the First Church of Christ Scientist at 115 Concord Street in Nashua. This is hosted by the Nashua Symphony Orchestra and Chorus. More details on their summer sings here (scroll to the bottom of the page.)
Also on Monday, July 14, this one at 8 pm, William Sano will conduct Mozart's "Coronation Mass" and the Vespers at the Old Town Hall in Salem (32 Derby Square.) This is hosted by the Paul Madore Chorale. More details on their summer sings here.
Tuesday, July 15 at 8pm Jane Ring Frank will conduct J.S. Bach’s “Magnificat” at the National Heritage Museum (corner of Marrett Road and Massachusetts Ave.) in Lexington. This is hosted by the Masterworks Chorale. More details on their summer sings here.
If you are in the Amherst area, check out the Amherst Early Music Festival performances.
If you are in south-western MA, check out The Berkshire Choral Festival. This Saturday they are presenting an "All-American Program." This will be in Sheffield, MA at the Rovensky Concert Shed. There will be music by Thompson, Hanson, Dello Joio. Since the concert is conducted by Craig Jessop, former conductor of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, there will of course also be music by Mack Wilberg, current conductor and former assistant conductor of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, because they are tight like that. I would, in fact, be interested to know if Craig Jessop ever programmed a concert that had no Mack Wilberg on it. However, I digress! You should check this concert out, not only because the Berkshire Choral Festival is cool, but because Christophèren Nomura is a soloist! Remember him?
And, y'know, there's always Tanglewood.
Summer Sing Schedule:
Monday, July 14 at 7 pm Carlos Martinez will conduct Rutter's "Requiem" at the First Church of Christ Scientist at 115 Concord Street in Nashua. This is hosted by the Nashua Symphony Orchestra and Chorus. More details on their summer sings here (scroll to the bottom of the page.)
Also on Monday, July 14, this one at 8 pm, William Sano will conduct Mozart's "Coronation Mass" and the Vespers at the Old Town Hall in Salem (32 Derby Square.) This is hosted by the Paul Madore Chorale. More details on their summer sings here.
Tuesday, July 15 at 8pm Jane Ring Frank will conduct J.S. Bach’s “Magnificat” at the National Heritage Museum (corner of Marrett Road and Massachusetts Ave.) in Lexington. This is hosted by the Masterworks Chorale. More details on their summer sings here.
Monday, July 07, 2008
Monday links: Interviews and a dancing guy named Matt
Links for Monday:
I am not the only lucky person who got to interview the King's Singers! Philip Copeland has posted his interview with King's Singer Christopher Gabbitas.
Chanticleer is also interviewed - there's no transcript, but you can listen!
Finally, this video is possibly the best thing on the internet. It's just a guy, dancing around the world. And it's so full of joy it made me cry. (This is the third in the series - you can watch all the videos on his website at www.wherethehellismatt.com.)
Where the Hell is Matt? (2008) from Matthew Harding on Vimeo.
I am not the only lucky person who got to interview the King's Singers! Philip Copeland has posted his interview with King's Singer Christopher Gabbitas.
Chanticleer is also interviewed - there's no transcript, but you can listen!
Finally, this video is possibly the best thing on the internet. It's just a guy, dancing around the world. And it's so full of joy it made me cry. (This is the third in the series - you can watch all the videos on his website at www.wherethehellismatt.com.)
Where the Hell is Matt? (2008) from Matthew Harding on Vimeo.
Saturday, July 05, 2008
King's Singers - follow-up questions answered!
Remember how I did that interview with Stephen Connolly of the King's Singers a few weeks ago? Of course you do - I am sure that you, too, lost sleep in excitement over it. Well, I sent the group some follow-up questions via e-mail and they responded! Because they are kind, thoughtful and considerate as well as incredibly awesome musicians. (Fangirl? Me?)
So here they are! The publicity manager who sent me them said that the answers are from Robin Tyson. My questions are in italics - answers are in regular font. I find these answers all pretty interesting. Don't ask me yet what a "baritone broken voice" is - I'm going to have to do some research to try and find out. Also, I find the fact that "Swing Low" is the English national rugby anthem fascinating.
Questions for the counter-tenors:
Do you ever sing in the lower part of your range? Do you find this helps, hurts, or has no effect on your upper range? If you were to sing in the lower part of your range, what voice part would you be?
David, the top countertenor has a tenor lower voice whilst Robin, the lower of the two, has a baritone broken voice. Of the two, Robin is the one who will more often use his other voice to keep the blend and balance of the group as finely tuned as it can be. It doesn't hurt!
What advice would you give young counter-tenors? Are there certain things they should look for in a voice teacher? Do you recommend singing in all parts of your vocal range? Have you ever gotten strange reactions? Do you have any particularly funny stories of odd reactions?
The most important thing is to go to a good teacher and get a good technical grounding like any other singer. Countertenors are too often treated as special and many think they have only one option when finding a teacher, which is to go to a countertenor. As King's Singers we know that flexibility is all-important in singing, so it certainly wouldn't hurt to exercise both falsetto and non-falsetto voices. We get strange looks from time to time, and Robin has been described as a countertinkler, but the voice is becoming better known.
Questions for anybody:
How do you choose your repertoire? Does everyone contribute an equal amount of pieces, or do you have some researchers in the group?
We have someone who communicates with promoters and our record company about repertoire, but the communication will be after the 6 of us have sat down to plan them together. It is a democracy. Some have better knowledge with some parts of the repertoire than others, and we find this system works well. In terms of research, we all do it on various different ideas and repertoires.
Do you have any great tour stories? Have you ever had to use any strange methods of transportation? Were there any really tough places to sing?
Our touring life is varied owing to the vast number of places we go. For example I am writing this having just taken off from Bangkok on the way back to London. But for all the variety there is also routine: flight, hotel, rehearsal, concert, dinner. Of course some wonderful things happen to us (and some not so wonderful!). I can remember private jets, narrow-gauge railways up a Swiss mountain, as well as giving performances beside ancient Roman baths in Rome, in Hamburg's airport terminal, in downtown Beirut and plenty of other places besides.
Has anyone ever had a stage-fright brain freeze on stage, or fallen down, or just made a really colossal whopping mistake?
We are human, so yes! I once threw David to the floor (by mistake!) at the very end of a concert in Laramie, WY during a bit of country dancing...
From the Simple Gifts CD, on the track "Swing Low," why do you sing "Chari-o" and not "Chari-ot?"
Just habit/tradition I suppose. If you listen to English rugby fans singing at the games that's what they all sing too (it's the national rugby anthem).
On the website, in your FAQ, you say, "If you are an American choir the chances are that your amazing stage discipline will make you look a little stiff." This is a new idea for me – why is it that American choral singers look stiff? What are some differences between American and British choirs?
Many US choirs are ruled with a rod of steel by their directors, and when you add the competitive nature of the choral world in the US, and the fact that when we meet and work with them they are often (but only at the start!) terrified, what we often see is a well-drilled, excellent choir which focuses 100% of its energy and performance on the director, and 0% on the audience. We try to change this, even getting the conductor to sit down, which a few really can't cope with. English choirs are much more rebellious!
So here they are! The publicity manager who sent me them said that the answers are from Robin Tyson. My questions are in italics - answers are in regular font. I find these answers all pretty interesting. Don't ask me yet what a "baritone broken voice" is - I'm going to have to do some research to try and find out. Also, I find the fact that "Swing Low" is the English national rugby anthem fascinating.
Questions for the counter-tenors:
Do you ever sing in the lower part of your range? Do you find this helps, hurts, or has no effect on your upper range? If you were to sing in the lower part of your range, what voice part would you be?
David, the top countertenor has a tenor lower voice whilst Robin, the lower of the two, has a baritone broken voice. Of the two, Robin is the one who will more often use his other voice to keep the blend and balance of the group as finely tuned as it can be. It doesn't hurt!
What advice would you give young counter-tenors? Are there certain things they should look for in a voice teacher? Do you recommend singing in all parts of your vocal range? Have you ever gotten strange reactions? Do you have any particularly funny stories of odd reactions?
The most important thing is to go to a good teacher and get a good technical grounding like any other singer. Countertenors are too often treated as special and many think they have only one option when finding a teacher, which is to go to a countertenor. As King's Singers we know that flexibility is all-important in singing, so it certainly wouldn't hurt to exercise both falsetto and non-falsetto voices. We get strange looks from time to time, and Robin has been described as a countertinkler, but the voice is becoming better known.
Questions for anybody:
How do you choose your repertoire? Does everyone contribute an equal amount of pieces, or do you have some researchers in the group?
We have someone who communicates with promoters and our record company about repertoire, but the communication will be after the 6 of us have sat down to plan them together. It is a democracy. Some have better knowledge with some parts of the repertoire than others, and we find this system works well. In terms of research, we all do it on various different ideas and repertoires.
Do you have any great tour stories? Have you ever had to use any strange methods of transportation? Were there any really tough places to sing?
Our touring life is varied owing to the vast number of places we go. For example I am writing this having just taken off from Bangkok on the way back to London. But for all the variety there is also routine: flight, hotel, rehearsal, concert, dinner. Of course some wonderful things happen to us (and some not so wonderful!). I can remember private jets, narrow-gauge railways up a Swiss mountain, as well as giving performances beside ancient Roman baths in Rome, in Hamburg's airport terminal, in downtown Beirut and plenty of other places besides.
Has anyone ever had a stage-fright brain freeze on stage, or fallen down, or just made a really colossal whopping mistake?
We are human, so yes! I once threw David to the floor (by mistake!) at the very end of a concert in Laramie, WY during a bit of country dancing...
From the Simple Gifts CD, on the track "Swing Low," why do you sing "Chari-o" and not "Chari-ot?"
Just habit/tradition I suppose. If you listen to English rugby fans singing at the games that's what they all sing too (it's the national rugby anthem).
On the website, in your FAQ, you say, "If you are an American choir the chances are that your amazing stage discipline will make you look a little stiff." This is a new idea for me – why is it that American choral singers look stiff? What are some differences between American and British choirs?
Many US choirs are ruled with a rod of steel by their directors, and when you add the competitive nature of the choral world in the US, and the fact that when we meet and work with them they are often (but only at the start!) terrified, what we often see is a well-drilled, excellent choir which focuses 100% of its energy and performance on the director, and 0% on the audience. We try to change this, even getting the conductor to sit down, which a few really can't cope with. English choirs are much more rebellious!
Weekend Concert Calendar - Oops
I forgot to give you your usual Weekend Concert Calendar yesterday...but it's OK! Because according to my regular sources, there was no choral music to be had in Boston.
However, there is a Masterworks Chorale summer sing this Tuesday! John W. Ehrlich will conduct Vivaldi’s Gloria "with accomplished soloists and expert piano accompaniment." This is Tuesday at 8:00 pm at the National Heritage Museum, Marrett Road and Massachusetts Ave, Lexington, MA. It's always advisable to bring your own score to any sing in case they run out, but their website says you can borrow one for free! As they say, this is a great way to keep in vocal shape over the summer.
However, there is a Masterworks Chorale summer sing this Tuesday! John W. Ehrlich will conduct Vivaldi’s Gloria "with accomplished soloists and expert piano accompaniment." This is Tuesday at 8:00 pm at the National Heritage Museum, Marrett Road and Massachusetts Ave, Lexington, MA. It's always advisable to bring your own score to any sing in case they run out, but their website says you can borrow one for free! As they say, this is a great way to keep in vocal shape over the summer.
Tuesday, July 01, 2008
"They are the very model of a modern married Brown couple!"
As previously mentioned, my brother got married last Saturday to a splendid woman in a splendid wedding. Being a huge Gilbert & Sullivan geek, I gave the following toast at their wedding, and since a lot of people enjoyed it, I thought I would post it here and then just direct the inquiries I've been getting for the text towards my blog. (Yes, it's true. I will use anything to get more traffic!)
"They Are the Very Model of a Modern Married Brown Couple"
(to be sung to the tune of "I Am the Very Model of a Modern Major-General" by Arthur Sullivan
with apologies to W. S. Gilbert)
They are the very model of a modern married Brown couple
They've information medical, historical, and criminal
He knows the tribes of Mali and can quote the fights historical
From '63 to Menaka in order categorical
She's very well acquainted too with matters anatomical
She understands diseases both the common and phenomenal
She studies all her books and she shares trivia with her new spouse
With many cheerful facts about diseases that you see on House
(Chorus: "With many cheerful facts about diseases that you see on House!" x3)
They met as fencers on the fencing team at Brown their freshman year
They both competed in collegiate tournaments both far and near
And still in matters medical, historical and criminal
They are the very model of a modern married Brown couple.
(Chorus "And still in matters medical, historical and criminal
They are the very model of a modern married Brown couple!")
When Adrian has purchased all the soccer jerseys known to man
When Ruth owns all the sneakers marketed since modern time began
When Adrian is blogging things that all the major-generals see
And when he finally has a technorati rank of twenty-three
When both of them have published in prestigious journals many times
When he is working for the CIA and she is saving lives
When both of them are fencing with USFA in their spare time
You'll say a modern married Brown couple was never so sublime
(Chorus: "You'll say a modern married Brown couple was never so sublime!" x3)
When she has found a residency with M.D.'s who aren't too mean
And when she's playing golf with them she doesn't pass out on the green
You'll say in matters medical, historical and criminal
You've really never seen a better modern married Brown couple.
(Chorus: "You'll say in matters medical, historical and criminal
You've really never seen a better modern married Brown couple!")
We wish you health, and two long lives, and haleness throughout all your years
We wish you much success in your respective challenging careers
We wish you wealth and all the soccer jerseys you could ever crave
And if you wish for children, well, we hope that they are well-behaved.
We wish your cars never break down
We wish your water pipes don't freeze
We hope your basement never floods
We pray your pets never get fleas
In short, in matters practical, domestic, and just not-so-nice,
We hope you never have to call on our experienced advice.
(Chorus: "We hope you never have to call on our experienced advice!" x3)
We wish you friends and family to always love and stand by you
Though clearly, if you look around, that wish has already come true
And may in matters medical, historical and criminal
You always be the model of a modern married Brown couple.
(Chorus: "And may in matters medical, historical and criminal
You always be the model of a modern married Brown couple!")
"They Are the Very Model of a Modern Married Brown Couple"
(to be sung to the tune of "I Am the Very Model of a Modern Major-General" by Arthur Sullivan
with apologies to W. S. Gilbert)
They are the very model of a modern married Brown couple
They've information medical, historical, and criminal
He knows the tribes of Mali and can quote the fights historical
From '63 to Menaka in order categorical
She's very well acquainted too with matters anatomical
She understands diseases both the common and phenomenal
She studies all her books and she shares trivia with her new spouse
With many cheerful facts about diseases that you see on House
(Chorus: "With many cheerful facts about diseases that you see on House!" x3)
They met as fencers on the fencing team at Brown their freshman year
They both competed in collegiate tournaments both far and near
And still in matters medical, historical and criminal
They are the very model of a modern married Brown couple.
(Chorus "And still in matters medical, historical and criminal
They are the very model of a modern married Brown couple!")
When Adrian has purchased all the soccer jerseys known to man
When Ruth owns all the sneakers marketed since modern time began
When Adrian is blogging things that all the major-generals see
And when he finally has a technorati rank of twenty-three
When both of them have published in prestigious journals many times
When he is working for the CIA and she is saving lives
When both of them are fencing with USFA in their spare time
You'll say a modern married Brown couple was never so sublime
(Chorus: "You'll say a modern married Brown couple was never so sublime!" x3)
When she has found a residency with M.D.'s who aren't too mean
And when she's playing golf with them she doesn't pass out on the green
You'll say in matters medical, historical and criminal
You've really never seen a better modern married Brown couple.
(Chorus: "You'll say in matters medical, historical and criminal
You've really never seen a better modern married Brown couple!")
We wish you health, and two long lives, and haleness throughout all your years
We wish you much success in your respective challenging careers
We wish you wealth and all the soccer jerseys you could ever crave
And if you wish for children, well, we hope that they are well-behaved.
We wish your cars never break down
We wish your water pipes don't freeze
We hope your basement never floods
We pray your pets never get fleas
In short, in matters practical, domestic, and just not-so-nice,
We hope you never have to call on our experienced advice.
(Chorus: "We hope you never have to call on our experienced advice!" x3)
We wish you friends and family to always love and stand by you
Though clearly, if you look around, that wish has already come true
And may in matters medical, historical and criminal
You always be the model of a modern married Brown couple.
(Chorus: "And may in matters medical, historical and criminal
You always be the model of a modern married Brown couple!")
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