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News from GLENDA CRAWFORD - OCC Founder

It’s the second snow day here in Cincinnati and I’m taking the opportunity to send you a “progress report” of my life here in the CCM Doctoral Program and more importantly to keep in touch with so many of my friends.

I’m chronologically at the half-way point of completing my DMA, the school encourages students to complete all requirements by three years, although I see lots of students in their 4th and 5th year here. I feel that I am well over half-way and the last month I’ve been plowing through the big markers. I took advantage of Christmas holidays (Anna & Steph went to the Dominican Republic with Cam) to return to Cinci and study for my Theory Qualifying Exam and prepare for my Grad Lecture Recital. The timing was tight: the Exam and my Recital were within one week preceded by a National Children’s Choir Conference sponsored by CCM/CCC which I was assisting with. That being said, I passed my Theory (a huge relief!) and my Lecture Recital was fabulous—I passed with a Superior rating. I examined the late madrigals of Monteverdi (renaissance/baroque Venetian composer). They were theatrical and full of emotion—very “Glenda”. I bribed 18 of the best solo singers in the grad program and managed to turn them into a very presentable ensemble. Secretly, I realize that all those years of creating elementary assemblies, OCC concert programs and listening to CBC programming really helped me create a Lecture recital that was far from the usual dry presentations I’ve witnessed here.

I’m enjoying the program. My favorite class is my instrumental conducting—I’m learning so much from the instrumental players in the class and the teacher is practical and top-notch. I complete my final choral conducting concert requirement this week. That choir is a “lab choir” full of all the students who didn’t make the two premiere ensembles. It’s equivalent to High School and includes many undergrads that don’t see the value of choral singing. I’m enjoying them—my challenge is inspiring them to be excellent and do some challenging repertoire. I’m also taking an Italian translation course to fulfill my Language requirement. It’s a blast because it’s full of Singers—they’re oozing with confidence and the vibe in the class is energetic as they continually challenge the prof. We’re on a quarter system which means we have 10 weeks of intense coursework 4 times from September to June. I try to get to as many concerts as possible—last week the Opera Rape of Lucretia was amazing.

Last summer I remained in Cinci as a student and took theory courses and piano lessons. I’m now proudly working at the grade 9 level—something I’ve always wanted to complete. The piano pedagogy program is also top-notch, and I’m finally benefiting from a teacher who knows how to teach and help me change my “self-taught” techniques.

In October I joined the 50 crowd, celebrating my birthday with a few dear girlfriends and family. It was exactly how I imagined celebrating and I'm surviving being without too much psychological grief. I’m sure some of my younger colleagues at school wonder my age and motivation for being in school—quite frankly I don’t care!!!

Anna & Stephanie are doing well—I raised them to be independent and I call them 2-3 times a week and leave messages for them to call me back. They are busy with their own lives. Anna is in Toronto, shares an apartment with a school friend and is completing her Hospitality program at George Brown College. She has daily access to the St. Lawrence Market, for which I’m envious and she has her cute dog “Harley” to keep her busy. Stephanie is in 2nd year at Dalhousie and seems to be drawn to English and writing. In the fall, Anna and I went to visit Steph in Halifax and we had a great time in that part of the country and sharing with Steph a taste of University life there. I even went to “Split Crow” the pub where all the students hang out. I managed to stay for an hour amongst the revelry. I do keep up with them via Facebook, phone calls, email and visits. I was so pleased last Friday night while I was watching NBC’s version of Olympic Opening Ceremonies to receive a call from Anna asking me if I was “proud to be Canadian”. I certainly was, and immediately checked to see if the girls had read W.O Mitchell’s Who has Seen the Wind. I must admit, I do feel homesick for Canada many times.

This year I am responsible for the Cincinnati Children’s Choir Girl Choir. It is a small ensemble of 25 High School Girls who meet once a week. They are delightful, and remind me of OCC Chamber Choir without the “finesse”. They do sound quite good and have been performing well and the first few weeks they were a little unsure as to my dynamic approach to singing and performing, but now are pretty eager to perform a la Glenda. The CCC program is excellent and I enjoy working with the Artistic Director Robyn Lana. I’m going to NYC with them in June, working with Princeton Girl Choir and Jim Papoulis.

If school wasn’t enough, I signed up for the Flying Pig Half Marathon here in Cinci in May. Unfortunately I’ve had many conflicts with the training runs, weather and CCM but I just wanted to do something outside of music and meet people my own age. I hope I’ll be ready—of course shedding the “American pounds” is sure to be a most important benefit.

I have made several friends here. A young couple, Elliott and Kirsten live nearby, Elliott accompanies Girl Choir and is in all my classes. He’s positive and has a southern accent and his wife Kirsten is lovely. We often go to Dewey’s Pizza (best pizza in Cinci and just down the street from us) or they come over and hang out with me. Elliott and I spend 2 hours a week score studying. I also have a study partner for my History Qual’s which I’ll write in April, she and I meet at Olive’s on Friday night and Sunday’s. My theory study partner, Yuking is also someone who enjoys eating out and movies. When I get lonely I just remember that I’m here for the degree so that seems to keep me going.

My apartment is great: spacious by Cinci standards and lots of character with hardwood floors. Sometimes I have to wait up to 10 minutes for the hot water to arrive, but I have a system for “plan B” when that happens. I painted my dining room last summer. I have no dishwasher or garbage disposal and I look forward to having those luxuries in a permanent location when I graduate. I am enjoying the simplicity of life here, even though my TV is well-used!!! I enjoy having company, so put me on your list of people to visit. On a humorous note, my bi-weekly excursions to the “City Limits” Laundromat is nothing more than a socio-anthropological experience. I still haven’t found the ideal time to go, and it’s unavoidable to encounter African American men standing around observing you load and unload your clothes from the machines. The actual machines are hard on my clothes and I plan on a new wardrobe when I’m done—another incentive to keep on schedule.

My plans for the summer are going to Italy with Judith and Lynn’s Havergal Choir to help commandeer their tour. After that, I’ll stay for a bit and then return to Oakville. That would be a good time for me to catch up with so many of you. I also have invited some friends to visit. I’m looking forward to writing my document (on Monteverdi) after being inspired from being in Italy.

Well if you’ve managed to take the time to read this long email, thank you!! I often think of all my friends who I saw on a regular basis, through school, choir, life, etc. I hope you are all doing well and hopefully have a chance to stay in touch. I would love to get together over summer if you are available. Warmly, Glenda