So today is December 9. That leaves what? About 15 days left to find presents for everyone on my list. After spending significant time on Amazon, at Macys and other smaller neighborhood stores looking at clothes, movies, and nick-nacks, I'm having a hard time finding something. And then I heard about this.

Now this is a present.

From November 2, 2009, Brian Dickie, Life As General Director of Chicago Opera Theater.
This was the sixth Neue Stimmen that I have been involved with.  I started out in 1999.  And it was by far the closest contest.  On each previous occasion the first three places were really clear with the remainder some way behind and quite easily separated.
We the jury came out at the intermission of the Finals Concert on Saturday evening unanimous that this was too close to call - and could we not just have 6 first prize winners?!  Well that would have been a cop out of course!  But I think it illustrated the situation that we found ourselves in very clearly.

A contemporary phrase about flamboyant jewelry? An overused hip-hop reference?  Further proof that language is in a constant state of flux?  Yes, to all of the above, and also the title of composer Michael Daugherty’s most recent piece entitled Bling Bling for Full Orchestra and Break Dancers.  You can catch a short video excerpt of this work at www.thecereallist.com

This summer has given me a little time to catch up on some of my favorite podcasts and radio shows. One I particularly enjoy is BBC Radio 3's 'The Early Music Show'. This hour-long program is broadcast every Saturday and Sunday at 7 a.m. (CST) and contains many interesting interviews and articles as well as much fine music. For those who wish to have a listen go to: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006tn49

Special Guest, Courtney Perkins and Angela Golden in a dialogue about Million Dollar Quartet.

CP:  One of the benefits of running a blog, or having a co-worker/friend that does, is that you get invited to events with the comical name "blogger night" offering free tickets to an otherwise pricey show that I've wanted to see for some time.  Advertised on cabs and local buses everywhere, Million Dollar Quartet.

AG: I may have ignored those cabby signs, but I paid attention when I got an opportunity to get free tickets. 

CP: Blogger Night became our mantra leading up to the performance --it had a certain ring to it.

AG: But we bloggers didn't get any special recognition which was sort of disappointing.