This is the space we have created for any and all of you to share with others your memories of the years you spent with Mac in choir. Please share with all of us your stories (particularly the funny ones).
I have no specific memory--only lots of them. I have had an opportunity within the last 5 years to rehearse and direct a choir. I discovered as I was doing it that many of my practices, mannerism, and approaches were his. I had a musical background before I met him. I've had had one since I left him. Somehow, I can't tell the difference between the two. If anyone could have influenced a life, if anyone could have made a mark or a difference--he did. I'm not sure where his ended and mine is. Thank you Ken! We're doing this together now. Jan 84
When I first heard about Mr. Mac's Choir Reunion, for a few moments, I felt 34 years melt away and I was 17 again. But, realistically, I stopped singing in public after I graduated WMHS. That's a good thing for anyone with functioning ears. Today, if the music is loud enough to make me sound good, I'll belt out a tune periodically while I'm driving.
I guess making 70 kids sound good in a choir wasn't daunting enough. Ken took on the task of directing the High School Musical. With his wit, sarcasm and skills, Ken produced high quality musicals year after year. They weren't obscure productions. Ken went after the big ones; Rodgers and Hammerstein, Lerner and Loewe, and other huge Broadway shows. Looking back, it was a brave and pretty amazing thing to accomplish with teenagers. I've been fortunate to see some of the very same shows in NYC, London and the West Coast. While at a Lincoln Center production of "Carousel", I couldn't help but to be flooded with fond memories from our High School production. The Spring musical was always the highlight of the school year.
In the 70's, it was not perceived as "Cool" to be in Choir or the Musicals. We didn't have shows like "Glee" or "High School Musical" to defend ourselves. Ken made it "Cool", and you wanted to be there.
Just a thought.......how about a reunion "Musical" next year? (Just kidding). Thanks Mr. McMonagle, for making High School enjoyable. Patrick "78"
First, let me congratulate you on making this fundraiser a reality! You are still positively influencing students, past, present, and future! I have heard though, that the alumni were given their music before rehearsals, and were expected to know their parts before attending. Good grief, man, still handing out homework assignments 37+ years later?? When will it all end?? On that same note, I will not be able to complete the homework assignment that you gave me when I was at WeMeHi, a paper on "The History of Jazzercise". I recently asked the lady at the library about this topic, and she said that jazzercise has absolutely nothing to do with either New Orleans, jazz music, OR music of the deep South. I am thinking now that you gave me this assignment so that I never stop trying to learn new things. I also recently learned that there was no "waiting list" to join the choir, so I must have misunderstood you. Well, I for one am really looking forward to this concert, as well as seeing some old friends again.
Sincerely, Joe Vento class of '75
P.S. If you ever are casting for one of those musicals again, this time I would like a part with at least ONE speaking line, as "palace guard" in "The King & I" was not the breakthrough role that I thought it was going to be.
I had the pleasure of working with Ken for many years as an accompanist for his student choirs, ensembles, and soloists. Too, he has been a very dear friend. His dedication to music, his devotion to his students' well-being, and his inimitable personality and style were always inspiring and, often, very entertaining. At a rehearsal for The King and I, after the sedan chair arrived empty at center stage and the king said, "Am I to be addressing this ... this ... empty chair?" Ken marched to the stage shouting, "This will NEVER happen again!" I had to hide behind the piano to keep from laughing hysterically. The students knew that he was just working with them to have an excellent performance. At a formal concert I was accompanying, as I followed him from stage right on to the stage, he handed me a score I had never seen over his shoulder and said, "Oh, incidentally, we're singing this, too." He was so confident in my ability that I couldn't be angry.
"Sing it with conviction. And if you're wrong, sing it with conviction." ...and I did, the first verse of my solo on opening night of "Fiddler" 2 times without missing a beat. Almost.
As I attend my own high school kids' choral performances and musicals, I can't help but recall the times I was performing. It's great to see that the arts in high school have not faded even with harsh budget cuts. It has brought me great pleasure and pride to be able to participate in an event the help give back, if even just a little. Once music has touched your life, it will always be a part of your life. Learning the fundamentals of singing is like riding a bike. You never forget. I credit Mac for teaching me those fundamentals. They are teachings I continue to use while I share my gift of music. Mr. McMonagle: Thanks for the memories, but more importantly, thanks for sharing your gifts!
I didn't think I was going to make it down to be in the concert, but a close friend (Jill) who lives near was going and picked me up. Sad to say, I didn't get to be in it. I did come to both of the concerts and brought my granddaughter to one, she really enjoyed it. It truly was breath taking to hear such a choir. Mac has such a way to get everyone to be their best and bring out the best voices in them all. His comments, his dedication to music and style how could one not want to learn the fundamentals of singing, he made enjoyable.
In "77" I was in the musical "Carousel". One of the rehearsals we were waiting by Macs office door to get started. Mark C. decided to close the door, of which closed on my hand. Mac come running to the door wondering why there were so much yellingand so on, finding out what happened he addressed all by saying, "Rehearsal is cancelled tonight, for I have to take her to the Hospital". Finding out I fractured my thumb. But thru things like that to happen he was very calm (didn't want to see my hand), collected and caring. The next night we were back to rehearsal as if nothing happened.
Yes as everyone has said, Thanks for the Memories and being the person you are.
I have no specific memory--only lots of them. I have had an opportunity within the last 5 years to rehearse and direct a choir. I discovered as I was doing it that many of my practices, mannerism, and approaches were his. I had a musical background before I met him. I've had had one since I left him. Somehow, I can't tell the difference between the two. If anyone could have influenced a life, if anyone could have made a mark or a difference--he did. I'm not sure where his ended and mine is. Thank you Ken! We're doing this together now. Jan 84
ReplyDeleteWhen I first heard about Mr. Mac's Choir Reunion, for a few moments, I felt 34 years melt away and I was 17 again. But, realistically, I stopped singing in public after I graduated WMHS. That's a good thing for anyone with functioning ears. Today, if the music is loud enough to make me sound good, I'll belt out a tune periodically while I'm driving.
ReplyDeleteI guess making 70 kids sound good in a choir wasn't daunting enough. Ken took on the task of directing the High School Musical. With his wit, sarcasm and skills, Ken produced high quality musicals year after year. They weren't obscure productions. Ken went after the big ones; Rodgers and Hammerstein, Lerner and Loewe, and other huge Broadway shows. Looking back, it was a brave and pretty amazing thing to accomplish with teenagers. I've been fortunate to see some of the very same shows in NYC, London and the West Coast. While at a Lincoln Center production of "Carousel", I couldn't help but to be flooded with fond memories from our High School production. The Spring musical was always the highlight of the school year.
In the 70's, it was not perceived as "Cool" to be in Choir or the Musicals. We didn't have shows like "Glee" or "High School Musical" to defend ourselves. Ken made it "Cool", and you wanted to be there.
Just a thought.......how about a reunion "Musical" next year? (Just kidding). Thanks Mr. McMonagle, for making High School enjoyable. Patrick "78"
Dear Mr. McMonagle,
ReplyDeleteFirst, let me congratulate you on making this fundraiser a reality! You are still positively influencing students, past, present, and future!
I have heard though, that the alumni were given their music before rehearsals, and were expected to know their parts before attending.
Good grief, man, still handing out homework assignments 37+ years later?? When will it all end??
On that same note, I will not be able to complete the homework assignment that you gave me when I was at WeMeHi, a paper on "The History of Jazzercise".
I recently asked the lady at the library about this topic, and she said that jazzercise has absolutely nothing to do with either New Orleans, jazz music, OR music of the deep South.
I am thinking now that you gave me this assignment so that I never stop trying to learn new things. I also recently learned that there was no "waiting list" to join the choir, so I must have misunderstood you.
Well, I for one am really looking forward to this concert, as well as seeing some old friends again.
Sincerely,
Joe Vento class of '75
P.S. If you ever are casting for one of those musicals again, this time I would like a part with at least ONE speaking line, as "palace guard" in "The King & I" was not the breakthrough role that I thought it was going to be.
I had the pleasure of working with Ken for many years as an accompanist for his student choirs, ensembles, and soloists. Too, he has been a very dear friend. His dedication to music, his devotion to his students' well-being, and his inimitable personality and style were always inspiring and, often, very entertaining. At a rehearsal for The King and I, after the sedan chair arrived empty at center stage and the king said, "Am I to be addressing this ... this ... empty chair?" Ken marched to the stage shouting, "This will NEVER happen again!" I had to hide behind the piano to keep from laughing hysterically. The students knew that he was just working with them to have an excellent performance. At a formal concert I was accompanying, as I followed him from stage right on to the stage, he handed me a score I had never seen over his shoulder and said, "Oh, incidentally, we're singing this, too." He was so confident in my ability that I couldn't be angry.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDelete"Sing it with conviction. And if you're wrong, sing it with conviction."
ReplyDelete...and I did, the first verse of my solo on opening night of "Fiddler" 2 times without missing a beat. Almost.
As I attend my own high school kids' choral performances and musicals, I can't help but recall the times I was performing. It's great to see that the arts in high school have not faded even with harsh budget cuts. It has brought me great pleasure and pride to be able to participate in an event the help give back, if even just a little. Once music has touched your life, it will always be a part of your life. Learning the fundamentals of singing is like riding a bike. You never forget. I credit Mac for teaching me those fundamentals. They are teachings I continue to use while I share my gift of music. Mr. McMonagle: Thanks for the memories, but more importantly, thanks for sharing your gifts!
ReplyDeleteI didn't think I was going to make it down to be in the concert, but a close friend (Jill) who lives near was going and picked me up. Sad to say, I didn't get to be in it. I did come to both of the concerts and brought my granddaughter to one, she really enjoyed it. It truly was breath taking to hear such a choir. Mac has such a way to get everyone to be their best and bring out the best voices in them all. His comments, his dedication to music and style how could one not want to learn the fundamentals of singing, he made enjoyable.
ReplyDeleteIn "77" I was in the musical "Carousel". One of the rehearsals we were waiting by Macs office door to get started. Mark C. decided to close the door, of which closed on my hand. Mac come running to the door wondering why there were so much yellingand so on, finding out what happened he addressed all by saying, "Rehearsal is cancelled tonight, for I have to take her to the Hospital". Finding out I fractured my thumb. But thru things like that to happen he was very calm (didn't want to see my hand), collected and caring. The next night we were back to rehearsal as if nothing happened.
Yes as everyone has said, Thanks for the Memories and being the person you are.