Henning's Headquarters

[relm1]

A young veteran who appeared at the church the afternoon before a choir rehearsal a few weeks ago because he wanted to speak to a man of the cloth (sometimes you need a pair of ears) has subsequently been coming to church, and very good-naturedly allowed me to recruit him both to ring handbells and to sing in the choir. This morning was his first Sunday "on duty." He did fine and is a good asset in the choir.

Sometimes, you need a community who wants you. 

[Karl Henning]

Sometimes, you need a community who wants you. 

indeed.

[Karl Henning]

I am too preoccupied at present to do any creative work. Indeed, I think I won't bother with trying to carve out individual numbers from the King's Chapel video, but will simply upload the concert whole. Right now, revisiting this:

[Pohjolas Daughter]

I am too preoccupied at present to do any creative work. Indeed, I think I won't bother with trying to carve out individual numbers from the King's Chapel video, but will simply upload the concert whole. Right now, revisiting this:

In brief (since you're busy), what's going on?  Hopefully, it's a good-kind-of-busy?

PD

[Mirror Image]

@Karl Henning , I just wanted to let you know I listened to your Symphony No. 3 for strings, Op. 175 and rather enjoyed it. Beautiful it was actually! I can only imagine what it would sound like performed by a chamber orchestra in a concert hall. Good to see the symphony is still alive and well in your hands.

[Karl Henning]

@Karl Henning , I just wanted to let you know I listened to your Symphony No. 3 for strings, Op. 175 and rather enjoyed it. Beautiful it was actually! I can only imagine what it would sound like performed by a chamber orchestra in a concert hall. Good to see the symphony is still alive and well in your hands.

Thanks.

[Karl Henning]

For the present, I've given up trying to teach myself how to edit the video, and this is the raw Concert footage.

[Karl Henning]

For the present, I've given up trying to teach myself how to edit the video, and this is the raw Concert footage.

This has been liberating, so here is the November 2019 concert in Woburn:

[Karl Henning]

Hi Karl,
Thought I'd share the program from this past Sunday.  The choir learned your Nunc and did an admirable job with it.  Everyone enjoyed it very much!

[Karl Henning]

After Sunday's service, the Staff-Parish committee informed Barbara and me that regretfully, the church needs to terminate our positions. In truth, it was no great surprise. Mid-May, the Church Administrator sent a general message:

I want to inform you that we needed to transfer $8500 from the Unrestricted Funds to the Operating Funds to cover our regular expenses.  This should help out for the short term but our current income is not meeting our budgeted expenses and that does not include our Mission Shares.  We have not added line items to our budget. These are the same bills we pay on a regular basis.  We are in a very difficult place and difficult decisions may need to be made. 
I am asking for your help.  If you are able to increase your regular giving, I would ask you to prayerfully consider it.  If you can make an extra gift that would be greatly appreciated.

And it is obvious that this is not sustainable.

Hi, Dave. I'm writing just to express that I think it would be a shame to dissolve the position of organist without some recognition of Barbara's service to the church. What do you think?

Yes, I agree. I believe something is in the works with my committee.

Both of you have provided a great service to our church Karl - We appreciate all of what you and Barbara have done for us and the good music that you have provided!

[Pohjolas Daughter]

After Sunday's service, the Staff-Parish committee informed Barbara and me that regretfully, the church needs to terminate our positions. In truth, it was no great surprise. Mid-May, the Church Administrator sent a general message...

I am very sorry to read the sad news Karl.  What do you think that the chances are that you will be able to find a position at another church in the area?  I know that you have been trying to find a new place to live too and am wondering if you might consider leaving the area for a different (and hopefully better paying) job?

PD

[Karl Henning]

I am very sorry to read the sad news Karl.  What do you think that the chances are that you will be able to find a position at another church in the area?  I know that you have been trying to find a new place to live too and am wondering if you might consider leaving the area for a different (and hopefully better paying) job?

PD

Warm thanks, PD! The questions are indeed swirling. Although largely for reasons of healthcare providers and transportation, I should like to find new digs in the area, my hopes of finding housing I can afford in the Boston area are shrinking. I'm considering returning to New Jersey (where I have family and friends) although I'm not convinced that the Garden State is much more affordable. We shall see if anything clarifies soon, or soon-ish.

[Pohjolas Daughter]

Warm thanks, PD! The questions are indeed swirling. Although largely for reasons of healthcare providers and transportation, I should like to find new digs in the area, my hopes of finding housing I can afford in the Boston area are shrinking. I'm considering returning to New Jersey (where I have family and friends) although I'm not convinced that the Garden State is much more affordable. We shall see if anything clarifies soon, or soon-ish.

I wondered about health care too--particularly considering all that you have been and are still going through.  Good luck to you and your wife during these trying times.

PD

[Karl Henning]

Many thanks!

[Karl Henning]

Peter tells me (in a vx-mail msg I'll ask him to expand upon) that Ensemble Aubade played Oxygen Footprint on Saturday, which I don't think I was expecting. As a general thing, when the group goes on tour, it is not many venues where the hosts will risk new music.

[Karl Henning]

Peter tells me (in a vx-mail msg I'll ask him to expand upon) that Ensemble Aubade played Oxygen Footprint on Saturday, which I don't think I was expecting. As a general thing, when the group goes on tour, it is not many venues where the hosts will risk new music.

[Karl Henning]

Had a good catch-up on the phone yesterday with Peter. One of his suggestions was to seek out a Woburn Arts Council, as most towns have such an office, allied to the Massachusetts Cultural Council. Woburn is a little peculiar in this. There is a Woburn Guild of Artists, which decades ago someone at First Congo told us about, but he seemed to suggest that it was strictly for visual arts. I'll investigate, and report.
Separately, As a member of the Woburn Senior Center (trippy idea) I get a free half-hour's consultation with a lawyer. Just playing phone tag for a while, since there is a specific person on the staff who coordinates this.

[Karl Henning]

There is a Woburn Guild of Artists, which decades ago someone at First Congo told us about, but he seemed to suggest that it was strictly for visual arts. I'll investigate, and report.

To judge by the website, there's nothing for a composer. I'm going to call shortly, but off the cuff, it's not the partner of the Mass. Cultural Council I should have wished.

[Pohjolas Daughter]

To judge by the website, there's nothing for a composer. I'm going to call shortly, but off the cuff, it's not the partner of the Mass. Cultural Council I should have wished.

Does the Woburn Cultural Council have anything that might help you promote your music?

https://woburnma.gov/government/cultural-council/

PD

[Karl Henning]

Does the Woburn Cultural Council have anything that might help you promote your music?

https://woburnma.gov/government/cultural-council/

PD

I'll check, PD. It probably says something about bureaucracy, but I called both City Hall and the Mayor's office, but neither of them pointed me there. It's a funny world, and Woburn is probably less organized than average, certainly in the Commonwealth. Will report.