Friday May 15, 2015

An eNote from Rodney

This evening, May 15, at 7:00 pm, Trinity is going to host a special concert of some young musicians and some big band Jazz. MusicWorks is a new partnership between the Asheville Symphony and Hall Fletcher Elementary School. One of the leaders of MusicWorks is David Wilken who conducts the Asheville Jazz Orchestra. MusicWorks is going to have a concert here to raise awareness of the program and to raise a little money. Students and faculty from the program will be performing. The Asheville Jazz Orchestra will also play eight numbers including “Sing, Sing, Sing” featuring Emily Talley on clarinet. “Sing, Sing, Sing” was Cheryl’s dad’s favorite song. He even owned a pair of drumsticks so he could imagine himself being Gene Krupa. I’ve done that.

Here’s a little Sing, Sing, Sing (With a Swing) trivia. The song was written by Louis Prima and recorded by Prima and The New Orleans Gang in 1936 on the Brunswick Label as a 78 rpm. The B side was “It’s Been So Long”. What’s a B side? Benny Goodman recorded “Sing, Sing, Sing” in 1937 with Krupa playing what has become an iconic floor tom solo. The Goodman arrangement was so long in length that it took up both sides of a 12 inch 78 rpm record.

By the way, the Asheville Jazz Orchestra will also be playing a Patriotic big band concert at Trinity on Friday July 3rd. Save the date.

Trinity received a lovely gift this week. In memory of her brother, William Ronnie Hopkins Jr. (Bud), Diane Hall made a gift to the church of a new office copier and a paper folding machine. The old copier was offered to Azalea Mountain School and they accepted. We are grateful for this gift.

Here is some information for Bless the Schools. For the month of May, we will collect for Asheville Middle School’s pantry and Hall Fletcher Elementary.

Asheville Middle pantry items:

pastas and sauces; canned meats; canned fruits and vegetables; beans; cereals; juices;

soups and stews; crackers of any kind; granola, fruit and cereal bars; fruit cups; snack

packs; any nonperishable foods

Hall Fletcher Elementary items:

snacks, laundry detergent, children’s socks, and gym shorts

Remember, you can bring the items on any Sunday or drop them off during the regular church office hours in the week. However on the third Sunday (Red Wagon Sunday), please keep them with you at your seat and place them in the wagon when the children come around during the opening hymn.

The lectionary Gospel lesson for this Sunday is John 17:619. The language is gorgeous as Jesus prays to his Father for the protection of the disciples after he leaves them. If you get a chance before Sunday morning read this passage and imagine that as a disciple Jesus is praying for you and for us.

Okay, I can’t get “Sing,Sing,Sing” out of my head. That means it’s going to be a good day and I look forward to seeing you on Sunday morning for worship and maybe tonight at the concert.

Sincerely,

Rodney

rodhagans@gmail.com