After I announced my retirement in June 2013, I continued to work full time at Eastern Maine Healthcare Systems (EMHS) coaching others and gradually transferring my responsibilities to them.  Dr. Richard Freeman, who I reported to at EMHS, generously allowed me to start my music education at the University of Maine in September by taking three classes (5 credits) during the fall semester.  These courses were only offered in the fall semester and this gave me a “jump start” on my music education.  I took:

1.   Elementary Harmony I

2.  Elementary Sight Singing and Ear Training I.  Do my ears look more trained?

3.   Oratorio Society – a large choir performing “Ein Deutsches Requiem” by Johannes Brahms.  This is one of the most sweeping and inspirational choral works I have ever performed.  Brahms’ work departed from the tradition by setting to music seven biblical texts that expresses a range of emotions from solemn sorrow to joyful rejoicing in moving beyond death.  Brahms work begins with “Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall have comfort.  They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.”  Only in the last movement does Brahms turn to “Blessed are the dead.”  The performance was initially scheduled for December 15, 2013 and was postponed due to inclement weather to Monday, January 20, 2014 (Martin Luther King, Jr. Day) at 7:30 pm, at Hampden Academy.

I formally retired from EMHS on December 6, 2013.  This gave me time to study for my final examinations, which were the week of December 16-20.

I have now completed the first semester at the University of Maine and I am enrolled as a full time music student starting January 13, 2013!