仲夏百合的博客
今夕何夕
前幾天，合唱團的布魯斯團長送來一份文檔， 是曆年來合唱團演出過的地點和曲目。 在這這長長的單子裏，雖然大部分的演出都參與其中，我還是有些吃驚。 想不到這些年來，合唱團已經參與過這麽多次的演出，有為公司年會開幕的演唱，在公司各個園區的表演，也不乏到各個慈善機構和非營利組織的慰問演出， 包括兒童醫院， 退伍軍人醫院， 老人院，殘疾人俱樂部等等。彼情彼景，曆曆在目。
印象最深刻的是到聖本慈善飯堂的慰問演出。
聖本慈善飯堂設在密爾沃基第九街的一座教堂裏。據介紹，聖本慈善飯堂始於1966年，到如今已經運行了50多年。在七十多家當地的組織提供幫助下，每周日到周五，提供六天免費的晚餐。 據說，除了三餐不繼的人和無家可歸的流浪者，偶爾也會有一些孤獨的人來此用餐，聊解一下寂寞之苦。除了提供一頓熱餐，聖本慈善飯堂還提供熱水澡。每次我們去唱歌的時候，也參與募捐，按照要求，帶上一些新的襪子或內衣褲等生活用品。
合唱團的團員們在開晚飯前到達地點集合，在人們用飯期間演唱。每次到達的時候，就已見到教堂的門前排著長長的隊伍。隨著音樂聲起，前來用餐的人們也依次進入食堂，在一些自願者的幫助下取飯，邊吃飯邊看我們合唱團的表演。每次安排十多個曲目，唱一遍大約40多分鍾，休息五分鍾後，再唱第二遍。
第一次去那裏演出的的時候，心裏還有些小緊張，不知道見到的會是什麽樣的人。其實顧慮是多餘的，人們和在其他場合的聽眾們一樣熱情友好。 每支歌唱完後都能得到掌聲鼓勵。 中間休息過後，在第二遍開始之前，同事瑪麗悄悄問我，剛剛那個老頭過來跟你說什麽了？我說，他就說謝謝我們合唱團來演出。瑪麗說，想不到，他也終於開心了。過去幾次來，看他似乎一直用敵視的眼光看我們演唱。今天終於看到他笑了。
我無法揣測那位老者的的心思，也無從知道他為什麽從不開心到開心。也許他看到了合唱團的堅持和誠心，也許他受到了歌聲的感染，也許他因為看到了一個東方麵孔的人在努力地唱著西方的歌而感到有趣。無論如何，能用歌聲為他人帶來快樂，不正是我們辛苦排練和演出的目的嗎？
下麵截取了自2012年我參加合唱團後，合唱團的曆次演出活動。
Our Proud Volunteer Singing Engagements:
- Milwaukee Catholic Home Holiday Concert – December 2017
- St. Ben’s Community Meal Program Concert and Sock/Underwear Drive – December, 2017
- Veteran’s Memorial Concert for Veterans – Beautiful America – June, 2017
- St. Ben’s Community Meal Program Concert and Peanut Butter Drive – June, 2017
- NM UPAF Campaign Irish Sing-along Concert – South Office Building – March 2017
- NM UPAF Campaign Concert – Sweeney Todd – w/Skylight Music Theater – March 2017
- US Bank Building Holiday Concerts with US Bank Singers – December, 2016
- Milwaukee Catholic Home Holiday Concert – December 2016
- St. Ben’s Community Meal Program Concert and Sock/Underwear Drive – December, 2016
- Northwestern Mutual Day at Miller Park – National Anthem w/NM Band – August, 2016
- Milwaukee Jewish Home Spring Concert – As Seen on TV - June 2016
- St. Ben’s Community Meal Program Concert and Peanut Butter Drive – June, 2016
- Skylight Music Theater Outing with Alex’s Lemonade Stand setup – June 2016
- NM UPAF Campaign Concert – Pirates of Penzance – w/Skylight Music Theater – March 2016
- US Bank Building Holiday Concerts with US Bank Singers – December, 2015
- Milwaukee Catholic Home Holiday Concert – December 2015
- St. Ben’s Community Meal Program Concert and Sock/Underwear Drive – December, 2015
- Milwaukee Jewish Home Spring Concert – June 2015
- NM UPAF Campaign Irish Sing-along Concert – South Office Building – March 2015
- NM UPAF Campaign Concert – Into The Woods – w/Skylight Music Theater – March 2015
- US Bank Building Holiday Concerts with US Bank Singers – December, 2014
- US Bank Galleria – Community Holiday Concert with US Bank Singers – December 2014
- Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin – Dinner on the House – December 2014
- Grand Avenue Club Grand Event - Pfister Hotel – June 2014
- VA Zablocki Medical Center – with Veteran’s ERG as guests – June 2014
- Grand Avenue Club – Member Social Night – May 2014
- RW Baird UPAF Campaign Flash Mob – w/MSO, Danceworks & Skylight Music Theater – April 2014
- NM UPAF Campaign Concert - Les Miserables and Flash Mob – w/Skylight Music Theater – March 2014
- US Bank Building Holiday Concerts with US Bank Singers – December, 2013
- All Saints Episcopal Cathedral Holiday Concert – Christmas Around the World – December 2013
- Clinton Rose Senior Center – United Way Days of Caring – September 2013
- Gallery Night fundraiser for Grand Avenue Club – July 2013
- NM’s Annual Meeting – July 2013
- Grand Avenue Club Grand Event – Pfister Hotel – June 2013
- Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin – Dinner on the House – June 2013
- Grand Avenue Club – Member Social Night – May 2013
- NM UPAF Campaign Concert - White Christmas – w/Skylight Music Theater – March 2013
- Milwaukee Catholic Home Holiday Concert – December 2012
- Grand Avenue Club Spring Concert – May 2012
- NM UPAF Campaign Concert - Broadway Lights! – w/Skylight Music Theater – March 2012
