Another Beaver Island documentary photo...Baroque on Beaver is a week long classical music celebration that brings stellar musicians from around the region -- and some from much further away -- to the island to perform in orchestra, brass and string quintets, and chorale and in venues from formal concerts to the brass section playing on a tugboat in the harbor to welcome the ferry. Tonight's concert included two world class opera singers - Martha Guth and Ricardo Luga - who are connected to the island from the summers Martha spent here as a child and adolescent. 15 years ago we saw her perform during open mic night at the Rectory Pub and Restaurant, while today she (and her husband) perform around the world. Tonight she and her husband each sang selections from Handel's Messiah (yes, the program was Christmas in August tonight -- a little weird, but it worked).
I chose this photo because you can see the musician, obviously, but you can also see the audience in t-shirts and jeans. Island dress-up is means simply clean clothes! Tomorrow is the closing event and then its up to the board to start planning for 2014.
@ness50 Of course, we love it here, and I try through my photos to show why we do. And it is wonderful ... and does feel like there's always something going on and we don't have enough time to do it all. BUT, we've had friends visit who think it's quite boring because you do have to be able to create your own fun, and like we do on 365, learn to see the beauty in the world that surrounds us, but may not be so obvious. So, if someone enjoys spending an hour looking at a sunset and talking, it's a great place to be. If someone needs activity each night and doesn't count sunsets, watching a movie on TV, or talking with one another...
@mornegrewe Thanks Morne! @mzzhope Thanks Hope! I appreciate your taking the time to view large. This was with my 85 mm prime lens which has a fantastic DoF. @jaynspain Thanks Jayn! It really was amazing. We can't get over how incredible even the chorus was -- we have some very talented local singers, some of whom even do this professionally. It's quite a mix, from singing in the shower types to local band members to (one) broadway actor/singer/director to our special guests who come because of family connections, like Martha and her husband. And to see them all, along with the largely regional orchestra, in a Parish Hall or community center is quite awesome.
@yaorenliu You are so right, Yao -- accessibility is key for people to continue to enjoy classical music. I love that it is so 'down home' here in attitude.
@janine3 Thanks Janine. I'd have to go back and look, but if I remember correctly, I had my 24-85 zoom. At 85, it works similarly to the 85 prime, but if I put two photos next to one another, the prime is always crisper with better bokeh. I love that (prime) lens, even more with the full frame camera body.
@susale@pamknowler Thanks Susale and Pam! I do love summers here and wish we could stay here into early fall as it's beautiful with the leaves turning. I am also doing my best to capture what is wonderful about it here. I'm guessing it isn't for everyone as it is very rural with daily life very much a 'make your own fun' kind of place. But so relaxing compared to my 'real' life in Chicago and truly has such beauty here. I do feel very lucky.
@taffy Oh I hadn't realised you were only on the island for the summer Taffy. No wonder you want to make the most of every photo oportunity!! I have loved learning all about this island I had never even heard of before 365!! What a great community this is that we can discover so many new and exciting things from each other!!
@pamknowler It is great fun! I'm absolutely dreading going back as since starting 365 in January, my life has not been 'real' -- no teaching last spring semester and in control of my own schedule except for some meetings, then summer with only one month of obligations so no more than about 10 hours a week until recently. Fall brings normal teaching load, several students at research and dissertation stages, chairing major committee, etc. I'd prefer to retire and focus on photography!!
@wendyhgill Thanks so much for your thoughts, Wendy! It's particularly timely as I'm feeling like time is getting away from me -- it's easy to just look at when we are leaving instead of how lucky we are to have 3 weeks (from today) to enjoy our time here.
@mzzhope Thanks Hope! I appreciate your taking the time to view large. This was with my 85 mm prime lens which has a fantastic DoF.
@jaynspain Thanks Jayn! It really was amazing. We can't get over how incredible even the chorus was -- we have some very talented local singers, some of whom even do this professionally. It's quite a mix, from singing in the shower types to local band members to (one) broadway actor/singer/director to our special guests who come because of family connections, like Martha and her husband. And to see them all, along with the largely regional orchestra, in a Parish Hall or community center is quite awesome.
@joluise Thanks Jo!
@sugarmuser Thanks Sharon!