City Stages 2009: 3rd and Final Day

Sursum Corda performs at the Music Oasis Stage for City Stages 2009

For the third and final day of City Stages, it is tradition that I (dad) go it alone. It's Father's Day and by now the other members of the household have had their fill.

So I trotted over to the Stages around 1:30. Found the park to be all but empty. There were a few souls wandering about but most stayed home waiting on the oppressive heat to subside (I suppose).

My third day at City Stages means heading to the Music Oasis. The heat, the rain, the cold or whatever other inclement weather elements eventually take their toll on even this most hardy of souls and I must seek refuge in the confines of the Church of the Advent. To relax and enjoy the sounds of Gospel and classical music.

Unfortunately, the City Stages of late has seen a precipitous decline in the gospel offerings on Sundays. Oh. . .alas, I remember the days of old when Sundays at City Stages meant all day gospel singings at the First United Methodist Church.

Today's gospel selection fill onto the shoulders of but one group -- the Sixth Avenue Baptist Church Progressive Choir. And, let's face it, if there had to be but one group shouldering such a heavy burden, it would need to be this group.

They raised the roof. They lifted spirits. They called down angels (and manna) from heaven. It made one long for the days of old when the shouts of "Amen" and "Hallelujah" could be heard all over Linn Park.

Look up "gospel" in the dictionary and there should be a picture of The Progressive Choir. It truly was awesome.

Next up at the Music Oasis was Isla Duo. They brought songs of celtic origins sung in a lowland Scot dialect. It was fine but they were not on their best game. Missed notes both sung and played broke the rhythm of the music.

The final act for my 2009 City Stages' experience was Sursum Corda. A quick disclaimer here -- I know most of these fine folks from my church (Canterbury United Methodist), but they were phenomenal.

I've said it before and I'll say it again. . .choir director Lester Seigel can do more with a few people and a few notes than anyone I've ever seen. His direction makes the fairly small group sound much bigger than they are. Their talent is apparent but he draws them beyond themselves.

To add to the enjoyment, watching Sursum Corda directed by Seigel is a quick lesson in music. He gives background and history on the pieces they are performing and he clearly enjoys the work. They all do. And it shows.

Thus, my 11th year of City Stages comes to an end. My hope is that this is not the end. But, I fear, that without a fresh perspective and a major restructuring, the 2009 edition of City Stages may be the last. And that would indeed be a sad state of affairs for the City of Birmingham.

I love City Stages.

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