仲夏百合的博客
今夕何夕
前几天，合唱团的布鲁斯团长送来一份文档， 是历年来合唱团演出过的地点和曲目。 在这这长长的单子里，虽然大部分的演出都参与其中，我还是有些吃惊。 想不到这些年来，合唱团已经参与过这么多次的演出，有为公司年会开幕的演唱，在公司各个园区的表演，也不乏到各个慈善机构和非营利组织的慰问演出， 包括儿童医院， 退伍军人医院， 老人院，残疾人俱乐部等等。彼情彼景，历历在目。
印象最深刻的是到圣本慈善饭堂的慰问演出。
圣本慈善饭堂设在密尔沃基第九街的一座教堂里。据介绍，圣本慈善饭堂始于1966年，到如今已经运行了50多年。在七十多家当地的组织提供帮助下，每周日到周五，提供六天免费的晚餐。 据说，除了三餐不继的人和无家可归的流浪者，偶尔也会有一些孤独的人来此用餐，聊解一下寂寞之苦。除了提供一顿热餐，圣本慈善饭堂还提供热水澡。每次我们去唱歌的时候，也参与募捐，按照要求，带上一些新的袜子或内衣裤等生活用品。
合唱团的团员们在开晚饭前到达地点集合，在人们用饭期间演唱。每次到达的时候，就已见到教堂的门前排着长长的队伍。随着音乐声起，前来用餐的人们也依次进入食堂，在一些自愿者的帮助下取饭，边吃饭边看我们合唱团的表演。每次安排十多个曲目，唱一遍大约40多分钟，休息五分钟后，再唱第二遍。
第一次去那里演出的的时候，心里还有些小紧张，不知道见到的会是什么样的人。其实顾虑是多余的，人们和在其他场合的听众们一样热情友好。 每支歌唱完后都能得到掌声鼓励。 中间休息过后，在第二遍开始之前，同事玛丽悄悄问我，刚刚那个老头过来跟你说什么了？我说，他就说谢谢我们合唱团来演出。玛丽说，想不到，他也终于开心了。过去几次来，看他似乎一直用敌视的眼光看我们演唱。今天终于看到他笑了。
我无法揣测那位老者的的心思，也无从知道他为什么从不开心到开心。也许他看到了合唱团的坚持和诚心，也许他受到了歌声的感染，也许他因为看到了一个东方面孔的人在努力地唱着西方的歌而感到有趣。无论如何，能用歌声为他人带来快乐，不正是我们辛苦排练和演出的目的吗？
下面截取了自2012年我参加合唱团后，合唱团的历次演出活动。
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
