Dorothy's Blog
Blog
Strong Women: Andrea Zucker
Posted on May 4, 2017 at 10:55 AM |
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The above link is to a song we sang last November, standing truth to power to stop the war machine and stand up for a brighter day. Andrea and Rob Zucker hosted our rehearsal and had hoped to sing with us, but she was not well enough that day. Her spirit was certainly with us and is still with us today. Andrea slipped away from this earthly realm early Sunday morning. Her race was run. But her loving family and friends can see her vibrancy, twinkling eyes, and beaming smile right here and right now! Sarah Pirtle, thank you for the chance to gather with Andrea while we could. What a gift music is. It brings us together again and again and again, even as we sing out injustice and pain, we are building community and strength and binding souls together. Sisters, sing on. Your own songs, the songs of the ancients, or borrow someone else's song, but keep singing. None of us get out of this alive, but wow, can we ever release a great spirit while we are here. Andrea did and we will honor her by continuing to stand strong: sisters, mothers, grandmothers, aunts, daughters, granddaughters, friends of all stripes. Her song lives on. |
Offering the Magic of Singing Together
Posted on March 19, 2017 at 10:03 AM |
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My desire was to rest, yes, but also to focus my calling(s). I put the 's' because there were/are so many! Do you feel the appeal of so many possibilities? That has been my M.O. Astrologers might say it's because I was born in February and am a Pisces. Pisces are nice people who can get along with lots of people but are famous for having a hard time making decisions. I am a beginner in such wisdom, but I am quite a few years down the road in life experience and it is time to gather my resources and put them into the ground and let them grow roots and so that there can be some fruit to enjoy. Amazingly, three wonderful women mentors have come to coach me during this time. Jackie Kotei, Joyce Rouse, and Patrice Wilson have guided me to truly claim my particular voice and get it out there. Each in their own way told me to get on the ball with social media and I have revised my website as a first important step. After struggling with several website names, their collective wisdom was to own my own name! Seems obvious, doesn't it? So, please visit: dorothycresswell.org and discover "the magic of singing together!" Plus, a new song to help us all do whatever it is we are called to do! When Something’s Calling by Dorothy Cresswell C G C F When something’s calling you inside C G Don’t wait around for an easy ride. C G C You could be waiting around all day, G C So take the first step and be on your way. Am G Am When something’s calling you inside Am G Am Don’t wait around for someone else to drive. Dm Am You might be waiting around all week G Am When you could be making progress on your own two feet. C G C F When something’s calling you inside C G Don’t wait around or an easy ride. C G C You could be waiting around all year G C Or moving into action and getting in gear. Am G Am This is your life to live Am G Am And you have your own gifts to give Dm Am What eggs will hatch, what seeds will grow? G Am If we take a deep breath and get up and go! |
Be Strong, Be Kind!
Posted on February 20, 2017 at 10:45 AM |
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Be Strong, Be Kind Well, it has been a few weeks since the largest march in the world, The January 21st, 2017 Women’s March, drew women and children (and the men and boys who love them) out into the streets. In every corner of the world, in large cities where thousands marched, to tiny villages on every continent, women carried signs professing our belief in a kinder world. I happened to wake up in Florida that day. As I sipped my morning tea, this marching song came singing itself in my head: Today’s the day I set my mind: Be Strong, Be Kind! I’ll find a way, a way I’ll find, Be Strong, Be Kind! I will not let unkindness win So let the friendly acts begin. A smile, a wave, a welcome in Will help us all be strong! Doo-doot-doo-doot-doo-doot-doo-doot, Be kind, be strong….my mind kept singing as we had our breakfast and prepared our signs. And then, a friend came to join us, bringing her own new song! A kindred spirit! What a joy!! Together we walked to the gathering place in our little seaside town, New Smyrna Beach, and joined the UCC (United Church of Christ) contingent. We wore our UCC shirts that declared, “Love Knows No Limits!” This town had never seen so many activists in it’s park. We were visitors, but the organizers who lived here said that this surpassed their wildest dreams. Later that sentiment was echoed across the news channels all over the world. I taught Vern and Dusty who walked with me, and we sang our mighty little song. Joyce taught her song to the people around her. Here's a new video to go with the song: Enjoy the photos and the song from our corner of this precious world filled with caring people! |
A New Name!
Posted on January 26, 2017 at 6:26 PM |
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I am excited to announce the new name for our organization's website that covers projects offered by a trio of singer/songwriters based in western Massachusetts. Dorothy Cresswell, Helen Fortier, and Katie Tolles have made music
together and individually for many years and have much to offer. Some of our projects are The Curious Giraffe Show, Nana's Bananas, the Happy Valley Children's Chorus, the Healing Circle Singers, and Bridges Coffeehouse and Open Mic (the last two are sponsored and hosted by the First Congregational Church of Amherst.) Recently, as I was reflecting about what brings me the greatest joy, I wrote, "that feeling when I strike a chord and there's this something's-about-to-happen energy. The vibrations reach out and old and young turn their heads, make eye-contact, and smile. The words "Strike A Chord" jumped out at me and "StrikeAChordMusic.org" was born. PioneerValleySinging.com was our first tagline, started in 2012 when I first retired, but Strike a Chord Music will get people's attention! Strike A Chord Music represents three musician/songwriter/performer/songleaders who make up a perfect chord when we sing together. Katie's high voice, Helen's mid-range voice, and Dorothy's lower voice love to blend in harmony. Both musically and personally, we each bring our own "sound" and vibration. With our different life experiences and training and strengths, together we are more. So we three will share the website to bring our individual and joint offerings to the world. Strike A Chord Music also creates and offers songs that strike a chord in our
hearts. This is not just sing-along music. Helen's music has lyrics
and harmonies that heal. Dorothy's music has messages and stories of
courage and wonder. Katie's powerful voice and choices of music
convey the power of the human spirit. Each of us are activists, doing
our part to join with others to "Reach for the Coming Tide" (as one of
Helen's songs declares.) Together and individually, we offer our music to the world, and invite you to sing along. We know that each of us is one voice in a whole world chorus. We like to sing, and will sing alone if necessary, but the joy is truly there when we sing with others. We'd love to sing with you! We are also members of the People's Music Network, http://peoplesmusic.org and the Children's Music Network https://childrensmusic.org. |
I'm Gonna Be With You
Posted on August 15, 2016 at 5:56 PM |
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There are giants around here!
Posted on December 22, 2015 at 3:01 PM |
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The Curious Giraffe Visits the Amherst Farmer's Market!
Posted on December 17, 2015 at 3:32 PM |
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Welcome back! The Curious Giraffe is on the move! We will be singing and telling stories at the Amherst Winter Farmer's Market this Saturday from 10 AM to 12 Noon. You will find us in the Amherst Middle School Cafeteria. We will surely add some songs of hope and light and encouragement during this darkest time of the year. Today it is wet and rainy and chilly, but inside it will be dry and "sunny" and warm. Hope to see you there! |
Funny Friendly Songs!
Posted on December 3, 2015 at 1:30 PM |
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The time has rolled around for another Happy Valley Children's Chorus Concert! December 6th, at 1:30 at the First Congregational Church of Amherst (165 Main Street, Amherst, MA) Don't these kids just make you smile? They have been meeting every Monday afternoon for ten weeks, laughing and singing and widening their friendships. Sunday they will be performing a set of Funny Friendly Songs loaded with surprises and many solos, small groups, and whole group songs. This season we have kids from 4-9 years old and they will brighten anyone's day. Join us for such funny Songs like Icky Sticky and Ooey Gooey and The Elephant Song and some songs to warm your heart, like Peace In My Fingers and Swimming to the Other Side. Then we will take a winter break and return in the spring to prepare a musical version of "Make Way for Ducklings." So if you know any ducklings who would like to be in it, please contact me, at [email protected] |
Why I Do the Happy Valley Children's Chorus
Posted on November 21, 2015 at 7:53 AM |
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Bridges: The Unexpected happens here!
Posted on September 14, 2015 at 7:46 AM |
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