Special thanks to my choral colleague
Robert
for creating the midi file of Franz Biebl's
Ave Maria
that is playing in the background.
This was the closing piece from our Summer 1998 concert.
As soon as I figure out how to do it, I will include the actual choral track
from the CD which we produced from this concert.

We cut only 100 CD's from this concert, & they went like hotcakes!
We have ordered an additional 1,000 copies of the CD, which are now available.
If you should have any interest in purchasing a copy of the CD,
drop me an email with your name, full address, & email address
and I will contact you with purchasing information. If my memory serves
me correctly, the cost is $16, plus shipping and handling.

For 5 years, I was a member of a
wonderful choral ensemble named
  The James River Singers   

Click HERE to visit the James River Singers website for more information.

I sadly had to leave The James River Singers in the fall of 2000
because of too many other commitments in my life.

Here is a sample of two of the texts from a 1998 concert,
Mid-winter waking, by Robert Graves and Tears by John Dowland,
both set to music by Morten Lauridsen (b. 1943):

Mid-winter waking Stirring suddenly from long hibernation I knew myselft once more a poet Guarded by timeless principalities Against the worm of death, this hillside haunting; And presently dared open both my eyes. O gracious, lofty, shone against from under, Back-of-the-mind-far clouds like towers; And you, sudden warm airs that blow Before the expected season of new blossom, While sheep still gnaw at roots and lambless go. Be witness that on waking, this mid-winter, I found her hand in mine laid closely Who shall watch out the Spring with me. We stared in silence all around us But found no winter anywhere to see.

Tears Weep you no more, sad fountains; What need you flow so fast? Look how the snowy mountains Heaven's sun doth gently waste! But my sun's heav'nly eyes View not your weeping, That now lies sleeping softly, Softly lies sleeping. Sleep is a reconciling, A rest that peace begets; Doth not the sun rise smiling When fair at even he sets? Rest you then, rest sad eyes! Melt not in weeping, While she lies sleeping softly, Now softly lies sleeping.

Now that I've included those 2 texts, I just have to include one more
that was one of my favorite pieces from that concert,
Sure on this shining night by James Agee,
set to music by Samuel Barber (1910-1981):

Sure on this shining night Sure on this shining night Of star-made shadows round, Kindness must watch for me This side the ground. The late year lies down the north. All is healed, all is health. High summer holds the earth. Hearts are whole. Sure on this shining night I weep for wonder, Wandering far alone Of shadows on the stars.

Well, piffle! Having done that much, I may as well include 3 more!

Let down the bars, O death Text: Emily Dickinson Music:Samuel Barber (1910-1981) Let down the bars, O Death! The tired flocks come in. Whose bleating ceases to repeat, Whose wandering is done. Thine is the stillest night, Thine the securest fold; Too near Thou art for seeking Thee, Too tender to be told. Let down the bars, O Death! The tired flocks come in.

Come to me Text & Music: Lisa Dowling (b. 1974) Come to me, my only love, like rain, My soul is parched and dry like desert ground, Wash away all memory of pain, Soothe the creases of my worried brow. Come to me, my only love, like wine, Stain my lips the red of your desire, Quench my heart and quench my burning mind, Fill my veins with liquid sweet as fire. Come to me, my only love, like tears, Well up from secret places deep inside. Cry my joy! Chase away all fears, Humble me in all my foolish pride, and I will drink you, tears and rain and wine, More bittersweet than fruit from any vine.

Heaven — haven (A Nun takes the veil) Text: Gerard Manley Hopkins Music:Samuel Barber (1910-1981) I have desired to go where springs not fail, To fields where flies no sharp and sided hail, A few lilies blow. And I have asked to be where no storms come, Where the green swell is in the havens dumb, And out of the swing of the sea.

Place your mouse pointer over the image below :-Þ

Hi there! Salut! I'm Jean-Marc (a/k/a Ron).

I joined the world of personal web pages some time ago, and have still not completely set up house yet, as you can see. LOL!!

My interests are many, but some of them are:

Theology, biblical studies, archaeology, Music (organ [I am an organist — no comments, please!], classical, et al.), Languages (French [my favorite!], German, Swedish, ASL, etc.), Flora & Fauna (especially felines & reptiles — I am a guest in the home of Cognac (Brandy) & Clancy [feline landladies! They both are fluent in English & French, by the way!], Sir Rex the Eastern King Snake, a stunning Corn Snake, Willow, & an equally beautiful Yellow Rat Snake, Legolas; (I'm sure you just can't wait for pictures of the entire family!); Yoga, Fitness, Swimming (I LOVE the ocean!), Tennis, having Quality Friends, & most of all, having a wonderful Family of Choice!!.

This is my King Snake, Rex. And, yes, those ARE reading glasses on me! Rex likes to sit around my shoulders while I work at the computer. He's really very docile & friendly! And he doesn't bite, unless he is seriously provoked. And trust me: You don't want to provoke him! He's a constrictor, he's 5'6", and very strong! Don't be afraid. He really is very sweet. (And, of course, many people are afraid of snakes and think I am totally crazy! I suppose I have always had a soft spot for the misunderstood.)

I began practicing Hatha Yoga about 13 years ago,
and have been teaching now for 3 years. I received my training from
Nora Vimala Soler Pozzi,
the Director of the Richmond Integral Yoga^® Institute.
I have taught classes for the Richmond IYI,
and I also teach regularly at the main YMCA and at the Jewish Community Center.

It is truly a privilege & a delight for me to do this.
Thank you, Vimala, for your friendship, love, and guidance!

Click the image above to visit the Integral Yoga® Institute's home page
where you can find information on all the yoga courses offered by the Institute
in the Richmond area, along with other information about yoga.

And by the way, I am also into computers! I run my own computer business,
Educational Computer Consulting, Inc.
and soon I will add a link here describing what I do. So come back later and I will have added some more to this page!

My favorite quote in all of secular literature is:

«On ne voit bien qu'avec le cœur;
l'essentiel est invisible pour les yeux.»

“We only see well with the heart;
to the eyes is invisible the essential part!”

«Le Petit Prince» by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

Over 25 years ago, I began working on my own English translation of this priceless French tale.
Even though it has long since been completed, I have been unable to find any publisher
who will publish my version. I know I am biased, but the existing translation (made in 1944)
is filled with errors and in no way reflects the feeling of the original French text,
which is pure prose poetry.

Just as an example, the English translation of the quote above is from my text.
The published edition renders that marvelous phrase of lovely French poetry as:

“It is only with the heart that one can see rightly;
what is essential is invisible to the eye.”

The meaning is all there, but where is the poetry?
You be the judge..... Which translation do you prefer???

Of course, I'M not in the least biased! (GRIN!) Oh well...

If anyone has any suggestions about publishing, please let me know! Thanks!

Click the mailbox to send me an email message. I love to get mail!! :-Þ

Here's one of many favorite quotes from C. S. Lewis I'd like to share:

Of all tyranies, a tyranny exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It may be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron’s cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience.... To be cured against one’s will and cured of states which we may not regard as disease is to be put on a level with those who have not yet reached the age of reason.... You start being kind to people before you had considered their rights, and then force upon them supposed kindnesses which they in fact had a right to refuse, and finally kindnesses which no one but you will recognize as kindnesses and which the recipient will feel as abominable cruelties. From God in the Dock

And here is a marvelous quote from Nelson Mandela:

Our Deepest Fear

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our Light, not our Darkness, that most frightens us.
We ask ourselves, “Who am I to be brilliant,
gorgeous, talented, fabulous?”
Actually, who are you NOT to be?
You are a child of God.

Your playing small does not serve the world.
There is nothing enlightening about shrinking
So that other people won't feel unsure around you.
We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.
It is not just in some of us; it is in everyone!

As we let our own Light shine, we unconsciously give
Other people permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our own fear,
Our presence automatically liberates others.

Nelson Mandela, 1994, at his inaguration.
Originally attributed to Marianne Williamson.

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Please come back soon and visit me. I'll have more for you,
including pictures, poetry, bio stuff (yawn....),
and other goodies, very soon!

(After I get a better grip [pun intended - LOL!] on things, including HTML!!)

There are only

Forgive my mentioning this, but I just had to play around
with the Java Script that calculates this!

Please sign my guestbook to let me know you were here!

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Let me know if there is anything in particular that you would like for me to post here!
I'm very open to suggestions, since I am a novice at this! Thanks!

I leave you with this prayer, which is offered by
practioners of Hatha Yoga everywhere:

May the entire Universe
be filled with
Peace and Joy,
Love and Light.
May the Light of Truth
overcome all darkness.
Victory to that Light!

OM Shanti! — OM Peace!