Professor Carol

I failed Garlic 101 twice this year. First, I ran myself silly in June trying to find garlic to plant in my garden. It turns out garlic is planted in the autumn. Fancy that! Strike One. So filled with good intentions, I sought out websites … Read more

Ruth Bennett introduced herself to me in the early 1990s at the end of a pre-concert lecture I presented for the Van Cliburn Series. Her actual words I do not recall, but the force of her perceptive wit struck me instantly. Oh, how grand it … Read more

First, a festive reminder.  Tonight is the Eve of St. Nicholas Day. Thus, in anticipation of December 6th, children all over the world will put out their shoes tonight in hopes of receiving a few sweets or trinkets. Note I have used the words “few” … Read more

This time of year draws us towards wispy images of snow-covered hamlets, fragrant scents, and old melodies. Fitting such a seasonal atmosphere well is John Jacob Nile’s haunting song I Wonder as I Wander. It may sound like what we can call an ”antique” melody—a … Read more

A Disclaimer If you introduce the short aria “This Is My Box” from Amahl and the Night Visitors into your children’s lives (yours too, for that matter), the following may result: Disruption of otherwise normal moments by hilarious interjections of “This is my box” or … Read more

Blink. The electricity goes off and we fall into a tizzy. Kids fret over the loss of the Internet, mom worries about the food in the freezer, and someone voices the concern: “How are we gonna charge our phones?” The calmest adult will start looking … Read more

Let’s start with a bit of music, a Noël written by an early 18th-century French composer Louis-Claude Daquin.  Is this what you were expecting to hear? Likely not! The word noël leads most of us to expect voices singing something similar to a familiar … Read more

Have you ever said: “I wish December could be less frantic?” Well, this December will be less frantic—in ways no one would have wished. It’s Advent Lockdown. Depending on where you live, Advent Lockdown could mean specific disappointments like a beloved theatrical performance that will … Read more

Today we celebrate the first Sunday of Advent 2020. In a year where few things have been normal, the arrival of Advent offers a reassuring manifestation of normalcy and comfort. For those who celebrate Christmas within a liturgical framework, Advent is significant. The Western Christian … Read more