So much for my football picks. The Superbowl should be a good matchup though...

I've had a few interesting projects this month. Last weekend was a read-through/recording session of some new choral works by Philadelphia area choral composers. The works were all really nice and it was fun to work in a smaller ensemble rather than getting lost in a huge group. Although, that was kind of nice when I felt like slacking during my senior year at the choir college...

This week is a hodgepodge sort of affair, the 150th anniversary of Philadelphia's Academy of Music. I get to sing backup for Ben Heppner and Deborah Voigt and, get this, Rod Stewart. Can't say I'm excited about that last part, but it'll be cool to do the opera things. There are some other famous guests, most notably Prince Charles and Camilla. I'm thinking of ripping my tails off in the middle and parading in my England football shirt. Probably not the best idea I guess...

There are lots of other crazy things brewing in this head of my mine that may or may not find their way onto here. How's that for a teaser?

Round-up

So it looks as if David Beckham's gone Hollywood, signing with the LA Galaxy of Major League Soccer this week. In addition to getting loads of money, he'll be able to flourish in an environment far away from the talking heads of European football. Still, a five year contract for a guy who's 31? He's still playing well but I can't see him still performing at a high level at 36. Maybe if Posh and Becks are ever in Philly I'll invite them round for a nice cuppa...

In other sporting news, the Philadelphia Eagles are still alive in the NFL playoffs. Tomorrow is a slightly more worrying game than last week, as the New Orleans Saints are a far better club than the Giants. The Eagles have a good chance, but they are definitely the underdogs in this game.

Uniting my two loves, this week I sang as part of a pickup choir for a TV special put together by NFL films to air on Super Bowl Sunday. Expect lots of slow motion hits and beautiful spiralling passes to the accompaniment of dramatic brass and percussion (and our inspired "oohs" and "ahs" on top). First the UK Snooker championship last year (snooker related Christmas carols filmed around York on BBC) and now this. If I could sing at a Phillies game that would be ace.

I saw 'Dreamgirls' this week and was slightly taken aback with how much I enjoyed it. The production values were stunning and some of the performances (Jennifer Hudson, Beyonce, and Eddie Murphy especially) were really top notch. I don't usually like excessive heart-on-sleeve singing displays, but in the context of the drama it was quite effective. Should I admit that when Jennifer Hudson sang the barnburner "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" I found myself brushing away tears? Anytime you can go to the cinema and be reached that viscerally, there's something good there. Of course the damn song has been in my head for the rest of the week...

I promise to write a post of some substance...soon.

Thoughts on football

I've watched more of the college bowl games this year than I have in the past and have noticed a few things: College football defenses give up more big plays than their NFL counterparts. Hence, the large number of high scoring games. Personally, I like big defensive stands and great coverage. On the flip side, college football offenses are more likely to use trick plays on important downs. Those two big plays in the Boise State game were sure fun to watch.

The NFL playoffs, beginning this weekend, should have some interesting twists and turns. Look for some of the teams with the best records to be knocked off by scrappier clubs. AFC: I still don't think this is the Colts' year - in fact there may not be a Colts' year in Peyton Manning's tenure. The Chargers, while the best overall club, could still cave to Baltimore's defense. Also, don't count out the Patriots; They have the advantage going to the playoffs with so much experience and Yoda as a head coach. My pick: Baltimore. NFC: Cowboys and Giants will lose and the Saints' impossible dream will end. Seattle hasn't been great this year. Rex Grossman kind of stinks. Who does that leave? E-A-G-L-E-S!

In a lot of ways, this year's NFL season was overshadowed by events which happened off the field: TO's overdose, half of the Bengals being arrested, members of the Bears being gun-enthusiasts, and the unfortunate death of Broncos' cornerback Darrent Williams. What's going on here? And whose job is it to stop these things from happening?