Clay Aiken Fans Wrap for Inclusion

BEST IS YET TO COME -- As the Wrapping for Inclusion campaign winds down, Clay Aiken fans look to 2010 and the singer's new album with Decca Records. Graphic by cindilu2.

Holiday Introduction to Inclusion

WFI Raises Funds, Awareness

We are, as they say, the product of the choices we make. I challenge each of you to make the choice that leads to full access, celebrating the human rights we all deserve. When you see a child in a wheelchair, will you choose to see the child? Or the chair?

When you stand in the presence of someone who cannot speak, will you choose to hear only silence? Or will you choose the tapestry that is found in the language without words?

When you’re facing parenting or teaching a child with a disability, will you choose to be overwhelmed by the challenges? Or will you choose to recognize a different kind of hero who brings you one of life’s most precious gifts, hope?" -- Clay Aiken, Voices for Change, 2005

No fundraiser of the National Inclusion Project, founded six years ago by Clay Aiken and Diane Bubel, parallels a unique, nationwide appeal with one-on-one introductions to the foundation's mission better than the Christmas season's Wrapping for Inclusion campaign.

As stated on the foundation's website, the goals of the volunteer WFI effort seek to raise awareness and support for the National Inclusion Project, spread holiday cheer, and have fun. In compiling experiences from some of this season's wrappers, I would say the participants are accomplishing all of the above.

Originally the Buble/Aiken Foundation, the National Inclusion Project underwent a name change in 2009 to better identify its purpose.

You can learn more about the programs, resources, and activities for making a difference through the National Inclusion Project by visiting the charity's website. Our Story outlines the organization's history. Specifics on the holiday project are available at the WFI link.

These reports from three Clay Aiken message boards have been abbreviated but not much. There are hundreds of CA fan boards with equally compelling experiences to share from WFI this season. I hope others will be add theirs in the comment section.

PLAYBILLER: I worked a WFI stand alone in a book store. There was not much action, the store paper was not very festive, so most people were asking directions to the rest rooms.

One man came by, looked at the banner, had two gifts wrapped, and donated. He reacted to the usual spiel about this wonderful organization with a knowing nod. He returned later with another book to be wrapped and commented that he has a disabled child and understands the need and benefits of inclusion.

We talked about how the typical child is helped by being in an inclusive environment. While wrapping still another book, I told him about the K-12 syllabus. He said he was aware of it and that his son was not in the norm spectrum.

The word "spectrum" alerted us that he is well aware of the work needed for inclusion. He talked about the difficulties he confronted before his town finally got with the program.

We mentioned the grant program for disabled children to participate in community aid. He then told us that his eight-year-old son, determined that all children receive toys this Christmas, asked his friends to donate used and "lightly used" toys.

The project became a very successful school program, and a rental truck was needed to deliver the toys. We congratulated the proud father on his amazing son and urged him to contact TNIP and tell his story.

It was the perfect end to the day. Stories like this make me think that the name change was a very good idea. People can see in the name just what the foundation stands for -- inclusion.

Making a Difference: Graphic by AmazingCA, photos by Tasapio

AIKIM: The best thing Clay ever did was change the name of the Foundation because the word "inclusion" is like a magnet. Today two women saw the word, and their eyes lit up. They both have boys with autism and were very interested in the Foundation and its work.

We had lovely conversations with them, and that is what it is all about -- getting the word out and seeing the interest.

CLAYLOVE: Friday I had two groups of volunteers signed up for shifts at Borders while I was at work. Unfortunately, one of the scheduled wrappers did not show up, leaving a volunteer who is hearing-impaired to manage the shift.

Instead of texting me in a panic, she contacted a friend who is also hearing-impaired but has some limited hearing and speech abilities to come work with her.

The two worked the four-hour shift completely on their own and communicated quite well with the public using alternative methods such as writing on pads and passing them back and forth, pointing, using hand gestures, etc.

The volunteer and her friend may not have been able to describe in audible words what the National Inclusion Project does, but they represented the mission of full inclusion beautifully. They did a fantastic job, and I hope both pf them will join us again next year.

RCKNRLLMOM: Nine days of wrapping and four to go, weather permitting! I wrapped one present for a woman, and she asked about our charity. When I said "National Inclusion Project," she exclaimed, "Oh!" ... and gave me $20.

This season we have enjoyed working with young people, and they have said how much fun the project is. My daughter explained to a man about the NIP, and he told her of his nephew who was included and how he was able to keep up with other kids. The man asked if he could just make a small donation that might put a smile on a child's face.

In the photo of our mall setup, you can see a couple of the guys who volunteered. The mall gives us the space and tables every year at no cost to us.

Today a couple of people asked me if I ever go home, LOL!

Double-click to expand WFI in Mason City, IA - Photo by Rcknrllmom

RHODE ISLAND FAN: Last night was my first time to wrap for inclusion. When I explained that supporters are Wrapping for Inclusion all over the country, people are very impressed. Their faces lit up when we outlined the goals of the National Inclusion Project.

One man explained he is very pleased about the project because his son has Downs Syndrome. Another woman told us of her niece who is blind and has participated in inclusive camps.

RI is the smallest state, and it turns out I taught at the school the niece attended 10 years ago. I was so happy to learn that she will be entering college as a freshman to major in journalism.

A lovely young teenager picked up our information card. Even though she didn't have anything to be wrapped, she beamed as she read about the project and showed it to her mother as they left the store.

It felt so good that not only were we raising money for the project, but we were also getting the voice of the project heard.

Every year since 2004 Clay has been such an important part of my Christmas because of his beautiful songs and his concerts and because of who he is.

Now WFI will also be a part of my Christmas every year. I look forward to doing it again next year. It's one of those times where you get more than you give.

A Man of Heart: Graphic by Clayquebec1, photo by Invisible926

CABLEGIRL: I have wrapped everyday, each with new volunteers and new adventures. Saturday was a long 12-hour day with three different sets of volunteers working four-hour shifts.

The first group included two sisters and a woman who just moved from Texas to Illinois and loves the snow. They are very nice ladies who really got into the wrapping and loved what the Project is doing.

My second group of thee included a mother and her two daughters. The older daughter, a sophomore and part of a new local youth service group. She signed up and convinced her sister and mother to join her. Last summer she helped build homes in Costa Rica.

The last group of three were teens, two boys and a girl from a local church service group. The boys were not the best of wrappers, but they tried. I asked them if they would switch with me and be the ones to stand by the door and direct people over to our wrapping area. They jumped at the chance.

We were located in a Barnes & Noble store that was really busy and so were we. The customers we wrapped for were in a festive mood, generous, and impressed with the work the Project is doing. The conversations generated by the word INCLUSION in the name have been incredible.

A few folks Saturday knew a child with a disability. The one that stands out most from this full day was the woman who, after we discussed the Project and what the NIP does, talked about her son who is disabled.

She became very emotional and with tears in her eyes said, "Thank you, thank you for what you are doing and for what the NIP is doing. You have made my day, and you should be proud of yourselves."

To Touch a Heart: Graphic by AmazingCA, photo by dc4clay

AIKIM: At the end of the evening Saturday, we were preparing to close up when a woman stopped with several gifts to be wrapped. While wrapping, we told her about the Project. She was very interested and then became quite emotional telling us about her brother with special needs and how much the Project would have meant to him when he was younger.

She described their attempts to send him to camp and then being told to take him home. He is 19 now, but she was so excited about The Project that she actually volunteered right then to help us wrap next year and took information to pass out at her church.

She left us names and numbers and said her mother would also be interested. It was such a wonderful and heartwarming way to end the evening. We are very excited to have additional wrappers next year because this means we can schedule more days!

SUEREU: It's wonderful to talk about the Project. Most people are so impressed with the mission and the vision. It makes me very proud to be a fan of Clay Aiken.

While I was wrapping, a woman who has a disabled child was thrilled to see the word "inclusion" in the name. She's been working hard to make it a part of the vocabulary of the schools her child attends.

I finished up my third round of WFI Sunday. As we were getting ready to leave, my 11-year-old son pulled $5 out of his pocket, part of his Christmas present from his grandparents, and placed it in the donation jar. I told him that was very kind and he just looked at me and said "I believe in the cause, and I want to help".

I wish I could thank Clay personally for everything that he's given not only to me but to my family. My son is now giving without blinking an eye because it's the right thing to do.

2010 National Inclusion Project Calendar cover

Calendar Raises $718 for Inclusion

The 2010 National Inclusion Project calendar produced for CA fans by Rosa Shurtz raised a total of $718. Included with the check mailed to Aron Hall at NIP headquarters in Raleigh was a list of names and addresses of those participating in the fundraiser.

According to Rosa's report, 111 calendars featuring photos by toni7babe were sold. Theh cover is shown in the picture above.

Below is a clickable of cindilu2's opening graphic:

Wishing all a joyous Christmas Week!

Recitals Celebrate Christmas Season

MUSICAL GREETING -- A Beautiful Mind created the MCWL holiday graphic with a Clay Aiken photo taken by fivegoldens during a Joyful Noise concert.

Merry Christmas With Love

Student Recitals Greet Holidays

Holiday student recitals have become a giant "Merry Christmas With Love" greeting card, celebrating the season and honoring the parents who make music lessons possible throughout the year.

From scheduling and supporting to coaching, encouraging, and cajoling, parents play vital roles in the music lesson cycle. This week's performers represent young musicians from my home studio and Wesleyan Christian Academy's program.

In this blog's intermission, Clay Aiken sings holiday greetings in a montage of "Merry Christmas with Love," title track of his 2004 holiday album. The platinum MCWL was recognized by Billboard as the Best Selling Christmas Album of 2004 and the Best Selling Christian Album of 2005.

Pianists Play to Packed House

In Wednesday's holiday recital, piano students played to a living room packed with a friendly audience of 21 receptive parents, siblings, and friends.

All available seats -- sofa, chairs, bass stool, floor pillows -- were crowded into the modest "concert hall" for the occasion. Appropriately, an old stool once belonging to our family's musical matriarch was even called into service.

The program consisted of a variety of holiday songs mixed with piano literature, a show tune ("Beauty and the Beast"), and an original composition by Caleb, sixth grade student, entitled "Arabian Knight."

Perhaps the most excited performer was Chase, who has studied less than a month at the academy. He and his five guests arrived early, so I asked if he would like to practice our duet selections and try out the grand piano.

As he approached the bench, I noticed his arms were visibly shaking. Touching his wrists, I asked if he was nervous; but he shook his head, "No, just cold!" Sure enough, the minute we started playing he was cool, calm, and collected. No doubt, one or more of his guests captured his piano debut on camera.

Musicians Boost Holiday Repertoire

Since we have devoted much of December to Christmas music, most students have acquired an extensive repertoire of carols and holiday tunes to share with their families during the school break.

The afternoon's final performer was Emily, a high school senior who was 10 minutes late due to extra heavy traffic. Almost everyone hung around to hear her play a Rocherolle arrangement of "What Child Is This?" and the exposition of Mozart's Sonata in F, K. 332.

Imagine the expression on this student's face as she stepped into a room filled with a wall-to-wall audience quietly waiting. Calmly, Emily put down an armful of literature books, reversed the order of her pieces, and warmed up with the slower, softer carol. Later at her piano lesson, senior cool evaporated and she exclaimed to the teacher, "Now that was pressure!!!"

This teacher is always pleased when musicality shines through. Despite some nerves, dynamic differences, shadings, and echoes were present. High fives to Jeremy, Noah, Chase, Christian, Jessicca, Joseph, Caleb, and Emily for the gifts they shared with their families and each other.

Merry Christmas with Love - Montage by iloveclay101

Clay Aiken's Merry Christmas with Love CD was released by RCA Records on Nov. 16, 2004. The album was re-released on Aug. 18, 2009 on the Sony label and is available through Amazon and other online sites.

Featuring videos by Hippoga, SecretlyLovesClay, Scarlett, and Clack Unlimited from the 2004-06 Joyful Noise tours and television appearances, the Merry Christmas With Love montage by iloveclay101 can also be viewed at YouTube.

Written by Greg Wayne Davis and Bill Smiley, the MCWL was first recorded by Sandi Patti for a 1983 Christmas album.

Merry Christmas With Love

She leaned with her head on the window
Watching evergreen bend in the snow
Remembering Christmas the way it had been
So many seasons ago.

When children would reach for their stockings
And open the presents they found
The lights on the tree would shine bright in their eyes
Reflecting the love all around.

This year there's no one to open the gifts
No reason for trimming the tree
And just as a tear made it's way to the floor
She heard voices outside start to sing.

Merry Christmas to all who may dwell here
Merry Christmas if even just one
May the joy of the season surround you
Merry Christmas with love.

Carolers sang as she opened the door
Faces of friends in the crowd
And all of the shadows of lonely reminders
Driven away by the sound.

Now the heart that for years had been silent
Was suddenly filled with a song
As she clung to their hands like a child in the night
She found her self singing along.

Merry Christmas to all who may dwell here
Merry Christmas if even just one
May the joy of the season surround you
Merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas to all who may dwell here
Merry Christmas if even just one
May the joy of the season surround you
Merry Christmas with love!

Below are clickables of MCWL graphics by AmazingCA, photos by Riversend, 1; A Beautiful Mind, photo by fivegoldens, 2; and Ambassador of Love, photo by toni7babe, 3.

Strings Share Holiday Sounds

Thursday's program starred a trio of sixth grade violinists, one who started just last summer. Video for a grandmother unable to attend commenced at the downbeat. Although smaller in numbers, Thursday's audience still created plenty of applause.

For this session, students usually rehearse for 30 minutes and perform during the second half of the class. Sharing harmony lines and solo sections, the trio played nine carols, opening with "Adeste Fidelis" and ending with "We Wish You a Merry Christmas." Suzuki, Handel, and Lully were also represented as each programmed a piece from her fall literature studies.

To me, a heartening note was the young ensemble playing together for the first time and sounding as if we had a week of intense rehearsals under our belts. Applause to Anna, Erica, and Ora, whose afternoon of joyful music set the tone for the season.

Students Lobby for Gift Bag Goodies

As an aside, the contents of the annual gift bags from the teacher apparently have attained levels of monumental importance. Students know that a new pencil for marking music is an automatic.

However, the past week's lessons yielded some intense lobbying in the stream of hints for such goodies as hot chocolate with marshmallows, candy canes, and pop corn.

The colorful bags decorating the grand piano earlier this week are now gone. Hopefully, their contents and the music learned for the Christmas season will be re-opened often in the coming days.

A Beautiful Mind surprised me with these Christmas designs of grandchildren Kai and Lia.

Have you performed in a holiday student recital, been the music teacher, the parent, or all of the above? Do share your experiences in a comment below.

Have a wonderful week, all. Merry Christmas With Love!

Aiken Songs Impart Holiday Message

Don't Save It All for Christmas Day - Montage by SueReu

Don't Save It All for Christmas Day

Montages Give Season Meaning

One of the most meaningful messages of the holiday season is located in what has become a signature song for Clay Aiken -- "Don't Save It All for Christmas Day."

The montage Four Years of Don't Save It All for Christmas Day by SueReu highlights CA performances of the song from 2004-07 with video credits to American Idol, Spotlightlover, LauraQ, and Jojoct. Download the montage with this Sendspace link.

Co-written by Celine Dion, the single was covered by Clay on his popular Merry Christmas with Love CD of 2004. Following the DSIAFCD lyrics, a new montage by Aspiegirl continues the year-round theme.

Don't Save It All For Christmas Day

Don't get so busy that you miss
Giving just a little kiss
To the ones you love
And don't even wait a little while
To give them a little smile
A little is enough

How many people are crying
Some people are dying...
How many people are askin’ for love

Don't save it all for Christmas Day
Find a way
To give a little love everyday

Don't save it all for Christmas Day
Find a way
Cause holidays have come and gone
But love lives on
If you give on
Love...

How could you wait another minute
A hug is warmer when you're in it
Oh Baby that's a fact
And saying "I love you's" always better
Seasons, reasons, they don't matter
So don't hold back
How many people in this world
So needful in this world
How many people are praying for love

Don't save it all for Christmas Day
Find a way
To give a little love everyday
Don't save it all for Christmas Day
Find a way
Cause holidays have come and gone
But love lives on
If you give on
Give love…..

Let all the children know
Everywhere that they go
Their whole life long
Let them know love

Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh [sung over Don't save it all for Christmas Day]
Yeah, and give a little love everyday

Don't save it all for Christmas Day
Find a way
Cause holidays have come and gone

[fading]
Don't save it all for Christmas Day
Find a way
To give a little love everyday

Don't save it all for Christmas Day
Find a way
Cause holidays have come and gone

Montage Focuses on Children in Need

In her new montage, Aspiegirl featured Clay's "duet" with Bing Crosby from the 2003 Nick at Night Holiday Special. In the preface at YouTube, she shared some of the research that preceded the creation of this Little Drummer Boy montage.

The video opens with children forced to beg for money in the streets of New Delhi, India. Their enforcers profit greatly from the young beggars.

The young boy at the end of the montage is from America. As the video shows, many people walk by, turning a blind eye to what is going on.

Little Drummer Boy - Montage by Aspiegirl

In addition to the CA clips, Aspiegirl credited YouTube videographers Radiationzzzz, neoguri808, and InflationUS. You can download the Little Drummer Boy montage with this Sendspace.

Mother Nature Ushers in Cantata

This weekend (Saturday morning rehearsal and two Sunday morning services) I am playing oboe in the annual Lessons and Carols program at Jamestown United Methodist Church. As always, it's a family affair with my sister and niece on flute and my brother-in-law conducting the 72 choristers, 32-piece orchestra, and 16-member handbell choir.

The program includes the rhythmic and spirited ("Carol to the King," "Rejoice and Be Merry," "Masters in This Hall"), the quiet and expressive ("How Far Is It to Bethlehem," "What Child Is This," "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel"), and even a West Indian carol in calypso style, "The Virgin Mary Had a Baby Boy."

The only damper on this program is the fact that Mother Nature seems to have saved all the rain for cantata day. The weather forecast Sunday morning registers at 90-100% chance for an all-out downpour. Performers and congregation will start the service somewhere between drenched and damp.

POSTSCRIPT: Despite the weather obstacles, the dampened musicians presented a program of glorious, uplifting music. The large sanctuary was packed with extra chairs added in the vestible, but the second service was still standing room only!

Have a wonderful week, Clay Nation!

Clay Aiken Montage Spans 4 Tours

Clay Aiken: O Holy Night and More
Montage by SueReu

Joyful Noise 2004-07

Cyber Tour Embraces New Video

In one fell swoop, SueRue's new montage of Clay Aiken singing "O Holy Night" and 'O Come, O Come, Emmanuel" steered the "virtual tour" bus through seven concert performances across the country and four holiday seasons, 2004-07.

OHN videos included are Atlanta 04 (Scarlett); Louisville 05 (Secretly Loves Clay), Portland 05 (Spotlightlover); and Erie 07 (Scarlett). The 2006 Emmanuel videos by SLC are from the Red Bank, Englewood, and Williamsport concerts.

Clickable OHN screen cap
Secretly Loves Clay/SueRue

My students and I have performed both songs in a variety of solo and ensemble settings. The Russell Mauldin arrangement of "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel" will be part of the Lessons and Carols choral-orchestral program my oboe and I will play this weekend.

The histories of O Holy Night and Emmanuel could not be more different. These brief background sketches are from Wikipedia:

"O Holy Night" ("Cantique de Noël") is a well-known Christmas carol composed by Adolphe Adam in 1847 to the French poem "Minuit, chrétiens" (Midnight, Christians) by Placide Cappeau (1808-1877), a wine merchant and poet. Cappeau was asked by a parish priest to write a Christmas poem. It has become a standard modern carol for solo performance with an operatic finish.

In the carol, the singer recalls the birth of Jesus. It was translated into English by Unitarian minister John Sullivan Dwight, editor of Dwight's Journal of Music in 1855, and lyrics also exist in other languages.

On 24 December 1906, Reginald Fessenden, a Canadian inventor, broadcast the first AM radio program, which included him playing "O Holy Night" on the violin.

"O Come, O come, Emmanuel" is a translation of the Catholic Latin text ("Veni, veni, Emmanuel") by John Mason Neale in the mid-19th century. It is a metrical version of a collation of various Advent Antiphons (the acrostic O Antiphons), which now serves as a popular Advent and Christmas hymn.

Its origins are unclear, it is thought that the antiphons are from at least the 8th Century, but "Veni, veni Emmanuel" may well be 12th Century in origin.

The text is based on the biblical prophesy from Isaiah 7:14 that states that God will give Israel a sign that will be called Immanuel (Lit.: God with us). Matthew 1:23 states fulfillment of this prophecy in the birth of Jesus of Nazareth.

It is believed that the traditional music stems from a 15th Century French processional for Franciscan nuns, but it may also have 8th Century Gregorian origins.

In addition to the player above, Clay Aiken - O Holy Night and More can be viewed at YouTube. You can download the montage with this Sendspace link.

PHOTO INTERLUDE: These clickables highlight the 2007 Christmas in the Heartland Tour. Included are AmazingCA 's graphic, photos by Riversend, 1; concert photos by Five Goldens, 2, and Invisible926, 3; graphic by cindilu2, photos by toni7babe, 4; and ACA's graphic, photos by ClayIzzaQT, 5.

Internet 'Aunties' Create Montages

With the huge bundle of photos and videos received during Thanksgiving Weekend, two online "aunties" -- Ashes and Aspiegirl -- surprised me with montages of grandchildren Kai and Lia.

Punchy from a full day of visiting, the two were entertaining themselves before bedtime. Thankfully, their mother grabbed her camera.

Lia giggles throughout most of the montage by Ashes. Upon receiving a preview, a North Dakota auntie-friend suggested that Kai is his sister's personal comedian, while a Canadian counterpart remarked, "You can't help but laugh out loud when babies laugh right from the bottom of their tummy. Kai is really a great little brother!"

Montage by Auntie Ashes

Big brother, who has always been intrigued with buttons on all devices, understands speed-dialing, last caller, redial, etc., at aged 2. Last week Poppy, in the midst of substituting at a local high school, was flabbergasted to receive a phone call from our two-year-old grandson. I need to make sure he knows Grandma Caro's number, too!

Aspiegirl's montage, which also incorporates scenes from Kai's first year, is accompanied by Clay singing "On the Wings of Love." Many thnx to our grandchildren's special, talented aunties!

Montage by Auntie Aspiegirl

12/11 ADDENDUM: Happy Birthday to the mother of Kai and Lia! In years past, I have blogged about the mid-December morning that Santa came early. The 2006 entry was titled Musical Weekend Alters Birthday.

Have a wonderful week celebrating this holiday season, Clay Nation!

Aiken Fans Board 'Virtual Tour' Bus

HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS -- Clay Aiken celebrates the finale of the Joyful Not a Tour with a performance in Greensboro two days before Christmas 2006. Photo by Shine in NC.

Vaulted Videos Celebrate Season

Music, Fun, Culture Define JNaT

Even though there are no Joyful Noise dates scheduled for 2009, Clay Aiken fans have enough videos in the vault from previous years to celebrate the holiday season with December rewinds.

The Carolina blog's "virtual tour" bus hits the road for a look back at the musical, comedic, and educational highlights of the December 2006 Joyful Not a Tour.

Memorable vocals are a given when Clay & Company are on stage. The singer's genuine gift for bantering with audiences assures spontaneity, humor, and grins. The educational segments of the holiday symphony tour were Clay's nightly lessons of "fancy Eye-talian" musical terms.

To relive the three-week tour, start with the first of Chardonnay's "Best of NACT Banter" montages. After viewing the opener, link to all 12 NACT videos at her YouTube Channel. The initial montage merges videos by Scarlett and jojoct from the Waukegan and Merrilville concerts.

Best of NACT Banter, Part 1 - Montage by Chardonnay

Snow Greets Tour Opener

Winter storms arrived in the Midwest for the opening curtain; but Clay, musical director Jesse Vargas, and the touring crew were soon treated to more pleasant weather as the entourage wound up and down the eastern seaboard Dec. 1 - 23, entertaining audiences on many levels.

Cousin Jamie Displays Word
Clickable by Cotton

Throughout the 2006 holiday tour, Clay returned to the classroom and taught fans a new musical term at each concert. The performances were beamed throughout Cyberspace, so the nightly lessons benefited fans in the theater as well as those listening at home.

The 18 musical terms introduced to JNaT audiences are listed below. With few exceptions, Clay's cousin Jamie walked across the stage holding up a sign bearing the name of the evening's "Eye-talian" term.

CAROLINA CROONER -- Clay dazzled the Greensboro audience and symphony musicians during the final JNaT concert. Photo by xxx4clay links to Spotlightlover's "Mary Did You Know?" video.

Violinist Shares Backstage Scenes

Since Greensboro is home base for me, I frequently play gigs with several of the symphony members performing in the final concert. The morning after the concert I talked with Jean, a violinist, about the orchestra's interaction with my favorite singer.

According to my friend, the Greensboro musicians really enjoyed working with Clay, who was "personable, professional, and lots of fun" during their rehearsal and dinner.

He arrived during the last half hour of the rehearsal and started singing where they were, checking sound and warming up. "He was very involved with the orchestra and sang to us during the rehearsal," she said.

Jean was surprised to learn the concert was beamed via cellcert throughout the US and Canada. As with most orchestras, Greensboro's JNaT audience was definitely out of the norm for symphony musicians.

Orchestra Players Pick Term

During dinner, Clay explained about the "musical term of the night" and asked for the orchestra's assistance in choosing an unusual definition. Every word they suggested had been used. Jean even knew about the "made up" term at the West Point Concert. When concertgoers began bringing music dictionaries to look up correct answers, Clay and crew "created" a term.

Talking amongst themselves, the Greensboro string section came up with flagioleto or flagioletto, which means "playing overtones with a slide touch of the string in the points where it is divided in two, three, and four equal parts." In the music, this is indicated with an "o" over the note.

A more recognizable description might be "playing harmonics." Basically, this happens by barely pressing the string while bowing versus firmly pressing the string on the fingerboard and bowing. The violin section demonstrated both sounds very effectively.

As with all concerts, Clay plugged the Greensboro Symphony's next performance, which was slated for Dec. 31. "What are you doing New Year's Eve?" he hinted to the local audience. "I'm not singing, just asking," he quipped, referencing the popular track on his 2004 Christmas CD, Merry Christmas With Love.

PHOTO INTERLUDE: The JNaT's final leg escorted Clay home for the holidays. Clickables from the tour's closing concerts are by photographers xxx4clay (1), All4Clay (2), Simonncharge (3), and ClaysCharlotteGirl (4), Greensboro; PinkCocoa/Ztilb (5, 6), Charlotte; and Clayzthe1, Norfolk, when Clay danced with his mother while singing "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?" (7).

JNaT Terms Educate Audiences

Musical terms for the nightly pedagogical segments of the 2006 tour are listed below. How many do you remember?

1. CRESCENDO (Merrillville) - Soft to loud.

2. DECRESCENDO (Merrillville) - Loud to soft.

3. FERMATA (Verona) - Held note.

4. SFORZANDO (Engelwood) - A sudden burst of sound on a chord.

5. TREMOLO (Baltimore) - Tremble; a string player shakes his bow reeeeaaal fast on the string for effect such as in scary music. Another set of definitions: (a) A tremulous effect produced by rapid repetition of a single tone. ( b) A similar effect produced by rapid alternation of two tones. A tremolo performed on a piano would be two notes one octave apart played in rapid succession, i.e., low E high E low E high E.

6. PIZZICATO (Norfolk) - I-talian (™CHA) term meaning "pinching." It is used for string instruments to indicate that the strings must be pinched instead of playing with the bow.

7. COL LEGNO (Williamsport) - "Playing with wood"!!! Bwah!!!

8. PONTICELLO (Wilkes Barre) - Playing close to the bridge of a stringed instrument

9. GLISSANDO (Easton) - Rapid scale passage produced by sliding over keys or strings, e.g. piano, harp, violin, trombone.

10. BISBIGLIANDO (Hartford) – Whispering, i.e., a special tremolo effect on the harp where a chord or note is rapidly repeated at a low volume. A fluttering of the strings of the harp.

11. FLUTTER TONE (Greenvale/Long Island) -- Jaimie's sign showed 'flutter-tone,' but the terms dictionary had 'flutter-tongue.' In wind instruments, a "coloristic" effect produced by the performer rolling "R" sound while playing.

12. MALLANCAZZIO (West Point) - Playing with the mouthpiece only. (The night of the MADE UP term!)

13. RALLENTANDO (RAL-lin-TAHN-doe) (Red Bank) - A directive to perform a certain passage of a composition with a gradual slowing of the tempo

14. SCORDATURA (skor-dah-TOOR-rah) (Detroit) - The practice of tuning the strings of a stringed instrument differently than the standard tuning. Scordatura is generally used to extend an instrument's range, or to make certain passages easier or more possible to perform; it is also used to achieve certain special effects. Scordatura was popular between 1600 and 1750, and is used rarely now.

15. MARCATO (Grand Rapids) - With strong accentuation, strongly accented.

16. SALTANDO (Jacksonville) - Proceeding in leaps or skips. In bowed string playing, a saltando is a technique of bouncing the bow across the strings, producing a rapid, staccato arpeggio.

17. TACET (Charlotte) - Don’t Play. An indication in the music that a performer is to be silent for some time. Typically, for an entire section or movement of a composition.

18. FLAGIOLETO (Greensboro) - Playing overtones with a slide touch of the string in the points where it is divided in two, three, and four equal parts. In the music, this is indicated with an "o" over the note. A more recognizable description might be "playing harmonics." Basically, this happens by barely pressing the string while bowing versus firmly pressing the string on the fingerboard and bowing. The violin section demonstrated both sounds very effectively.

Hope you enjoyed the JNaT rewind. Keep your bags packed; with vaults full of Clay Aiken Christmas performances, our bus will hit the virtual tour trail several times this holiday season!

Have a wonderful new week, Clay Nation!

Clay Aiken Music Heralds Holidays

DECEMBER DESIGN -- With the dawn of the year's final month, cindilu2 created a December 2009 calendar with and without dates. Clickables are in the interlude.

There's Music in the Air

Clay, Christmas Perfect Match

Ring Christmas bells ... Christmas time is here!

Evidence that Clay Aiken and Christmas music are synonymous is everywhere during the holiday season -- radio playlists, shopping mall speakers, loops of songs resounding from my computer.

The latter take a break during afternoon music lessons when violin/piano students are preparing for this season's holiday recitals. December is always such a fun month with technical studies, theory pages, and even legitimate literature take a back seat while we polish two programs of Christmas selections.

Most of the pianists will play duets with their teacher, and the violinists will enjoy playing carols in three-part harmony. The programs will also include a bit of Bach, Lully, Mozart, and Schumann as students perform solos from their fall studies.

The grand piano is scheduled for an early morning tuning Wednesday, after which housecleaning and decorating will top my TO DO list. On Dec. 16-17, my modest living room will once again realize its limitations as we host performers, parents, and siblings who don't mind sitting on floor pillows.

We have two weeks to weed out any wrong notes. Christmastime is here again!

Christmastime - Montage by Aspiegirl

The Christmastime montage by Aspiegirl features music and images from Clay Aiken's Joyful Noise Tour of 2005. I love this song, as the holiday preparations embody the activities of my music students and children everywhere. It also inspires visions of my grandchildren many miles away.

The montage can be viewed in the player above or at YouTube. These are the opening lyrics:

Christmastime Is Here

Ring Christmas bells
Ring them loud with the message bringing
Peace on the earth
Tidings of good cheer
Come carolers
Come and join with the angels singing
Joy to the world
Christmas time is here again

Children gather around and listen
You'll hear the sound
Of angels filling the sky
Telling everyone
Christmas time is here

Tree, Snowflake Flip Holiday Switch

Lighting of the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree and the UNICEF Snowflake annually signal the beginning of New York City's festive season. The snowflake's switch was flipped on Nov. 19, the eve of Universal Children's Day, and this December's tree lighting was Wednesday.

In 2004, Clay co-hosted and sang for the ceremonies at Rockefeller Center. He was joined by Darryl Dawkins for the 2006 lighting of the UNICEF snowflake.

Featured in the photo interlude are clickables of the December calendar and lead graphic, cindilu2, 1 and 5; Christmas in Rockefeller Center 2004, Fountaindawg, 2; Joyful Noise Tour 2005, Invisible926, 3; and the 2006 UNICEF Snowflake lighting, Clayquebec1, photos by butterflyshine, 4. For wide screen versions of cindilu2's graphics, link to her Yuku page.

A Special Thanksgiving for Kai, Lia

Any normal person with a TODO list like mine would stop right here and wish you a happy weekend, but I'm a grandmother with a few more photos to share. The clickable pictures of Kai and Lia were taken by their mother during a Thanksgiving gathering with friends.

Before Thanksgiving dinner, Kai took a
closer look at the Christmas tree.

... and roughhoused with the host's dog.

Fashionable in Christmas red, Lia carried her own
special gold spoon to the dinner. Then it was time
to rest: "Oh, could someone pass me a grape?"

Thursday I received the handsome 2010 Clay Aiken Calendar that Rosa Shurtz printed as a fundraiser for the National Inclusion Project. Like last year, she placed the final five calendars on Ebay and will sell the group to the highest bidder. This is an excellent gift for CA fans.

If you are interested, see Clay Aiken Calendar at Ebay. Bidding ends Sunday, Dec 6, at 14:05:26 PST. Each month features a different photo by toni7babe, all of whcih are visible at Ebay. Below is a clickable of the cover photo:

Many thnx to A Beautiful Mind for my festive siggy! Have a wonderful weekend, Clay Nation!

Clay Aiken Logs Global Fan Base

CITY LIGHTS -- Ashes featured a photo by PermaSwooned in this handsome graphic.

Fans Anticipate 2010 Album

Clay Aiken a Worldwide Success

Press on Clay Aiken's Nov. 30 birthday was especially positive, one article even going so far as to hint that Singer Man is contemplating trying his hand at a rap album.

This is from the MTV story about celebrity birthdays on Nov. 30:

Even if he didn't win "American Idol," there's no question that Clay Aiken is one of the most successful talents to emerge from Fox's musical phenomenon. From a number of widely acclaimed albums to a hilarious run on Broadway as Sir Robin in "Monty Python's Spamalot," Clay has deservedly earned attention and adoration from fans all around the world.

Honestly, there isn't much that Clay hasn't accomplished already in his relatively short career, though I'd personally love to see him try his hand at a rap album. Not only would it be hilarious, but I bet it'd be surprisingly good, too!

THE BEST IS YET TO COME! -- Graphic by cindilu2

An outstanding overview of Clay's entertainment career and humanitarian work was posted with birthday greetings on the American Idol News site:

Clay Aiken, the popular Season 2 runner-up, has done everything from releasing albums to touring to performing on Broadway to acting on TV. The 31-year-old Raleigh native's more recent debut is becoming a father to son Parker.

After a successful run on American Idol's second season, Clay was signed to RCA Records. He released five albums on the label, the multi-platinum debut album Measure of a Man in 2003, Merry Christmas with Love in 2004, A Thousand Different Ways in 2006, the 2006 EP All Is Well, and On My Way Here in 2008.

On March 31, 2009, Clay released Playlist: The Very Best of Clay Aiken, a compilation of some of his greatest hits which included "Solitaire" and "Bridge Over Troubled Water," songs that Clay sang as a contestant on American Idol.

Clay has launched eight tours and authored a New York Times best-selling book called Learning to Sing: Hearing the Music in Your Life. He's also had a number of television appearances including the 2004 televised Christmas special A Clay Aiken Christmas which he also executive produced, Scrubs, Saturday Night Live, and 30 Rock.

In January of 2008, Clay made his Broadway debut as Sir Robin in Monty Python's Spamalot. We caught up exclusively with Clay in 2008 to learn more about his role in Spamalot. Read the 1/15/08 interview.

Before becoming an American Idol superstar, Clay tutored a child with autism. Due to his passion to help children with autism, Clay co-founded the National Inclusion Project in 2003 with the mother of the boy he tutored.

In 2004, Clay was appointed to National Ambassador for the U.S. Fund for UNICEF, and in 2006 he was appointed for a two-year term to the Presidential Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities. UNICEF has sent Clay to countries around the world.

This month, Clay posted a blog that revealed he's been traveling to record music for his new album. "I am quite happy with what we are doing this time, and extremely satisfied with the direction we are headed in on this album," Clay said.

A great read with much promise for an awesome new Clay Aiken album with the Decca label in 2010 -- probably minus the rap angle, however!

WORLDWIDE STAR - Clay Aiken fans span the globe. (Carolina ClustrMap)

134 Countries Dot 'Carolina' Map

Thought unscientific, indicators of Clay's worldwide popularity appear daily in the Carolina blog's ClustrMap and Feedjit Live Feed, which register home countries of this site's visitors. Since December 2007, residents of 134 nations have dropped by this corner of the Internet for the latest Clay Aiken news.

In the past 24 hours, due in part to a link at Clay Aiken - The Ideal Idol, a whopping 438 fans came to the Carolina site to read and wish Singer Man a Happy Birthday.

New countries this month's list include Nepal, Yemen (Asia); Cote D'Ivoire, Ghana, Congo (Africa); and Kazakhstan (Europe). The 134 countries representing every continent except Antarctica suggest Clay's fanbase is definitely global:

ASIA: Guam, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Micronesia, Oman, the Philippines, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Taipei, Taiwan, Vietnam, Pakistan, Iran, Bahrain, Kuwait, Azerbaijan (Baku), Bangladesh, Cambodia, Mongolia, China, Sri Lanka, Lebanon, Maldives, Palestinian Territory, Brunei Darussalam, Asia/Pacific Region, Jordan, Nepal, Yemen

AFRICA: South Africa, Egypt, Morocco, Madagascar, Seychelles, Somalia, Kenya, Nigeria, Mozambique, Algeria, Uganda, Mauritius, Burkina Faso, Tunisia, United Republic of Tanzania, Djibouti, Angola, Cote D'Ivoire, Ghana, Congo

EUROPE: Austria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Sweden, Romania, Scotland, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, Bulgaria, Belgium, Poland, Russian Federation, Luxembourg, Slovakia, Croatia, Serbia, Ukraine, Turkey, Malta, Georgia, Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sicilia, Andorra, Latvia, Europe, Moldova, Albania, Kazakhstan

Thumbnail Carolina ClustrMap
Click to view larger version.

NORTH AMERICA: Canada, Costa Rica, El Salvador, United States, Mexico, Panama, Puerto Rico, Jamaica, Bermuda, Saint Lucia, Guatemala, Nassau, The Bahamas, Grenada, Trinidad and Tobago, Dominican Republic, Anguilla, Honduras

SOUTH AMERICA: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela, Ecuador, Bolivia

AUSTRALIA: Australia, New Zealand, Tasmania, Solomon Islands

Right Here Waiting - Graphic by AmazingCA

The ClustrMap will be archived on Thursday, Dec. 3, and a new blank slate open to receive another year's worth of visitors. Hopefully, your red dot will show in an upcoming issue ... SOON!

This "Idol Found, Game Over" CA fandom excitedly anticipates the singer's upcoming chapter with Decca Records. For Clay and his Nation, the best is yet to come!

Below are clickables of the graphics by Ashes, cindilu2, and AmazingCA:

Have a wonderful week, Clay Nation!

Caro