Category Archives: Transcending Boundaries

5 Star Review for Transcending Boundaries

Thank you, Elisabeth Smith!  Here is her review:

“It’s like she read my mind…

I have always struggled in finding the words to express what it feels like experiencing the music of Eric Whitacre and the concept of Virtual Choir to someone who has never heard it. Now all I have to do is give them a copy of Transcending Boundaries because Margaret has been able so eloquently articulate it for me. Most of what she has written about, I was either with Margaret in person or listening/singing virtually on line. So I can validate first hand these immense emotions. And also how we who participate in Virtual Choir truly transcend boundaries of space around this world to form a family founded on this love of music. Thank you, Margaret, for allowing us to be a part of this personal journey that so many of us are still on…”

 

 

Wanting to Help But Stymied and “TB” Review

A poem from Transcending Boundaries: Inspired by Eric Whitacre and Virtual Choir
(mentioned in a new 5-star review by Corina Luna Dea–see below):

2/7/14

Wanting to Help But Stymied

After meeting Eric W.

I cannot unravel the mystery for you,
I cannot heal your harsh lessons or gentle ones,
I can only say what is true
for me, for now, that is all.

I can only set in motion and wait patient-trusting,
knowing I may never know the outcome
prepare as best I can, as a vessel follow the heart,
the energy path laid out.

Dry from rain,
bask in sun,
rejoice in cold or warm,
each feeding what is to come.

If I could tell you I would,
if time expanded and opportunity,
but like molecules in pure liquid
we bump somewhat randomly

or if not, according to some grand plan.
Bump, bounce back, bump into again.
The globe is clearly large and also infinitesimal,
we do not know what we do not know.

But I can tell you as I ascend
from the depths again,
we will know it all in the end:
There is only one of us here.

Margaret Dubay Mikus
© 2014

Transcending Boundaries: Inspired by Eric Whitacre and Virtual Choir

A new 5-star review for Transcending Boundaries by poet, Corina Luna Dea. Thank you!

“Honored to share this beautiful poetry book by my dear poet sister Margaret Dubay Mikus. A prolific poet, through her passion for the Virtual Choir, she brings our attention to how we define boundaries and how we can transcend them through music and art.

Here it is my review on Amazon <3

Margaret creates once again a beautiful collection of poems inspired by the art that speaks to her heart. Even though this book is inspired by the author’s personal passion for music, the title, “Transcending Boundaries” speaks to a deeper need that we face as humans in times when boundaries seem to be imposed, rather than chosen on personal or collective values.

“There is only one of us here”-the author writes in her poem “Wanting to Help but Stymied-After meeting Eric W”. This is the theme that you will come across as you dive deeper into the Virtual Choir experience. “First was the word and then vibration in translation”-sacred poetry inviting us all to transcend our own boundaries and give in to what makes us feel alive. I highly recommend this book of poetry. Allow the words to take you into the Collective Virtual Choir and transcend all boundaries and labels that we are conditioned to believe as true and real.”

My 4th book, “Transcending Boundaries” is Out!!!

I’m thrilled to tell you that my 4th book, Transcending Boundaries: Inspired by Eric Whitacre and Virtual Choir, is out!!! The paperback is on amazon (and elsewhere). I am still working on the ebook. It took over a year longer than expected, but there were additional poems…and life…. Here is my reading of a poem inspired by a VC friend, “ On Imperfection: For Corax.”

Have you ever felt deeply moved by a piece of art? Perhaps a movie, book, dance, painting, or piece of music even spurred you to create? Transcending Boundaries is a wide-ranging collection of poems inspired by Eric Whitacre and Virtual Choir. These poems of inclusiveness and love act as an antidote to divisiveness and fear.

I first heard about Eric Whitacre from his TED talk. He’s a Grammy award-winning composer/conductor who envisioned what became the global phenomenon of Virtual Choir. The way it works is this: From anywhere in the world, singers learn and record their individual parts (soprano, alto, tenor, or bass) to one of his choral pieces. The videos are sent via the internet, compiled, and released. The first 4 VC videos have been viewed more than ten million times! Singers of all ages and abilities, from everywhere in the world, are encouraged to join in. Thousands of singers from more than 100 countries have participated. No one is turned away.

My whole life I’ve loved to sing. Once I heard about Virtual Choir, I longed to be part of it. For VC3 and VC4, I learned the music, recorded, and sent in my alto videos. For five years I also wrote a series of poems sparked by Eric Whitacre—his glorious music, gracious interviews, and Facebook posts—and the compelling stories and true connections with VC singers. My intention with Transcending Boundaries is to aid in healing what seems to divide us, enhance compassion and empathy, and awaken the imagination, encouraging yet further creativity.

Who should read this? Anyone who has ever felt the power of music (or any art) to move us: listeners, singers, musicians, and of course, those who are part of Virtual Choir. These reflective poems allow you to experience optimism, generosity, playfulness, kindness, and beauty, celebrating the open-hearted, richness of being human.

May healing inspiration continue to ripple out. Thank you for your support!

Taking a Break from the Poem Videos

After 62 videos (and days) I am taking a break from making my poem videos to finish my next book, “Transcending Boundaries: Inspired by Eric Whitacre and Virtual Choir.” Thank you for listening and for your kindness and generous comments. If you missed some of them or would like to see the photos or want to listen again: https://www.fullblooming.com/category/video-poem-series/

You can also watch the videos on my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0SXdl_48M5GH6CN_tfoa_w

61–“On Imperfection, For Corax” from “Frazzle”

Public Art in Dallas: The Eye, photo by M D Mikus, Copyright 2014

1/28/14

On Imperfection
For Corax

On the other side of darkness
the past looks far away,
and if I didn’t know better,
mostly forgotten.

Live in the now,
isn’t that what they say?
I agree mostly and also intend
to remember my lessons:

not to repeat same old mistakes,
not to let the unconscious pilot the course,
to remember to breathe,
to always be kind and

to forgive, every day forgive
imperfection. For here we learn
by being in form, subject to complex patterns
we cannot sense or anticipate.

If we were perfect—
which we are somewhere—
what would be the point of
choosing to go to Earth-school?

As long as we are here—
those numbered precious days,
those rare allotted minutes—
we have work to do.

Get on with it.

Margaret Dubay Mikus
© 2014

From Thrown Again into the Frazzle Machine: Poems of Grace, Hope, and Healing.
And Transcending Boundaries: Inspired by Eric Whitacre and Virtual Choir.

Listen here: https://youtu.be/E1vMFwdGa_E

Today it was hard to convince myself that making these videos matters. It seemed that anything I can do is insignificant in the face of massive challenges and national upheaval. Yet…none of us is alone. We inspire each other. We each do our part, right? When I considered not recording, I felt heavier, less hopeful. Maybe that is enough of a reason: to feel lighter, to hope, and perhaps inspire hope. For these few moments, let us demonstrate resilience…together. I am grateful for your presence.

Eye in Daylight, Dallas, photo by M D Mikus, Copyright 2014

For more poem videos in the series

THROWN AGAIN into the FRAZZLE MACHINE: Poems of Grace, Hope, and Healing

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Transcending Boundaries: Inspired by Eric Whitacre and Virtual Choir