I sang for almost 3 years as the soprano soloist in an Episcopal church
in Menlo Park, CA. While they didn't use incense at every service, they
used it often enough that I knew to be careful. I've been living with
asthma for about 15 years, and mine is the type that is triggered by
"inhalants": smoke, certain perfumes, certain chemicals, etc.
When I had problems the first time incense was used, I mentioned it to
the rector. After some trial and error, they actually found one that
was advertised to be "safe" for those with sensitive eyes or respiratory
problems, so those of you who are having problems might mention it to
whoever is responsible for obtaining the incense. (If I remember
correctly, it was "Gloria" brand.) It made a huge difference.
By the way, the community theater where I used to appear fairly
regularly (in Half Moon Bay, CA), banned the use of chemical foggers
early on. They use dry ice and air pumps to create and disburse the fog
(or did the last time I was in one of their productions).
Cheers!
Lana Mountford
Margaret Harrison wrote:
>
> Leslie Jones wrote:
>
> > This thread reminds me of a related (for me) problem: do any of you who do
> > (or have done) music in high Episcopal or Catholic churches (can't remember
> > if Lutherans use it as well) had problems singing during a processional
> > while following a trail of incense? There were always a couple of us in
> > every choir who fought coughing fits as soon as the thurifer started
> > swinging....
>
> Tell me about it! Two years ago, I was first in the chorus, processing right
behind the
> incense-swinger. Made me cough and I couldn't sing down the aisle, but I
recovered after
> the incense dispersed. I sang in an incense service just last week (the
priest was
> leaving), but I was far enough away from the source that it didn't bother me.
Fortunately,
> this only happens a couple of times a year. I'd be worried about exposure to
that smoke
> just the same way I'd be worried about exposure to cigarette or other smoke.
>
> Peggy
>
> --
> Margaret Harrison, Alexandria, Virginia, USA
> "Music for a While Shall All Your Cares Beguile"
> mailto:peggyh@i...
>
--
Explain it as we may, a martial strain will urge a man into the front
rank of battle sooner than an argument, and a fine anthem excite his
devotion more certainly than a logical discourse.
~ Henry Tuckerman ~
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Lana Mountford lana@a... Seattle, WA
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