The first European Classical piece I learned was Schubert's "Ave Maria" taught to me by my Great Aunt Josephine when I was 10 years old.
It became a moment of reward sometime later on the Ted Mack Original Amateur Hour,where I won first place on national television singing this piece, and went on to perform it in front of 15,000 people at the Boston Gardens as part of the prize. The Boston Post reported "A small boy's perfect soprano; The hubbub and the din subsided as the clear notes sounded through the vast auditorium of the Garden"
Yesterday I was privileged to witness this kind of magic from a different perspective. The place, St Augustine's Cathedral Chapel in Brooklyn, the event, a Roman Catholic wedding, the soloist my wife, Etta Russell Scott.
Contracted by the bride and groom who had experienced the beauty of her pure and delicate Soprano voice earlier this year, along with "Ave Maria" she also rendered "Panis Angelicus" by Cesar Franck.
I don't know what my voice gave in those early days to generate such response, but I do know that Etta brought that same gentle peace and purity needed to help define this very special moment. Brava!!!!!
Chelsea Clinton was so disappointed that Etta had been pre-booked.
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