Sequenza21/The Contemporary Classical Music Weekly

Surviving Rita

Much of the media coverage of last fall's disaster hurricane season focused on Katrina. But it was Rita that was the undoing of our regular contributor Robert Jordahl. Now that he's resettled, he sends us this account. JB

Let me tell you about this musician's Rita adventure.

In September, my wife Betty, grown sons Kevin and Bruce, our cat, and I left Lake Charles around two hours ahead of "Big Mama" herself. We drove east to a small town near Lafayette in order to hunker down with some friends of Kevin's. So far, so good. The next morning Bruce and I drove the 75 miles back to Lake Charles, which was now a ghost town.

Surprisingly, the police and Guard unit let us exit off of I-10 and we drove where our street had been. Huge trees lay like matchsticks across the entire length of the road, and we were forced to park at the head of the street and literally crawl over or around every tree. Reaching the house 3/4s of an hour later we saw that an enormous pine tree had fallen on the center of the house and another on the kitchen and carport. Inside, there was asbestos everywhere, so we decided that nothing could be accomplished until later. We drove back to Lafayette, loaded the cars and headed for Austin, which,at the time, seemed like the closest port in the storm. Once in Austin we contacted FEMA and arranged to live in a delayed stay hotel (free).

Well, I must confirm that FEMA doesn't partner with Hilton or the likes! We stayed in two rooms for 3 months. The second month was the most exciting- I took a fall and broke a hip. Fortunately, it healed quickly and I was soon my rambunctious self.

Last week we moved into an older house near Austin with some attached land, and, voila, the Jordahl ranch is born.

The major regret I have is professional. All my copies of published composition, cds, and tapes were lost--some 45 years of orchestral music, chamber works, ballets, a comic opera, masses, a cantata, keyboard works, and vocal and choral pieces. Most are still available in the McNeese State University Archives, so I don't feel totally wiped out

To be honest, I feel grateful that this happened in the last part of my life. I can still remember with pleasure major performances of the 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s, and 00s. And, there are the professional organizations I've been a part of.

All in all, I'd have to say it's been a great life.

posted by Robert Jordahl 1/29/2006