SymphonyChorus

Moses Hogan Music Down in My Soul

2012-01-24T09:25:00.000-06:00

Here is a link to an audio performance (SSA):http://www.jwpepper.com/3297947.itemAnd here is a pretty good SATB version:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_LgwE2OvgU

Great Essay on Choral Singing

2011-12-27T10:28:00.000-06:00

Dan Coren in the Broad Street Review

Hanukah Fantasy

2011-12-22T21:19:00.002-06:00

http://jeffreybiegel.com/sounds/player-home.htm?Hanukah.Fantasy.mp3

Home Stretch

2011-12-14T10:42:00.001-06:00

Thanks to all for your excellent work in rehearsal this week. It is heartening to see so many eyes out of the book and hear such engaged music making! Please help me and section leaders get us on and off stage efficiently by being on time and helping us keep track of everyone.
We will rehearse on 12/20 and 1/3 for our twelfth night concert (1/6). Then on to Mozart and SOUL!

Practice!

2011-12-11T07:47:00.001-06:00

And, while I'm here, don't forget to practice Bach and Handel for Monday night.
And our holiday rep for Tuesday Orleans Club.
We will have a couple of rehearsals to polish that rep (and the stuff we haven't performed yet) for our Twelfth Night concert on January 6.

Vowels Control Your Brain

2011-12-11T07:45:00.000-06:00

Of course, we singers already know this - why a passage sounds different when sung like vanilla ice cream or red velvet cake. But it's also the key to good singing (technique) and communicating with our listeners.

If you want to see the illustrations and some prettier formatting, go to:

http://www.npr.org/blogs/krulwich/2011/12/07/143265882/vowels-control-your-brain?ft=3&f=111787346&sc=nl&cc=es-20111211

Vowels Control Your Brain

Here's something you should know about yourself. Vowels control your brain.

Robert Krulwich/NPR
"I"s make you see things differently than "O"s. Here's how. Say these words out loud:

Bean
Mint
Slim
These "I" and "E" vowels are formed by putting your tongue forward in the mouth.

That's why they're called "front" vowels.

Now, say:

Large
Pod
Or
Ought

Robert Krulwich/NPR
With these words, your tongue depresses and folds back a bit. So "O", "A" and "U" are called "back" of the throat vowels.

OK, here's the weird part.

When comparing words across language groups, says Stanford linguistics professor Dan Jurafsky, a curious pattern shows up: Words with front vowels ("I" and "E") tend to represent small, thin, light things.

Back vowels ("O" "U" and some "A"s ) show up in fat, heavy things.

It's not always true, but it's a tendency that you can see in any of the stressed vowels in words like little, teeny or itsy-bitsy (all front vowels) versus humongous or gargantuan (back vowels). Or the i vowel in Spanish chico (front vowel meaning small) versus gordo (back vowel meaning fat). Or French petit (front vowel) versus grand (back vowel).

Try this yourself.

Robert Krulwich/NPR
If I make up two words, "Frish" and "Frosh" and tell you each is about to become a new ice cream, which of the two seems richer, heavier?

For me, "Frosh," (with the back vowel "o") seems creamier. I don't know why. Just feels that way. And not just to me. A study in the Journal of Consumer Research found most people imagined Frosh creamier than Frish.

Here's another example. Richard Klink, a marketing professor at Loyola College in Maryland created a test using two sets of names. They were nonsense names, chosen at random:

Nidax vs. Nodax and Detal vs. Dutal

And then, slapping these names on various imaginary products, he asked a group of people:

Which brand of laptop seems bigger; Detal or Dutal?
Which brand of vacuum cleaner seems heavier, Keffi or Kuffi?
Which brand of ketchup seems thicker, Nellen or Nullen?
Which brand of beer seems darker, Esab or Usab?
"In each case," reports Professor Jurasky, "the participants in the study tended to choose the product named by back vowels (dutal, nodax) as the larger, heavier, thicker, darker product. Similar studies have been conducted in various other languages."

Jurasky then wondered, Do businesses know this about vowels?

For example, would an ice cream company (looking to create a rich, creamy and satisfying product,) and a cracker manufacturer, (looking to make something, thin, light and crackily) use different vowels?

He thought they might, so, on his blog, he writes:

To test the hypothesis I downloaded two lists of food names from the web. One was a list of 81 ice cream flavors that I constructed by including every flavor sold by either Haagen Dazs or Ben & Jerry's. The second was a list of 592 cracker brands from a dieting website. For each list, I counted the total number of front vowels and the total number of back vowels (details of the study are here). The result, shown in the table [below], is that ice creams names indeed have more back vowels and cracker names have more front vowels.

Ice cream companies mix in lots of "O"s and "A"s, says Jurasky, like...

Rocky Road, Jamoca Almond Fudge, Chocolate, Caramel, Cookie Dough, Coconut

But the cracker people stick pretty much to "E"s and "I"s.

Cheese Nips, Cheez It, Wheat Thins, Pretzel thins, Ritz, Krispy, Triscuit, Thin Crisps, Cheese Crisps, Chicken in a Biskit, Snack sticks, Toasted chips, Ritz bits

But Why?

Why do we associate "front" vowels with small, thin light things and "back" vowels with big, solid, heavy things?

Robert Krulwich/NPR
Two linguists, John Ohala and Eugene Morton proposed that over evolutionary time, humans instinctively associate pitch with size. Lions, bears, seals make low sounds, canaries, mice, rabbits higher sounds. Not always, but enough of the time that when we hear a low frequency (even in an "O" or a "U") we may think big and heavy, whereas higher frequencies (even in "I's and "E"s) suggest small and light.

The Origin Of The Smile?

Dan Jurasky goes even further. Scholars have noticed, he says, that when people say "Boo!", they form an o-shape with their lips and mouth, and look aggressive and a little dangerous.

But use the "front" vowels, like "I" and "E", your mouth and lips will widen into a kind of smile. Why do we say "cheese" when it's time to take the picture? Why does the word smile contain an "I"? These front vowels, he says, are the "smile" vowels. One day they may even explain why we smile, but in the meantime, the big news is that it's old fashioned to think of vowels as just sounds.

They are more than that: they are little strings that pull on our brains and it turns out, "I"s pull us to different places than "O"s.

Who knew?

Thanks to blog reader and reporter Peter Smith of Good Magazine for suggesting this story.

Bach tempos and Sit/Stand cues (from CMP)

2011-12-04T16:35:00.000-06:00

1 Magnificat quarter 94
4 omnes quarter 98
7 fecit quarter 92
11 sicut half (not quarter!) equal 76
12 Gloria always double dot Gloria bars 1 to 19 quarter 56, from 20 on quarter 94

Movements: 1,2,A,3,4,5,B,6,7,C,8,9,D,10,11,12

The chorus stand and sit:

Start standing
Sit after 1
SELU stand after 2, sit after A
All stand after 3
SCNO sit after 4 / SELU remain standing - B will attacca after 5
SELU sit after B
All stand after 6 remain standing thru C which is attacca after 7
All sit after C
All stand after 10 and stand until the end

Jerusalem of Gold

2011-09-21T20:05:00.002-05:00

Some background on Jerusalem of Gold (one of the songs in the Hanukah Fantasy):

http://www.jerusalemofgold.co.il/

Audio and Video links for Christmas Rep - Enjoy! (and learn your part, too!)

2011-09-20T17:12:00.000-05:00

Biegel Hanukah Fantasy
http://www.jwpepper.com/10070733.item#viewer-tab
Click the button for audio samples

Simeone 'Twas the Night before Christmas
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NXPJDlixX58
Fred Waring!

Courtney Musicological Journey through the Twelve Days of Christmas
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ryp8MTtznvU
(dumb video but excellent performance!)

Rehearsal this week:

2011-09-18T07:35:00.000-05:00

Just a reminder, we will polish up "Glory to God" from Messiah and "Gloria in Excelsis" from Magnificat.
We will have (at least) one new piece: Craig Courtney's A Musicological Journey through the Twelve Days of Christmas.
We will, of course, also review some of the music we've already sung, too!

Recorded performances of Bach Magnificat

2011-09-13T17:48:00.000-05:00

Here are some recommended performances of Bach’s Magnificat:

John Elliot Gardner on Philips:

http://www.amazon.com/Bach-Magnificat-Jauchzet-allen-Landen/dp/B0000040W4/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1315952714&sr=1-1

Robert Shaw on TelArc:

http://www.amazon.com/Vivaldi-Gloria-Magnificat-William-Stone/dp/B000003CVK/ref=sr_1_8?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1315953167&sr=1-8

Philip Herrewegghe on Harmonia Mundi:

http://www.amazon.com/J-S-Bach-Magnificat-Johann-Sebastian/dp/B000027O4P/ref=sr_1_20?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1315953446&sr=1-20

Keep in mind that many of these CDs are MUCH cheaper if you purchase them as audio downloads.

Wardell Quezergue passes

2011-09-07T08:41:00.001-05:00

Sad news about the death of Wardell. He was a big part of the history of the chorus for many years. Symphony Chorus sang for the CD and DVD recording and for all performances of Creole Mass. Several SCNO members provided chorus for the recording of Wardell's soon to be released Passion. Rest in peace, friend, and thanks for the joy of your msuic!

Making a difference through the power and beauty of choral singing

2011-07-14T09:30:00.001-05:00

From Orchestralist:

Va Pensiero: Muti & Berlusconi
Posted by: "Peter Perret"
Wed Jul 13, 2011 8:20 am (PDT)

[Translation: PP]
A superb performance-moment and a cultural revolt! Take the time to
read the translation from Italian and watch the YouTube Video
from the Rome Opera. Last March 12th, Silvio Berlusconi was forced
to face an unusual reality during the celebration of the 150th
anniversary of the Republic, at the performance of the work which
most symbolizes the unification of Italy: Nabucco by Giuseppe Verdi,
conducted by Riccardo Muti. Nabucco is a political work as well as a
musical one, evoking the enslavement of the Jews in Babylon, and the
famous song "Va pensiero" is the chorus of the oppressed slaves. In
Italy, this song is symbolic of the quest for freedom, which in the
1840 (when the opera was composed) was oppressed by the Hapsburg
Empire. This quest grew until the creation of a unified
Italy. Before this particular performance, the mayor of Rome, Gianni
Alemanno, had addressed the audience denouncing cuts in the Cultural
Arts budget, this despite his membership in the ruling party and his
being a former Minister in the Berlusconi government. This political
intervention, in a symbolic moment of Italian culture had unexpected
consequences - all the more so because Sylvio Berlusconi himself was
present at the performance...

As told by the Times, Riccardo Muti, the conductor, said: "Before
the curtain there was a huge ovation in the audience. Then we began
the opera and all was going well. But when we came to the famous
song Va pensiero, I immediately sensed that the atmosphere had become
tense in the audience. There are things you can't describe, but can
feel. Before, silence reigned, but at the moment that the audience
realized that Va pensiero was about to start, that silence became
charged with fervor. One could feel the visceral reaction of the
audience to the slaves singing "Oh, my Fatherland, so beautiful [but] lost!"

When the Chorus came to an end, some members of the audience shouted
for an encore ["Bis!"]. Others shouted "Long live Italy" and others
"Long live Verdi!" From the "peanut gallery" patriotic messages
came fluttering down, some asking for "Muti, life-time
senator." Although he had once done so, at La Scala, in 1986, Muti
hesitated to repeat Va pensiero. For him, an opera must progress
from start to finish, without interruption, "unless there is
particular intent." But the audience's patriotic fervor had been
aroused. In a theatrical gesture, Muti faced the audience and
Berluconi and waited, hand outstretched to calm the clamor. When the
calls for an encore had subsided, someone shouted "Viva l'Italia."

Muti: "I agree, long live Italy" [Applause]
Muti: "I'm no longer 30 and I've lived my life, but as an
Italian who has circled the globe, I am ashamed of what is happening
in my country. So I accept your request to repeat Va pensiero. Not
only for the patriotic reasons, but also because this evening while I
was conducting the chorus singing "Oh, my Fatherland, so beautiful
[but] lost," I thought that if we continue as we are, we will kill
the culture that Italy's history is based upon. In that case, our
fatherland will be truly "beautiful [but] lost!" [Applause.]
Muti: "Since the reign of an 'Italian climate' [Forza
Italia?], I, Muti, have been silent for too many long years. I would
now like... We should give meaning to this song - since we're at home
here, the capital's theater, and with a chorus which sang
magnificently and an orchestra which accompanied magnificently - if
you will, I propose that you all join us to sing - all
together... But in tempo!"

Then the maestro invited the audience to sing with the Chorus of
Slaves: "I saw groups stand up, then the whole Rome Opera stood
up. And the chorus stood up. It was a moment of magic in the
opera. Not only was it a presentation of Nabucco, but a declaration
to politicians by the opera house of the capital."

YouTube Video

Peter Perret
Conductor Emeritus
Winston-Salem Symphony

Vocal Solos for June Concert

2011-05-25T10:11:00.000-05:00

Vocal Solos for June Concerts

World Beloved

I. Ballad: Refrain (p. 3) soprano or alto (folk style)
III. Ballad: First Verse (p. 18) alto or soprano (folk style)
V. Ballad: Second Verse (p. 33-34) alto or soprano
VI. Credo: Tenor (p. 36) and soprano (p. 38)
VII. Ballad: Tenor and Soprano (p. 64 – 67)
XI. Benediction: Soprano, Alto, Tenor Trio (p. 76)
XII. Conlusion: Soprano or Alto (p. 84) same as I

Stephen Foster

Camptown Races: Tenor (p. 6-7, 10-11) Bass (p. 10) Alto (p. 12)
Kentucky Home: Soprano (p. 11) Tenor (p. 14)
Beautiful Dreamer: Mezzo (p. 16-18)
Susanna: SATB (p. 19-21), tenor (p. 22)

Ragtime

New Music: Soprano or Alto (p. 6-7)
Make Them Hear You: Woman and/or Man (p. 18-19)
Success: Man (p. 21) female duet (p. 21)

Fly Away

Opening Trio (could be SAT or SSA)

Amazon link for World Beloved; additional audio examples

2011-05-18T16:02:00.002-05:00

The World Beloved: A Bluegrass Mass. Here is a link to the mp3 download at Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/World-Beloved-Bluegrass-Mass/dp/B003YNXTAS/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1305750960&sr=8-4

(it’s also available in CD format)

You can listen to Jon Washburn’s Stephen Foster Medley here:

http://www.jwpepper.com/10008777.item

You can listen to Mark Haye’s Fly Away Medley here:

http://www.jwpepper.com/8059561.item

Hark, I Hear the Harps Eternal on YouTube (Lots of other performances, too):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mye2uk_nJYQ

David’s Lamentation
Accurate, Expressionless performance (lots of other performances, too):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V7wieBCD-s8

Easter Anthem (note soprano and tenor doublings, slightly different version, and repeat of second half – click around for additional performances):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRowRuPuvtA

Google Calendar is updated and correct.

2011-04-20T08:47:00.000-05:00

(please let me know if you see errors or have any questions - is there anything I could do to make this calendar more useful to you?)

To "R" is human; to flip, divine

2011-04-19T09:32:00.000-05:00

There are three kinds of "R"

American "R" (tongue moves toward, but does not touch gum ridge - can impact vowel)
Flipped "R" (tongue actually quickly touches the gum ridge once, and only once - no impact on vowel)
Rolled or trilled "R" (generally not used, except in especially dramatic context, or need to project)

Rules for Sounding or Omitting "R"
1. Never sing "R" before a consonant sound (no exceptions) applies within words, and in adjoining words.
2. Do not sing "R" before a pause (*one exception) Pause can be a notated rest, or articulation.
3. Always sing "R" before a vowel sound (no exceptions) applies within words, and in adjoining words.
(*When a diphthong dear or triphthong fire is followed by a pause on a high note, it is more effect to use flipped "R")

Which "R" to sing before a vowel?
Use flipped "R" between vowels.
Use American "R" in "" true and "dr" dream combinations (except on high notes)
For Gilbert & Sullivan choruses use flipped "R" most of the rest of the time (exceptions as noted in rehearsal)
This last is at variance with Madeleine Marshall's prescription of Art Song rules for G&S, but is born out by the special needs of chorus to project (and by listening to historical recordings)

HMS Pinafore Homepage

2011-04-13T06:47:00.002-05:00

Here is a page with tons of links to Pinafore stuff: MIDI files and performances, historical recordings, essays, pictures, etc.

http://math.boisestate.edu/gas/pinafore/html/index.html

Enjoy (and practice!)

Practice (and enjoy!)

Thursdays at Twilight and Trinity Artist Series Program and Schedule

2011-04-05T09:39:00.002-05:00

Symphony Chorus of New Orleans
Trinity Artists Series • Thursdays at Twilight
June 26 & June 30, 2011

SCHEDULE:
7:00 – 9:30 PM, Tuesday, May 17: Regular Rehearsal Loyola CM230
7:00 – 9:30 PM, Tuesday, May 24: Regular Rehearsal Loyola CM230
7:00 – 9:30 PM, Tuesday, May 31: Regular Rehearsal Loyola CM230
7:00 – 9:30 PM, Tuesday, June 7: Regular Rehearsal Loyola CM230
7:00 – 9:30 PM, Tuesday, June 14: Regular Rehearsal Loyola CM230
7:00 – 9:30 PM, Tuesday, June 21: Regular Rehearsal Loyola CM230

?Wednesday-Saturday, June 22 – 25: Combined Rehearsal(s) TBA??

5 – 6 PM, Sunday, June 26 Performance at Trinity Episcopal Church

?Tuesday, June 28? Hold for Rehearsal Loyola CM230?

Thursday, June 30 6 PM Performance at Thursdays at Twilight

•• PROGRAM ••

The World Beloved: A Bluegrass Mass by Carol Barnet
Mixed Chorus, SATB solos, String Band (fiddle, mandolin, banjo, guitar, string bass)

• Intermission •

Three Unaccompanied Anthems:
Hark! I Hear the Harps Eternal Alice Parker, arr.
David’s Lamentation Wlm. Billings
Easter Anthem Wlm. Billings

A Stephen Foster Medley Jon Washburn, arr.
SATB, piano

Selections from RAGTIME Ahrens & Flaherty (arr. Funk)
SATB, piano

(String Band Selection TBA)

?(Hard Times Come Again No More Stephen Foster)?
SATB, solos, string band, piano

Fly Away Medley Mark Hayes, arr.
SATB, string band, piano

Tongue Twisters

2011-04-01T08:50:00.000-05:00

Here are some tongue twisters that show up on lists of vocal warmups for actors:

You Need New York, Unique New York, you Need Unique New York
Red Leather Yellow Leather
Toy Boat
Lemon liniment
A box of biscuits, a box of mixed biscuits and a biscuit mixer
Choose orange shoes
Eleven benevolent elephants
Minimal animal
Girl gargoyle, guy gargoyle
The Leith police dismisseth us
Irish wristwatch
Bug's black blood, Black bug's blood
A proper cup of coffee from a proper copper coffee pot.
A quick witted cricket critic.
The cat crept into the crypt, crapped and crept out.
The sixth sick sheik's sixth sheep's sick.
I saw Susie sitting in a shoe shine shop. Where she sits she shines, and where she shines she sits.
If two witches would watch two watches, which witch would watch which watch?

Practice these and then practice speaking the words to G&S Pinafore!

Rehearsal Schedule for performance week

2011-03-17T19:14:00.002-05:00

Karl Jenkens The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace
Rehearsal Schedule for performance week
(all services in Holy Name Church)

7:00 - 9:30 PM, Monday, March 21 Choral Rehearsal
7:00 - 9:30 PM, Tuesday, March 22 Conductor's Piano Rehearsal
7:00 - 9:30 PM, Wednesday, March 23 Instrumental Rehearsal (chorus does NOT rehearse tonight; vocal soloists, if available?)
*7:30 - 10:00 PM, Thursday, March 24 "Dress" Rehearsal

*3:30 PM, Sunday, March 27 (concert is just over an hour - we will be out of the church by 5:00 PM)

CALL for setup, warmup etc. is 2:45 PM

* This is half an hour later than originally published to accommodate other activities in the church.

(At the moment I cannot access the Gmail Calendar for the chorus - sorry
Update 3/18 Google Calendar now accurate)

Karl Jenkins VOCAL SOLOS (repost)

2011-03-01T16:51:00.000-06:00

VOCAL SOLOS Karl Jenkins The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace

1. The Armed Man: SATB tutti

2. Call to Prayer: [muezzin]

3. Kyrie: [S solo (optional)]

4. Save Me from Bloody Men: TB tutti

5. Sanctus: SATB tutti

6. Hymn before Action: SATB tutti

7. Charge!: SATB tutti

8. Angry Flames: SATB tutti; SATB solos

9. Torches: SATB tutti

10. Agnus Dei: SATB tutti

11. Now the Guns have Stopped: S or A solo (b-c2)

12. Benedictus: SATB tutti (cello solo)

13. Better is Peace: SATB tutti; "Lancelot" T or B solo, "Guinevere" S or A solo, L'homme armé SATB solos

SOUL Interview WWNO

2011-02-24T09:33:00.000-06:00

Interview with Diane Mack on WWNO Inside the Arts (2/24/2011)

Interview with singer Lainie Diamond

2011-02-08T23:22:00.000-06:00

Lainie sang with us while a student at Loyola. She returned in December 2005 to sing the mezzo solos in our post Katrina performance of Messiah. Here is a link to an interview.

Book Recommendation

2011-02-02T13:12:00.000-06:00

Charles Jessold, Considered as a Murderer by Wesley Stace is a wonderful novel. It's about a fictitious composer set in early twentieth century England. Lots of great stuff about music - plus it's a murder mystery, too! (Click the title to go to the Amazon Product page)

Karl Jenkins Armed Man

2011-01-31T20:58:00.000-06:00

Scroll down for stories about this piece:

http://www.boosey.com/pages/cr/catalogue/cat_detail.asp?musicid=3561

SOUL rep

2011-01-31T20:49:00.003-06:00

Just for the record, these links are just for reference - I expect us to do BETTER than all these recordings (and we are doing lots of stuff different - get your rehearsal pencils out!)

Audio Links for SOUL stuff

2011-01-31T20:43:00.003-06:00

We’ve already posted a link to River of Love at www.symphonychorus.org go to Singers and Practice, etc. scroll down til you find it.

Here is a link to the Caldwell & Ivory concert opener:
http://www.caldwellandivory.com/music/index.php?page=works

Here is a partial performance of Ah! Si mon Moine voulait dansait:
http://www.earthsongschoralmusic.com/catitem.php?seqnum=100300

Here is Bonse Aba:
http://www.jwpepper.com/10089711.item

Here is Juego:
http://www.jwpepper.com/10048861.item

There are probably performances on YouTube, too. Feel free to post additional links as you find them!

GOOGLE CALENDAR UPDATED!

2011-01-07T09:29:00.000-06:00

Please note that the Google Calendar embedded in this blog now includes our rehearsals and performances for the second half of the season (January through June). Be sure to click on the events for location and descriptive information.
Items where all details are not certain are described in the notes, too.
I'll try to add board meetings, etc. as soon as possible.
This calendar is, of course, subject to change. Watch this blog, check your email, and be responsible for information announced at rehearsal.

Singers of United Lands (SOUL) Repertoire - so far...

2010-12-28T21:16:00.001-06:00

Here is what we will be singing on February 25 (there may be some additions along the way...)

Multicultural (Israeli, Native American, Negro Spiritual): Many Faces, One Song SATB/SSA/piano/narration (Caldwell & Ivory)
Many Faces, One Song fuses elements from different cultures to point singers and audiences toward a path of peaceful co-existence.
Shalom Chaverim is a well-known Hebrew song of peace.
E-hung-a is a peace chant from the Ojibwa nation. Often referred to as Chippewas in the United States, the Ojibwa represent one of the largest native cultures in North America. Originally, they occupied the northern Midwest in the United States (Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan) and Ontario, Manitoba and Saskatchewan in southern Canada. We have not found a literal translation of the text, only vague information claiming that the song was used during peace ceremonies.
Children, Don’t Get Weary is often sung in various choral arrangements under the title Keep Your Lamps Trimmed and Burning. We have chosen to retain the form and title traditionally used on the sea islands located off the coast of South Carolina and Georgia.

French Canadian: Ah si mon moine voulait danser SSA/piano/spoons? (Donald Patriquin)
Lively and fun folk song.

Zambian: Bonse Aba SAB/perc (Victor C. Johnson)
Sizzling with celebratory rhythmic energy, this African folksong loosely translates: "Those who sing have the right to be called the children of God." The only accompanying instruments are hand drum (treble drum), djembe (bass drum), and shaker, which add authentic flavor and opportunities for improvisation. The vocal parts are easily learned due their repetition and call-and-response style. Highly recommended!

Colombian: Juego a Que me Quemo SATB/guitar? perc? (Julian Gomez Giraldo)
Based on a Colombian folksong, this irresistible setting is full of rhythm and playful humor! A spark, a flame, let's see if I get burned. A spark, a flame, I am burned already." In Spanish, with notes and English translation.
Australian: River of Love SATB/piano (Kate Sadler)
Original piece by a teacher of SOUL singer Patrick

American: Down by the Riverside SATB/audience/piano (John Rutter)

Do What Was Rehearsed (DWWR)

2010-12-03T19:09:00.001-06:00

Here are some musings on each of the Messiah choruses. This is some (but not all) of what we have worked on.

This is based on my experiences with Robert Page and some of his disciples who have guest conducted us. It works well with a large chorus. I might do things differently with a chamber chorus capable of more nuance.
I don't know what Prieto will want - except for engaged singing and eyes out of the music!

AND THE GLORY
m. 13 and passim: I ask the altos to sing three quarter notes as written to match the orchestra (not two eighths and two quarters). Handel set these words as if they were in Italian, and that sounds fine in English, too
m. 17 and passim: "shall" we want the vowel on the beat, so the "sh" needs to start earlier than expected. sing the double "l" at the end of the word as late as possible.
And all flesh_shall see it_together: just one "sh" and one "t" (really, two - one stopped and the other plosive)
m. 124 Bass sing a dotted half (cutoff on next downbeat) like alto and tenor

AND HE SHALL PURIFY
passim: breathe through the nose one and a half beats (not just an eighth note) before entrance. (Conductor will not help with this...)
passim: be sure "and" ends with voiced "d' not unvoiced "t"
passim: "PU-RI-FY" first syllable ends with a pure [u] (no "r') second syllable begins with a one-tap "R"
m. 22: no breath; m 24 breath after downbeat (first beat is eighth note and eighth rest) (also m. 52 and 55)

O THOU
passim: O Thou: minimize diphthong O and no triphthong in thou
passim: JERUSALM first syllable ends in vowel eh (maybe even closer to closed [e]) second syllable begins with one-tap "R"
m. 124 breath on fifth eighth note
m. 128 breath on fifth eighth note (conductor might change this - I don't know his preference)
m. 132 Lord off on the 4th eighth note.
m. 133 STB hold dotted half full value (don't cresc.) altos breathe on fifth eighth
m. 138 breathe on the and of the fifth eighth (hand off melody to first violins) - or conductor may ask for cutoff on following downbeat?

FOR UNTO US
passim: "FOR" no "R" "Unto" starts with light glottal' glottal separation between unto and us
passim: Guh-vuh-ment (no "r" or "n" before m)
m. 32 no breath or dimin. after "name" sing through it! (et passim)
m. 37 be ready to bring staccato dashes into choral parts from orchestra: Prince of Peace
m. 41, 42 S/B more legato???
m. 62 and 64 change text underlay: be u-pon his shoul------(starts on third beat) -der on beat two of next measure. Note two sixteenth - eighth rhythm on beat three
m 74 men no breath
m. 81 altos hold last quarter full value, cut off on next downbeat; m. 82 sopranos change first quarter to eighth and eighth rest

GLORY TO GOD
passim: and peace on earth non vibr.
good-will: separate the syllables. The "D" at the end of good is a voiced consonant with the pitch of the preceding note
m. 20 tenors phrase with altos on the "and" of 4

HIS YOLK IS OVER EASY
m. 3 et passim Don't insert a rest. Sing the rhythms Handel wrote.
m. 35 altos change text underlay to "is light" to match sopranos
m. 38 A/T change first quarter to eigth and eighth rest (off on second beat with basses)
m. 44 off on "TWO" (S change dotted quarter to quarter and 8th rest, ATB change first quarter to 8th and 8th rest)

HALLELUJAH
passim: let's hear that "H"
m.5: tenors second note is D
passim: reigneth starts with trilled "R"
m. 23-24 Tenor and 26-27 Alto: m. 23 last quarter text is "HA: m. 24 first quarter text is "LE" (erase the tie)
m. 31 tenors change the dot to an 8th rest (with the basses)
m. 39 no breath; m. 40 change dot to 8th rest; m. 41 all off on TWO (SAT change half to quarter and quarter rest; B change dot to 8th rest)
m. 51 everybody phrase together with the altos on the second half ot TWO
m. 54 S/A off together on downbeat
m. 57 split the difference: off on TWO (S add quarter, A take one away)
m. 60 sopranos no breath (stagger if necessary) float!
m. 63 sopranos off on TWO
m. 66 sopranos no breath (stagger is necessary) float!
m. 67 no breath
m. 68 off on TWO (SAT change hald to quarter and quarter rest, B change dot to 8th rest)
m. 74 everybody phrase together with basses: off on second half of TWO

Next Rehearsal (11/22/2010

2010-11-17T09:22:00.000-06:00

Thanks to all for a productive rehearsal last night. And welcome to our two, new board members!

Next week we will sing everything on the program. We will be in our modified quartet bunches for the entire rehearsal.

In the Bach, we will concentrate on improving rhythmic accuracy and ensemble in Ehre sei Gott. We will sing using the text unaccompanied in quartets and experiment with various tempos. In the three chorales we will refine pronunciation and work on being rhythmically responsive to phrase shaping by the conductor.

Handel:
Glory to God (quick review)
His Yoke ("duet" chorus - melismas)
O Thou (quick review)
For Unto Us ("duet" chorus - melismas)
And He Shall Purify ("duet" chorus - melismas)
And the Glory (quick review)
Hallelujah (quick review)

If you have missed a rehearsal, or are new to the chorus, please make sure you have my markings in your score.

When a majority of the singers has worked on the music between rehearsals it really shows (and makes the rehearsal more productive and more fun. I work on my music every day (not just to prepare to conduct rehearsals, but to practice SINGING for the performances in December). DO YOU?

More German Pronunciation help

2010-11-17T09:09:00.001-06:00

Here is a link to a pdf document with a guide to the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) for German, and IPA transcriptions for the Bach Weihnachtsoratorium. (I disagree with the "vanishing vowel" chosen for the diphthongs - as explained in rehearsal...)

And here is a link to downloadable audio file (zipped) of the spoken German text. This is all six cantatas, so you'll have to go to Cantata No. 2 and select our four choruses.

If you just want to stream the files from the web, this link should soon (it's under construction) make the possible for you.

If you practice, you will improve - guaranteed!

Tonight's Rehearsal

2010-11-16T09:19:00.000-06:00

We will continue to woodshed Ehre sei Gott and will add text for the remaining Bach chorales.

In Messiah we will focus on the more difficult "duet" choruses: And He shall Purify, For unto us, and His Yoke. But we need to start making time to sing through the other choruses each week, too.

We will sit in sections for the first half, and then stand in quartetish groups after break.

If you practice, you will improve --- guaranteed!

German Pronunciation Guides

2010-11-16T09:16:00.001-06:00

Pronunciation mp3s are up on the website.

Click above (or go to www.symphonychorus.org: click on Singers, then on Practice Files) The pronunciation guides are NOT listed in the navigation frame on the left - you need to click on Practice Files to get to them.

As I said in rehearsal, I think my trilled "RRRs" are a bit overdone. Just avoid the American "R" (sometimes in sung German we can substitute "uh" for "R" - just like in elegantly sung English)

Good advice!

2010-11-16T08:56:00.000-06:00

From Presentation Zen (a blog I follow):

You can learn a lot from a child...

RACHEL'S CHRISTMAS CONCERT

2010-11-15T18:09:00.001-06:00

A couple of weeks ago I asked how many in the chorus might be interested in participating in LPO harpist Rachel Van Voorhees' annual Christmas Concert at St. Louis Cathedral. (Several SCNO members who had participated in the past offered hearty endorsements. The response was large and enthusiastic, so here is what you need to know:

You should attend one (or both) of the following music-learning rehearsals:
7:00 - 8:00 PM on Monday, November 29
and/or
8:00 - 9:00 PM on Wednesday, December 1

The mandatory "Dress" Rehearsal is
10:00 AM to 12:00 PM (noon) on Saturday, December 4

All the above rehearsals will take place at St. Paul Episcopal Church.

The concert is at 6:00 PM on Sunday, December 5 at St. Louis Cathedral.

MUSIC WILL BE PROVIDED (I will be asking for a commitment from singers at Tuesday night rehearsal, so Rachel can prepare the appropriate number of folders). I'll bring a copy to tomorrow's rehearsal if you want to see the repertoire before deciding - it's nice stuff, though...

This should be a fun opportunity to sing some appealing Christmas music with harp. I hope you can participate!

Vocal Solos in Jenkins The Armed Man (March 27)

2010-11-10T09:19:00.000-06:00

I will be auditioning to fill the following solos from the chorus:

VOCAL SOLOS Karl Jenkins The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace

1. The Armed Man: SATB tutti

2. Call to Prayer: [muezzin]

3. Kyrie: [S solo (optional - boy?)]

4. Save Me from Bloody Men: TB tutti

5. Sanctus: SATB tutti

6. Hymn before Action: SATB tutti

7. Charge!: SATB tutti

8. Angry Flames: SATB tutti; SATB solos

9. Torches: SATB tutti

10. Agnus Dei: SATB tutti

11. Now the Guns have Stopped: S or A solo (b-c2)

12. Benedictus: SATB tutti (cello solo)

13. Better is Peace: SATB tutti; "Lancelot" T or B solo, "Guinevere" S or A solo, L'homme armé SATB solos

Handel, upon being complimented on his Messiah:

2010-11-05T10:15:00.002-05:00

I should be sorry if I only entertained them, I wish to make them better.

A cappella Lady Gaga!

2010-11-05T09:45:00.002-05:00

These kids are good!

Tomorrow is election day...

2010-11-01T22:39:00.000-05:00

1) Please vote

2) Please come to rehearsal (and stay for the entire rehearsal)

3) Watch the election returns once you get home (watching starting at 8 PM will not change the results)

Rehearsal agenda for Tuesday, November 2

2010-10-29T10:00:00.001-05:00

As announced in rehearsal, we will continue to woodshed the Bach Ehre sei Gott. We will add text and review mm. 1-31. We will move on into the second half of the chorus in sectionals, too.

Our main Messiah work will be the "duet" choruses For Unto Us, And He Shall Purify, and His Yoke.

Women will be dismissed a little early and men will stay for a sectional at the end of the rehearsal.

Our MINIMUM goal is to have every eye out of the music for every entrance and release, and whenever the chorus is singing homophonically (same words and rhythms in all sections). Buch im Kopf - nicht Kopf im Buch!

Practice files for Bach

2010-10-27T06:53:00.000-05:00

Here are some links to practice files for the second cantata of the Bach Christmas Oratorio:
(each site has directions for playback in various operating systems, configurations, etc.)

http://www.cyberbass.com/Major_Works/Bach_J_S/bach_js_xmas_orotorio.htm

http://www.learnchoralmusic.co.uk/Bach/XmasOrat/xmasorat2.html

This one incorporates computer generated vowels. It's strange (de gustibus non est disputandum):

http://www.learnchoralmusic.co.uk/Bach/XmasOrat/xmasorat2.html

Practice, practice, practice... and DWWR!

Music Theory App

2010-10-25T18:59:00.000-05:00

Check out this app for music theory!

Choral Workshop

2010-09-30T19:13:00.001-05:00

Please bring your Handel Messiah scores to the workshop on Saturday, October 2nd.

My new substitute conductor

2010-09-16T00:04:00.000-05:00

My new substitute conductor
(watch it on the comments on this one...)

Sing for the Cure VOCAL SOLOS

2010-09-15T23:56:00.000-05:00

I would like to conclude auditions for vocal solos by September 28. Here is a list of the solos (in bold type).

SING FOR THE CURE
Choral Voicing and Vocal Solos

1. Prelude for an Uncommon Woman (Instrumental) [4:13]

2. Who Will Speak? (SATB div.) [6:17]

3. Borrowed Time (SATB, some div.) [6:06] [[5]]
Sop. Solo mm. 4-8; mm. 21-24; mm. 95-99

4. The Promise Lives On (SATB some div.) [6:42]

5. Livin’ Out Loud Blues (TTTTBB) [3:40]

6. Come to Me, Mother (SSAA) [4:32]

7. Valse Caprice (SATB some div.) [3:56]

8. Girl in the Mirror (SATB) [5:09]
S/A duet mm. 11-32; solo mm. 118-124

9. Who Will Curl My Daughter’s Hair? (SATB div.) [5:08]
S/S/A solos and trio mm. 1-17

10. Groundless Ground (SSATBB) [5:31]
Female/male duet passim (gospel)

11. One Voice (SATB div.) [5:43]
Solo (male or female) mm. 14-46

The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace

2010-09-08T22:38:00.000-05:00

Karl Jenkins on Karl Jenkins (video biography)

Barnett: The World Beloved

2010-09-08T22:27:00.001-05:00

Here are some interesting reviews and comments on the premiere.

SCNO 30th Season underway!

2010-09-08T08:40:00.001-05:00

Thanks to all who worked so hard to get everything ready for our first rehearsal last night. It's good to be back singing together! A special welcome to our wonderful group of new singers - we are looking forward to the talent, energy, and ideas you will bring us.

As announced last night, next week's Messiah "chorus-o-the-week" will be Hallelujah. Come prepared to get the markings into your Novello vocal score.

Please prepare the first and last choruses of Sing for the Cure. We need to get pitches and rhythms established and start to assign individual singers to the various divisi parts.

DID YOU KNOW??? With RSS you can subscribe to this blog and receive an email when something new is posted. That way you don't have to keep checking back... Note the USEFUL LINKS on the lower right and the CALENDAR, too. Reserve Saturday, October 2 for our workshop with guest clinician Alissa Rowe.

As we learn the new music in SFTC, let's see if we can add sensitivity to text and dynamics right from the start (most of you read well enough to figure out the pitches and rhythms on the first or second try, so let's set the bar a little higher for a more musical outcome earlier in the rehearsal process). If you listen attentively while other sections are rehearsing, you can make great progress in learning your own part, too!

Here are some Amazon links to commercial recordings of our repertoire. Please note that for some of these pieces you have the option of purchasing a physical CD or a much cheaper digital download.

Sing for the Cure: A Proclamation of Hope

Karl Jenkins The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace

Carol Barnett The World Beloved: A Bluegrass Mass

Messiah - Boston Baroque

Messiah - Gabrieli Consort (download)

H.M.S. Pinafore (lots of other choices here...)

Great TV: BBC AMERICA - THE CHOIR!

2010-07-07T22:14:00.000-05:00

BBC America is broadcasting a wonderful new series (premiered tonight)

The Choir

Link has previews and full description, (Lots of re-broadcasts, if you missed tonight's premiere).

Glee meets the real world. Simply wonderful!

Reference Recordings for T@T

2010-06-15T10:55:00.000-05:00

Here are links to recordings of everything we are singing (some aren't the greatest performances, but still may be helpful)
Alice's Theme - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XYx4IKR1CXM

Alice in Wonderland - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMaeZD63yNw&feature=PlayList&p=2CA1C63F1B03886E&playnext_from=PL&playnext=1&index=33

The Lobster Quadrille - http://academics.smcvt.edu/nlew/Chorale/MP3/Spring%2008/Lobster.mp3
- and -
-http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8QsQxHltuA

Father William - http://academics.smcvt.edu/nlew/Chorale/MP3/Spring%2008/Father%20William.mp3

Lullaby of the Duchess - http://academics.smcvt.edu/nlew/Chorale/MP3/Spring%2008/Lullaby.mp3

Jabberwocky - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvMLOo5Ou0I

Die Beredsamkeit - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jp5cpEpQ87E&NR=1

Haydn's "Little Organ Mass" -http://s119247422.websitehome.co.uk/midimusic/Haydn/Kleine-Orgelmesse/k-orgel.html

Thanks, Betsy Miller, for collecting these...

Jabberwocky

2010-05-11T22:12:00.000-05:00

Here is the video I promised in tonight's rehearsal:

This is a GOOD chorus. Notice the fact that they sing in tune, and with unaminous, sensitive diction. Bravo!

Estonian Choral Singing

2010-01-02T14:27:00.001-06:00

Remember last year we had Martins from Latvia (Here is the kind of choral experience he has at home):

This year we have an Estonian visitor. Check this out. I have this DVD. It makes me cry:

I was in the audience in Louisville for this performance (so I am among the thousands singing...). These guys could really sing. This made me cry, too...

Anthem of Peace by Willberg

2010-01-02T13:59:00.000-06:00

This was written in 1991 for a Festival of Song in Estonia (as Estonia was achieving independence from the Soviet Union). It combines an Estonian folksong (in English) with the American spiritual We Shall Walk in the Valley of Peace.

This performance, by a South Dakota festival choir is interesting. They have an inter-generational All-State (cool!) and it's a pretty good performance. (We won't be using the brass).

Another performance, by an Ohio All-State. Different acoustic, different approach...

Choral Reflections on Amazing Grace by Roger Ames

2010-01-02T13:16:00.000-06:00

Here is a nice performance by Westminster Choir College Schola (enjoy the birdsong at this outdoor performance):

This piece was written in response to 9/11. If we can get the text across, it should sound magnificent in Holy Name.

As usual, lots of additional performances available at YouTube...

Twa Tonbou: Three Drums

2010-01-02T12:54:00.001-06:00

Here are some YouTube videos of the piece with the most foreign language. Note that though it is in Haitian French (Pronunciation Guide and IPA included with the printed music) most of the text is nonsense syllables -- drum sounds.

A good performance by USC Chamber Singers:

A very spirited performance by the Kokopelli choir in a live acoustic. (Note memorization and movement!)

Concordia (MN) Chapel Choir. So white, it hurts!

Lots more (worse) performances available if you search "Twa Tonbou" at YouTube. This has been a real hot festival and contest piece for the last couple of years.

Happy New Year!

2010-01-01T13:53:00.000-06:00

This NYTimes article on How to Train the Aging Brain applies to most of us in Symphony Chorus.

Does putting oneself on the line by standing up in public to perform a choral concert every six weeks, or so, meet Jack Mezirow's description of a "dis-orienting dilemma?"?

Our Beethoven and SOUL music should be here for our first rehearsal on Tuesday, January 5th.

Here's to making a difference in the New Year - through the power and beauty of choral singing!

NewsHour on Handel, Messiah, and the Market

2009-12-28T09:54:00.002-06:00

Here's an interesting article on Handel, the Investor.

Great Messiah - plus food for thought!

2009-12-19T11:06:00.000-06:00

Thanks and congratulations to SCNO singers for your fine work with Messiah. The week left me with renewed joy and confidence in our possibilities for the rest of the season and future years!

Check out this article on the choral scene in Washington D.C. Interesting to compare the assessment of available singers, audience, and money with our situation in New Orleans...

Artistic Note and Hammond Dining Recommendations

2009-12-16T23:11:00.000-06:00

First the artistic note: in His Yoke is Easy - where we have been asked to insert the eighth rest between "his burthen" and "is light" many of us are rushing - coming in too soon with "is light" after (or, actually,) during the rest. Make sure there are eight eighth notes in every bar (even with the added rest). It would not be a problem if we just sang what Handel wrote, but we must do what we have been asked accurately AND expressively.

Now, the important stuff:

If you are going up early to eat, or looking for someplace to go after the concert in Hammond (I think these would still be open at least until 10), here are two personal favorites:
They are within half a mile of each other, basically on or just off Highway 51.

Cate Street Seafood Station has San Francisco quality sushi at Hammond prices. Best sushi I have ever had (with the exception of an event hosted by the Japanese consulate, but that's another story...) Ask for the cowboy roll (not on the menu, but they'll make it if you ask). For casual surroundings and GREAT food, this place is the bomb. I sometimes drive to Hammond just to eat here (plus my friend Keith Davis, the luthier [look it up] lives and works here).

Cate Street Seafood Station
maps.google.com

308 South Cate Street
Hammond, LA 70403-4224
(985) 340-3891

If you are into TexMex, this is pretty good ... like Superior Grill on St. Charles

La Carreta: Historic Downtown Hammond‎
7 reviews - more info »
108 Northwest Railroad Avenue
Hammond, LA 70401
(985) 419-9990
carretarestaurant.com‎

MESSIAH SCHEDULE CHANGE!!!

2009-12-13T21:33:00.000-06:00

Due to the inclement weather on Saturday, the LPO cancelled and has rescheduled their Classics Concert for Monday evening. Due to other contractual obligations, this means that the orchestra cannot rehearse Messiah on Tuesday evening.

What this means for us is:

The Monday (12/14) Piano Rehearsal at Loyola is CANCELLED (enjoy your free evening! Since you have nothing better scheduled, consider reviewing your music...)

On Tuesday, December 15 we will have a piano rehearsal at the First Baptist Church in New Orleans from 7 - 10 PM. (This is NOT a change in schedule - merely a change in the nature and function of the rehearsal. Be there by 6:45 ready to sing your asses off!)

Wednesday's Orchestra rehearsal will take place as scheduled at the FBCNO from 7-10 PM.

There are no changes to the performance schedule on Thursday and Friday.

The gift of Monday night off is an expression of confidence in the chorus by conductor Rebecca Driver, the LPO staff and players - AND by SCNO board and staff. Let's make sure we live up to this professional and collegial response to force majeur by delivering a great artistic product - with a positive attitude towards conductor and orchestra, and a public demeanor that turns out an enthusiastic audience for our concerts!

2010 Grammy nominees

2009-12-05T12:22:00.000-06:00

Best Choral Performance
The Sixteen (Handel Coronation Anthems)
San Francisco Symphony Chorus, Pacific Boychoir, SF Girls Chorus (Mahler's 8th)
Warsaw Philharmonic Choir, Warsaw Boys' Choir (Penderecki, Utrenja)
Voices of Ascension (Song of the Stars)
Gabrieli Consort (A Spotless Rose)

All of the Best Classical Album nominees contain chorus, though sometimes in a minor role:
Morgan State University Choir, Peabody Children's Chorus (Bernstein's Mass)
SF Symphony Chorus, Pacific Boychoir, SF Girls Chorus (Mahler's 8th)
Tanglewood Festival Chorus (Ravel, Daphnis & Chloe)
Chicago Symphony Chorus, Chattanooga Boys Choir (Ravel, L'Enfant et les Sortilèges)
Chorus of the Mariinsky Theatre (Shostakovich, The Nose)

Two of the five Best Small Ensemble Performance nominees are choirs:
Tallis Scholars (Josquin, Missa Malheur Me Bat)
Theatre of Voices (David Lang's Little Match Girl Passion)

There are a sprinkling of choirs in other categories:
Conspirare (Best Classical Crossover Album)
Atlanta Symphony Chorus (Best Surround Sound Album)
London Symphony Chorus (Best Engineered Album)
Tanglewood Festival Chorus (Best Engineered Album)

And a couple of choral works were nominated for Best Classical Contemporary Composition:
Arvo Pärt, In Principio (Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir)
Roberto SIerra, Missa Latina 'Pro pace' (Milwaukee Symphony Chorus)

More: http://www.grammy.com/grammy_awards/52nd_show/list...

This week's rehearsal (and next) REVISED

2009-12-01T14:28:00.001-06:00

At tonight's rehearsal (Dec. 1) we will sing all of the Messiah choruses. I will focus extra time on those we have sung the least: For Unto Us, His Yoke, and His Yoke. These are the "duet" choruses with all the sixteenth notes. Bring your lean, mean, ready-to-speed, voices tonight. I do hope for a good turnout, despite the rain...

I just emailed Rebecca and she will most likely come to some or all of next week's rehearsal on Tuesday, Dec. 8th.

You should be spending some time EACH DAY in individual work to get ready to sing this annual treat at the level the LPO and our audiences have come to expect from us over the last 25+ years!

Vote for Symphony Chorus of New Orleans!

2009-11-28T10:35:00.000-06:00

Silent Monks Sing Hallelujah

2009-11-26T08:48:00.002-06:00

Pope Benedict: Beauty can be a path to God

2009-11-25T09:57:00.000-06:00

VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Pope Benedict met artists from around the world in the Sistine Chapel on Saturday and urged them to inject spirituality into their work, saying contemporary beauty was often "illusory and deceitful."
"Beauty ... can become a path toward the transcendent, toward the ultimate Mystery, toward God," Benedict said.
The Pope told them that in a world lacking in hope, with increasing signs of aggression and despair, there was an ever greater need for a return to spirituality in art.

"Too often ... the beauty thrust upon us is illusory and deceitful ... it imprisons man within himself and further enslaves him, depriving him of hope and joy," he said.

Against the backdrop of Michelangelo's vast fresco of the Last Judgment, which adorns the chapel's altar wall, Benedict lamented that the once-close cooperation between the Church and the artistic community had weakened.

"Faith takes nothing away from your genius or art," he said. "On the contrary, it exalts them and nourishes them."

The Pope told the gathering of hundreds of painters, sculptors, architects, poets and directors, held beneath the vaulted ceiling of the chapel painted by Michelangelo, that he wanted to "renew the Church's friendship with the world of art."

Full story here...

www.lala.com

2009-11-22T18:06:00.001-06:00

If you don't know about this site, check it out! Signup is free and allows streaming listening to TONS of music. There are 9 performances of the Beethoven Elegischer Gesang, and even more of the Meeresstille und glückliche Fahrt and Choral Fantasy that we will be performing with Civic Symphony in April.

Lots of Messiah, too. And lots of Poulenc Gloria.

Too good to be true! (Plus any music that streams through your computer can be recorded. But that would be illegal, and I'm not going to tell you how to do it, if you don't know...)

Singers of United Lands Repertoire

2009-11-22T17:59:00.002-06:00

I am working hard to find choral music of Estonia, Haiti, Oceania, and Venezuala. Suggestions are welcome! Check out this year's SOUL singers at the link below and to the right:

Messiah - the home stretch

2009-11-22T17:56:00.000-06:00

Although we will, increasingly, be aiming at making it through all of our Messiah choruses at each rehearsal, I will try to find the right balance of rehearsal for 1) correct pitches and rhythms, 2) performance details, diction, and ensemble, and 3) run-through for continuity.
Assuming the room is available, we will again have sectionals on the Amen, on Let Us Break Their Bonds, and He Trusted in God. We will also continue to work on intonation, bland, balance (and memorization!) for Since by Man and spend some time on Behold and the Surely, Stripes, Sheep choruses.

One of my favorite Handel quotes:

"I should be sorry if I only entertained them, I wish to make them better."
James Beattie, letter of May 25, 1780, published in William Forbes An Account of the Life and Writings of James Beattie, LL.D. (1806) p. 331. In reply to Lord Kinnoull, who had complimented him on his Messiah, "the noble entertainment which he had lately given the town". Beattie had this on the authority of Kinnoull himself.

This is, of course, the precise intent and meaning of the term "edification."

Rehearsal order for Friday and Saturday...

2009-10-15T09:36:00.001-05:00

Dear SCNO singers:

Urah, hanevel, v'chinor! A-irah shahar!

Excellent rehearsal last night! Many had their faces out of the score and most were very responsive to Prieto. Bravo! - let's go for 100% on Friday, Saturday, and (of course) Sunday.

The Bernstein is the first item on the rehearsal order both Friday night and Saturday afternoon.

Call is half an hour before the downbeat: 6:30/7:00 PM on Friday and 1:30/2:00 PM on Saturday. We will undoubtedly get out rather early both days, too.

Reminder: the letter "h" needs to be more aggressively enunciated and articulated. The fricative "h" with a dot underneath and the "ch" need to be MUCH stronger. Please go through your score and make sure you are aware of these consonants.

Hineh mah tov, Umah nayim, Shevet ahim Gam yahad.

Amen!

Rehearsal Info now in Google Calendar

2009-10-13T15:21:00.000-05:00

The Google Calendar now includes the complete rehearsal schedule. I copied some events from the LPO service calendar, so they include maps(!).
Let me know if you are having issues with this calendar. You should be able to link it to your personal calendars. It is under my scemusic@gmail.com account.

S.O.U.L. 2009 Pictures and Videos from Mārtiņš

2009-10-13T14:48:00.001-05:00

From: Mārtiņš Kiščenko
Date: 2009/10/13
Subject: RE: SOUL 2009 pictures

Hi...

Video with songs and pictures from SOUL 2009 you can see in the following links in youtube.
There is 4 parts because youtube.com accepted only 10 min. long video. So, I had to spilt in 4 different sections.

SOUL video 1
SOUL video 2
SOUL video 3
SOUL video 4

Thank you all for being with us in this American trip...

Martins Kiščenko

New Orleans Civic Symphony Concert

2009-10-07T15:18:00.002-05:00

The New Orleans Civic Symphony will perform two concerts: The pieces are Wagner's Prelude to "Die Meistersinger", Wagner's "Liebestod" with soloist Meagan Dearie, Smetana's "The Moldau", and Richard Strauss' "Horn Concerto #1 in E Flat" with soloist Glenn Price. The concerts will be conducted by Dr. James Hammann on Sunday, October 18th at 7:30PM at Gretna United Methodist Church on Whitney Avenue in Gretna and on Monday, October 19th at 7:30PM at St. Clement of Rome Church on West Esplanade Avenue. Both concerts are free.

Haydn Lord Nelson Mass (starts around 20:00)

2009-09-26T16:06:00.002-05:00

Write the translation into your score!

2009-09-26T15:11:00.001-05:00

I strongly encourage everyone to copy the translation (provided on the handout - see Chistina if you did not receive one) into your score. It will help a lot, if - as you are singing - you can look down and see what the words mean.

Choral Introit: Awake! Psaltery and Harp! I will rouse the dawn!

Mvmt 1: Psalm 100 - Make a joyful noise!

Mvmt 2: Psalm 23 The Lord is My Shepherd/Psalm 2 Why do the nations rage
("Spring will come again" from Skin of our Teeth vs "Mix! Make a mess of 'em. Make the sons of bitches pay!) Sharks & Jets from West Side Story)

Mvmt 3: Psalm 131 Lord, my heart is not haughty - let Israel hope in the Lord...

and, most important (from L.B. himself),
In this atmosphere of humility, there is a final Chorale Coda, a prayer for peace:
Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together. AMEN!

Embody the meaning of the text in our choral tone. If you are thinking about those words, how could you possible make anything but a beautiful, in-tune sound???

Music Theory on the Web (and in rehearsal!) 1.2 and 1.3

2009-09-22T10:07:00.000-05:00

I thought the material on Rhythm (Part One Section Two 1.2) was self-explanatory, so did not spend time in rehearsal last week. Let me know if you have questions...

Tonight (9/22) we'll spend a few minutes reviewing simple, compound, and asymmetrical Meter (1.3):

http://smu.edu/totw/toc.htm

there's lots of asymmetrical meter in the Bernstein!

Make sure you work through the online Activities for Review. Music Theory is not just an intellectual thing - it is a set of skills that you need to be able to apply quickly and efficiently.

Next week (9/29), Pitch (1.4) is pretty clear - I'm assuming that all of you can figure it out on your own (again, if you cannot read treble and bass clefs and name the pitches on the staff and on the keyboard, make sure you work through this section and/or ask for help. You should be able to recognize pitches - not have to count up or down from some reference point). I'll try to make time to do Scales (1.5) this week, too, so work ahead!

Notation, Rhythm & Meter

2009-09-15T23:33:00.000-05:00

How do you respond to musical notation? Check out this "notation" of Beethoven 5:

Chorus Impact Study on CBS Sunday Morning

2009-09-08T22:55:00.002-05:00

Did you all see this clip?

Chichester Psalms Recommended Recordings

2009-09-08T15:35:00.003-05:00

1. Robert Shaw, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Chorus on Telarc. The usual excellent Telarc engineering, plus you get Walton Belshazzar's Feast (which we have performed) AND Bernstein Missa Brevis $7.97

http://www.amazon.com/Walton-Belshazzars-Bernstein-Chichester-Psalms/dp/B000003CV7/ref=pd_cp_m_3

2. Bernstein, Israel Philharmonic on Deutsche Grammaphon. A fine performance conducted by the composer, plus you get Bernstein's first two symphonies "Jeremiah" and "The Age of Anxiety" $11.98

http://www.amazon.com/Bernstein-Chichester-Psalms-Symphonies-Nos/dp/B000031WYI/ref=pd_sim_m_4

3. Bernstein, New York Philharmonic and Camarata Singers. Composer conducting the folks who did American premiere, plus you get the "Kaddish" Symphony (which we have also performed) $7.98

http://www.amazon.com/Bernstein-Symphony-Kaddish-Chichester-Psalms/dp/B000009CYI/ref=pd_bxgy_m_text_b

IPA: alas, it's not India Pale Ale

2009-09-08T14:37:00.006-05:00

The text, translation, and pronunciation guide that is being distributed today uses the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). I'll explain the basics in rehearsal. For a fuller exploration, see:

http://www.omniglot.com/writing/ipa.htm
(this might be more than you want to know - but if you're curious, have fun!)

For IPA equivalents to English language sounds that will help you decipher the IPA for the Hebrew, see:

http://www.omniglot.com/writing/english.htm

Music Theory on the Web (and in rehearsal!)

2009-09-08T09:43:00.004-05:00

Here's the link I promised to the SMU Theory on the Web site:

http://smu.edu/totw/toc.htm

We spent a few minutes at rehearsal tonight (September 8) on SECTION 1: Introduction.

Music is SOUND organized in time.
Pitch is high and low sounds, scientifically measured in frequency (Hz). The orchestra tunes to the oboe's A440. The octave above = A880 (below = A220). The octave is a 2:1 ratio. The E above A440 is E660. A perfect fifth is a 3:2 ratio. A perfect fourth is 4:3, etc. It's all math (thank you Pythagorus!)
Dynamics is loud and soft sounds, scientifically measured in amplitude (Db). In performance (and listening) this is relative.
Timbre (tone color) refers to the quality or character of the sound (bright/dark, oboe vs. violin, etc). Partially related to attack, release, and nature of tone, primarily produced by the OVERTONE signature of each instrument or voice (more on this later).

For Tuesday, September 15th please look at SECTION 2: Rhythm.

After the first few weeks, we'll slow up and make sure you get enough practice and repetition to develop some new skills.

Welcome to the New Year!

2009-01-04T17:49:00.002-06:00

Dear Symphony Chorus Singers:

I hope you have had a peaceful and rejuvenating holiday season and offer my best wishes for a happy, healthy, and musical New Year!

I have some good news: within a few days the Arts Council of New Orleans will be announcing that Symphony Chorus of New Orleans will be a recipient of the 2009 Community Arts Award (along with David Cuthbert, Luther Gray, Deacon John Moore, Auselkis Ozols, and WWOZ Radio). If you would like to join in the celebrations, mark your calendar - you will be able to purchase tickets at a later date for an Evening Reception from 6:00 - 8:00 PM on Wednesday, May 6th from 6:00 - 8:00 PM at the Windsor Court Hotel and for the Awards Luncheon on Thursday, May 7th from 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM at the Audubon Tea Room. In any case, pat yourself on the back for this award which recognizes the thousands of hours of effort by singers and board members of the chorus in musical performance and civic engagement. This award is sure to help us attract potential donors, audience members, and new singers.

Speaking of new singers, I will be holding auditions during early January (and again in March), so if you know someone who might like to join us, please have them call Betsy Miller to schedule an appointment with me.

Here is the schedule for our upcoming SOUL Concert:

January 6 NO REHEARSAL (auditions for new singers)
January 13 7:00 - 9:30 PM Regular Tuesday Rehearsal at Loyola
January 20 7:00 - 9:30 PM Regular Tuesday Rehearsal at Loyola
January 27 7:00 - 9:30 PM Regular Tuesday Rehearsal at Loyola
February 3 7:00 - 9:30 PM Regular Tuesday Rehearsal at Loyola
February 10 7:00 - 9:30 PM Regular Tuesday Rehearsal at Loyola
February 17 7:00 - 9:30 PM Regular Tuesday Rehearsal at Loyola
February 24 NO REHEARSAL (Mardi Gras)
March 3 7:00 - 9:30 PM Regular Tuesday Rehearsal at Loyola
March 10 7:00 - 10:00 PM Tuesday Rehearsal with SOUL Quartet at Loyola
March 12 7:00 - 10:00 PM "DRESS" Rehearsal with SOUL Quartet at Most Holy Name of Jesus Church
March 13 7:00 PM call for 7:30 PM CONCERT with SOUL Quartet at Most Holy Name of Jesus Church
March 20 NO REHEARSAL (auditions for new singers)
March 27 7:00 - 9:30 PM Regular Tuesday Rehearsals resume at Loyola

Please visit http://soulands.org/default.aspx to get acquainted with this year's quartet and see their itinerary and repertoire in progress. Our concert repertoire is nearly complete and most of our music is here. You will be able to purchase the packet of music at our first rehearsal for $12.00. Please bring cash (correct change, if possible) or check and arrive a few minutes early so we don't lose our valuable rehearsal time to commerce and record keeping.

The American portion of our program will consist of:
A Jubilant Song - This vibrant 1945 setting of a Walt Whitman text by composer Norman Dello Joio (1913 - 2008) is one of the finest pieces of twentieth century American choral music. A good performance by the Uuniversity of Illinois Concert Choir: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uAKfLmVHKW4 There are several other performances available at YouTube. Notice the choirs who look up (some even sing by memory!).

I've Been in the Storm So Long - traditional spiritual arranged by Jeffery Ames in 2006 in response to Hurricane Katrina. Streaming audio of a fine performance from the publisher's website: http://www.waltonmusic.com/Sound9/IveBeenIn/

Worthy to Be Praised - Gospel anthem for chorus and piano by Byron J. Smith. Lots of performances on YouTube. A pretty good one (piece starts about 1:30): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJVYmdkKfqM

The Multi-Cultural portion of our program (so far) is

LATVIA: Dziedot dzimu dziedot augu (arr. Kalnins) SATB div.

Audio performance with scrolling text:
http://www.opentoeverycitizen.net/lv/songs_lv/dziedot_dzimu_dziedot_augu/

To learn more about Latvian history and culture:
http://www.latvians.com/en/index.php

CHILE: TBA

KOREA Arirang (arr. Chen Yi) SATB div.

Streaming audio performance from the publisher's website:
http://www.carlfischer.com/mp3/1-09%20Arirang.mp

To learn more about Korean history and culture:
http://www.arirangeducation.com/main/

KENYA Sigalagala (arr. S. Otieno) SATB div. perc.
(This is a piece from the Luo tribe - the people that Barack Obama's father came from)

To listen to a music clip from the publisher's website:
http://www.earthsongschoralmusic.com/catitem.php?seqnum=100236#

Ululation audtions TBA!

2009-01-04T17:48:00.000-06:00

HALLELUJAH: The list of this year's Messiah Choruses

2008-10-31T16:29:00.002-05:00

And the glory of the Lord
O thou that tellest good tidings
For unto us a child is born
Glory to God
His yoke is easy
Behold the lamb of God
Surely He hath borne our griefs
And with His stripes
All we like sheep
He trusted in God
Let us break their bonds asunder
Hallelujah
Since by man came death
Worthy is the Lamb
Amen

G&S and Reluctant Dragon

2008-09-21T18:21:00.002-05:00

At our rehearsal on Tuesday, September 23rd we will also begin to determine who is interested in singing in our repeat performance of choruses from Gilbert & Sullivan operettas and John Rutter's Reluctant Dragon for the Trinity Artist Series at 5 pm on Sunday, November 9th.

Everyone who sang this past June for the Thursdays at Twilight concert in City Park is welcome to return, and we are certain to have a few openings for newbies, too!

Video of our performance of the Rutter is available at

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=961xdT5YDJw

Look for parts two and three in the related videos list to the right...

Welcome!

2008-09-20T16:35:00.005-05:00

Welcome to SYMPHONYCHORUS.Blogspot.com – blogging our way through the new choral season! This is a work in progress and, I’m sure, will develop and grow as I learn how to use this medium to communicate with you all. I also need to establish a regular schedule for my posts. Note that there are several ways to subscribe to be notified when I have posted new material, or when others have commented.

Here is the list of choruses we are doing in the Bach:

(Please get two large paper clips and seal shut Cantatas II and IV. You are also encouraged to use smaller paperclips - or some other system of your choice – to close up the arias in between our choruses and chorales.

Bach Weihnachtsoratorium (Christmas Oratorio)

Cantatas I, III, V, VI

First Part

1. Coro: Jauchzet [7'40"] (DaCapo)

5. Choral: Wie soll Ich dich [1'03"]

7. Choral: Er ist auf Erden (sop) [2'57"]

9. Choral: Ach, mein herzliebes [1'13"]

Third Part

24. Coro: Herrscher des Himmels [1'53"]

26. Coro: Lasset uns nun gehen [0'39"]

28. Choral: Dies hat er alles [0'43"]

33. Choral: Ich will dich mit Fleiß [0'49"]

35. Choral: Seid froh [0'44"]

24. Coro da capo: Herrscher des Himmels [1'53"]

Fifth Part

43. Coro: Ehre sei dir [5'56"]

45. Coro: Wo ist der neugeborne [1'40"]

46. Choral: Dein Glanz [0'45"]

53. Choral: Zwar ist solche [0'47"]

Sixth Part

54. Coro: Herr, wenn die stolzen [4'58"]

59. Choral: Ich steh an deine Krippe [1'02"]

64. Choral: Nun seid ihr [3'26"]

10 Choral: 15 minutes

7 (6) Coro: 25 minutes

I do not yet have Ms. Miller’s cuts for Messiah. I will post them once available.

In our first two rehearsals we have looked at

Chorus No. 1 (Jauchzet) mm. 1-137

You should know pitches and rhythms (including performance of the trills) and be comfortable with text and pronunciation.

Chorale No. 5 (Wie soll ich) We have not yet added text text, but you should be able to perform your part independently or in small groups on the syllable “loo”

Chorale No. 9 (Ach, mein) see No. 5 – syllable “da”

Chorus No. 26 (Lasset) we read this and learned pitches on “da”

Chorus No. 45 (Wo) see No. 1, above

Chorale No. 64 (Nun seif) see No. 9 and No. 5

We also read several Messiah choruses.

On Tuesday, September 23 we will read choruses in Messiah that we have not yet sung and attempt the following in the Bach (not necessarily in this order):

Chorus No. 1 (Jauchzet) mm. 1-137

reivew pitches and rhythms (including performance of the trills) review pronunciation.

ADD the “B” section: mm. 138-201

Chorale No. 5 (Wie soll ich) reivew pitches; add text

Chorale No. 9 (Ach, mein) review pitches; add text

Chorus No. 26 (Lasset) reivew pitches; add text

Chorus No. 45 (Wo) reivew; polish

Chorale No. 64 (Nun seid) review pitches; add text

If you are looking to purchase a recording of the Bach, I recommend the John Elliot Gardiner performance on DG:

http://www.amazon.com/Bach-Christmas-Oratorio-Gardiner/dp/B0000057D5

If you have additional recordings to recommend, please do so by leaving a comment!

If you would like to listen to a performance of three of the cantatas on the web, check out the Collegiate Choral:

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=17525876

(note the related link to a full online performance of Handel’s Messiah, too)

The Bach is a rather relentlessly un-musical affair, led by Robert Bass. The Handel is Philadelphia Singers Chorale prepared by David Hayes and conducted quite nicely by Richard Hickox.

Note all the neat related material on all these NPR pages:

RELATED NPR STORIES

Jan. 4, 2006 The Eternal Genius of Handel

Dec. 17, 2002 Facts About Handel's 'Messiah'

Apr. 13, 2001 Handel's Messiah

Feb. 23, 2000 Handel