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)
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Friday, December 3, 2010
Do What Was Rehearsed (DWWR)
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
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
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Next Rehearsal (11/22/2010
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?
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
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!
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!
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Tonight's Rehearsal
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!
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
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)
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)
Monday, November 15, 2010
RACHEL'S CHRISTMAS CONCERT
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!
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!
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Vocal Solos in Jenkins The Armed Man (March 27)
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
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
Friday, November 5, 2010
Handel, upon being complimented on his Messiah:
I should be sorry if I only entertained them, I wish to make them better.
Monday, November 1, 2010
Tomorrow is election day...
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)
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)
Friday, October 29, 2010
Rehearsal agenda for Tuesday, November 2
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!
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!
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Practice files for Bach
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!
(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!
Monday, October 25, 2010
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Sing for the Cure VOCAL SOLOS
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
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
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
SCNO 30th Season underway!
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...)
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...)
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Great TV: BBC AMERICA - THE CHOIR!
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!
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!
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Reference Recordings for T@T
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...
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...
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Jabberwocky
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!
This is a GOOD chorus. Notice the fact that they sing in tune, and with unaminous, sensitive diction. Bravo!
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Estonian Choral Singing
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...
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
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...
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
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...
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
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.
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.
Friday, January 1, 2010
Happy New Year!
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!
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!
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