Monday link: Well played, Spain

Do flash mobs ever get old? Discuss.

And while discussing, watch this! (Hat-tip to NR.)

Musica Sacra auditions!

Musica Sacra, one of the most excellent of the many excellent choruses in the greater Boston area, is having auditions!

Musica Sacra is seeking low altos and BASSES for the upcoming season! Musica Sacra has sung in Cambridge and Boston for over 50 years, 30+ of them under the direction of conductor Mary Beekman, who is known in the Boston area for her inspired programming. A diverse selection of both sacred and secular music, ranging from the 15c Flemish to the newly-composed, with everything in between. Rehearsals on Wednesdays, 7 - 10PM. Auditions will be held on Wednesday, August 29, 2012. (Please contact us if you cannot make that date.)

If you would like to arrange an audition time, please email us at info@musicasacra.org. You are not required to prepare a piece for the audition, but you will be asked to sight read. Please be sure to include your voice part in your email. Auditions and rehearsals are held at Harvard Epworth Church in Harvard Square.

Hey chorus managers - you too can get me to plug your chorus's auditions and events on this blog if you offer me a pair of free comp tickets on a regular basis, as Musica Sacra so generously does. *cheesy wink*

Friday Cat Post

Did you know it's Black Cat Appreciation Day?

You can also "like" the ongoing Black Cat Appreciation page on Facebook.

Yay, black cats! (Samson and Oomi approve, I'm sure.)

Monday link

Always good to have a reminder about the importance of mindful practice!

Commission opportunities

This just came across my desk - economical commissioning opportunities for choral composers!

Details are here - this project is particularly aimed at choral conductors who have never commissioned a piece, but is open to all. Correction: this project is ONLY aimed at conductors who have never commissioned a piece before.  Consider participating if you:

• Have always wanted to commission a piece, but have never had the money.
• Would like to set a particular poem, or need more music for a particular theme.
• Are programming multiple settings of a particular text, and could use a modern perspective.
• Would like to honor someone special to your organization with a special work.
• Have never commissioned a piece - if this is the case, IT IS TIME.

I personally believe that performing new music is an extremely important part of being a performing musician today. Participating in the larger musical community and collaborating with other musicians, particularly composers, is an aesthetic obligation. I myself have commissioned 2 pieces for Cantilena, and we are commissioning another this year! So that's 3 pieces in 4 years. Never mind the 20 pieces in under 5 years that Anthology has commissioned.

This project makes the commissioning process, which can be intimidating, very easy, straightforward, and stress-free, so it is a great way to get involved. Be sure to let us know when your premiere is!