I can think of no pithy little intro this week. On to the concerts!
Friday: The Voices of Metrowest will present a "Best of the Beatles" concert. At 7 pm at First Congregational Church in Natick.
Saturday: Go see Voices Rising present a concert called "All the Wild Wonders" at 7:30 pm at First Church in Boston.
Also on Saturday: Chorus North Shore, Coolidge Corner Community Chorus, Polymnia.
Sunday: I'll be heading to Chorus pro Musica's final concert of the season, where in addition to presenting Stravinsky's Symphony of Psalms they will be presenting a new commission by the young American composer Abbie Betinis. 3 pm at NEC's Jordan Hall!
Also on Sunday: Sharing a New Song, Voices Rising.
Next Tuesday, check out the Spivery Hall Children's Chorus at the King's Chapel Noon Concert Series. And next Wednesday, check out the first annual Somerville Public Schools Choral Festival. It will be from 1:00-2:30 pm in the Somerville High School Auditorium at 81 Highland Ave, Somerville. And in addition to the All City Elementary Choir and the Somerville High School Chorus, the Swingle Singers will be there! The Swingle Singers will also be singing with the Boston Pops on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday.
Friday, June 03, 2011
Monday, May 30, 2011
Linked on Local Pigeon!
Check it out - I have been linked on this nifty site called Local Pigeon, which links to a different neat site every day. Especially cool to be up there since the blog Already Pretty is also linked this month. I discovered that blog a few months back and have been reading it avidly ever since, so it's kind of exciting to be up there at the same time!
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Oops
So, the discerning Gentle Reader may have noticed a discrepancy this past week in this blog. On Wednesday I told you that I was singing in a choral benefit concert for Haiti on Saturday, and on Thursday I told you there were no choral concerts this weekend.
Wednesday I was right, and Thursday I was forgetful! There is ONE choral concert this weekend, and since I am singing in it, you might have thought I would remember to mention it, but apparently summer-brain has already set in. It is TONIGHT, at 8 pm at St. John the Evangelist near Government Center, and I hope you can all come!
Wednesday I was right, and Thursday I was forgetful! There is ONE choral concert this weekend, and since I am singing in it, you might have thought I would remember to mention it, but apparently summer-brain has already set in. It is TONIGHT, at 8 pm at St. John the Evangelist near Government Center, and I hope you can all come!
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Weekend Concert Calendar, 5/26/11
Well, it's Memorial Day Weekend...and folks, I got nuthin'! Wisely, all the local choruses avoided scheduling concerts or performances for a weekend when many people would be out of town. Enjoy the (finally) lovely weather!
Next Tuesday, check out the Newton Singers. That's all, folks!
Did I miss anything? Leave it in the comments!
Next Tuesday, check out the Newton Singers. That's all, folks!
Did I miss anything? Leave it in the comments!
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Benefit Concert for Haiti
I have been thinking recently that I should post more often about what I am actually doing in my life, so I think I may try to do that every Wednesday. Recently, this means fund-raising activities. Last week, I posted about my participation in the Walk for Music on behalf of Cantilena (and I raised almost double my goal, which was awesome!) This week, I want to let you know that this Saturday I will be singing in a benefit concert for Haiti.
Local conductor Michael Barrett (who happens to conduct Convivium Musicum, the group I talked about yesterday!) has put together a benefit concert to raise money for Haiti, which is still dealing with the devastating results of the 2010 earthquake a year and a half later. He has assembled an impressive roster of professional early musicians from the greater Boston area, and also me. ;) We will be performing polychoral works by Praetorius and Gabrieli, and we will be assembling this complex music the same day of the concert. That's right, this bunch of hotshots is going to rehearse for the first time at 3 pm and perform the concert that evening. The concert will be at 8 pm at St. John the Evangelist on Bowdoin St. in downtown Boston on this coming Saturday, May 28.
There will be cornettos. And sackbuts. Multiple choirs singing from all the balconies. And Frances Fitch on continuo. Be there or be sad!
Local conductor Michael Barrett (who happens to conduct Convivium Musicum, the group I talked about yesterday!) has put together a benefit concert to raise money for Haiti, which is still dealing with the devastating results of the 2010 earthquake a year and a half later. He has assembled an impressive roster of professional early musicians from the greater Boston area, and also me. ;) We will be performing polychoral works by Praetorius and Gabrieli, and we will be assembling this complex music the same day of the concert. That's right, this bunch of hotshots is going to rehearse for the first time at 3 pm and perform the concert that evening. The concert will be at 8 pm at St. John the Evangelist on Bowdoin St. in downtown Boston on this coming Saturday, May 28.
There will be cornettos. And sackbuts. Multiple choirs singing from all the balconies. And Frances Fitch on continuo. Be there or be sad!
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Convivium Musicum review
This past Sunday I went to go hear Convivium Musicum perform their program "Armada," and since they gave me a comp, they get a review!*
I was hardly an objective observer of this group; I got to substitute-direct a rehearsal for them towards the end of April. But it was very pleasant indeed to be able to sit back and enjoy the skill of this admirable ensemble.
The programming was very strong; it was all music on the subject of war that would have been performed around the time of the Spanish Armada. One detail that warmed this music geek's heart was the fact that four of the five mass movements they performed were based on the Janequin chanson "La Guerre," something that was very interesting to listen for. I also especially enjoyed the music of Guerrero, who is a composer I was unfamiliar with and whose work is surprisingly beautiful. But what really made this program extraordinary was the use of text in between each musical number. Anney Gillotte, a former member of the group (full disclosure: also a close friend! told you I wasn't objective) put together a really remarkable story-telling of the Spanish Armada, complete with fascinating source texts. Conductor Michael Barrett read the connecting storyline of the historical event, but various chorus members stepped out to read letters and speeches from the major players, which added a real level of drama to the proceedings. Normally I am not that interested in lecture-concerts, but this worked terrifically; partly perhaps I didn't know any of the details of this particular historical episode, and the plot was really quite gripping! The music worked extremely well to tell the story as well, especially in the second half of the concert, when the dramatic tension ramped up. So bravo to everyone for creating such a notably fascinating concert.
Technically, of course, one is always in good hands with Convivium Musicum. The balance was very good, although I could wish for a more robust sound from the sopranos; it's very clean, but I would love to hear them feel free to soar a little more. My major issue with this concert was the acoustics - Grace Episcopal Church in Salem is extremely dry, and it would have been much more satisfying to hear the concert in a wetter room. Luckily, Convivium did not need a forgiving space; there were only a few tuning mistakes, quickly resolved, and their solidity of tempo and rhythm was really excellent. I am always telling my choirs that they must take responsibility for the rhythmic integrity of the piece themselves; hearing Convivium nail every tempo together was a joy. They clearly were all moving together as one, and had the same ideas about their momentum with director Michael Barrett never needing to dictate anything, only to shape. I remember the point at which I was listening to an old choral recording of myself, and realized that although the tuning was solid, the performance was second-rate because the choir was not moving crisply in rhythm together. That was when I realized that all first-rate choirs have excellent rhythm; and this is particularly true of Convivium.
But technical aspects are not why we go to concerts. We want things to be interesting! And between good programming, and wonderful texts, and every singer's face up and out and communicating, this was absolutely a very interesting and enjoyable concert. Kudos to Convivium!
*peers over the rim of my glasses at Cantata Singers, BEMF, Celebrity Series Boston...hint, hint!
I was hardly an objective observer of this group; I got to substitute-direct a rehearsal for them towards the end of April. But it was very pleasant indeed to be able to sit back and enjoy the skill of this admirable ensemble.
The programming was very strong; it was all music on the subject of war that would have been performed around the time of the Spanish Armada. One detail that warmed this music geek's heart was the fact that four of the five mass movements they performed were based on the Janequin chanson "La Guerre," something that was very interesting to listen for. I also especially enjoyed the music of Guerrero, who is a composer I was unfamiliar with and whose work is surprisingly beautiful. But what really made this program extraordinary was the use of text in between each musical number. Anney Gillotte, a former member of the group (full disclosure: also a close friend! told you I wasn't objective) put together a really remarkable story-telling of the Spanish Armada, complete with fascinating source texts. Conductor Michael Barrett read the connecting storyline of the historical event, but various chorus members stepped out to read letters and speeches from the major players, which added a real level of drama to the proceedings. Normally I am not that interested in lecture-concerts, but this worked terrifically; partly perhaps I didn't know any of the details of this particular historical episode, and the plot was really quite gripping! The music worked extremely well to tell the story as well, especially in the second half of the concert, when the dramatic tension ramped up. So bravo to everyone for creating such a notably fascinating concert.
Technically, of course, one is always in good hands with Convivium Musicum. The balance was very good, although I could wish for a more robust sound from the sopranos; it's very clean, but I would love to hear them feel free to soar a little more. My major issue with this concert was the acoustics - Grace Episcopal Church in Salem is extremely dry, and it would have been much more satisfying to hear the concert in a wetter room. Luckily, Convivium did not need a forgiving space; there were only a few tuning mistakes, quickly resolved, and their solidity of tempo and rhythm was really excellent. I am always telling my choirs that they must take responsibility for the rhythmic integrity of the piece themselves; hearing Convivium nail every tempo together was a joy. They clearly were all moving together as one, and had the same ideas about their momentum with director Michael Barrett never needing to dictate anything, only to shape. I remember the point at which I was listening to an old choral recording of myself, and realized that although the tuning was solid, the performance was second-rate because the choir was not moving crisply in rhythm together. That was when I realized that all first-rate choirs have excellent rhythm; and this is particularly true of Convivium.
But technical aspects are not why we go to concerts. We want things to be interesting! And between good programming, and wonderful texts, and every singer's face up and out and communicating, this was absolutely a very interesting and enjoyable concert. Kudos to Convivium!
*peers over the rim of my glasses at Cantata Singers, BEMF, Celebrity Series Boston...hint, hint!
Monday, May 23, 2011
Monday link
A wonderful article from NPR on not underestimating younger audiences, by soprano Christine Brewer.
Audition notice
I usually don't post audition notices, but because it's not the usual audition time I'm going to make an exception. The Orpheus Singers are auditioning for singers with fine voices and excellent sight-reading skills from May 20 through May 27.
From the notice: "The Orpheus Singers is a chamber choir of skilled volunteers and paid professionals of 24 - 28 singers. We sing two concerts per season with rehearsals twice a week (Tu and Th evenings) for the three weeks leading up to the concert. Then we go "fallow" until the next concert preparation. We sing concerts of classical repertory from the 15th century to recently composed music, often on the same program, and often a cappella. Please call James Olesen, the music director, directly at (617) 666-4617 for an appointment."
From the notice: "The Orpheus Singers is a chamber choir of skilled volunteers and paid professionals of 24 - 28 singers. We sing two concerts per season with rehearsals twice a week (Tu and Th evenings) for the three weeks leading up to the concert. Then we go "fallow" until the next concert preparation. We sing concerts of classical repertory from the 15th century to recently composed music, often on the same program, and often a cappella. Please call James Olesen, the music director, directly at (617) 666-4617 for an appointment."
Friday, May 20, 2011
Weekend Concert Calendar, 5/19/11
Folks, I think that the world IS in fact ending tomorrow; as evidence I submit that there is a giant ball of fire in the sky! I certainly cannot remember the last time I saw such a thing. At least you know that if you are not taken up on Saturday, you can go hear some good choral music on Sunday.
Friday: Go hear the Choir of the Church of the Advent! They are known for being hot stuff, AND they are singing Victoria. 8 pm at (surprise!) the Church of the Advent in Boston.
Also on Friday: Christ Church Evensong Choir, Lexington Pops Chorus.
Saturday: Go hear the Seraphim Singers and the Boston New Music Initiative present some new choral music! 8 pm at St. John's Episcopal Church in Jamaica Plain.
Also on Saturday: Convivium Musicum, Lexington Pops Chorus, Mystic Chorale, Newton Community Chorus, Stämbandet.
Sunday: Go hear the Mystic Chorale; they are always an energetic good time. 3:30 pm at Tremont Temple in Boston.
Also on Sunday: Brookline Chorus, Convivium Musicum, Paul Madore Chorale.
And on Tuesday, check out the Greater Boston Intergenerational Chorus concert at 7 pm in First Parish Church in Watertown. This group is directed by Joanne Hammil, who writes the best music for kids that I have ever come across.
Friday: Go hear the Choir of the Church of the Advent! They are known for being hot stuff, AND they are singing Victoria. 8 pm at (surprise!) the Church of the Advent in Boston.
Also on Friday: Christ Church Evensong Choir, Lexington Pops Chorus.
Saturday: Go hear the Seraphim Singers and the Boston New Music Initiative present some new choral music! 8 pm at St. John's Episcopal Church in Jamaica Plain.
Also on Saturday: Convivium Musicum, Lexington Pops Chorus, Mystic Chorale, Newton Community Chorus, Stämbandet.
Sunday: Go hear the Mystic Chorale; they are always an energetic good time. 3:30 pm at Tremont Temple in Boston.
Also on Sunday: Brookline Chorus, Convivium Musicum, Paul Madore Chorale.
And on Tuesday, check out the Greater Boston Intergenerational Chorus concert at 7 pm in First Parish Church in Watertown. This group is directed by Joanne Hammil, who writes the best music for kids that I have ever come across.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Musica Sacra review
Musica Sacra gave me comps to their concert last Saturday, and that means I feel somewhat obligated to post a review here!
The concert was titled "Love, Lust and Laudations" and it was an exploration of Flemish choral music during the High Renaissance. It was a highly enjoyable concert; Musica Sacra is a sharp outfit, so what is there to say, really? Positive reviews are boring, but there it is. Tuning and expressiveness were impressive as always. And the diction! During much of the concert, I found myself profoundly glad that somebody had done the important and dedicated work of figuring out how to pronounce Renaissance Flemish French (or whatever that linguistic variation is called) and then practicing it enough to do it solidly and well. I also found myself profoundly glad that that person was not me, because wow, working that language into your mouth is hard and they had a lot of it! My one quibble might be that I felt some of the tempos were a bit too brisk, but on the other hand who can argue with excitement?
To make this more interesting, I will share with you my rips from the concert. During a lot of choral concerts I take the program and I make a little rip next to any piece that I especially like. The idea is that when I am doing my own programming I can go back to old programs I've saved and research pieces that have a little rip next to them (though to date I have always had enough program ideas that I've never actually done this.) Here's what I ripped from the Musica Sacra concert. If I remember why I ripped it, I will mention that!
En ce gracieulx mois de may, by Jean Courtois: This was the first chanson on the concert, and I ripped it b/c it was just pretty. Many of the chanson were charming, but this was the prettiest!
Elle n'eust sçeu la chaleur esprouver, by Claude Le Jeune: This chanson ended the first half; I don't remember it as well as the first (see, this is why I do the rips!) but I think I ripped it b/c it was also pretty and romantic and had a slightly grand ending.
O Maria Vernans Rosa, and also Adesto Dolori Meo, both by Clemens Non Papa: Wow, I don't know Clemens all that well, which is probably why the serene beauty of both of these motets caught me a little off guard. No wonder people still sing this guy's music!
Cum Essem Parvulus, by Orlandus Lassus (we're in a French mode, here!): I chose this as much for the text as the music. This is a setting of 1 Corinthians 13:11-13, and I have not found many (any?) settings of that text before, much less a beautiful one by Lassus.
Naturally if you wish to hear any of these pieces you can go and buy Musica Sacra's CD of this music. ;)
The concert was titled "Love, Lust and Laudations" and it was an exploration of Flemish choral music during the High Renaissance. It was a highly enjoyable concert; Musica Sacra is a sharp outfit, so what is there to say, really? Positive reviews are boring, but there it is. Tuning and expressiveness were impressive as always. And the diction! During much of the concert, I found myself profoundly glad that somebody had done the important and dedicated work of figuring out how to pronounce Renaissance Flemish French (or whatever that linguistic variation is called) and then practicing it enough to do it solidly and well. I also found myself profoundly glad that that person was not me, because wow, working that language into your mouth is hard and they had a lot of it! My one quibble might be that I felt some of the tempos were a bit too brisk, but on the other hand who can argue with excitement?
To make this more interesting, I will share with you my rips from the concert. During a lot of choral concerts I take the program and I make a little rip next to any piece that I especially like. The idea is that when I am doing my own programming I can go back to old programs I've saved and research pieces that have a little rip next to them (though to date I have always had enough program ideas that I've never actually done this.) Here's what I ripped from the Musica Sacra concert. If I remember why I ripped it, I will mention that!
En ce gracieulx mois de may, by Jean Courtois: This was the first chanson on the concert, and I ripped it b/c it was just pretty. Many of the chanson were charming, but this was the prettiest!
Elle n'eust sçeu la chaleur esprouver, by Claude Le Jeune: This chanson ended the first half; I don't remember it as well as the first (see, this is why I do the rips!) but I think I ripped it b/c it was also pretty and romantic and had a slightly grand ending.
O Maria Vernans Rosa, and also Adesto Dolori Meo, both by Clemens Non Papa: Wow, I don't know Clemens all that well, which is probably why the serene beauty of both of these motets caught me a little off guard. No wonder people still sing this guy's music!
Cum Essem Parvulus, by Orlandus Lassus (we're in a French mode, here!): I chose this as much for the text as the music. This is a setting of 1 Corinthians 13:11-13, and I have not found many (any?) settings of that text before, much less a beautiful one by Lassus.
Naturally if you wish to hear any of these pieces you can go and buy Musica Sacra's CD of this music. ;)
Support me in the Walk for Music!
This coming Sunday is the Boston's Walk For Music, and I will be participating! This fundraiser supports all types of music programs in Boston's neighborhoods and surrounding communities. 100% of the pledges raised will go straight to these music programs, and all donations are tax-deductible. (None of the pledges go to the Walk, which is staffed by volunteers.) I will be part of the Cantilena team, and my personal goal is to raise $250.
This may seem like a lot to raise in 5 days, but all I really need is 25 people to pledge me $10! (Larger amounts would naturally be gratefully accepted!) I know not everyone can afford $10 right now, but if you can, I really hope you'll consider pledging to support me. Any money you donate goes straight to Cantilena's budget, and will be directly responsible for hiring soloists, paying for sheet music, or paying for our upcoming CD recording (we are recording in January
2012). Tickets do not nearly cover Cantilena's budget; we are very dependent on donations and fund-raisers, and the Walk for Music will be an important part of our budget for the upcoming year. (I have sat through the board meetings, and I know!)
I hope that you are able to support me with a pledge for Cantilena toward the Walk for Music. You can donate directly to Cantilena online - just go to cantilena.org and click on the Donate button at the bottom. (And then be sure to comment and let me know you did so!)
I'm really looking forward to participating in the Walk for Music, and I welcome your pledge to "keep music alive in our community." Thanks for your support! (And if you are part of a chorus or musical organization, consider walking yourself! It's easy to sign up!)
This may seem like a lot to raise in 5 days, but all I really need is 25 people to pledge me $10! (Larger amounts would naturally be gratefully accepted!) I know not everyone can afford $10 right now, but if you can, I really hope you'll consider pledging to support me. Any money you donate goes straight to Cantilena's budget, and will be directly responsible for hiring soloists, paying for sheet music, or paying for our upcoming CD recording (we are recording in January
2012). Tickets do not nearly cover Cantilena's budget; we are very dependent on donations and fund-raisers, and the Walk for Music will be an important part of our budget for the upcoming year. (I have sat through the board meetings, and I know!)
I hope that you are able to support me with a pledge for Cantilena toward the Walk for Music. You can donate directly to Cantilena online - just go to cantilena.org and click on the Donate button at the bottom. (And then be sure to comment and let me know you did so!)
I'm really looking forward to participating in the Walk for Music, and I welcome your pledge to "keep music alive in our community." Thanks for your support! (And if you are part of a chorus or musical organization, consider walking yourself! It's easy to sign up!)
Monday, May 16, 2011
Monday link
A few weeks ago, Terry Gross interviewed James Levine for the NPR show Fresh Air. I didn't catch the whole thing, maybe 2/3 of it, but it's definitely very interesting. I was most intrigued by his thoughts on conducting style, which came in the first half of the interview.
If you don't feel like listening, there is also an attached article that summarizes the interview.
If you don't feel like listening, there is also an attached article that summarizes the interview.
Friday, May 13, 2011
Friday cat post! Oomi edition!
When was the last time we checked in with Oomi, my brother's cat?
Good to know she is looking as picture-perfect as ever!
Good to know she is looking as picture-perfect as ever!
Weekend Concert Calendar, 5/12/11
I apologize for the lateness of this post; Blogger was down for more than 24 hours (which is something that is going to make me think hard about where I am posting this blog - opinions on good platforms welcome.) But here we are, finally!
We're at that point in the semester where the choices are tough, tough, tough! Everybody and their cousin has a concert this weekend! Break a leg, everyone!
Friday: If you enjoyed the Back Bay Chorale's performance of Rachmaninoff's All-Night Vigil earlier this year, why not check out Masterworks Chorale's performance of Tchaikovsky's All-Night Vigil, a precursor to Rachmaninoff's more well-known piece? 8 pm at Sanders Theatre.
Also on Friday: Arlington-Belmont Chamber Chorus, Boston Archdiocesan Choir School & St. Paul Men's Schola, Cantata Singers.
Saturday: I myself will be going to the Musica Sacra concert at 8 pm at First Church Congregational in Cambridge! I was lucky enough to sub for director Mary Beekman at one of their rehearsals earlier this semester, so I can't wait to hear how they sound. The program is called "Love, Lust, and Laudations: Flemish Choral Music of the High Renaissance" and there is a pretty wide range from beautiful sacred music to extremely raunchy secular songs!
Also on Saturday: Back Bay Chorale, Braintree Choral Society, Cambridge Chamber Singers, Choral Art Society of the South Shore, Convivium Musicum, Exsultemus, Heritage Chorale, Lorelei Ensemble, Newburyport Choral Society, Somerville Community Chorus, Treble Chorus of New England.
Sunday: Check out Convivium Musicum's martial program "Armada!" including war-inspired works by Victoria, Francisco Guerrero, Rogier, and Byrd. I was also lucky enough to sub for a rehearsal for director Michael Barrett earlier this semester (by the way, I'm happy to substitute-direct for anybody's rehearsal whenever needed!) and there is some beautiful music on this program (especially the Guerrero, a piece I didn't know and which was a delightful surprise.) 7 pm at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Brookline.
Also on Sunday: Andover Choral Society, Cambridge Chamber Singers, Cappella Clausura, Coro Allegro, Exsultemus, Quincy Choral Society, Wellesley Choral Society, Youth Pro Musica.
Did I miss anything? Leave it in the comments!
We're at that point in the semester where the choices are tough, tough, tough! Everybody and their cousin has a concert this weekend! Break a leg, everyone!
Friday: If you enjoyed the Back Bay Chorale's performance of Rachmaninoff's All-Night Vigil earlier this year, why not check out Masterworks Chorale's performance of Tchaikovsky's All-Night Vigil, a precursor to Rachmaninoff's more well-known piece? 8 pm at Sanders Theatre.
Also on Friday: Arlington-Belmont Chamber Chorus, Boston Archdiocesan Choir School & St. Paul Men's Schola, Cantata Singers.
Saturday: I myself will be going to the Musica Sacra concert at 8 pm at First Church Congregational in Cambridge! I was lucky enough to sub for director Mary Beekman at one of their rehearsals earlier this semester, so I can't wait to hear how they sound. The program is called "Love, Lust, and Laudations: Flemish Choral Music of the High Renaissance" and there is a pretty wide range from beautiful sacred music to extremely raunchy secular songs!
Also on Saturday: Back Bay Chorale, Braintree Choral Society, Cambridge Chamber Singers, Choral Art Society of the South Shore, Convivium Musicum, Exsultemus, Heritage Chorale, Lorelei Ensemble, Newburyport Choral Society, Somerville Community Chorus, Treble Chorus of New England.
Sunday: Check out Convivium Musicum's martial program "Armada!" including war-inspired works by Victoria, Francisco Guerrero, Rogier, and Byrd. I was also lucky enough to sub for a rehearsal for director Michael Barrett earlier this semester (by the way, I'm happy to substitute-direct for anybody's rehearsal whenever needed!) and there is some beautiful music on this program (especially the Guerrero, a piece I didn't know and which was a delightful surprise.) 7 pm at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Brookline.
Also on Sunday: Andover Choral Society, Cambridge Chamber Singers, Cappella Clausura, Coro Allegro, Exsultemus, Quincy Choral Society, Wellesley Choral Society, Youth Pro Musica.
Did I miss anything? Leave it in the comments!
Friday, May 06, 2011
Weekend Concert Calendar, 5/5/11
This is going up a little later than usual, but hopefully this will still be of use!
Friday: Celebrity Series Boston is bringing Sweet Honey in the Rock! Wooo! 8 pm, Symphony Hall. They are AWESOME and that is all there is to say about that.
Also on Friday: MIT Concert Choir.
Saturday: For Saturday, I recommend a town: Concord. The Concord Women's Chorus is doing one fascinating program at 2 pm at Trinity Episcopal Church in Concord. It will feature Andrew Carter's Missa Brevis, Michael Isaacson's Cradle of Fire, and Gregg Smith's Latin Madrigals. Then at 7 pm the Concord Chorus (a mixed group) will be doing an excellent program featuring Barber's Reincarnations and selections from Argento's Walden Pond at 8 pm at the New Church in Concord. (And in between Concord features plenty of places for pretty walks and delicious dinners!)
Also on Saturday: A Cappella Singers, Assabet Valley Mastersingers, Capriccio Children's Chorus, Harvard Pro Musica, Jubilate Chorale, Master Singers of Lexington, Newton Choral Society, Simmons College Concert Choir.
Sunday: How appropriate that on Mother's Day the MIT Concert Choir should be singing Haydn's Creation! 4 pm, Kresge Auditorium on the MIT campus in Cambridge.
Also on Sunday: The deVaronistas.
Did I miss anything? Leave it in the comments!
Friday: Celebrity Series Boston is bringing Sweet Honey in the Rock! Wooo! 8 pm, Symphony Hall. They are AWESOME and that is all there is to say about that.
Also on Friday: MIT Concert Choir.
Saturday: For Saturday, I recommend a town: Concord. The Concord Women's Chorus is doing one fascinating program at 2 pm at Trinity Episcopal Church in Concord. It will feature Andrew Carter's Missa Brevis, Michael Isaacson's Cradle of Fire, and Gregg Smith's Latin Madrigals. Then at 7 pm the Concord Chorus (a mixed group) will be doing an excellent program featuring Barber's Reincarnations and selections from Argento's Walden Pond at 8 pm at the New Church in Concord. (And in between Concord features plenty of places for pretty walks and delicious dinners!)
Also on Saturday: A Cappella Singers, Assabet Valley Mastersingers, Capriccio Children's Chorus, Harvard Pro Musica, Jubilate Chorale, Master Singers of Lexington, Newton Choral Society, Simmons College Concert Choir.
Sunday: How appropriate that on Mother's Day the MIT Concert Choir should be singing Haydn's Creation! 4 pm, Kresge Auditorium on the MIT campus in Cambridge.
Also on Sunday: The deVaronistas.
Did I miss anything? Leave it in the comments!
Monday, May 02, 2011
Monday link
Well, there has been a lot of news since then, but there was some very nice choral music at the Royal Wedding last Friday. You can hear it here.
Friday, April 29, 2011
Friday cat post
Boston Globe reports cat might break records with loudness of purr. See said cat's website here.
Weekend Concert Calendar, 4/28/11
This weekend is a big one - it is Cantilena's spring concert on Sunday! We are doing a program called May Days & Wild Nights: Madrigal Mayhem, which will feature some traditional English madrigals by Morley and Weelkes, some Italian madrigals by Kodaly (I know, right? You have to hear them) and two sets of modern madrigals by Roger Bourland, setting the texts of Dickinson and Francisco X. Alarcon. 7 pm, First Parish Arlington! Be there!
And, if you are free on Friday evening, there is going to be a fantastic organ concert by Christa Rakich at my church, First Parish Cohasset, at 7:30 pm. (That's tonight!)
Also, Harvard University is having their Arts First weekend right now as we speak, and boy, there is a lot of singing!
Friday: Handel & Haydn is performing Mozart's Requiem, and Handel's Dixit Dominus. Classics for a reason! 8 pm, Symphony Hall - let the good times roll.
Also on Friday: Harvard University Holden choruses.
Saturday: Tough choice. But I might recommend you go see the combined Holden choruses at Harvard University, who will be performing not only Beethoven's 9th Symphony but also the Boston premiere of John Adams' On the Transmigration of Souls. An amazing program, and with amazing musicians. 8 pm at Sanders Theatre.
Also on Saturday: Boston Gay Men's Chorus, Boston Harmony World Music Choir, Cantemus, Exsultemus, Fine Arts Chorale, Halalisa Singers, Harvard University Holden choruses, Nashoba Valley Chorale, Oriana Consort, Voices of Imani (BC).
Sunday: Come see me conduct Cantilena! Woooohooo! You did not know that madrigals came in such a variety, I promise you. One of them is about washing dishes.
Also on Sunday: Arlington-Belmont Chorale, Boston Saengerfest Men's Chorus, Cantemus, Halalisa Singers, Handel & Haydn Society, Harvard University Choir, New England Classical Singers, Treble Chorus of New England.
Did I miss anything? Leave it in the comments!
And, if you are free on Friday evening, there is going to be a fantastic organ concert by Christa Rakich at my church, First Parish Cohasset, at 7:30 pm. (That's tonight!)
Also, Harvard University is having their Arts First weekend right now as we speak, and boy, there is a lot of singing!
Friday: Handel & Haydn is performing Mozart's Requiem, and Handel's Dixit Dominus. Classics for a reason! 8 pm, Symphony Hall - let the good times roll.
Also on Friday: Harvard University Holden choruses.
Saturday: Tough choice. But I might recommend you go see the combined Holden choruses at Harvard University, who will be performing not only Beethoven's 9th Symphony but also the Boston premiere of John Adams' On the Transmigration of Souls. An amazing program, and with amazing musicians. 8 pm at Sanders Theatre.
Also on Saturday: Boston Gay Men's Chorus, Boston Harmony World Music Choir, Cantemus, Exsultemus, Fine Arts Chorale, Halalisa Singers, Harvard University Holden choruses, Nashoba Valley Chorale, Oriana Consort, Voices of Imani (BC).
Sunday: Come see me conduct Cantilena! Woooohooo! You did not know that madrigals came in such a variety, I promise you. One of them is about washing dishes.
Also on Sunday: Arlington-Belmont Chorale, Boston Saengerfest Men's Chorus, Cantemus, Halalisa Singers, Handel & Haydn Society, Harvard University Choir, New England Classical Singers, Treble Chorus of New England.
Did I miss anything? Leave it in the comments!
Monday, April 25, 2011
Another Monday link
Boo - the IMSLP (aka the Petrucci Music Library, wonderful source of free scores that are in the public domain) is under attack. Hat tip to ChoralNet's Choral Blog, which has a summary.
Monday link
I hope everyone survived Holy Week!
For this week, your link is the Breaking Winds bassoon quartet from Eastman. Here they are playing a Disney Princess medley!
(While we're talking about princesses, how can I resist giving a shout-out to Advice from a Cartoon Princess? Choose Snow White, Ariel, or Belle! Not remotely safe for work! Ahem.)
For this week, your link is the Breaking Winds bassoon quartet from Eastman. Here they are playing a Disney Princess medley!
(While we're talking about princesses, how can I resist giving a shout-out to Advice from a Cartoon Princess? Choose Snow White, Ariel, or Belle! Not remotely safe for work! Ahem.)
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Friday, April 15, 2011
Friday cat post!
Well, Samson is fine, and cuddly, but the camera is still lost, so you may not see him for a while. I tried to take a video of him, but black cats are hard to video, it turns out.
In the meantime, some kitty links!
A cat makes friends with some dolphins. Hat tip to SB.
A man creates a truly incredible homeless shelter for cats. (Check out the buildings.)
Japan's "Cat Island" doing OK after the quake, but in need of aid.
Cats in libraries. Quite a lot of them, it turns out! Check out the map. Hat tip to my dad.
In the meantime, some kitty links!
A cat makes friends with some dolphins. Hat tip to SB.
A man creates a truly incredible homeless shelter for cats. (Check out the buildings.)
Japan's "Cat Island" doing OK after the quake, but in need of aid.
Cats in libraries. Quite a lot of them, it turns out! Check out the map. Hat tip to my dad.
Weekend Concert Calendar, 4/14/11
I am singing myself this weekend, and you should come and hear me! Schola Cantorum is going to be performing Dufay's Missa Ecce Ancilla Domini, as well as motets by Victoria, Lassus, and Josquin. We will be singing at St. John's in Boston at 8 pm on Saturday, and at my own church, First Parish Cohasset, at 3 pm on Sunday. Please come!
Friday: Go check out the Oriana Consort, which will be singing a program called "The Austria/Brooklyn Connection." Among many other exciting pieces, they will be performing Copland's In The Beginning, which is a really fantastic work if you have never heard it. At 8 pm at the First Lutheran Church of Boston.
Saturday: Wow, Saturday is BUSY! There is a lot of crazy-awesome stuff going on. Naturally you should come and hear me sing with Schola Cantorum. But earlier in the afternoon, you should also to go the Boston Cecilia benefit concert for Japan featuring Fauré Requiem. That will be at 3 pm at Trinity Church in Copley Square, Boston, and all proceeds will go to survivors of the Japan earthquake. They are also having a raffle featuring some very cool prizes. (You could win an Anthology CD, for one, but I am really coveting the "17-course Chef's Tasting menu with sake pairings for two, at Boston's o ya." Holy wow.)
Also on Saturday: Blue Heron singing workshop, Boston Children's Chorus, Boston College University Chorale, Boston College's Voices of Imani, Boston Conservatory Chorale, Emmanuel Music and the Spectrum Singers (Stravinsky's The Rake's Progress), Exsultemus, Harvard Chamber Singers, Marsh Chapel Choir and Collegium (Bach's St. Matthew Passion).
Sunday: I rarely mention pop a cappella on this blog, not because I don't thoroughly enjoy it, but because there's so much of it in Boston that I can't do it justice. However, this Sunday is the 27th Annual Boston Harmony Sweepstakes at Tufts, one of the major a cappella events of the year and sure to be a good time. 2 pm on the Tufts campus - sure to sell out, so you might want to call ahead!
Also on Sunday: Boston Conservatory Women's Chorus.
Did I miss anything? Leave it in the comments!
Friday: Go check out the Oriana Consort, which will be singing a program called "The Austria/Brooklyn Connection." Among many other exciting pieces, they will be performing Copland's In The Beginning, which is a really fantastic work if you have never heard it. At 8 pm at the First Lutheran Church of Boston.
Saturday: Wow, Saturday is BUSY! There is a lot of crazy-awesome stuff going on. Naturally you should come and hear me sing with Schola Cantorum. But earlier in the afternoon, you should also to go the Boston Cecilia benefit concert for Japan featuring Fauré Requiem. That will be at 3 pm at Trinity Church in Copley Square, Boston, and all proceeds will go to survivors of the Japan earthquake. They are also having a raffle featuring some very cool prizes. (You could win an Anthology CD, for one, but I am really coveting the "17-course Chef's Tasting menu with sake pairings for two, at Boston's o ya." Holy wow.)
Also on Saturday: Blue Heron singing workshop, Boston Children's Chorus, Boston College University Chorale, Boston College's Voices of Imani, Boston Conservatory Chorale, Emmanuel Music and the Spectrum Singers (Stravinsky's The Rake's Progress), Exsultemus, Harvard Chamber Singers, Marsh Chapel Choir and Collegium (Bach's St. Matthew Passion).
Sunday: I rarely mention pop a cappella on this blog, not because I don't thoroughly enjoy it, but because there's so much of it in Boston that I can't do it justice. However, this Sunday is the 27th Annual Boston Harmony Sweepstakes at Tufts, one of the major a cappella events of the year and sure to be a good time. 2 pm on the Tufts campus - sure to sell out, so you might want to call ahead!
Also on Sunday: Boston Conservatory Women's Chorus.
Did I miss anything? Leave it in the comments!
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Thursday, April 07, 2011
Weekend Concert Calendar, 4/7/11
Yours truly will be singing this weekend, down in Providence at the RISD Museum with Schola Cantorum. If you want to come to this concert on Saturday night (in the museum's newly opened Renaissance gallery, with a wine and cheese reception to follow) you should reserve a space by e-mailing Pam Kimel (first initial, last name at risd.edu). Or you can just wait until next weekend, when we will be singing this program in Boston on Saturday and Cohasset on Sunday! Check us out in the Providence Journal.
Friday: Boy, I can't find any choral music for Friday night! It's OK, though, I know how you can get your fix. Longy grads Michelle Vachon and Rachael Chagat are performing Pergolesi's Stabat Mater at St. John the Evangelist in Cambridge at 7 pm. And it's free! Here's the Facebook event.
Saturday: How about some more free music? The Harvard Early Music Society is presenting "Voices and Viols: Music of Schütz and Buxtehude." The program will include selections from Buxtehude's masterpiece Membra Jesu Nostri. This concert is free, at 8 pm at the Holden Chapel in Harvard Yard (next to Harvard Square, Cambridge.)
Also on Saturday: Boston Children's Chorus, Neponset Choral Society, WomenSong.
Sunday: On Sunday, in addition to a whole plethora of other delightful options, we have one concert that I am really sad to be missing. I hope someone goes and tells me about it, please? At Sanders Theatre at 2 pm, there will be a concert called "Middle East Harmonies: A Musical Dialogue Between Arab and Israeli Cultures." The program will feature the Zamir Chorale, and original members of Bustan Abraham, the famed Arab-Jewish Israeli ensemble. The program also includes performances by the Boston City Singers, an inner-city youth chorus, renowned Turkish musician Mehmet Ali Sanlikol, and Lebanese vocalist Mireille Tannous. For more information, go here.
Also on Sunday: Dedham Choral Society, Exsultemus, Harvard University Choir, Jameson Singers, Libana, Neponset Choral Society, Oriana Consort, WomenSong.
This weekend, and on Tuesday, the Massachusetts branch of the ACDA is hosting 3 meetings of "The Big Sing" at various places around the state; all children and youth choirs are invited to participate.
On Monday, the BU Symphony and Chorus will perform Mendelssohn's Elijah.
And on Tuesday, Tufts Early Music Ensemble will perform a free concert at 8 pm, and the Children's Choir of the Paris National Opera will be at King's Chapel.
Did I miss anything? Leave it in the comments!
Friday: Boy, I can't find any choral music for Friday night! It's OK, though, I know how you can get your fix. Longy grads Michelle Vachon and Rachael Chagat are performing Pergolesi's Stabat Mater at St. John the Evangelist in Cambridge at 7 pm. And it's free! Here's the Facebook event.
Saturday: How about some more free music? The Harvard Early Music Society is presenting "Voices and Viols: Music of Schütz and Buxtehude." The program will include selections from Buxtehude's masterpiece Membra Jesu Nostri. This concert is free, at 8 pm at the Holden Chapel in Harvard Yard (next to Harvard Square, Cambridge.)
Also on Saturday: Boston Children's Chorus, Neponset Choral Society, WomenSong.
Sunday: On Sunday, in addition to a whole plethora of other delightful options, we have one concert that I am really sad to be missing. I hope someone goes and tells me about it, please? At Sanders Theatre at 2 pm, there will be a concert called "Middle East Harmonies: A Musical Dialogue Between Arab and Israeli Cultures." The program will feature the Zamir Chorale, and original members of Bustan Abraham, the famed Arab-Jewish Israeli ensemble. The program also includes performances by the Boston City Singers, an inner-city youth chorus, renowned Turkish musician Mehmet Ali Sanlikol, and Lebanese vocalist Mireille Tannous. For more information, go here.
Also on Sunday: Dedham Choral Society, Exsultemus, Harvard University Choir, Jameson Singers, Libana, Neponset Choral Society, Oriana Consort, WomenSong.
This weekend, and on Tuesday, the Massachusetts branch of the ACDA is hosting 3 meetings of "The Big Sing" at various places around the state; all children and youth choirs are invited to participate.
On Monday, the BU Symphony and Chorus will perform Mendelssohn's Elijah.
And on Tuesday, Tufts Early Music Ensemble will perform a free concert at 8 pm, and the Children's Choir of the Paris National Opera will be at King's Chapel.
Did I miss anything? Leave it in the comments!
Tuesday, April 05, 2011
Tuesday link
For early music choral singers, Amherst Early Music is going to be offering an Ensemble Singing intensive workshop this summer! Looks pretty cool (check out the faculty, especially.) More info here.
Friday, April 01, 2011
Weekend Concert Calendar, 3/31/11
Hm, snow. Might as well stay inside and listen to some music, right?
Friday: Harry Christophers and Handel & Haydn have put together a very interesting program called "Harry's Vocal Voyage" contrasting Victoria and Poulenc. The full program is here. On Friday they will be at the Saint Cecilia Church in Boston at 8 pm (the program repeats on Saturday and Sunday.)
Also on Friday: Tallis Scholars, Unicorn Singers.
Saturday: Cappella Clausura is presenting a program featuring works of Elisabeth Jacquet de la Guerre, and also a premiere by local composer Dorothy Crawford on the papers of America's first poet, Anne Bradstreet. At the Episcopal Parish of the Messiah in Newton at 8 pm. (The program repeats on Sunday.)
Also on Saturday: Boston Saengerfest Men's Chorus and the Boston City Singers, Boston University Choral Ensembles.
Sunday: The Seraphim Singers, with the Saint Paul Choir and the Orchestra of Emmanuel Music, will present Bach's St. John Passion. At 3 pm at St. Paul's Catholic Church in Harvard Square, Cambridge.
Also on Sunday: Belmont Open Sings (Fauré Requiem), Cappella Clausura, Concordia Consort, Family Folk Chorale, Unicorn Singers, Vox Lucens.
And on Tuesday, the Bridgewater State College Chamber Singers will be at King's Chapel.
P.S. If you are in Providence this Sunday, check out this concert by Boston Hausmusik, featuring a newly restored Broadwood English grand piano from 1806 and the organist at my church, Sylvia Berry!
Did I miss anything? Leave it in the comments!
Friday: Harry Christophers and Handel & Haydn have put together a very interesting program called "Harry's Vocal Voyage" contrasting Victoria and Poulenc. The full program is here. On Friday they will be at the Saint Cecilia Church in Boston at 8 pm (the program repeats on Saturday and Sunday.)
Also on Friday: Tallis Scholars, Unicorn Singers.
Saturday: Cappella Clausura is presenting a program featuring works of Elisabeth Jacquet de la Guerre, and also a premiere by local composer Dorothy Crawford on the papers of America's first poet, Anne Bradstreet. At the Episcopal Parish of the Messiah in Newton at 8 pm. (The program repeats on Sunday.)
Also on Saturday: Boston Saengerfest Men's Chorus and the Boston City Singers, Boston University Choral Ensembles.
Sunday: The Seraphim Singers, with the Saint Paul Choir and the Orchestra of Emmanuel Music, will present Bach's St. John Passion. At 3 pm at St. Paul's Catholic Church in Harvard Square, Cambridge.
Also on Sunday: Belmont Open Sings (Fauré Requiem), Cappella Clausura, Concordia Consort, Family Folk Chorale, Unicorn Singers, Vox Lucens.
And on Tuesday, the Bridgewater State College Chamber Singers will be at King's Chapel.
P.S. If you are in Providence this Sunday, check out this concert by Boston Hausmusik, featuring a newly restored Broadwood English grand piano from 1806 and the organist at my church, Sylvia Berry!
Did I miss anything? Leave it in the comments!
Monday, March 28, 2011
Monday link
The Boston Children's Chorus is bringing the highly successful Venezuelan conductor Maria Guinand to town in early April. There will be a number of events open to the public; check out the schedule and consider going!
Friday, March 25, 2011
Weekend Concert Calendar - not
Sorry folks, too swamped to put together a Weekend Concert Calendar this week. On Sunday, check out the King's Chapel Choir doing a program called "Sound Architecture" that reflects the architecture of King's Chapel. And for some virtuoso solo singing, please check out La Donna Musicale's production of Sophonisba. Otherwise, if you are performing this week, please leave a comment!
Monday, March 21, 2011
Monday link
Goofy link today. A few comics about Chopin and Liszt! I had no idea they had a friendship or a rivalry (neither being most famous for their choral music, I have not exactly concentrated on them) but some brief Googling (e.g. read the fourth paragraph here) seems to indicate they had both.
Friday, March 18, 2011
Friday cat post - Guest Edition!
We have something very exciting today - another Guest edition of the usual Friday cat post! Without further ado, may I introduce Eden Casteel and her cats Boo-Boo and Cecilia!
Eden says:
I'm an adjunct voice teacher at Salve Regina U. in Newport RI, just moved here in summer from Michigan. I'm trying to start a small Schola down here south of Providence -- there are lots of opportunities north of the city, but very little for those of us near the coast, except for the Chorus of Westerly. I'm interested in starting a group that can be itinerant -- sing at parishes that might be welcoming, but not be attached to any particular place. If you hear of any one down this way who is looking for some low-commitment choral fun, give 'em my email. I also started a Meetup group -- "Chants Occurrence" -- and have a few members.
Cecilia Cat, age 6, dwelling among my hymnals. Guess I made it easy for her with the stepstool!
Boo-Boo Kitty, my step-cat, age 6, enjoying a sunbath on top of his scratching box. Multitasker. He also loves to sit in when I teach at home -- sitting on the piano bench with me, or purring loudly nearby. He is very social!
Aw, look at that furry belly. Thanks, Eden! And if anyone wants your kitty to star in a guest edition of Friday Cat Post, let me know!
(Samson sends his greetings to all, by the way, but wants you to know that he has hidden my camera, so not only is it broken, I couldn't find it to take it to the shop to get fixed. His prettiness will have to go unadmired for another week!)
Eden says:
I'm an adjunct voice teacher at Salve Regina U. in Newport RI, just moved here in summer from Michigan. I'm trying to start a small Schola down here south of Providence -- there are lots of opportunities north of the city, but very little for those of us near the coast, except for the Chorus of Westerly. I'm interested in starting a group that can be itinerant -- sing at parishes that might be welcoming, but not be attached to any particular place. If you hear of any one down this way who is looking for some low-commitment choral fun, give 'em my email. I also started a Meetup group -- "Chants Occurrence" -- and have a few members.
Cecilia Cat, age 6, dwelling among my hymnals. Guess I made it easy for her with the stepstool!
Boo-Boo Kitty, my step-cat, age 6, enjoying a sunbath on top of his scratching box. Multitasker. He also loves to sit in when I teach at home -- sitting on the piano bench with me, or purring loudly nearby. He is very social!
Aw, look at that furry belly. Thanks, Eden! And if anyone wants your kitty to star in a guest edition of Friday Cat Post, let me know!
(Samson sends his greetings to all, by the way, but wants you to know that he has hidden my camera, so not only is it broken, I couldn't find it to take it to the shop to get fixed. His prettiness will have to go unadmired for another week!)
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Weekend Concert Calendar, 3/17/11
It's a good weekend! Tough choices.
Friday: On Friday, there is really only one choice. The Cantata Singers will be presenting Bach's Mass in B Minor. I have no doubt that they will hit it out of the park. At NEC's Jordan Hall at 8 pm. They will also perform it at 3 pm on Sunday, and in fact, put together with the Freisinger Chamber Orchestra's performance on Saturday, you could hear Bach's Mass in B Minor every single day this weekend! What a city!
Saturday: On Saturday, Blue Heron will be presenting the music of Tomás Luis de Victoria. He is one of my favorite composers, they are one of my favorite groups, and this concert is sure to be exquisitely beautiful. The concert is at 8 pm at First Church Congregational, Cambridge, and there is a pre-concert lecture at 7:15 pm.
Also on Saturday: Boston Camerata, Freisinger Chamber Orchestra (Bach's Mass in B Minor).
Sunday: Oh gosh, Sunday. A hard day to decide! On the one hand, you should go see my friend up-and-coming mezzo-soprano Eileen Christiansen sing with the Polymnia Choral Society, which will perform Michael Haydn's rarely-heard and excellent Requiem at 4 pm at St. Mary's Church in Melrose. On the other hand, how can I not recommend Rossini's utterly charming and also rarely-performed Petite Messe Solenelle, performed by Chorus Pro Musica at 3 pm at Old South Church in Boston? And on the third hand...Ladysmith Black Mambazo! EEEEEEEEE! Whatever you do, don't let indecision paralyze you!
Also on Sunday: Assabet Valley Mastersingers, Cantata Singers, Chorus Pro Musica, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Polymnia Choral Society.
Friday: On Friday, there is really only one choice. The Cantata Singers will be presenting Bach's Mass in B Minor. I have no doubt that they will hit it out of the park. At NEC's Jordan Hall at 8 pm. They will also perform it at 3 pm on Sunday, and in fact, put together with the Freisinger Chamber Orchestra's performance on Saturday, you could hear Bach's Mass in B Minor every single day this weekend! What a city!
Saturday: On Saturday, Blue Heron will be presenting the music of Tomás Luis de Victoria. He is one of my favorite composers, they are one of my favorite groups, and this concert is sure to be exquisitely beautiful. The concert is at 8 pm at First Church Congregational, Cambridge, and there is a pre-concert lecture at 7:15 pm.
Also on Saturday: Boston Camerata, Freisinger Chamber Orchestra (Bach's Mass in B Minor).
Sunday: Oh gosh, Sunday. A hard day to decide! On the one hand, you should go see my friend up-and-coming mezzo-soprano Eileen Christiansen sing with the Polymnia Choral Society, which will perform Michael Haydn's rarely-heard and excellent Requiem at 4 pm at St. Mary's Church in Melrose. On the other hand, how can I not recommend Rossini's utterly charming and also rarely-performed Petite Messe Solenelle, performed by Chorus Pro Musica at 3 pm at Old South Church in Boston? And on the third hand...Ladysmith Black Mambazo! EEEEEEEEE! Whatever you do, don't let indecision paralyze you!
Also on Sunday: Assabet Valley Mastersingers, Cantata Singers, Chorus Pro Musica, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Polymnia Choral Society.
Musica Sacra tallies
I mentioned that Musica Sacra handed out ballots in their concert this past weekend, and the votes are in!
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Boston Cecilia review
The second great concert I saw last weekend (the first being the Musica Sacra concert which I talked about Monday) was the Boston Cecilia's performance of Handel's Jephtha.
Warning: gushing ahead! I know that makes for the less interesting reviews, but I loved it!
First off, the line-ups of soloists was very impressive. I especially loved both the women soloists. Teresa Wakim was the soprano, and her voice was absolutely clear and delightful the whole way through. All her arias were wonderful, but I especially enjoyed "The smiling dawn of happy days." And Deborah Rentz-Moore as the mezzo-soprano was a happy surprise; I had never heard of her, or heard her perform before, but she was great, with a wonderful rich tone that easily carried over the orchestra, and good emotional intensity.
But the hero of the hour (well, three hours) was definitely Aaron Sheehan, who totally knocked it out of the park. I really cannot say enough nice things about him. His tone was both heroic and vulnerable; his diction and tuning exquisite, and he nailed every note, no matter how small or fast. You could hear people gasp after some of his more virtuosic runs. I am more impressed every time I hear him (last time was also with the Boston Cecilia, when he performed Britten's Serenade for Tenor, Horn, and Strings.) Someone should snap him up to record this role right away so I can put "Waft her gently" on my ITunes and listen to it on repeat.
Finally, one can't talk about the soloists without mentioning boy soprano Ryan Williams as the Angel in Act III. He was extremely impressive; perfectly dead-on pitch, and carried well over the orchestra, and in general nailed his performance. Everyone had to stop and give him an extra bow in the middle of the performance. He is also the son of Ron Williams, the baritone soloist, so he comes from an excellent family line!
Of course, I went to hear not the soloists but the chorus. And the chorus was excellent! Many people were talking about the choral movement at the end of Act II, "How dark, O Lord, are thy decrees," which was definitely one of the emotional climaxes of the whole piece, and very intense. But I was even more blown away by the chorus at the end of Act I, "When his loud voice in thunder spoke," which although not as deep was very virtuosic. The chorus was nimble, accurate, and their rhythm and tempo was perfect; they were never behind the conductor. Also, I could hear their ending consonants, even the "k" on "broke," which kind of blew me away. Throughout the entire performance they had a strong full sound that was extremely well-balanced and well-tuned.
I expected this plus-three-hour performance to occasionally lag in dramatic drive, and thought that my energy would flag during the listening, especially in light of Daylight Savings that morning. But Jephtha struck me as one of the more dramatically well-balanced oratorios that I have heard, and Don Teeters kept things rolling along at a good clip. It's sad that this was the last Handel oratorio we will hear him conduct with the Boston Cecilia, but it was the perfect way to go out!
The next Cecilia concert is Bach's St. Matthew Passion on Nov. 6, when they will be joined by Musica Sacra! It's already on my calendar; I expect it to be great.
For another review of Cecilia's performance last Sunday, you can read Jeremy Eichler in the Globe. Much as I loved the performance, I do think his comment about "more pointed emotional specificity" is well-taken.
Warning: gushing ahead! I know that makes for the less interesting reviews, but I loved it!
First off, the line-ups of soloists was very impressive. I especially loved both the women soloists. Teresa Wakim was the soprano, and her voice was absolutely clear and delightful the whole way through. All her arias were wonderful, but I especially enjoyed "The smiling dawn of happy days." And Deborah Rentz-Moore as the mezzo-soprano was a happy surprise; I had never heard of her, or heard her perform before, but she was great, with a wonderful rich tone that easily carried over the orchestra, and good emotional intensity.
But the hero of the hour (well, three hours) was definitely Aaron Sheehan, who totally knocked it out of the park. I really cannot say enough nice things about him. His tone was both heroic and vulnerable; his diction and tuning exquisite, and he nailed every note, no matter how small or fast. You could hear people gasp after some of his more virtuosic runs. I am more impressed every time I hear him (last time was also with the Boston Cecilia, when he performed Britten's Serenade for Tenor, Horn, and Strings.) Someone should snap him up to record this role right away so I can put "Waft her gently" on my ITunes and listen to it on repeat.
Finally, one can't talk about the soloists without mentioning boy soprano Ryan Williams as the Angel in Act III. He was extremely impressive; perfectly dead-on pitch, and carried well over the orchestra, and in general nailed his performance. Everyone had to stop and give him an extra bow in the middle of the performance. He is also the son of Ron Williams, the baritone soloist, so he comes from an excellent family line!
Of course, I went to hear not the soloists but the chorus. And the chorus was excellent! Many people were talking about the choral movement at the end of Act II, "How dark, O Lord, are thy decrees," which was definitely one of the emotional climaxes of the whole piece, and very intense. But I was even more blown away by the chorus at the end of Act I, "When his loud voice in thunder spoke," which although not as deep was very virtuosic. The chorus was nimble, accurate, and their rhythm and tempo was perfect; they were never behind the conductor. Also, I could hear their ending consonants, even the "k" on "broke," which kind of blew me away. Throughout the entire performance they had a strong full sound that was extremely well-balanced and well-tuned.
I expected this plus-three-hour performance to occasionally lag in dramatic drive, and thought that my energy would flag during the listening, especially in light of Daylight Savings that morning. But Jephtha struck me as one of the more dramatically well-balanced oratorios that I have heard, and Don Teeters kept things rolling along at a good clip. It's sad that this was the last Handel oratorio we will hear him conduct with the Boston Cecilia, but it was the perfect way to go out!
The next Cecilia concert is Bach's St. Matthew Passion on Nov. 6, when they will be joined by Musica Sacra! It's already on my calendar; I expect it to be great.
For another review of Cecilia's performance last Sunday, you can read Jeremy Eichler in the Globe. Much as I loved the performance, I do think his comment about "more pointed emotional specificity" is well-taken.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Audition heads-up
Feel like you missed audition season? You're in luck! Calliope, a collaborative choral and orchestral ensemble, will be auditioning in early April (4/9 and 4/10, or by appointment) for a concert that will be rehearsed over the summer and performed in September. I know very little about this group, but you can get more information here. (It looks like they have not updated their audition page, but get in touch with them for details.)
Monday, March 14, 2011
Musica Sacra review
I saw two great choral concerts this past weekend! The first was by Musica Sacra. Full disclosure; they offered me a pair of comps, which I was delighted to accept.
Musica Sacra did a program called "Double-Takes: One Text, Two Perspectives," and it was highly enjoyable. The star of the program was, well, the program. I just love the way director Mary Beekman programs all her concerts; they are always interesting and clever, but every piece is also programmed out of love. It always makes for a great mix.
In this case we had two composers each setting one text. For example, there was an Ave Maria by Josquin, and the Ave Maria by Biebl. Musica Sacra did something very smart, which was to hand out ballots in the program, and have everyone vote for their favorite setting of a given text. This meant that everyone in the audience ended up extremely invested in the concert. Results have not been tallied yet, but I am keeping an eye on their Facebook page for the results! For the record, my choices were:
I preferred the Ginastera "O Vos Omnes" over the Correa.
I preferred the Josquin "Ave Maria" over the Biebl (but that's a hard call.)
I preferred the Allegri "Miserere Mei" over the Brahms' "Schaffe in Mir, Gott."
I preferred the Tomkins "When David Heard" over the Whitacre.
I preferred the Bach "Lobet den Herrn" over the Monteverdi "Laudate Dominum" (another tough call.)
See? I am still invested! They had great audience turnout, a fun reception with a raffle; that group is just doing everything right, in my opinion. The energy in the room was high and positive.
And the music? Extremely well-done! The sound was very clean and well-blended; everything was strong, and there were no pieces that sounded unsteady. Particularly impressive was the soprano section. Beekman has some very strong sopranos, and chose a program that showed them off well, with lots of different solos that were all excellently sung. Particular kudos to the high soprano soloist in the Allegri "Miserere Mei," whose high notes were always dead-on, every time. Their next concert is called "Love, Lust and Laudations: Flemish Choral Music of the High Renaissance" on May 14, and based on this last concert, I definitely recommend going.
Musica Sacra did a program called "Double-Takes: One Text, Two Perspectives," and it was highly enjoyable. The star of the program was, well, the program. I just love the way director Mary Beekman programs all her concerts; they are always interesting and clever, but every piece is also programmed out of love. It always makes for a great mix.
In this case we had two composers each setting one text. For example, there was an Ave Maria by Josquin, and the Ave Maria by Biebl. Musica Sacra did something very smart, which was to hand out ballots in the program, and have everyone vote for their favorite setting of a given text. This meant that everyone in the audience ended up extremely invested in the concert. Results have not been tallied yet, but I am keeping an eye on their Facebook page for the results! For the record, my choices were:
I preferred the Ginastera "O Vos Omnes" over the Correa.
I preferred the Josquin "Ave Maria" over the Biebl (but that's a hard call.)
I preferred the Allegri "Miserere Mei" over the Brahms' "Schaffe in Mir, Gott."
I preferred the Tomkins "When David Heard" over the Whitacre.
I preferred the Bach "Lobet den Herrn" over the Monteverdi "Laudate Dominum" (another tough call.)
See? I am still invested! They had great audience turnout, a fun reception with a raffle; that group is just doing everything right, in my opinion. The energy in the room was high and positive.
And the music? Extremely well-done! The sound was very clean and well-blended; everything was strong, and there were no pieces that sounded unsteady. Particularly impressive was the soprano section. Beekman has some very strong sopranos, and chose a program that showed them off well, with lots of different solos that were all excellently sung. Particular kudos to the high soprano soloist in the Allegri "Miserere Mei," whose high notes were always dead-on, every time. Their next concert is called "Love, Lust and Laudations: Flemish Choral Music of the High Renaissance" on May 14, and based on this last concert, I definitely recommend going.
Friday, March 11, 2011
Weekend Concert Calendar, 3/10/11 (well, 3/11/11)
This weekend I am actually getting out of the house and seeing some of the choral concerts I am always telling you about! See you at the Musica Sacra concert on Saturday, and the Boston Cecilia concert on Sunday!
Friday: Masterworks Chorale is presenting Dvorak's beautiful Stabat Mater. Steven Karidoyanes will be conducting, and this concert is a tribute to Allen Lannom, who led the Masterworks Chorale for 53 years. Richard Dyer, formerly critic for the Boston Globe, will present the opening remarks. This will be at 8 pm at Sanders Theatre at Harvard University.
Also on Friday: Worcester Chorus.
Saturday: Musica Sacra presents "Double-Takes: One Text, Two Perspectives." They have chosen five texts, and will present two settings of each by two different composers. Included on the program are Ave Maria by Josquin and Biebl; When David Heard by Whitacre and Tomkins; and Psalm 51 by Brahms (Schaffe in mir, Gott) and Allegri (Miserere).
Check out this very cute video of chorus members talking about their favorite pieces!
Sunday: The Boston Cecilia will present Handel's Jephtha. This was Handel's final oratorio, and it will be Cecilia's final Handel oratorio under the baton of Donald Teeters. (Teeters is retiring at the end of next year.) Don Teeters is a Handel specialist, and over the years has led many acclaimed Handel oratorio performances; all the stops have been pulled out for this last one, so don't miss it! It will be at 2:30 pm (note the start time) at NEC's Jordan Hall in Boston. This should definitely be one of the most talked-about choral performances of the year.
Also on Sunday: Arlington-Belmont Chorale, the Brookline Chorus, Newton Choral Society, Quincy Choral Society, Sorellanza, Sounds of Stow.
On Tuesday, Blue Heron will be singing a FREE concert at St. Mary's Chapel on the BC Chestnut Hill campus.
And next Thursday, check out the University of Wisconsin-Madison Concert Choir at First Church Congregational, Cambridge at 8 pm. They are directed by Beverly Taylor (a familiar name in these parts) and have all kinds of goodies lined up, from Hogan to Howells.
Friday: Masterworks Chorale is presenting Dvorak's beautiful Stabat Mater. Steven Karidoyanes will be conducting, and this concert is a tribute to Allen Lannom, who led the Masterworks Chorale for 53 years. Richard Dyer, formerly critic for the Boston Globe, will present the opening remarks. This will be at 8 pm at Sanders Theatre at Harvard University.
Also on Friday: Worcester Chorus.
Saturday: Musica Sacra presents "Double-Takes: One Text, Two Perspectives." They have chosen five texts, and will present two settings of each by two different composers. Included on the program are Ave Maria by Josquin and Biebl; When David Heard by Whitacre and Tomkins; and Psalm 51 by Brahms (Schaffe in mir, Gott) and Allegri (Miserere).
Check out this very cute video of chorus members talking about their favorite pieces!
Sunday: The Boston Cecilia will present Handel's Jephtha. This was Handel's final oratorio, and it will be Cecilia's final Handel oratorio under the baton of Donald Teeters. (Teeters is retiring at the end of next year.) Don Teeters is a Handel specialist, and over the years has led many acclaimed Handel oratorio performances; all the stops have been pulled out for this last one, so don't miss it! It will be at 2:30 pm (note the start time) at NEC's Jordan Hall in Boston. This should definitely be one of the most talked-about choral performances of the year.
Also on Sunday: Arlington-Belmont Chorale, the Brookline Chorus, Newton Choral Society, Quincy Choral Society, Sorellanza, Sounds of Stow.
On Tuesday, Blue Heron will be singing a FREE concert at St. Mary's Chapel on the BC Chestnut Hill campus.
And next Thursday, check out the University of Wisconsin-Madison Concert Choir at First Church Congregational, Cambridge at 8 pm. They are directed by Beverly Taylor (a familiar name in these parts) and have all kinds of goodies lined up, from Hogan to Howells.
Tuesday, March 08, 2011
Choral workshop ahoy
If you are free this coming Saturday (it's a pretty crazy weekend) you might consider checking out this choral workshop, offered by R/EMM, which in addition to doing lots of work with recorders offers several choral workshops a year.
R/EMM is offering a choral morning with Jay Lane, director of Vox Lucens, focussing on works in 4-8 parts by Guerrero, Morales and Victoria.
R/EMM is offering a choral morning with Jay Lane, director of Vox Lucens, focussing on works in 4-8 parts by Guerrero, Morales and Victoria.
* Saturday, March 12, 2011 from 9:30-12:15
Trinity Episcopal Church, 81 Elm Street in Concord MA
directions here: http://www.trinityconcord.org/directions.shtml
Please RSVP by Wednesday, March 9 if you plan to attend.
PDF files of the music will be sent out on Wednesday evening.
Registration fee: $18, $12 for R/EMM Members; R/EMM Choral Affiliates FREE. (Note: I don't know what the fee is for non-R/EMM members, but I do know this is open to the general public. I went to one led by Scott Metcalfe of Blue Heron a few years ago, and it was a lot of fun.)
Monday, March 07, 2011
Monday links
A couple of conductor links for you today! Don Teeters of the Boston Cecilia is interviewed by the Musical Intelligencer, and David Hoose of the Cantata Singers is interviewed by The Arts Fuse.
Both groups have major concerts coming up this month. The Boston Cecilia is performing Handel's Jephtha on March 13 at 2:30 pm at NEC's Jordan Hall; and the Cantata Singers is performing Bach's Mass in B Minor on March 18 and 20, at 8 pm and 3 pm respectively, also at NEC's Jordan Hall.
Both groups have major concerts coming up this month. The Boston Cecilia is performing Handel's Jephtha on March 13 at 2:30 pm at NEC's Jordan Hall; and the Cantata Singers is performing Bach's Mass in B Minor on March 18 and 20, at 8 pm and 3 pm respectively, also at NEC's Jordan Hall.
Friday, March 04, 2011
Friday cat post! Oomi edition
My camera is broke, so until I get it fixed, I'm afraid you will have to do without pictures of Samson! I can assure you he is well, currently sprawled out beside me taking a nap in the sun.
In the meantime, here is Oomi posing for the camera.
In the meantime, here is Oomi posing for the camera.
Weekend Concert Calendar, 3/3/11
March is here! Be a concert-going lion!
Friday: The Lorelei Ensemble, a group of professional female singers, will be presenting a program called "By Women, For Women," directed by Beth Willer and featuring new music by Abbie Betinis, Erin Huelskamp, Mary Montgomery Koppel and Libby Larsen, as well as old favorites by Hildegard and Strozzi, among others. I've heard this group in performance, and they are hot stuff. On Friday night at 8 they will be at the Emmanuel College Chapel in Boston; they'll also be performing on Sunday in Wenham.
Also on Friday: Boston Baroque, Boston Choral Ensemble, Braintree Choral Society.
Saturday: The Back Bay Chorale is performing Rachmaninoff's Vespers. One of the town's best choruses; one of the world's most beloved beautiful choral pieces. What more need be said? At Emmanuel Church in Boston at 8 pm.
Also on Saturday: Boston Baroque, Choral Art Society, Harvard Glee Club and Radcliffe Choral Society, Spectrum Singers.
Sunday: Check out the Boston Choral Ensemble and their program "The Door to Paradise," exploring 20th-century British choral music. Get your Howells fix here! 2:30 pm (notice the start time) at Old South Church in Boston. Also on Friday night in Cambridge.
Also on Sunday: Choirs of First Parish Westwood and United Church Walpole, Concordia Concert, Coro Allegro, Lorelei Ensemble.
Later this week, the Kenyon College Chamber Singers will be in Needham on Tuesday during their spring tour.
Did I miss anything? Leave it in the comments!
Friday: The Lorelei Ensemble, a group of professional female singers, will be presenting a program called "By Women, For Women," directed by Beth Willer and featuring new music by Abbie Betinis, Erin Huelskamp, Mary Montgomery Koppel and Libby Larsen, as well as old favorites by Hildegard and Strozzi, among others. I've heard this group in performance, and they are hot stuff. On Friday night at 8 they will be at the Emmanuel College Chapel in Boston; they'll also be performing on Sunday in Wenham.
Also on Friday: Boston Baroque, Boston Choral Ensemble, Braintree Choral Society.
Saturday: The Back Bay Chorale is performing Rachmaninoff's Vespers. One of the town's best choruses; one of the world's most beloved beautiful choral pieces. What more need be said? At Emmanuel Church in Boston at 8 pm.
Also on Saturday: Boston Baroque, Choral Art Society, Harvard Glee Club and Radcliffe Choral Society, Spectrum Singers.
Sunday: Check out the Boston Choral Ensemble and their program "The Door to Paradise," exploring 20th-century British choral music. Get your Howells fix here! 2:30 pm (notice the start time) at Old South Church in Boston. Also on Friday night in Cambridge.
Also on Sunday: Choirs of First Parish Westwood and United Church Walpole, Concordia Concert, Coro Allegro, Lorelei Ensemble.
Later this week, the Kenyon College Chamber Singers will be in Needham on Tuesday during their spring tour.
Did I miss anything? Leave it in the comments!
Friday, February 25, 2011
Weekend Concert Calendar, 2/24/11
Ah, the last Weekend Concert Calendar of February! We still have to get through March, but then spring approacheth! Celebrate the impending demise of winter with some hot rockin' choral music.
Friday: I actually don't have any choral events that I can find for tonight, but I am going to Opera Boston's production of Cardillac. I suggest you join me. :)
Saturday: Check out the Mystic Chorale's annual gospel bash. It is going to be awesome; see you there! 8 pm at Tremont Temple in Boston; details here.
Also on Saturday: Cappella Clausura, Dana Hall Chamber Singers, University Chorale of Boston College.
Sunday: Go back in time with Cappella Clausura and hear the great motets of Sulpitia Cesis, an early Italian Baroque composer. 5 pm at First Lutheran Church in Boston. This is the core repertoire for this highly acclaimed group, so if you have never seen Cappella Clausura, this weekend would be a great time to go!
Also on Sunday: Boston College's Voices of Imani, Mystic Chorale.
Did I miss anything? Leave it in the comments!
Friday: I actually don't have any choral events that I can find for tonight, but I am going to Opera Boston's production of Cardillac. I suggest you join me. :)
Saturday: Check out the Mystic Chorale's annual gospel bash. It is going to be awesome; see you there! 8 pm at Tremont Temple in Boston; details here.
Also on Saturday: Cappella Clausura, Dana Hall Chamber Singers, University Chorale of Boston College.
Sunday: Go back in time with Cappella Clausura and hear the great motets of Sulpitia Cesis, an early Italian Baroque composer. 5 pm at First Lutheran Church in Boston. This is the core repertoire for this highly acclaimed group, so if you have never seen Cappella Clausura, this weekend would be a great time to go!
Also on Sunday: Boston College's Voices of Imani, Mystic Chorale.
Did I miss anything? Leave it in the comments!
Monday, February 21, 2011
Monday links
Two nice links today. First, an 8-year-old responds to a critic in the New York Times, offering his own list of who the 10 greatest composers are (as well as his 10 personal favorites.)
Next, a nice article in the Globe about a collaboration between H&H and the Lawrence Performing Fine Arts High School.
Happy Monday!
Next, a nice article in the Globe about a collaboration between H&H and the Lawrence Performing Fine Arts High School.
Happy Monday!
Friday, February 18, 2011
Friday cat post - Guest Edition!
My parents took a trip to Florida and while there my father took this picture of a kitty with extra toes (a polydactyl kitty.) It's worth zooming in to really get a good look at the toes.
See http://www.hemingwayhome.com/HTML/our_cats.htm for more info on the polydactyl cats at the Hemingway house in Key West.
See http://www.hemingwayhome.
Weekend Concert Calendar, 2/17/11
Well! Not a lot going on this weekend. On Friday you have only one option, but at least it is going to be a quality concert! Handel & Haydn will be performing Handel's Israel in Egypt at Symphony Hall at 8 pm. Also on Sunday at 3 pm. If you go here, you can see conductor Harry Christophers talking about the program.
On Saturday, I got nuthin'.
On Sunday at 4 pm, Chorus Angelicus, a children's choir from Connecticut, will be performing at St. John's Episcopal Church in Beverly Farms, MA. More info is here.
Also on Sunday: Handel & Haydn, The Salisbury Singers,
Did I miss anything? Leave it in the comments!
On Saturday, I got nuthin'.
On Sunday at 4 pm, Chorus Angelicus, a children's choir from Connecticut, will be performing at St. John's Episcopal Church in Beverly Farms, MA. More info is here.
Also on Sunday: Handel & Haydn, The Salisbury Singers,
Did I miss anything? Leave it in the comments!
Monday, February 14, 2011
Happy Valentine's Day link
Let's see, what would be a nice link for Valentine's Day? How about Samuel Barber's "The Coolin'"?
Here is a version by the University Choir at the University of Boulder, CO.
Here is a version by the 2002 New Mexico MMEA All State Mixed Chorus.
(I couldn't find a version of this online with really great sound quality.)
The poem is by James Stephens (1880-1950).
The Coolin*
Come with me, under my coat,
and we will drink our fill
of the milk of the white goat,
or wine if it be thy will.
And we will talk,
until talk is a trouble, too,
out on the side of the hill;
And nothing is left to do,
but an eye to look into an eye,
and a hand in a hand to slip;
and a sigh to answer a sigh;
And a lip to find out a lip!
What if the night be black!
And the air on the mountain chill!
Where all but the fern is still!
Stay with me, under my coat!
and we will drink our fill
of the milk of the white goat,
out on the side of the hill!
*"The Coolin" is a love song. The word coolin or cooleen refers to a little, very special curl that used to grow exactly in the middle of the back of the neck of a girl. That term, "little curl" or "cooleen" [related to the more common "colleen"?] came to mean one's sweetheart, and practically ousted the word "sweetheart". This info from someone quoting James Stephens on the internetz.
Here is a version by the University Choir at the University of Boulder, CO.
Here is a version by the 2002 New Mexico MMEA All State Mixed Chorus.
(I couldn't find a version of this online with really great sound quality.)
The poem is by James Stephens (1880-1950).
The Coolin*
Come with me, under my coat,
and we will drink our fill
of the milk of the white goat,
or wine if it be thy will.
And we will talk,
until talk is a trouble, too,
out on the side of the hill;
And nothing is left to do,
but an eye to look into an eye,
and a hand in a hand to slip;
and a sigh to answer a sigh;
And a lip to find out a lip!
What if the night be black!
And the air on the mountain chill!
Where all but the fern is still!
Stay with me, under my coat!
and we will drink our fill
of the milk of the white goat,
out on the side of the hill!
*"The Coolin" is a love song. The word coolin or cooleen refers to a little, very special curl that used to grow exactly in the middle of the back of the neck of a girl. That term, "little curl" or "cooleen" [related to the more common "colleen"?] came to mean one's sweetheart, and practically ousted the word "sweetheart". This info from someone quoting James Stephens on the internetz.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Weekend Concert Calendar, 2/10/11
Wow, there is some seriously cool stuff going on this weekend. Bundle up and go see it!
Friday: The BU Choral Ensembles are performing at 8 pm at Marsh Chapel. What are they performing? No idea, as I can't find it listed anywhere, and the BU website is singularly unhelpful on this point, but if Ann Howard Jones is conducting, it is bound to be good.
Also on Friday: Boston Gay Men's Chorus.
Saturday: The Orpheus Singers are performing a program featuring the part-songs of Schubert, as well as works by Brahms, Lassus, Schönberg and Senfl. The program will feature pianists Leslie Amper and Randall Hodgkinson on Schubert's Fantasy in F Minor. At 8 pm at Emmanuel Church, Boston.
Also on Saturday: Boston Gay Men's Chorus, Exsultemus, New England Classical Singers.
Sunday: Koleinu and Temple Ohabei Shalom present "Shiru L'Adonai: Songs of Peace, Praise and Hope." The concert will include Sim Shalom by Michael Isaacson, Max Janowski's playful Adon Olam, and selected compositions by Cantor Schloss. The chorus will also perform the hauntingly beautiful "To Olga" from Aaron Rosenthal's Voices of Terezin. At 4 pm at Temple Ohabei Shalom in Brookline.
Also on Sunday: Boston Gay Men's Chorus, Celebration of Gospel Spirit in Song.
Also, this is the last weekend of the Boston Opera Collaborative's production of The Cunning Little Vixen. Check that out if you have time!
Did I miss anything? Leave it in the comments!
Friday: The BU Choral Ensembles are performing at 8 pm at Marsh Chapel. What are they performing? No idea, as I can't find it listed anywhere, and the BU website is singularly unhelpful on this point, but if Ann Howard Jones is conducting, it is bound to be good.
Also on Friday: Boston Gay Men's Chorus.
Saturday: The Orpheus Singers are performing a program featuring the part-songs of Schubert, as well as works by Brahms, Lassus, Schönberg and Senfl. The program will feature pianists Leslie Amper and Randall Hodgkinson on Schubert's Fantasy in F Minor. At 8 pm at Emmanuel Church, Boston.
Also on Saturday: Boston Gay Men's Chorus, Exsultemus, New England Classical Singers.
Sunday: Koleinu and Temple Ohabei Shalom present "Shiru L'Adonai: Songs of Peace, Praise and Hope." The concert will include Sim Shalom by Michael Isaacson, Max Janowski's playful Adon Olam, and selected compositions by Cantor Schloss. The chorus will also perform the hauntingly beautiful "To Olga" from Aaron Rosenthal's Voices of Terezin. At 4 pm at Temple Ohabei Shalom in Brookline.
Also on Sunday: Boston Gay Men's Chorus, Celebration of Gospel Spirit in Song.
Also, this is the last weekend of the Boston Opera Collaborative's production of The Cunning Little Vixen. Check that out if you have time!
Did I miss anything? Leave it in the comments!
Monday, February 07, 2011
Opportunity!
This just came into my inbox, and I am extremely sad that I have rehearsal at the time in question because this looks like a great opportunity. If you are available, I strongly urge you to go.
Harry Christophers, internationally renowned conductor and Artistic Director of the Handel & Haydn Society, will be leading an open masterclass rehearsal with the Harvard-Radcliffe Collegium Musicum (HRCM) at Sanders Theatre on Monday February 14th, at 6 pm. Mr. Christophers will be rehearsing selected movements from Handel's Israel in Egypt in preparation for his performance of the oratorio with Handel & Haydn at Symphony Hall on 2/18 and 2/20 and HRCM's performance of the same work with the Handel & Haydn orchestra in Sanders Theatre on 4/1.
The masterclass rehearsal is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Harvard Choral Administrator Carson Cooman.
Monday link
Yesterday in church we sang "The Storm is Passing Over" by Charles Tindley (my choir rocked it, naturally - they were swaying like pros!) and on Friday my organist Sylvia Berry found us a great Youtube clip of the song to get us inspired.
It is by the Detroit Mass Choir. I love this video - this is the power of Youtube! It's nice that it has several visual angles (as opposed to most choral videos.) I also love watching that guy conduct; he knows he's not needed to keep the beat, so he really shapes the energy going through. I also enjoy the way the choir is so sedate at the beginning, and at the end, they're all clapping!
Listen all the way through; it will pep up your wintry morning!
It is by the Detroit Mass Choir. I love this video - this is the power of Youtube! It's nice that it has several visual angles (as opposed to most choral videos.) I also love watching that guy conduct; he knows he's not needed to keep the beat, so he really shapes the energy going through. I also enjoy the way the choir is so sedate at the beginning, and at the end, they're all clapping!
Listen all the way through; it will pep up your wintry morning!
Friday, February 04, 2011
Friday cat post - Guest Edition!
Today we have a special treat - the cats of the organist at my church, Sylvia Berry, and her husband, Dale! Sylvia has a few words about the background of the cats, with references to the pictures which are below:
Malachi & Amicus
Both cats belong to my husband of 3.5 months, Dale Munschy. Well, as part of the marriage deal, clearly they now belong to me too. Malachi (pron. Ma-la-key) was born in 1996. (Just think - Bill Clinton was still in office! Feels like a century ago!) He turned 14 in August 2010, which makes him a senior citizen in cat years. He is shy, but is actually quite affectionate once you're sitting still and HE can approach YOU. However, since moving to Somerville from Rhode Island, he is getting bolder all the time. Witness his "take no prisoners" attitude when it comes to trying to get some of our dinner. (See "I want some chicken!") Unfortunately I couldn't get a photo of him running his paw along the table while Dale wasn't looking, trying to find his plate from under the table! OR, actually grabbing food in his paw like a primate – Malachi is polydactyl, and thus as a “thumb.” It’s incredible to see him do this. Yes, he occasionally eats table food. Please, don't anyone yell at us! Clearly he's healthy. And when you get to be his age (around 72 in human years) maybe you deserve some treats. Amicus doesn’t like table food, but always wonders what Malachi is up to.
Amicus (pron. Ah-mi-cus) is a shelter cat. True to his name, he is indeed very friendly. Dale got him in 2008 when he was about 3 months old, meaning that he is still a rather rambunctious toddler kitty. But this is probably also in his nature as he seems to be part Maine Coon. Maine Coon cats are notoriously nutty and talkative, which is Amicus to a T. They also like to scale heights, and it is common to find Amicus on top of various things... the stove hood, the refrigerator, any of our keyboard instruments once they're on their sides about to be moved, etc... just any place where he feels some height. Witness him in the cupboard, which was open for about 10 seconds before he managed to get in there while my back was turned. Gah! Crazy cat!
Because Amicus does more silly things, there are probably more pictures of him. Malachi is extremely handsome though. Eventually we'll have some goofy pictures of him too, since some friends of ours gave us a toy he LOVES called the Cat Dancer. Strange: he's never played with anything, but he loves this thing. Dale says he's a brand new cat these days, and this is more proof of that. Maybe Malachi's getting his groove back! Or... picking up a groove he never had. Good for him. On the flip side, we hope Amicus will eventually calm down a little, even though he makes us laugh so much. Who knows though. Maybe his youthful antics have inspired Malachi to let loose!
One nice thing is that they often sleep together. If we leave an instrument cover on the floor and forget to fold it right away, invariably they will make a little nest of it, which is what you see in "We Love Canvas." Sleepy cats are always cute, eh?
Malachi and Amicus in Temporary Repose
I want some chicken!
Malachi & Amicus
Both cats belong to my husband of 3.5 months, Dale Munschy. Well, as part of the marriage deal, clearly they now belong to me too. Malachi (pron. Ma-la-key) was born in 1996. (Just think - Bill Clinton was still in office! Feels like a century ago!) He turned 14 in August 2010, which makes him a senior citizen in cat years. He is shy, but is actually quite affectionate once you're sitting still and HE can approach YOU. However, since moving to Somerville from Rhode Island, he is getting bolder all the time. Witness his "take no prisoners" attitude when it comes to trying to get some of our dinner. (See "I want some chicken!") Unfortunately I couldn't get a photo of him running his paw along the table while Dale wasn't looking, trying to find his plate from under the table! OR, actually grabbing food in his paw like a primate – Malachi is polydactyl, and thus as a “thumb.” It’s incredible to see him do this. Yes, he occasionally eats table food. Please, don't anyone yell at us! Clearly he's healthy. And when you get to be his age (around 72 in human years) maybe you deserve some treats. Amicus doesn’t like table food, but always wonders what Malachi is up to.
Amicus (pron. Ah-mi-cus) is a shelter cat. True to his name, he is indeed very friendly. Dale got him in 2008 when he was about 3 months old, meaning that he is still a rather rambunctious toddler kitty. But this is probably also in his nature as he seems to be part Maine Coon. Maine Coon cats are notoriously nutty and talkative, which is Amicus to a T. They also like to scale heights, and it is common to find Amicus on top of various things... the stove hood, the refrigerator, any of our keyboard instruments once they're on their sides about to be moved, etc... just any place where he feels some height. Witness him in the cupboard, which was open for about 10 seconds before he managed to get in there while my back was turned. Gah! Crazy cat!
Because Amicus does more silly things, there are probably more pictures of him. Malachi is extremely handsome though. Eventually we'll have some goofy pictures of him too, since some friends of ours gave us a toy he LOVES called the Cat Dancer. Strange: he's never played with anything, but he loves this thing. Dale says he's a brand new cat these days, and this is more proof of that. Maybe Malachi's getting his groove back! Or... picking up a groove he never had. Good for him. On the flip side, we hope Amicus will eventually calm down a little, even though he makes us laugh so much. Who knows though. Maybe his youthful antics have inspired Malachi to let loose!
One nice thing is that they often sleep together. If we leave an instrument cover on the floor and forget to fold it right away, invariably they will make a little nest of it, which is what you see in "We Love Canvas." Sleepy cats are always cute, eh?
Malachi and Amicus in Temporary Repose
I want some chicken!
Naughty kitty!
Is this a painting by some old Dutch master or a photo?
Yes, he's IN the instrument. That is a Stodart Compensator Grand fortepiano that Dale rebuilt.
We want some steak!
We love canvas!
I am happy to feature guest kitties! Musicians, send me your cat pictures!
Thursday, February 03, 2011
Weekend Concert Calendar, 2/3/11
This weekend I am singing in a great program with Schola Cantorum. And...it looks like we don't have much competition!
Friday: Come hear me sing with Schola Cantorum! We will be performing a really great program of early Baroque, Renaissance, and modern music. The centerpiece of the program will be Schütz's Musikalische Exequien (Funeral Music), which is considered by many scholars to be the first great work of the early Baroque period. It is made up of lots of little bits of solos and small ensembles contrasted with bigger choral sections, so everyone gets a little something to do! We'll also be singing a gorgeous Renaissance 8-voice motet by Gombert, Henry Purcell's jagged and heart-breaking Funeral Sentences, and a couple of modern pieces, including John Tavener's haunting Funeral Ikos. (You may notice there is a bit of a requiem theme!) At 8 pm at Saint John's, 35 Bowdoin Street, Boston. MA.
Saturday: On Saturday, check out Calliope in a program called "Pious and Profane" - music by Sondheim, The Bishop of Brindisi by Menotti, and Buenos Aires Tango. At 7:30 pm at Old West Church, 131 Cambridge St., Boston.
Also on Saturday: Schola Cantorum.
Sunday: Well, if you missed Schola Cantorum on Friday in Boston, come hear us at 4:00 pm at Saint Paul's Church, 15 Saint Paul's Street in Brookline! Because that's the only choral concert in town as far as I can tell. Anyone have different intel?
Did I miss anything? Leave it in the comments!
Friday: Come hear me sing with Schola Cantorum! We will be performing a really great program of early Baroque, Renaissance, and modern music. The centerpiece of the program will be Schütz's Musikalische Exequien (Funeral Music), which is considered by many scholars to be the first great work of the early Baroque period. It is made up of lots of little bits of solos and small ensembles contrasted with bigger choral sections, so everyone gets a little something to do! We'll also be singing a gorgeous Renaissance 8-voice motet by Gombert, Henry Purcell's jagged and heart-breaking Funeral Sentences, and a couple of modern pieces, including John Tavener's haunting Funeral Ikos. (You may notice there is a bit of a requiem theme!) At 8 pm at Saint John's, 35 Bowdoin Street, Boston. MA.
Saturday: On Saturday, check out Calliope in a program called "Pious and Profane" - music by Sondheim, The Bishop of Brindisi by Menotti, and Buenos Aires Tango. At 7:30 pm at Old West Church, 131 Cambridge St., Boston.
Also on Saturday: Schola Cantorum.
Sunday: Well, if you missed Schola Cantorum on Friday in Boston, come hear us at 4:00 pm at Saint Paul's Church, 15 Saint Paul's Street in Brookline! Because that's the only choral concert in town as far as I can tell. Anyone have different intel?
Did I miss anything? Leave it in the comments!
Wednesday, February 02, 2011
overheard in arlington...
Overheard at Cantilena rehearsal on Monday night:
Me: Anyone know what the first interval in bar 8 is?
Alto 1 wiseass: A problem.
Me: So, what is this madrigal (Though My Carriage Be But Careless by Thomas Weelkes) about?
Alto 2 wiseass: Running someone over in your carriage!
I kinda love that group!
Me: Anyone know what the first interval in bar 8 is?
Alto 1 wiseass: A problem.
Me: So, what is this madrigal (Though My Carriage Be But Careless by Thomas Weelkes) about?
Alto 2 wiseass: Running someone over in your carriage!
I kinda love that group!
Monday, January 31, 2011
Monday link
A great entry by Liz Garnett over at Helping You Harmonise about the question "How did the performance go?" She really hits the nail on the head, in my opinion. Performing as a conductor requires a different state of mind than rehearsing, and being deep within the music makes it difficult to get a bird's-eye view of the whole thing. This plays into what I call the "input/output" problem; I have problems doing both at the same time, so often in rehearsal I might just conduct passively and analyze the sound, whereas if I'm performing-conducting, and really sending out my energy and intentions, it's much harder to analyze the input in the same way.
Hat-tip to Allen Simon at ChoralNet's ChoralBlog.
Hat-tip to Allen Simon at ChoralNet's ChoralBlog.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Weekend Concert Calendar, 1/27/11
Friday night is a big night this weekend; see below!
Friday: Anthology is having our first CD release party! We are extremely proud and excited - and relieved! - about the arrival of our self-titled debut CD. You should all come to our CD release party to celebrate with us (and perhaps pick up a few copies!) because it is free, and we will be singing some songs from the CD, and there will be free food! 8 pm at Third Life Studio in Union Square, Somerville. There is even free close parking. I hope to see you all there! (And if you have some truly unavoidable conflict, of course you can order a CD online. Just go to www.anthologyvoices.com and click on the CD link.)
Also in Friday: Nothing! I am not just trying to get rid of the competition, either; I know of no other choral gigs on Friday.
Saturday: On Saturday, why not check out the Seraphim Singers? They are performing a program called "Sacred North," featuring music of by Grieg, Nystedt, Rautavaara, and others, and pairing it with Samuel Barber's Prayers of Kierkegaard. They will be joined by Heinrich Christensen on the organ. Seraphim Singers are notable for programming extremely hard music; they started as a group of church musicians who wanted to sing all the music that was too hard for their church choirs to sing. They are always worth hearing, and on top of that I think modern Scandinavian choral music is some of the most inspired choral music being written right now. 8 pm at St. Paul's Catholic Church in Harvard Square; more details here.
Also on Saturday: Exsultemus, Voices Rising, Wellesley Choral Society.
Sunday: The Andover Choral Society is performing Beethoven's Missa Solemnis at 3 pm at the Rogers Center for the Arts at Merrimack College in North Andover. Beethoven! Missa Solemnis! Have you ever heard it in person? Then what are you waiting for?
Also on Sunday: Exsultemus.
Did I miss anything? Leave it in the comments!
Friday: Anthology is having our first CD release party! We are extremely proud and excited - and relieved! - about the arrival of our self-titled debut CD. You should all come to our CD release party to celebrate with us (and perhaps pick up a few copies!) because it is free, and we will be singing some songs from the CD, and there will be free food! 8 pm at Third Life Studio in Union Square, Somerville. There is even free close parking. I hope to see you all there! (And if you have some truly unavoidable conflict, of course you can order a CD online. Just go to www.anthologyvoices.com and click on the CD link.)
Also in Friday: Nothing! I am not just trying to get rid of the competition, either; I know of no other choral gigs on Friday.
Saturday: On Saturday, why not check out the Seraphim Singers? They are performing a program called "Sacred North," featuring music of by Grieg, Nystedt, Rautavaara, and others, and pairing it with Samuel Barber's Prayers of Kierkegaard. They will be joined by Heinrich Christensen on the organ. Seraphim Singers are notable for programming extremely hard music; they started as a group of church musicians who wanted to sing all the music that was too hard for their church choirs to sing. They are always worth hearing, and on top of that I think modern Scandinavian choral music is some of the most inspired choral music being written right now. 8 pm at St. Paul's Catholic Church in Harvard Square; more details here.
Also on Saturday: Exsultemus, Voices Rising, Wellesley Choral Society.
Sunday: The Andover Choral Society is performing Beethoven's Missa Solemnis at 3 pm at the Rogers Center for the Arts at Merrimack College in North Andover. Beethoven! Missa Solemnis! Have you ever heard it in person? Then what are you waiting for?
Also on Sunday: Exsultemus.
Did I miss anything? Leave it in the comments!
Friday, January 21, 2011
Friday cat post!
As I am away this weekend, I had to leave my kitty in the care of my most excellently reliable and kind cat-sitter. Below you can see a picture of what Samson thinks about my leaving. He is always extremely needy when I get back. It makes me wonder what happened in his life before we came together.
(What actually happened in this picture is I caught him mid-meow because he was sick of the camera flashing in his face.)
(What actually happened in this picture is I caught him mid-meow because he was sick of the camera flashing in his face.)
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Weekend Concert Calendar, 1/20/11
I am in Texas this weekend (or, at the time I write this, I am hoping I can get to Texas given the snowy forecast) for Convivium's FOUR, count 'em, four different early music concerts this weekend. (Lassus, Victoria, Bach, Josquin.) But for you who are stuck here in our not-as-fair-as-in-warmer-months-city, here are some suggestions.
Friday: I have nothing for Friday. Surely this isn't possible! Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?
Saturday: I think my pick for Saturday is Voices Rising. You have two opportunities to hear them this day; they are performing at 3 pm in Needham, and 7:30 pm at First Church in Boston. This program, called "The Spirit Moves Her," features (and I quote from their website): "works by women composers Libby Larsen and Naomi Stephan and highlights choral settings of women’s texts, including the ideas of 12th-century visionary Hildegard von Bingen, the teachings of Mother Teresa and the contemporary poetry of Catherine de Vinck. From reverent Psalm to rousing Spiritual, from veneration to indignation, from praise to prayer, this concert explores the many dimensions of spirituality from a uniquely female perspective." I can get behind that!
Also on Saturday: Acton Community Chorus, Convivium Musicum, Exsultemus, Halalisa Singers.
Sunday: Go to the King's Chapel Concert Series! I am really sorry I won't be in town for this one. In honor of the church's 325th anniversary (wow) the King's Chapel Choir will be performing four world premieres, by Carson Cooman, James Woodman, David Carney, and Heinrich Christiansen (the music director.) They will also be singing works by local boys Billings and Pinkham. At 5 pm at King's Chapel, 58 Tremont Street, Boston. (These concerts are never particularly long, but always particularly excellent!)
Also on Sunday: Convivium Musicum, Halalisa Singers.
Did I miss anything? Leave it in the comments!
Friday: I have nothing for Friday. Surely this isn't possible! Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?
Saturday: I think my pick for Saturday is Voices Rising. You have two opportunities to hear them this day; they are performing at 3 pm in Needham, and 7:30 pm at First Church in Boston. This program, called "The Spirit Moves Her," features (and I quote from their website): "works by women composers Libby Larsen and Naomi Stephan and highlights choral settings of women’s texts, including the ideas of 12th-century visionary Hildegard von Bingen, the teachings of Mother Teresa and the contemporary poetry of Catherine de Vinck. From reverent Psalm to rousing Spiritual, from veneration to indignation, from praise to prayer, this concert explores the many dimensions of spirituality from a uniquely female perspective." I can get behind that!
Also on Saturday: Acton Community Chorus, Convivium Musicum, Exsultemus, Halalisa Singers.
Sunday: Go to the King's Chapel Concert Series! I am really sorry I won't be in town for this one. In honor of the church's 325th anniversary (wow) the King's Chapel Choir will be performing four world premieres, by Carson Cooman, James Woodman, David Carney, and Heinrich Christiansen (the music director.) They will also be singing works by local boys Billings and Pinkham. At 5 pm at King's Chapel, 58 Tremont Street, Boston. (These concerts are never particularly long, but always particularly excellent!)
Also on Sunday: Convivium Musicum, Halalisa Singers.
Did I miss anything? Leave it in the comments!
Monday, January 17, 2011
Monday link
Jennifer Larmore sings "Art is Calling to Me" (aka "I Want to Be a Prima Donna, Donna, Donna!") I got to see her sing this in person when at Westminster - truly hilarious!
And Roger Vignoles, a collaborative pianist, responds with: "The Battle Hymn of the Accompanist." (Note the good diction; collaborative pianists know their stuff!)
And Roger Vignoles, a collaborative pianist, responds with: "The Battle Hymn of the Accompanist." (Note the good diction; collaborative pianists know their stuff!)
Friday, January 14, 2011
Weekend Concert Calendar, 1/14/11
I know I missed last week's concert calendar (and last week's Friday cat post, and the last Monday link, etc.) And this is going up late! What can I say? Improving my blogging was not a New Year's resolution.
But here we go. What's going on this week?
Friday: I'm heading to the Cantata Singers concert tonight! It is embarrassing to admit that I have never been to a Cantata Singers concert before when they are one of the best choral groups in the city; I have no defense, yer honor. But they are doing part songs by Finzi, Holst, Elgar, and Vaughan Williams, and part songs are some of my favorite things ever. And they are also performing Vaughan Williams' Riders to the Sea, a one-act semi-staged musical drama. (This is part of their year-long celebration of Vaughan Williams.) How cool is that? That will get me out to NEC's Jordan Hall at 8 pm tonight!
Also on Friday: Lexington Pops Chorus.
Saturday:The Harlem Gospel Choir is here to celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday! Go see their Joyful Noise Gospel Concert on Saturday night at Sander's Theatre at 7:30 pm (note the slightly earlier start time.)
Also on Saturday: Lexington Pops Chorus.
Sunday: Convivium Musicum has a very interesting concert lined up for you: Josquin's Playlist. What did Josquin listen to as he was composing all that beloved choral music? Also featuring some of Josquin's own work, this is a very clever look into the music of Josquin's time. At 4 pm at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Brookline (a beautiful space.)
And on Monday, the Boston Children's Chorus is doing a couple of concerts in honor of MLK Day, one at 2 pm and one at 6:45 pm. Check them out at NEC's Jordan Hall.
But here we go. What's going on this week?
Friday: I'm heading to the Cantata Singers concert tonight! It is embarrassing to admit that I have never been to a Cantata Singers concert before when they are one of the best choral groups in the city; I have no defense, yer honor. But they are doing part songs by Finzi, Holst, Elgar, and Vaughan Williams, and part songs are some of my favorite things ever. And they are also performing Vaughan Williams' Riders to the Sea, a one-act semi-staged musical drama. (This is part of their year-long celebration of Vaughan Williams.) How cool is that? That will get me out to NEC's Jordan Hall at 8 pm tonight!
Also on Friday: Lexington Pops Chorus.
Saturday:The Harlem Gospel Choir is here to celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday! Go see their Joyful Noise Gospel Concert on Saturday night at Sander's Theatre at 7:30 pm (note the slightly earlier start time.)
Also on Saturday: Lexington Pops Chorus.
Sunday: Convivium Musicum has a very interesting concert lined up for you: Josquin's Playlist. What did Josquin listen to as he was composing all that beloved choral music? Also featuring some of Josquin's own work, this is a very clever look into the music of Josquin's time. At 4 pm at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Brookline (a beautiful space.)
And on Monday, the Boston Children's Chorus is doing a couple of concerts in honor of MLK Day, one at 2 pm and one at 6:45 pm. Check them out at NEC's Jordan Hall.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
AMC Mountains & Music Weekend
Just an announcement that if you like hiking and outdoor activities, or music-making, or both, you should consider attending the AMC's Mountains and Music Weekend. I will be the choral conductor, and we'll be doing Bach's Magnificat. Singers and instrumentalists are both needed and welcome! I've done this weekend before, and it's really a wonderful time. (I like the February weekend because it gives me an opportunity to really engage with the outdoor wintry weather in a positive way.)
Monday, January 03, 2011
Monday link - Cantilena!
Now is the winter of our AUDITIONS! Yes, it's January audition time for all your favorite local choruses, and Cantilena is holding auditions after rehearsals for the next three Mondays. Details are here; no need to reserve a spot or prepare anything, just show up! I have a super-fun Madrigal Mania! program planned, and Cantilena, in addition to being an excellent chorus, is a wonderful community, so consider joining! As usual, the far ends of the spectrum are particularly welcome (meaning Sop 1's and Alto 2's.)
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