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, February 25, 2011
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.)
Friday, December 31, 2010
Friday cat post! Oomi edition
Since I spent my holiday break at my brother's house (I headed back towards home yesterday) it seems only fair to have an Oomi update! She is still a psycho skittish kitty; I didn't get to pet her the whole time I was here! But also still cute.
Also, via my brother, a movie filmed entirely by cats! Very cute. I think I find the kitty-sounds the most endearing part of the whole thing, although the focus is on what the cats see.
This is her first experience of snow. My brother reports she was not a fan.
Luckily she knows how to keep warm!
And the snow did not dampen her Christmas spirit.
Also, via my brother, a movie filmed entirely by cats! Very cute. I think I find the kitty-sounds the most endearing part of the whole thing, although the focus is on what the cats see.
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Weekend Concert Calendar - not.
Eh? Weekend Concert Calendar? I am on vacation and am way too lazy! Go check out the First Night schedule and check back next year! Go on, shoo! Need advice? Go to this one!
Monday, December 27, 2010
Monday link
In honor of the Christmas season, may I recommend this excellent short story by Connie Willis about aliens and Christmas carols? Hat-tip to JTL and MLR.
Friday, December 24, 2010
Friday cat post!
Tomorrow I leave Samson for a whole week; the longest time I have ever left him. He has a responsible and affectionate cat-sitter, but I'm still very worried about him being lonely, since he pretty much wants attention all the time. Hopefully he will get in some good naps, decimate his toy mice, and perhaps...use his scratching post?
And now, for the grand finale:
Ta-da!
(In the background you can see my bikes, which I had to bring inside before
the first serious snowfall, and which are now taking up my entire living room.)
(In the background you can see my bikes, which I had to bring inside before
the first serious snowfall, and which are now taking up my entire living room.)
Resting in the knowledge of a post well-scratched!
(You can see bits of fluff lying behind him on the floor.)
(You can see bits of fluff lying behind him on the floor.)
Weekend Concert Calendar, 12/24/10 - not
No Weekend Concert Calendar this weekend, as there is SOME major holiday I can't remember quite WHAT geez I wonder what it could BE and therefore nobody has scheduled any concerts. There will be many beautiful church services with lovely singing, but investigating them and listing them is beyond my scope. If you are in the South Shore area, I encourage you to come and hear my own lovely choir tonight at 7 pm at First Parish Cohasset; we will be singing selections from Conrad Susa's Carols and Lullabies: Christmas in the Southwest. Otherwise, may you have a very merry Christmas tomorrow, and a lovely holiday season, and may your turkey, tofurkey or Chinese food be absolutely delicious!
Monday, December 20, 2010
Monday links - Flash Mob edition
MOAR FLASH CHOIRS!
Flash choirs are a variation on flash mobs. I have linked to them before. But I think they have probably hit their peak this season; I have gotten innumerable e-mails about the food court Messiah alone. I am sure we will soon be swamped with every community choir in the nation staging their own flash choir. Here are a few more.
Christmas Food Court Flash Mob sings Hallelujah Chorus in Canada.
Opera Company of Philadelphia "Hallelujah!" Random Act of Culture in Philly.
Opera Company of Philadelphia "Flash Brindisi!" in Philly at the Reading Terminal Market.
Add your own in the comments!
Flash choirs are a variation on flash mobs. I have linked to them before. But I think they have probably hit their peak this season; I have gotten innumerable e-mails about the food court Messiah alone. I am sure we will soon be swamped with every community choir in the nation staging their own flash choir. Here are a few more.
Christmas Food Court Flash Mob sings Hallelujah Chorus in Canada.
Opera Company of Philadelphia "Hallelujah!" Random Act of Culture in Philly.
Opera Company of Philadelphia "Flash Brindisi!" in Philly at the Reading Terminal Market.
Add your own in the comments!
Friday, December 17, 2010
Friday cat post
This series of pictures of Samson was also taken by my friend Michelle, who is way better with the camera than I am! One of his favorite toys is string. (His main favorite toy is his little mice, but he is not interested in playing with those with me; I try to kick them around or throw them and he is NOT interested.)
Little panther!
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Weekend Concert Calendar, 12/16/10
'Twas the weekend before Christmas and all through the city
Choruses gathered to sing pretty songs and ditties.
OK, that was pretty bad. But the fact remains that this is your last weekend of holiday concerts! I am going to pick out some of my favorite early music groups, but you have a lot of varied options.
Friday: On Friday, check out Exsultemus as they explore Portuguese music from the Renaissance and Baroque. At the First Lutheran Church in Boston at 8 pm.
Also on Friday: Boston Camerata, Boston Gay Men's Chorus, Chorus Pro Musica.
Saturday: On Saturday, let Blue Heron away from Portugal to 15th-century France. At First Church Congregational, Cambridge, at 8 pm.
Also on Saturday: Boston Camerata, Boston Choral Ensemble, Boston Gay Men's Chorus, Concord Women's Chorus, Lyricora, The Oriana Consort, Treble Chorus of New England.
Sunday: On Sunday check out Handel & Haydn's "A Bach Christmas" concert. At 3 pm at NEC's Jordan Hall in Boston.
Sunday: Boston Boy Choir, Boston Camerata, Boston Gay Men's Chorus, Boston Saengerfest Men's Chorus, Brookline Chorus, The Copley Singers, Handel & Haydn Society, Lyricora, Nashoba Valley Chorale, the Paul Madore Chorale, Youth Pro Musica.
And don't forget to check out my Messiah sings post! There are a number of sings happening this weekend, most notably Masterworks Chorale's Messiah Sings. Also, the Christmas Revels begins today; they are always worth going to, and fun for the whole family, young and old.
Did I forget anything? Leave it in the comments!
Choruses gathered to sing pretty songs and ditties.
OK, that was pretty bad. But the fact remains that this is your last weekend of holiday concerts! I am going to pick out some of my favorite early music groups, but you have a lot of varied options.
Friday: On Friday, check out Exsultemus as they explore Portuguese music from the Renaissance and Baroque. At the First Lutheran Church in Boston at 8 pm.
Also on Friday: Boston Camerata, Boston Gay Men's Chorus, Chorus Pro Musica.
Saturday: On Saturday, let Blue Heron away from Portugal to 15th-century France. At First Church Congregational, Cambridge, at 8 pm.
Also on Saturday: Boston Camerata, Boston Choral Ensemble, Boston Gay Men's Chorus, Concord Women's Chorus, Lyricora, The Oriana Consort, Treble Chorus of New England.
Sunday: On Sunday check out Handel & Haydn's "A Bach Christmas" concert. At 3 pm at NEC's Jordan Hall in Boston.
Sunday: Boston Boy Choir, Boston Camerata, Boston Gay Men's Chorus, Boston Saengerfest Men's Chorus, Brookline Chorus, The Copley Singers, Handel & Haydn Society, Lyricora, Nashoba Valley Chorale, the Paul Madore Chorale, Youth Pro Musica.
And don't forget to check out my Messiah sings post! There are a number of sings happening this weekend, most notably Masterworks Chorale's Messiah Sings. Also, the Christmas Revels begins today; they are always worth going to, and fun for the whole family, young and old.
Did I forget anything? Leave it in the comments!
Monday, December 13, 2010
Monday link
Daniel Radcliffe sings Tom Lehrer's "The Elements" as FAST as you have ever heard. Good-looking, talented actor, AND he says Tom Lehrer is his hero. Hard to argue with that! Hat tip to my dad.
Thursday, December 09, 2010
Weekend Concert Calendar, 12/9/10
This is the most packed concert weekend of the year. Christmas concerts galore! There is no way to choose between them, so I am going to let nostalgia and blatant favoritism play a part, as well as considerations for what will engage your whole family (all the choices below are crowd-pleasers.)
Friday: On Friday night, check out the Boston Cecilia concert in the historic Church of the Advent. (I worked for this group for several years, and conductor Don Teeters never disappoints.) This is the concert to bring all your loved ones to in order to bask in some beautiful seasonal music.
Also on Friday: Boston Baroque, Boston Cecilia, Boston College's Voices of Imani, the Boston Conservatory Choruses, the Harvard Glee Club and Radcliffe Choral Society, Highrock Benefit Concert.
Saturday: On Saturday, go see Musica Sacra's family-friendly "Welcome All That Make Good Cheer" concert. It starts at 7, so you can get the kids home at a reasonable hour! They are getting the nod for two reasons; one is that I just love Musica Sacra's programming, and the other is that they offered me comps. (I am unable to take them up on it, but appreciate the gesture! Hint, hint.) If you have no kids and have an extremely strong constitution, you also might consider the Back Bay Chorale's mammoth production of Bach's Christmas Oratorio.
Also on Saturday: Back Bay Chorale, Cappella Clausura, the Concord Chorale, the Concord Chorus, the DeVaronistas, Highrock Benefit Concert, Musica Sacra, Neponset Choral Society, Providence Singers, Somerville Community Chorus, Vox Lucens.
Sunday: On Sunday, go see Cappella Clausura; there will be music AND dance. This program was so well received in years past that they are bringing it back, joining once more with Creationdance for "Gloria! A Renaissance Christmas Pagaent." This also is a great show for the whole family. And I am an alum of the group, so go say hi from me!
Also on Sunday: Arlington-Belmont Chorale, Assabet Valley Mastersingers, Boston Gay Men's Chorus, Cambridge Chamber Singers, Cambridge Community Chorus, Canto Armonico, Cappella Clausura, the Concord Chorale, Highrock Benefit Concert, the Master Singers of Lexington, Neponset Choral Society, The Oriana Consort, Quincy Choral Society, St. Peter's Weston Choir, Trinity Church Choirs in Copley Square.
And although I have a policy of not giving shout-outs to concerts that are not inside Rt. 95 (merely to keep my sanity with regards to concerts in NE) I am going to be at the Concord Chorale concert on Saturday in NH (they also are giving a concert on Sunday.) Come say hi if you are up there!
Did I miss anything? Inconceivable! Leave it in the comments.
Friday: On Friday night, check out the Boston Cecilia concert in the historic Church of the Advent. (I worked for this group for several years, and conductor Don Teeters never disappoints.) This is the concert to bring all your loved ones to in order to bask in some beautiful seasonal music.
Also on Friday: Boston Baroque, Boston Cecilia, Boston College's Voices of Imani, the Boston Conservatory Choruses, the Harvard Glee Club and Radcliffe Choral Society, Highrock Benefit Concert.
Saturday: On Saturday, go see Musica Sacra's family-friendly "Welcome All That Make Good Cheer" concert. It starts at 7, so you can get the kids home at a reasonable hour! They are getting the nod for two reasons; one is that I just love Musica Sacra's programming, and the other is that they offered me comps. (I am unable to take them up on it, but appreciate the gesture! Hint, hint.) If you have no kids and have an extremely strong constitution, you also might consider the Back Bay Chorale's mammoth production of Bach's Christmas Oratorio.
Also on Saturday: Back Bay Chorale, Cappella Clausura, the Concord Chorale, the Concord Chorus, the DeVaronistas, Highrock Benefit Concert, Musica Sacra, Neponset Choral Society, Providence Singers, Somerville Community Chorus, Vox Lucens.
Sunday: On Sunday, go see Cappella Clausura; there will be music AND dance. This program was so well received in years past that they are bringing it back, joining once more with Creationdance for "Gloria! A Renaissance Christmas Pagaent." This also is a great show for the whole family. And I am an alum of the group, so go say hi from me!
Also on Sunday: Arlington-Belmont Chorale, Assabet Valley Mastersingers, Boston Gay Men's Chorus, Cambridge Chamber Singers, Cambridge Community Chorus, Canto Armonico, Cappella Clausura, the Concord Chorale, Highrock Benefit Concert, the Master Singers of Lexington, Neponset Choral Society, The Oriana Consort, Quincy Choral Society, St. Peter's Weston Choir, Trinity Church Choirs in Copley Square.
And although I have a policy of not giving shout-outs to concerts that are not inside Rt. 95 (merely to keep my sanity with regards to concerts in NE) I am going to be at the Concord Chorale concert on Saturday in NH (they also are giving a concert on Sunday.) Come say hi if you are up there!
Did I miss anything? Inconceivable! Leave it in the comments.
Wednesday, December 08, 2010
Ticket giveaway!
We have another ticket giveaway! If you would like to see the Boston Cecilia perform this Friday or Sunday (and in my opinion this is going to be one of the most classic, elegant, beautiful concerts of the Christmas season) be the first person to leave a comment, and include the name to hold the ticket under, and which day you prefer.
Yay, free beautiful music! How can you pass this up?
Yay, free beautiful music! How can you pass this up?
Monday, December 06, 2010
Messiah Sings Calendar!
Hallelujah! Here it is, the annual Messiah Sing post! This is a list of all the Messiah Sings in the Boston area. Sadly, some of them have passed (my apologies for not getting this post up last week!) But there are still plenty to come. If I missed one, or if you have further information about one of the sings listed, please leave a comment. I will edit the post to include updates; edits will appear in bold type.
Fri. 12/3: UMass Lowell Messiah Sing. Optional rehearsal at 6 pm; performance at 7:30 pm. At Durgin Concert Hall, UMass Lowell. Directed by Murray Kidd. Scores provided, or bring your own. More info here. (Passed.)
Sun. 12/5: Messiah Sing to benefit Project Bread. 2 pm. At All Saints Parish, Brookline. Tickets $10. Directed by Amy Lieberman; full orchestra and soloists. Scores provided, or bring your own. (Passed.)
Sun. 12/5: St. Paul's Episcopal Church Messiah Sing. 5 pm. At St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Brookline. More info here. (Passed.)
Wed. 12/8: Brandeis University Messiah Sing. 4 pm. At the Shapiro Campus Center Atrium, Brandeis University. With orchestra. More info here.
Thurs. 12/9: The Roxbury Latin School Messiah Sing. 7:30 pm. At Rousmaniere Hall, Roxbury Latin School, West Roxbury. Free. With soloists. Scores provided, or bring your own. More info here.
Thurs. 12/9: Annual Dunster House Messiah Sing. 8:00 pm. At Dunster House, Harvard University. Free and open to the public. More info here.
Sat. 12/11: Messiah Sing to benefit Healing Hands for Haiti. 8:00 pm. At St. John's Episcopal Church, Jamaica Plain. Tickets $10. Directed by Isaac Kramer, with orchestra and soloists. More info here.
Sun. 12/12: Sudbury Memorial Congregational Church Annual Messiah Sing. 3:00 pm. At Sudbury Memorial Congregational Church, Sudbury. Free; suggested donation of $10. With orchestra and soloists. Scores provided, or bring your own. More info here.
Sun. 12/12: Carter Memorial United Methodist Church Messiah Sing. 3 pm. At the Carter Memorial United Methodist Church, Needham. With orchestra. More info here.
Sun. 12/12: Assabet Valley Mastersingers Annual Messiah Sing. 3:30 pm. At Trinity Church, Northborough. $5 suggested donation. With soloists. Scores provided, or bring your own. More info here.
Sun. 12/12: St. Peter's Church in Weston Messiah Sing. 4:00 pm. At St. Peter's Church, Weston. Free. Directed by Beverly Jerold Scheibert, with soloists. Limited scores available, or bring your own. More info here.
Wed. 12/15: Cathedral Church of St. Paul Annual Messiah Sing. 12 pm. At the Cathedral Church of St. Paul, downtown Boston. Directed by Dr. Delvyn Case. More info here.
Fri. 12/17: Masterworks Chorale Annual Messiah Sing. (Also Saturday.) 8:00 pm. At Cary Hall, Lexington. Suggested donation $10. Directed by Steven Karidoyanes. Scores provided, or bring your own. More info here.
Fri. 12/17: First Parish Congregational Church of Wakefield Messiah Sing. 7:30 pm. At First Parish Congregational Church of Wakefield. More info here.
Sat. 12/18: Masterworks Chorale Annual Messiah Sing. (Also Friday.) 8:00 pm. At Cary Hall, Lexington. Suggested donation $10. Directed by Steven Karidoyanes. Scores provided, or bring your own. More info here.
Sun. 12/19: Friends of the Performing Arts in Concord (FOPAC) Annual Messiah Sing. 2 pm. At 51 Walden, Concord. Tickets $15 ($10 seniors). Directed by Alan Yost; with soloists. Scores provided, or bring your own. More info here.
Sun. 12/19: Harvard Unitarian Church Annual Messiah Sing. 5:00 pm. At the Harvard Unitarian Universalist Church, Harvard. Directed by Ted Johnson; with full orchestra and soloists. Scores provided, or bring your own. More info here (click on the calendar).
Sun. 12/19: Cambridge Community Chorus Messiah Sing. 1:00 pm. At the Brattle Theater in Harvard Square, Cambridge. Tickets $10. Limited scores available, or bring your own. More info here.
Sun. 12/19: Nashoba Valley Chorale Messiah Sing. 3:00 pm. At the Congregational Church of Littleton. Scores provided, or bring your own. More info here.
Sun. 12/19: Belmont Open Sings Messiah Sing. 7:30 pm. (Weather make-up date is Mon. 12/20.) At the Payson Park Church, Belmont. Tickets $10. Directed by Mary Beekman; with soloists. Scores provided, or bring your own. More info here.
And, to get you in the spirit, a little Messiah tidbit provided by my dad:
Macy's of Philadelphia occupies a store originally built in 1910. It features a ten story marble atrium at its center, with a layer cake of balconies surrounding three sides of the atrium. The fourth side houses the world's largest functioning pipe organ, with 28,000 pipes concealed behind a screen. With the advent of loud speakers the pipe organ fell into unplayable disrepair. When Macy's took over the building, they put millions into refurbishing the organ. It takes two full time folks to keep it in fine tune. As part of Random Acts of Culture, the Philadelphia Opera Company joined the organ in the Hallelujah Chorus earlier this year.
Fri. 12/3: UMass Lowell Messiah Sing. Optional rehearsal at 6 pm; performance at 7:30 pm. At Durgin Concert Hall, UMass Lowell. Directed by Murray Kidd. Scores provided, or bring your own. More info here. (Passed.)
Sun. 12/5: Messiah Sing to benefit Project Bread. 2 pm. At All Saints Parish, Brookline. Tickets $10. Directed by Amy Lieberman; full orchestra and soloists. Scores provided, or bring your own. (Passed.)
Sun. 12/5: St. Paul's Episcopal Church Messiah Sing. 5 pm. At St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Brookline. More info here. (Passed.)
Wed. 12/8: Brandeis University Messiah Sing. 4 pm. At the Shapiro Campus Center Atrium, Brandeis University. With orchestra. More info here.
Thurs. 12/9: The Roxbury Latin School Messiah Sing. 7:30 pm. At Rousmaniere Hall, Roxbury Latin School, West Roxbury. Free. With soloists. Scores provided, or bring your own. More info here.
Thurs. 12/9: Annual Dunster House Messiah Sing. 8:00 pm. At Dunster House, Harvard University. Free and open to the public. More info here.
Sat. 12/11: Messiah Sing to benefit Healing Hands for Haiti. 8:00 pm. At St. John's Episcopal Church, Jamaica Plain. Tickets $10. Directed by Isaac Kramer, with orchestra and soloists. More info here.
Sun. 12/12: Sudbury Memorial Congregational Church Annual Messiah Sing. 3:00 pm. At Sudbury Memorial Congregational Church, Sudbury. Free; suggested donation of $10. With orchestra and soloists. Scores provided, or bring your own. More info here.
Sun. 12/12: Carter Memorial United Methodist Church Messiah Sing. 3 pm. At the Carter Memorial United Methodist Church, Needham. With orchestra. More info here.
Sun. 12/12: Assabet Valley Mastersingers Annual Messiah Sing. 3:30 pm. At Trinity Church, Northborough. $5 suggested donation. With soloists. Scores provided, or bring your own. More info here.
Sun. 12/12: St. Peter's Church in Weston Messiah Sing. 4:00 pm. At St. Peter's Church, Weston. Free. Directed by Beverly Jerold Scheibert, with soloists. Limited scores available, or bring your own. More info here.
Wed. 12/15: Cathedral Church of St. Paul Annual Messiah Sing. 12 pm. At the Cathedral Church of St. Paul, downtown Boston. Directed by Dr. Delvyn Case. More info here.
Fri. 12/17: Masterworks Chorale Annual Messiah Sing. (Also Saturday.) 8:00 pm. At Cary Hall, Lexington. Suggested donation $10. Directed by Steven Karidoyanes. Scores provided, or bring your own. More info here.
Fri. 12/17: First Parish Congregational Church of Wakefield Messiah Sing. 7:30 pm. At First Parish Congregational Church of Wakefield. More info here.
Sat. 12/18: Masterworks Chorale Annual Messiah Sing. (Also Friday.) 8:00 pm. At Cary Hall, Lexington. Suggested donation $10. Directed by Steven Karidoyanes. Scores provided, or bring your own. More info here.
Sun. 12/19: Friends of the Performing Arts in Concord (FOPAC) Annual Messiah Sing. 2 pm. At 51 Walden, Concord. Tickets $15 ($10 seniors). Directed by Alan Yost; with soloists. Scores provided, or bring your own. More info here.
Sun. 12/19: Harvard Unitarian Church Annual Messiah Sing. 5:00 pm. At the Harvard Unitarian Universalist Church, Harvard. Directed by Ted Johnson; with full orchestra and soloists. Scores provided, or bring your own. More info here (click on the calendar).
Sun. 12/19: Cambridge Community Chorus Messiah Sing. 1:00 pm. At the Brattle Theater in Harvard Square, Cambridge. Tickets $10. Limited scores available, or bring your own. More info here.
Sun. 12/19: Nashoba Valley Chorale Messiah Sing. 3:00 pm. At the Congregational Church of Littleton. Scores provided, or bring your own. More info here.
Sun. 12/19: Belmont Open Sings Messiah Sing. 7:30 pm. (Weather make-up date is Mon. 12/20.) At the Payson Park Church, Belmont. Tickets $10. Directed by Mary Beekman; with soloists. Scores provided, or bring your own. More info here.
And, to get you in the spirit, a little Messiah tidbit provided by my dad:
Macy's of Philadelphia occupies a store originally built in 1910. It features a ten story marble atrium at its center, with a layer cake of balconies surrounding three sides of the atrium. The fourth side houses the world's largest functioning pipe organ, with 28,000 pipes concealed behind a screen. With the advent of loud speakers the pipe organ fell into unplayable disrepair. When Macy's took over the building, they put millions into refurbishing the organ. It takes two full time folks to keep it in fine tune. As part of Random Acts of Culture, the Philadelphia Opera Company joined the organ in the Hallelujah Chorus earlier this year.
Friday, December 03, 2010
Friday cat post!
Wow, a Friday cat post! When was the last time we had one of those?
My friend Michelle took some great photos last month of Samson, including many shots of him playing.
My friend Michelle took some great photos last month of Samson, including many shots of him playing.
Thursday, December 02, 2010
Weekend Concert Calendar, 12/2/10
Hi-ho, Kermit de frog here, with your weekend concert calendar. This weekend's calendar is brought to you by the letters X, M, A, and S. There is one CLEAR front-runner for concert-going this weekend, and that is the Cantilena concert on Sunday! But it is just barely possible that there is some other stuff going on too.
Friday: Why not check out the Handel & Haydn Society's performance of Handel's Messiah? Harry Christophers is directing, and everyone will want to see what he does with it! If you miss it on Friday, it's also on Saturday and Sunday.
Also on Friday: Boston College University Chorale, Harvard-Radcliffe Collegium Musicum, New England Classical Singers.
Saturday: Tough call; but if you need a respite from the Christmas onslaught, check out the Harvard-Radcliffe Chorus's production of Haydn's "Maria Theresa" Mass.
Also on Saturday: Sing with the Boston Pops!, The A Cappella Singers, Cantemus, Handel & Haydn Society, Harvard Pro Musica, Old North Festival Chorus, Polymnia Society, Vox Lucens.
Sunday: It is tempting to put this paragraph in blinking text, but I will refrain. MY CHORUS, Cantilena, is performing on Sunday afternoon! 3 pm, First Parish Arlington in Arlington Center (630 Mass. Ave.) We are performing Holst's Hymns from the Rig Veda, Group 3 and Brahms' Four Choruses for Women's Chorus, Horns and Harp and some of John Rutter's Dancing Day carols, and some awesome stuff by Thompson, and some great stuff by Gawthrop, and we have a FABULOUS harpist, and my singers have all been working hard like champs, and it is going to be BEYOOTIFUL. Come hear us work our tails off to sound effortless (the program is titled "Transcendence".) PLEASE COME. I know I should knock off the capitalization, but it is a long week.
Also on Sunday: Arlington-Belmont Chamber Chorus, Annual JP Pub Carol Sing, Boston Camerata, Boston College University Chorale, Cantemus, Cappella Clausura, the Choral Arts Society, Dedham Choral Society, Handel & Haydn Society, Highland Glee Club, Messiah Sing to benefit Project Bread, Nashoba Valley Chorale, Old North Festival Chorus, Tufts University Choruses, Zamir Chorale.
Did I forget anything? Probably! Leave it in the comments.
Friday: Why not check out the Handel & Haydn Society's performance of Handel's Messiah? Harry Christophers is directing, and everyone will want to see what he does with it! If you miss it on Friday, it's also on Saturday and Sunday.
Also on Friday: Boston College University Chorale, Harvard-Radcliffe Collegium Musicum, New England Classical Singers.
Saturday: Tough call; but if you need a respite from the Christmas onslaught, check out the Harvard-Radcliffe Chorus's production of Haydn's "Maria Theresa" Mass.
Also on Saturday: Sing with the Boston Pops!, The A Cappella Singers, Cantemus, Handel & Haydn Society, Harvard Pro Musica, Old North Festival Chorus, Polymnia Society, Vox Lucens.
Sunday: It is tempting to put this paragraph in blinking text, but I will refrain. MY CHORUS, Cantilena, is performing on Sunday afternoon! 3 pm, First Parish Arlington in Arlington Center (630 Mass. Ave.) We are performing Holst's Hymns from the Rig Veda, Group 3 and Brahms' Four Choruses for Women's Chorus, Horns and Harp and some of John Rutter's Dancing Day carols, and some awesome stuff by Thompson, and some great stuff by Gawthrop, and we have a FABULOUS harpist, and my singers have all been working hard like champs, and it is going to be BEYOOTIFUL. Come hear us work our tails off to sound effortless (the program is titled "Transcendence".) PLEASE COME. I know I should knock off the capitalization, but it is a long week.
Also on Sunday: Arlington-Belmont Chamber Chorus, Annual JP Pub Carol Sing, Boston Camerata, Boston College University Chorale, Cantemus, Cappella Clausura, the Choral Arts Society, Dedham Choral Society, Handel & Haydn Society, Highland Glee Club, Messiah Sing to benefit Project Bread, Nashoba Valley Chorale, Old North Festival Chorus, Tufts University Choruses, Zamir Chorale.
Did I forget anything? Probably! Leave it in the comments.
Monday, November 29, 2010
Monday link
From Steve Martin...Atheists Don't Have No Songs. A cappella harmony!
One quibble with the lyrics; even as an atheist, I don't get to sleep in on Sundays. I'm guess I'm doin' it wrong!
One quibble with the lyrics; even as an atheist, I don't get to sleep in on Sundays. I'm guess I'm doin' it wrong!
Friday, November 26, 2010
Weekend Concert Calendar, 11/26/10 - not.
No choral concerts in Boston this weekend - all the choral singers are eating food and gathering their strength for the craziness of December. Go check out BEMF's production of Dido and Aeneas this weekend, and check back in next week as the December craziness rolls forth. A Messiah Sings post will be coming soon (maybe this weekend if I get my act together!)
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Monday link
Ah, well, even if it's technically Tuesday it still counts as a Monday link, right?
On Dec. 4, go to Boylston Plaza in front of the Pru at noon. Keith Lockhart wants to break a world record for largest number of carolers. And "but I'm such a bad singer!" is no excuse. There will be over 7,000 other people there to drown you out. And wouldn't you like to get a Guinness World Record for singing?
(Cantilena members, please note, this does not apply to you as you should be in our dress rehearsal at that time for our concert the following day!)
On Dec. 4, go to Boylston Plaza in front of the Pru at noon. Keith Lockhart wants to break a world record for largest number of carolers. And "but I'm such a bad singer!" is no excuse. There will be over 7,000 other people there to drown you out. And wouldn't you like to get a Guinness World Record for singing?
(Cantilena members, please note, this does not apply to you as you should be in our dress rehearsal at that time for our concert the following day!)
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Weekend Concert Calendar, 11/18/10
Hi folks,
Sorry, no Weekend Concert Calendar this week. Flu plus an extremely busy week means no time! Check out the Mystic Chorale and Zamir Chorale's joint concert this weekend; other than that, I will get back on the bandwagon next week. (And send me your Messiah Sing information - a big ol' Messiah Sing post will be coming up in the beginning of December.)
Sorry, no Weekend Concert Calendar this week. Flu plus an extremely busy week means no time! Check out the Mystic Chorale and Zamir Chorale's joint concert this weekend; other than that, I will get back on the bandwagon next week. (And send me your Messiah Sing information - a big ol' Messiah Sing post will be coming up in the beginning of December.)
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Weekend Concert Calendar, 11/11/10
Do you know a veteran? (I should think most of us do.) Treat them to a concert this weekend!
Friday:
I have nothing for Friday. Nothing! Very weird. In the absence of any straight-up choral concerts, I recommend going to see the Boston Opera Collaborative's production of Mark Adamo's Little Women. I have heard good things, and will be checking it out myself this weekend.
Saturday:
For Saturday, among many delightful offerings the Spectrum Singers are offering a totally fascinating program called "Sound the Trumpets!"; fascinating because I am unfamiliar with much of the repertoire they are presenting, and that always makes for a good time. From their publicity material:
"[The concert will include] Joseph Jongen's Mass for Chorus, Brass and Organ. Come hear why Jongen was considered a superb colorist and genius of form, harmony, and melody. The Mass is absolutely beautiful and moving. Also hear Marcel Dupré's Poème Héroïque for organ, brass and drum plus festive choral music by Lili Boulanger, William Mathias, Daniel Pinkham, Virgil Thomson and William Walton. With Heinrich Christensen on organ and a special pre-concert talk by Steve Ledbetter at 7:00." The concert is at 8 pm at First Church Congregational, Cambridge.
Also on Saturday: Cappella Clausura, the Salisbury Singers, the Assabet Valley Mastersingers, the Boston Children's Chorus, the Wellesley College Choir.
Sunday:
Check out Cappella Clausura's production of Hildegard von Bingen's Ordo Virtutum. A liturgical drama, it is one of her major works and contains some of her most beloved chants. Cappella Clausura has updated this ancient play for modern audiences; in their version, "a soul interviews for a job at the Devil's corporation. Can she resist a tempting offer, or will she join a virtuous non-profit? Come find out in this unforgettable new production!" 5 pm at First Lutheran Church in Boston. Also on Saturday in Newton.
Also on Sunday: Cappella Clausura,the Paul Madore Chorale, the Boston Russian Chorus and Festival Singers, the Brandeis University Chamber Choir.
Did I miss anything? Leave it in the comments!
Friday:
I have nothing for Friday. Nothing! Very weird. In the absence of any straight-up choral concerts, I recommend going to see the Boston Opera Collaborative's production of Mark Adamo's Little Women. I have heard good things, and will be checking it out myself this weekend.
Saturday:
For Saturday, among many delightful offerings the Spectrum Singers are offering a totally fascinating program called "Sound the Trumpets!"; fascinating because I am unfamiliar with much of the repertoire they are presenting, and that always makes for a good time. From their publicity material:
"[The concert will include] Joseph Jongen's Mass for Chorus, Brass and Organ. Come hear why Jongen was considered a superb colorist and genius of form, harmony, and melody. The Mass is absolutely beautiful and moving. Also hear Marcel Dupré's Poème Héroïque for organ, brass and drum plus festive choral music by Lili Boulanger, William Mathias, Daniel Pinkham, Virgil Thomson and William Walton. With Heinrich Christensen on organ and a special pre-concert talk by Steve Ledbetter at 7:00." The concert is at 8 pm at First Church Congregational, Cambridge.
Also on Saturday: Cappella Clausura, the Salisbury Singers, the Assabet Valley Mastersingers, the Boston Children's Chorus, the Wellesley College Choir.
Sunday:
Check out Cappella Clausura's production of Hildegard von Bingen's Ordo Virtutum. A liturgical drama, it is one of her major works and contains some of her most beloved chants. Cappella Clausura has updated this ancient play for modern audiences; in their version, "a soul interviews for a job at the Devil's corporation. Can she resist a tempting offer, or will she join a virtuous non-profit? Come find out in this unforgettable new production!" 5 pm at First Lutheran Church in Boston. Also on Saturday in Newton.
Also on Sunday: Cappella Clausura,the Paul Madore Chorale, the Boston Russian Chorus and Festival Singers, the Brandeis University Chamber Choir.
Did I miss anything? Leave it in the comments!
Monday, November 08, 2010
Monday link
This one's for all the organists! I am sure you will all relate. (Warning: sound is NSFW.)
Friday, November 05, 2010
Friday cat post!
Today my friend Michelle helped me out with the camera, so you get a rare shot of me and Samson together!
"What do you think? Headbutt?"
"Of course!"
"What do you think? Headbutt?"
"Of course!"Weekend Concert Calendar, 11/4/10
Let's just dive right in, shall we?
Friday: On Friday, I recommend going to see Masterworks Chorale present Handel's oratorio Alexander's Feast. The soloists will be excellent - soprano Teresa Wakim, tenor Jason McStoots, and baritone Sumner Thompson - and the Treble Chorus of New England will also be featured. At 8 pm at Sanders Theatre.
Also on Friday: BSO w/ the Tanglewood Festival Chorus, Cantata Singers, University Chorale of Boston College.
Saturday: Go to the BSO! In addition to Brahms' Symphony No. 2, they will be performing the rarely-heard Atlàntida (“Atlantis”) by Manuel de Falla. Sung in Catalan, this work is about the lost continent of Atlantis and its subsequent rediscovery by Columbus. This concert will be Friday, Saturday and Tuesday at Symphony Hall at 8 pm.
Also on Saturday: The Master Singers of Lexington, BSO w/ the Tanglewood Festival Chorus, Cantata Singers, Blue Heron Renaissance Choir, Night Song Schola.
Sunday: It's a weekend for big choral works! On Sunday I recommend the Chorus pro Musica concert, featuring Dvorak's Mass in D as well as works by Janáček, Duruflé, and Holst. 3 pm at Old South Church in Boston.
Also on Sunday: Candlelight Chorale, Divi Zheni.
Friday: On Friday, I recommend going to see Masterworks Chorale present Handel's oratorio Alexander's Feast. The soloists will be excellent - soprano Teresa Wakim, tenor Jason McStoots, and baritone Sumner Thompson - and the Treble Chorus of New England will also be featured. At 8 pm at Sanders Theatre.
Also on Friday: BSO w/ the Tanglewood Festival Chorus, Cantata Singers, University Chorale of Boston College.
Saturday: Go to the BSO! In addition to Brahms' Symphony No. 2, they will be performing the rarely-heard Atlàntida (“Atlantis”) by Manuel de Falla. Sung in Catalan, this work is about the lost continent of Atlantis and its subsequent rediscovery by Columbus. This concert will be Friday, Saturday and Tuesday at Symphony Hall at 8 pm.
Also on Saturday: The Master Singers of Lexington, BSO w/ the Tanglewood Festival Chorus, Cantata Singers, Blue Heron Renaissance Choir, Night Song Schola.
Sunday: It's a weekend for big choral works! On Sunday I recommend the Chorus pro Musica concert, featuring Dvorak's Mass in D as well as works by Janáček, Duruflé, and Holst. 3 pm at Old South Church in Boston.
Also on Sunday: Candlelight Chorale, Divi Zheni.
Monday, November 01, 2010
Monday link
This has been making the rounds, though hat-tip to EG for being the first to let me know about it.
Here, the musical talent of the next generation! (I would actually love to see him in front of a professional orchestra; how much fun would everyone have? I bet that would be a very positive feedback loop, and a hugely energetic performance!)
Here, the musical talent of the next generation! (I would actually love to see him in front of a professional orchestra; how much fun would everyone have? I bet that would be a very positive feedback loop, and a hugely energetic performance!)
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Weekend Concert Calendar, 10/28/10
Because of Halloween weekend, not so many choral concerts going on, but still enough to fill your dance card!
Friday: On Friday, take a little hike down to Providence to hear Zefiro, a group of eight Renaissance singers. They will be stretching their repertoire with a program called "Meditations," which will include Arvo Pärt's Prayer after the Canon, as well as a cappella works by Parry, Brahms, and more. If you don't want to trek down to Providence to hear them on Friday at 8 pm at St. Stephen's Church, check them out at 8 pm on Saturday closer to home, at the Nave Gallery in Somerville.
Saturday: Or on Saturday, you could also check out the Harvard-Radcliffe Collegium Musicum and Radcliffe Choral Society as they present a program called "Exuberance and Elegance," featuring classics of Tudor England and new America. This concert is a big deal, as it is the debut of Andrew Clark, the newly appointed Director of Choral Activities at Harvard. Sanders Theatre, 8 pm!
Sunday: The Boston Camerata will team up with the choral fellows of the Harvard University Choir to present works by Dufay, Josquin, Marenzio, and Monteverdi. At Memorial Church on the Harvard campus, 4 pm.
Did I miss anything? Leave it in the comments!
Friday: On Friday, take a little hike down to Providence to hear Zefiro, a group of eight Renaissance singers. They will be stretching their repertoire with a program called "Meditations," which will include Arvo Pärt's Prayer after the Canon, as well as a cappella works by Parry, Brahms, and more. If you don't want to trek down to Providence to hear them on Friday at 8 pm at St. Stephen's Church, check them out at 8 pm on Saturday closer to home, at the Nave Gallery in Somerville.
Saturday: Or on Saturday, you could also check out the Harvard-Radcliffe Collegium Musicum and Radcliffe Choral Society as they present a program called "Exuberance and Elegance," featuring classics of Tudor England and new America. This concert is a big deal, as it is the debut of Andrew Clark, the newly appointed Director of Choral Activities at Harvard. Sanders Theatre, 8 pm!
Sunday: The Boston Camerata will team up with the choral fellows of the Harvard University Choir to present works by Dufay, Josquin, Marenzio, and Monteverdi. At Memorial Church on the Harvard campus, 4 pm.
Did I miss anything? Leave it in the comments!
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Weekend Concert Calendar, 10/21/10
How ironic that I write this entry with earplugs in my ears to blog out the music from my upstairs neighbor, who apparently only ever listens to one piece. Or at least music with one exactly-the-same bass beat. Anyways, moving on. What should you be listening to this weekend?
Friday: Of course on Friday I choose myself! Come to the Schola Cantorum concert tomorrow night (today, by the time you read this) at 8 pm at St. John's on Bowdoin St. in Boston. We will be doing a pile of English Tudor music, including Byrd's Mass for 4 Voices. And I have a solo on one of the Tomkins pieces! We are repeating this concert in Rhode Island on Saturday and Sunday; see the website for details.
Saturday: Since both were gracious enough to give away tickets on this blog, obviously Saturday is a tie between Musica Sacra (Rutter's Requiem! Schütz's Musikalisches Exequien!) and the Boston Cecilia (Mendelssohn! Schubert!) Musica Sacra is at 8 pm at the First Congregational Church in Cambridge, and the Boston Cecilia is at 8 pm at All Saints Parish in Brookline.
Also on Saturday: Power Sing with Nick Page, Brandeis University Chorus.
Sunday: On Sunday, go see Simon Carrington direct Canto Armonico and members of the Harvard Baroque Orchestra in a performance of a new critical edition of CPE Bach's Magnificat at 3 pm at First Lutheran Church in Boston.
Did I forget anything? Leave it in the comments!
Friday: Of course on Friday I choose myself! Come to the Schola Cantorum concert tomorrow night (today, by the time you read this) at 8 pm at St. John's on Bowdoin St. in Boston. We will be doing a pile of English Tudor music, including Byrd's Mass for 4 Voices. And I have a solo on one of the Tomkins pieces! We are repeating this concert in Rhode Island on Saturday and Sunday; see the website for details.
Saturday: Since both were gracious enough to give away tickets on this blog, obviously Saturday is a tie between Musica Sacra (Rutter's Requiem! Schütz's Musikalisches Exequien!) and the Boston Cecilia (Mendelssohn! Schubert!) Musica Sacra is at 8 pm at the First Congregational Church in Cambridge, and the Boston Cecilia is at 8 pm at All Saints Parish in Brookline.
Also on Saturday: Power Sing with Nick Page, Brandeis University Chorus.
Sunday: On Sunday, go see Simon Carrington direct Canto Armonico and members of the Harvard Baroque Orchestra in a performance of a new critical edition of CPE Bach's Magnificat at 3 pm at First Lutheran Church in Boston.
Did I forget anything? Leave it in the comments!
Ticket winners!
I'm happy to announce the winners of the ticket giveaway. Shannon Rose is going to the Boston Cecilia concert, and Curious Patient is going to the Musica Sacra concert. Curious Patient, could you please e-mail me your real name? Otherwise you will have to go to will-call and ask for the tickets being held under Curious Patient. For real, I'm telling their manager that tomorrow morning!
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Ticket giveaway!
This is a very special week, as we have TWO ticket giveaways for concerts this weekend! They are on the same day, but life is full of tough choices.
The first concert is Musica Sacra, who have paired two great works together for what will no doubt be a very intense evening. They will be performing John Rutter's 20th century Requiem with the 17th century Musikalische Exequien by Heinrich Schütz. This concert is this coming Saturday, 10/23, at 8 pm, at the First Congregational Church in Cambridge (close to Harvard Square.)
The second concert is The Boston Cecilia, who are going Romantic with a program of Mendelssohn and Schubert. Tenor William Hite will be featured on the program, as well as pianist Barbara Bruns and up-and-coming mezzo-soprano Eileen Christiansen. (Please note: even if you don't win this pair of tickets, you can still get a two-for-one deal deal on the Boston Cecilia website if you use the code OCT50.) This concert will also be this coming Saturday, 10/23, at 8 pm at All Saints Parish in Brookline.
If you want a pair of free tickets to either of these concerts, leave a comment on this post before Wednesday at 6 pm, and tell me which concert you would want to go to, and what the last choral concert you attended was. I will choose one comment at random for each of the free pair of tickets. (Although if you truthfully tell me you have never been to a choral concert, I am throwing the random thing out the window and you are definitely getting one of the pairs!)
The first concert is Musica Sacra, who have paired two great works together for what will no doubt be a very intense evening. They will be performing John Rutter's 20th century Requiem with the 17th century Musikalische Exequien by Heinrich Schütz. This concert is this coming Saturday, 10/23, at 8 pm, at the First Congregational Church in Cambridge (close to Harvard Square.)
The second concert is The Boston Cecilia, who are going Romantic with a program of Mendelssohn and Schubert. Tenor William Hite will be featured on the program, as well as pianist Barbara Bruns and up-and-coming mezzo-soprano Eileen Christiansen. (Please note: even if you don't win this pair of tickets, you can still get a two-for-one deal deal on the Boston Cecilia website if you use the code OCT50.) This concert will also be this coming Saturday, 10/23, at 8 pm at All Saints Parish in Brookline.
If you want a pair of free tickets to either of these concerts, leave a comment on this post before Wednesday at 6 pm, and tell me which concert you would want to go to, and what the last choral concert you attended was. I will choose one comment at random for each of the free pair of tickets. (Although if you truthfully tell me you have never been to a choral concert, I am throwing the random thing out the window and you are definitely getting one of the pairs!)
Monday, October 18, 2010
Monday link
You may have heard by now of the "It Gets Better" project. Started by always NSFW sex advice columnist Dan Savage and in honor of Billy Lucas, a queer teen who committed suicide in September, this project asks LGBTQ folk to make a video talking to younger LGBTQ people who may be threatened, harassed, bullied, depressed, or otherwise going through tough times, to encourage them, tell them they are not alone, and assure them that their lives will get better. Many, many folks have contributed wonderful videos already, including both celebrities like Tim Gunn and my own friends.
Here is NYC's Youth Pride Chorus and their contribution to the It Gets Better Project.
Here is NYC's Youth Pride Chorus and their contribution to the It Gets Better Project.
Friday, October 15, 2010
Friday cat post!
Let's check in with Oomi, shall we? What's she been up to?
Well, as you may remember, she is now a sometimes-outdoor kitty! Time for a game of Where'sWaldo Oomi?
Well, as you may remember, she is now a sometimes-outdoor kitty! Time for a game of Where's
But she's not outdoors all the time.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Weekend Concert Calendar, 10/14/10
It has BEGUN. In my opinion, at least. The choruses, they are rolling out their first concerts, and the season is off to a good start! This is also the first week I will be challenged to stick to my new format, where I recommend only one concert per day. I know it's going to be good for getting a decent amount of sleep on Thursday nights, but it's hard to choose!
Friday: I think I have to pick the concert I'm going to, right? Probably the only concert I will get to this month that I am not performing in. BEMF presents Stile Antico, a Renaissance choir from Britain. Publicity folks make a big deal of the fact that they have no conductor and are self-directed, but with a dozen Renaissance singers having no conductor is pretty much the only right way to do it in my opinion (somebody up there conducting music with no bar lines only gets in the way); more exciting to me is the fact that they are supposed to be truly excellent.
Also on Friday: the Orpheus Singers.
Saturday: This is a good weekend for Renaissance music! If you go to Stile Antico on Friday, then you can go to the Blue Heron concert on Saturday and see how the home team holds up against them furriners! They will be singing music by Ludford and Aston from the Peterhouse Partbooks. Blue Heron are hot stuff; if you love early music and you have never been to one of their concerts, then you should be ashamed of yourself! And fix that this weekend.
Also on Saturday: the Orpheus Singers, Lorelei Ensemble, Boston Conservatory Combined Choruses.
Sunday: My pick for Sunday is "Halleluyah" at Emmanuel Church. Boston Jewish Spirit and Emmanuel are presenting an interfaith concert, featuring the Zamir Chorale under Joshua Jacobson, the Orpheus Singers under James Olesen (who are also giving two other concerts this weekend, see above) and the Spectrum Singers under John Ehrlich. This concert is a program of choral music celebrating the sesquicentennial of Emmanuel Church and the fifth anniversary of Boston Jewish Spirit. All three of these groups are great; all of them together should be fantastic!
Also on Sunday: King's Chapel Choir and Soloists, the Seraphim Singers, Belmont Open Sings, Music Arts Alive, Vox Lucens, Harvard University Choir, Cappella Clausura.
Did I miss anything? Leave it in the comments!
Friday: I think I have to pick the concert I'm going to, right? Probably the only concert I will get to this month that I am not performing in. BEMF presents Stile Antico, a Renaissance choir from Britain. Publicity folks make a big deal of the fact that they have no conductor and are self-directed, but with a dozen Renaissance singers having no conductor is pretty much the only right way to do it in my opinion (somebody up there conducting music with no bar lines only gets in the way); more exciting to me is the fact that they are supposed to be truly excellent.
Also on Friday: the Orpheus Singers.
Saturday: This is a good weekend for Renaissance music! If you go to Stile Antico on Friday, then you can go to the Blue Heron concert on Saturday and see how the home team holds up against them furriners! They will be singing music by Ludford and Aston from the Peterhouse Partbooks. Blue Heron are hot stuff; if you love early music and you have never been to one of their concerts, then you should be ashamed of yourself! And fix that this weekend.
Also on Saturday: the Orpheus Singers, Lorelei Ensemble, Boston Conservatory Combined Choruses.
Sunday: My pick for Sunday is "Halleluyah" at Emmanuel Church. Boston Jewish Spirit and Emmanuel are presenting an interfaith concert, featuring the Zamir Chorale under Joshua Jacobson, the Orpheus Singers under James Olesen (who are also giving two other concerts this weekend, see above) and the Spectrum Singers under John Ehrlich. This concert is a program of choral music celebrating the sesquicentennial of Emmanuel Church and the fifth anniversary of Boston Jewish Spirit. All three of these groups are great; all of them together should be fantastic!
Also on Sunday: King's Chapel Choir and Soloists, the Seraphim Singers, Belmont Open Sings, Music Arts Alive, Vox Lucens, Harvard University Choir, Cappella Clausura.
Did I miss anything? Leave it in the comments!
Monday, October 11, 2010
Thursday, October 07, 2010
Weekend Concert Calendar, 10/7/10
It's Columbus Day weekend, so concerts are still a little thin on the ground (didn't find any choral concerts on Friday night) but next week things really get rolling!
Saturday: Check out the BSO's performance of Mahler's 2nd, "The Resurrection Symphony" at 8 pm. Levine is back on the podium, and everyone is all a-flutter! (Also next Tuesday.)
Sunday: Exsultemus performs the Italian madrigals of Palestrina at 3 pm. (Also Saturday at 8 pm.) This is their core repertoire; it should be exquisite.
Also on Sunday: the monthly Boston Sacred Harp sing.
Saturday: Check out the BSO's performance of Mahler's 2nd, "The Resurrection Symphony" at 8 pm. Levine is back on the podium, and everyone is all a-flutter! (Also next Tuesday.)
Sunday: Exsultemus performs the Italian madrigals of Palestrina at 3 pm. (Also Saturday at 8 pm.) This is their core repertoire; it should be exquisite.
Also on Sunday: the monthly Boston Sacred Harp sing.
Monday, October 04, 2010
Monday link
It's not choral, but it sure is fun! The comedy troupe Axis of Awesome explains the Four Chord Song. NSFW! (Stand-up comedy, you know.)
(I'm not sure this is a fair critique of pop songs of the last 40 years, since it completely leaves out any variation that might exist in the bridge, for one thing, but it's still hilarious.)
(I'm not sure this is a fair critique of pop songs of the last 40 years, since it completely leaves out any variation that might exist in the bridge, for one thing, but it's still hilarious.)
Friday, October 01, 2010
Friday cat post!
So, I am sadly aware that I have missed the last two Friday cat posts. And you all must be wondering how Samson is. (Or, y'know, not.) Samson is fine...the dirty truth is that it turns out I am terrible at taking pictures of him. I mean, really. They are not good pictures.
To fix this, I think we should have WAY MORE guest spots on this blog. Do you have a cat? Want your cat to have its 15 minutes of fame? (Er, "fame"?) Drop me a comment, and we'll tawk.
In the meantime, here is an example of why I need photographic help. This is Samson trying to scratch his face on my feet. I mean, it's cute, but really, it's not an aesthetically pleasing photograph.
In other cat news, I was introduced to the funniest cat-related website ever by my new organist. (That deserves a whole excited entry of its own!) It is a website called "Simon's Cat" and features wonderful animated films about a very, er, personality-filled cat. The first one is a classic. Samson behaves quite a lot like this in the morning, although luckily without the denouement, and happily for me only when he perceives that I am waking up anyways. I also recommend this one for my mother in particular, who may recall a similar incident.
To fix this, I think we should have WAY MORE guest spots on this blog. Do you have a cat? Want your cat to have its 15 minutes of fame? (Er, "fame"?) Drop me a comment, and we'll tawk.
In the meantime, here is an example of why I need photographic help. This is Samson trying to scratch his face on my feet. I mean, it's cute, but really, it's not an aesthetically pleasing photograph.
In other cat news, I was introduced to the funniest cat-related website ever by my new organist. (That deserves a whole excited entry of its own!) It is a website called "Simon's Cat" and features wonderful animated films about a very, er, personality-filled cat. The first one is a classic. Samson behaves quite a lot like this in the morning, although luckily without the denouement, and happily for me only when he perceives that I am waking up anyways. I also recommend this one for my mother in particular, who may recall a similar incident.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Weekend Concert Calendar, 10/1/10
Hm. Choral concerts are thin on the ground this weekend, let me tell you. I can only offer you a couple of options on Sunday. (Friday and Saturday I suggest you explore other musical genres.)
On Sunday at 2:30 pm, you could attend one of the Cantata Singers Chamber Series concerts, titled "Vocal Chamber Music of Ralph Vaughan Williams and Friends." It will be at the Edward M. Pickman concert hall at the Longy School of Music in Cambridge.
Or, you could go to the Paretsky Center at Simmons College in Boston, and hear "Jaguza! Celebrate the Children of Uganda" where the Ugandan Martyrs Choir will perform with other native African singers to benefit the Malaka Fund, a non-profit based in Jamaica Plain.
That's all I got!
Did I miss anything? Leave it in the comments!
On Sunday at 2:30 pm, you could attend one of the Cantata Singers Chamber Series concerts, titled "Vocal Chamber Music of Ralph Vaughan Williams and Friends." It will be at the Edward M. Pickman concert hall at the Longy School of Music in Cambridge.
Or, you could go to the Paretsky Center at Simmons College in Boston, and hear "Jaguza! Celebrate the Children of Uganda" where the Ugandan Martyrs Choir will perform with other native African singers to benefit the Malaka Fund, a non-profit based in Jamaica Plain.
That's all I got!
Did I miss anything? Leave it in the comments!
Monday, September 27, 2010
Monday links
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Weekend Concert Calendar, 9/23/10
Concerts are not yet thick on the ground, this being September, but what there is is quality stuff!
On Friday, be sure to go to Emmanuel Music's performance of Alexander's Feast by Handel. This is new music director Ryan Turner's debut concert with the group, so you will want to be there to check him out! The usual roster of extraordinary singers will be there, along with the choir and orchestra, and the estimable and amiable Donald Teeters will be giving the pre-concert lecture at 7 pm. Located at Emmanuel Church in Boston, naturally.
On Saturday, go support Blue Heron by attending their Season Preview Event. Starting at 6 pm in the Chapel of the Episcopal Divinity School, you can hear samples of the 2010-2011 season, have some food and drink, and meet the musicians.
On Sunday, you can attend Opera Harvest, a gala benefit for the Boston Singer's Resource. The Boston Singer's Resource is a great, well, resource for singers in Boston - for one thing, they are one of the primary websites I use to create this here Weekend Concert Calendar, and for another, they are my primary source for audition notices. In addition to the venerable Robert Honeysucker, some of Boston's best young singers will be performing, including my fellow Anthology member Michelle Vachon! The festivities start at 3 pm at the Hamilton-Wenham Community House in South Hamilton.
Also this weekend on Friday and Saturday, check out the Contemporary Americana Festival.
Did I miss something? Leave it in the comments!
On Friday, be sure to go to Emmanuel Music's performance of Alexander's Feast by Handel. This is new music director Ryan Turner's debut concert with the group, so you will want to be there to check him out! The usual roster of extraordinary singers will be there, along with the choir and orchestra, and the estimable and amiable Donald Teeters will be giving the pre-concert lecture at 7 pm. Located at Emmanuel Church in Boston, naturally.
On Saturday, go support Blue Heron by attending their Season Preview Event. Starting at 6 pm in the Chapel of the Episcopal Divinity School, you can hear samples of the 2010-2011 season, have some food and drink, and meet the musicians.
On Sunday, you can attend Opera Harvest, a gala benefit for the Boston Singer's Resource. The Boston Singer's Resource is a great, well, resource for singers in Boston - for one thing, they are one of the primary websites I use to create this here Weekend Concert Calendar, and for another, they are my primary source for audition notices. In addition to the venerable Robert Honeysucker, some of Boston's best young singers will be performing, including my fellow Anthology member Michelle Vachon! The festivities start at 3 pm at the Hamilton-Wenham Community House in South Hamilton.
Also this weekend on Friday and Saturday, check out the Contemporary Americana Festival.
Did I miss something? Leave it in the comments!
Monday, September 20, 2010
Monday link
I kind of fell down on the Weekend Concert Calendar and the Friday cat post last week. Oh, well, this week is a new week. Samson is still doing well; he got cat grass today, which he seems to like. (This seemed a good idea after I noticed him chomping on my bamboo plant.)
Today's link is the group Cantus singing "There is Sweet Music Here" by Daniel Gawthrop. Very lovely performance. (Cantilena singing this piece in December, along with his classic "Sing Me to Heaven.")
Today's link is the group Cantus singing "There is Sweet Music Here" by Daniel Gawthrop. Very lovely performance. (Cantilena singing this piece in December, along with his classic "Sing Me to Heaven.")
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Quick audition thoughts
Cantilena just had our first round of auditions last night (there are two more weeks of auditions, so you still have a chance to try us out!) This means that today I got to call people and tell them that they were either in or out. I try to do this on the phone, because it just feels like I owe them at least that much.
And I want to say that I LOVE it when people say, "Can you tell me why I didn't get in?" YES! I can! And I really want to! Because I want you to continue to sing, and I want you to have an honest picture of your own voice, and I especially want to give you lots of advice on how to improve, so nothing would make me happier than to tell you why you didn't get in. In a gentle and constructive way, of course. If I just spent 20 minutes discussing your voices with members of my chorus last night, I definitely want to spend 2 minutes today discussing it with you.
So. It might feel awkward, people, and you might want to get away, or get off the phone as soon as possible, but please, ask me why you didn't get in! I will tell you. And honestly, I think it usually makes people feel better. The truth will not hurt as much as your own imagination.
This is on my mind because all the people I had to turn down today asked this question, and I thought it was very excellent and brave of them.
And I want to say that I LOVE it when people say, "Can you tell me why I didn't get in?" YES! I can! And I really want to! Because I want you to continue to sing, and I want you to have an honest picture of your own voice, and I especially want to give you lots of advice on how to improve, so nothing would make me happier than to tell you why you didn't get in. In a gentle and constructive way, of course. If I just spent 20 minutes discussing your voices with members of my chorus last night, I definitely want to spend 2 minutes today discussing it with you.
So. It might feel awkward, people, and you might want to get away, or get off the phone as soon as possible, but please, ask me why you didn't get in! I will tell you. And honestly, I think it usually makes people feel better. The truth will not hurt as much as your own imagination.
This is on my mind because all the people I had to turn down today asked this question, and I thought it was very excellent and brave of them.
Monday, September 13, 2010
Monday link
You thought reviews of classical CDs were boring? Think again, my friend. And then check out Vice Magazine's reviews of recently released classical CDs. Pretty hilarious. Via Life's a Pitch, who gives you a rundown of the highlights. Be sure not to miss the very last review.
Friday, September 10, 2010
Friday cat post!
Samson is looking around because I am putting his dinner on the floor.
Also, via various sources, check out IKEA's new ad involving 100 cats let loose in an IKEA store. Here's a video about the ad being made; here's the ad.
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