The great Robert Shaw used to regularly write his choir after rehearsals to comment on the rehearsal, offer his thoughts on the music, encourage (and admonish!) the singers, eand so on. Shaw used to always begin his letters with "Dear People" (after his death a book about Shaw was published called "Dear People" - a great read by the way). So in my attempt to articulate everything going on inside my head and heart, I'll begin, fondly:
Dear People,
In the history of Halifax Camerata Singers there have been few times I have been as moved by your performance as I was on Saturday night. To be pragmatic, there were little things which went wrong, however as long as we all live and breathe, there will always be the human factor. But the difference on Saturday was, we sang through the program, I was struck by the many times I looked at you and saw complete joy on your faces. It was not the plastic smile some conductors tell kids choirs to wear in performance, but rather the light in the eyes - the look in which I can tell that you are really "getting it! " Peter Togni felt it, Jeff Enns talked about it, the Coast article on Monday called it "soul-stirring and heart touching," and a friend in the audience who has really critical ears called it "exquisite."
Peter emailed me yesterday and I told him I would communicate his thoughts with you. These are Peter's words:
"Once again may I say BRAVO for such a wonderful musical meditation. It was very good to be there and to meet Jeff Enns and hear his beautiful music. May I say BRAVO again for such an immaculate performance of Requiem Et Lux.!! I was deeply moved as was my whole family. The boat is now in the water. It was so great to speak with so many of your wonderful singers last night, their enthusiasm and depth of understanding and care for this piece was most humbling. They really have become a great choir and are not only a treasure here in Halifax but in Canada. Your deep commitment to the truth of music and your energy and spirit and what you have done for choral singing is truly astounding! I look forward to more projects together in the future."
Powerful words which are important for you to hear.
There are so many people to thank: Thanks to all the soloists who had a part in the concert. This was a concert where I didn't have the opportunity to acknowledge each of you but you are all appreciated for stepping up and selflessly giving of your talents in the many small solos each of you performed. Thanks to Tristan, for your gentle spirit and good humor and always being ready to get the choir in voice for me. You will have bigger roles to play in the concerts to come. Cynthia, thank you for playing the daylights out of that bugger of an accompaniment and making the room sound like we had an orchestra playing its heart out with us! Tenille, thank you for coordinating the nightmare of details and events leading up to the concert. Your learning curve was beyond steep and I look forward to working with you in future projects. Finally, I would be remiss not to single out my respected (and much loved) colleague, Christina for all the help you have given me in the preparation of this concert, for your working with me on "Camerata vision" and the extraordinary heights you have brought Xara in such a short time. Xara is a treasure of which we all can be proud. You need to communicate this to these young women. In a more somber note, please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you and your very ill grandfather as he approaches his last days.
We all are weary but as we approach Mozart Requiem this week, I hope the music will give your batteries a quick charge and get you through to Thursday (until you at least have a couple of days off before the Sunday afternoon concert). You all have Tuesday, November 16th off but I will bring a new package of scores for you this week so you can look them over before the 23rd.
Keep checking the blog, as it will be the way I will communicate with you re reference recordings for the new repertoire, scheduling issues, and notices other than Thursday Thoughts.
Finally, in my thanks to everyone, I deliberately left the choristers to the end. You all the heart and soul of this organization and the raison d'etre we all are making music together. Thank you for the light which was shining in your eyes last Saturday night. Dear People, indeed!
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