Notes from January 15

It is so good to be back dissecting this repertoire - exploring the various harmonic twists and turns of new music. I remember back in the old days it was rare to find a living composer on the program. Now it is rare to find music of a composer who is not living, and if you want, who you can contact with questions and comments about their work. What a connection to the music - a conduit from the composer straight to the audience. What a responsibility we have as performers!

As I mentioned in the very first rehearsal and again last Tuesday, with this music, you as individuals have a greater responsibility to have a more comprehensive knowledge of the score. With upwards of sixteen vocal parts in some of these scores,  and at times one to a part, you are going to have to really be aware of your function in the chords. When one sections sings a C major chord against a g minor chord (Whitacre m. 25) the inner voices really have to be able to dissect their chord functions and sing with a dynamic sensitive to the over balance of  the entire texture. I know this is old news to most of you but it needs repeating. Please make this your priority this week and have prepared:  

i thank you God - Whitacre
The Spheres - Gjeilo
The In-Between - Allan (basses please know your "beat box" sections!)
The Canticle of the Sun - Oswin
Voices of Earth - Sirett (new this week)
Across the Fields - Barnum
Sure On This Shining Night - Lauridsen

Have a great weekend and see you all  Tuesday. Stay healthy!

Fabulous Fridays!

Thanks for a really great start to the season. It was fun reading through this program and in the process we made some music along the way! Now it is time to get into the scores. I again want to welcome Sarah Slemko and Kallie White.  It is great to have you both singing with Camerata and I hope you both feel welcome and musically invigorated.

I have included some recording links for your listening pleasure. Please prepare the following pieces for next Tuesday's rehearsal:

i thank You God - Whitacre
Earth Teach Me - Lang (remember to let me know if you are interested in auditioning for the solos)
The Spheres - Gjeilo  - http://youtu.be/WbMH9cNZ9uQ
The In-Between - Allan  (there are some corrections in the score I will give you on Tuesday)
Across The Fields - Barnum - http://www.waltonmusic.com/Sound14/AcrossTheFields/
Ice (women) - Sled - http://larrynickel.com/CypressAudio/Ice.html
The Canticle of the Sun - Oswin
Sure on the Shining Night - Lauridsen - two recordings for you to compare

http://youtu.be/JWTVoAgO0j
http://youtu.be/qdRmclDpL2Q (not great quality but please listen to this)

I am so happy to be working with you again after the break. This program is very exciting to me and I hope it will be for you as well. Have a great weekend and see you on Tuesday.