Christmas is coming

Well, of course I had big plans to post here about all the pieces we are singing on the Christmas concert. So, here it is, just a few days before, and I am running out of time to talk about all the many interesting facts and tidbits about the music. All I can say is how impressed I continue to be by the singers in the group and their musicality both individually and as an ensemble. This is going to be a fun program and one that will bring the joy of the holidays to all who attend. The concert will be on December 12 at 4 pm at Northside Drive Baptist Church in Atlanta, 30305. Please come and experience all that the music has to share with us. Also, come and find out which carols got the most mentions by audience members and singers alike as we will sing several of those together as part of this special program. See you there!

Dancing Day

I did a little research into one of our carols on the December program which by the blog title you could probably figure out is Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day. Its language suggests that it was written in the 1700's although no one knows when it was penned exactly. The carol actually has eleven stanzas encompassing the entire life of Christ from birth to death with Christ himself referring to his own birth as his "dancing day." You can find the complete carol at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tomorrow_Shall_Be_My_Dancing_Day. It is thought by some that the dance imagery is used by the carol author in reference to the old Germanic tradition of dancing around the creche or manger to the music of those carols written in 3/4 time, like "Away in a Manger." The version we are singing is one of the most well-known choral settings of the carol which uses dance rhythms to effectively evoke the meaning of the text. What other setting of this text have you sung?
Speaking of singing, my agenda for the rehearsal tonight includes the above mentioned piece as well as:
Personent Hodie
Silent Night
Out of the Orient
E'en So Lord Jesus
Bogoroditse Devo
Betelehemu
Hear the Bells Ring
See you tonight!
Clair

Holiday Songs for all!

We need your help (whoever is reading this!) to decide which songs are your favorites to sing during the holiday season. The most mentioned carols will be sung by the audience and the Choral Guild at our concert on Sunday, December 12 at 4 pm at Northside Drive Baptist Church in Atlanta. E-mail me or comment with your titles (and other information if necessary) soon! Thanks for your input!

Christmas concert line up

Many of you have been asking, so here is the schedule of music for our Christmas concert on December 12 and each one's country of origin as it is a collection (of sorts) of Christmas Around the World:
Personent Hodie
E'en So, Lord Jesus, Quickly Come - Manz, USA
Out of the Orient Crystal Skies - Zgodava, Czechoslovakia?
Bogoroditse Devo from Vespers - Rachmaninoff, Russia
Betelehemu - traditional, Nigeria
Infant Holy, Infant Lowly - traditional, Poland
Quem vidistis from Four Motets - Poulenc, France
The Shepherds' Chorus from Amahl and the Night Visitors - Menotti, Italy/USA
Balulalow - Warlock, Scotland
Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day - Gardner, England
Silent Night - traditional, arr. Polay
Hear the Bells Ring - Dave Brubeck
Deck the Halls, arr. McKelvy
See you back at it tonight at rehearsal!

Inspirational!

I can't remember the last time I had such fun at a concert! Usually, the conductor has to worry about entrances, ensemble, tempo, balance and the like and hope a couple of places come together the day of the performance. Don't get me wrong, I had some of those tasks to attend to at the concert last Sunday, but not very many of them during the program. The singers have been working very hard and had the music very well under their singing belts, so to speak. (Dare I say memorized??) It was true pleasure to sit back and allow the music to wash over me as I heard the Choral Guild and my Chancel Choir from St. Luke's Presbyterian Church making glorious music together. The soloists added unique flavor to the spirituals and the Gospel Mass, and I found myself, as did the audience, caught up in the spirit and the excitement. Great job singers and musicians and thanks to all who came and joined us in this unique experience. It is one I will not soon forget - - now, on to Christmas!

Lots of people

It seems that I have been auditioning singers for a month now. Actually, I have, more or less. It began with the initial interest that happens each fall when people are back from summer, back to the routine, and looking for something new or a new thing to begin. Musically speaking, for most non-music professionals, that usually means singing in a choir or chorus. The many and varied interests, backgrounds and jobs people have are always so interesting to me. And, to listen to people explain or talk about what they do (and, really, who they are) is fascinating. This is truly one of the reasons why I do what I do. (Does this fascinate you??) Having the opportunity for one on one contact when I mostly encounter the musicians that I work with in groups at a time is a privilege for me. I get to make additional connections with people who are committing to spending regular time out of their busy lives in one of my musical groups. Just last night, I re-auditioned all current members of the Guild. I had lots of fun remembering things about and hearing opinions from the singers who I have now come to know by name, person and character over the last year or so. There were, of course, things that I had forgotten about each person as well as brand new things that I had never had the chance to know until just yesterday. The way music has the ability to bring people together beyond the music itself is humbling, and it just goes to show how amazingly diverse we all are as people and the universal appeal of music across all boundaries.

The Gospel

I have always wanted to conduct the full Gospel Mass by Robert Ray since I sang it at a summer conference a few summers ago. The piece has great energy and vitality, and you can't help but put your whole self into the music. Tonight will be the second regular rehearsal for the Choral Guild, and since we won't be having rehearsal next week for Labor Day, I hope to sing as much of the concert music as is possible. We got through most of the spirituals last week, so tonight will be a mix of everything. Several new singers have come to audition for the group, and I am always intrigued by people in general - their backgrounds, what they do for a living, how music is an important part of their lives, why they are living here in Atlanta, the list goes on and on. It's gratifying to be involved in something that people from all walks of life can engage in together. Even though we have begun rehearsals a week or so earlier than what the group is used to, I hope we will soon have our full, balanced ensemble at each rehearsal. I have a few ideas for soloists for the Mass, and any one of them could add so much to the performance. It will be interesting to see how it all comes together. Here's to a great rehearsal tonight!

Singing in the summer

I still feel like it's summer. It's sweltering hot (I know, I'm a Yankee!), none of my church choirs have yet returned to rehearsal, the neighborhood pool is still open, I haven't seen some of my friends in weeks (on vacations), and people are in general relaxed and enjoying life. Even so, this Saturday is the second annual Summer Sing - see, I told you it was still summer! - with the choral group I direct, the Choral Guild of Atlanta. I enjoy this group of singers from all walks of life who find a way out of their busy schedules each week to come sing together music that they love. It will be interesting to see who will be here on Saturday as rehearsals have not yet officially begun and everyone has been inviting whoever they know to join us for this event. I'm sensing excitement and anticipation from several people that this will be a great season, and I have to agree. I didn't know quite what to expect this time last year from just attending board meetings, interviews and only knowing a few of the members. Now that I've been a part of things for a year, this group really has heart and is a lot of fun. We're planning to sing the Vivaldi Gloria and the Schubert Mass in G which are both works singers love to sing. I remember singing at least movements of both these pieces all the way back to Honors' Chorus in high school and loving the music ever since. I plan on keeping it loose and easy on Saturday, meeting lots of new people and hearing these classic works sung once again. Even though it's still summer - really, I insist! - I look forward to seeing everyone on Saturday. Here are particulars in case you don't know:

SUMMER SING

Saturday, August 14, 2010

10am to Noon

St. Luke's Presbyterian Church

1978 Mt. Vernon Rd

Dunwoody, Georgia 30338

Repertoire

Mass in G - Schubert

Gloria - Vivaldi

Conductor: Clair Maxwell

No audition required - just your voice and enthusiasm!

Please RSVP by e-mail response or calling (770) 845-8941.

Please bring your own copies of the music if you have them - there will be some copies available.

Light refreshments will be served.