A Challenge

One of the concepts that is we always strive for in music is creating Beauty through finding the most truthful or honest sound. 
This is actually a bigger challenge than it might seem with the human voice.  Over the years we tend to change or modify our voices as we mature.  Usually based on what we hear in our own head, lliterally. How many men can say that they didn't try to force their voice lower when they were teens and it wasnt changing fast enough to a mature sound ?  How many women tried to moderate their voice to sound sweet and feminine instead of a shrew? (I know I did!) In many ways isn't it part of the same social pressure to be pretty or handsome...or thin..? 
However you managed to make it to an adult, finding different voices that use all of the systems that are in your body to enhance your sound is a lifes' work.  Since your body is always changing and adapting there is a fresh challenge every day to manage. One thing is for sure, its never boring!

the wonder of Pentecost

      Church of the Transfiguration was decorated with a brilliant red when we processed into our service this week. It is such a stark contrast to the white we have had for the Easter Season. The service itself was a celebration of Pentecost, or the coming of the Comforter, which was reflected in the music that was shared.
      Anyone who is familiar with Vaughn William's Pilgrims Progress would have appreciated the postlude, "Into thy hands I commend my spirit," sung by a baritone soloist (the character Watchful the Porter) and accompanied by a small orchestra. Our church could afford the space for the singer to walk away as he was singing the end of the piece. What a perfect "goodbye for now."
     This past Sunday was the last service sung by Gloriae Dei Cantores until after our summer break. We don't stop singing, we just sing other things. We will record the music of the "Early French Masters" that we have been working on, as well as receive the next set of service music for the fall term, and the music for the next recording (another French Masters set), and memorize the music for our Fall tour. So the word "break" is not that accurate; better to say,"doing something different" maybe!

New Hovhaness Review

We got this review this morning from Audiophile Magazine. "...it surely fills a longtime gap that sheds new light on a facet of his huge output as well as his growing reputation and place in the pantheon of American music. A very well done disc, superbly sung."  
Click here for whole review
Steven Ritter
Audiophile Magazine

Whats your opinion?

Every morning I enter a room with about forty five other people and mentally leave my cares, worries and concerns at the door in an imaginary trash can.  I do this so that for the next hour or two I am at rehearsal.  Now it doesn't always work the way I want it to, but I give it the best I can because I know the people around me are doing the same thing.

My goal is to be completely involved in what I am doing because that is what the art requires of me. Another item placed in that trash is well, is my pride so when I make a mistake I can listen and know that we are all on the team together to make the best music we can.

Shouldn't this be as important as knowing your scales, rhythm, history and all the other things that make a music lover into a musician ?

What do you think ?

Holy Spirit recording in the can !

The Gloriae Dei Womens Schola just finished a recording that I have heard a rumor about.  I hear its going to be fantastic...by someone who would be in the know! The programming is apparently very creative and will be a joy to listen to. (And could be a better subject than the Holy Spirit for a little exploring ?) 

Oh Boy!!

You know when there is a band concert like at the Boston Pops 4th Celebration and they have a guest conductor?  Well, Friday I found myself conducting a professional grade choir.  It seems so effortless when the conductor or assistant conductor wave their arms in perfect time communicating everything the singer needs to know....well...you guessed it !  Its not easy at all.

 At one point during rehearsal I found my arm in a Saturday Night Fever position clearly fully extended away from my body.  Just imagine being surrounded by fresco, mosaic and carved wood with a whisper of incense left from a service with your arm all the way stretched as far as possible toward the arched ceiling of a stone church.  There is no subtle way to get that thing down! So I went for the back of the head scratch and didn't fool any of the forty plus choir members....my only comfort is any one of them could be the next conductor!!!

You will be glad to know that everything turned out just fine.  The Evensong service was very peaceful. Somehow all of my anxiety and late night conducting rehearsals faded away and what became important was worshiping God. Turns out God's Grace can happen anywhere- and I was working with musicians that know what they are doing.  

However, I was happy to slip into my role as "first alto seated at the end of the row". Back to memorizing the French Recording music. ..and my next challenge is to sound French.  This should be interesting as long as I keep my sense of humor.

September 2012 Release

Come hear Salve Regina from the new Chant recording called:  Chants of Mary by the Gloriae Dei Cantores Men's Schola.  This was done in SACD format and the sound is awesome !  The cover art reflects love and dedication that you can hear in the voices when you listen. It is available for purchase here.