Grass Valley Male Voice Choir Traveling to England

Flash!  The Grass Valley Male Voice Choir is planning its third trip to Cornwall, England this coming May.  You can find out more about the choir and audition information at this link.

Profile of Folsom Gold

Folsom Gold is one of the area's newest choral organizations, and is directed by Fred Weber, formerly with the Music Department of Sierra College, founder of the Sierra Community Chorus, and an all-around musician well known in the Sacramento community for more than four decades.  Bob Nathan, long-time Sacramento area radio personality, actor/director, and frequent emcee, conceived the group and acts as its manager.  Folsom Gold gave its first public concert this past spring, and is offering a series of Christmas concerts.  Click here to see a profile that appears in the December issue of the Folsom Lake Entertainer.

CapRadio's Insight Highlights Choral Concerts

"Insight" is a daily, hour-long program produced by Sacramento's Capital Public Radio and broadcast at 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. on KXJZ, 90.9 FM.  Beth Ruyak hosts, and conducts interviews on wide-ranging topics.  This past Thursday's program (11/29/12) included a 12-minute segment in which Beth interviewed Jeff Hudson, CapRadio's arts and theater critic about upcoming holiday performances.  After noting the great number of performances that are imminent, they briefly discussed -- with audio samples -- (1) the dance company, Compañia Mazatlán Bellas Artes de Sacramento, (2) Sacramento Master Singers, (3) Cantus, (4) the Sacramento Ballet's "The Nutcracker," (5) Chanticleer, and (6) the Sacramento Choral Society & Orchestra.  You can listed to an audio of this part of the "Insight" program at this link.

SCSO KVIE Documentary Rebroadcast

In January 2011, Sacramento's KVIE "Viewfinder" series debuted a documentary on the Sacramento Choral Society and Orchestra.  The half-hour-long program discusses the significance of choral singing in America and the unique position of SCSO as the only chorus in the US with its own professional orchestra.  With snippets of various performances and interviews of Music Director Don Kendrick, President Jim McCormick, and various chorus members, the video illustrates how the chorus functions and what it is like to be a member of SCSO.  There is an emphasis on the group's tours, with highlights of SCSO's 2006 tour in China.  The program was funded in part by the Cultural Arts Award of the Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission with support from the City and County of Sacramento.

In April 2012, approval was given to have the documentary broadcast nationally, and since then, it has been shown 63 times in a variety of markets throughout the US.  There is a summary of its airings at this link.  Understandably, SCSO is proud to have given the Sacramento arts scene this national visibility.

Now this program, simply titled "Sacramento Choral Society & Orchestra," is being rebroadcast locally on KVIE during the month of December.  Broadcast times on KVIE are (1) Dec. 12 at 7:00 p.m., (2) Dec. 14 at 4:00 p.m., (3) Dec. 16 at 6:00 p.m., and (4) Dec. 18 at 11:30 p.m.  KVIE has a web page at this link where one can view the entire show (including a video "extra") or read the transcript.  One can also purchase a video of the program for $14.95.

Commissioned Work at "Light Your World"

The Sacramento Gay Men's Chorus will be giving the first performance of a new work titled, "A Social Network Christmas" by Eric Lane Barns, which was jointly commissioned by SGMC and the Seattle Men's Chorus.  Barnes was in Sacramento recently, rehearsing the chorus in his piece, which he describes as follows:

"The basic premise is, the main narrator of the song decides to stay inside during the month of December, participating in Christmas only through posting on his Facebook page. As the piece unfolds we see various YouTube videos, jpegs and other holiday tidbits he shares as he ‘posts’ on his page.” The piece is performed by the chorus and a small group with choreography and "staging and casting of special characters such as the YouTube phenomenon 'Jingle Cats.'"

Barns is author of the critically acclaimed Fairy Tales, which received numerous awards in Chicago, New York and London. His scores and scripts for Chicago’s Lifeline Theatre include Tuck Everlasting, The Amazing Bone, Simple Jim and His Four Fabulous Friends, and Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel, the latter of which has enjoyed a successful U.S. tour. His musical The Stops, about three lady organists, was awarded Best Musical at the 2006 National Gay and Lesbian Theatre Festival. Barns’ show Rapture of the Deep received a City of Seattle Office of Arts and Cultural Affairs grant and was co-presented with Seattle’s Balagan Theatre. His most recent show, 2011’s The Holiday Stops, broke all box office records in the history of Richmond’s Triangle Players. He has written songs and underscoring for several independent films, including the upcoming Fallen Jewel, and has been commissioned to write and produce shows and songs for numerous choruses throughout the United States.

Other features of the concert will be traditional holiday numbers such as “The Little Drummer Boy” and “Whisper (Tiny Baby in a Manger Lay),” and “How Could Anyone,” a round that will be performed in American Sign Language by the entire 60-member chorus.

For more details on the November 30-December 8 performances of "Light Your World" by the Sacramento Gay Men's Chorus, see their listing in the Sacramento Choral Calendar at this link.

Sacramento Choruses Touring Italy in 2013

Coincidentally, three Sacramento choral organizations are planning tours of Italy in the summer of 2013.  The Sacramento Choral Society – which toured Central Europe in 2004, China in 2006, and Canada in 2009 – is planning a 7-night, 9-day tour spanning June 25 and July 3.  They will be giving concerts in Venice, Lucca and Rome, with visits to Verona and Florence.  More information about this artistic adventure is in the SCSO's website, http://www.sacramentochoral.com/.

As the SCSO arrives, the Slavic Chorale will be leaving Italy.  Their tour is scheduled for June 14-24.  The itinerary has not been publicly announced, but they may still be looking for new members to join them.  Their website is http://www.slavicchorale.org/.

Finally, Schola Cantorum, which performed at the Vatican for the Pope during their 2007 concert tour to Italy, will be returning by special invitation from the Vatican to perform at St. Peter's Basilica next June.  Their tour will run from June 17-25, and they are planning a local preview performance of the tour on June 2.  More details are in their website:  http://www.scholacantorum.com/.

Sacramento Choral Calendar in Sacramento Magazine

The December 2012 issue of Sacramento Magazine includes an article on the Sacramento Choral Calendar (www.sacchoralcalendar.com) on page 137.  This is the most wide-ranging publicity the Calendar has received, and it is very welcome, though it focusses far too much on its editor (me).  The article comes at a perfect time of the year, when interest in choral singing peaks, and when the public in our region may be more likely to pay attention to the profusion of choral concerts being offered – and sample a wider variety of them.

Julie Adams Leaving RSVP

We have an abundance of great choral directors in the Sacramento region – I know: I’ve seen their work. And in the top rank of those great directors is Julie Adams, Founder and Artistic Director of Reconciliation Singers Voices of Peace (RSVP). Now the news is gradually spreading that Julie will be leaving the organization that she founded. Her 12-year tenure with RSVP will end next May.

I asked her if she had decided what will be next for her, but she has no plans, though she will continue directing the Cantate and Cantabile choirs of the Sacramento Children’s Chorus and will stay on as Music Director of Shepherd of the Sierra Presbyterian Church in Loomis. There is no drama about her leaving RSVP; she just feels that her work there is done, and that it’s time for others to take the group’s work forward.

The nature of that work will not change dramatically though. All the singers, who learned of Julie’s decision last spring, have resolved to stay. And they are all committed to the charitable focus of RSVP: all concert proceeds are donated to the target charitable organization, and RSVP is a volunteer organization throughout.

It will be some time before a new Artistic Director will be selected, though some candidates have already been identified, and others are expected to come forward. When that person takes over, though, they will not have the broad scope of duties that had fallen to Julie as the founder (and soul) of the group. RSVP’s Board has already been reorganized and has set up a transition team to divide the administrative and artistic burdens that have been borne by Julie and her husband, Doug (who has been RSVP’s primary business manager).

Julie is looking forward to having time on her hands to listen for her calling to whatever is next. That’s a significant point: her career moves have been more a matter of inspiration, than calculation. So she welcomes a period of waiting, without the busy-ness that can obscure new opportunities. In the meanwhile, she expects to be available to the new Artistic Director and Board as a consultant for the matters in which she has become so expert, such as coordinating with charities or sourcing repertoire from around the world.

Julie told me that those in the RSVP organization, singers and support people, are excited about meeting the challenge of change. They are committed to the charitable mission and high-quality of musicianship that Julie has established. But Julie’s hopes are beyond that. She imagines new and higher accomplishments for RSVP. And for herself – something special that she can’t even imagine at present.

- Dick Frantzreb

Visit RSVP's website at:  http://www.rsvpchoir.org

View RSVP's details and concert schedule in the Sacramento Choral Calendar at this link.

Sac Women's Chorus Book Sale

Sacramento Women's Chorus will be holding a book sale to raise funds for the Chorus.  It's taking place Saturday, Oct. 13 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 913 El Dorado Way (East Sacramento).

Follow-up Concert Sells Out

As a footnote to the August 11 article "Sierra Master Chorale Reprises 'The Armed Man,'" it's worth noting that this follow-up concert, 4 months after the original performances -- sold out the large Seventh-day Adventist Church in Grass Valley.

Perla Warren Memorial

Perla Warren, the beloved music teacher and choral director at American River College from 1975 to 1995 who gained a national reputation, died on July 29. Click here to read the brief obituary published in The Sacramento Bee on September 9. 

On October 28 & 29, 2011, Perla’s many students and colleagues assembled for two tribute concerts entitled, “From Sand to Pearls.” The program included performances by Sacramento Master Singers, RSVP (Reconciliation Singers Voices of Peace), the American River College Chamber Singers, jazz pianist Jim Martinez, and the quartet, MoodSwing. The concert ended with all the singers performing three pieces in a mass choir. Click here for a review of the concert published in the Sacramento Press, and click here for scores of pictures from the event. 

A memorial service for Perla was held last Friday, September 21 at St. Mel’s Catholic Church in Fair Oaks. At the service, Sacramento Master Singers performed selections from the Fauré Requiem, and RSVP sang “The Road Home” (from its recently-released CD by that title). At the reception afterwards there was a performance of Norman Dello Joio’s “Come to Me, My Love,” in recognition of the fact that Perla’s husband, Jean, passed on exactly two months before her death. 

Sacramento Master Singers has announced that its March 9 & 10, 2013 performance of Brahms’ Ein Deutsches Requiem will be dedicated to the memory of Perla Warren (click here for details). A Facebook page for Perla's alumni and friends at this link is currently accumulating remembrances and tributes.

Camerata California Hosts Alpenfest

Camerata California hosts occasional fundraisers to benefit its "Emerging Young Artist Scholarship Program."  Here's how they describe their upcoming Alpenfest:  "Unpack your lederhosen and dirndls for an evening of singing and dancing to a live German band.  Enjoy traditional foods, great beers and wines.  Sample the region's finest beers and cast your vote for the winner."  The event will take place at the home of Mary Wesley in Carmichael on Sunday, October 21.  "Libations" start at 4:00 p.m., a "Deutsch Buffet" at 5:00 p.m., and sing-along and dancing at 6:30 p.m.  A donation of $50 get you past the gate.  To make a reservation, call 916/483-1386.  Click here for a flyer with more information.

Name Change: Renaissance Choir Sacramento

Dr. Lee Lovallo announces that the Antelope Renaissance Choir, organized last year, has changed its name to Renaissance Choir Sacramento.  Lee explains that the name change will better reflect the composition of the choir, since currently only two of the members are from Antelope.  (He adds that they could use a couple more tenors and basses -- from anywhere -- and who couldn't, especially tenors!)

Also new is the Choir's website at www.renaissancechoirsacramento.com.

The choir's next performance will be a “Choral Evensong with Music by Orlando Gibbons,” which will include the Magnificat and Nunc dimittis from the Short Service, “Almighty and Everlasting God,” and other music by Christopher Gibbons and Thomas Tallis. These performances will be on Saturday, Nov. 3 at 4 p.m. at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 7850 Watt Ave., Antelope; repeated Sunday, Nov. 4 at 4 p.m. at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 15th and J Streets, Sacramento.  (Events like this are not listed in the Sacramento Choral Calendar, which does not include performances that are part of a church service.)

For information about the Renaissance Choir Sacramento's forthcoming Christmas concerts, check their listing in the Sacramento Choral Calendar at this link.

 

Singing Clinic for Men

Here's a creative idea for recruiting men singers, especially "diamonds in the rough" who may be light on singing experience and confidence. The American River Chorus has an annual singing clinic coming up. There are four two-hour sessions on successive Thursday nights, starting Oct. 25 at the Collings Teen Center in West Sacramento. Sessions cover posture, breathing, articulation, etc., and there is no charge.  According to their press release, "This clinic is intended for male singers looking for a new and exciting musical experience.  Taught by world renown vocal coached and directors, attendees could be in invited to sing with the American River Chorus at its annual Holiday Concert at Three Stages, Folsom on December 2, 2012." For more information, check the special website at http://www.annualsingingclinic.org.

Capitolaires Open House

The Sacramento Capitolaires, a chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society, announce their annual "Harmony Open House" on Tuesday evening, October 9, starting at 7:00 p.m. (at Pilgrim Hall, 890 Morse Ave., Sacramento).  Click here to view a flyer announcing the event.

Audition: Tenor Choral Scholar for Trinity Cathedral

Canon David Link, Music Director of Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in Sacramento, has announced auditions for a Tenor Choral Scholar.  This person acts as a section leader in the Trinity Cathedral Choir, and the position is paid.  Click here for a copy of the announcement of the audition; click here for the Choral Scholar job description.  The job description explains that "Choral Scholar positions are especially appropriate for talented vocal students who wish to gain professional experience in a safe, welcoming, friendly setting."

No specific date for auditions was given, but the announcement was disseminated on September 16, 2012.  Contact information for Canon Link is in the audition announcement. but for convenience, you may reach him at 916/446-2513, ext. 24 or sierracanon@gmail.com.

Music Sale - Sept. 21 & 22, 2012

Sam Schieber, Artistic Director of Samantics, has announced another of his occasional sales of music for Friday and Saturday, September 21 & 22, 2012:

"Here's a general list of the types of music that will be available:

THEATRE AND MOVIES
Broadway vocal selections
Movie songbooks and collections
Composer songbooks
Hardback Broadway musical scripts

CLASSICAL
Opera scores
Classical vocal collections
Piano music of all sorts

POPULAR MUSIC
Personality songbooks from all eras
Pop/Rock songbooks
Old favorites collections

Plus stacks of choral octavos, including lots of Christmas pieces, a few research books in several of the above areas, plus other odds and ends that I'm still pulling together.  At the moment I already have 10 file boxes filled, ready for the sale; there will be more.

It hurts me to throw away music, so I'm making it available for loving homes like yours, ALL AT LOW, LOW PRICES!   Fill in holes in your library!  Try some new composers!  Stock up on sight-reading materials for your students!  Better yet, send your students to find treasures for themselves at prices they can afford!"

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Contact information for Sam (phone and location of sale) are in the PDF document at this link.

The Titanic Lives Again

Yet another chorus has decided to reprise a successful program from this past spring.  Samantics will present its "Musical Tribute to the 100th Anniversary of the Titanic" on Sunday afternoon, September 30 at 4:00 p.m. in the Christian Science Church at 4829 Folsom Blvd. in Sacramento.

I saw this innovative, cabaret-style program when it was first presented in April, and my review of that extraordinary show is at this link.

With so many choral performances being planned for the end of November and for the few weeks in December before Christmas, it will be interesting to see if a proven program like this will succeed at a date and time when there is no competition from any other choral event, and even very little competition from other entertainment options.

Three Stages Name Change

Three Stages at Folsom Lake College has increasingly become a magnet for choral performances in our region.  So the choral community needs to know that it has been renamed the Harris Center for the Arts in honor of the retiring chancellor of the Los Rios Community College District, Brice W. Harris.  The honor was announced at Harris' retirement celebration on August 22, 2012.  He has served as chancellor for the past 16 years and was a key proponent of the facility which will now bear his name.  The name change will be implemented over the next several months.

Cantus Coming to Mondavi

Based in Minneapolis, the 9-member men’s chorus, Cantus, is considered by at least one reviewer to be “the premier men’s vocal ensemble in the United States.”  Their style is energetic and non-conformist, and their eclectic repertoire is full of creative touches – and a bit of performance art.  There is an extensive collection of their videos on YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/user/cantussings), and over the past decade they have cut 13 CDs. 

They are coming to Mondavi Center on Saturday evening, December 8 (at 8:00 p.m.) with a very unusual program called “All Is Calm:  The Christmas Truce of 1914.”  Their publicity describes it this way:  “The Western Front, Christmas Eve, 1914. Out of the violence of the Great War’s trenches comes a silence, then a song as a young German soldier steps into no man’s land singing Stille Nacht. Thus begins an extraordinary night of camaraderie, music and peace. The extraordinary nine-man vocal ensemble Cantus and its collaborators Theatre Latté Da bring this remarkable historical event to life through new arrangements of European carols, war-songs for a cappella voices and excerpts from soldiers’ diaries.” 

It’s not a completely new program, because they produced a CD in 2008 with the same title as this concert.  But as a live theatrical event, with singers of exceptional quality, this promises to be a special experience.  The Cantus website is at www.cantussings.org, and tickets are available through the Mondavi Center website, www.mondaviarts.org.

Sacramento Gay Men's Chorus Hosts Outside Clinician

The Sacramento Gay Men’s Chorus will soon begin its season under a new Artistic Director, Steven Johnson, who is also the Director of Worship & Music at St. John's Lutheran Church in Sacramento.  To give the SGMC and his church choir a boost at the beginning of the season, Steven has arranged a vocal technique seminar, to be conducted by Mary Louise Burke of Denver, Colorado.

I asked him how he learned about Dr. Burke, and he explained that her 2-hour presentation at the GALA Music Festival in Denver this past July was "dynamite" and that he found her "completely engaging."  Steven has arranged visits by other choral directors for his choirs in the past to help give them new energy from a different professional's perspective.  He is particularly excited about working with Dr. Burke this time because he feels that she has the right skill set to deal with the issues his choruses are facing.

Here is an excerpt from her bio:  “Mary Louise Burke is currently in her 18th season with the Symphony and is the Associate Director of the Colorado Symphony Chorus.  She helps to prepare the chorus for all of its major projects, and is in charge of chorus preparation for all pop and special chorus projects, including Too Hot to Handel.  Ms. Burke is also the Associate Director of the Colorado Children's Chorale, conducting the Concert Choir and acting as a vocal coach for the Chorale.  Ms. Burke has a Doctorate in voice performance from the University of Colorado and is a frequent clinician in the area, with a special interest in ‘vocal technique for choral singers.’  She teaches a class, ‘Find Your Authentic Voice,’ for the University of Denver’s Department of Extension.  A mezzo-soprano, she has appeared as a guest soloist with the Colorado Symphony Orchestra, and performed for several seasons in Central City Opera's educational programs, The Great Opera Mix-Up and Mozart and Company.” 

I contacted Dr. Burke, and she had this to add to her bio:  “My degrees are in ‘vocal performance and pedagogy.’  I have a great passion for vocal technique and love to share that passion with both solo and choral singers.  I do lots of work with community and church choirs and try to encourage singers that,  when armed with a little technical knowledge, they can optimize their vocal production and sing well into their 70s, even 80s. The session I'll be doing with Steven Johnson's choirs is called ‘Find Your Voice and Keep It!’  I'll cover all areas of vocal technique, including alignment, breath control, vibrato, range, tone production, vowels, as well as aging voice and vocal health.” 

The half-day seminar for the Sacramento Gay Men’s Chorus and St. John’s choirs is coming up on Saturday morning, September 8, and includes optional one-on-one vocal coaching sessions in the afternoon – all at no charge to participants. 

This seems like such a good idea.  The Sacramento region is full of good choral directors, many of whom are voice teachers, and so many are expert at eliciting a quality choral sound from their choruses.  But I have always felt that the mark of a true professional is their acceptance of the idea that there is always room to expand their knowledge and refine their technique.  And I reserve my greatest admiration for those who are willing to learn from fellow professionals (and take the risk of exposing their chorus to a fellow professional).  Tapping an outside expert to work with a chorus can help solve recalcitrant problems and break through performance barriers, taking a chorus to new levels of achievement. 

Dr. Burke can be reached at burke@childrenschorale.org.  But readers of this article are encouraged to add comments, sharing their thoughts on this issue and perhaps identifying other vocal clinicians, near or far, with whom they have had experience.

Audition Directory Now Covers Children's Choruses

The Audition Directory in the Sacramento Choral Calendar (www.sacchoralcalendar.com/Auditions.htm) has been updated over the past 4 weeks, and now covers 41 choruses, with helpful information for those looking for a choral home.  The latest innovation in the directory is its coverage of 3 children's choruses:  Sacramento Children's Chorus, Northern California Children's Chorus, and Foothill Children's Chorus.

Although much of the information in the Audition Directory (though not all) is available in the websites of the various organizations, the advantage of the directory is that it gives convenient, side-by-side access to key details, such as whether a chorus is auditioned or not, where and when it rehearses -- plus details about the experience requirements, how the audition (if any) is conducted, and how to contact the chorus.

New Director at Sacramento Gay Men's Chorus

The Sacramento Gay Men’s Chorus has appointed Steven Johnson as its new Artistic Director.  Johnson is a native of the Sacramento area, and he earned a Masters Degree in choral conducting at Sacramento State University.  He will continue to serve as Director of Worship & Music  at St. John's Lutheran Church in Sacramento.

Joaquina Calvo Johnson

The performing arts community in the Yuba-Sutter area are mourning the passing of Joaquina Calvo Johnson, who died on August 11, 2012.  She was the founder of the Yuba Sutter Master Chorale, among other performing organizations.  I attended the April 29, 2012 joint concert of the YSMC and the Veridian Symphony, which she directed (review at this link).  One can get a sense of her passion for the performing arts and her commitment to their stimulation in the Yuba-Sutter area from the introduction she wrote for the April 29 concert ("With Full Voice").  Click here to read her concert introduction.  (Note there is a full professional biography for her on the second page.)

See also the 8/13/12 article on her passing from the online edition of the Appeal-Democrat at this link:  http://www.appeal-democrat.com/news/johnson-118613-yuba-college.html.

-- Dick Frantzreb

Sierra Master Chorale Reprises "The Armed Man"

Over the weekend of May 11-13, Davis' Vocal Art Ensemble gave three performances of an outstanding concert.  The feedback they got on that effort encouraged them to add another performance of the same concert 4 weeks later on June 9 (see article below, "How About an Extra Concert?").  Director Tracia Barbieri reports that, though she could have hoped for better publicity and a larger audience, she considers the experiment a success.

It's an issue that gives choruses something to think about.  So much effort goes into preparing for a series of concerts, and typically they take place over a single weekend -- two at most -- and then it's over, and the chorus looks ahead to the next concert series (or a needed break).  But it doesn't allow time for a buzz over the success to develop.  Even in the Internet age, word of a great concert doesn't spread fast enough.  Reviews don't get published in the media because they don't matter:  by the time a review would come out, the concert series would be over, and there would be nothing for the public to act on.

Yet committing to repeating a concert weeks or months after its first performance is no small decision.  The director will worry that choristers might lose their edge and forget what they worked so hard to perfect.  Arrangements for a venue can be tricky, especially if you wait to decide on extra performances until after the first run.  And publicity is an ever-present challenge.

These challenges notwithstanding, another local chorus is going down this path.  Back in May, the Sierra Master Chorale gave two performances of Karl Jenkins' "The Armed Man:  A Mass for Peace."  I thought it was a brilliant concert, and you can read my review at this link.  They sold out their Sunday afternoon performance, and nearly sold out the large Seventh-day Adventist Church in Grass Valley on the previous Thursday evening.

Now they've decided to reprise this concert on Thursday evening, September 27.  You can find the details at this link in their website.  It's a bold move, with just 7 weeks of lead time and a large venue and numerous fixed expenses.  But at the end of September, there is no competition from other choral performances, and the concert itself is a proven winner.  Furthermore, I understand that chorus members themselves are excited about the possibility of performing "The Armed Man" once more.

I have a friend who made the long drive to the church in Grass Valley on that Sunday in May, parked a half-mile away, and found no tickets left when he got to the door.  He'll be there on September 27, and so I hope, will a number of other friends, to whom I described this performance after it was over, and who wished they could have heard it.  It's called "buzz," and choruses need to find better ways to get it working in their favor.

Free Recording Session

Has your chorus been wanting to make a recording, but you’ve been held back by the cost?  Auburn-based Advanced Mobile Recording is looking for a small chorus that it could use to demo its service.  Here’s what they say in their website:

“Advanced Mobile Recording is offering a chance for one group/ensemble of select types to be recorded at absolutely no cost. That's right, FREE! We're looking to post up new material on our sample page so other customers can hear just how great we can reproduce anyone's performance. Not only that, but your group will be listed on the Friends of AMR page as well, along with a link to your website (if available).  All you need to do is email the sales staff with your contact information, how many members of your group and their instruments, and a link to your website (if you have one). If you are chosen, you'll be contacted by us for our free consultation and to set up a recording schedule. You'll also receive a copy of the final product, as well.  It's just that simple! Don't wait, we'd love to hear from you. We are currently looking for a 1- to 3-member group in the Jazz, Classical, African, Folk, or most any upbeat musical genres.”

 
AMR principal, Jeff Widick, clarifies that the free offer is for a 3-song demo, and the mobile recording service would be limited to the Foothills to Sacramento area.  To open the conversation, send an e-mail to sales@advancedmobilerecording.com.  The website has the same domain: www.advancedmobilerecording.com.

The Threshold Choir: Singing in Service to Others

Why do we sing?  Partly because it just feels good to express beauty and artistry through our God-given talent.  And maybe there’s something even more fundamental going on, maybe making or at least appreciating music goes to the heart of what it means to be human.

So why do we sing in a chorus?  Of course, there’s the camaraderie and the appreciation of harmony and the satisfaction of creating pleasing sounds through joint effort.  But for most of us, it wouldn’t mean nearly as much without an audience.  Connecting with listeners on an emotional level is one of the great satisfactions of singing in a chorus.

But what if our choral singing was meeting a profound need of our listeners, a need for comfort, and reassurance, and relief from pain, and maybe even healing?  That would be something else.

And that something else is the mission of a very different kind of choir, the Threshold Choir.  It was initially the project of one woman, Kate Munger, who realized that singing at the bedside of those who were seriously ill or even dying could be a transformative experience, not only for the patient, but for family, caregivers, and the singers themselves.  She gathered the first Threshold Choir in El Cerrito, CA in 2000, and today there are 100 chapters worldwide, populated almost exclusively by women, including three chapters in the greater Sacramento area:  Davis, Woodland, and Placerville.  Their stated goal is “to bring ease and comfort to those at the thresholds of living and dying.”

These choirs rehearse biweekly, working on a fairly standard repertoire, some of which has been composed by the members themselves.  The songs are not religious, but they are nonetheless spiritual, and their only objective is to bring peace and comfort through gentle singing in harmony.  When they are invited to sing at a bedside, it is generally two to four singers, and the session typically runs about 20 minutes.  You can get the full picture in the Threshold Choir website at www.thresholdchoir.org.

There will be a special event tomorrow, Saturday, July 28, 2012 from 10 a.m. till 3 p.m.  It will feature Kate Munger conducting a day of singing for women who want to know more about the Threshold Choir concept.  It is sponsored by the Davis Threshold Choir in the hope that a new choir might be formed to help meet the needs of the greater Sacramento area.  The event will be held at the Fair Oaks United Methodist Church (9849 Fair Oaks Blvd. in Fair Oaks), and if you’re reading this in time, you can inquire by calling Karen at 209/296-7354.  There is no charge for the event (though donations are always welcome), and a light lunch will be provided. 

If you’re a woman who is reading this after July 28 and whose heart is touched by this idea, it’s not too late to follow up.  Make the phone call, and find out the latest on chapter formation.  Or join one of the existing chapters:  their information is in the Audition Directory of the Sacramento Choral Calendar at this link:  www.sacchoralcalendar.com/Auditions.htm.  There you can find information on the rehearsal times of each choir, along with their contact information.

Free Singing Lessons for Women

The Sacramento Women's Chorus is presenting a 4-week series of singing lessons for women (18 years and older) conducted by Robin Richie, the director of the chorus.  They are on Monday evenings -- August 13, 20, 27 & September 10 -- from 6:30 to 7:00 p.m. at First Christian Church, 3201 Folsom Blvd., Sacramento.  Those interested are requested to RSVP via the contact form in the SWC website:  www.sacramentowomenschorus.com.  There is a $5 materials fee.

Two Viral Choral Videos

The first of these videos is a 14-minute TED talk by Eric Whitacre, describing his "virtual choir" concept, and the steps that led to his latest effort of having his "Sleep" performed by 2051 singers from 58 countries.  The talk was recorded March 2011 and posted April 2011, and the TED link is here:  http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/en/eric_whitacre_a_virtual_choir_2_000_voices_strong.html.

It was slow coming up for me, and a faster version is at this link:  http://winp.com/choirvoices/

The second video is a delightful flash mob from Spain performing the choral finale of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony.  Here's the link:  http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=GBaHPND2QJg&feature=youtu.be

Guest Night at Sacramento Valley Chorus - 8/1/12

The Sacramento Valley Chorus is hosting a special Guest Night on Wednesday evening, August 1 from 6:45 to 9:45 p.m.  The location is St. Mark's Methodist Church, 2331 St. Mark's Way in Sacramento.

Quoting from the description in their website, "The award winning, high energy Sacramento Valley Chorus, a chapter of Sweet Adelines International, is a women’s singing group specializing in four-part harmony, a cappella singing in the barbershop style. We offer a wide variety of music and styles, from jazz, blues and ballads to Broadway Show tunes, complete with dazzling costumes and exciting choreography."

This fall's activities include coaching sessions with "premiere Region 12 coaches Pat LeVezu and Peggy Gram" and their fall show in October.  In addition, SVC has been invited to sing at New York City's Carnegie Hall on Memorial Day weekend in 2013.

For more information about the Sacramento Valley Chorus, follow this link.

American River Chorus Plays Nice With Others

The American River Chorus, the 60-member men's chorus that performs mostly in a barbershop style, is developing a reputation for collaborating with other local choruses.  Last December, their concert included the Sacramento Capitolaires, RSVP, and the Oasis Chamber Choir.  In June they joined with the Sacramento Gay Men's Chorus to give a benefit concert for Francis House.  And now their Christmas concert coming up in December at Three Stages in Folsom will include the women's chorus, Chanteuses, as guest performers.

Although it makes logistics a bit more difficult, this interesting strategy makes for a more varied program, eases the burden of preparation on each chorus, and probably ensures a larger audience.  Will this be a trend?

How About an Extra Concert?

It's interesting to notice how choral concerts in our area tend to be compressed into two narrow time frames:  (1) late April to early June and (2) late November to the weekend before Christmas.  Also, concerts, if they aren't one-time events, are limited to a single weekend and perhaps the following weekend.

The Vocal Art Ensemble has just experimented with a variation to those patterns.  They gave three outstanding concerts in Sacramento and Davis over the May 11-13 weekend.  (Click here for a review.)  Then they decided to experiment with an extra concert this past Saturday evening (June 9) in Woodland.

Director Tracia Barbieri was concerned about at least a couple of things.  How would the singers react?  Would they keep their performing edge?  And would they be able to draw an adequate audience?

Tracia reported that the chorus members didn't seem to have forgotten the material they memorized.  In fact, "a few pieces even matured and got to new levels after sitting on the shelf for a month."  Add to that the fact that members said they really enjoyed doing another performance.

The audience was perhaps a bit more modest in size than she could have hoped, mostly people who were unable to attend the earlier performances.  But then there's the fact that the concert was in Woodland and didn't benefit from the more extensive publicity of the first concert series.  These factors could perhaps help explain the audience size.  But Tracia wasn't disappointed in the audience -- by any means.  They gave two standing ovations, and most lingered for a half-hour after the concert to express their appreciation.

It makes me wonder whether a follow-up to a solid concert -- perhaps advertised from the start -- might be a way of building audience and capitalizing on the buzz that follows a truly outstanding show.

I think some people may think that an upcoming concert is "like a box of chocolates.  You never know what you're gonna get" (wisdom of Forrest Gump).  If there's less risk, we may see more patronage:  think of the long runs of theatrical productions which are reviewed at their opening -- or before.

I've heard a lot of choral concerts over the past year, and a lot of great ones.  And one thing I'm sure of is that none of them got the public support that is possible because most of them were flying pretty much under the public's radar.  And they were here and gone before word could get out about how special they really were.

Even taking account of divergence in people's musical taste, so many of these programs were wonderfully entertaining -- fully able to compete with other entertainment options.  The challenge is to get better publicity for them and break through that ever-present barrier of ignorance and inertia.  Let's get creative in tackling those challenges!

-Dick Frantzreb

Camerata California & The Music Man

Camerata California has a fund raiser coming up on Sunday afternoon and evening, June 10.  After drinks at 5:00, and dinner at 6:00, there will be a choral read-through of "The Music Man," and guests are invited to sing along (scores will be provided).  The all-inclusive price is $60 or two for $100, and proceeds will benefit the Camerata California's student scholarship program.  Call 916/483-1386 for more information or to reserve a place.

Folsom Gold - First Public Performance

The 9-member mixed chorus, Folsom Gold, has been incubating for the past year and will give its first public concert on Sunday afternoon, June 10 at the Mt. Olive Lutheran Church in Folsom.  The concert is titled "Cafe Cabaret" and promises a mix of music:  contemporary, patriotic, and jazz.  Directing the group is Fred Weber, founding director of the Sierra Community Chorus, which enjoyed so much success under his leadership at Sierra College in the 1990s.  There is more information about this event at this link.

Barbershop Harmony Society Contest and Convention

This is a big deal. Although I haven't yet attended one of these events, I know something about the Society and the work that goes into preparing for these contests. The standards for musicanship and showmanship in this organization are very high, and chapters work all season to refine their performance entries to the nth degree. The result is a show that is bound to be highly entertaining, with a full day of contests will involve 9 choruses and 15 quartets. The event is sponsored by the Sacramento Capitolaires.  They will be competing along with 4 other choruses covered by the Sacramento Choral Calendar:  American River Chorus, Sierranaders, Gold Rush Chorus, and Folsom Harmony Express. I've rearranged my schedule to be able to attend, and I'm anticipating a memorable day full of good music.  There is more information at this link.

Sacramento Valley Chorus Wins 2nd Place!

Congratulations to the Sacramento Valley Chorus for winning second place in the Sweet Adelines Region 12 competion last weekend!  The competition involved 14 choruses, and was held at the Grand Sierra Resort in Reno on Saturday (April 28).

I saw them perform their "package" of two songs at their "Family and Friends Night" a couple of weeks ago, and I thought they were terrific: great blend and great energy and style in their choreography.  The Bay Area Showcase Chorus (from Santa Clara), must have worked some magic to edge out the performances I saw.

Sweet Adelines chapters typically put on a free "Family and Friends Night" as a preview of their competition routines.  These highly polished and creatively choreographed numbers are tremendously entertaining.  It's an opportunity not to be missed when it comes around again next year.

Camerata California Goes to New York

California Camerata will be participating in a Martin Luther King Day concert on Sunday, January 20, 2013 at New York City's Carnegie Hall.  The event is sponsored by Distinguished Concert International New York (DCINY) (http://www.dciny.org/) and will feature "A Great and Glorious Victory," conducted by its composer Jonathan Willcocks (http://www.jonathanwillcocks.com).  The performing chorus will also include Willcocks' UK-based Chichester Singers.  You can listen to an excerpt of the 33-minute piece at this link.

But why not hear the whole piece?  It will be part of Camerata California's traditional Memorial Weekend Concert on Sunday, May 27 at 4:00 p.m. in Westminster Presbyterian Church in Sacramento.  The anchor piece of the program will be Haydn's "Missa in Angustiis" (Lord Nelson).  Also presented will be the West Coast premier of contemporary American composer Lee Hoiby's (http://www.leehoiby.com/) "The Last Letter Home."

More information at this link.

California Capital Vocal Jazz & Show Choir Festival

This severely underpublicized event is coming to the Woodlake Hotel (formerly the Radisson) this weekend (March 16 & 17). The event is sponsored by the Sacramento Convention & Visitors Bureau, and two of the key organizers are Fred Weber (formerly Music Dept. Chair at Sierra College) and Cherry Hayes (former Choir Director at Bear River HS). Fifteen choirs from nine schools will be competing, and there is a full performance by the American River College Jazz Choir late Friday afternoon and a "command performance" by winning choirs Saturday at noon.
Here is a pdf file with the 2-day schedule, and you can get more information in the Sacramento Choral Calendar at this link.

Ladysmith Black Mambazo

This iconic group is coming to the Veterans Memorial Auditorium in Grass Valley, Monday evening, February 27 (and tickets are still available). For information, visit http://thecenterforthearts.org.

Josquin des Prez Anyone?

Dr. Lee Lovallo, director of the Antelope Renaissance Choir, is seeking singers to participate in a concert of music by 16th century composer, Josquin des Prez. The program will consist of Missa Pange lingua (arguably Josquin's most famous mass setting), and the motet, Ave Maria virgo serena. Rehearsals will be held Saturday mornings, 10 to noon, at St. Andrews Episcopal Church in Antelope. For more information, contact Dr. Lovallo at ltlovallo@gmail.com or 916/320-8423.

Follow-up 1/30/12: Dr. Lovallo has sent out the following additional information about the music, including links to recordings:

Josquin, Missa Pange lingua

Performed by the Ensemble Clément Janequin with score, pitch is about ½ step low, YouTube recordings:
Kyrie and Gloria: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1TavBr-ZjXc&feature=email
Credo: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CP9OKRh0gaI&feature=related
Sanctus: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ML_xCCQTnAA&feature=BFa&list=PLFE93E2BEC8146E71&lf=results_video
Agnus Dei: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZG5VQG1_IY&feature=BFa&list=PLFE93E2BEC8146E71&lf=results_video

Missa Pange lingua CD Recordings (some tracks may be downloadable):
Tallis Scholars, Peter Phillips, dir., Gimell CDGIM 009, about m3 higher.
Choir of Westminster Cathedral, James O’Donnell, dir., Hyperion CDA66614, about M3 higher
Ensemble Clément Janequin and Ensemble Organum, Marcel Pérès, dir. Harmonia Mundi (#?), the source of the YouTube links above, includes chanted propers as well as the mass.
Kammerchor Josquin des Préz, Ludwig Böhme, dir., Carus/Naxos B004EHLMTS, pitch might be high, not sure, individual tracks are downloadable.
A Sei Voci, Bernard Fabre-Garrus, dir. and Orchestre Philharmonique de Pays de Loire (?), not sure about this one.
Metamorphoses Ensemble Vocal, Maurice Bourbon, dir., Arion ARN 68043, pitch sounds high, downloadable tracks.

Josquin, motet “Victimae paschali laudes”
Passion/Orlando Consort, Metronome 1015

Josquin, motet “Ave Maria, virgo serena”
Oxford Camerata, Jeremy Summerly, dir., Naxos 8.553428

January Is the Time to Join a Chorus

With Christmas concerts completed, most choruses are looking forward to a new concert season and are ready to welcome new members. Some have formal auditions, some have "auditions" that are very informal, and some will take anyone who can carry a tune. The Sacramento Choral Calendar has inaugurated a directory of auditions that covers the intake policies of 20 choruses. Click on this link for basic information from choruses that are actively seeking new members.

Trinity Cathedral's Choir Festival - January 21

On Saturday, January 21, Trinity Episcopal Cathedral will hold its Twenty-Sixth Annual Diocesan Choir Festival. The guest conductor of the Festival Choir will be Robert Simpson, FAGO/ChM, Canon for Music, Christ Church Cathedral and Conductor of the Houston Chamber Choir. According to Trinity's announcement, everyone who loves to sing great church music is invited to sing in the Festival Choir. There are morning and afternoon rehearsals the day of the festival, and the event culminates in a late-afternoon Evensong service at the Cathedral. The repertoire is (1) "Magnificat & Nunc Dimittis in F" by Peter Aston, (3) "Pilgrim's Hymn" by Stephen Paulus, and (3) "Hide Me Under the Shadow of Thy Wings" by John E. West (ed. by David Link).

Participants must order their own music from Nashville, and are requested to bring their own choir robes and a choir folder. The registration fee is $20 (which includes lunch), and registration must be received at the Cathedral Music Office by January 18. Full details (with contact information) are in the PDF document at this link.

The Family Choir

Everyone should have the opportunity to sing. That’s the idea behind the Colla Voce Family Choir. It’s part of Colla Voce of the Sierra, the parent organization of the very accomplished Colla Voce Chamber Singers (see www.collavoce.org). According to Colla Voce Artistic Director Janine Dexter, the Colla Voce Family Choir is “a multi-generational choir that meets every other Thursday, 6:45-7:45 … in Meadow Vista. No auditions necessary. It is a chance for grandparents, parents and children to sing together. They sing a bit of everything: Bach to the Beatles, Folk Songs, and popular songs from every generation.” If this great idea is something you’d like to participate in or learn more about, you can contact Janine at director@collavoce.org. In the words of the old hymn: “Let all the world in every corner sing.”

Straight No Chaser - March 20, 2012

For those who haven't seen one of their YouTube videos, Straight No Chaser is a 10-member men's a cappella group that began at Indiana University in 1996. They're now a pop music sensation, and they're coming to the Crest Theatre in Sacramento on Tuesday evening, March 20. They produce a well crafted sound that has wide appeal, and with their choreography and humor, they put on an impressive show. You can sample their music and check out their videos in their website, www.sncmusic.com. For more information about their Sacramento appearance, with ticket information, follow this link.