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.