26th Estonian Song Celebration

The Estonian Song Festival (Laulupidu) is a national tradition that began in 1869.  In recent years the Festival has been held every 5 years at the Song Festival Grounds in Tallinn, Estonia, lately incorporating a dance festival.  The 26th Laulupidu took place earlier this month (July 4-6).  At peak moments there were up to 30,000 singers performing under the shell of the concrete stage -- with 100,000 in the audience in the  outdoor amphitheater.  This is what it looks like when choral music is central to the culture of an entire country.

You can view a 6-hour video of the Saturday, July 5 festivities at this link:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ox72IFFxF4.  Personally, I haven't viewed the whole thing, but sampling it is still very impressive.

- Dick Frantzreb

Davis Chorale Announces Membership Brunch on Aug. 16

The Davis Chorale invites prospective new members to "socialize with current choir members and the Chorale Board at a Membership Brunch on Saturday, August 16 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the home of past Board President Don Deem, 3108 Evening Bay Place in Davis.  The Chorale begins rehearsals for the new season on September 8.

Other information about auditions for the Davis Chorale and 54 other area choruses are in the Sacramento Choral Calendar:  www.sacchoralcalendar.com/Auditions.htm.

A Weekend with Laurence Cole

Laurence Cole (www.laurencecole.com) is a songwriter who "enjoys traveling to various communities to lead groups in the joyous, community-strengthening experience of spirited harmonic singing."  He is coming to Davis September 12-14 for a weekend of events sponsored by the Unitarian Universalist Church of Davis.  Collectively called "Singing on the Side of Love," the weekend includes workshops and performances, both at the church and at other community venues in Davis.  There are suggested donations for individual events and for the whole weekend.  View the flyer at this link or send an e-mail (stephklose@mac.com) for more information.

New Chorus to Perform Christmas Music in Costume

Christiana Quick-Cleveland, Director of Tiana Music Enterprises, has announced that she is forming a new chorus to perform Christmas music -- in costume -- at various venues between Thanksgiving and Christmas.  Interested singers should know how to read music.  Christiana will be holding auditions for this group during August.  Call 916/765-6537 for an appointment.  Her Facebook page is at this address.

New Director for Cantare Chorale

Cantare Chorale of the Sierra Foothills has announced the appointment of a new director.  She is Mariia Pechenova.  A native of St. Petersburg, Russian, Pechenova has lived in the United States only since 2012.  Most recently she has been an assistant professor of music at Folsom Lake College where she assisted with and conducted the college choir. She is also the pianist and organist for traditional services with St. Stephen's Lutheran Church in El Dorado Hills. Pechenova received a master of arts in conducting at St. Petersburg State University in 2012, and she was assistant conductor of the St. Petersburg Women’s Choir led by Sergei Yekimov.

Click here for the full announcement published in the Mountain Democrat.