Kendrick and SCSO Are American Prize Finalists

Earlier today (7/19/13) The American Prize organization announced Dr. Donald Kendrick, founding Director of the Sacramento Choral Society & Orchestra and Director of Choral Activities at California State University, Sacramento as one of seven finalists in its annual competition in the category of "Conducting -- Choral Division."  At the same time, the Sacramento Choral Society & Orchestra was named one of twelve finalists in the category of "Choral Performance -- Community."  Both had previously been announced as semi-finalists (see http://sacchoralnews.blogspot.com/2013/05/donald-kendrick-semi-finalist-for.html).

The finalists in these categories were supposed to have been announced "after June 3" and winners "after July 15," so now who knows how long the suspense will be drawn out?

Here is how The American Prize is explained:  "The American Prize is a series of new, non-profit national competitions in the performing arts providing cash awards, professional adjudication and regional, national and international recognition for the best recorded performances by ensembles and individuals each year in the United States at the professional, college/university, church, community and secondary school levels. Administered by Hat City Music Theater, Inc., a nonprofit organization based in Danbury, Connecticut, The American Prize was founded in 2009 and is awarded annually. The competitions of The American Prize are open to all U.S. citizens, whether living in this country or abroad, and to others currently living, working and/or studying in the United States of America, its protectorates and territories."

There are 7 categories of competition for conducting and 3 for choral performance (community, college/university and youth/high school).  There are separate competitions for vocalists, pianists, composers, chamber music ensembles, orchestras, bands, musical theater and opera companies, stage directors, and art administrators.

There is more information about The American Prize at their website:  http://theamericanprize.org.  Competition updates are at this link:  http://theamericanprize.blogspot.com/.  Other updates are in their Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-American-Prize-celebrating-American-excellence-in-the-arts/214320622728.

We said it on May 17, and we'll say it again:  good luck, Don and SCSO!

Announcing: The Sacramento Choral Festival

Choruses throughout the Sacramento Valley are working together to plan a Sacramento Choral Festival to be held in June, 2014.  An organizational meeting was held on July 16, and as details are confirmed, they will be reported in postings in Sacramento Choral News.

For the present, you may direct any questions to Dick Frantzreb, Editor, The Sacramento Choral Calendar at info@sacchoralcalendar.com.

Opening: Alto Choral Scholar

Canon David Link of Sacramento's Trinity Episcopal Cathedral has announced the following:  "The position of Alto Choral Scholar in the Trinity Cathedral Choir is available beginning with the Fall season 2013. This is a paid position and an excellent opportunity for a College/University student wishing to gain some choral experience in a positive environment."

Click here to view a flyer announcing the auditions for this position.

Click here to view the Choral Scholar job description.

If you are unable to view the documents, you may reach Canon Link at sierracanon@gmail.com.

Classical Choral Broadcast

Not getting enough classical choral music?  Looking to discover new groups and new music?  Arlington, Virginia's WETA is a classical station that features a weekly hour-long show called "Choral Showcase."  Details of each broadcast are at this link:  http://www.weta.org/fm/features/choralshowcase.  The show airs on Sunday at 8:00 p.m. (that's 5:00 p.m. here, of course), and you can listen online through WETA's "Listen Live" feature:  http://www.weta.org/fm/listenlive.

It gets even better.  WETA offers a 24-hour service called VivaLaVoce, which airs all forms of classical vocal music:  opera, choral, art songs, etc.  You can find information about this service on the WETA website, and it, too, is available for listening anytime via "Listen Live."

Church Choir Director Opening

The First United Methodist Church in Loomis is seeking a Choir Director.  Here is the basic information:  "The Choir Director position is a part-time, paid position with compensation based on a per-event service to the church. Under the supervision of the Pastor, the Choir Director will plan choral music, direct the Chancel Choir and direct the organist/pianist for the traditional worship service and other special services throughout the year. Compensation is $104.20 per event. In a typical week, the two events are the Sunday worship service and one choir rehearsal. For a complete job description, please contact the church office at (916) 652-0469 or the Chair of the Staff-Parish Relations Committee, Mark Nelson at chair33sprc@gmail.com. If interested please submit a cover letter and resume to this email address."

Yuba Sutter Master Chorale Recruiting a Children's Choir

The Yuba Sutter Master Chorale is hoping to build a children's choir to perform in its Christmas Concerts scheduled for Dec. 14 & 15.  Rehearsals for the children will most likely be on Tuesdays at 5:30 p.m. at the First Lutheran Church in Yuba City.  For more information, contact Daphanne Peters, Secretary, YSMC at ysmcnews@yubasuttermc.com.

Sierra Gold Chorus Welcomes New Director

Sierra Gold Chorus is the Auburn chapter of Sweet Adelines International, the women's barbershop singing organization, and they have announced that Ron Black is their new director.  Black has an extensive resume as a music educator, as a director of barbershop and other choruses, and as a singer in award-winning quartets.  He is also Associate Director of Sacramento's men's barbershop chorus, Voices of California.  Click here for a press release with more details.

Vox Musica's Daniel Paulson to Be a Featured Soloist

The Sacramento choral community knows Daniel Paulson as the Founder and Music Director of Vox Musica.  He is also Resident Artist with the Tahoe Symphony Orchestra and Chorus (TOCCATA), and he will be featured as tenor soloist in their "Summer Solstice Serenade" concert series.  In addition to performances in Reno, Incline Village and South Lake Tahoe, TOCCATA will present this concert in Sacramento at St. John's Lutheran Church (17th & L Sts.) on Sunday afternoon, June 23 at 5:00 p.m.

Paulson will be the soloist in Bach's Cantata BWV 82a Ich habe genung.  For more information, see the event's Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/events/194279794061531/ or visit the TOCCATA website, www.toccatatahoe.com.

Radio Discussion of the Benefits of Choral Singing

The June 3rd broadcast of NPR's "Talk of the Nation" focused on the benefits of singing in a chorus.  Titled "'Imperfect Harmony':  How Singing with Others Changes Your Life," the show featured two guests:  (1) Stacy Horn, author of Imperfect Harmony:  Finding Happiness Singing with Others and (2) Daniel Levitin, professor of psychogy at McGill University and author of This Is Your Brain on Music.  Host Ari Shapiro led a conversation about the benefits of choral singing that included calls from listeners.

To listen to the broadcast, download it, or read the transcript, visit this page:  http://www.npr.org/2013/06/03/188355968/imperfect-harmony-how-chorale-singing-changes-lives.

MaidenSong - A New Choir

Christiana Quick-Cleveland has announced the formation of a new choir for girls ages 11-14.  The first meeting will be July 8 at Northminster Presbyterian Church, 3235 Pope Ave., Sacramento.  For more information, visit www.tianame.com.

RSVP Closing Search for Artistic Director

In March, the Board of Directors of RSVP distributed the following announcement:

Reconciliation Singers Voices of Peace (RSVP), based in the Sacramento CA area, is seeking an Artistic Director. Founded thirteen years ago, this select, auditioned group of 16-18 singers presents two concert sets per year, partnering with local charities and programming repertoire that reflects that charity’s mission; from classical choral literature and madrigals to contemporary music, folk tunes and jazz. This position is part-time, approximately 20 hours per month for 10 months. Salary based on experience. To learn more about RSVP, and for a position description and application materials, visit: www.rsvpchoir.org

Now, the RSVP Board announces that it will be closing the application process on Friday, May 24.  Inquiries should be send to director@rsvpchoir.org. 

Kendrick and SCSO Are Semi-Finalists for The American Prize

Dr. Donald Kendrick, founding Director of the Sacramento Choral Society & Orchestra, Director of Choral Activities at California State University, Sacramento -- among so many other roles and accomplishments -- has just added one more.  He is one of six semi-finalists in this year's competition for The American Prize in Conducting -- Choral Division.  At the same time, the Sacramento Choral Society & Orchestra has been named one of 13 semi-finalists in the "Choral Performance - Community" category.  In the choral conducting and choral performance categories, finalists will be announced after June 3 and winners after July 15.

Here is how The American Prize is explained:  "The American Prize is a series of new, non-profit national competitions in the performing arts providing cash awards, professional adjudication and regional, national and international recognition for the best recorded performances by ensembles and individuals each year in the United States at the professional, college/university, church, community and secondary school levels. Administered by Hat City Music Theater, Inc., a nonprofit organization based in Danbury, Connecticut, The American Prize was founded in 2009 and is awarded annually. The competitions of The American Prize are open to all U.S. citizens, whether living in this country or abroad, and to others currently living, working and/or studying in the United States of America, its protectorates and territories."

There are 7 categories of competition for conducting and 3 for choral performance (community, college/university and youth/high school).  There are separate competitions for vocalists, pianists, composers, chamber music ensembles, orchestras, bands, musical theater and opera companies, stage directors, and art administrators.

There is more information about The American Prize at their website:  http://theamericanprize.org.  Competition updates are at this link:  http://theamericanprize.blogspot.com/.  Other updates are in their Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-American-Prize-celebrating-American-excellence-in-the-arts/214320622728.

Good luck, Don and SCSO!