The view from our front door Saturday morning. Its so weird that the leaves haven't even had a chance to change color yet and there is already snow. Utah doesn't seem to know the meaning of the word 'gradual'.
Layne and I had a lovely relaxing weekend...though I got sick again. Friday night we went out with some friends from the ward which was fun. Saturday morning I had to be at Murray HS by 8:45 to do some filming for our ward's portion of the stake roadshows. I was asked to bring my lab coat, safety glasses, gloves and some beakers and flasks so that I could do a "chemistry scene". I also played a HS student. My heart goes out to the people whose calling it is to organize this thing. The rest of the weekend I spent sleeping, going to my meetings and taking Zicam.
Today marked the beginning of fall break for the U of U which doesn't change the fact that I still have to work, but it will ease morning traffic AND means I have a week off of Singers and the rigorous daily memorization schedule! Even so, the Tuesday after rehearsals resume I have the Singers midterm to look forward to. We will be called in in octets (one on each voice part) and have to be prepared to sing from memory on the spot any portion of any of a number of pieces he chooses and will be graded individually on notes, rhythms, words and nuance. I am in the first group to be tested and if I recall correctly, by now we are supposed to have a total of around 20 pieces learned and completely memorized, so we have to be prepared to sing from any one of them for the test. Needless to say I will still have plenty to do during the break as far as Singers is concerned.
In addition, it's concert week for SLCA which will keep me busy. Here is the article (copied and pasted) about the concert from yesterday's Deseret News (click here to see it directly)
Salt Lake Choral Artists conductor is confident in his group
Choir will sing in 12 different languages in next performance
There is no other way to explain it after one has had a chance to glance at the new season. "I'm trying to stretch the choir and the audience," he told the Deseret News.
And the choir members don't seem to mind one bit.
They will have their hands full at the first of their four concerts this season. Titled "Multicultural Celebration," the concert, which takes place Saturday in Libby Gardner Concert Hall, is a musical journey through parts of Africa, Latin America and the Pacific Rim.
"Ever since I took part in the World Choral Symposium, where I was exposed to Latin American and African music, I've been turned on by it quite a bit," Allred said. "I try to program at least some music from those parts of the world every year."
Saturday's concert will include music from the Philippines, Korea, Taiwan, Tonga and Australia. "We counted it up, and the choir will be singing in 12 different languages. I think by the time they're through, they'll be happy to sing in Latin again."
Allred admitted that having the choir sing in so many different languages is difficult, but he'll facilitate it by dividing his ensemble into three separate choirs: women's, chamber and concert choirs, with each singing their own set of pieces.
In December, the Salt Lake Choral Artists will perform a more traditional concert with Ralph Vaughan Williams' "Hodie" on the program. This will be a joint concert with the Salt Lake Symphony and the Madeleine Choir School. Joining them will be soloists Carol Ann Allred, soprano; Todd Miller, tenor; and Darrell Babidge, baritone.
The two concerts next year focus on contemporary works. In February 2009, Allred and the choir will perform Arvo Part's Te Deum. "I've done it twice before, and it's a wonderful crossover piece," Allred said. "Classical musicians like it because Part bases the work on Gregorian chant, and new age people like it because it's a very mystical and atmospheric piece."
For this performance, Allred will follow Part's original scoring which calls for three choirs, strings, harp and prepared piano. The Choral Artists will be joined by the University of Utah Singers, who also will sing some Eastern European folk music as they prepare for their Eastern European tour next May.
Closing out the season in May 2009 will be Mark Grey's "Enemy Slayer: A Navajo Oratorio," which was premiered this past February by the Phoenix Symphony in Tucson. "It was also performed at the Grand Teton Music Festival in summer, so this will be its third performance," Allred said.
Allred became aware of the piece when a former student of his went to Arizona to work on his master's degree in musicology, joined the Phoenix Symphony Chorus and sang at the premiere. "He told me about it, and I think it's a great piece to play here in Utah with our native population."
Below is a rundown of the concerts. All programs begin at 7:30 p.m. and take place in Libby Gardner Concert Hall:
Saturday — "Multicultural Celebration:" Music from Africa, Latin America and the Pacific Rim; David Fanshawe, "Pacific Songs" and "African Sanctus."
Dec. 20 — Ralph Vaughan Williams, "Hodie"; traditional holiday songs.
Feb. 21, 2009 — Arvo Part, Te Deum; folk music from Eastern Europe.
May 2, 2009 — Mark Grey, "Enemy Slayer: A Navajo Oratorio."
If you go ...
4 comments:
that's so crazy it already snowed there! how fun!! I am excited for our first snow fall!
i want some snow!! i love snow! i can't believe you guys still do roadshows, i thought they stopped those because the members were getting so competitive...huh.
I can't believe that you guys got snow!
Snow! Are you kidding? I wish I could come up. My four year old keeps asking me when we can go play in the snow. Too bad we are not in Utah.
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