A glance into my programming

Rehearsal tonight went well.

Women started off by running their concert program, based on hope. "Adiemus" was first, the women's first time with recorder and percussion. We ran it once just so the women could get used to the new instruments. Then we sang it again as a part of the rest of our set (without stopping between songs). "Adiemus" opens the program and introduces the audience to a world that is yearning, a world that is hopeful, oscillating between d minor and D major, but ending with D major. Next is "Regina Coeli"- which the women sang solidly, although the dynamics were mezzo-mezzo. I don't know if we really understand the essence of the piece- it's joyful nature, it's hope in the resurrection (or whatever else they choose to put hope it). From A major we head back to D major and "Lift Thine Eyes". When the women are in tune (sopranos floating high enough on the final chord) and when they truly sing the dynamics ("Thy keeper will never slumber" is pianissimo sopranos, with the same dynamic entrance for the rest of the group... they did it tonight and it was moving), the song is inspiring. Here we sing about knowing where our hope comes from- in the song it refers to the Judeo-Christian God, but we acknowledged it could be from many things- friend, family, an important relationship, music, nature, etc. But what about those times when hope is hard to find? That's when we sing "Famine Song". It's supposed to be in g minor, but we moved it to g# minor so the altos didn't have to sit quite as low. Here is a song about a drought in Sudan, and about a group of women coming together and praying, hoping for rain. In the meantime, they encourage their friends and their children to weave baskets so they still have a source of food. The women truly sing this song beautifully and it is evident they are moved by this song. The song ends with a soft but intense cluster chord and light sounds of rain (snapping fingers) coming from the choir. To Eb major and the relief, we have "Good News", a spiritual with a joyful solo about music being with us always, and isn't that good news?

After the women's set, the combined choirs sing "Choose Something Like a Star" which I have the privilege to conduct, and "Harvester's Song", conducted by my colleague.