Titles

Last night I subbed for a soprano at her church choir rehearsal.  I am still not used to this practice- hiring section leaders and then they have to find subs if they are sick or cannot be there.  It's not that I have never heard of this before, but it's more that it happens on such a large scale, at many churches, even if they are not very big.  So, the situation was a little rough for my particular voice.  Perhaps I give myself too many excuses for my voice, but my voice seems to be very peculiar to me.  It's a little clunky, not always smooth depending on where it sits, and a little tricky to "control" (I know I know- we don't control our voices).  So I was singing soprano and there was a split.  I wasn't sure which part the person I subbed for was, so I didn't sing the first split to hear what note was missing (there were only a total of four sopranos).  I heard the high A was missing, so I jumped in and sang it.  When we finished the piece, the lady next to me turned and said, "Couldn't find your note there for a minute?"  And kind of giggled.  I'm never sure how to respond to something like that.  So I just smiled and continued to pay attention to the director.  It was a tough room to sing in- very dead and we were sitting so close together, that I felt like I couldn't sing out.  Then when I try to sing, it sounds less than awesome.  I know I shouldn't listen and should just use what good technique feels like.  The difficulties were that I was sitting down and we were so cramped in a room with dead space.  Overall it was fine, but I wasn't the vocal leader I wanted to be.

I'm listening to John Adams' "Harmonium" right now.  Starting to review the masterworks I will be tested on at the end of the year.

I was walking to the coffee shop this morning and I ran into a professor at a crosswalk.  He's not my professor, nor will he ever be.  He is a professor that insists on all students (graduate included) calling him Dr.  He's able to request that and I have no problem calling him by his titled name.  So, I saw him at a crosswalk this morning with a friend, both wearing santa hats.  I said hello and he introduced me to his friend as Dr as well.  But yet gave them my first name.  If he is going to insist on titles with a person  I meet on the street, then call me Mrs., which is my title.

Two more days and then it's home for Christmas (actually, late tomorrow night).

Kale Chips and Sugar Cookies

A break from the music posts... those will be back soon!

A picture while I was running.

Below is a picture of the lights in Naples.

Below is a picture of the home made sugar cookies I made!  Merry Christmas!

And below is my first attempt at kale chips.  Success!

A New Composition

I have had more thrilling experiences in the past year and a half than I can remember having ever before.  

Today, I met with a composition faculty member.  He was the composer who arranged the Coventry Carol for the Women's Chorus.  He asked if he could write something for the Women's Chorus for next semester.  I would premiere it on my recital.  

Alan, the composer, and I spoke for about half an hour.  I also learned a little about his musical background.  He received his undergraduate degree from UGA (which happens to be one of the schools I applied to for my DMA).  He sang in the men's chorus there and still knows some of the faculty members (he said it's a fairly consistent faculty).  He said he would love to get in touch with one of the voice teachers (who also conducts a gospel group, perhaps?) and put in a good word for me.  He said it's been awhile since he has written for choirs, although he enjoyed writing before and is excited to do it again.  He said he spent a few years in Whitewater Wisconsin and became composer-in-residence there for a few years.  

So the conversation about the piece was fascinating.  He asked me about any technical limitations (I gave him ranges).  I also said that I would prefer 3 part, but they could do 4 part pretty easily as long as the harmonic language was a little more traditional and predictable at those moments if they were extended.  A few measures of difficult 4 part is fine, but it should be brief.  We spoke about tempo, tonality, text.  Of course, neither of us had set ideas.  This was a meeting to conjure up some guidelines.  Tempo doesn't matter- my recital set is flexible enough for that almost anything will fit.  There maybe be one or two more moderate/fast pieces, but I wouldn't want too many slow.  Tonality doesn't matter, as long as it's not full of things that do not make sense to the ear.  He said that many composers tend to "tame down" their harmonic language when writing for choirs, but he hasn't really been one to do that. That's not a big deal, as long as the stuff is singable to the girls.  As far as text, it also didn't matter much to me as long as it wasn't a Slavic language.  He said he normally uses dead languages anyway, since the text is then not likely to be under copyright.  We talked about what the song might be about (nothing with pirates).  It could be sacred or secular.  I thought about jokingly suggest a text using just binary code, but then I thought he might take me seriously.  And I'm kidding about that.  

He asked about my preferences.  He asked if I want to see drafts (yes).  He also asked about when I would want the piece finished (he said to lie by two weeks- so I did and told him February 15.  He wrote down February 1).  

I think this is a great opportunity for me and for the women.  I feel bad we can't pay him.  But I also thought- we might use his work in the future.  Maybe with a future choir.  Maybe when I have a job someday, I will commission a piece from him.  I think this could be beneficial for all involved.

It was thrilling.  And it's very exciting to think about.

Programming

I just read a section about program selection.

Things I consider when programming:

1) Is the music appropriate?  Vocally and educationally.  It's one reason I rarely programmed multiple 3 or 4 part music for my 8th grade choirs in Arizona.  They were young enough that their ears still needed things that were partner songs or rounds.  I would much rather err on the safe side of difficulty level and have the group knock it out of the park than program something that is such a stretch it doesn't feel good to sing.

2) Is there a theme?  I don't always program with a theme in mind.  But sometimes I do.  It depends on my mood.

3) Is there a piece I just "have" to do?  If so, that becomes the anchor piece for the program.

4) Is there a variety of music from varying time periods?  I sometimes like to do chronologically determined concerts.  I don't do this often, but if I can find the right music and it makes sense to do it chronologically, then I will.  And then I inevitably make sure it's as interesting and informative as possible.

5) Is there a variety of music stylistically?  Articulation, tempi, key signatures, time signatures, etc.

6) How does the music move into the next piece?  I probably wouldn't program a piece in Ab major and then a piece in D minor.  It would probably be an odd transition and would sound jarring to the ear.  

7) Is there a story being told?  If I don't connect the music via theme or chronology, I like the program to tell a story.

8) Is the energy forward moving?

Ultimately, I always know when I have put together a program that is going to work.  I also know when I have put together a program that will be fine, but will require more selling to work.  I am very blessed that programming music has been something I have found extremely enjoyable and successful.  I credit my years of singing with Tim Peter, who was such a great programmer.  I learned from him.

I also think the energy of the program has something to do with the energy of the singers and conductor.  I have sung under directors that, because they are boring and dull, the music and concerts are boring.  You can tell as you are working your way toward the concert that it's going to be lackluster.

Those are just a few of my thoughts.

In Quest of Answers

Since it's break, I'm allowing myself time to read a fun book.  The book is entitled, "In Quest of Answers: Interviews with American Choral Conductors" and is by Carole Glenn.  Now, this wasn't going to be a "fun" read originally.  But it has since turned into a fun read.  

There are multiple topics in this book and I'm briefly going to comment on one.  This is the idea of being able to perform music from multiple time periods.  The answers from the conductors all vary.  Many say that if they can be a great conductor, they can get their group to sing in all styles.  Some others say they always make an effort, but due to their own short comings their groups may not be as strong in some areas.  There were a few people who said their ensemble naturally sing certain styles of music better than others.  For example, Dale Warland said that his group tends to sing twentieth century music the best.  Some others said their groups, because of the age or the kind of voices, sing earlier music better.  I always find this topic intriguing and there is certainly so much more I want to discover and learn.  There are a few books out there about choral performance practices in various time periods, and I plan on purchasing them some point soon.  I have thought about this quite a lot with my own choir and continue to think on it.  I often feel inadequate because I'm not exactly sure how to get a large difference in sound production.  Sure, there is articulation and phrasing and the musical idiosyncrasies of each genre, but I'm specifically thinking about vocal production.  Or, maybe I don't need to worry as much about vocal production because the other musical characteristics will shape the production.  I will have to think about this.  And experiment.

To touch on a topic briefly that has been at the forefront of my mind, I read an article about a teacher in Connecticut that hid her first graders in closets and cupboards with the gunman came in.  He shot her but her students were unharmed.  She was 27.  That's two years younger than me- I was teaching when I was 27.  It's a peer.  John and I spoke about how we think and hope we would respond in that kind of situation.  I have loved all my students, from Kinder to College.  I would do all in my power to protect them.  John asked me if it would be different if I were to have children of my own.  I don't know if I would be able to process all that in the moment.  I would probably still react the same way.

Everybody in the world is someone's child.  Those children, the adults, the young man with the gun... those were all somebody's child, even if they were "child aged" anymore.  Despite the fact I am 29, my mom still text me and said, "You will always be my baby girl and I love you."  And it hit me that, no matter how old I am, even my mom has hopes for me- hopes of safety, of love, of being a good person. I am sure I will feel the same way about my children.  

I have no wisdom or solutions for how to prevent this type of thing.  I wish I did.  

German

Many exciting things here today.

First, I finished my last final.  It was German diction and was one of the easiest finals I have ever taken.  It was partly because I studied, partly because I have taken two semesters of German, and partly because it was a very clear assessment that just tested us on the basics.  I went in to do the speaking portion of the exam, and the teacher asked me if I had listened to the recordings.  I must have looked confused, because he said, "Don't the books come with CDs?"  "Oh, yes they do!  And no, I did not listen to them.  Should have I?"  "No, you sound very similar to the woman who speaks the recordings on the CD."  So I think that is a good sign.

After that, I met briefly with my teacher.  He told me I received an A for the semester and we touched base about next semester.  I will finish King David.  I will work on my recital pieces.  And I will conduct Beethoven Mass in C!  It's a big semester, but I am excited.

Then I spoke with a professor from the language department.  He quizzed me on my German (a basic conversation with me in German).  And for my exciting news of the week?  I will be taking second semester German next semester.  I took two semesters at Luther and could probably really study up over break and be fine in third semester German, but I don't want to get too crazy.  I really look forward to a refresher semester and hope to continue German in my future studies.  I would really like to gain fluency, or at minimum functionality, in the language.  It's an undergrad number so does not count toward my GPA, although I don't think that matters.

After that conversation, I met with my voice teacher to receive my jury sheets back.  All As!  I felt pretty good going into the jury (as far as memorization and some of the tone placement things).  We determined my rep for next semester (another five pieces).  I am excited, although it's more challenging semester.  My goal is to learn all the notes and start memorizing over break.

So my to-do list for break went from about two things to a million things.  Just kidding.  Not a million.  But a lot.

List: Learn solo pieces and start to memorize.  Refresh German.  Revise thesis.  Work on King David.  Start work on Mass in C.  Create sight reading packets for Women's Chorus.  Create part recordings for Women's Chorus.  Find one more recital piece from a large work or by a well known composer.  Find an English song (legato!) and a Baroque song for voice lessons (any suggestions?). Research more efficient ways of teaching polyphonic choral music.  Review and study choral masterworks for big final aural exam.

I think that's it.  Manageable in 5 weeks, right?  If I can get that stuff done, my semester will start off on a strong foot.

John and I listening to Leontyne Price sing Mozart.  We just finished up some hot cocoa (which I made on the stove and from cocoa powder... aka "homemade") as a snack to our sausage and kale soup.  It's a pretty pleasant evening.

Fairness

I do not quite understand what is going on in Michigan with their union legislation right now.  Similar to Wisconsin?  Despite the fact the Republicans are in control in Michigan, I don't think that gives them the right to vote in things that so many people disagree with.  There still needs to be a sense of fairness and compromise.  I get some people don't like unions because they think unions are selfish for their desire to get their employees benefits and pay raises.  But why can't the US have a fairly compensated work force?  Because big businesses want to save money and don't want to put that extra cash toward retirement and benefits and pay.  Or is there another reason?  Has the public agreed that yes, school teachers are indeed getting paid too much?  After my 5 years of teaching making at most $35,000, that can hardly be called "getting paid too much." Every year I taught, I needed a second job.  Unions would not be needed if we could trust business bosses to care just as much about their employees as they did about profit.

Today my goal is to study diction and write the rest of my thesis.  Yes, you saw that correctly.  Write the rest of my thesis.  If it doesn't happen, I'll need to finish it on Thursday.  So close.

Salonen

Sitting in a coffee shop with John before we head to Cantus concert tonight.  Christmas music playing over the radio, a man practicing his vocal score in a corner (not kidding), drinking a peach tea, and soon-to-be-discussing our summer plans.  And the Vikings won today.  A good day.

Last night we went into LA.  Our plan was to go to Pershing Square and go ice skating.  People had suggested to us that ice skating there was so much fun.  Unfortunately, we are from the midwest.  And "fun" ice skating means a much bigger rink with less people than what they had at Pershing Square.  Plus, you had purchase a ticket to ice skate for an hour.  And the only time left when we arrived at 6:45 last night was to skate from 9-10 PM.  So, we opted out.  We walked up to Disney Hall to see what was happening up there.  Esa-Pekka Salonen was conducting his own piece, the Schumann piano concert (soloist David Fray), a Lutosławski piece for orchestra and baritone (soloist Gerard Finley), and Tchaikovsky's Francesca da Rimini (symphonic poem).  The music was great (I admit- I love most German music).  But I just loved watching Salonen conduct.  

We were in seats behind the orchestra, so we were able to watch Salonen conducting the orchestra.  It was amazing to see him.  He was very intentional about everything he conducted.  He was so clear.  There was no fluff or show in his gesture.  It was all specific to the music.  He only showed what was needed.  For example, there were 4 large chords in a row.  And all he showed was the downbeat.  A huge downbeat.  And then orchestra responded.  No need to beat time in between or do anything.  There was another time he cued the percussion (it was some pitched percussion instrument) and he cued them high and then traveled down through the space in front of him to lead them through their pitched descent.  It looked a little bit like an 80s rock move. 

We loved the concert.  It was such a great impromptu decision.

Caroling and Rehearsal Planning

Two great things:

1) I am going to go caroling tonight.  The president of the university called my teacher late last night and asked if he could bring a group of carolers to a HUGE fundraiser he was hosting at his house tonight.  So a pleading e-mail was sent to Chamber this morning.  I have wanted to carol for weeks now.  I am excited.

2) I just wrote basic rehearsal plans for my thesis piece.  It reminded me that figuring out the best way to teach a piece (plus what concepts to teach first, how to teach them, and how to teach them without the singers knowing you are really "teaching" music) is one of my favorite things to do.  I love digging into music.  I am very excited about my recital in May.  

Perpetual Stress?

I live in a perpetual state of stress.  I realized that today.  This summer I wasn't stressed.  I became stressed as the semester went on and have been at what seems like maximum stress level for about 2 months now.  I am sure there is something not healthy about that.  You may think I am being dramatic, but I honestly don't think I have fully let go of stress for about 2 months.  I tried over Thanksgiving, but wasn't successful.  I worry a little bit about Winter Break... there is stuff I have to do.  Forcing myself not to do the things I need to do will probably stress me out more than working on the things I need to do.  But I do hope to keep it in perspective.  Yeesh!

This Friday is juries.  We have a mock jury tonight.  I am sure I'll be nervous, but I also don't really care.  I wonder if I should stop caring about grades, too.  I always want to do my best and I always feel like I can be doing more... that's the problem.  If I can always practice a little more, study a little harder, be a little more organized, I can do better.  But perhaps the problem is I don't know when to draw the line and stop.  It really seems like many people are more talented than myself, so I work harder to make up for it.  Whether this is all in my head or not, who knows, but this is probably where much of my stress comes from.

At any rate, this morning I decided I am going to try to be efficient and will dedicate time to what I need to do, but I want to try to relax a little bit more as well.

Enough of that.

I may have my last conducting lesson of the semester today.  Unless he wants us to meet next week, but I don't think so.  So that, with choir and mock juries still leads to a pretty full day.  I am also bringing my Christmas cards/treats to school to give to friends.  And Christmas is always exciting.

I can't wait for Christmas!

Best Compliment

I received the best compliment I have ever received yesterday.  It was from the accompanist of the Men's Chorus.  It was after the women sang in our final performance.  After their set, I had to head down to the side room behind the sanctuary to wait for a chance to go out and stand with Chamber Choir.  The accompanist was down there waiting as well (as he was every performance).  I went to wait yesterday and he said, "That was your last performance.  Are you glad it's done?"

"Hmmmm... it's always a little sad when it's done.  I am so proud of them and they work so hard.  They were excited about their performance and you know?  I'm just so proud of all they have done.  If you can't tell, I love my ladies."  That was my reply.

"And they love you."

"Well, I hope so.  But either way, I hope they love making music and singing with the group and under my direction."

"Oh, they do."

I smile.

"No, seriously," the accompanist continued, "You make it so that people want to sing for you.  They want to work hard and you create such an environment that they want to sing and do well.  It's really special.  I wish more directors were like that."

I have never received such a compliment.

Winter Fest went well.  I will look forward to hearing the performance recordings.  I thought we were maybe the most in tune Saturday evening... but I will have to see when I listen.  I think the Saturday afternoon performance was our weakest, but the the evening one and yesterday's performances went well.  Both had different strengths.

I sent follow-up e-mails to the schools I applied to.  I hope it's not annoying.  I basically just said all my stuff was in, I was really excited about that particular application, and I hope the semester finished well for them.