The Podd Brothers have just released our (hopefully) final batch of Virtual Choir Kits!! These are brand new arrangements of well-known and well-loved songs, in a variety of styles (truly something for everyone) and created with virtual choirs in mind. SATB, SAB, 2-part, and Unison voicings available. Click here to jump right in: http://poddbrothers.com/choirkits

These innovative kits are best explained in this video –
but the basic gist is this:
We made awesome new arrangements of songs you probably know, and took care of all the pre-production that would normally go into making a virtual choir (guide tracks, accompaniment tracks, step-by-step instructions for the singers, and directors.) Basically, we set out to make this process easier, more accessible, and more musical – allowing singers and conductors to start with the fun part (the music!!) instead of all the hassle that bogs down the creation of any virtual choir project. And it includes all licenses and permissions you need to made a virtual choir video and post it anywhere you want.

Our new spring collection includes:
-“It Had to Be You” w/ “You Mae Me Love You” (vocal jazz settings)
-Hallelujah Chorus (original and adapted versions for aspiring choirs) – both accompanied by full orchestra
-2 Spirituals “There Is More Love Somewhere” (powerful, building, with orchestral accompaniment) and “Over My Head” (energized, gospel setting, with a full band)
-“Ombra Mai Fù” (Largo from ‘Xerxes’) – reimagined with a modern treatment of the accompaniment, while preserving the pristine beauty of Handel’s original melody and character.
-An Easter medley combining “Christ the Lord Is Risen Today” w/ “Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee” in a majestic choir anthem w/ full orchestra for Easter Sunday.

We were thrilled with the feedback from so many of you about our Holiday Caroling kits, and how well they worked. Hundreds of schools, churches, and organizations used them to sing together and spread some holiday cheer when the world needed it most, and were honored to have played a part, truly! Thanks in advance for checking out the music, and if you feel so inclined help us spread the word so we can get through the coming months with group singing in the best, safest way possible.

We’d love if you can purchase them directly from us of course, but if you must use an approved vendor with your organization, these will be available at jwpepper in about a week.

Reach out with any questions at all! ()

All the best,
The Podd Brothers (Adam and Matt)

Dear Colleagues,

The American Prize National Nonprofit Competitions in the Performing Arts recently announced its HONORED ARTISTS for 2020, completing the 2020 season of contests.

Honored Artists are individuals (or ensembles) who have proven themselves to be artists of “sustained excellence” over a number of seasons as laureates in the competitions.

Honored Artists are highlighted in a separate section on The American Prize website and on the competition’s Facebook pages, receive expanded listings on The American Prize blog, are featured in individualized press releases sent to local, regional and national media, and receive a special, framed certificate. Honored Artists also receive an application fee waiver for a future competition.

The 2020 HONORED ARTISTS of The American Prize:

Jennifer Bellor, composer,
Las Vagas, NV

Gerald Gurss, composer and conductor,
St Paul, MN

Wes Kenney, conductor,
Denver, CO

Christine Steyer, soprano, arts producer,
Chicago, IL

Waynesboro Symphony Orchestra,
Peter Wilson, conductor, Waynesboro, VA

Clare Demer, soprano,
Tucson, AZ—Career Encouragement Award

***

Photos and biographies of these artists, and the list of previous Honored Artist designees, may be found here: http://theamericanprize.blogspot.com/2021/01/honored-artists-of-american-prize-2020.html

Links to the complete list of 2020 contest results in all categories may be found here: http://theamericanprize.blogspot.com/2021/01/the-american-prize-winning-links-all.html

We continue to send certificate packages to 2020 Laureates. If a contestant’s U.S. mailing ADDRESS has changed recently, please send us an update by putting “NEW ADDRESS” in the subject line of an email to us at

The announcement of 2021 SEMI-FINALISTS has begun on our blog. Follow the announcements here: http://theamericanprize.blogspot.com

Updated 2022 contest information, including many relaxed requirements and rule changes in response to the pandemic, will be posted to our website later this month: http://theamericanprize.org

Lastly, if you are not a contestant and wish to receive “What’s on TAP,” our e-newsletter, sign up here: https://visitor.r20.constantcontact.com/manage/optin?v=001KYrzQAAWKXnHlI8dcIxB7Km6UQHzSFgwMLc5H8lbrJAmNz4R43FN0kml65IWEnelrWugoo28hj9uuI7mS4Rlpw%3D%3D

We anticipate the January edition of “What’s on TAP” will be sent early next week.

We wish all our contestants, laureates, friends, and judges, safety and health during this difficult time.

—David Volosin Katz, founder and chief judge and the The American Prize Team

While many choral organizations are struggling to retain their members in this new virtual choir world, others are using the virtual setting as an opportunity to grow. One such case is that of the New York City Gay Men’s Chorus which created a new “associate member program” in 2020 that was open to any singer in the world.

With their new program, they’ve not only retained their existing 260+ singers, but they’ve welcomed an additional 114 singers into the fold as “associate members” that will participate in their virtual programming. No in-person rehearsals required!

Learn more about how they grew their membership by 45% in 2020!

Fellow choral directors,
Greetings!

I’m sharing the “Where We Find Ourselves” Choral Consortium’s 3rd song of 5. (Song begins at 8:36 – my singing chops are not what they used to be!) https://www.facebook.com/1115984866/videos/10217234186102807/

You can still join the commission until this Monday, January 11th, when the music will be delivered.
To join: https://consortio.io/mbqstudio/pandemic-proof-choral-projects-where-we-find-ourselves

Where We Find Ourselves is a “Pandemic Proof Choral Project” for SATB, SAB, SSAA, or Two-Part Mixed Voices of Level III and above.

Based on the discarded (later curated) work of 19th c. photographer Hugh Mangum, the five movements explore the lives of his diverse subjects in stunning variation, ultimately revealing our shared human experience. The project is funded through a consortium.

Members receive curricular support, including: Live sessions with composer Michael Bussewitz-Quarm, lyricist Shantel Sellers, videos of in-depth discussion with panelists photographers and curators, Margeret Sartor and Alex Harris, Humanities Coordinator of Dallas College, Dr. Sherry Boyd & Maple Seed Curriculum Creator Tina Sayers.

Exclusive performance window from 1/11/21 to 10/11/21.

Lyrics: “Would You Know Me By My Work?”
Lyrics by Shantel Sellers

We shall speak to you of strength
In the face of grief and sorrow.
We shall speak to you of hope
And courage for tomorrow.

Through our eyes we call to you.
We have read you in the stars,
Distant shores drawing near,
Timeless voices from afar.

Turn our faces toward the light
Shining eyes and wrinkled skin,
Starch and dirt and mended seams
Where your story begins.
What shall we leave you
Our children yet to be?

We shall speak to you of work,
A doctor’s hands, a mother’s heart,
City street, and farm and field,
Forging dreams from bricks and earth.

There is sweat on the brow
And joy in the living.
A calloused hand is hard,
But there is softness in the giving.

Turn our faces toward the light
Shining eyes and wrinkled skin,
Starch and dirt and mended seams
Where your story begins.
These things we leave you
Our children yet to be?

(What shall we leave you,
Our children yet to be?)

Standing on our shoulders,
Breaking through the borders.

These things we leave you,
Our children yet to be.

True Concord Voices & Orchestra Founding Music Director Eric Holtan has curated a Playlist that depicts Winter’s travails, delights and its promise of new life, featuring the Winter portion of Haydn’s The Seasons and John Rutter’s charming When Icicles Hang.

Listen and learn more: https://www.trueconcord.org/2020/04/09/playlist/.

To hear the playlist on YouTube, click here:

Click here to listen on Spotify: