Stick Time: Dance with the Choir

Comments

1. Yvonne Farrow says

   July 3, 2012 at 6:27 pm

   Hello! I am a master choralographer working with choral singers who are not dancers, adding movement to concert choral music without sacraficing the choral sound.  I rarely put dancers if front of a choir as it defeats the purpose of my work, but what you have done here is lovely! There are choirs who use dancers out front for special occassions, enhancing their programming and experience for the audience and that works for them.  It’s all good.  Peace & Blessings! Yvonne Farrow, Got Choralography?

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2. Heather Seaton says

   June 28, 2012 at 7:35 am

   I am a dancer/choregrapher, mucisian, and visual learner so I am all for dance during a concert. Dance can aplify the message and character of the sound and draw in unexpected audience members or help keep members engaged. I congratulate you on using this for your concert.

    

   Given the nature of the Kyrie, which is sacred after all, and the fact that you are in a church, I would have opted for a more modest garment; the see-through part was not necessary- unless the floral veil was relevant to something later in the concert…  As for the dancing itself, it was beautifully done but at times I didn’t think it fit the music as well as it could have- particularly during the quieter section of the music.  The opening movements, for example, with all the arm reaching, seemed to work better than the turns across the front. Yes, this was a lyrical piece in nature but I’m not sure it called for the stream of turns at that moment. Just because a movement is beautiful, or a costume is beautiful, doesn’t necessarily mean it inherently matches beautiful music- one most also consider the density of the texture, the rhythm, the text and character… I would have loved to a see a stronger visual correlation between the music when it was coming from different parts of the choir. All this said, the dancing was lovely and conveyed a pure and feminie lyrical quality which enhanced the Kyrie.

    

   I would encourage you also to consider the joys that come with bringing dance to the non-dancer as well.  Yes, bringing in a dancer is a great way to bring dance into this but also consider other options.  What about sutle movements that the choir can do that be stirking and simple.   For example, if you are asking God for mercy, as in the Kyrie, perhaps the choir could be asked to do a beautiful but dramatic gesture such as lifting a hand up to the sky and then slowly lowering it down.  This could be one at a time- and in a way that goes with the music.  Or perhaps, the simple act of gently resting a comforting hand upon another’s shoulder- as if forgiveness has been felt or attained. All this could be done while they are still standing in place and it could be very powerful- both to the audience and hopefully even to the singers.  We all have something we are in need of- or in need of forgiveness for, so including the choir in exploring this allows them to express the universal.   

    

   I do not mean to be critical- especially as I love what you are doing.  I hope your work will inspire more choirs to collaborate with dancers.

    

   Heather

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