By Helen T. Gray MYRTLE BEACH, SC — To the slave owner, the melody was just keeping his slaves happy as they worked. He paid little attention to the words. But the slaves, they were getting ready to steal away all right – steal away from the plantation. They were to start on a dangerous […]
Hitting the High Notes in ‘A Symphony of A Thousand’
By Prosy Abarquez Delacruz LOS ANGELES — “The symphony must be like the world— it must be all-embracing.” – Gustav Mahler “Music has to be recognized as an agent of social development in the highest sense, because it transmits the highest values—solidarity, harmony, mutual compassion. And it has the ability to unite an entire […]
Choirs strike a chord with students
By Emily Hendrick CHARLOTTE, NC — Sports may grab most students’ attention, but to a vocal segment of Charlotte’s kids and teens, choral singing is where the action is. Even before hit TV shows “Glee” and “The Sing-Off,” choral singing was on solid ground, say music educators. But these shows have solidified choirs’ popularity. “It’s […]
The Song of Mr. Toad
Hey! Roger Dean has just published this piece, which I wrote for Vivace Youth Chorus of San Jose, CA. It’s for treble voices (SSA), baritone sax, and piano. The familiar poem is from The Wind in the Willows. The bari sax adds a lot of toadish swagger. Check it out! http://www.lorenz.com/product.aspx?id=15_2959R Brian […]
Gentle Heart
Mother’s Day Anthem…”Gentle Heart” is a new anthem for Mother’s Day services. Scored for SAB with piano accompaniment and written by Louis deLise (arranger & music director for Patti LaBelle), this touching lullaby celebrates a mother’s love for her unborn child. Also works well for Advent and pro-life services. Music and recordings available at www.bocagemusic.com […]
With a song in their hearts
By Barrie Hudson SWINDON, UK — THAMESDOWN La-dies Choir is looking for its own Gareth Malone. Ideally they’re looking for Gareth himself, but as the celebrity choirmaster’s schedule almost certainly rules him out of the running, they promise a warm welcome to anybody with the right qualifications. Thamesdown Ladies Choir, or TLC for short, was […]