(An excerpt from the Choral Journal article, "The Lyric Voice in Samuel Barber’s Reincarnations," by David H. Castleberry) Reincarnations, Barber's op. 16, was composed during his sole teaching appointment, 1939-42, at the Curtis Institute in Philadelphia, from which he had graduated five years earlier with majors in voice, piano, and composition. These early […]
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GUEST BLOG: “Warm the Flame,” by Lucy Hudson Stembridge
WARM THE FLAME by Lucy Hudson Stembridge “‘Do-so’ is more important than ‘say-so’”. “We Are the World” Coincidence? The first quote, which most of us recognize as connecting the knowledge of solfege to the possibility of changing the world, is by Pete Seeger, “a tireless campaigner for his own vision […]
Choral Caffeine: STRESSED? WHO’S STRESSED!?
“You will know (the good from the bad) when you are calm, at peace. Passive.” ~ Yoda Are you at peace? Or are you tearing through your days in a caffeine-fueled frenzy of tense rehearsals, clipped conversations, and ever-increasing piles on your desk? Many choral conductors are by nature tightly focused individuals driven […]
It’s About the Phrase – Dance of Chant
“Five from the Folder: Standards for Mixed Voices” by Angela Hampton
FIVE FROM THE FOLDER: STANDARDS FOR MIXED VOICES by Angela Hampton 1. “Sicut Cervus,” Giovanni Pieruluigi da Palestrina The epitome of the Renaissance motet. Simple rhythm and moderate vocal ranges. Great for teaching students the “rise and fall” of a phrase. 2. “Ave Verum Corpus” (K. 618), W. A. Mozart, Hinshaw HMC490 Beautiful, […]
“Five from the Folder: Mixed Choir” by Angela Hampton
FIVE FROM THE FOLDER: MIXED CHOIR by Angela Hampton Five from the Folder – High School Contest/Festival Selections 1. “All That Hath Life and Breath, Praise Ye the Lord,” René Clausen, Mark Foster 223 Joyful concert opening with bright tertian harmonies. Good introduction to aleatoric style. 2. “Cloudburst,” Eric Whitacre, Walton HL08500165 […]