Latest Blog Posts
World Choir Games Update
The progress made in the past month is a true testament to the energy and dedication that continues to drive the planning of the 2012 World Choir Games, now less than 300 days away. Along with hitting the 300-day mark, the past month brought meetings with representatives from Interkultur, the World Choir Games’ governing body, […]
How Does Fishing Help a Choir?
Howard Meharg knows how to catch more than salmon when he has a fishing rod in his hands. Meharg, the conductor and music director of Chor Anno, went fishing last year with Tim Sharp and ended up with a commitment from the composer for a new piece of sacred music, which Meharg’s Vancouver-based choir will […]
Organist dismissed for criticizing Rutter on Facebook
A fascinating story: Westminster Abbey has dismissed one of its organists after he is said to have criticised a leading composer who played a key role in the Royal Wedding. Insiders say the Abbey acted after organ scholar Edward Tambling posted derogatory comments on Facebook about John Rutter, a favourite of Prince William and the […]
Is “Little Kids Rock” the answer to music education?
The topic of music education was mentioned in the opinion section of the New York Times a couple of weeks ago. The author poses this question: The question is: Why do schools teach music in a way that turns off so many young people rather than igniting their imagination? Adolescents and teenagers are crazy […]
Missing your ChoralNet Mail? Have too much?
We’ve just moved ChoralNet to a newer and faster server environment. As with any move, things get broken…and at the moment, ChoralNet mail is one of those things. A few things to be aware of: If you subscribe to Daily Digest or Daily Index for any of your subscriptions, you didn’t receive your digest last […]
Stick Time: Phrasing
Today, let’s focus our ears on the movement of phrase. Listen to the forward momentum as the chorus moves through each portion of the line in this Vaughan Wiliams work. There is a subtle ebb & flow to the tempo, giving an organic sense to the line. Also note the even movement of each voice […]
Stick Time: Women’s Choral Sound
Listen to the wonderful homogeny of sound here. Healthy vocal production with pleasing and appropriate vertical tone. Note the care taken by the singers in the unform articulation of text. (With additional kudos to our colleague for conducting from memory.)
Tim Sharp’s “High Lonesome Mass” Premieres in Washington
Banjo-pickin’ may not be a familiar sound in church, but audiences will hear one — and a fiddle and mandolin — during a “High Lonesome Mass” to be performed in Longview. Chor Anno, a 25-voice choir of experienced singers directed by retired local teacher Howard Meharg, will sing the work during the St. Stephen’s Celebration Concert at […]
Monday Motivation: Attitude
“Nothing can stop the person with the right mental attitude from achieving their goal; nothing on earth can help the person with the wrong mental attitude.” ~Thomas Jefferson Try not to see today as the end of a weekend but as the beginning of an opportuntiy to make a difference in the life of […]