Latest Blog Posts
Eric Whitacre says British choirs are best – or does he?
Grammophone magazine features an article this headline: Composer Eric Whitacre on why British choirs are best. There was a huge backlash, first from Patrick Dupre Quigley making a case for American choirs. Patrick took his case to ChoralNet, and there was a huge discussion about it in the ChoralNet forums. NPR has taken an interest in the […]
Twitter is full of choral music
I get most of my choral news from twitter these days – it is a fascinating exercise to see news and opinions of our art come across that site. Here are a couple of recent tweets I have enjoyed. First, a reaction to the flash mob: Next, a […]
Random act of culture closes mall
Bizarre: Thousands had gathered at the shopping mall's food court to take part in a group rendition of Handel's Hallelujah Chorus as part of a flash-mob concert – when groups of people – often strangers – conspire on social networking websites to turn up at the same place at the same time and start singing. […]
Almost here
The King's College service is almost here. This great website that gives a history of the service as well as PDF versions of past years programs. Here is a little information about the 2010 service: This year's service includes favourite carols like 'Ding! Dong! merrily on high', 'God rest you merry, gentlemen' […]
Straight No Chaser 12-day mash-up
Fans of the Straight No Chaser version of The Twelve Days of Christmas record their own versions, cleverly edited into a single video.
Digital Christmas
Sorry the music’s so cheesy:
Flying on Christmas
No, I’m not talking about flying reindeer. I mean going to the airport on December 25 to catch a flight to visit relatives. This will be about the tenth year I’ve done it, and it’s really a good choice for choral musicians with responsibilities on Christmas Eve. When you fly on Dec. 23 or […]
A Christmas Trololo
If you’re unfamiliar with the original song, it might be helpful to view it first. Performers: the Gifford Children’s Choir, directed by Jack Senzig.
Desert composer Robert Kyr talks about his method
Composer Robert Kyr will soon premier a work with Conspirare. Here is what he says about it: Each of four programs focuses on a major choral composer: Josquin Des Prez (early Renaissance), Orlande de Lassus (Renaissance), Tomás Luis de Victoria (late Renaissance), and J.S. Bach (Baroque). “Songs of the Soul is one of most […]