New Director of BCC: Me

I learned a few things tonight:

1. That I'm the new director of the Birmingham Concert Chorale. I'm excited about it and looking forward to working in that position on Monday evenings.

2. That Facebook is quite a tool for communicating news about yourself. At about 9:45 p.m. I posted the byline (or whatever it is called) that I "had news." In about ten minutes, I had 5 posts to my "wall", two chat invitations, and then a phone call. That's a pretty fast response.

So . . . what does my affiliation with BCC mean for my choirs at UAB?

Well, I'd say things will stay about the same. It doesn't mean that the groups will combine "more." We already combine fairly often.

My position as "Director of Choral Activities" at UAB means that I do what is best for UAB in that capacity. I'll choose works and combined activities for my UAB Choirs on the basis of what is best for my students there. In the meantime, I'll work to build up the BCC in the hopes that it will soon pull off major performances by itself and without other choirs.

For instance, I already committed UAB to Orff's "Carmina Burana" for the 2008-2009 academic year. I'm not sure what other choirs will join for that performance . . . but I'm sure I'll find that out fairly soon.

I know that the 2009-2010 calendar hasn't been decided yet. In my thinking right now, it is time for UAB to NOT do a combined work with the BCC and the ASO. In fact, it might be time for UAB to do a major work by itself for that year.

So . . anyway . . . that's big news in my professional life. I'm excited by the potential of the group and the affiliation with this quality community choir. Mark Ridings has skillfully led the choir for ten years and has done a wonderful job with them. I'm looking forward to building on the foundation that is already there.

In fact, I'll be looking first to UAB Concert Choir Alumni as my first recruits for the BCC. Spread the word!