Monday, May 19, 2008

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!

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

That is wonderful news, Dr. Copeland. Congrats!

~L

Anonymous said...

thats awesome Dr. Copeland! Congratulations!

-Staci

Anonymous said...

yay! congratulations! you'll be great.

j hood

Anonymous said...

Welcome aboard!

Anonymous BCC member

Anonymous said...

Yea dc! We are proud! Greetings from Germany!
Sam

Terminal Degree said...

Congratulations!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations!

Brian said...

Congratulations Dr. C! This is quite an achievement for you. :)

Ashley said...

On behalf of all the Continentals, congratulations!!! I've got some killer videos of our performances you need to see when we come home! Thanks for the biebel too! It sounds gorgeous! See you soon!

Anonymous said...

Congrats!! That's very exciting! -Scivley

Dr. Kristine Hurst-Wajszczuk said...

I'm thrilled for you and proud to work with you! Bravo.

Unknown said...

Congratulations!! also, with or without BCC and ASO, i really think we should do a masterwork every year. I have grown immensely as a musician and patron of music from these performances (and even if it is frustrating to learn the music that quickly i think i would go crazy NOT doing one every year.)