My Favorite Christmas Song of 2009

Too good.

Two TV's Free to Someone VERY soon

They are biggish and NOT HDTV.

Anyone want them?

You need to act fast - we'll be donating them somewhere very soon.

Noel the Christmas Elf

Some of you have wondered about our Christmas elf.

He now has a name: Noel.

Here is a picture of him:




He visited us last night and did this:

Online at the ACDA website

Found this today.

Great job today

For your continued enjoyment:

12/16/2009 Performance Details

Here are the details for tomorrow morning:

1.  Show up at 10:30 a.m.
2.  Wear your concert dress (tuxedo, dresses)
3.  Bring a black folder.  I'll supply you with two pieces you will need: 

• Pinkham:  Gloria in excelcis deo (for morning only)
  
• What Sweeter Music (for evening concert)

4.  We are singing three pieces tomorrow at noon:

• The Three Kings
• Videntes Stellam
• Pinkham:  Gloria in excelcis deo

5.  We are singing many pieces tomorrow night (Show up at South Highland Presbyterian at 5:30 p.m.)

• Death dissolves
• Esti dal
• Nunc dimittis

• Ubi caritas
• What Sweeter Music
• Jesus Christ the Appletree
  

• The Three Kings
• Videntes Stellam

6.  Directions to Harbert Center for morning performance are here.

7.  Directions to South Highland Presbyterian Church are here.

Map to Rotary

Found this here.

The elf

An elf from the North Pole visited our home this morning. He turned our milk green. Claire wanted to have a meeting upstairs in her room so that the elf would not hear her. Catherine began to talk in a language that only the elf would understand. Caroline began to speak in iambic pentameter.


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The Tetris God

Too cool.

iPhone users - you have to see this

Found this awesome article today via Twitter.

The video is awesome as well and I have it on my iPhone now:

Recording session on Monday only

Monday, 1:30 - 3:00
December 7, 2009

Bluff Park Methodist Church CONFIRMED

The Many Moods of Advent and Christmas

Choir,

Here is the program for our performance on Wednesday, December 16th at South Highland Presbyterian Church at 6:30 p.m.

Link to full translations here.

Waiting

Death may dissolve me
Jaakko Mäntyjärvi
(b. 1963)

Esti dal
Zoltan Kodaly (b. 1951)

Nunc dimittis No. 2
Vytautas Miškinis (b. 1954)

Charity and Beauty

Ubi Caritas
Maurice Duruflé (1902-1986)

What Sweeter Music
John Rutter (b. 1945)

Jesus Christ the Apple Tree
Elizabeth Poston (1905-1987)

Still, Still, Still
arr. Norman Luboff (1917-1987)

Association with Royalty

The Three Kings
Healy Willan (1880-1968)

Videntes Stellam
Emanuele Vianelli

Christmas at the Alys 2009

UPDATED:
Choirs Arrive: 1:00 p.m.
Starting time: 3:00 p.m.

Here is a link to learn everything you need to know about Christmas at the Alys 2009.

Picture for Christmas

More testing and a fun Saturday morning.


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Cool pic by Walt Stricklin AKA Nancy's Hub

Christmas Press Release

DEC. 6, THE UAB DEPARTMENT OF MUSIC TO PRESENT HOLIDAY FAMILY FAVORITE, “CHRISTMAS AT THE ALYS”



BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Concert Choir and Chamber Singers will join with the Hueytown High School Chamber Choir in presenting “Christmas at the Alys,” at 3 p.m. Sunday, December 6, at UAB’s Alys Stephens Center, 1200 10th Ave. South. Admission is free. Call 205-975-2787.

“Christmas at the Alys” is an annual celebration of the season presented by the UAB Department of Music.



This year several well-known works associated with the holiday spirit will be included on the program, including Maurice Durufle’s “Ubi Caritas,” Elizabeth Poston’s “Jesus Christ the Apple Tree” and Healy Willan’s “The Three Kings.” Other works to be featured will include traditional favorites of the Christmas season, such as “Fum, Fum, Fum” and “Carol of the Bells” by the Hueytown Chamber Choir. The choirs will unite on “What Sweeter Music,” a work by English composer John Rutter that has quickly become a standard among fine choirs across the world.

The UAB Concert Choir frequently introduces lesser known choral masterpieces to classical audiences. For this concert, the choir will perform “Videntes Stellam Magi,” a work by Emanuele Vianelli, a composer with the Milan, Italy cathedral since 1998.

Touring nationally and internationally, the UAB Concert Choir has quickly gained recognition as one of Alabama’s finest a cappella choirs. In March 2010, the choir will be featured at the American Choral Directors Association regional convention in Memphis, Tenn. The choir was recently featured at the National Collegiate Choral Organization (NCCO) convention in Cincinnati, Ohio. In 2008, the choir won the Heinrich Schütz Perpetual Trophy for their performance of a work by the Baroque composer in the Fleischman International Choral Competition in Cork, Ireland. It was UAB’s second international competition; the first was participation in the 34th annual Florlilege Vocal de Tours in Tours, France, where the choir won two awards, the Prix Du Ministère de La Culture, an award given for best interpretation of a French choral work, and shared the top award in the Mixed Choirs Category.



About UAB

UAB is the first all-Steinway piano school in Alabama. The UAB Department of Music presents more than 150 concerts, recitals, master classes and lectures each year – many of them free – for more than 400,000 people throughout the region. The department features 17 ensembles. Visit the department online at www.music.uab.edu.

Three Kings

Brian Denton gave us this:




Their sound is superb. Listen to the nuances they give (or not) and let's discuss in rehearsal.

Early would be a good thing

Remember: First Baptist Birmingham NOT Bluff Park Methodist

Address:

First Baptist Church of Birmingham
2209 Lakeshore Drive
Birmingham, Alabama 35209

Directions

From I-459/Hoover and Pelham area

Take I-65 North to the Lakeshore exit. Take a right on Lakeshore. Stay on Lakeshore, passing Samford on your left. We are located just past Samford on the corner of Lakeshore and Hwy. 31.

From I-459/Trussville and Liberty Park area

Take Hwy 280 North from I-459 to the Lakeshore/Homewood. Take a left on Lakeshore. Stay on Lakeshore, passing Brookwood Village Mall on your left. We are located just past Brookwood Village on the corner of Lakeshore and Hwy. 31. Go under the Hwy. 31 bridge and we are on the right.

From I-59/20 and North Birmingham

Take I-65 South to the Lakeshore exit. Take a left on Lakeshore. Stay on Lakeshore, passing Samford on your left. We are located just past Samford on the corner of Lakeshore and Hwy. 31.

A bad dream

Great creativity here:

Ben's Song

WE is smarter than ME.

Get to work, you creative members of the Chamber Choir.


Ben's Song

The Misnomer

Following yesterday's conversation about virile, viral, and virulent regarding "Videntes stellam" (confession time: I was confusing virulent for virile), Sadie and I had this conversation:

Me: I've decided to change my screen name to Dr. Vocabulary.
Sadie: Wow, that's a misnomer.
Sadie: Wait, do you know what a misnomer is?

Hilarity ensued.

Press release for Selma and Montgomery

NOV. 15, UAB CONCERT CHOIR TO PRESENT FREE CONCERT
AT SELMA’S FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH


BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Concert Choir will present two free concerts at churches in Montgomery and Selma Sunday, Nov. 15. The choir will perform at 4 p.m. at Memorial Presbyterian Church, 2130 Bell Road, Montgomery, then at 7 p.m. at Selma’s First Presbyterian Church, 301 Broad St. Call the UAB Department of Music at 205-934-7376 or visit www.music.uab.edu.


Philip Copeland, D.M.A., conducts the 42-voice a cappella choir. Audiences will be amazed by the musical artistry and technical accuracy of the UAB students as they sing works frequently featured in international competitions of choral music. Copeland has selected a diverse program for the performance that includes stunning music from five centuries and five nations, including Latvian, Latin and Hungarian works as well as several spirituals and hymns.


On the program is Toivo Tuula’s “Auringon Noustessa,” a work that celebrates a promised freedom from oppression. Also featured is Finnish composer Jaakko Mäntyjärvi’s arrangement of “Death May Dissolve Me,” a work from William Billings, the United States’ most famous early American composer. The work also features the spiritual poetry of Isaac Watts, known as the “Father of English Hymnody,” whose hymns “Joy to the World” and “O God Our Help in Ages Past” are well known to church congregations.


The UAB Concert Choir frequently introduces lesser known choral masterpieces to the classical audience of Birmingham. In this concert, a work from English composer Cecilia McDowall and Lithuanian composer Vytautas Miškinis will be included. Other works to be featured include the famous 16th century composer William Byrd’s “Haec Dies,” a standard among fine college choirs across the United States. “Esti dal” by Zoltan Kodaly, one of Hungary’s best known composers, also will be included on the program.


Touring nationally and internationally, the UAB Concert Choir has quickly gained recognition as one of Alabama’s finest a cappella choirs. In March 2010, the choir will be featured at the American Choral Directors Association regional convention in Memphis, Tenn. The choir was recently featured at the National Collegiate Choral Organization (NCCO) convention in Cincinnati, Ohio. In 2008, the choir won the Heinrich Schütz Perpetual Trophy for their performance of a work by the Baroque composer in the Fleischman International Choral Competition in Cork, Ireland. It was UAB’s second international competition; the first was participation in the 34th annual Florlilege Vocal de Tours in Tours, France, where the choir won two awards, the Prix Du Ministère de La Culture, an award given for best interpretation of a French choral work, and shared the top award in the Mixed Choirs Category.


About UAB

UAB is the first all-Steinway piano school in Alabama. The UAB Department of Music presents more than 150 concerts, recitals, master classes, and lectures each year - many of them free - for more than 400,000 people throughout the region. The department features 17 ensembles. Visit the department online at www.music.uab.edu.


VIDEO: www.youtube.com/uabnews TEXT: www.uab.edu/news TWEETS: www.twitter.com/uabnews

Seeing things for what they are

I've given lots of time and energy to the "France" question for about a year now.  My personal experience with Paris and the Tours competition as a performer and conductor drives me to want to do it as many times as I can. 

I've looked at the possibility of going in May 2010 and I've come to the decision that it just won't work for us this year.

The primary reason:  we can't go and be the choir we are.  There are too many people who, for whatever reason, can't go.  We can't hope to compete on an international level without a nearly full complement of singers.

I propose this:


We start planning for 2011.  Dates for the festival are May 28 and 29.  Cost will likely be the same as it is now or a little more.

What say ye?

Fantastic TED talk on conducting and leadership

A fantastic viewing and commentary on great conductors.

Ryan will be a great choir director one day . . .

if he keeps going to all of his classes, that is.

He's reviewed the video from yesterday's rehearsal and made keen observations. I'm guessing the exercise took about two hours for him (or more). He's watching and listening like a choir director and I really admire that.

I am thrilled to have such a passion for excellence from so many of you in the group. We are working together to make something as good as it can be. It is motivating to me and inspiring to others. There are other choir directors that follow this blog - I know they long for this type of passion from their choir members.

In my response to Ryan, I told him this:

There is a "time" to fix things and a time to let them go (for now). On a Thursday before a Saturday performance I am likely to make a few small fixes but ignore most of what you have here - not that I doubt any of what you heard but because of "when" it is in the mindset of the choir. We have a certain momentum going into Saturday and picking apart everything today/tomorrow will lead to a worse performance, not a better one.

From a group perspective, that is my approach - we are gathering momentum and heading towards an exciting performance. However, individuals can make many of the small changes he talks about here without me addressing it to the group as a whole. I encourage you to read his comments and fix what you can (a few responses from me accompany his words):

Abide With Me -
1) 1st chord on the word "Abide", we still have the tendency sometimes to sound a bit country and lazy like "Uh-bide", needs more "AHH"
2) Sometimes we over do the accents & sfp at the beginning of phrases.
Ex: Help of the helpless, Through cloud and sunshine, or In life, in death.
3) In measures 21-22 (1st system top of 4) it sounds like we are stabbing the song, haha, if that makes any sense...by that i mean, it seems like we are trying to have such crisp consonants and sing each note so precise that we are overdoing it and it's making us have a bit harsher sound than we do throughout the majority of the piece, not as smooth as other sections of the song. (That could also be because you took us faster over that section than you did any other, idk.)
4) Since we are at mf for the majority of the piece, when the men get to measures 40-43 (the entire Amen section, minus the last one) we are clearly not at a mp, we are singing too loud.
To me, it seems the climax of the song is in measure 37-39 "in life, in death, o lord abide with me"
and after that it should come back down. I think by the end of the song, we have made our statement that we can't make it in life alone without the help of this higher power and that we are at rest now, knowing that no matter what happens, we are in the presence of the lord and that he will take care of us. The women do a good job, of keeping "peaceful and prayerful" but it sounds like the men are still looking for an answer, as if we aren't at peace by singing as loud as we are. You need to bring us down. (this is Ryan stepping into my area of interpretation - he can change it when he is standing in front of the group)
5) overall, i think that i a solid piece. i think we balance really well on it.

Dziedot -
1) Sopranos could sing with a bigger sound
2) In measure 12, half of the men saying "mah-nye" like eye, instead of "mah-nee" like key
3) Tenors are sitting a little too heavy on "aiz dziedot" in measures 14-15, they could lighten the sound up a bit.
4) Measure 17 is not locking in. Sopranos are not getting to the High F quick enough, sounds a bit screechy. Sounds like a few voices in other sections aren't sure of the 1st note in that measure either. Something to look into.
5)Measure 21, Soprano 1's. Sounds a bit thin and pitchy going from the High G to High Bb.
6) Dynamics! We don't do them at all in this song. our ff isn't too far from our p in this piece. We will crescendo, but we won't descrescendo, it's just all loud, and louder. (again, this is what I'm asking for, so don't change)
7) it's obvious that we know this song, we just need to use some musicality. this is pretty solid as well.

Aurington -
For this to be our least prepared piece, it sounds good.
My only opinions on this is that Sopranos need to blend and sound
like one voice in measure 2. (I've been thinking the same thing - Sopranos a little softer on that E)
Also, bass/baritones need to blend and sound like one voice in all the places
that we are isolated and singing by ourselves on the first page, sounds a bit weak.
* although i must say that starting in measure 17, where the basses come in with the melody,
then pass it off to the tenors, and the tenors to the altos, and the altos to the sopranos....
that section is sounding really good. The mens section on the top of pg 8 sounded a bit more
gelled today as well, was good but could be better though. (watch for individual voices sticking out on the tenor line)

Haec Dies -
1)Soprano 2's (Second group of them) sound better on their opening "Haec",
the most solid they have all year really...but it could still use more a bit more blend, space. and fowardness like the Sop 1's have. The Sop 2's sound a bit whimpy. They're good in every other section they sing, or at least from what i can pick out.
2) Soprano 1's "Dominus" from measure 20-22, sounds slightly pitchy and lacking some support.
3)Altos "In-e-a" measure 30-31, a little flat.
4)Basses entrance on "exultemus", measure 32 & m.34 , is flat, due to some scooping throughout the section. (I've not heard this but I don't doubt it)
5)Basses attack the 1st 2 entrances in the Alleluia section (m. 47. and m.53) with a little too much glottal, it causes the chord to sound jerky, hope that makes sense.
6) We tend to rush towards the end, it seems more obvious to me at the bottom of pg. 17 in the soprano 1's, because when we get to pg. 18, sometimes to soprano 1's line clashed with soprano 2's line...doesnt seem like they were in the same tempo. but only slightly.
7) good piece overall.

Regina Caeli -
1) Measure 23-24 is a key spot for us to go flat. It doesnt sound like we are getting all the way up from the A at the end of "laetare" to the the B on "regina", it's a unison note, and we aren't all singing the same B, that's for sure. Pitchy spot.
2) m.34-35, some bass or basses are flat on the A
3)m.39 altos and basses sound like they are saying "Qui-UH-quem" instead of "Qui-AH-quem" (excellent observation)
4)m.44, second beat of the measure, on "re", that chord sounds a bit weird and not lined up, it comes and goes very quickly, but it needs to line up for us to stay in tune for the rest of the song.
I don't think everyone is getting their notes there. We should hold.
5)m.52, when the altos come in, they sound slightly flat, idk, that could just be the recording on that one...but it doesnt sound all the way in tune.
6)m.60-61, make sure sopranos are singing those half steps right, sounds just under pitch, or maybe even wrong notes. either/or. idk.
7) strong piece, we just have to listen to each other and tune.

Death -
I really don't know what to say for this one, just because it' so much happening at once.
Um, i think again my biggest issue is the dynamics...i know we do get soft in some parts,
but overall it just sounds like we are singing loud for the most part overall. But then again,
it could just be the recording on my laptop...i would like to see more drastic differences between our ff, f, mf, mp, p, & pp's. (I've wondered about this myself) We stayed in tune. That's great. More work and molding to be done to this piece though, idk what, but it's def not to the place where it can be..for US that is. where exactly that place is, i dont know. But i think by experimenting with different dynamics we can find it.

Esti Dal -
1) Our entrances....making sure we come in strong and on pitch, but not loud.
It's a hard thing to do, and i think we are all scared of those "m's" from the basses entrance to the altos, the first pitch is always questionable for a split second and then it settles. I think it's a breath vs dynamic thing. People seem to asscociate quiet and soft with whimpy; the 2 arent related. The notes aren't being supported. It seems like an easy song and most of us think it is the easiest (singing one note, harldy any words.) To me, this is one of the more challenging pieces...for me anyway. Trying to keep the pitch up, while also trying to create this steady stream of sound to support the Sopranos who are soooo exposed. it's hard.
2) Sopranos from the beginning aren't blending, some people need to SING OUT.
They also have a few pitchy moments throughout the piece.
3)When the Tenors come in, in m.13, their "En" doesn't match the sopranos "en" which they sing a beat or so before the tenors, nor does it match the "en" the altos sing after them. I know you want it a bit brighter, and not too dark..but it sounds a little too bright and a bit throaty.
4) Beautiful song, if we put all the pieces together, again more concentration...even though this song is simple, it still requires our attention. Ps: we ended in tune. Idk if we dropped and then brought it back up. But we started on F# and ended on F# going into Nunc.

Nunc -
1) Good transition from Esti I think.
2) could use a bit more of the Alto2 note in 1st measure on "domine"
3)We were in tune up until m.9 on "lumen", it was just slightly under pitch,
then in m.10 we dropped on completely down the half step.
4)Soprano 1s need to watch pitch on "gloria" m.17 and again on "gloria" in m.19
5) All mens "et" in m. 18 could tune and balance much better.
6)m.81, the last big "nunc", we are oversinging, it's only f, we are def singing it at a ff, we need to back off, it's such a beautiful phrase, but we are pushing on it and making it sound forced. I only mean we dont need to sing so loud on the word "nunc" just because 4 of the 6parts singing in that chord are all singing the same note (D). so when we push on it, it doesnt really tune and sounds a bit gross. the volume on everything after that was perfect.
7)We ended in the original key as it is written.
8) I think that this is our best piece. or at least the piece we performed today. Just my opinion.

Revised France Payment Schedule

Deposit of $250 per person with Application Form by November 1
Payment of $750 per person by January 1
Payment of $750 per person by March 1, 2010
Balance due on receipt of final invoice sent approximately 30 days prior to departure

Reminder: Don't Drink and Then Commit a Felony

Sheriff: Drunk father, son rob home; son passes out

By The Associated Press

October 14, 2009, 7:10PM

CARTERSVILLE -- Officials say a drunk father and son burglarized a Cartersville home and were caught after the son was found passed out under the invalid homeowner's bed.

DeKalb County Sheriff Jimmy Harris said today that 37-year-old Christopher Wright of Trenton, Ga., and his son, 19-year-old Caleb Wright, of Higdon, were arrested Sunday.

Harris said they broke into the home around 2 a.m. Sunday and took car keys, medication, about $200 in cash and $100 worth of jewelry. They were about to leave when one of the residents woke up, and they hid.

Christopher Wright sneaked out but Harris said Caleb Wright apparently passed out in his hiding place under the homeowner's bed.

The homeowner's wife found him around dawn and called a neighbor and police. The neighbor turned out to be Caleb Wright's grandfather. He turned the young man over to police.

Anyone want a Google Voice invite?

I have three.  Let me know.

Haec Dies Replacement

This is what I picked out today.

Understanding my position on France

Choir,

Don't mistake my lack of a "strong push" to indicate that I lack enthusiasm for going to France this year.  I certainly want to go and compete.  It is one of my favorite memories as both a singer and as a conductor!

At the same time, I can't push you too hard - if it doesn't happen for us then it won't be the end of the world.  I bet that there are very few choirs traveling to Europe this year because of the poor economy.  If it doesn't happen, it doesn't happen.

We'll talk more soon.  For now, we have a big concert ahead of us.  I can't wait.

Reposting about Auringon

Originally posted August 13th:

Auringon noustessa with spaces.
Auringon noustessa without spaces.

Nää, oi mun sieluni, auringon korkea nousu
See, O my soul, how the sun rises over the rooftops,

ylitse kivisen kaupungin kattojen, katuin,
Over the wide stony wilderness of this bleak city,

ylitse vuossatain valheen ja tuntien tuskan
Over the centuries of falsehoods and moments of misery,

koittava kirkkaus!
Bold dawning brightness!

Nää, oi mun sieluni, katoovan elämän autuus!
See, O my soul, see the bliss of our life frail and fleeting!

Niinkuni ääretön temppeli on se sun eessäs,
Like an infinite temple it stands before thee,

alla sen holvien on ikiaikojen
Under its somber vaults in ancient silence

äänetön hartaus mestarin hengen.
the soul of the master breathes never-ending.

Nää, oi mun sieluni, yössäkin korkehin kirkkaus,
See, O my soul, how the blackest of nights turn to dawning,

tuskassa tummien hetkien rauha ja riemu,
Moments of darkest despair to relief and rejoicing,

vuossatain valheessa, elämän valheessa valkein,
See how amidst ancient falsehoods of life

iäisin totuus!
Still the brightest truth stands eternal!

The Wynfrey?

Does the UAB football team spend the night at the Wynfrey hotel before every football game or does the coach live there?

Look.

http://twitter.com/uabcallaway

Fringe and Guns

Addicted to Fringe these days . . . . and this is hilarious.

France 2010

Official brochure here.

Looks great!

am i strange for liking this?

http://www.soundsleeping.com/vibes.html

Try "flute" with "creek"

Missing Death Dissolving Me

I hope you enjoyed your vacation from class today.

I missed working on "Death Dissolves Me.

But I had a great shrimp poboy.

Choir No Longer Singing @ UAB Anniversary Event

I had a feeling about this -

We are no longer invited to sing at the UAB Anniversary Event, so plan on attending class that day.

Great Day

Found a recording:

http://www.lycochoir.com/mp3s/1964greatday/greatday.html

From Charles to you

Choir,

Thank you for your performance Friday. I know you were all stressed about a performance so early in the year, but there was not a hint of unpreparedness or uncertainty in your set. Each piece was stellar in its own way, with chords locking in with precision and energy. Your faces on Haec dies were stunning! even though they may have all been an act!

But what I really wanted to thank you for was your performance of Abide With Me.

Not only did the song have special meaning for everyone there with it being September 11th, but that song reached me in a very personal, spiritual way. The Chamber Choir performed this piece my freshman year, and since then I have been in love with that piece.

However, you brought it to a new level. I could feel that this song was a prayer, not just a song to be performed. I closed my eyes, and your song transcended the performance at AVA and became my personal prayer.

I felt as though the choir was singing TO me and expressing my thoughts FOR me, and for the second time in my life, a piece of music moved me to tears. I was extremely proud to have been a part of that group for so long, and I am so proud for each and every one of you. I'm looking forward to even more the rest of the year.

Love to all,

Charles Henry

Great first concert

Superb job yesterday, everyone.

And I'm glad to report that Victoria is better (but that she has the flu).

I got great comments from many people after the concert. Would love to hear what you heard.

The best: Great job - four memorized works performed very well with only four weeks of classes.

The worst: uniform emergencies on the day of the concert

The solution: Crash Course on Stephen Covey, Habit 1

2:00 Call Tomorrow - Dawson Baptist Church

Directions here.

And here:


View Larger Map

Great rehearsals for Chamber Singers and Concert Choir

Mark it down - great rehearsals in both choirs today.

Way to go, teams!

ACDA Information

Found out ACDA warm-up and performance time today:

Sound Check: The sound check for the performance is scheduled for Thursday, March 11 from 11:15 - 11:45 am.

Performance: March 12, 2010 at 9:30 am in the Cannon Center.

It looks like we need to leave on Thursday morning, probably at 6:00 a.m.

Distance on Google Maps here.

Daniel4President

Check out UAB Music Professor Scott Phillip's son's website as he runs for 6th grade president!

France Verdict

It looks postive!

36 MOST LIKELY and YES
5 No's
1 will tell me later.

France Verdict

There is none.  I've not looked at the cards yet.

A compliment from DGJ

Choir,

You received a compliment today from a choral director in New York: David Griggs Janower. I follow his blog and left him a link to a subject he was discussing (sabbaticals).

Here's a screen shot of the compliment:
Why don't you tell him thank you?

And . . . developing a national/international reputation is one of the reasons we sing at ACDA conferences, NCCO conferences, and international competitions.

Concert in Huntsville

Received a FaceBook invite to this today - might be a great road trip for lovers of Choral Music:

Host:	Huntsville Master Chorale
Type:	Music/Arts - Concert
Network:	Global
Price:	No admission charge; donations gratefully accepted. (There is a charge for the Gorham's Bluff concert.)

Date:	Friday, September 25, 2009
Time:	7:30pm - 9:00pm
Location:	First Presbyterian Church
Street:	307 Gates Avenue
City/Town:	Huntsville, AL

Join the Huntsville Master Chorale for this concert of musical compositions about the beauty and enchantment of evening. You will hear contrasting works by famed American composers Morten Lauridsen and Samuel Barber, both of which have set the famous poem by Jame Agee, Sure on this Shining Night. Brahms' Vier Quartette, Opus 92, is based on poems by various poets, all of which touch on the subjects of evening and autumn. Brahms uses piano as an accompanying instrument to bring out the lush harmonies and interesting melodies. There will also be a set of pieces by Mozart, all of the texts taken from the Offices of Vespers and Compline (sung during evening). His Laudate Dominum will feature local soprano Karen Young, and his Regina Coeli will feature local soloists, Karen Young, Shonda Devine, Glenn Humphrey and Michael Beutjer. The latter set is based on songs of dreams, infusing texts and compositions from many different periods and of composers such as Max Reger, Josef Rheinberger, and Benjamin Britten. A set of folk songs concludes the program, two of which were arranged by the famous duo, Robert Shaw and Alice Parker. The final composition, My Old Kentucky Home, Good Night! was arranged by James Mulholland.

Michael Jackson Medley

Very cool.

Program for AVA

Memo coming today.

PDF of program here.

Strangely Intimate

I got a little uncomfortable watching this:

Oh Yeaah . ..

But, believe it or not, NO Lemon Fanta:

Welcome Troy University choir to blogging!

Choir,

Just found out about Troy's director blogging. Why don't you go say hello?

ht Ryan A Reese

Embarassing

Wow.

Advertising forms

Advertising forms for UAB Concert Choir

For Mercer's Music Faculty

Link to Mercer Music Faculty presentation handout

Concert Choir - Haec dies split

Concert Choir,

Please be prepared on Haec dies tomorrow. Here are the splits:

Top
Meredith Foster
Leah Hudspeth
Briana Moore
Elizabeth Wesson
Ariel Reid
Maegan Reid

Middle
Samantha Ashley
Madison Holler
Sadie Mason-Smith
Malorie Yance
Rhea Reuter
Lori Ayler
Bobbi Kirby

Bottom
Hannah Boyd
Emily Fledderman
Trinity Gilliam
Jessica Johnson
Victoria Gosnell
Nancy Lewis
Hillary Miller
Sarah Stevenson
Jennifer Thorp

Top
Shane Bloemetjie
Mark Kunkle
Brian Denton
Kiyoshi Scissum
Kuni Scissum
Micah Brooker
Jeremy Concepcion

Middle
Sean Fleischmann
Lincoln Parrott
Chris Barbee
Jordan Burcham
Charles Daniel
Adam Evans
Aaron Grayson

Bottom
Justin Beatty
Eric Harris
Will Sparks
Patrick Edwards
Alex Fecanin
Tyler Henderson
Tony Morse
Ryan Reese

registration for uab audition day

Register here.

Auringon noustessa - Toivo Kuula (1883-1918)

Auringon noustessa with spaces.
Auringon noustessa without spaces.

Nää, oi mun sieluni, auringon korkea nousu
See, O my soul, how the sun rises over the rooftops,

ylitse kivisen kaupungin kattojen, katuin,
Over the wide stony wilderness of this bleak city,

ylitse vuossatain valheen ja tuntien tuskan
Over the centuries of falsehoods and moments of misery,

koittava kirkkaus!
Bold dawning brightness!

Nää, oi mun sieluni, katoovan elämän autuus!
See, O my soul, see the bliss of our life frail and fleeting!

Niinkuni ääretön temppeli on se sun eessäs,
Like an infinite temple it stands before thee,

alla sen holvien on ikiaikojen
Under its somber vaults in ancient silence

äänetön hartaus mestarin hengen.
the soul of the master breathes never-ending.

Nää, oi mun sieluni, yössäkin korkehin kirkkaus,
See, O my soul, how the blackest of nights turn to dawning,

tuskassa tummien hetkien rauha ja riemu,
Moments of darkest despair to relief and rejoicing,

vuossatain valheessa, elämän valheessa valkein,
See how amidst ancient falsehoods of life

iäisin totuus!
Still the brightest truth stands eternal!

Esti dal

I first blogged about Esti dal here and then an inspired post here. Now I'm preparing resources to help us master the language.

Here is the pronunciation without spaces.
Here is the pronunciation with spaces.


Erdő mellett est vélëdtem,
As I lay down for the night by the edge of the woods,

Subám fejem alá tëttem,
I pull my blanket up to my chin.

Összetëttem két kezemet,
I put my hands together,

Úgy kértem jó Istenëmet:
Thus imploring you, my good Lord

Én Istenëm, adjál szállást,
My Lord, grant me a place to stay,

Már mëguntam a járkálást
For I’ve grown tired of wandering,

a bujdosást,
Of hiding,

Az idegën földön lakást.
Of living in a foreign land

Adjon Isten jó éjszakát,
My Lord, grant me a good night.

Küldje hozzám szent angyalát,
Send me your blessed angel

Bátoritsa szívünk álmát,
To give courage to the dreams in our hearts.

Adjon Isten jó éjszakát,
My Lord, grant me a good night.

NJ Teacher To Pay $22K Fine For Phone Call

It's true, read some of the story:

NJ Teacher To Pay $22K Fine For Phone Call
Asbury Park Teacher To Pay Large Fine For 4-Minute Call Made During Class

Her lawyer says a New Jersey teacher won't appeal a $22,000 fine for making a four-minute personal call in class. Attorney Stephen Hunter says Desley Getty acknowledges she made a mistake.

The 120-day salary forfeiture will be based on calendar days and will be deducted from a base salary of about $70,000.

A couple of thoughts:

• I made $19,000 in my first year of teaching in Clinton, Mississippi.  She's being fined more than I made that entire year.
• $70,000 is a great salary for a teacher.  no teacher makes close to that in alabama.
  
• $22,000 seems a little excessive for a phone call during class, eh?
  

updating contacts

choir,

i'm updating contacts on my beautiful blue iphone. i'm adding pictures to my contacts via my google contacts. google may send you an email "suggesting a picture for you."

it doesn't mean i'm stalking you. yet. soon.

don't forget about auditions. lots of great singers this year.

Auditions for Concert Choir

Here it is again.

Sunday, August 16

4:00 for men
5:30 for women
8:00 callbacks if needed

We'll use #308 and #312 (theory room).

King of the world

Something new happened the other day . . . my daughter Caroline interrupted me and told me about a song she had just heard on the radio. Now . . . that may not sound so odd to you . . . but none of the girls had ever played with a radio until just recently . . and it was strange to have one of them tell me about something I had never heard of.

Anyway . . . she sang something about "daddy" and "king of the world." I was mildly amused and googled it. Here's what I found. And that was it! Caroline was so pleased.

We listened to it together - and I've got to tell you - I was amazed that my little girl got the message of the song and that it made her think of me. And then I was moved emotionally - the song became a profession of love from Caroline to me.

I'm still a little stunned . . . she found a way to reach me in the medium that means so much to me . . . music.

We found a YouTube video of it tonight and then a little children's story based on the song (or vice versa?). Anyway . . . guess what my new favorite song is?

uab welcomes und

Choir . . .

Why don't you go welcome the University of North Dakota to the blogging world?

For Washington ACDA

Here's the link to my presentation notes.

Someone is watching you - so always be nice here

Got this email today:

I have been following your choir blog for a time now and I really love how you use it to communicate with your singers. It seems great for the technical, logistical stuff, but even more so for the sense of community and esprit de corps it promotes. I am planning doing the same thing with my group on an experimental basis to see if it works for me (will I be able to post regularly) and my kids (will they read it).

I hope you don't mind me stealing your idea. I see a lot of potential, for a very low cost (basically free). If you have any tips for getting started, I'm all ears. I plan on using wordpress at this point.

Thanks. Have a great rest of the summer.

Joshua Bronfman
Director of Choral Activities
University of North Dakota

king's singers - esti dal

Transitional moments of beauty

A little more about my programming decisions for the ACDA conference - this one concerning the final two pieces.

Harry was right in his comment . . Nunc is a fabulous ending piece. However, it is the performance and transition from "Esti dal" to "Nunc dimittis" that is really going to be cool . . . we go from a children's lullabye into the historic Song of Simeon.

We'll use this translation for Esti dal:

As I lay down for the night by the edge of the woods,
I pull my blanket up to my chin.
I put my hands together,
Thus imploring you, my good Lord

My Lord, grant me a place to stay,
For I’ve grown tired of wandering,
Of hiding,
Of living in a foreign land

My Lord, grant me a good night
Send me your blessed angel
To give courage to the dreams in our hearts.
My Lord, grant me a good night.

and then we sing the Nunc dimittis . . . translated here:

Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace : according to thy word.
For mine eyes have seen : thy salvation,
Which thou hast prepared : before the face of all people;
To be a light to lighten the Gentiles : and to be the glory of thy people Israel.

There's more, though. I want you to get my personal story behind the "Esti dal." I "discovered" the piece while i was reading this blog, by composer Michael Kaulkin. I was reading it one evening while I was putting the girls to bed. Then - and now - we help the triplets fall asleep by staying with them in their room each night until they drift off to sleep. It is a very sweet time - one that is almost 'holy' to any parent - and I read this blog during that 'winding down' time with the girls. I was very moved by Kaulkin's story - and I still am every time I read it.

Here's what Kaulkin has to say about Esti dal:

Esti Dal is a very short and simple piece that offers its lovely melody three times. The first and third statements are given by the sopranos, accompanied by sustained humming from the lower parts. The middle statement blossoms with majestic counterpoint, and during this part Philo moves his hands expressively, much as a conductor does, and visibly moved by the slight ritard at the end of the verse. I, of course, am thrilled.

So . . . when we are performing Kodaly's incredible work . . . I'll be thinking about several things simultaneously:

1. the incredible beauty of the moment - my beautiful choir singing this beautiful lullabye.
2. the love I have for my three girls and the sweetness of our bedtime ritual
3. the wonder of technology - that I can be inspired and moved by a father's love for his son - a composer i've never met - sharing his love for music with his son
4. the tie with the Song of Simeon - the words are said to have been uttered by a man holding the infant Jesus - thanking his heavenly father that he had seen "God's salvation for the world" in the eyes of that little baby.

The translation that we'll use for Esti dal is Mr. Kaulkin's . . .

It will be his words that I meditate upon in the interpretation of Kodaly's music.

Looking ahead

For you eager beavers:

ACDA Probable Program:

Dziedot dzimu (score) (mp3) (info)

Auringon Noustessa (itunes link) look here - sign up required

Haec dies - William Byrd (score) (itunes link)

Regina Caeli - cecilia mcdowall (itunes link)

Death may dissolve me - Mantyjarvi - info

Esti dal - Kodaly (itunes link)

Nunc dimmitis - Miskinis (mp3)

A Hard Line

Folks,

With the huge year that lies ahead of us, I will be pulling a hard line when it comes to absences at the early rehearsals - and by that I mean the Saturday rehearsals in the first six weeks of school.

Our huge year includes:
1. a concert on Sept. 11 for choral music educators
2. fundraising concerts for the France trip
3. an ACDA regional convention appearance
4. an international choral competition

I have given you dates more than five weeks before the start of class. That is time for you to re-arrange conflicts that appear - now - as our complicated lives come into focus for the fall semester. It's time for you to work out job responsibilities, family responsibilities, and fun trips to the beach or concerts out of state.

If you want to be a part of the fabulous year that we have planned, you need to work out your calendar conflicts with the choir schedule - especially early in the year. I am, and will always be, sensitive to important events that occasionally conflict with what I have planned. But don't count on a successful negotiation.

Dates for Concert Choir

This is always a work in progress, but here's what I know now:

8/16 Auditions
8/18 First day of class
8/21 Likely no full choir rehearsal on Friday afternoon. There may be sectionals.
8/22 Saturday rehearsal (9-12 noon)
8/29 Saturday rehearsal
9/11 AMEA Performance (Fall Workshop)
9/19 Saturday rehearsal
10/15 - 10/16 No class - fall break
10/24 Fall Concert
10/25 Possible fundraising concert
10/29 Possible fundraising
11/8 Montgomery Concert?
11/15 Montgomery Concert? (THIS IS THE MOST LIKELY DATE AS OF 7/13)
11/12 Collegiate Choral Festival
12/5 Christmas at the Alys
12/7 Concert Choir Exam Time
12/8 Concert Choir Exam Time
12/10 and 12/11 Probable voice juries
12/13 Possible fundraising concert
12/16 Advent/Christmas Concert at South Highland Presbyterian Church

1/30 UAB Honor Choir Concert
March 10-13 ACDA Convention
April 23 UAB Spring Concert

France possible tour:
5/25 Tues Birmingham AL or ATL Overseas flight
5/26 Wed Chartres Arrive – Chartres
5/27 Thurs Chartres “Warmup” concert
5/28 Fri Tours Florilège Vocal de Tours
5/29 Sat Tours Florilège Vocal de Tours
5/30 Sun Tours Florilège Vocal de Tours finale
5/31 Mon Paris Transfer – visit to Fontainebleau or Versailles enroute
6/1 Tues Paris Concert or Wed. Sightseeing (Louvre)
6/2 Wed Paris
6/3 Thurs Return Flight home

Google Calendar Links

UAB Concert Choir Calendar - XML Version
UAB Concert Choir Calendar - ICAL Version
UAB Concert Choir Calendar - HTML Version

UAB Chamber Singers Calendar - XML Version
UAB Chamber Singers Calendar - ICAL Version
UAB Chamber Singers Calendar - HTML Version

Create the UAB Choir Logo

Look at this



Pay attention to the upper right hand corner.

Can anyone design something that resembles that?

I'm thinking "UAB" where "OneJoyful" is.

Change "Choir" to "Choirs"

In place of the choir choir robes, alternate our tuxedo - dress - tuxedo - dress - tuxedo look.

Can anyone catch that vision and create it?

Good for your heart!

Hot tamales may grow stale, but coffee . . .

For Georgia ACDA

Greetings, Georgia ACDA!

Here's the document that contains the links to the websites/technlogies I mentioned during my presentation.

I meant to also mention this one:  Wiggio.

I'll be trying it out soon.

ACDA 2010

WOOHOO!

The UAB Concert Choir is officially invited to perform at the 2010 ACDA Southern Division Convention in Memphis, TN.

I'm also excited about an invitation for us to perform for the AVA Fall Workshop on Friday, September 11, 2009 at 3:00 p.m. at Dawson Memorial Baptist Church.

More on everything later.

Triplets turn 6 tomorrow (Friday, June 12)

Ah . . . the happiest moment of my life . . . holding those precious babies for the first time.  Think about it . .  those girls spent nearly nine months together growing inside my wife's body and this was their first moment together in their father's arms.  They've been in close proximity to each other ever since then.

This picture caught me feeling something I had never experienced before - pure joy that went to the core of what I am.

I didn't have the slightest idea about how to be a father - but it begins pretty easily theoretically - you just feed, clean, comfort, and change diapers.  Luckily, the girls have helped me know what to do since then.  I occasionally have moments of insight on what I need to say or how I need to be, but most of the time I just try to make them happy.

We celebrate their sixth birthday tomorrow.  Three girls, three parties.  One at Chucky Cheese (Catherine) - one at Sweet & Sassy (Claire) and one at our home in a "Pretend Sleep-Over" Saturday night for Caroline.  (pretend sleep-overs are very popular in the 5 yr. old age bracket)

The girls are drifting off to sleep behind me right now . . . we try to end most days together this way.

"Thank you, God, for these girls. I'm privileged to call them mine."

Whitney nails a job - and confuses Google's transcript ability

Whitney is employed! Either that, or she got the dog she wanted!



This is how Google transcribed her message:

hi this is annie i'm calling to let you know in that hi yes yes i got the dog that i wanted to that you called for me about and thank you so much for doing that so i think but probably did have a lot of wait on it is and his assistant because he mentioned that yesterday so i'm totally sided and i'm to lisa price because i really did did not know i did have a great feeling about yesterday and i have a bad feeling better and have a great feeling so i'm super excited about an awful i'm on cloud 9 so i just wanna let you know in give you a big thank you thank you thank you and just call me i'll let you know details hi

What businesses do you frequent in Birmingham?

Concert Choir,

First a little story:

I ate lunch yesterday at one of the places I visit a lot for meals.  Before I left, I asked to speak to the manager and I told him:

• who I was (uab choir director)
• that I ate there often 
• that I was raising money for a local group
• and I wondered if he'd be interested in buying an advertisement 

He said that he normally didn't do that kind of thing but that he was interested in helping frequent customers to his business. 

So we're in a "raise money" phase in preparation for the France trip next year.

Over the next few weeks, I'm going to enter a "sell advertisements" phase and I'm wondering what businesses you frequent.  I have a group I'm working with in this endeavor and we brainstormed the following:

J Clyde's, Surin, TGIFriday's, Dive Shop, Al's Purple Onion, Twist & Shout
 
Where are the other places you spend money?  Where do you eat?  Where do you get your tux/dresses cleaned?  Where do you spend your money?

Let me know in the comments . . . and please sign your name.  Thanks!

Florilege Rules

Looking ahead:

It will begin on Friday, May 29, 2009 and will consist of three parts:

(I'm hoping the 2010 rules are the same as the 2009 rules - am checking now)

I. Qualifying Rounds
II. Final Rounds
III. Grand Prix

In all events, the order of performance of the works is decided by each ensemble.
All the pieces must be sung in the original language.
Encores are strictly forbidden.
All qualifying and final rounds are restricted to a cappella ensembles (except, possibly, final round a or b). The use of any musical or percussion instrument is forbidden.

I. QUALIFYING ROUNDS

The choice of program is left to each ensemble, but it must include three works:
a) One piece by a composer of the Renaissance, Baroque or Classical period. The Jury will pay special attention to keeping to the style;
b) One piece written after 1900;
c) One piece chosen freely from any period desired.

II. FINAL ROUNDS

The program is left to the choice of each ensemble, but it must include three works different from those chosen for the qualifying rounds.
a) One piece written during the 19th century;
b) One piece written after 1940 by a French composer;
c) One piece chosen freely from any period desired.
One of these two pieces (either a or b) will be possibly accompanied on the piano (a piano will be available on the stage).

In category IV, the program must include, as well for the qualifying round as for the final round, a cappella* freely chosen pieces (maximum 3 and different from the other category) by different composers.
For all categories and in each event (qualifying or final rounds) the total length of the pieces chosen must be between 7 and 11 minutes.
No piece may be longer than half of the total length of the choir’s program. This layout will not apply to the category IV nor to the Grand Prix program.
These Final Rounds will serve also for the awarding of the “Prix du Public” (by the audience).
The non-implementation of the above mentioned regulations concerning these rounds will lead to a penalty and possibly even to elimination.

(*) In category IV (a cappella) and also during the Grand Prix, the use of non-melodic percussion instruments is allowed.

III. GRAND PRIX

Among the choirs which have reached the final rounds, and according to their level during these final rounds, the jury will designate the 4 or 5 best ensembles that must participate in this Grand Prix competition. Please, remember that at the end of this last round, the “Grand Prix de la Ville de Tours” will be awarded to the choir whose performances during the entire competition will have been judged as the best.
The choirs chosen will present a program of their own choice of a total musical length between 18 or 22 minutes. This program must include one piece by a French composer and one piece accompanied by one to five freely chosen instruments (maximum 6 minutes). Each ensemble is responsible for providing its own pianist or musicians and instruments. Only a piano will be available on the stage.
The works chosen should be of at least 3 different periods. The jury will pay special attention to keeping to the style.
Only two works already presented in the qualifying and final rounds may be performed again.
The non-implementation of the above mentioned regulations concerning “Grand Prix” will lead to a penalty and possibly even to elimination.

June 1 update

Greetings again, fair students.

Some information on what I've been doing the past few days:

1. CD#1 and CD#2: I've been compiling recording sessions and recently separated it all out into two CD's worth of literature. I'll clue you in on more of this soon.

2. On May 15, I submitted our performance application for the 2010 ACDA Southern Division Convention in Memphis, TN. I don't have any idea if we will get in, but we are in the running. I'll post the news here whenever I receive the yes or no.

3. Plans are moving forward on our Performance Tour of France in May 2010. I've convened a fund raising committee and I'm working on ideas to make the total price more affordable for those that make UAB Concert Choir for 2009-1010. My ideas include:

* individual contributions
* company contributions (advertisements in our program)
* choir performances
* uab support

By the time you arrive for classes in the fall, I hope to have raised a significant amount of $$$ for our trip. One of the primary ways I'm going to try to raise money is in performances around town. In light of that, I'd like you to reserve these dates now:

* Vesper I - Thursday, Oct. 22
* Fall Concert - October 24 (saturday evening)
* Vesper II - Sunday, October 25 (evening)
* December 13 (evening concert) (maybe December 12 at Catholic church)
* December 20 (evening concert)
* Feb 17 Ash Wednesday concert
* March 24 and/or March 31 Lenten Concert

More later.

chris reid address

New address for Chris. Send him a letter:

PFC Reid, Christopher
B BTRY, 95th AG (RCPT) BN
PTRP
PO Box 975
Ft. Sill, OK 73503

(no packages)

Look

Had a great time tonight

A great end of the year, everyone.  What a superb night!

Jennifer T. took this picture of me and Claire.  I'll upload some of mine soon:

UAB Choir Ringtone

Here's the ringtone from tonight's award ceremony. (iPhone version)

Here's the MP3 version.

Choir Party - Salvatore's Pizza and Pasta

Time: 6 - 8
1594 Montgomery Hwy
Hoover, AL 35226
Phone: 205-823-7206
link

map

Call for Uniforms

Dresses and Tuxedos DUE TODAY!

Deposit the outfits in the Conference room - the room beside Dr. Mosteller's office - same hallway as my office.

Don't forget:

1. Uniform must be cleaned
2. Must have plastic covering on it
3. Must have your name clearly displayed

Thanks!

Fall Auditions 2009

Here is the date:

Sunday, August 16 beginning at

4:00 for men
5:30 for women
8:00 callbacks if needed

We'll use #308 and #312 (theory room).

Barbee sends me sweet note.

Recording session canceled

Canceling today:

Church air condition broken. Described as "sweltering."

Cork 2009 Results

Results
55th Cork International Choral festival, 29th April - 3rd May 2009

Fleischmann International Trophy competition Prize Winners

1st Prize
Kammerchor I Vocalisti, Germany
Conductor: Hans-Joachim Lustig
91.22%

2nd Prize
Brigham Young University Singers, U.S.A.
Conductor: Ronald Staheli
90.50%

3rd Prize
Nidaros Cathedral Girls Choir, Norway
Conductor: Anita Brevik
89%

3. Heinrich Schütz Perpeptual Trophy
Choir: Codetta, Ireland
Conductor: Donal Doherty
For the performance of: So fahr ich hin zu Jesu Christ

5. PEACE Trophy
The PEACE Trophy is awarded to:
Brigham Young University Singers, U.S.A.
Conductor: Ronald Staheli

Recording time

Concert Choir: 3:00
Chamber Singers: 4:00

Bluff Park Methodist.

OMG - Zombism!

Read it here:

After death, this virus is able to restart the heart of it’s victim for up to two hours after the initial demise of the person where the individual behaves in extremely violent ways from what is believe to be a combination of brain damage and a chemical released into blood during “resurrection.”

The Netherlands confirms its first case of zombie swine flu, in a three-year-old boy recently returned from Mexico. After passing away early this morning, he rose from the dead and lunged at his mother.

AAARrrrrrgh - FOILED AGAIN

Tatango lets me down.

Now it costs money to contact you via cell phone.

You are likely relieved.

Directions to Bluff park.

Look here.

Google Directions

SlideShare Mania Day

This one . . . augmented reality . . . very cool:

Designing for an Augmented Reality world

View more presentations from thomas.purves.