Friday, January 23, 2009

Tough to put in words

I wish I could easily sum up thoughts about the performance today.

I'll just list things at random . . . you feel free to add comments.
  1. great job to KS and TH tonight.  excellent recital.
  2. wasn't that a generous and wonderful expression from Dr. John Ratledge today?  Heartfelt, sincere, and very complimentary of your singing.
  3. Alleluia was probably the best we've sung it.  Thank, you, G# major and your remarkable tuning abilities.  not just loud, not just energized, but nuanced.
  4. i'm not sure about Glory be to God.  i think it was fine . . . a great crescendo on p. 3 and very fine last page.  i knew we were in fine form all morning but i wasn't positive until the end of Alleluia.
  5. o sacrum . . . rich and musical . . . i think we found everything we've found in that work before and more.
  6. Lily = Fire and Beauty.  on the last measure of the penultimate page . . INSIDE MY . . . .  .WOW!! Tenors or Baritones or SOMEONE gave more than they've ever given and sounded brilliant.  it really lit a fire.
  7. i'm reminded of the applause after Alleluia . . . i made a mistake and started the next piece too early . . the audience wanted to show more appreciation and i moved too soon.
  8. River . . . well tuned.  Thank you, Ab Major.  Wonderful refrain, beautiful ending.
  9. In the silence of time . . . was magical.  As i think about the whole performance I think that what I'm most happy about is the overall performance . . . we were excellent on everything and reigned supreme on a couple.  Alleluia=supreme.  Lily=Supreme.  Others=Excellent.  Am I wrong?
  10. excellent dynamic contrast.  we sang as soft as we've ever sung in Sacrum and Silence.  no . . . we were softer than we've ever sung.
  11. were your faces good?  i don't know . . . i was into the music and your wonderful sounds.
  12. had many comments from teachers and friends after the concert.  would like to hear your thoughts and reactions from the audience.

13 comments:

Madi said...

I was thoroughly pleased with our performance today. Personally, I was energized and excited, and I could tell by the look of pure joy on your face that you were, too.

I think we did really well, and I'm extremely proud of this choir and honored to be apart of it. Easily one of our best performances.

Sadie Awesome said...

I think you used too many ellipses in that list... but that's just me.

Unknown said...

I have rewritten the rules for ellipses . . . I will explain them to you later.

Sadie Awesome said...

... that may be, but it still reads like you're running out of breath...

Unknown said...

it's clear that you are lacking in . . . understanding . . .

Sadie Awesome said...

...yeah... THAT must be it.

Lori said...

Today was so very awesome. I felt so much excitement and pride in my veins that I totally didn't notice the complete numbness in my feet until we were leaving the stage.

I felt as though we were radiating positive and intense energy. The audience just soaked it all in. ( i hope) :)

And... yeah, I don't remember "O Sacrum" ever being that soft.

We're so cool.

Anonymous said...

I feel like what Dr. Ratledge said may have really gotten the snowball rolling and growing before we actually performed. I'm not sure if everyone else feels this way, but to get that sort of conformation about what you're doing just puts me on a whole new level. I may have felt more into the music than I ever have before. After seeing and hearing his response, it felt absolutely necessary to get the same response or more from the audience. After Garota the feeling in the room was just sublime. I couldn't stop laughing because it seemed like a little bit of that almost "holy" connection with the audience was reached. Perhaps the next step is for one to get to a point where one can move to that level without having to be pushed there by someone else. To be able to trigger all of that emotion and passion at any given moment. Anyway, the whole thing was nothing short of magical... It's a pretty fantastic feeling to be a part of something like this!

Chris Barbee

Anonymous said...

I will definitely have to agree with Chris. I know what Dr. Ratlege had to say inspired me. I'm so glad the concert went well, and I didn't fall.

Charles D

Anonymous said...

I would've given anything in the world to have been there with you guys. I'm glad that you all performed well.. I'm sure it was a magical and amazing experience, as always.

Staci

Anonymous said...

I've got to agree with everything Dr. Ratlege said. We have this incredible gift to give. Being at AMEA in the presence of some of my greatest musical influences I had as a kid and getting to give back to them was so special. I think we all realized that this gift we have, being able to sing together and share this common joy, isn't just for us. It reminds me that in giving everything away, you gain so much. I just feel blessed to do be able to do this with everybody. I'm by no means great at what I do, but I'm proud to be a part of this awesome group and share this blessing we have.

Anonymous said...

Cheers to a great performance and Charles not falling! Hip hip hooray!

Chris Barbee

Anonymous said...

Dr. Copeland, do we get an audio copy of the performance? I know you're going to recieve a DVD. I think it would be awesome to have a recording of the performance on the blog.

Charles D