Twin Premieres

The Exsultate chorale in Venice, Florida sang the premiere performance Sunday of two works they commissioned on texts by Wendell Berry.  A TIMBERED CHOIR and THE PEACE OF WILD THINGS were grouped with THE WHEEL, WE CLASP THE HANDS, and THE CIRCLES OF OUR LIVES to form a cycle of pieces, all on Berry texts. Each work was preceded by the reading of the poem, two of them recordings of Berry himself.  I find his words profound and elegant, with a great love for the land, the circles of generations, and the wheel of time connecting us all.  It was evident that the singers were connected to this awareness, as well.  Many thanks to all singers, board members and supporters who were invested in this special weekend, especially conductor Steve Johns and Tom Olshewsky, who conceived the idea, and pianist Mary Jeanne Moorman, whose sensitive playing shaped the performance.

Brainstorm Premieres

The Mississippi joint ACDA/MMEA conference at Southern Mississippi University in Hattiesburg concluded Saturday with six honor choir performances, including a 90 member (what! ninety?) show choir.  No, I didn't conduct that one...  The High School Mixed Choir was a delight, from our first rehearsal Thursday night to the performance.  What a great group of people!  Bravo/a to all who planned this event and prepared students for auditions and rehearsals.  The highlight was the premiere performance of the first commissioned work for this choir.  BRAINSTORM -- on a terrific text by Scott Lounsbury (WELL SUNG SONG, VOICE OF OUR SONG, E PLURIBUS CANTUS) all about the wonders of creativity -- explodes rhythmically and doesn't stop until the last measure, catapulting through nearly every key area available.  The singers' energy, enthusiasm, hard work and good humor was evident throughout the weekend.  What fun!

A Memorable Week

Just home from the national ACDA convention in Dallas where I heard some stunning concerts (the University of Philippines Madrigal Singers a memorable standout), interesting new works, and inspiring interest sessions.  Seeing a large group of long-time friends at a big birthday bash was a great way to start the week and I was so happy that Ellen Dominguez, Lonnie Tanner, and Paul Short all drove from their Texas abodes to be part of it.  Thanks, guys!  And thanks, Scott! Andre de Quadros' session on Music of the Muslim World:  Building Ridges, Creating Understanding, and Paul Caldwell's The Reasons Why They Sing were especially eloquent and important.  The Sloan Creek Middle School A Cappella Treble Choir's performance of my GRACE, conducted by Christina Chapman, was beautiful.  Brava to all these young singers! Food highlights include a pre-convention birthday dinner at Tei Tei Robata Bar -- a wonderful sampling of Asian grilled dishes over wood coals -- and final night dinner of fantastic wine and seafood in the sleek, contemporary atmosphere of Ocean Prime.

In The Round

Last night choirs from Seminole State College, Valencia College, Brevard Community College, and the University of Central Florida presented a concert together in the round sanctuary of Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Winter Park, Florida. Highlights of the evening were the massed choir works: Mendelssohn's Heilig, Palestrina's Sicut Cervus, Harris' Faire is the Heaven, and my THE MUSIC SINGS IN THEM. A great collaboration with friends and colleagues Dianna Campbell, Robert Lamb, and Alan Gerber.

This Is It!

Today was the premiere of THIS IS IT, a new piece for SATB choir with piano, on a James Broughton text that I've always loved. Lots of energy, changing meters, and strongly declamatory text. It's an affirming poem about the importance of you and me and she and he, and all about this moment, this now, this non-duality. "O it is This and it is Thus and It is Them and it is Us and it is Now and Here It is and Here We are so This is It". The North Dakota ACDA Middle School Mixed Honor Choir sang brilliantly. Their whole concert was a reflection of our great time together in rehearsal. Big applause to all of you!