"David Brunner's music is lyrical, fresh-sounding and always creative. His music is a favorite with the choir as well as the audience!"
Lynne Gackle
School of Music
Baylor University
Thursday, March 20, 2014 at 3:51PM UCF's Chamber Singers sang a short but beautiful program yesterday for the Bach's Lunch concert series at the cathedral of St. Luke in downtown Orlando. The program offered a little of everything -- Mozart, Mendelssohn, Paulus, Whitacre, Chydenius, my SUN, MOON, STARS, RAIN, and Dawson's Ain't a that Good News. St. Luke's is a beautiful gothic nave with an acoustic friendly to singers, where we love to perform.
Friday, March 14, 2014 at 6:14PM The Osceola All-County Elementary Chorus yesterday in Kissimmee (Kiss IM ee, not KISS imee) brought together 200 singers from 25 elementary schools in the county for a full day of singing and a concert last night with a capacity crowd. Thanks to music superviser Debbie Fahmie for the invitation, John Deir, organizer of the event, and the many teacher who prepared the children, including a number of alums from the University of Central Florida!
Tuesday, March 11, 2014 at 7:55PM This past week the Southern Division ACDA convention met in Jacksonville, Florida, so it was one of the few times I actually drove to convention. (the other time, I think, was when it was in Orlando -- a few blocks away from where I live!). It's always great to spend time with old friends, hear beautiful music, and eat some wonderful food. I loved Philip Keirstad's fantastic session with his 8th grade boys and Kristina Ploeger's Be Not Afraid session on vocal jazz improv. Pat Vaughan's Brethren sang the most memorable concert of the conference, a model of elegant programming and pacing, beautiful singing and emotional contour. Another gorgeous moment was the collaboration of the Atlanta Master Chorale, Spivey Hall Children's Chorus and Kennesaw State University Men's Ensemble in the Episcopal cathedral Saturday morning. Best food -- Marker 52's grilled oyster appetizer and seafood bowl (mussels, clams, shrimp, scallops, smoked fish, and house-made chorizo in a tasty broth). For dessert -- Pavlova with berries!
Saturday, March 1, 2014 at 9:56PM What an incredible few days with the Kansas All-State High School Mixed Chorus! They sang a gorgeous concert this afternoon of Mozart, Ola Gjeilo, Steven Sametz, Dan Davison, John Tebay, Stacey Gibbs, and my GLOTH OF GLORY. Huge thanks to Jane Vanderhoff, coordinator (and KMEA Teacher of the Year), Susan Lauschman, an impeccable pianist and gifted music educator, and the many others who contributed to the success of this choir. The 256 singers, themselves, were bright, engaging, playful, flexible, open, feelingful, and responsive to every suggestion and the smallest gesture. Truly a remarkable performance! Thanks to all for making this such a memorable weekend.
Sunday, February 2, 2014 at 11:07PM My short trip to New Orleans this weekend was full of music-making and wonderful food! The LMEA/ACDA District Youth Honor Chorus sang a beautiful concert today of Handel, Nancy Hill Cobb, Ken Berg, Rollo Dillworth and my JABBERWOCKY in Loyola University's music hall. Big thanks go to Melissa Brocado, coordinator, for expert planning, Amanda Wadsworth for her easy collaboration at the piano, and Cheryl Dupont, for the many things she is and does. The food, as always, was spectacular -- seafood gumbo and shrimp and grits at Ye Olde College Inn (the real name!), shrimp po'boy at the American Sector, and beignets in the fog this morning at Cafe du Monde. Mmm - mm!