Choral Mecca

Imagine if you will...

2006-06-06T19:09:00.000-05:00

sitting in a friend's living room in silence. A silence meant for preparation...Cars stream by outside, birds chirp outside the window and the constant whir of an aquarium conjures up a sense of the waters of baptism. What? Well, perhaps it was because we were preparing for worship that I was led to such thoughts.

I, along with many friends, serve as a church musician. We spend our Sunday mornings leading congregations by playing the organ or leading a choir(or two or three). It is our work and because of this it often fails to serve as worship for each of us. Our opportunities to worship outside of work are few and far between. So we have decided to start a house church.

House Churches are not atypical in the Christian church. The church itself has roots in this form of worship. There has been tremendous growth in this movement in the recent past. And while it is not meant to replace the worship that takes place in our churches, it certainly provides my friends and I with the opportunity to do so without worrying whether or not the choir anthem will succeed!

We Will Rock You??

2006-06-03T14:58:00.000-05:00

While the overwhelming majority of music on my ipod is choral, let it not be said that I do not have an appreciation for a variety of genres. One of my favorite genres of music is arena rock. The Brittish group Queen, specifically, is a favorite. I also enjoy Styx, but let us not derail... Can you combine choral music and arena rock? Check out this BBC article about a UK male choir singing Queen's most famous hit, "Bohemiam Rhapsody"!

Shocking...not

2006-06-03T14:42:00.001-05:00

Check out the latest discriminatory firing...

So...does your church choir have what it takes?

2006-06-03T14:26:00.000-05:00

Our "American Idol" nation has now come up with a reality show that will "search for America's most exciting church choir". The show, Voices of Joy , will begin auditioning choirs in the fall with the winning choir receiving $500,000 in educational scholarship money for their church community. Looks like my choir will not be getting the summer off!

Another option for the pitch-challenged choir...

2006-06-02T14:17:00.000-05:00

Check out this article(with sound clip) from BBC News about a Finnish Shouting Choir...

Addendum to Honda Post...

2006-06-01T22:28:00.000-05:00

So....the music for the Honda Civic ad is now available. You can find it here...this could be the next new wave in choral music, folks!

If your choir has trouble with pitch...

2006-06-01T16:24:00.000-05:00

...perhaps they can make commercials for Honda. Check out this ad for the new Honda Civic. You can see both the commercial and the rehearsal...great fun!(note: skip the intro. and click on "Watch")

Where to find choral recordings?

2006-06-01T14:59:00.000-05:00

When I first started collecting recordings of choral music, it was always a challenge to find web sites (much less retail stores) that sell a variety of choral music. Places like Best Buy and Sam Goody's just don't cut it for finding recordings that are truly choral. Amazon and Barnes and Noble are ok...but not easy to search. So, I am always on the lookout...

Primarily Acapella is a terrific site that offers a wide variety of recordings. Organized by ensemble, they sell recordings of Men's, Women's and Mixed Choirs as well as a good amount of Children's Choir CD's. There are some sound samples to aid in your purchase. They also offer DVD'S and books focused on choral pedagogy and choral conducting. The shipments have always arrived in a few days, another great feature. This is a site worth checking out.

Another site is Gothic Records. In addition to a variety of organ and hymn-based recordings, there is a wealth of choral titles, mostly in the sacred genre. Many lesser-known, but wonderful ensembles can be found here. Many are based in the church. If you sign up for their mailing list, you can receive their mail catalog as well as special offers.

I have a great love of Russian Choral Music(gotta love those basses!). A great resources for Russian Choral Music is Musica Russica. Here you can find CD's, sheet music, books and journals and diction coaching resources. This is the ultimate resource for Russian Choral Music.

There, of course, are many more. But this is where I begin my search and I am usually pretty satisfied. If I know of a choir I am looking for, I obviously look on their website for recordings first but these sites offer music from ensembles that are new to me, and its always fun to discover a new sound. Please share any other resources you may know of...

New Eric Whitacre Recording

2006-05-31T10:01:00.000-05:00

So, if you know of Eric Whitacre (and you should if you are choral-minded), you are more than likely familiar with the BYU Singers recording of many of his works. This is an exquisite recording that all should have if you don't already....

But, I have just come across a new recording by Polyphony , an English Chamber Choir led by Stephen Layton. It includes many of the works featured on the BYU recording, with the addition of two new pieces that have been composed since that recording. And folks, I have to say this recording is top shelf stuff. It is a must have!

Links...

2006-05-30T20:24:00.000-05:00

So, I am not an extremely savvy computer person but I am working to learn quickly. I have posted a few choral-related links(in the sidebar to the right) and as I become more fluent in computer-speak, more will come. But for now check out the two that I have and celebrate that accomplishment with me!!

Welcome...

2006-05-30T19:46:00.000-05:00

It is the 30th of May, 2006 and a Tuesday night...for me, Tuesday nights usually involve a three-hour choral rehearsal. However, the choir is on summer break as we speak, therefore the time to begin yet another blog has presented itself. Even though I enjoy the break, I miss the time spent in rehearsal. I miss the friends that I share the time with and I miss the music making that occurs. You see, for me, the rehearsal is sometimes greater than the performance because it is there that creativity reigns without fear of mistake or judgment.

So, to the blog we go...I have titled the blog "Choral Mecca". Why, I'm not quite sure...I do live in Minneapolis, MN, which is widely considered to be one of the finest centers of choral music in the country. Choral opportunities abound and audiences remain faithful. Singing is fostered in the schools and some of the finest leaders work with the variety of choirs that make up the landscape.

But as a choral aficionado, I live to discover choirs that knock me over with their artistry. I love to hear new music and sift through piles for the elusive choral gem. I search the internet for all things choral-related. In short, I am passionate about choral music.

This blog will remain unshaped through the weeks...there is no grand scheme other than to share my thoughts, links and information about anything choral-related. Stay tuned...