Any choir geeks in the house?

[bishop]

I am an absolute music geek despite never being in band (missed the 5th grade "draft" and was thus SOL for the rest of my days). While I can't play an instrument, I do pretty well singing bass in my (Lutheran) church choir. I've thought about other ensembles in the area but don't have the time nor the skill/comfort level to try out. Not yet, anyway.

Are any of you fellows lucky enough to be in a choral ensemble? I'm coming off a particularly rousing morning liturgy and anthem, so I'm a bit "jacked up" about it. I love our Wednesday evening rehearsals, which give me a calming experience in the midst of a hectic week. I love the Sunday morning anthems and liturgy, which are my preferred methods of worship. There's nothing like a contemplative anthem to make you reflect, or a "barn burner" on Reformation Sunday with a full organ behind you to make you feel energized and blessed. This morning I choked up during an anthem we did based on St. Francis' prayer (Servants of Peace, arr. Quinn). It takes a lot to make me do that during a performance even though music influences my emotions & state of mind a lot. It's powerful, guys.

I don't mean to make this discussion all about religion, it's just that church choir is my choral outlet right now...please keep the focus on the music and its joy in your life. Choral mostly, but also orchestral, I suppose...I sometimes get lifted out of my chair listening to a Mahler symphony, or tear up listening to Vaughan Williams' Mass in G minor.

 

[rapperley]

Hi. I know what you mean. I'm not a singer, but am a cathedral organist. I adore the Vaughan Williams too - our choir did it last year on tour, and it was wonderful. I'm a big Howells fan too.... for me nothing can really beat it.

I'm excited cause next year I'm playing in the Mahler 5 here in NZ with Ashkenazy conducting.... I'm feeling nervous already!

 

[Nils]

I know exactly what you mean. I sing bass in a classical choir; our repertoire is mainly renaissance music, with the odd modern song thrown in.
The absolut highlight so far was performing Brahms "Ein Deutsches Requiem" together with another choir (98 singers total) and a professional philharmonic orchestra two years ago. The rehearsals were demanding, as it is such a demanding piece of music for a choir, but performing this magnificent piece of music more than made up for it.
Our Monday practice has become an important fixture in my personal life, I wouldn't miss it for anything. Singing is such a great way of making music, even if you (like me) can't play an instrument.

 

[bishop]

I know exactly what you mean. I sing bass in a classical choir; our repertoire is mainly renaissance music, with the odd modern song thrown in.
The absolut highlight so far was performing Brahms "Ein Deutsches Requiem" together with another choir (98 singers total) and a professional philharmonic orchestra two years ago. The rehearsals were demanding, as it is such a demanding piece of music for a choir, but performing this magnificent piece of music more than made up for it.
Our Monday practice has become an important fixture in my personal life, I wouldn't miss it for anything. Singing is such a great way of making music, even if you (like me) can't play an instrument.

The Brahms Requiem is something I listen to very often (the Herreweghe recording is the best, I think, with Shaw in a close 2nd). I'd love to be in an ensemble that performed it. All the work is tough, but I would imagine that the performance, as you said, made up for it and then some.

Our church choir does a nice blend of "high church" stuff mixed with occasional modern or ancient-ish pieces. My favorite of the latter is Richard Farrant's "Call to Remembrance." That probably has a lot to do with my affinity for it. If we did all modern stuff, I wouldn't have the same emotional & spiritual response.

I remember scheduling all my grad school classes around Wednesday night rehearsal. It's a fixture as well. I'm glad to see kindred spirits.

Hi. I know what you mean. I'm not a singer, but am a cathedral organist. I adore the Vaughan Williams too - our choir did it last year on tour, and it was wonderful. I'm a big Howells fan too.... for me nothing can really beat it.

I'm excited cause next year I'm playing in the Mahler 5 here in NZ with Ashkenazy conducting.... I'm feeling nervous already!

We did a Howells piece last year that nearly killed us, but was absolutely worth the effort. "O Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem." I'm sure you know it. Howells is very understated, and I love his other works.

You have the very thunder of God at your fingertips, you know. I love a good organ. Our previous music director & organist (retired last year) really made our organ cook, and he could equally play the soft stuff so well, with so much feeling. An organ is an amazing instrument.

 

[letsdisinfect]

I was in choir throughout middle and high school. My voice changed between 7th and 8th grade so I was singing bass from that point on. I actually got into college on a music scholarship, but changed majors shortly afterward.

I miss singing, I just don't really have the time. Also, I'm not a religious person so the idea of a church choir is kinda out of the question.

Oh well... I'll find something again, I'm sure

 

[82R100]

Another chorister here.

We belong to an inner city Episcopal parish with a rich musical history and the parish supports the music program strongly.

If anyone is familiar with the Christmas carols written by Bates and Alfred Burt, they originated from an annual tradition started when Bates was the rector of our church, back in the 20's and 30's.

While I'm most comfortable as a 2nd Bass, I'm singing tenor for as long as we need support there.

- Chris

 

[rapperley]

We did a Howells piece last year that nearly killed us, but was absolutely worth the effort. "O Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem." I'm sure you know it. Howells is very understated, and I love his other works.

Oh, glorious stuff! Do you know his 'Like as the hart'? One of the pieces I've asked for at my funeral.

We did the Duruflé Messe Cum Jubilo last night.... another one of my favourites. Went to sleep happy!

 

[bishop]

Oh, glorious stuff! Do you know his 'Like as the hart'? One of the pieces I've asked for at my funeral.

We did the Duruflé Messe Cum Jubilo last night.... another one of my favourites. Went to sleep happy!

I haven't heard that piece, but I may have it on a recording somewhere. If it's anything like "O Pray..." then it must be beautiful. Howells' composition style is a lot like Gordon Jenkins' work with Frank Sinatra. It's understated and emotional--but different enough that I actually feel inspired by listening to it. (Jenkins' work makes me feel depressed.)

Speaking of which, I've got both the Fauré and Duruflé Requiems, and I like them both very much. I haven't heard the Duruflé piece you mention there.

 

[bishop]

While I'm most comfortable as a 2nd Bass, I'm singing tenor for as long as we need support there.

- Chris

I'm sort of in the same boat. I'm a baritone, very comfortable as a 2nd bass. When we split bass parts I will take the low notes. Sometimes we need another tenor, and I can hit those notes pretty well, but it's hard to suddenly switch parts when you've rehearsed one for so long.