Saturday, March 15, 2008

Today I met the choir

...and heard the pieces that are based on my poems for the first time, pieces they will perform in the Grand Tipi in May. I spent the rest of the day saying wow. Both works are beautiful. Hats off to the composers. Bravo to the choir. It was so moving to sit there. I wasn't prepared for that. I'm glad H was there to hear as well. We stayed for the entire practice, during which they concentrated on "Night on an Old Trade Route." It was amazing. I stared, transfixed, at Crystal Kolt's hands as she conducted the choir. What an ear she has. To hear the soprano, alto, tenor and bass practice a section separately and then hear the whole choir become one as they sing it together gave me a deeper sense of what I'd initially heard. The word emerging, for example, somehow seemed to find a way through to what I, in vain, had reached for with the poem.

Before the choir performed the work, I talked a bit about the poems, mainly "Night on an Old Trade Route." I had spent a fair bit of time thinking about what I'd say about that poem before it occurred to me that perhaps in this case I was not the best one to speak to it. I emailed Gerry, who had commented previously that he had included the poem in course material, and explained the situation. I asked him to explain why he had picked that poem and told him that I'd read his reply to the choir. And that I did. It was a great reply. Many thanks to Gerry. Discussion followed. And then the choir sang. And I'll say it again. Wow.

8 comments:

Ariel Gordon said...

Sounds like a lovely experience!

(Can't wait for the performance ... must check the bus schedule!)

Brenda Schmidt said...

It was. I'm still beaming. :)

The bus! Eek! That's a mighty long bus ride...

SMSteele said...

very exciting... what kind of music? tonal? major/minor? will we get to hear it somehow?

how wonderful

Brenda Schmidt said...

I dunno what kind, sms. You singers ask tough questions. :) The title piece is dark and haunting and I'm told it's a real challenge to sing.

I don't know if there will be any recording or video of it, but I'll let you know if there is.

It is wonderful. I'm so excited!

Anonymous said...

Did you learn to sing it? You could practice on me. Haven't heard you sing for years !! Congratulations!

Mom

Brenda Schmidt said...

Thanks, Mom! There's no way I can sing these pieces, but next time I see you I'll sing one of the songs I used to sing all the time: Froggie went a-courtin', and he did ride, uh-huh, uh-huh...

Anonymous said...

That is so cool, B! And aren't choir conductors absolutely amazing? How they can pull all those voices together in such beauty is something!

Brenda Schmidt said...

Thanks, The Regina Mom! Amazing indeed.

Speaking of singing, remember to have a copy of your CD on you next weekend. I want to buy it.