Rehearsal in Hamilton Room today

Just a reminder that today's rehearsal is in the Hamilton Room (left end of the ballroom) in the Wilder Union building. We'll rehearse in the round so you'll get a better sense of how the "Prayer of St. Patrick" works. See you at 3:25 this afternoon!

Dr. B

Tour, program update

Tour program update:

Thanks to those of you who responded to my earlier post and in-class inquiries about the concert closer. I appreciate your input! The prevailing opinion is that too many people are weary of the piece to make it effective; it was worth considering because of how well it worked in the programming, but I agree with the general consensus.

Be careful, though, that we don't fall into the trap of always equating complexity with appropriateness for a college ensemble. Just because a piece is simple, or has been done by a high school choir, doesn't mean that we shouldn't do it. One of the masterpieces of the choral repertoire, Mozart's "Ave verum" from last year's tour, can be performed by junior-high choirs, but I've also performed it with professional choirs. Not that I'm placing "The Awakening" with Mozart, by any means! However, a good university choral concert has to balance fast/slow, foreign language/English, somber/joyous, simple/complex, major/minor, and a host of other factors to be truly effective for our audiences. The challenge is to take a simpler piece and perform it at a college-appropriate level of artistry.

In reviewing the tour program, I decided that it was weighted really heavy on the front end, so I'm shifting some things around. The movement from the Rutter "Gloria" will be moved to the end, right after "'Tis You" and "Sky-Born Music". We'll follow it with a recessional, "Down to the River to Pray". We did it 3-4 years ago and it was very effective; it also sets up positioning for Alma Mater/Irish Blessing.

Tour venue update:

I'm still in the process of getting tour scheduled. It's been much more challenging this year getting venues lined up, so several things aren't firmed up yet, but I thought I'd give you some idea of what we have so far.

Sunday Nov. 12 -
We may be singing at Northside UMC here in Jackson that morning. It's not confirmed yet, so I'll let you know as soon as I know anything.
That evening we'll be at First UMC in Crossville, TN, between Nashville and Knoxville.

Monday Nov. 13 -
This day is stil up in the air. I was shooting for First UMC in Montgomery, AL, but nothing seems to be firming up so I'm looking at other options. We'll do a high school or two during the day.

Tuesday Nov. 14 -
Another couple of high school stops. Tuesday evening will be at Brentwood UMC in Nashville.

Friday Nov. 17 -
We'll perform for the All-Southwest Honor Choir in Memphis, at the beginning of their afternoon rehearsal.

Sunday Nov. 19 -
Fall concert at Lambuth, 3pm in the Chapel. Invite your family and friends!

More details as they develop....

RCB

Good performance Lambuth Singers!

Thanks to the Lambuth Singers for a fine Saturday afternoon performance at the All-Northwest audition workshop! You were able to conquer the rain, the less-than-ideal acoustic, and the hectic day to produce a well-polished end product. I really appreciated your energy, careful listening, and attention to detail.

We had 28 high school students at the workshop; I had expected more, but the bad storms undoubtedly kept many from coming. Some of the students are singers that I've been talking to and recruiting throughout their high school career, and several of them are going to audition for us. Your performances entice good singers to join our program!

Thanks again - keep up the good work!
RCB

Opinions requested - closing number for tour

Hey gang,

I'd like some feedback regarding the closing Concert Choir number for the tour program. I had originally planned to do Dave Brubeck's "All My Hope", but the players needed for the backup band wouldn't be able to go on tour.

What would you think about doing "The Awakening" again? Other than Irish Blessing, it's very rare that I want to repeat a piece even within a 4-5 year period, much less 2 years in a row. However, there are several reasons why I'm considering it:
1. You sang it so well last year;
2. It was so well received by the audience;
3. It's on the CD, which would help us sell the remaining stock;
4. Huneycutt loves it;
5. The text fits perfectly with "Tis You That Are the Music" and "Sky-Born Music" to make the closing set;
6. Since all the veterans know the piece, it wouldn't take long to put together, giving us more time for the Symphony Christmas music and Prayer of St. Patrick (which will be challenging to put together).

The downside would be that you might be tired of it, which would show in our performance.

What do you think? Posted comments welcome!
RCB

Kudos from Dr. Charles K. Smith

In yesterday's rehearsal, I read you a few of the words of praise regarding our CD from Dr. Charles K. Smith, but I thought I'd post them here as well so you can read them for yourself.

Dr. Smith was my mentor during my doctoral study at Michigan State University. He is one of the top conductors in the country, has a great mind and set of ears, and does not offer praise lightly. His words confirmed what I already knew: you folks are marvelous!

Here are some of the highlights:

"...the entire CD has a very good "open" sound."
Sing Unto God:
"Your Fetler is an excellent opening, with lovely tone quality, intonation, balance and drama."

Laudate Dominum:
"...perfect tempo, lovely soloist [yay Erica!], moments of espressive ritard leading to your linear choral entrance, excellent ensemble throughout"

Aus tiefer/Schaffe set:
"I like the combination of the Dietrich and Brahms, the Brahms with such linearity!"

Psalm 23 "might be my favorite of the CD."

Out of the Deep:
"I like the choir's ability to shift technique and sound from style to style. Where's my beer??"

A Boy and a Girl:
"...the choir sings so well and with fullness, accurate and clean treatment of the dissonances."

Muie rendera:
"...happy music, infectious rhythm."

Loch Lomond:
"Good male voice on Loch Lomond [hooray for John!], and a good, strong TTBB sound!"

In closing:
"The CD is full of interesting music sung very well...Congratulations on all that you are doing there, it is a pleasure to have this CD and hear your success for myself."

Wonderful words, and well-deserved! Keep up the good work - I'm proud of you all!

RCB

Reminder - opening convocation

Hey gang,

Just a reminder that we are performing "Sky-Born Music" at opening convocation next Tuesday, September 5, at 1:00 p.m. in the Chapel. Be on the risers in the sanctuary at 12:50 to warm up.

Attire: "dressy school clothes"
Men - wear a tie
Women - dress, skirt/blouse, or nice slacks
NO JEANS!

Bring your music in a black binder!

Another reminder: Several of you still need to fill out the student info form online and post to the blog! Click HERE to go to the student info form.

Have a great Labor Day weekend - see you Tuesday!
RCB

Congrats to the 2006-07 Lambuth Singers!

MANY, MANY thanks to those who auditioned for Lambuth Singers! The decision was EXTREMELY difficult this year since we had so many talented singers audition for the chamber ensemble.

The 2006-07 Lambuth Singers are:

Soprano
Ayers, Kristen
Gladney, Erica
Matlock, Elizabeth
O'Neil, Emily
Young, Mary Ruth

Alto
Autry, Lori
Ballard, Amber
Campbell, Kendal
Culbreath, Amy
Hall, Ariel
Hamilton, Caroline

Tenor
Collins, Matthew
Mathenia, Michael
Miller, Ben
Mullins, Dustin
Watson, Randy

Bass
Albart, Steven
Johnson, Adam
Rossetti, Reed
Wallace, John
Washington, John
Wells, John

Welcome! -- first assignment

Hey everybody!

Welcome to campus, new choir members - and welcome back to the veterans! We're going to have a great group of singers this year, and I'm excited about getting started!

This is the choir blog, a place where I can post messages, express thoughts, and ask opinions, and you can post back to let your voice be heard.

Three assignments for you:
1. Click HERE to go to the choir student info form
Fill it out, click "submit"
Please get this done before Thursday morning!

2. Post a comment to this message (click the comment link below the message) - introduce yourself to the choir, tell us where you're from, something interesting about yourself, what you did this summer. Keep it clean! :)

3. We are singing "Sky-Born Music" at opening convocation September 5th and only have two rehearsals! After first rehearsal, go to the Concert Choir web page to access study files for this piece - work on your part before second rehearsal!

Looking forward to a GREAT year!
RCB

Baccalaureate/graduation info

Hey gang,

Here's the time/place/attire info for baccalaureate and graduation tomorrow (Sunday, April 30):

Baccalaureate - Chapel - Lambuth Singers perform
meet at 9:45 a.m. on the risers
formal concert attire
service starts at 1:00 p.m.
music - "The Road Not Taken" from memory

Graduation - Gym - Concert Choir performs
meet at 12:45 p.m. in the gym
formal concert attire
we are sitting and performing in the NE corner
commencement at 1:00 p.m.
music - "The Awakening" from memory

IMPORTANT! - PLEASE BRING ALL YOUR CHOIR MUSIC WITH YOU TO HAND IN BEFORE YOU LEAVE FOR THE SUMMER!

CDs ship tomorrow!

Hey everybody,

Just got an e-mail from our manufacturer that the CDs will be shipping tomorrow! So we should be seeing them here next week!

The poster is going into production today and it will take about a week to complete. If you'd like to see the poster, you can view it by clicking here.

I have the best job in the world!

Hey gang,

WOW! What a fabulous performance you put on last night! Your focus and energy were absolutely stellar! As we started the loud "no alleluia" section, I thought, "I have the best job anyone could possibly have!" It is such a rush to stand in front of that wall of sound!

You'll be amazed to see how much mileage we'll get out of that performance. Having an ensemble perform for the Methodist churches with that level of refinement draws attention to Lambuth like no other organization can. Maybe we'll get another check written to us!

Let's keep the momentum going. HOORAH!
RCB

Psalm 23 performed in Canada!

Hi everybody,

My "Psalm 23" is being performed by a professional chamber choir in Canada this coming Sunday! The Cantata Singers of Ottawa are including it on a program of psalm settings. You can see their program repertoire (plus a pic of yours truly) on their website at:

http://www.cantatasingers.ottawa.on.ca/programmes/2005-2006/2006-01-29.shtml

January blahs

Hi all,

John Wells posted a comment to my previous post, and since I haven't posted in a couple of weeks, I thought I'd insert it here to make sure you see it.

I was just thinking this afternoon and thought i'd share this....
It seemed to me that in the past two rehearsals everyone (myself included) was much less energetic, excited, and committed than usual...
Perhaps we're just getting back into the "groove of things" for the semester and it was like this at the beginning of last semester. i hope that's the case.. And hey, it could've been the snow!
At any rate, we set forth a precedence of excellence for ourselves last semester, and now must live up to it for ourselves, our university, and those that come in contact with it.

I've noticed the same thing and attribute it to two things:
1. Weather: It's amazing how gray, dreary days can affect your energy. I have major seasonal affect myself and don't enjoy cloudy days AT ALL! And then we come into a chapel sanctuary with walls painted like a gray, dreary day....double whammy! I try as hard as possible not to let that interfere with my work as a conductor, and I hope that my weather issues didn't influence your energy level negatively.

2. Recording: Recording sessions are much more energy-consuming than ordinary rehearsals or concerts. Take after take of the same chunk of music can be tedious and exhausting, and it's hard to get a sense of what the end product will be. Plus you've been singing this music since August!

While realizing the causes, we also realize that we have to work harder collectively to keep the same level of energy on these low-energy days that we have in concerts. The word is out that Lambuth has the best university choral program in the region, and we don't want our singing this semester to alter that conception.

'Nuff said....y'all are great...let's keep moving forward!

Lambuth Choir CD!

Hey gang,

Good news - we have approval to have a CD of the choirs professionally produced! I'm in the midst of acquiring mechanical license rights for the copyrighted songs and getting initial tracks together. We'll be selling them for $15 each. I picked the title "Raise the Lamp" from the Lambuth alma mater; that line refers to the lamp of knowledge, a symbol of academia that's found on the university seal. (I'd been toying with "Will Sing for Potluck" as a title but didn't think that would fly with the administration.) The front of the CD cover will look something like the image here.

The school is floating our choir budget a loan for the production costs, which we'll repay from sales income. If every choir members sells 3 (actually about 2.56, but it's hard to sell 56% of a CD!), the project will be paid for. All sales beyond that will be profit going to the choir. Once you sell your three, you'll receive a free CD with accompanying promotional poster.

We'll need to do some more recording next week to make sure we have really good takes of everything. Once we submit the final master to the company, turnaround is only 7-10 days, so we should be able to release the CD by the end of January.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Merry Christmas everyone!

Quote from Emerson

Hi all,

I was surfing the Web this holiday and came across a nice quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson:

"Though we travel the world to find the beautiful,
We must carry it with us or we find it not."

Applies to singing, doesn't it?

Hope you had a good Thanksgiving! - RCB

What you have accomplished

Hi all,

I’ve been spending a good part of the weekend separating and editing tracks from our Thursday night concert, and several times I’ve had to quit working and just stop to listen...IN AWE of what you have accomplished this semester.

Folks, you have a sound that isn’t often heard in large music departments at major universities...and it’s almost never found at a college of only 800 students. And the difficulty of the literature, all memorized, and performed on tour 3 months ahead of other university choirs! I am SO PROUD of what you’ve achieved, and honored to have been a part of your music-making. The buzz is all over town! Lambuth faculty, high school students and directors, community big-wigs–all of them are hearing that the Lambuth choirs are THE THING to hear in West Tennessee!

I was thrilled with how many faculty came to our concert. Carrie Prewitt was blown away! Dr. Gene Davenport has taught at Lambuth since 1963, and he told me that this year’s choirs are BY FAR the best that Lambuth has had since he came here! Here’s what Derek Jones has to say:

I just wanted to say to everyone involved in last night's choral concert...OUTSTANDING JOB!!!! In my opinion, that was the best concert on this campus (instrumental or choral) in my six years here at Lambuth. The intonation, dynamics, and overall level of musicality was superb!

You are all to be commended for your hard work and dedication to the cause of the fine arts. Thank you for an absolutely wonderful evening!

You deserve all the words of praise we can muster! Accolades aren’t the only reason we work so hard, though. When we as a choir are truly are “together” (the literal meaning of “ensemble”), we get a glimpse into a Power greater than ourselves that connects all of us together and helps us understand one another on a deeper level. Many people go their whole lives and never find that connection. We have the opportunity to experience that time and time again, whenever we come together to sing, no matter if we have an audience or if we’re singing just for each other. I get SO MUCH from my connection with you...mentally, musically, and spiritually. And I’ll always work to have you get back as much or more from me.

If you’re interested in hearing some of the concert, RIGHT CLICK on the links below and save them to your computer. We’ll be making CDs for everyone, but I know you might be anxious to hear some of it. So here ya go!

A Boy and a Girl
Barbershop
Muie Rendera
Loch Lomond
The Awakening
Sing Unto God

Between Thursday night, Lakeland, and DeSoto, I think we have a really good take of everything on the program. We might do an extra take of a handful of things when we get back from Thanksgiving. We’ll also be learning a new Christmas piece or two for Candlelight, in addition to the pieces from our tour program that will be included (Hodie nobis de caelo, Sing Unto God/Lauda Sion, Magnificat/Nunc Dimittis, maybe 1 or 2 more).

Have a well-deserved Thanksgiving break! See you when we get back!

Kristen Ayers - flute part

Kristen,

You can get the flute part through this link:

http://lambuthmusic.rossbernhardt.com/thyme-flute.pdf

Directions to First United Methodist downtown

Hi all,

Reminder - rehearsal tomorrow (Thurs. Nov. 10) is at First United Methodist Church downtown. We'll be in Clayton Hall, which is the fellowship hall in the newer part of the church. I'd suggest that you carpool with buddies rather than everyone driving separately, since parking might be limited Thursday and definitely will be on Friday.

Directions to First UMC:

Go SOUTH (turn RIGHT if you're coming from campus) on Lambuth Blvd.
until it dead-ends at Airways
Turn LEFT on Airways
Airways curves to the right and becomes Main St.
Go past courthouse and turn RIGHT on Church St.
Turn LEFT on Baltimore - this street runs between St. Luke's Episcopal and First UMC
First UMC is on the right - just past the church is the parking lot (east side of church)
Park and come inside!

Concert Choir sings for chapel today (11/1/05)

Happy All-Saints Day!

Reminder - Concert Choir sings in chapel today (Nov. 1) at 1:00. Wear "dressy school clothes" - guys wear shirt and tie, gals wear skirt/dress/slacks and blouse, no blue jeans. We'll be singing "Sing Unto God". Meet in the choir room at 12:50. See you this afternoon! - RCB