Event: Auditions for ONE - Round Two

Due to overwhelming response, ONE will be conducting a second round of auditions before practices begin in September. Details are as follows-

Date: 22 August 2009

Time: Timeslots provided on first-come-first-served basis, starting from 10.30am.

To book an audition, contact audition.one@gmail.com.

NDP 2009!

Thought I should drop a mention on the blog about NDP! Went to watch the preview yesterday and I must say, it's probably the most artistically cohesive and entertaining NDP in recent years!

But how does this relate to the blog? Well, an a cappella group, namely Vocaluptuous will be performing during the parade!

--- Spoiler Alert! ---

They actually sang part of the National Anthem a cappella, and it sounded really good!



Well, that's all, enjoy NDP folks!

Concert: Vienna Boys' Choir

Date/Time: 7-8 Nov 09, 7.30 pm

Venue: Esplanade Concert Hall

Ticket Price: Standard - S$98, S$78, S$58, S$48, S$38

---Start of Extract---

The world’s favourite children’s choir, capturing the hearts of audiences around the world for generations, is set for two special concerts at the Esplanade.

The Vienna Boys’ Choir’s 400-year-old tradition is celebrated annually with an Asian tour to capital cities. The choir updates its repertoire regularly, and today’s programmes include everything from medieval motets to Beatles and Celine Dion, from folk songs to film scores.

In recent years, they have performed with the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, the Vienna Symphony Orchestra, and the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. Recent guest conductors include Sir Neville Marriner, Nikolaus Harnoncourt, Zubin Mehta and Riccardo Muti

Due to their tremendous popularity, the Vienna Boys’ Choir’s concerts in Singapore have been fully sold out since 2005. Early booking is advised.

Website: www.wsk.at

---End of Extract---

Book your tickets from SISTIC today!

Concert: NAC-ExxonMobil: Concert at the Park

Date/Time: 2 Aug 09, 5 pm

Venue: West Coast Park (carpark 3, behind McDonald's)

Ticket Price: Free Admission!!

---Courtesy of our friends at A Cappella Sounds---



---Start of Extract---

Be spellbound as we bring you many exciting performances by our renowned local music acts – Budak Pantai, The Lion Story and EN-X including Electrico presenting NDP 09
theme song amidst the lush greenery of the West Coast Park! This concert promises something for everyone!

Be spotted in your most stunning red and white outfit to receive ArtReach freebies and be part of this great celebration. Early birds will receive a NDP 09 goody bag! So pack your picnic baskets and come party with us!

Organised by National Arts Council, sponsored by ExxonMobil Asia Pacific Pte Ltd and supported by National Parks Board. This event is part of the National Day 2009 celebrations.

---End of Extract---

Concert: The Voices of Lisbon Chamber Choir

((Update: Discount available!!))

Date/Time: 8 Aug 09, 5 pm

Venue: Victoria Concert Hall

Ticket Price: Stall: $28, Circle: $35

10% Discount for Students, Senior Citizens & NSmen
15% Discount for PAssion Card Members & STB Staff

Offer from 31 Jul - 2 Aug 09: 2 tickets at $44 (includes booking fee)!

For group booking (min. of 20 tickets), kindly please contact DynamicWorkz at 6255 2019 or email at contact@dynamicworkz.com.sg

**Free Seating, and tickets are excluding booking fee.



---Start of Extract---

The Lisbon Chamber Choir (Coro de Câmara de Lisboa) was founded in 1978 by Prof. Teresita Gutierrez Marques and is formed by twenty young musicians.
The Choir has always been very active, maintaining an artistic level which is unanimously applauded by the public and the critics. They have performed all over Portugal and has participated in the most significant cultural exhibitions like Capuchos and Sintra festivals, The Gulbenkian Festival of Ancient Music, Lisbon ´94 – European Capital of Culture, Expo ´98 – World Exposition of Lisbon, the International Festival of Organ in Lisbon, to name a few.
The Lisbon Chamber Choir has also performed all over the world extensively, including Madrid, Cuenca, León, Seville, Sória, Vitoria (Spain), Paris, Strasbourg, Rouen, Caen, Mont. St. Michel (France), Brussels, Malines (Belgium), Amsterdam (The Netherlands), Rome, Bergamo, Biella, Bolzano, Novara, Trento, Turin, Verona (Italy), Bonn (Germany, Vienna (Austria), London (UK), Montréal (Canada), New York, Santa Barbara, San Diego, San José (USA), Belo Horizonte, Florianópolis, New Hamburg, Porto Alegre (Brazil), Montevideu (Uruguay), Buenos Aires (Argentina), Puebla (Mexico), Santiago de Cuba (Cuba), Macao, and Cape Verde.

This International Choir Competition of Toloso winner has recorded several CD (for the labels EMI, Milan, Movieplay, Numérica and Virgin). They have also participated in recordings, both in Portugal and abroad, for radio, television and cinema.

In this concert, the Choir will perform a variety of program from the Renaissance to the 21st century, and from folksong to some famous musicals like West Side Story and The Phantom of the Opera.


PROGRAM - LISBON CHAMBER CHOIR

Ay mi Dios - D. Pedro de Cristo (+1618)
Tleycantimo choquiliya -Gaspar Fernandes (1570-1629)
A este sol peregrino - Tomás de Torrejon y Velasco (1644-1729)
Convidando esta la noche - Juan Garcia de Zéspedes (1614-1678)

Arioso - J. S. Bach / R. Santos (1685-1750) / (1941)
O Salutaris - Pierre Villete (1926-1998)
Psalm 43 - Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847)
Alleluia - Randall Thompson (1899-1984)
___________________

Três Esconjuros - Fernando Lopes Graça (1906-1994)
1)Contra os maus encontros
2)Contra os maridos transviados
3)Contra as trovoadas

Katakataka - Suarez / Laureola (1940)
Ni wa wa - Americ Ting-Wei Goh (1982)
Mamayog akun - Fabian Obispo (1952)
Jacinto Chiclana - Piazolla / Cangiano (1921-1992) / (1951-1997)
Vangelo - Eurico Carrapatoso (1962)
São João

One hand, one heart - L. Bernstein
(from "West Side Story")

Wishing you were somehow here again - Webber / Turner
All I ask of you
(from "The Phantom of the Opera")

Direction: Teresita Gutierrez Marques

---End of Extract---

Book your tickets from Tickets.com or their outlets today!

Concert: TPCC Mendelssohn and Beyond

Date/Time: 4-5 Sep 09, 8 pm

Venue: Esplanade Recital Studio

Ticket Price: Standard - S$25
20% discount ($25) for Students, Senior Citizens (age 55 yrs & abv), NSF.
S$18 for TPCC Members

---Start of Extract---

The Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra
Lim Yau conductor

The Philharmonic Chamber Choir presents a programme of a cappella choral music, joining choirs worldwide in celebrating the 200th birth anniversary of Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy.

He is the single most influential early 19th-century personality who connects the splendour of the Baroque period with the apocalyptic Romantic era.

Schools will be able to use the Tote Board Arts Grant to subsidise 60% (excluding GST) of ticket price for the concert on 5 September 2009 only.

Programme:
Felix Mendelssohn - Selections from Wer nur den lieben Gott lässt walten
Tian Hui Ng - Siehe!
Kurt Nysedt - Immortal Bach
Arvo Pärt - Magnificat
Ildebrando Pizzetti - Due Composizioni Corali

* All ticket proceeds for the 4 September 2009 concert will be donated to the SOTA Education Fund.

---End of Extract---

Get your tickets from SISTIC today!

Contest Results: Lisbon Chamber Choir

Hi guys,

The contest for a pair of tickets to the Lisbon Chamber Choir's concert has ended.

The winner is... Siti Z!

Congratulations, our staff will be mailing you shortly for your contact details!

Listening Recommendation: Eric Whitacre's Virtual Choir

Dear all,

We first brought to your attention Eric Whitacre's appeal for a virtual choir a while back. Guess what, it has been brought to fruition! :)



And guess what, they're doing it again! This time with Lux Aurumque More details will be given in due time, but meanwhile, add Eric Whitacre's Official Virtual Choir to your list of friends or subscribe!

Enjoy!

Sing-ing Sunday: Concerts I Wish I Attended

I'm starving for a good concert. Since the most recent one I had watched left an aftertaste in my mind.



ACJC choir's annual concert, unknown year. Although the recording quality is bad, you can tell the choir is pretty good.



World Youth Choral Festival 2008, held in Singapore. I heard the junior college choirs were very good.



Raffles Chorale (RJC) Vocal Exploits. This makes for a very unconventional and refreshing concert opening number! Clapping Music by Steve Reich (1972), by the way. Very famous minimalist composer.



Vocal Consort, unknown year. Too bad this is another badly taken video. I always liked the way Mr Kwei interprets Asian and especially Chinese songs.

Contest: The Voices of Lisbon Chamber Choir

((Update2: Contest closes today! For those who haven't already submitted your entry, please do so by tonight!))

((Update1: please note that our e-mail's not sing4harmony@gmail.com. It's singforharmony@gmail.com. Apologies for the inconvenience caused.))

Hi guys!

As part of our 100th post celebrations, the organiser of the concert, Voices of Lisbon Chamber Choir, has kindly agreed to sponsor a pair of tickets for our readers!

Simply answer this question and e-mail us at singforharmony@gmail.com or yeshamiel@gmail.com:

Name one musical from which the Lisbon Chamber Choir will be performing a piece from during their concert on 8 Aug 09.

*Hint: Look at the concert programme ;)*

Hurry! The contest ends on 25 Jul 09, and we'll pick out a winner, at random!

Note: Friends and affiliates of ours (e.g. friends who know us in person) are not eligible for the above-mentioned contest.

Sing4Harmony is now on Twitter!

The title says it all!

We've synced updates on the blog to that of twitter so busy individuals would be able to just check their twitter feeds instead of hopping around to blogger every couple of days :)

Listening Recommendations: Michael Jackson Tribute

Hi all,

We thought it'll be unfitting of us to not have a Michael Jackson tribute.

Here are some of his most renown works sung either a cappella or with choir. Enjoy!

Event: Auditions for ONE

[UPDATE: The deadline has been amended to 24 Jul 09]

Date/Time: 18 & 25 Jul 09

Venue: Not stated.



---Start of Extract---

There is a new choir that is being set up, under the direction of Ms Lim Ai Hooi, one of Singapore's leading choral directors. Auditions are being held on 18th and 25th July.

---End of Extract---

For more info on how to apply, visit their blog here, or e-mail them at audition.one@gmail.com. Please note that only those aged 18 and above may apply, and the deadline for submissions is on 24 Jul 09.

Concert: Love Notes by NJChorale

Date/Time: 31 Jul 09, 7.30 pm

Venue: Young Musician's Society Auditorium, 54 Waterloo Street

Ticket Price: Standard - S$12

---Start of Extract--


---End of Extract---

E-mail NJChorale (basically the alumni) at njchorale@gmail.com. For those with facebook accts, to find out more, you may also visit their facebook event

Sing-ing Sunday

This is our blog's 100th post!

The following are a few clips of local polytechnic and university choirs. Enjoy...

NTU Choir.

Doesn't everybody love Sisters Act. Fast forward to 3:53 for a Sisters Act medley.



Ngee Ann Polytechnic. This is my first time listening to a polytechnic choir, actually.



And here's NP's LinkaGe.

Concert: A Cappella Championships 09

Date/Time: 31 Jul 09 (Sec Sch), 1 Aug 09 (Choir), 2 Aug 09 (Open/College), 7.30 pm

Venue: Arts House Chamber (31 Jul 09), Esplanade Recital Studio (1-2 Aug 09)

Ticket Price:

Free Admission (31 Jul 09)

S$25, S$20 - Students, TAS members, purchases of 10+ tickets (1-2 Aug 09)



---Start of Extract---

Don't miss your chance to be a part of the biggest A Cappella competition ever held in Singapore! A total of 31 groups has registered for the A Cappella Championships 09, held over 3 days, 31 July at The Arts House Chamber and 1 & 2 August at Esplanade Recital Studio. Tickets for the Finals on 1 August (Choirs) and 2 August (Open/College) at Esplanade Recital Studio are available from The A Cappella Society, find all infos and details on our website www.a-cappella.org.sg Mrs Fields - Prize Sponsor of the A Cappella Championships Thanks to Mrs. Fields, you now have the chance to enjoy the best of both worlds! Present your ticket stubs for the A Cappella Championships and you get a 10% discount for all products at all Mrs Fields outlets. Not only that, coupons will be distributed on the competition days at the door before the start of competition. You will be entitled to a free nibbler with no strings attached when you present the coupon at any Mrs Fields outlet! (Not valid with other promotions) Coupons are limited and they are given out on a first come first serve basis, so do come early and support your favourite A Cappella teams!

---End of Extract---

Book your tickets through The A Cappella Society, by mailing them this booking form, or contacting them at 94559407, Fax at 64459835 or email: contact@a-cappella.org.sg. Do note that cheque payments must be made before 24 Jul 09More info can be found here.

Concert: Agapella's 7th Birthday Concert

((We sincerely apologise for not plugging this event earlier.))

Date/Time: 10-11 Jul 09, 7.30 pm

Venue: Lee Foundation Theatre, NAFA, Campus 3, 151 Bencoolen Street

Ticket Price: Standard - S$7

---Courtesy of A Cappella Sounds---



Agapella's Youtube video of its rendition of Pachelbel's Canon in D has been viewed more than 20,000 times and has attracted rave reviews from around the world for its smooth blend of harmonies. Yet we've never performed the song in public... until now. Be among the first to hear them perform this song and many other contemporary numbers spanning a plethora of genres, all this in a two-night only musical fiesta on 10th & 11th July 2009!

In celebration of our 7th anniversary, Agapella presents our biggest concert yet, Seven @ 8. We'll serve up fan favourites like "I Will Follow Him" (popularised by the movie, Sister Act) and "Testify To Love", on top of brand new arrangements. Among the new numbers, don't miss the re-written lyrics to the tune of the classic "Good 'Ol A Cappella". The concert will be a delight for the entire family with Agapella's unique brand of music and tight harmonies, together with a zany dash of theatre for a toe-tappin' good time!

Agapella's debut album, "Follow That Star" was released in 2007 to much acclaim. The album will be made available for sale at the concert. Don't forget to stick around for the post-concert refreshments (included in the ticket price) and hang out with Singapore's coolest vocal band!

* Every 5 tickets purchased in a single receipt will entitle you to a complimentary copy of the album,“Follow That Star”. Please present receipt at the door on the evening of the performance for redemption.

---End of Extract---

Get your tickets from SISTIC today! Alternatively, contact them at agapella@gmail.com, or for more info do visit their blog.

Review: Moscow State Chamber Choir & Chamber Orchestra Moscow Soloists

The abovementioned concert, held on 12 June, was only 'alright' to me.

The programme was rather heavy, with Stravinsky's Concerto in D for strings and Brahms' Adagio in B minor from Op 115. The concerto was executed decently, but the motifs and gestures of the phrases were not always articulated well. It was, at least to me, obvious that the instruments were not tuned properly prior to the performance, too. Either that, or the intonation is not always spot-on. I know it's ironic that one would comment that a Stravinsky's piece is played out of tune, but I think it really was.

And I was proven right, when I heard the Adagio. Some notes of the scale were tuned too high or low for the chords to lock totally. Still, the Adagio was performed better than the concerto. Nicely shaped, lyrical and pleasing. Yuri Bashmet, the soloist on the viola, was rather musical. However, he was sometimes not audible against the accompaniment. Perhaps that was because his parts were often in the mid-register, and that he just blended in too well with the rest in timbre. Although I could hear he played his parts denser in quality whenever he crossed downwards into the midst of the accompaniment, I sometimes confuse his part with the other violists or cellists. The work was originally to be for a clarinet soloist, by the way.

Takemitsu's Three Film Scores for strings was more palatable than the previous programmes. Although Music of Training and Rest was played with appropriate lightness, the jazz piece was not played like a jazz piece. Honestly, I don't remember much about the other two pieces, Funeral Music and Waltz from Face of Arthur, now that the concert is long over, but I do know that they were decent, just not spectacular.

I liked the soprano soloist in Mozart's Exsultate, jubilate (K165). A pity that the audience didn't seem to enjoy the piece as much as the rest, judging wholly on the volume of applause given. She was very tasteful in the passages, and the cadenza was, although not mind-blowingly amazing, very florid, in style with the rest of the work, and exhibited her vocal prowess. Lovely.

Schubert's Mass No. 2 in G major for mixed chorus and strings was up to standard, too. The chorus was brilliantly shimmering throughout the work, although in a tad destructive manner as well. Vibrato sounds good, but when 40-odd choristers sing together with soloist voices, harmonies become vague and the soundscape becomes too thick and opaque. Perhaps the intended effect was to imitate a large chorus sound, which worked out perfectly. Thankfully the Mass was entirely homophonic, so the opacity of the sound did not disturb the melody-accompaniment balance. The soloists were all good - I liked the tenor's voice. Very clear and bright. The soprano solo was slightly operatic and off-tune, though.

The encore pieces, performed by the chamber orchestra and Yuri Bashmet, were well-played, I must say. It was just that most of the programme was either dark or executed heavily, such that the encore pieces felt coherent and did not evoke any new sensations.

Overall, the concert was rather disappointing as I had expected top-notch quality from the state's choir and more so, the chamber orchestra. Punctuating the programme with one or two short light works, especially after Stravinsky, would have made the slow, heavy parts of the programme more listenable. Also, the choir could have been featured more and sung a piece which contrasts with Schubert's Mass. That could have possibly made the second half a joy to hear, especially after the fantastic start with Mozart's motet.

Personal score: 6/10

Review: SYF Choral Presentation

Programme:

SYF Choral Presentation Combined Choir (conducted by Stephen Leek) - White Horses by Stephen Leek

Anglican High Sch - Sleep by Eric Whitacre

Commonwealth Sec Sch - Jaakobin Isot Pojat by Pekka Kostianen

Nanyang Girls' High Sch - Zima (Winter) by Lojze Lebic;
The Typewriter by Leroy Anderson (arr. Ko Matsushita)

Catholic JC - Jauchzet dem Herrn by Felix Mendelssohn

Victoria JC - My Love Dwelt in a Northern Land by Edward Elgar

The Australian Voices Ensemble (conducted by Stephen Leek):
Coonawrin (from Glasshouses) by Stephen Leek
Southern Garden (from My Country) by Stephen Leek
Tides of Ocean by Matthew Orlovich
Wirindji (from Great Southern Spirits) by Stephen Leek
Waltzing Matilda arr. Stephen Leek

---Interval---

Victoria JC - Sounds of Joy by Zechariah Goh;
Hana by Ko Matsushita

Catholic JC - Mayila by Chen Yi;
Pokpok Alimpako by Francisco Feliciano

Nanyang Girls' High Sch - Aitakute (I Want To See Them) by Ko Matsushita

Commonwealth Sec Sch - Meplalian by Budi Susanto Yohanes;
Ashita wa Hare kana, Kumori kana by Toru Takemitsu

Anglican High Sch - Maiden of Miao arr. Nelson Kwei

SYF Choral Presentation Combined Choir - A Singaporean Medley arr. Zechariah Goh

Review:

As with any other concert, it had its highs and its lows. I enjoyed the presentation of pieces put forward by Nanyang Girls', especially so for the full sound they produced. It is truly difficult to obtain a full sound from an all girl's choir, simply due to the lack of TBs. They were, for the most part, brilliant. In addition, despite the errors, I enjoyed CJ's Jauchzet dem Herrn. The tight and warm sound was a nice contrast against Nanyang Girls' fuller, broader sound. Some of the schools disappointed us and didn't perform up to par with the standard in which they had done so during SYF. Some recovered in the 2nd half, some didn't. Perhaps they haven't sung for a long time since the competition, I don't know, but it was indeed a little disappointing to listen to.

The programme put forward by the Australian Voices was interesting. It's always something special to have the composer conducting his own piece. Out of the five pieces which they performed, Wirindji truly evoked an image of death in the wilderness. I was almost conned by the ending when I thought I heard overtones, only to realise someone was actually whistling. Oh well haha.

All in all, it was a decent concert. I liked the idea of separating Asian music and Western music. However, the time in which it took to change from one choir to the next really set back the programme. In doing so, we probably ended abt half an hour later. Perhaps this is something for the organisers to note for future presentations :)

Concert: Leong Yoon Pin - A Choral Odessey

Date/Time: 25 Aug 09, 7.30 pm

Venue: Esplanade Concert Hall

Ticket Price: Standard - S$30, S$25, S$15



---Start of Extract---

Wearing the many hats of composer, educator, and conductor, Leong Yoon Pin is mainly known for his role as composer. His compositional output include two symphonies, the tone poems Blessing the Seas, Temasekian, and Episodes in Journey to the West, the opera Bunga Mawar, the concert overture Dayong Sampan, a piano concerto, choral and other many instrumental works. But perhaps Leong is best known for his choral works, many of which were locally commissioned and performed by both amateur and professional choirs. These include the popular Street Calls, Dragon Dance, Nostalgia, Here Comes the bride and Love Quatrains.

Participating choirs
Amadeus Choral Society, CHIJ St Nicholas Girls' School, Common Voices, Duman High School, Hwa Chong Institution (College), NAFA Alumni, National Junior College, River Valley High School, SYC Ensemble Singers, Tanjong Katong Girls' School, The Vocal Consort and Victoria Chorale.

---End of Extract---

Book your tickets from SISTIC today!

Review: "FIRSTS" by Key Elements

Hi all,

The review below's done by Ching Mei from A Cappella SOUNDS.

---Start of Extract---

Upon stepping in the Esplanade Recital studio, it was pretty much a full house last night, a concert attended by friends and fans alike. I came as a supporter of local a cappella with my friend in delightful expectation of what repertoire jazz-infused a cappella group Key Elements [KE] could come up with.

As expected , KE opened with their signature jazz-tinged arranged of I'm Beginning To See The Light. However, the audience truly warmed up to KE when they mentioned their stint and the song which they could not reach pass the 1st stanza at the Hokkien Huay Kuan with a cutesy choreography. In fact, I was rather impressed with the simplistic jazz take of a familiar Hokkien classic 一人一半 Jit Lang Jit Pua as sang by Jason Ong, the songwriter-arranger of the group. Yes, that song had the audience hooting in laughter.

Not only that, the audience were amusingly prompted by the KE "girls" [ Susanna and Hui Lian] to be screaming fans when the "boys" of KE [ Vaughn, Kim Beng, Jason and Benedict] sang a classic but simple barbershop arrangement of Come Go with Me and the guys proved to be able to sound effortlessly, harmonically tight in this piece. Benedict [KE's baritone] even attempted a familiar Korean ballad I Believe from the Korean movie "My Sassy Girl", after which Jason jokingly said a greeting in Korean. The audience even had the chance to "support" KE by waving their handphone lights along with the disco ball light with the feeling of a travel back in time.

Despite the members having bouts of flu as KE mentioned during the concert, KE did their utmost best.Especially so for tenor lead Kim Beng who gave quite an impressionable lead on a pop song [ title unknown?] where he had to challenge the mezzo-soprano register of Susanna [ KE's mezzo-soprano]. I admit it was a brave feat for KE to attempt pop-rock genre and even imitating the string ensemble as they seem more comfortable and at ease singing the jazz genre. After all, they are more jazz- influenced.

---End of Extract---

Concert: SYF 2009 (Choral Presentation)

Date/Time: 2 Jul 09, 7.30 pm

Venue: Victoria Concert Hall

Ticket Price: Standard - S$4

---Start of Extract---

The SYF 2009 Choral Presentation will showcase performances by The Australian Voices and five outstanding local school choirs who have performed well at the SYF 2009 Central Judging of Choirs in April and May: Anglican High School, Commonwealth Secondary School, Nanyang Girls’ High School, Catholic Junior College and Victoria Junior College.

The choirs will present a wide array of repertoire from different eras and cultures. This year, there will also be a combined choir consisting of representatives from schools which have been awarded the Gold award at the SYF 2009 Central Judging of Choirs. The combined choir will present the SYF 2009 Set Piece, ‘White Horses’ under the baton of the composer, Mr Stephen Leek from Australia, as well as ‘Singaporean Medley’ under the baton of Dr Zechariah Goh from Singapore.

---End of Extract---

Get your tickets from SISTIC today!

Sing-ing Sunday

I quite like the piece, for its harmonies.

Listening Recommendations: Britten's War Requiem

I quite like this work by Benjamin Britten. Personally, I don't listen to much classical music because I have short attention spans (I suppose many of you must feel that way too, haha).

Thing is, a good portion of this massive work - requiring two orchestras, three soloists, a boys choir and an organ - is set to English. Wilson Owen's poems were set to music, which juxtaposes the traditional Latin text, also sung in the work. The musical effects are very dramatic, as well. Church bells, church organ, boys choir singing sacred Latin text, soprano, baritone and tenor solos... You get the idea.

This work was composed relatively recently, from 1961-1962. Within five months of the first recording released over 200,000 copies were sold, a first for an album featuring contemporary classical work. The album won Britten THREE Grammy's in 1963, for Classical Album, Best Classical Performance - Choral (other than Opera) and Best Classical Composition by a Contemporary Composer.

I've embedded in this post, the recordings for the last (sixth) movement. It is (unfortunately) broken into three videos. However, they are broken according to the starts and endings of the sung text. Interestingly, I don't find the music compromised at all. So, take your time to listen to them.

OK, now go listen!

Sing-ing Sunday: Girl groups!

I just can't stop listening to (and watching) SNSD and Wonder Girls on youtube.

And there are groups who created, guess what, A CAPPELLA versions of their hits!



Gee by SNSD.

I see wonder boy dancing there HAHA.



The world-famous song Nobody by Wonder Girls.



So Hot by Wonder Girls.

Listening Recommendation: Pilgrims' Chorus by Richard Wagner

The video below is from Wagner's Tannhäuser (opera), Act 3. By the way, Wagner is famously mainly for his operas and orchestral work. He also composed some songs (solo voice with accompaniment) and choral work, although I don't think it'll ever be performed by any school choir.

By the way, the famous "Here Comes the Bride/Bridal Chorus" a song from Wagner's Lohengrin (another opera). Cool. Don't confuse that with Mendelssohn's "Wedding March", the other famous wedding tune, though.



Here's what seems to be the original, opera version with the characters singing. The recording is cut 'halfway' because, well, that would be the part where the music transits to the next song in the opera.

I like the part when the chorus sings 'Hallelujah' and especially the triumphant E-flat major chord at 3:37.

Although it's in German, I also found a translated version of it here (youtube video).

Concert: Limelight 2009: World Harmonies by Nanyang Girls' High School Choir

Date/Time: 29 May 09, 7.30 pm

Venue: Esplanade Concert Hall

Ticket Price: Standard - S$20, S$15 ticket for Student, Senior Citizen & NSF.

---Start of Extract---

Across the Scandinavian fields, over the plains of Eastern Europe, through Japanese villages and into the quirky world of modern America, embark on a musical journey around the world and listen to an eclectic mix of songs from around the world with the Nanyang High Choir.

The repertoire includes The Syncopated Clock, The Waltzing Cat and The Typewriter by Leroy Anderson, Itsuki no Lullaby by Ko Matsushita, Spring by Lojze Lebic, Jaakobin Pojat by Pekka Kostiainen and selections from Disney.

---End of Extract---

Order your tickets from SISTIC now!

Listening Recommendation: Glagolitic Mass by Leos Janacek

Hi all,

Here's this week's listening recommendation.

Composer Leoš Janáček (1854 - 1928) was born in Northern Moravia (in modern day Czech Republic). Although known mostly for his operas, Janacek also wrote a number of anthems and choral works. His works in general are highly challenging, in both technical aspects - rhythm, pitch, harmony (dissonance, unorthodox chord spacings) , keys (modal, major/minor) and musically (in corporation of pitch contour, inflections of Czech speech, and feeling that slight sense of minimalism in his works).

Despite being an atheist, he composed one of the most highly-acclaimed choral works in the 20th century - the Glagolitic Mass. The setting was chiefly, non-liturgical, but used an Old Church Slavonic text (the term Glagolitic comes from the Glagolitic alphabet, the earliest alphabet used by the Slavs, and not to the texts used by the mass, as Janacek seems to have believed) to which a 8-movement work was structured around.

It begins and closes with triumphant fanfares dominated by the brass. In between these sections lies particularly vibrant and rhythmic writing for voices (soloists as well as choir). Before the closing Intrada, Janáček introduces a dramatic organ solo of considerable originality -- a perpetuo moto of wild energy.

Janacek attributes its conception to an electrical storm he witnessed. "It grows darker and darker. Already I am looking into the black night; flashes of lightning cut through it. I switch on the flickering electric light on the high ceiling. I sketch nothing more than the quiet motive of a desperate frame of mind to the words ‘Gospodi pomiluj’ [Love have mercy]. Nothing more than the joyous shout ‘Slava, Slava!"

Listen to see whether you can visualise the imagery Janacek had in this masterpiece.

Concert: Video Games Live

Date/Time: 19 Jun 09, 8 pm

Venue: Singapore Indoor Stadium

Ticket Price: Standard - S$115, S$85, S$70, S$55

*Through SISTIC Website, Hotline & Authorised Agents
10% discount for Early Bird.
[Applicable from 13 - 22 Mar 2009]

10% discount for Local Student.
Full Time students with valid student pass.
Please note that random checks on concession tickets will be conducted at the point of entry.
Patrons unable to present proof of eligibility are required to upgrade their concession tickets to full price tickets.

Through SISTIC Authorised Agents only
20% discount for Coupon with the purchase of New ERA products with minimum $100.
[Applicable to price cat 1 & 2 only]
[Available from 8 May 09 onwards]

15% discount for SIS Star Pass.
[Applicable from 19 May 2009 onwards]

15% discount for Post Card (present valid post card).
[Applicable from 22 May 2009 onwards]

---Start of Extract---

Video Games Live (VGL) is the biggest and most sensational game concert featuring music from the most popular video games of all time. Performed to countless sold-out audiences in United States, Europe and North Asia, VGL is making its first Southeast Asian appearance in Singapore!

VGL integrates cutting-edge visuals and state-of-the-art technology with music arrangements and unique interactive segments, offering audiences an explosive one-of-a-kind entertainment experience.

Produced and performed live by world famous video game composers Tommy Tallarico and Jack Wall, with our very own remarkable NUS Symphony Orchestra & Choir, VGL features music from the most popular video games - Pong, Mario, Sonic, Halo, Warcraft, Zelda, Kingdom Hearts, Final Fantasy and more.

Gamers & music lovers unite! Do not miss this opportunity to watch Video Games Live’s debut performance in Singapore!

---End of Extract---

Book your tickets from SISTIC now!

Concert: Symphony of Voices by Victoria Junior College Choir

((Updated with concert programme))

Date/Time: 14 May 09, 7.30 pm

Venue: Esplanade Concert Hall

Ticket Price: Standard - S$50 (Box Seat), S$40, S$30, S$20. (Doesn't appear to have concessions for students)

Concert Programme: (many thanks to our reader, who has requested to be anonymous)

The Heavens are Telling
1988 (Hong Kong) - Choral Conductors Workshop Demonstration Choir

The father of symphony, F J Haydn composed The Creation during 1796-1798, the longest time he had ever spent on a single composition. Regarded as one of Haydn's greatest masterpiece, The Heavens are Telling is one of the mightiest choruses of the Creation and remains as popular favourite even till today.

My Love Dwelt in a Northern Land
1990 (Wales) - Cardigan Eisteddfod International Choral Competition

This beautiful yet sad piece of music is a lament for lost love. The piece was published in 1890, composed by renowned English composer Edward Elgar based on a poem by Andrew Lang. Every phrase in the music brings you a deeper insight to the poet's world. At the beginning it may seems to be an idyllic recollection of a summer's love, but only to be revealed at the end that the poet's beloved is dead.

Fyer, Fyer!
1991 (Hong Kong) - Invitation from the HK Education Ministry for Concert

This madrigal is a renaissance piece that was composed by renowned English musician Thomas Morley during the Elizabethan Golden Age. Fyer, Fyer was written as part of the First Book of Ballets in 1595. The song explores the burning emotions that arise when love culminates, as depicted by the forceful singing in most sections of the song.

Ave Verum Corpus (performed by year 1 chorus)
1992 (Europe) - Concert Tour Around Europe

A traditional favourite by the 19th century composer Camille Saint-Saens, this Latin sacred music is strongly influenced by music from Italian Catholicism. It means "Hail the true body", referring to the body of Jesus Christ. A Eucharistic hymn that was used frequently during Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, the heartfely music is a testament to Christ's death and the final judgement.

Ma Tou Qin Zou Qi Lai Le (performed by Victoria Chorale)
1993 (Australia) - Sydney Opera House, Canberra House of Parliament

Composed by Liu Zhuang, this piece explores the theme of nation building. Also known as the Morin Khur or horse-headed fiddle, the Ma Tou Qin is a Mongolian bowed instrument with two strings and a detailed carving of a horse's head on the peg head. This song is a strong representation of the Mongolian tribal culture, reflecting both the sound of the Ma Tou Qin and traditional Mongolian overtones.

Ave Maria
1995 (Vatican City) - Saint Peter's Basilica

Ave Maria is a prayer to the Virgin Mary, based on a biblical text. Anton Bruckner wrote this seven-part setting in 1861, making it the first major composition that he completed after 5 years of arduous study. It starts with a three-part women's choir followed by a four-part men's choir which eventually unite in the proclamation of Jesus. It concludes with the asking for intervention for us sinners.

Lok Sui Ten (performed by the Victoria Chorale)
1997 (USA) - Concert Tour to USA, performed at Disneyland, LA

Arranged and commissioned by Dr. Zechariah Goh Toh Chai and Victoria Junior College Choir in 1996, this song (based on a Hakka poem) consists of traditional Hakka droning tunes that are full of emotion. Like most Hakka folksongs, this piece is about life in the mountains. It praises the strong spirit of their people, who do not easily succumb to the difficult circumstances. The piece tells the tale of people, who do not have any shelter, being caught in heavy rains, which relentlessly pour on them.

Counting Frogs (performed by year 2 chorus)
1999 (Pohlheim, Germany) - Mendelssohn International Choral Competition

Arranged and commissioned by local composer Dr. Zechariah Goh Toh Chai and Victoria Junior College Choir in 1998, the VJC Choir once again brings to you this famous Chinese folk song, a popular favourite amongst many. Beginning with 1 frog, with 2 eyes and 4 legs, the numbers keep multiplying as the tongue twister unfolds; the speed of the song also escalates when new frogs are added. The croaking of frogs and unique harmonics used in the opening set a mysterious atmosphere, slowly building up towards a grand and impressive finale.

Ave Maris Stella
2000 (Linz, Germany) - 1st Choir Olympics

Composed in 1979 by Vajda James, this energetic yet solemn piece sings praise to the Virgin Mary. It is based on a plainsong hymn dedicated to the Virgin Mary, which origin is uncertain and can be dated as far back as the eighth century.

O Magnum Mysterium (performed by year 2 chorus)
2002 (Prague, Czech Republic) - 12th International Festival of Advent and Christmas Music

This sacred piece was composed by French composer Francis Poulenc, it explores the internal struggle that he as a person faces in reality. Poulenc's setting of this piece consists of a very sombre tone, which reflects the immense pain felt by him. Based on a responsorial chant from the Matins of Christmas, we return to the fateful night when Jesus Christ was born in a lowly manger. The sense of awe felt by those present is captured and relieved in this song, which exalts "The Great Mystery".

Now Every Tree (performed by year 1 chorus)
2003 (Genting Highlands, Malaysia) - Inaugural 21st Century International Choral Festival)

This madrigal was written in 1597, during the renaissance period, by famous English composer Thomas Weelkes. Being the most important from of music of its time, it is a polyphonic secular vocal composition that is unaccompanied. The music well expresses the sentiment of each line of the poetic text, which depicts a love-song of the seasons.

In The Bamboo Forest (performed by Victoria Chorale)
2004 (Bremen, Germany) - 3rd Choir Olympics

Composed by Dr. Zechariah Goh Toh Chai, and commissioned by the Victoria Junior College Choir in 2003, this piece was premiered by the VJC choir in 2004. "Sitting alon, in the hush of the bamboo, I thrum my zither, and whistle lingering note. In the secrecy of the wood, no one can hear, only the clear moon comes to shine on me."
Based on this poem by Tang Dynasty poet (Wang Wei), the song describes how the simple pleasures of music and art are somtimes best enjoyed in solitude.

Confitemini Domino
2006 (Riva del Garda, Italy) - 9th Concorso Corale Internazionale

This spectacular piece of music composed by acclaimed Venezualan composer Alberto Grau, exhibits heavy Latin influences that stem from his own cultural roots. It is an extremely unique choral piece that encompasses a mixture of slow, moving passages and intense, captivating trance-like rhythms and effectively uses and incorporates a wider range of musical effects.

Hana
2007 (Pattaya, Thailand) - 3rd A Voyage of Songs International Choral Festival

This enticing piece composed by Japanese composer Ko Matsushita in 2001 expresses the fragility and tenderness of a flower, bringing as through the course of its delicate life. Does the blooming of a flower indicate its impending and inevitable death? More often than not we only see a flower for its bloom, but not its journey, in which its story unfolds. Let the VJC choir take you through this mesmerizing journey of the story of a flower.

Mate Saule
2008 (Wales) - Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod

Mate Saule, also known as Mother Sun, is a contemporary piece written by Peteris Vasks in 1946. It is an early choral work, featuring voices oscillating like the shimer of a sun slowly rising in the horizon, lit by flares and fragments of chant. The song culminates with a breathtaking chord, consisting of 15 parts (each representing a beam of sunlight) which expresses the idea of an inspiring sunrise by the Mother Sun.

Christus Factus Est
2009 (Linz, Germany) - 2nd International Anton Bruckner Choir Competition and Festival

Composed byt the renowned Romantic era composer Anton Bruckner and completed in 1884, Christus Factus Est was dedicated to a Father from the Benedictine Monastery. It is a symphonic and beautiful piece and a prime example of the way Bruckner develops harmonic tension gradually, building to memorable climaxes and then easing away.

The Phantom Waltz

Based on two poems by Izak van der Merwe, South African composer Hendrik Hofmeys wrote this piece in 1998. It is a contemporary piece that depicts ghosts gathering for a light, yet energetic waltz at a spookey estate on an eerie night. The haunting and creepy atmosphere is further enhanced by the whispers and winds that vocalists create at different sections of the song. Watch out for the hair-raising opening as the VJC Choir welcomes you to the Phantom Waltz.

Magic Songs (Chant to Bring Back the Wolf)

Composed by renowed Canadian composer R. Murray Schafer, Magic Songs is compilation of 9 chants, of which we are only performing one. What is unique about Magic Songs is that it reflects the idea of 'Tone Magic', which requires the performers to believe strongly that they will bring out a physical effect from the chants, so as to energise the piece. The chants are to restore aspects of nature which have been destroyed or neglected by humanity. In the words of the composer, "if you sing the right note, you can make anyhing happen".

---Start of Extract---

A choir recognised both locally and internationally for its mastery of choral music, the Victoria Junior College Choir once again presents its annual concert Symphony of Voices. In conjunction with the college’s 25th Anniversary celebrations, this will be an evening that celebrates the choir’s accomplishments over the years. This promises to be an evening of spectacular music, where the choir will showcase its musicality and versatility with a variety of songs ranging from sacred music of the Latin tradition to contemporary Asian and Western compositions.

Under the guidance of esteemed choral director, Mr Nelson Kwei, the Victoria Junior College Choir has grown from strength to strength since its humble beginnings in 1985. The choir has garnered numerous awards, attaining Gold Awards in all categories they competed in during the 2004 Choir Olympics and being awarded the Grand Championship Prize in the Riva del Garda Choir Competition held in Italy in 2006. More recently, the VJC Choir was awarded the Special Jury Prize in the Voyage of Songs International Choral Festival 2007, and clinched first prize in the Youth Choirs section at the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod 2008 held in Wales.

--End of Extract---

Book your tickets from SISTIC now!

Concert: Distant Worlds music from Final Fantasy

---Update---

Here's the programme from the night (23 May 09)

FF VIII: Liberli Fatali (with chorus)
FF X: To Zanarkand
FF VIII: Don't be Afraid
FF VII: Aerith's Theme
FF I - III: Medley 2002
FF V: Dear Friends (with guitar solo)
FF IX: Vamo' alla Flamenco (with guitar solo)
FF XI: Ronfaure
FF series: Main Theme

Intermission

FF VII: Opening - Bombing Mission
FF VIII: Fisherman's Horizon (with chorus)
FF XI: Memoro de la Stono - Distant Worlds (with chorus and soloist, Anna Koor)
FF IV: Theme of Love
FF series: Swing de Chocobo (my personal fav)
FF VIII: Love Grows
FF VI: Opera "Maria and Draco" (soloists, Anna Koor, Kee Loi Seng and William Lim)

Encore:

FF VI: Terra's Theme
FF VII: One Winged Angel (with chorus, and Nobuo Uematsu-sensei singing in the chorus)


--Original Post 29 Jan 09 ---

Okay the details are unknown yet, but we can confirm that play symphony is coming to Singapore again this year! 22nd and 23rd May 09, at the Esplanade. This year's concert will comprise of all the Songs from the Final Fantasy Series from square Enix. A must watch for all FF game fans and choir enthusiasts alike!


Will update when more details are available.

Notice: Online Choir Experiment by Eric Whitacre

Hi all, just thought I would like to bring this to your attention. I was notified of this through an e-mail sent by a friend.

(The above link is to Mr Eric Whitacre's official blog.)

Whitacre is looking for singers to sing parts of his composition "Sleep" and record it on video and post it on youtube, where he can then fix all the parts together and create the world's first virtual choir! If it works out fine, he may even compose a new song to be premiered by the virtual choir. Do check out his blog for the details (read from his May 15th post onwards.)

Hope to see Singaporeans as part of the virtual choir :)

Listening Recommendation: The Philippine Madrigal Singers

Hi all,

This week's listening recommendation's actually a concert done by The Philippine Madrigal Singers, or more affectionately known to their fans as Madz. A two-time winner of the European Grand Prix, Madz recently performed a number of pieces in South Korea. Lucky for us, we don't have to travel all the way there to listen to them perform live! :)

Below's some of the pieces which they performed during the concert on Apr 29:

Sing-ing Sunday: Most viewed choral videos

As the title suggests, I did a quick search on youtube for "singapore choir" and found the following to be the most viewed videos of school choirs.

No. 5: Victoria Chorale (2,827 views)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rfpNvijouPo (embedding was disabled, so you'll have to access the webpage)

I guess alumni choirs count? And I sang that song before (for Christmas carolling, what else).

In Dulci Jubilo.

No. 4: TKSS Bin Nam Ma (3,515 views)



I didn't hear Bin Nam Ma during this year's SYF! Haha.

No. 3: ACJC Winter Wonderland (4,632 views)



Sadly, the recording quality isn't very good for this video. The choir seems to sound pretty good, though.

No. 2: Combined Primary School choir (5,508 views)



Wow, that's a record number of people on stage.

And presenting, the most viewed Singapore school choir video on youtube...

...

No. 1: NJC Ave Verum Corpus (19,545 views!!!)



I suppose the numbers are especially high because many people would search for Mozart's Ave Verum Corpus.

I wanted to post the top 5 least viewed school choir videos too, but found that it's very hard to find the least viewed videos, because of the search engine. After page X showing videos with close to zero views, page X+1 will have videos with tens of hundreds of views again -.-

Oh well. Maybe I will save that for another week, when I figure out how to work around this glitch! Till then.

Concert: Ladysmith Black Mambazo

Date/Time: 14 Jun 09, 7.30 pm

Venue: Esplanade Concert Hall

Ticket Price: Standard - S$80, S$60, S$45, S$30, S$20

*10% discount for ArtsFest Club Members
ArtsFest Club Members to quote or key password upon purchase.

10% discount for General Sales Package I (2-3 shows)
15% discount for General Sales Package J (4 shows & above)

20% discount for Local / International Full Time Students, Senior Citizens (60 yrs old & above) and NSFs

---Start of Extract---


Grammy Award for Best Traditional World Music Album, 2005 & 2009

Come witness the spectacular return of nine-man a cappella choir, Ladysmith Black Mambazo – the voice and soul of South Africa.

Following its raved international debut in Paul Simon’s 1986 album Graceland, this household name in world music has transcended the poverty and dark times of apartheid to become the cultural ambassador of South Africa. Formed in the troubled 1970s by Joseph Shabalala, Ladysmith Black Mambazo performs indigenous Zulu music, blended with the choral traditions and sensibilities of Christian gospel music. Its message of peace, harmony and unity has won the hearts of the world, having been invited to perform at Nobel Peace Prize ceremonies, the 1996 Summer Olympics, and concerts for the Queen of England, Pope John Paul II and Nelson Mandela. Three Grammy Awards and numerous nominations attest to the heartrending and spiritual power of its music.

“It’s amazing what real music can do.” – Timesunion.com

In a career that has spanned nearly thirty years Ladysmith Black Mambazo have recorded forty albums, sold over 6 million records and brought home 3 Grammy awards. The group is a national treasure of the new South Africa, in part because they embody the traditions suppressed in the old South Africa. Black Mambazo has also been invited to perform at many special occasions, including two Nobel Peace Prize Ceremonies, a concert for Pope John Paul II in Rome, 1996 Summer Olympics and during Queen Elizabeth’s Golden Jubilee. Time does not seem to be slowing down Ladysmith Black Mambazo as they continue to travel the world, spreading their message of “Peace, Love and Harmony”.


---End of Extract---

Book your tickets from SISTIC today!

Choral Masterclass by Stephen Cleobury

((Edited to correct erroneous date))

Date/Time: 26 Jul 09, 11 am

Venue: Esplanade Concert Hall

Ticket Price: $12

Note: Internet Booking starts on 18 May 2009, 9am.
Other Sales Channel starts on 18 May 2009, 10am.

---Start of Extract---

Learn the finer points of choral singing from one of the world’s most respected music director, Stephen Cleobury, from The Choir of King’s College, Cambridge.

This choral masterclass will feature the participation of two Singaporean choirs – Singapore Lyric Opera Children’s Choir and The Philharmonic Chamber Choir.

http://www.kings.cam.ac.uk/chapel/choir/director.html

---End of Extract---

Book your tickets from SISTIC!

Concert: The Choir of King's College, Cambridge

Date/Time: 26 Jul 09, 7.30 pm

Venue: Esplanade Concert Hall

Ticket Price: Standard - S$88, S$68, S$48, S$28, Box Seat - S$88

*S$24 (Cat 3), S$14 (Cat 4) for Student
S$33.60 (Cat 3), S$19.60 (Cat 4) for Senior Citizen (age above 60 yrs) and NSF

Note: Internet Booking starts on 18 May 2009, 9am.
Other Sales Channel starts on 18 May 2009, 10am.

---Start of Extract---

Programme
Lobet den Herrn (Ps. 117)
Bach

Hör mein bitten (Ps. 102)
Purcell

ehova, quam multi sunt (Ps. 3)
Purcell

Voluntary on the Old 100th
Purcell

Sonata no.3 (1st movement)
Mendelssohn

Richte mich, Gott (Ps. 43)
Mendelssohn

Hear my prayer (from Ps. 55)
Mendelssohn

Organ Concerto Op. 4 no. 4.
Handel

Missa Sancti Johannis de Deo (Kleineorgelmesse)
Haydn

Komm, Jesu, komm
Bach

“...impeccable intonation, unfailing rhythmic vitality...” – The Times

Experience the pure, angelic voices of the Boys of King's College, one of the world's best known representatives of the great British choral tradition.

Led by music director Stephen Cleobury, this world-famous choir will perform a repertoire of choral favourites from Bach, Purcell, Mendelssohn, Handel and Hadyn, accompanied by a string ensemble comprising some of Singapore’s best musicians – Chan Yoong Han (violin), Michael Loh (violin), Tan Wee Hsin (viola), Chan Wei Shing (cello) and Yang Zhengyi (double bass) – and organist Peter Stevens performing organ solos and an organ concerto.

Internationally recognised as the pre-eminent representative of the great British church music tradition, the choir owes its existence to King Henry VI who envisaged the daily singing of services in his magnificent chapel. Today, famous for its many recordings, the choir is heard on radio by millions all over the world and has travelled to the USA and Canada, South Africa, Australia, Hong Kong, Macau, Taipei and Tokyo. The choir has worked with many distinguished soloists and orchestras including the London Philharmonic Orchestra under Kurt Masur.

Performed in English, Latin and German. 110mins, including 20min intermission.

Explorations: Post-Performance Autograph Signing by Stephen Cleobury 26 Jul 09, Sun

---End of Extract---

Book your tickets from SISTIC now! :)

Concert: Old Friends, New Melodies by AJC Alumni Choir

Date/Time: 26 Jun 09, 7 pm - 9.30 pm

Venue: YMS Arts Centre, 54 Waterloo St

Ticket Price: $12



---Start of Extract---

Established in 2006, the Anderson Junior College Alumni Choir was formed by a group of choristers that recently graduated from AJC. We felt that two years of singing, performing and competing was simply not enough to measure our passion for music.

So here we are - our first public concert as an alumni choir!

Spread the word and bring your friends along for a night of classics, contemporaries and pop a cappella. Get tickets from any alumni choir member now! We look forward to seeing you at YMS on the 26th of June!

---End of Extract---

View their concert details on facebook, alternatively for tickets, e-mail them at ajalumnichoir@gmail.com.

Looking for commentary on VJC Choir's concert

Hi all,

If you were at last night's Symphony of Voices, do let us know how you felt the choir did. A list of their programme would be most useful as well :)

E-mail us at singforharmony.gmail.com or yeshamiel@gmail.com

Thanks again!

Listening Recommendations: Nox Aurumque by Eric Whitacre

Hi all,

Apologies for the late post. Here's this week's listening recommendation:

Nox Aurumque's composer Eric Whitacre's latest work, and was only recently premiered in Minneapolis, Minnesota on 22 Mar 09. He (or his compatriots) has very kindly posted a pretty high quality video on youtube!

Here's a quote from his official blog regarding the piece:

---Start of Extract---

Nox Aurumque (Night and Gold) is the piece that just received its premiere in Minneapolis last month. As the name implies, it is sort of a ‘companion’ piece to Lux Aurumque (Light and Gold).

In writing it, I wanted to echo some of the musical material in Lux Aurumque, while at the same time filling it with themes from Paradise Lost. I asked Charles Anthony Silvestri (Sleep, Leonardo Dreams, Lux Aurumque, Her Sacred Spirit Soars) to write me an original poem in Latin, and as usual, he knocked it out of the park. Here’s the translation:

NOX AURUMQUE

Gold,
Tarnished and dark,
Singing of night,
Singing of death,
Singing itself to sleep.
And an angel dreams of sunrise,
And war.

Tears of the ages.
O shield!
O gilded blade!
You are too heavy to carry,
Too heavy for flight.

Gold,
Tarnished and weary,
Awaken!
Melt from weapon to wing!
Let us soar again,
High above this wall;
Angels reborn and rejoicing with wings made
Of dawn,
Of gold,
Of dream.

Gold,
Singing of wings,
Singing of shadows.

---End of Extract---

The piece, as Mr Whitacre puts it, sounds like a haunting reminder of his other pieces as he borrowed a couple of motifs from his other works, e.g. Paradise Lost, Lux Aurumque. *For more on this, visit his blog post*.

The piece will be published once the other choirs who commissioned this work perform it! :)

Enjoy!

Sing-ing Sunday: Debussy

I think this is a good arrangement and rendition of Debussy's Trois Chansons (which includes Dieu qu'l la fait bon regarder! and Yver, vous n'estes qu'un villain) for trombone quartet. Very lovely brassy sounds.

While I can't find any videos of Singaporean choirs singing Dieu qu'l la fait bon regarder!, many school choirs have sung Yver.



Here is NJC choir's version of Yver, vous n'estes qu'un villain.

Concert: Thank you for the Music (SLO Children's Choir)

Date/Time: 7 Aug 09, 3.30 pm, 8 Aug 09, 3.30 pm & 7.30 pm.

Venue: Esplanade Recital Studio

Ticket Price: $18 (Discounts available, view SISTIC website for more details)

---Start of Extract---

Feature works from Classical, local and Asian folksongs and contemporary music

---End of Extract---

Order your tickets from SISTIC!

Afterthoughts on the SYF season

Hey guys,

Thought I should do a summary of the SYF season (or at least what I heard).

Generally, the overall level of choral singing has improved! Kudos to all performers and conductors for their hard work. There were much less 'cringe'-worthy moments, and there were definitely performances which made you feel like you were in the concert hall, rather than 'judging' or 'critiquing'. This was especially so for the JC category.

In addition, I'll just like to point out that the sound upstairs is VERY different from what you perceive in the stalls. I had the benefit of actually listening to choirs on both levels (not during the competition). As such, it may explain why there were some 'shocks' when the results came out.

The JC/ IP schools generally gave decent performances, what some of them lacked in musicality, they made up for it with technical difficulty or vice versa. However, none of the schools (including the G/GwH schools) managed to conquer all 3 pieces. There were a few which were close (I won't mention who), but still fell short of doing so. Pitching has generally improved though the intricate bits (e.g. end of phrases, sustained notes) still need some work. It was in this category where you could tell that every school had their niche tone/ genre of pieces which they were most comfortable performing, which made it interesting and enjoyable to listen to.

The Sec schools (imo), have improved the most. Schools, which did not have an established brand-name, have stepped up and produced choirs which may be comparable to that of choirs in international competitions. Tone is more cohesive than before, though many of the schools would benefit from voice training (yeah I know it's difficult and not cheap, but that's the ideal situation). However, conductors tend to re-use past repertoire, or the practice which my friends call recycling, and I generally didn't like. One example was Ti Hor Hor. I remember hearing that piece so many times within that short span of time in which I was there listening.

Lastly, I thank you all readers for your time, comments and all during the SYF season. Finally, to all performers and choristers, thank you for your hard work. I hope you have produced music which have touched you in one way or another, and continue to do so for many years to come.

Concert: SLO Youth Choir in Concert

Date/Time: 6-7 Aug 09, 8 pm

Venue: Esplanade Recital Studio

Ticket Price: S$18

Please add to above price $3 Booking Fee per ticket for tickets above $20 and $1 Booking Fee per ticket for tickets $20 and below. Charges include GST where applicable.

---Start of Extract---

A musical journey with famous tunes from operas, folksongs, musical theatre and pop culture.

---End of Extract---

Book your tickets from SISTIC today!

The Simpsons (A Cappella!)

Dear all,

Here's something interesting to listen to!

This video was featured in last Sunday's episode of the Simpsons (U.S), with the group's YouTube clip of them singing the Simpson's theme song rather than the usual one!

The group's the Pacific Northwest's Canvas, and though they've disbanded, they've had immense hype of late due to this video! haha



Enjoy! :)

---Item taken from A Cappella News---

((Edit: Visit Canvas at this url now! :)))

Commentary

Dear all,

After some e-mails from readers, in order to facilitate commentary on the blog, we've amended the current comment posting requirement to openid, which is more flexible than having to use a gmail acct.

Thank you, and we look forward to more wonderful choral and a cappella singing in Singapore!

Concert: Limelight 2009 Anglican High School Choir

Date/Time: Tues, 30 Jun 09, 7.30 pm

Venue: Esplanade Concert Hall

Ticket Price: $20

---Start of Extract---

Eric Whitacre
The Seal Lullaby
Sleep
Lux Aurumque

Nelson Kwei
Yu Chang (Male Chorus)
Maiden of Miao (Miao Jia Shao Nu)

Vytautas Miskinis
Ave Maria
Ave Regina coelorum (Female Chorus)

Bob Chilcott
Aesop’s Fables

Hear the choir explore different genres of music, in particular contemporary choral works.

Immerse yourself in Eric Whitacre’s intricate choral piece set to powerful literature and be transported to the rolling meadows and hills of a pastoral landscape with Nelson Kwei’s colourful arrangements of two Chinese folk melodies. Then, feel the soulful tug of Vytautas Miskini’s music, and hear the morality tales of Aesop in a new way with Bob Chilcott’s Aesop’s Fables.

---End of Extract---

Purchase your tickets from SISTIC now!

Concert: Les Petits Chanteurs de Monaco (The Little Singers of Monaco)

((bumped up due to updates))

Date/Time: 7-8 Jul 09, 8 pm

Venue: Victoria Concert Hall

Ticket Price: From $25-60

---Start of Extract---

Spend an enchanting evening with Les Petits Chanteurs de Monaco, the Little Singers of Monaco (LSM) and enjoy a programme of fine choral music ranging from sacred music, songs of master composers that include Bach, Charpentier, Mendelssohn, Mozart, etc, Gregorian chants to modern French chansons and songs from Monaco.

Based in the Cathedral of Monaco, the LSM's musical sensitivity and rich traditions of European royal choirs have won them critical acclaim wherever they perform.

For more information, please visit www.nafa.edu.sg, under the calendar of events.

---End of Extract---

Taken from an OCBC bank flyer

---Start of Extract---

The Little Singers of Monaco (In aid of NAFA Student Relief Fund)
Under the royal patronage of H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco

Be enchanted by the melodious voices of the "Little Singers of Monaco" (LSM) rendering in sweet harmony sacred music, Renaissance music, works of early master composers, French chansons and songs from Monaco that reflect the geographical characteristics of Monaco’s location in Southern France.

Based in the Cathedral of Monaco, the 31-strong LSM with a century old tradition is internationally renowned for their musical sensitivity and rich traditions of European royal choirs, winning critical acclaim and fans wherever they perform. Their touring concert programme features works by Charpentier, Bach, Pergolesi, Mozart, Schubert, Mendelssohn, Franck, Fauré, Casals and Andrew Lloyd Webber, including modern songs from Monaco and Paris namely "Les Grands Boulevards", "La romance de Paris", "Les Champs-Elysées", "Mademoiselle de Paris" and "Sous le ciel de Paris".

The LSM have also been associated with the operatic performances of the Monte-Carlo Opera and the Monte-Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra, and many other popular opera productions.

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