February 2010

CHORAL ESSENCE NEWSLETTER

Our “Side By Side” Ride.

Chorale Essence is enjoying the ride as it heads into mid concert season. Actually, during our early rehearsals for our “Side By Side” concert, the ride looked a little hairy. We started the season with six new members and a demanding, completely new repertoire that included up to seven parts in tight, dissonant harmonies. I wrote my own composition, “What a Lovely Day”, to challenge the group and I soon realized that it probably wouldn’t or couldn’t be performed by most choral groups. But with a few extra rehearsals, the music started to bloom right before concert time. The timing was perfect because the music was well rehearsed but still felt fresh enough to interpret and claim in our own style. We had a good time enacting the comic scene of “Story of a Tack” and discovered what hams we have in this sophisticated group! During our concerts our audience joined in, chuckled, laughed [in the right places!] contemplated and...yes, even shed a few tears of great emotion! Some comments we heard: “You looked like you were having so much fun!” (We were!) “Not one voice stood out.” (We work very hard on this!) “What dynamics - from a whisper to a shout!” (Well, that IS our trademark, after all). What warm, enthusiastic audiences we have the privilege of entertaining. This is a great ride!

“Celebrate Love”: The Many Faces of Love

It was once said, “The love we give away is the only love we keep.” In our next concerts, “Celebrate Love”, Choral Essence will explore the many faces of love and how they are reflected in our lives through love of others, love of labor and love of God. In addition to the rousing spirituals, the smooth pop and jazz numbers and the ethereal classical selections, we’ll be adding some songs of love for Valentine’s Day and the spring season including “Love Me Tender” and “My Funny Valentine”.

Peace Memorial Church Concert

We are excited to be part of Peace Memorial Church’s concert series in downtown Clearwater on Valentine’s Day, February 14, at 3 pm. The church’s acoustics are well suited for the natural, unamplified sound of Choral Essence. And it’s a fine venue to hear Rita Rostron at Peace’s Casavant pipe organ. In the tradition of our benefit performances, the offering will support Peace’s new local homeless mission program.

Anona Methodist Church Concert

On March 14, at 3 pm we have been invited to sing at Anona Methodist Church, 13233 Indian Rocks Road, Largo. This large church has an amazing music program and we are delighted to be the first outside group to be sponsored there in concert. An offering will be received for United Methodist Cooperative Ministries.

Amazing Grace

Although the tune of “Amazing Grace” is listed as “melody unknown” in the Library of Congress, many believe it was a West African sorrow chant that John Newton overheard as he captained a slave ship in his youth. At age 40 he was ordained a minister and as he reflected on his earlier life, Newton likely set his stirring words to this slave melody. Today this song is known throughout the world.

The Negro Spirituals were written using the five-note pentatonic scale. In early America it was called the “Slave Scale” because it could be played on just the black notes. These five notes summoned up the great strength, beauty and pathos of the African slaves. Indeed, their music is unsurpassed among the folk songs of the world.

Choral Essence sings an amazing arrangement of “Amazing Grace” by Greg Jasperse. Although the melody is faithful to the five-note pentatonic scale, Jasperse harmonizes with tight clusters of rich jazz chords, composing in the twelve-note chromatic scale. This arrangement offers a fresh approach to a familiar spiritual.

Visit Our Website!

Check out our new photos and remember our repertoire, concert schedule and sample selections of last year’s music are available on this website. We also have an active e-mail list and would love to include you in our updates.

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