Greetings readers,
Day #3 of Podium was a self-indulgent one. It was a
particularly gorgeous summer day in Ottawa and a leisurely morning blogging and
chatting with friends meant that I only caught the end half of the Toronto Children’s Chorus Chamber Choir (TCCCC) performance. I should preface my
following comments with the fact that I am not a fan of choirs that don’t sound
like they’re singing with their full range. I just felt like the TCCCC had so
much more sound to offer but it remained buried beneath a very proper choral
façade. Don’t get me wrong, the notes were all there, the rhythm was there, but
I just found their interpretation of the music to be too clinical. I find that
when children’s voices are not used to their full range they just sound like
they’re in a stunted state of childhood. Childhood should be the time to
experiment with our vocal instruments. I understand it’s a completely choral
sound aesthetic preference; it just so happens that theirs doesn’t appeal to me.
The Hamilton Children’s Choirs and High Park Choirs (HCC/HPC) were
stunning. It made me wish I was 13 again so that I could go and sing in these
choirs. They have such control over a wide range of vocal colours and it resulted
in such a unified voice. Their show-stopping pieces for me were definitely Hatfield's "Las
Amarillas" and Rajaton's "Pakkanen". The TCCCC performed Las Amarillas earlier in the day;
however, the HCC/HPC performance re-calibrated my quality bar for the
performance. My favorite part of the HCC/HPC is what when they use
choralography, it does not take away from the singing. In many ways, it doesn’t
even appear as if you’re watching movement, it just feels like you’re viewing
an organic entity that visually and aurally embodies the music. Brava HCC/HPC, brava!
My afternoon was filled with some quality voces boreales
time as they were the demo choir for Zaugg’s Podium session and they also performed
in the afternoon spotlight concert. Zaugg session focused on utilizing varying
aural tools to help balance chords and hear better within a choir. There were
demos from bright to dark vowel placement in chords, the question of vibrato or
no vibrato, and always listening to the softest note in the chord. Zaugg
elicited chords from voces boreales and challenged session attendees to listen
to which part is the softest, and instead of making those louder sing quieter, he instructed the softer part to sing out. The concert following the session was
stunning. voces boreales performed “Die Erste Elegie” by Rautavaara and I was
just amazed at how fluid and effortless it sounded. I remember tackling with
this piece with Pro Coro in the fall; it was hard work… and you could hear it.
This was followed by Holten’s “Regn og rusk og rosenbusk,” another piece I
haven’t heard of before but I love it. It had so many interesting choral characters
throughout the story, which was from a Hans Christen Andersen’s Rain, Rush,
Rosebush tale.
Quintessential comprised the second half of the concert.
They had a set of unique arrangement of folk tunes by Kathleen Allan, which I
felt suited their Newfoundland spirit very well. The sound of Quintessential is
definitely vibrant and powerful. I can see why they have been representing
Canada well on the international choral scene.
With the sun shining
and a view of the parliament buildings in the background conference, the Podium Gala also rounded off the day. On the top floor of the centre, conductors,
choristers, and choir music enthusiasts celebrated Canadian choral talent
with an awards ceremony. A perfect culmination to a weekend filled with choral
music sessions and concerts. As well, this choir girl only managed to get in because my blog reader and Canadian choral composer, Donald Patriquin had an extra ticket. Thanks Donald!
And with that dear readers, I am signing off as your
official choir girl Podium correspondent. Belle Canto will be departing the
conference today so my daily posts and twitter updates will now come to a
close. I hope you have enjoyed following me through my first Podium experience
and I hope there will be many more to come. After all, Podium 2014 will be in
Halifax, NS…
Until next time readers, take care!
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To re-live some of the Podium action and follow updates for today you can see all conference tweets at #Podium2012.
Also, be sure to follow Podium 2014's Twitter and Facebook accounts for all upcoming information regarding the choral conference in Halifax May 15-18, 2014.
Also, be sure to follow Podium 2014's Twitter and Facebook accounts for all upcoming information regarding the choral conference in Halifax May 15-18, 2014.
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