Monday 29 September 2014

Choir Review

Young People's Chorus of New York City

See link to Prezi presentation:


Young People’s Chorus
of NEW YORK CITY
Tuesday, September 30th, 2014 Miss. Jubenville


In Residence at Fredrick P. Rose Hall, home of Jazz at Lincoln Centre



Mission:

It is the mission of YPC of NYC to provide children of all cultural and economic backgrounds with a program of music education and choral performance that seeks to fulfill each child’s potential, while creating a model or artistic excellence and diversity that enriches the community.

Chorus Division:

Prelude, Girls and Boys 7-10
Intermezzo, Girls and Boys 10-15
Cantare, Girls and Boys 11-16
Amani, Boys 11-16
Young Men's Chorus, Young Men 12-18
Concert Chorus, Girls and Boys 12-18

Founder & Artistic Director:

Francisco J. Nunez

·      Grew up in a close-knit Dominican family in NYC.
·      As a piano prodigy he spent his time away from school at home practicing piano.  Through his musical talent, he met other children with the same interests in music but from different cultural and economic environments. He learned from them, and they learned from him.
·      Bachelor of Piano Performance from NYC
·      1988 Founded the YPC of NYC
·      Leads the University Glee Club of NYC
Transient Glory:
·       Created in 2001, to showcase children’s chorus as a serious and glorious instrument capable of making music of the highest quality.
·       Commissioned and premiered almost 80 pieces of music from the most visionary composers of our times.
·       Expanding the repertoire for young singers.

Radio Radiance:
In 2009 he extended Transient Glory to Radio Radiance, a radio, digital media and internet program, presented in association with public radio, to develop new audiences for cutting-edge choral music through national broadcasts, along with a grassroots effort in collaboration with youth choruses in cities both on and off the U.S. mainland.  



Monday 15 September 2014

Itay Talgam: Lead like the great conductors

What is the role of the conductor?

Conducting is a career, and role within an orchestra, that I have never really thought about. My first experience with a conductor was probably when I was around age 8. I was in the Junior String Orchestra, at the Kincardine Summer Music Festival. I can’t say I understand what the conductor’s role was then, other than they were somehow keeping us “together”.  It wasn’t until my first year university that I ever paid any attention to the conductor. I found myself in the back of the viola section, completely lost. Thank God for Paul Pulford and his clear indication of the downbeat! Over the years, my orchestral training afforded me the opportunity to work with many different conductors, all of which had different conducting gestures, however what remains as a common thread throughout, is not how they “controlled” the ensemble, but how we were all there for the experience, of playing together. 

In 2011 I found myself in a role I had never even considered, conductor of the NSYO Junior Strings Orchestra. I remember my very first rehearsal; I was in front of 20-some-odd kids, without a baton, waving my arms trying desperately to gain control of the situation. Then, Mark David (Conductor of the NSO) stopped by, just to see how everything was going. I was mortified. I had no idea what I was doing, and I certainly didn’t want his witness!

Itay Telgam spoke at length about the role of the conductor. What do they do, really? Since 2011 I have become hyper aware of conductors and their gestures, and have been subconsciously decided what I liked and didn’t like as an ensemble member, so that when I conduct the Junior Strings, I only bring them the best I have to offer.  Itay Telgam also describes the very delicate balance of control, yet also the freedom of the ensemble. I learned more than 200 words will allow me to express!

Since starting this degree (a whopping 10 days ago!) I have fallen in love with education, even more-so than I ever thought I loved it, and am overflowing with excitement for all that is to come! I loved Telgam’s friend’s quote: “If you love something, give it away.”  I can’t honestly think of a better thing to do. 



Welcome!

Greetings fellow ED2520 students, and others!

This blog has been created as an educational tool for the course ED2520 - Voice and Choral Methods, taught by the incredible, Ki Adams. It will be used as a place to share ideas, and resources, as well as continue conversations that we have in class. 
 
I look forward to sharing my journey with you!