Today I had a day off from the day job. I work retail to support the music side of things. So with my spare time, between running around on errands, the work on repertoire begins. I have a good rep already but I really need to work on more stuff. As much as I have it is pretty limited in what I could be doing. So the work on the big stuff begins; the big Handel stuff, the Bach Oratorios and Passions, and time to dig out the Purcell too. Loads of stuff to do, but worth it. When am I going to find the time!
Last night was signs of things starting to pick up. I went by one of my old choirs and spoke to the director about singing with one of his other choirs. He said I should really sing for him, because he might be able to find me a little solo work. This is not in the bag at all but definite progress and would be a big boost for me.
I will be working away now at trying to get in with all the contacts and see what's available. The more work the better.
...this could be hard work!
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Monday, September 28, 2009
Action...
So I'm sitting here reflecting on the writing I have done and thinking I might be sounding like I'm just complaining! I am in fact complaining but I don't want it to come across as that. Especially when I am saying people are being lazy I shouldn't just sit back and make myself look hypocritical. I am blogging so that I reflect on my thoughts and hope that I can then act on it! Slowly I hope through some action I can make a difference.
On another note, I have been asked by a number of friends to try to organize a new choir here in Ottawa. I am planning it as an acapella group and hope that I can have a lot of fun with this group. But now my search begins for music and planning a rehearsal list. What am I planning? Well everything from Tallis to Billy Joel to Disney! It will be a lot of cool stuff and am excited to get started!
On another note, I have been asked by a number of friends to try to organize a new choir here in Ottawa. I am planning it as an acapella group and hope that I can have a lot of fun with this group. But now my search begins for music and planning a rehearsal list. What am I planning? Well everything from Tallis to Billy Joel to Disney! It will be a lot of cool stuff and am excited to get started!
Sunday, September 27, 2009
And I continue...
Today was good and reminded me of the good ol' days here in Ottawa. The CCC choir sang a very good service of Missa Papa Marcelli - Palestrina, Exultate Deo - Palestrina, and Cantate Domino - Schutz. Then a classic Decani Vs Cantoris baseball game and BBQ.
Singing here is fun but unfortunately does not at the frequency of England's Cathedral Choirs. If the Christ Church Cathedral Choir here in Ottawa sang as often as the English choirs we could be a very exciting group! Unfortunately we have an issue of financing which is common everywhere, and laziness on the behalf of the clergy! After a short conversation, it seems to me that the cathedral does not sing evensong because the clergy don't want to spend the time leading a service for only 10-20 people! Does this not defeat the purpose or goal of the clergy of the Anglican Church. Are they not to provide leadership in faith to all peoples in various manners. Especially in a institute that has the best Men and Boys choir in the country and an extremely talented girls choir! The service of evensong should be encouraged. A lot of people find evensong to be a more moving and spiritually fulfilling service.
OK.... so I know you are thinking I should be going on more about my venture to making it as a professional singer, but on my way, I am moved by what is going on in the church around me and the music I am involved in making along the way. So yes the evensong moaning is relevant.
But...moving on. I had a very interesting moment yesterday afternoon. I am a professional chorister in the Ottawa Choral Society, and we had a rehearsal yesterday. The Sops and altos were divided from the Tenors and Basses, and because for the upcoming concert I am singing bass I joined the tenors and basses. We were rehearsing for a pops concert at the NAC and running through Andrew Lloyd Webbers Pie Jesu, as Matthew Larkin started to sing the Treble solo and stopped before the top A so I jumped in and finished the line. So, as the men started to Hum their parts Matthew said to me,'You cover the top part and lets do the duet' So as it came along Matthew and I sang through to the end. At the end of the rehearsal one of the gents came to me and told me my duet with Matthew was beautiful. So I laughed thinking he was being sarcastic. I was shocked to learn he was not, when he replied,'No, I found it very moving!' Just goes to show we don't all have good taste!
....that's all for now!
P.s. I do have to say that the number of Men and Boys choirs is now in question. I have been informed that Grace Church on the Hill still actually has a Men and Boys choir but is often supplemented by girls! So there are technically three but really two that are surviving in the old tradition!
Singing here is fun but unfortunately does not at the frequency of England's Cathedral Choirs. If the Christ Church Cathedral Choir here in Ottawa sang as often as the English choirs we could be a very exciting group! Unfortunately we have an issue of financing which is common everywhere, and laziness on the behalf of the clergy! After a short conversation, it seems to me that the cathedral does not sing evensong because the clergy don't want to spend the time leading a service for only 10-20 people! Does this not defeat the purpose or goal of the clergy of the Anglican Church. Are they not to provide leadership in faith to all peoples in various manners. Especially in a institute that has the best Men and Boys choir in the country and an extremely talented girls choir! The service of evensong should be encouraged. A lot of people find evensong to be a more moving and spiritually fulfilling service.
OK.... so I know you are thinking I should be going on more about my venture to making it as a professional singer, but on my way, I am moved by what is going on in the church around me and the music I am involved in making along the way. So yes the evensong moaning is relevant.
But...moving on. I had a very interesting moment yesterday afternoon. I am a professional chorister in the Ottawa Choral Society, and we had a rehearsal yesterday. The Sops and altos were divided from the Tenors and Basses, and because for the upcoming concert I am singing bass I joined the tenors and basses. We were rehearsing for a pops concert at the NAC and running through Andrew Lloyd Webbers Pie Jesu, as Matthew Larkin started to sing the Treble solo and stopped before the top A so I jumped in and finished the line. So, as the men started to Hum their parts Matthew said to me,'You cover the top part and lets do the duet' So as it came along Matthew and I sang through to the end. At the end of the rehearsal one of the gents came to me and told me my duet with Matthew was beautiful. So I laughed thinking he was being sarcastic. I was shocked to learn he was not, when he replied,'No, I found it very moving!' Just goes to show we don't all have good taste!
....that's all for now!
P.s. I do have to say that the number of Men and Boys choirs is now in question. I have been informed that Grace Church on the Hill still actually has a Men and Boys choir but is often supplemented by girls! So there are technically three but really two that are surviving in the old tradition!
Saturday, September 26, 2009
WHY?
Yeah...you are probably thinking what is he on about! But this is what I am and what I live.
I am a Countertenor. Born and raised in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. I have spent the last two years living in the UK singing with Truro Cathedral Choir. I am now back in Canada and trying to get the Singing Career Started!
Now the next thing you are probably thinking is what is a Countertenor? A countertenor is a male singing voice whose vocal range is equivalent to that of a contralto, mezzo-soprano, or (less frequently) a soprano, usually through use of falsetto.
The most common place to find countertenors today is with a Men and Boys choir. As there are no women to sing the Soprano and Alto parts the boys sing soprano and a few of the men will sing the alto part, these men being countertenors.
Unfortunately, finding a choir of men and boys is getting harder and harder outside the UK. However, in the UK the tradition of men and boys choirs is starting to fade. In Canada we are down to 2 men and boys choirs. Canada use to have many of these choirs all over the nation and they were thriving. I would like to try to re-establish this tradition in Canada and try to save it before we lose them altogether. This will unfortunately be a extremely difficult task but one of my goals on my way to a career in music.
What will happen? I don't know.....stay tuned to find out I guess....
I am a Countertenor. Born and raised in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. I have spent the last two years living in the UK singing with Truro Cathedral Choir. I am now back in Canada and trying to get the Singing Career Started!
Now the next thing you are probably thinking is what is a Countertenor? A countertenor is a male singing voice whose vocal range is equivalent to that of a contralto, mezzo-soprano, or (less frequently) a soprano, usually through use of falsetto.
The most common place to find countertenors today is with a Men and Boys choir. As there are no women to sing the Soprano and Alto parts the boys sing soprano and a few of the men will sing the alto part, these men being countertenors.
Unfortunately, finding a choir of men and boys is getting harder and harder outside the UK. However, in the UK the tradition of men and boys choirs is starting to fade. In Canada we are down to 2 men and boys choirs. Canada use to have many of these choirs all over the nation and they were thriving. I would like to try to re-establish this tradition in Canada and try to save it before we lose them altogether. This will unfortunately be a extremely difficult task but one of my goals on my way to a career in music.
What will happen? I don't know.....stay tuned to find out I guess....
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