Noteworthy News, February 12, 2021
mportant upcoming dates:
New Date --> Monday, March 1, 7 pm Beethoven Missa Solemnis, Virtual Masterworks Series (Zoom)
Tuesday, March 23, 7 pm Faure Requiem, Virtual Masterworks Series (Zoom)
Tuesday, April 27, 7 pm Durufle Requiem, Virtual Masterworks Series (Zoom)
Due to Duain Wolfe’s COVID vaccination schedule, we need to postpone our session with him by one week. Duain will be joining us Monday, March 1 at 7:00 pm to lead us through Beethoven’s incredible Missa Solemnis. Because of the length of this work, Duain has asked that you come to this session having warmed up on your own. Additional information about our guest conductors for the Masterworks Series can be viewed on our website, pschoir.org.
As we sit watching the snow, please take a moment to watch/listen to the presentation about the Beethoven. This 54 minute lecture discusses the history of the Mass and the distinct musical elements of the Missa Solemnis. We are grateful to Mr. Wolfe and Jean-Sébastien Vallée, Director of Choral Studies at McGill University in Montreal, Quebec, for sharing this presentation with us (LINK to YouTube). (Pro-tip: when using YouTube, you can click on the gear, usually near the bottom of the frame, and adjust the playback speed. Select "1.25" and 52 minutes becomes 36. Neat-O!).
Our Masterworks Series is designed as a special opportunity to work with conductors from outside the Portland area who have expertise in the work presented. These Zoom gatherings are designed to add a depth of understanding of the work while giving us the opportunity to get together (virtually) and keep singing. As noted above, the next session will feature the Beethoven Missa Solemnis and Duain Wolfe, Director of the Chicago Symphony Chorus. March will focus on the Faure Requiem and Elena Sharkova, Artistic Director of Cantabile Youth Singers (San Francisco area). In April, we will enjoy singing the Durufle Requiem with Eugene Rogers, Director of choirs and associate professor of conducting at the University of Michigan and recently named the Artistic Director of The Washington Chorus (Washington, DC). Please note that both March and April sessions will be on Tuesdays (March 23 and April 27).
From Wendy Bamonte: As Alissa and I look to what lies ahead for PSC this spring and summer, we want to hear from you! All are invited to a brainstorming session Wednesday, February 25 at 5:00 pm on Zoom. Come share your dreams and wishes for PSC. No idea is a bad idea! If you would like to attend please contact jayde@pschoir.org.
Tax Time Assistance: Rachel Portnoy Bradley, Alto, is now with ShoeBox Taxes providing 100% covid-free tax returns! As with previous years, ShoeBox will donate $50 to the Choir for every paid return completed for a Choir member, friend, family, alum, etc. Just mention the Portland Symphonic Choir special. Rachel also does business returns, bookkeeping, and payroll and can help with all sorts of tax complications. Call the ShoeBox office (971) 348-2868 to ask any questions or email admin@shoeboxpdx.com. You may also email Rachel directly at thegrungediva@gmail.com.
And on a sad/happy note, a long-time member of PSC's bass section, Don Fales passed away recently after a stroke. He absolutely loved music and was a gentle, kind soul.
Music Events of Note: Portland Symphonic Choir members have been invited to participate in a special virtual choir project in honor of the work by our former director, Bruce Browne. Choro in Schola is organizing this effort. Briefly, participants will record themselves singing Eric Whitacre's Sleep, a work performed by PSC in 2006 and recorded for our Lux Aeterna CD in 2007. Choir members who sang with Bruce or prepared the work with Steven Zopfi are encouraged to contribute their time and voice to this project, however, it is not a PSC group activity and you are not required to participate. Here is a link to a study copy of the choral score. Details and the link to register can be found on Choro in Schola's website by clicking here. Once registered, singers will have access to practice and performance tracks. Recordings are due Thursday, February 25th. If you have any questions, please contact the project organizers directly at choroinschola@gmail.com.