Excited About My New Accompaniment Gig

I can see why my friends and colleagues who gig regularly enjoy playing with different groups of musicians. The easiest way for me to explain how it makes me feel is to use an analogy from anthropology:

The Tamil Indians believe that all living and inanimate substances are fluid essences. That is, me typing on studio computer keyboard, staring at my computer screen make up a new "joint" substance. Every music ensemble and every project is akin to this.

This week and next, I am working with a school choir in preparation for their in-school music festival. I've worked with the music teacher before but with a different choir. Different context. Different ensemble. Totally different music.

The pieces are simply charming. I'm having a great time learning the music. It's energizing as it's different from what I've been working on lately.

First, there's Antonio by Jay Broeker:

Antonio

By Jay Broeker. For 2-part voices and piano. Concert. Octavo. Published by Santa Barbara Music Publishing (SB.SBMP-873)

...more info

It's the trickiest of the bunch. The lyrics are funny and tune sticks in your head for hours.

Nick Page's Fairest Lady is a beautiful ballad:

Fairest Lady

((No. 7 from The Nursery Rhyme Cantata) CME Beginning). By Nick Page. For Choral, Chorus, Piano (UNIS). CME Beginning Series. 8 pages. Boosey & Hawkes #M051471799. Published by Boosey & Hawkes (HL.48004859)

(1)

...more info

Spirits by Douglas Beam is deliciously spooky. The fourth piece is Pirate for a Day by Roger Emerson:

Pirate for a Day

By Roger Emerson. For Choral (2-Part). Youth Sing Out (Choral). 12 pages. Published by Hal Leonard (HL.8564233)

...more info

It makes me giggle whenever I practice it. Every. Single. Time.

I am enjoying my work with the choirs so far and look forward to hearing what kind of music we create together onstage.

The Rules of Ensemble Playing (according to students)

Thanks to my Giggle Trio (AKA Tess, Gabriel & Danielle) for sharing these rules of ensemble playing and rehearsing. It's quite the work of art, which I think applies to ALL ensembles:

1. No knee pinching.

2. No story telling until the end of the rehearsal.

3. Try not to giggle so much.

4. Listen to everybody's ideas.

5. Pay attention.

6. Try new stuff.

7. If the group is getting too giggly, tell them to stop.

8. Listen/look for each other's cues.

9. No body checking.

10. Have a plan.

11. Have fun!!!!!

Personally, I think rule #9 is a classic!

(c) 2009 by The Giggle Trio, Calgary, AB, Canada. Posted with permission.