Marcia A. Giambrone, Conductor/Music Director Buffalo Choral Arts Society
What motivates an Information Technology Director, a Psychologist, a Retirement Plan Administrator, an English teacher, a travel agent, or even an Electrician to want to perform a vocal solo in public or to even audition for membership in a community chorus? What binds a hospital admissions staff member, a Systems Consultant, or a retail manager, a grandmother, father, business leader and numerous music educators to prepare multiple choral concerts including diverse literature for the general public by rehearsing every Wednesday night? Answer: The love of singing..............plainly and simply!!
The concert year included a Broadway set of concerts where BCAS rolled up its collective sleeves and presented upbeat performances closing out the 44th season. BCAS members had an opportunity to share their individual solo talents. Audiences have enthusiastically applauded the special talents of BCAS members throughout the years. And this particular concert included toe-tapping tunes and choral medleys which surrounded individual performances of well-known songs representing an eclectic range of music from the Broadway stage. Beloved songs such as 'We Kiss in A Shadow', 'I Have Dreamed', 'Something Wonderful', from The King and I, and 'Wheels of a Dream', 'Our Children', 'Make Them Hear You', from Ragtime, charmed and entertained all listeners. For those with more hand-clapping tastes, a new choral medley from the movie version of Mamma Mia! delighted the enthusiastic audience. Who is not familiar with the great songs of ABBA as BCAS clapped and stamped their feet to the title song in addition to 'Take a Chance on Me', 'I Have a Dream', 'S.O.S', 'Dancing Queen', and 'Thank You for the Music'? And if you were in the mood for a more sedate listening experience, the theme song from Stephen Schwartz' Children of Eden touched everyone's musical souls. And if those shows didn't inspire smiles and cheers, BCAS gave its own rendition of the new hit, Jersey Boys.
If you attended this annual spring concert, Sounds of Spring and were so inclined, you might have sat and counted the number of Broadway shows, individual songs, and soloists you heard for this lighter concert.Not wanting you to be distracted from your listening pleasure however, I gave you the stats up front: 9, 32, and 21................ in that order! This concert was filled with toe-tapping, foot-stomping, hand-clapping shear fun!
One of the many truly wonderful characteristics of this well-known community chorus is its diverse programming. Last October, St. Gregory the Great RC Church in Williamsville hosted BCAS as we presented Cantemus kicking off our 44th season. This opening concert was followed in December by the annual Christmas pair of concerts Let the Angels Sing performed at the famed Our Lady of Victory Basilica in Lackawanna. And for those who ventured to St. Joseph University Church in February for A Choral Evensong and Sacred Concert, you were treated to a most awe-inspiring evening of deeply spiritual music highlighted with selections by local composer Roland E. Martin.
It’s Just a Song
By Tina Reece, Soprano 2
If you are like me, the opening notes of a song can instantly hurl you back in time to high school, college, your wedding day, etc… And, if you are like me, the first thing you notice about a movie is the soundtrack. Like me, you’ve no doubt occasionally pointed out these things to one of those non-musical types who would casually reply “It’s just a song”.
I love to sing. Any time. Any place. It was a fortuitous series of circumstances that led me to audition for the Buffalo Choral Arts Society in June of 2001. I hadn’t sung in anything other than a church choir since high school, so I looked forward to the first rehearsal in September with a combination of anticipation and sheer terror.
On the morning of September 11th, I hadn’t been at work for very long when I received a call from my husband. “They’re saying that a plane hit the World Trade Center”. My first reaction was to think “Boy, some green pilot sure screwed up”. And I thought of my colleague and friend of ten years who worked on the 98th floor of the South Tower. The next 90 minutes seemed like some insane scene from an Armageddon movie. And I remember watching – over …and …over - the footage of the second plane plowing into the South Tower - each time trying to count the number of floors between the plane and the top of the building, and each time the math gave me the same answer. My friend and her co-workers were in a lot of trouble. We were evacuated from our building at 11:30 am, which just gave me the rest of the day alone to ponder and to imagine – not necessarily a good thing. Toward the end of the following day, I received the news that my friend was ok but her manager and many associates were unaccounted for. I would learn years later that my friend had witnessed the entire attack from the Staten Island Ferry.
That night at my first rehearsal, I was directed to sign in and take my nametag. Then I was handed what seemed like an insurmountable pile of music. I had two thoughts – “What the h#@* have I gotten myself into?” and “I don’t think I can stand it if someone doesn’t say something about the attacks”. Well, say something they did. Marcia Giambrone spoke very sincerely about the events that had transpired and about what we all must be feeling. It was to be only my first indication that this was a Music Director who wore her heart on her sleeve. Finally, I began to feel that maybe I was not alone. (On with the singing.) As I immersed myself in the music and lyrics, I felt as if I were being wrapped in a blanket of compassion. I pondered the timing of the music; “I am His Child”, “Gaelic Blessing”, “When the Saints Go Marching In.” Even today, I remember so clearly singing these pieces for the first time. We ended the rehearsal with a very heartfelt rendition of “Battle Hymn of the Republic”. I don’t remember if I felt any better as I was leaving, but I definitely felt better equipped to handle whatever the coming weeks and months had in store for me and for my country. I also knew that I had chosen the right chorus for my venture back into the world of choral singing.
For those of us who are blessed to have a deep appreciation for music, we know that it transcends the superficial. And those of us who have been and are now lucky enough to sing with the Buffalo Choral Arts Society should know that the diversity of its repertoire is the greatest teacher that any of us could have. No piece of music is “just a song”. There will always be a person who will be profoundly affected by even the simplest or the most convoluted arrangement. And somewhere out there is someone whose life may be changed forever just by hearing the right music at the right time.
Fall auditions will be held on Wednesday, September 1, 2010 for our 2010-2011 concert season.
Prospective singers in ALL voice parts should prepare a solo from any published source which best exemplifies the singer's range, tone and interpretive qualities. Pitch matching, range exercises and sight reading will make up the rest of the audition.
Call Nancy Cannizzaro at (w) 847-6930 or (h) 856-1357 to schedule an audition or to receive more audition information.
Washington, D.C. Tour
Attention all singers (and friends)!
BCAS will be singing its way through Washington, D.C. from July 2nd to July 6th, 2011. All voice part, especially sopranos, tenors and basses, are being recruited for a most celebratory concert tour to our nation’s capital.
You could be singing in our incredibly beautiful and inspiring National Cathedral, on the Millennium Stage at the prestigious Kennedy Center or at the National Fourth of July parade. Picture yourself relaxing on a Spirit Cruise on the Potomac River or attending the national Fourth of July celebration with the canons roaring and the 1812 Overture ringing in your ears.
Please join us as we come together to sing concert literature representing sacred, secular and patriotic music along with tunes from the Broadway stage.
If you are interested in joining BCAS for this memorable, patriotic tour, contact BCAS Music Director/Conductor, Marcia Giambrone, at mgiambrone2@verizon.net, for audition information.
A Choral Evensong & Sacred Concert
Sunday, February 28, 2010
St. Joseph University Church
During the second Sunday of this year's Lenten season, the Buffalo Choral Arts Society (BCAS) performed 'A Choral Evensong & Sacred Concert', a unique and special performance at St. Joseph University Church, adding an Evensong service to the community chorus’s repertoire.
Handel's rousing "Sing unto God" prepared the audience for a musically artistic evening with its uplifting text and rhythmic layering. This was followed by Mozart's lyrical "Ave Verum Corpus". Keeping with the theme of the spiritual concert, two pieces from Handel's 'Messiah' were sung; "Surely He Hath Borne Our Griefs" and "Lift up Your Heads O Ye Gates". Bach's "Crucifixus" (from Mass in b minor) allowed BCAS to showcase its pure tone quality, carrying long, supported phrases that left a haunting chill in the air. The first half of the evening was concluded with Brahms' "How Lovely is Thy Dwelling Place" (from Requiem) and Whalum's gospel piece "Who'll Be a Witness", which featured BCAS tenor, Robert Pacillo.
After a brief intermission, BCAS prepared for the Evensong service by climbing the narrow steps to the choir loft, allowing for the sound to come from "the heavens", sweeping over the back of the audience.
An Evensong is a liturgy celebrated in the late afternoon or evening whose texts are taken from the Book of Common Prayer. The service includes set prayers based entirely on elements of Holy Scripture. BCAS chose to perform this sacred service as an audition, which was recorded during the concert, to be sent to Washington, D.C. in hopes that it will allow the group to perform in the National Cathedral during its 2011 performance tour.
With Roland Martin, this performance's musical composer, accompanying BCAS on St. Joseph’s organ, the service began with Hymn 862 "Day is Done", which gave way for officiants Reverend Jacob C. Ledwon, Reverend Stephen J. Smith and Jacob Seymour to process to the church’s altar. Upon reaching the altar, Fr. Ledwon began praying through calls, or Preces, that was followed by the chorus' harmonic Responses. The Preces and Responses are an important part of the Evensong service and are heard intermittently throughout the performance.
The highlights of the Evensong service were the following pieces: “Phos Hilaron,” which is loosely translated as “Hail gladdening light,” and “Magnificat,” which is known as The Song of Mary. Martin’s “Phos Hilaron” and "Nunc Dimittis" crescendoed and descrescendoed through chilling harmonies that brought tears to audience and choir members alike and the organ’s use in the “Magnificat” undoubtedly stirred the souls of all who listened.
Another important aspect of the service, which coincides with the Preces and Responses, is psalm singing and in this case Psalm 84 showed a growth of rhythm and sound that puts emphasis on the most important words. The end result is very organic and fluid, allowing the congregation to gain a clear understanding of the text.
As with any church service, Biblical lessons were also read throughout the performance.
The experience was extremely moving and unforgettable. It not only displayed the vocal talent of Buffalo’s finest chorus but it also showcased one of the region’s best composers, Roland Martin, who is a professor at the University at Buffalo and the Director of Music for St. Joseph University Church.
We are thrilled to share that upon receiving the audition CD of this Evensong performance, BCAS was asked to sing at the National Cathedral in 2011 in Washington, D.C. during its 4:00 PM service on July 3rd.
Let the Angels Sing!
by June Sophia Martin, Alto
Amidst the celestial surroundings of the Our Lady of Victory Basilica, the Buffalo Choral Arts Society, under the baton of Marcia A. Giambrone, presented its annual Christmas concert “Let the Angels Sing!” For the past fifteen years, the group inspired the basilica’s capacity audience with its angelic sounds. This year’s audience, who braved the bitter December weather, was duly rewarded.
With the theme of angelic texts threading through the program, the beautiful tones of the chorus ranged from the serene sounds of John Rutter’s “Angel’s Carol,” to the exalted Glorias of Mark Hayes’s “Glad Tidings of Joy.” Conductor/Music Director Marcia A. Giambrone led her group in its balanced sound, crisp articulation, and ethereal harmonies, delighting the appreciative audience throughout.
This was a concert that highlighted the many talents of the group. Long-time accompanist John Mitton, a talented musician in his own right, played with great passion and flawless technique. A “family aspect” permeated the group. Mr. Mitton’s daughter, Danielle, accompanied the chorus with her flute, son Jeff sang bass in the choir. The Dosch/Reisdorf family sang the quintet “Psallite” by Praetorius, a work of great beauty. The audience was equally moved by the tender rendition of the Carole Bayer-Sager/David Foster “The Prayer” by Daniel Fronckowiak and Cherly Suida, BCAS members. Tenor Henry Pendleton sang “Believe” from “Polar Express” with warmth and expression.
Prominent music educators Nancy Seel and Douglas Fronczek conducted the Women’s and Men’s choruses in the celtic carol “I Saw Three Ships” and the rousing spiritual “Tiny Little Babe.”
The grandeur of the basilica tied with the heavenly voices of the Buffalo Choral Arts Society roused the hundreds of happy spectators. After much applause, and smiling faces, the program concluded with the spectacular rendition of “Hark the Herald Angels Sing” as an encore!
This newsletter is published by the Buffalo Choral Arts Society, P.O. Box 266, Buffalo, NY 14205 | (716) 812-1541
An Evensong is a liturgy celebrated in the late afternoon or evening whose texts are taken from the Book of Common Prayer. The service includes set prayers based entirely on elements of Holy Scripture. BCAS chose to perform this sacred service as an audition, which was recorded during the concert, to be sent to Washington, D.C. in hopes that it will allow the group to perform in the National Cathedral during its 2011 performance tour.