Some Thoughts About Choral Singing from March 22 and 23 2014
Program Notes
By Vance George,
Director Emeritus, San Francisco Symphony Chorus
Congratulations to the Ragazzi Boys Chorus and the Young
Women’s
Chorus of San Francisco! All that these young people are
learning
about music will be with them throughout their lives, and it
will affect
their minds, bodies and spirits in amazing ways. The
foundation for each
of these ensembles is high quality choral literature that
challenges their
minds. To make music, they have to learn the symbols and
basics of
music and then work together creating a unique synthesis of
focus on
pitch, rhythm, harmony and languages in sync with others.
The physical aspects of singing such as posture, balance,
and breath
control have a healthy effect on the body. And now studies
are proving
singing even has the ability to fight disease in measurable
ways. The
power of singing in a chorus creates a life support for
young people, who
need a safe place to go to find relief from a stressful
world.
The spirit of each singer is uplifted and fed in both
rehearsal and
performance. As singers prepare for a concert like this,
they have fun
trying new things, singing new repertoire, finding new ways
of making
sound, and are challenged to do their best in the process. I
was pleased
to work with these two groups in rehearsals as they were so
well
prepared that we could work on color, phrasing, sensitivity
to the text,
and commitment to making the music come off the page.
Singing in a chorus is belonging. Singing in a chorus is
community. Singing
in a chorus enlivens our beings and feeds an inner need that
nothing
else will satisfy. I’m delighted to know that the young men
and young
women of these wonderful choral organizations will benefit
from the
excellent training and soul enriching experiences that
choral singing can
offer them.
