Upcoming performances

Lots of opportunities to hear contemporary and choral music in the first weeks of May!

May Day! May Day!
A New Music Marathon
Saturday, May 1st
1 pm - 1 am
Town Hall

From the Town Hall website:
May Day! May Day! is a 12-hour performer-driven celebration of contemporary music featuring 30 sets by local ensembles and soloists. Performers, and styles, range from Seattle Chamber Players, ODEONQUARTET, Gamelan Pacifica, and The Esoterics to elder statesmen like Stuart Dempster and William O. Smith, and earlier career artists like Byron Au Yong and Garrett Fisher. Music by Seattle composers is encouraged, as are three musically inspirational “themes”: politics, pagan rituals, and calls for help in times of distress. Presented by Town Hall in association with Nonsequitur.

Shawna Avinger and I will be singing with the Fisher Ensemble at 9:36 pm (excerpts from At The Hawk's Well) and The Esoterics at 10:36 pm (the first movement of Eric Banks' choral opera HAPTADAMA). Admission is only 5 bucks for the whole day!

*****
Loft Choir
Handel Creation
Sunday, May 2, 9:30 and 11:15 am
University Unitarian Church

From the UUC website:
MUSIC SUNDAY
The Loft Choir, soloists and orchestra combine forces to present the first part of Haydn’s “The Creation” at both services. (arrive early for a good seat!)

Student Barbara Leigh is a member of this choir, directed by Seattle Pro Musica's Karen Thomas. I heard them sing on Christmas Eve and they're fantastic!

*****
The Esoterics present
HAPTADAMA
Friday, May 7th and Saturday, May 8th
8:00 pm
Olympic Sculpture Park Pavilion

From The Esoterics' website:

Over the course of several months between 2006 and 2008, The Esoterics' Founding Director traveled to Mumbai, India to study the chants and myths of Zoroastrianism, the world's first monotheism. Banks then wove these ancient legends and melodies into a surround-sound a cappella opera called The seven creations. Banks’ opera is based on the Gathas, the original songs of Zarathushtra and arguably the oldest songs in recorded human history, as well as the Bundahishn, the Persian creation story, in which the struggle between good and evil results in the creation of the seven elements we know as the sky, water, earth, plants, animals, humans, and fire. For this composition, performance, and recording of this seven-movement concert-length work, Banks and The Esoterics were honored with an Access to Artistic Excellence grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. Don’t miss this one-of-a-kind concert at Seattle Art Museum’s PACCAR Pavilion at the Olympic Sculpture Park.

Recital wrap-up

Congratulations to everyone who participated in Saturday's voice department recital! I was impressed by the level of performance and stage presence, especially from those of you who have sung on previous recitals; it's so rewarding to watch your growth as singers and performers. I also know how hard you all worked to polish your pieces and it paid off Saturday night.

For those of you thinking of singing on a recital, I encourage you to talk to your fellow students about their experience. Yes, it can be scary, but it's also exhilarating, cathartic, satisfying...and did I mention FUN? A student recital is one of the best places to start because the audience is full of your fellow students who will support and encourage you. You couldn't ask for a better group to sing for.

The best way to become a better performer/singer/musician is to make music on a regular basis outside of your lesson. Join ensemble class or a choir, take part in coachings and master classes, sing on a recital - not only will you improve your performance and musicianship skills, but you'll be part of a community.