S i n g i n g C i t y Notes
g City Uniting People Through Music Since 1948
Spring 2011
Winter Concert — A Celebration of Youth and Singing
Bring me all of your dreams, You dreamer, Bring me all your Heart Melodies.¶
T
hese words, from the poem Dream Keeper by Langston Hughes and set to music by Temple professor Rollo Dilworth, opened the 2011 Singing City Winter Concert on Saturday, February 26. A more appropriate beginning could hardly have been found, because this concert brought together the dreams and heart melodies of so many people in a magnificent way.
The first singers, members of the Singng City Children’s Choir, led by Steve Fisher, were themselves part of a dream. Previously called the West Philadelphia Children’s Choir, this choir was founded in 2003 and currently includes children from two West Philadelphia elementary schools which otherwise would have no music programs. As the choir grew, the leadership of the choir sought a merger with Singing City in order to enhance their further development, and so the “adoption” took place. This performance marked the first official performance under their new name. After their opening selection, the Children’s Choir continued with two additional numbers, Seed to Sow, and I Need You to Survive, before being joined by the Singing City Chamber Choir for their concluding number, Praise His Holy Name. The children, their leaders, their families (many of whom were in the audience), and the entire choir family, were excited to view this dream of an extension of the Singing City organization become a reality.
Singing City Notes
The Singing City Children’s Choir, under the direction of Steve Fisher, top; and Jeffrey Brillhart presenting the 2011 Prize for Young Composers to B. Edward (Brian) Eiffes at the Winter Concert.
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Remaining on stage as the children exited, the Chamber Choir next fulfilled a dream of B. Edward Eiffes as they sang his composition Presence of Angels, the 2011 winner of the Singing City Prize for Young Composers. Eiffes, who is from the Chicago area and currently studying at Clarke College in Dubuque, Iowa, was in the audience for the premiere of his work and therefore able to hear and acknowledge the applause that this beautiful new work received.
SINGING CITY Notes
Singing The Temple University Singers, under the direction of Dr. Jeffrey Cornelius, next took the stage. Temple and Singing City have been closely associated since Temple professor Elaine Brown founded Singing City in 1948. Both organizations share the vision of providing musical enrichment to all communities throughout the Philadelphia area. Dr. Cornelius and four student directors led the singers in six numbers, including Singing City favorites Bogoroditse Devo by Rachmaninoff, and Ernani Aguilar’s Salmo 150.
As the final brilliant chord rang throughout the sanctuary at First Baptist Church, it was clear that the members of Singing City, as well as their guests for the evening, had taken this pledge to heart. The dreams and heart songs of all of us will continue to be heard through these singers. —Steve Crandall, Singing City Choir Member
(The Encore Singers of Upper Darby High School were next scheduled to perform, but an emergency in the family of director Barbara Benglian prevented their appearance.)
The full Singing City Choir then sang three selections from the choral song cycle Les Chanson des Roses by Morton Lauridsen, led by director Jeffrey Brillhart. Full of floral imagery, the three poems by Ranier Maria Rilke provide ideal messages for the contrasting moods of the Lauridsen songs. The Singing City portion of the program continued with Psalm 100, a piece commissioned by Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church and dedicated to Singing City board member Sandi Stouffer, who also was in attendance. Using the text of this famous psalm, composer Robert Maggio created a work that is simultaneously majestic and intimate.
Dr. Jeffrey Cornelius, director of the Temple University Singers and a member of Singing City’s Advisory Board, introduces the group. .
Possibly the most anticipated portion of a Singing City Winter Concert is the Combined Choirs finale. This year, the Temple University Singers joined Singing City in The Awakening, a popular piece that rejoined the theme of dreams and dreamers. This time, however, the focus was not on the dream but the epiphany that followed.¶.
Did you miss the WInter Concert? You will find a video of SInging City performing Brian Eiffes’ prize-winning piece on our blog: http://singingcitychoir.blogspot.com/ Become a follower!
Let music never die in me, Forever let my spirit sing; Let music ring, let music ring!
Video segments of the Singing Children’s Choir are available on YouTube!
Fall 2010
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Singing City in the Schools — An Appreciation The fourth grade students at E M Stanton School and their wonderful teacher, Ms Joan Williams, have learned to find their voices and to hear them through their singing with Ms Katy Genty, SCIS Workshop Director. They have heard their voices singularly and in community, in unity and in harmony.
Foundation Support Singing City is pleased to announce that we have received a grant from the Lincoln Financial Foundation in support of our education and outreach programs and one from The Presser Foundation for general operating support. Gifts from foundations and state and local government make up one third of Singing City’s operating budget each year. These grants make it possible for us to bring music education and choral singing to children in Philadelphia public schools, most of whom would have no music otherwise, and to bring an exciting concert series to the public, featuring area composers, instrumentalists and vocalists.
g City Early in the school year, when Ms Gentry led the students in vocal warm-up exercises, our students’ voices were not easily heard. Students were timid about singing and blending voices as a group. Clearly it was not happening. As Ms. Gentry returned week after week to lead the students in song, their voices became strong; they developed an enjoyment of singing many different types of songs together. By the SCIS “sharing session” in February the students were very proud and happy to be able to demonstrate their singing voices for their classmates, parents and teachers. As a student said: “I want my mom, dad and grandmom to hear my voice.” We thank you, Singing City, for being at E. M. Stanton School, giving our students the chance to hear their voices in this positive way. Gratefully, Sue Kettell, Cultural Arts Joan Williams, Classroom Teacher
Singing City in the Schools Resident Composer Andrew Bleckner and Workshop Director Andrew Bleckner with fourth grade students at the E.M. Stanton Elementary School and their teacher Joan Williams at a “sharing session” in February, above; and a student from Greenfield Elementary School prepares to sing at a sharing for family and friends.. Singing City Notes
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Coming Up! Dont’ Miss Our
SINGING CITY Notes
Singing 63rd Anniversary Concert The French Muse
Saturday, April 30, 2011, 8 p.m. Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church 625 Montgomery Avenue Bryn Mawr, PA
Honegger’s King David Vieille priere bouddhique by Lili Boulanger Les Fenêtres by Andrea Clearfield, commissioned by Singing City
with The Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia Roxey Ballet Warren Cooper, Narrator Charlotte Blake Alston as The Witch of Endor Elizabeth Weigle, soprano Suzanne DuPlantis, mezzo-soprano Kevin Delaney, tenor For tickets and more information, call 215-569-9067 or visit our website: www.singingcity.org Tickets for The French Muse are available at pifa.org
Singing CIty Lights Auction
Singing City held its annual auction on Sunday, March 20 at the offices of Woodcock Washburn on the 12th floor of the Cira Centre. Over 100 people were on hand to enjoy live entertainment by the Mike Thompson duo and the Oxford Gargoyles, a college a cappella group touring the US from Oxford, England. There were plenty of opportunities to socialize while eating and sampling wines and there were, of course, lots of items on which to bid. Board and choir member C. Stewart Patrick served as our auctioneer. The event raised over $10,000 for Singing City. Thanks to all who donated items and joined us for the afternoon!
Photos on opposite page, clockwise from top right: C. Stewart Patrick, auctionner; board member and Auction Co-chair Nancy Frandsen with Singing City’s Artistic and Music Director Jeffrey Brillhart; the view from the 12th floor of the Cira Centre; guests perusing items up for bid; the Oxford Gargoyles; and the Mike Thompson duo.
Singing City Friends Drive 2010-2011
..Singing City’s annual Friends Drive
is half way to its goal. Please help us close the gap by June 30 with a donation. Your gift has a direct impact on our work—from an outstanding concert series to music education in Philadelphia public schools, outreach concerts in care facilities, collaborations with area arts organizations and, beginning this season, the Singing City Children’s Choir. Send your gift to Singing City, 123 S. 17th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, or give online at www.singingcity.org.
Fall 2010
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Singing City Lights Auction 2011
g City Singing City Notes
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A Simple Gift
SINGING CITY Notes
You might want to make a gift to the Singing City endowment, but now is not the right time for you. Keep it simple. Make a bequest or deferred gift to the Choir. Your bequest will support the Choir’s endowment, which in turn will help strengthen the Choir’s ability to retain and attract the very best staff, provide ongoing support for Singing City in the Schools, stabilize the operational budget and establish a financial aid fund so that everyone in the choir can participate in Plans for Singing City’s next tour to Bosnia and Serbia in July 2012 are underway. The choir has a long retreats and go on tour. touring history going back to the 1950s, when they This kind of generosity sustains programs, improves traveled to the segregated South as an integrated choir. services, and impacts and enhances lives. One way to Performance and outreach are hallmarks of Singing continue to make a difference and perpetuate your City’s tours and this trip will be no different. The choir generosity is by making a charitable bequest, a simple case of including Singing City in your will according to will visit Belgrade, Sarajevo, Mostar and Dubrovnik during the 12-day trip, with the opportunity to your intentions. This is just as important as current giving, maybe even more so, because it sets an example collaborate with SOS Children’s Villages, as we did for others to emulate. It can be as easy as setting aside in Brazil. Between performances, there will be time to a specific amount or percentage of your estate. Keep it explore the rich history and culture of the region. simple: make a bequest to Singing City.
Singing Join us on our Tour to Bosnia and Serbia — Summer of 2012
Your gift will be gratefully received and wisely used. If you would like to include Singing City in your planning, please contact Lauren Anderson at 215-569-9067 or by e-mail at lauren@singingcity.org.
The proposed itinerary and other information is posted on the Singing City website: www.singingcity. org. Anyone interested in joining Singing City on tour is invited to call the Singing City office for more information: 215-569-9067. There is no better way to
Legacy Fund
Douglas and Deborah Faulkner • Sue Anne Grier Staffing Change Elizabeth L. Haslam • Judy Neilson • Rosalyn Ominsky • Tom and Barbara Rittenhouse • M’Annette Ruddell • Singing City’s Office Mary Ann Sullivan • John Wood Manager and Choir Administrator Vicki Baker is leaving the organization. She is Jeffrey Brillhart—Artistic & Music Director getting married on Lauren Anderson—Executive Director April 16 and moving to James A. Batt—Pianist, Assistant Conductor Washington, DC where Steve Fisher, Music Director, SCCC she has a job at Classical Steve Gearhart, Associate Director, SCCC Movements – a touring agency for musicians. Bobbi Willig, Assistant Director, SCCC She will be back to help Katy Gentry, Workshop Director, SCIS with our Anniversary Andrew Bleckner, Composer in Residence Concert on April 30, Scott Hughes—Choir Administrator & so if you haven’t had a Office Manager chance to wish her well, you can do so then. Singing City We have hired Scott Hughes as her replacement. Scott 123 S. 17th St spent two years at University of the Arts in music Philadelphia, PA 19103 performance and is about to graduate from Temple tel 215-569-9067 with a physics major. He started here as an intern and fax 215-569-9088 has worked closely with Vicki to learn the ropes. Please info@singingcity.org welcome him, if you haven’t already. Scott can be reached at scott@singingcity.org or 215-569-9067. www.singingcity.org Fall 2010
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