...here is a video of one of the world's best-known choirs, King's College - Cambridge University, performing their traditional Festival of Lessons & Carols in 2010. I sometimes wonder what it would take to re-establish or strengthen a tradition of choral singing for men here in the U.S., where women seem to outnumber men at least 3:1 in any choir, whether community or church-based. Is there something about our culture that discourages boys and men from singing (except in garage bands)?
Sunday, December 8, 2013
Sunday, June 23, 2013
Boys and Singing
In choirs in the U.S., women typically outnumber men, sometimes drastically so. When I was part of a community chorus in Austin, TX, decades ago, our new director told us that she was revamping audition requirements for sopranos and altos, but that tenors were welcome "as long as you have a pulse." When I asked a music teacher friend why so many fewer men than women sing here, she posited that American men still have to live down stereotypes about men in the arts. Or, as one of my male classmates told me in third grade, "Singing is for sissies."
Not so in many other countries, including Russia and Wales, both of which are famous for their men's choirs. Here is a video of Only Boys Aloud, a Welsh project.
Not so in many other countries, including Russia and Wales, both of which are famous for their men's choirs. Here is a video of Only Boys Aloud, a Welsh project.
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Singing Together
Many years ago I read an article (I regret that I can't remember the details) about a holiday event in which one of the carolers was quoted, "I think we need to sing more often. And we need to sing together."
Singing together generates a special kind of group energy. It doesn't seem to matter whether the setting is a pub, an auditorium, a church, a snowy city street or a school bus during a field trip ( I remember joining my 3rd grade classmates in endless verses of The Ants Go Marching One By One as the bus barreled down I-5 to the Seattle Art Museum). Kids who haven't reached the age of self-consciousness sing with gusto. It's too bad that so many adults lose this ability.
Professor & composer Peter Schickele noted, during an episode of Schickele Mix that as societies become more technologically advanced, the people in them tend to sing less often. Maybe it's because we get into the habit of leaving the singing to people who "can" sing, i.e., professional performers. Some of the saddest words I hear on a regular basis are "I can't sing."
Maybe this is changing; community singing events seem to be enjoying a renewed popularity in recent years. I hope this popularity continues to grow.
This is one of the most amazing videos I've ever seen. It's long - about 20 minutes - but well worth the time if you're a fan of choral music.
A virtual choir of 2000 voices
Singing together generates a special kind of group energy. It doesn't seem to matter whether the setting is a pub, an auditorium, a church, a snowy city street or a school bus during a field trip ( I remember joining my 3rd grade classmates in endless verses of The Ants Go Marching One By One as the bus barreled down I-5 to the Seattle Art Museum). Kids who haven't reached the age of self-consciousness sing with gusto. It's too bad that so many adults lose this ability.
Professor & composer Peter Schickele noted, during an episode of Schickele Mix that as societies become more technologically advanced, the people in them tend to sing less often. Maybe it's because we get into the habit of leaving the singing to people who "can" sing, i.e., professional performers. Some of the saddest words I hear on a regular basis are "I can't sing."
Maybe this is changing; community singing events seem to be enjoying a renewed popularity in recent years. I hope this popularity continues to grow.
***
This is one of the most amazing videos I've ever seen. It's long - about 20 minutes - but well worth the time if you're a fan of choral music.
A virtual choir of 2000 voices
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