Honestly, let’s just review Amanda Gorman‘s poem she delivered at the inauguration this month. To me, she is the embodiment of fire and magic, beauty and Blackness, hope and excellence. I’ve never been so inspired by a poet as I was by her.
The American Choral Directors Association is presenting their virtual conference with a focus on “Diversity in Music” from March 17-20. I’m actually really looking forward to this conference for the chance to learn some new things, re-connect with friends, support my colleagues who are presenting, and be inspired by the excellence of our national choral community. Early registration ends January 27.
It’s all about guide tracks! Throughout the pandemic, singers In choirs around the world have been recording themselves singing individually at home so that their voices can be mixed into what is affectionately known as a “Virtual Choir.” We’ve been doing this for months, and it is no easy task for our singers who for the most part have very little studio experience and feel uncomfortably exposed and vulnerable while singing and recording alone.
In preparation for upcoming virtual choir projects for school and church, I like to create guide tracks with my vocals, giving choir members someone familiar to sing with when they record themselves. I try to model vocal technique, style, dynamics, diction, and articulation in my guide tracks. This work continues to both challenge and satisfy me.
Composition
Kwanzaa progress
I wasn’t yet able finish all the movements for my Kwanzaa set, but I DID complete a cool new canon for “Ujima” (collective work and responsibility). I taught it by wrote to my family over the Kwanzaa holiday, and we had so much fun singing and harmonizing it together. More to come soon!
For Fun
Not only did I NOT kill the fresh basil plant I bought last year from Trader Joe’s. I actually got it to bloom!
I can’t really say I’m feeling very “merry” this Christmas. I’m just grateful for my health, my home, and my work.
I am grateful for my husband and my children and for our collective efforts to create a cheerful home despite the fear and frustration that continues to plague us for so many reasons.
I am encouraged by the defiant sense of cheer I see on my friends’ social media pages. I can say that my heart is full and that this time of year is sacred. Rather than blindly wishing “merriness” on folks, I just want you to know how much I miss you.
I desperately miss singing with a room full of friends and family. I miss group hugs. I miss the glorious energy of crowds of happy loved ones. I miss my mom. I miss my people, my blood relations as well as chosen family. I miss my choirs. I miss the physical presence of my colleagues and mentors. Plus, I know there are many who are sick or grieving, who are lost, who are lonely. There are some of us who haven’t been lovingly touched by anyone in months or even years.
The pandemic is not the only calamity upon us. Still, I have hope. I’ve glimpsed peace in these last weeks. I’ve had some joy. And I know love is present even when it’s hard to see and feel. My faith teaches me during the season of Advent to humbly watch, wait, listen, and be ready for the birth of love in our hearts. But my faith also teaches me that the season of Christmas is the time to celebrate the inevitable birth of that love, the fact that love comes into the world and into our hearts even in the darkest of times.
May this Christmas season be a time when love’s birth in our hearts is recognized and celebrated even in the darkest, coldest night.
May you be inspired and blessed as we take time this week to give thanks for the loved ones whose presence we keenly feel, even when we’re apart.
Conducting
My Harvard-Westlake students and I worked extremely hard this semester to produce our December Virtual Choir Concert. I couldn’t be more proud of our work! I LOVE this show, and I think you will, too. Check it out here!
Singing
We needed one more song for our Neighborhood Church Christmas Eve virtual service, so I’m so excited about our simple a cappella rendition of “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day” with tibetan chimes. Sometimes things just come together.
The entire service took place and was streamed live on Christmas Eve at 5pm. Check out the church and see what else is coming up:
On Sunday, December 27 at 10am PST, videos of my two compositions “Umoja” and “Kujichagulia” will be shown as part of the Neighborhood Church Kwanzaa-themed virtual service. In addition to my music, the service will feature music by Black composers George Walker, Joshua Uzoigwe, and Ysaye Barnwell. Plus, I’ll give you an in-depth look at my Kwanzaa decorations for this year.
Members of the group Neighborhood People of Color will offer readings, and our friend Rev. Dr. Kikanza Nuri-Robins will deliver an inspirational sermon titled “A Season of Lights.” Check it out here:
For Fun
Since we grew so fond of our giant spiders from Halloween, we decided to have them join us for Advent and Christmas. After all, we always enjoy having lots of “special guests” around the house during the holidays. (See pics)
During this blessed week off from school for the Thanksgiving holiday break, I’m planning to try out some stuff my high school choral students have introduced to me through our daily check-in time:
Books by Sarah J. Maas – this author sparked several minutes of excited Zoom chatter in Chamber Singers, which was at once both deafening and delightful.
The Pentatonix Christmas Album – I know, I know. How have I NOT heard any Pentatonix Christmas albums yet!?
The Idiot by Elif Batuman – another one of the hottest books among my Chamber Singers.
According to one my my trusted Wolverine Chorus basses, Trader Joe’s Microwave Mac n Cheese + White Truffle Potato Chips = Truffle Mac n Cheese.
JackTrip Audio Software – might be a somewhat viable solution to the problem of Zoom latency issues. Here’s a link
Harry Styles – “Only Angel” is a favorite song of one of my sopranos. I love all the retro influence in this artist’s music. Might have to pick up his latest album on vinyl.
May you be inspired and blessed as we take time this week to give thanks for the loved ones whose presence we keenly feel, even when we’re apart.
Composition
New scores for Kwanzaa
Newly-revised official scores of “Umoja” and “Kujichagulia” are now available!
Choral directors: consider adding these cool Kwanzaa pieces to your choral music collections. Visit my website to listen to samples and order scores.
Now, to finish composing the rest of the set, hopefully by the end of this year!
Conducting
I am so excited to start seeing the first versions of the numerous video projects I’ve been working on for my choral students at Harvard-Westlake. I must say, I think my conducting practice has paid off: I actually like the way I look!
More to come!
Singing
One of the most important adaptations I’ve made to my teaching this year is adding an individual voice coaching requirement for every one of my students. Teaching them 1-on-1 via Zoom has been eye-opening in many ways.
In addition to the benefit of getting to know my singers on a deeper level, my own vocal technique improves every time I work with my students. Individual voice coaching is one aspect of my work that I will keep long after the pandemic ends.
For Fun
It was after midnight when I just finished watching the Stray Kids live virtual concert with Felicity. She had asked me weeks ago if she could buy a ticket. I said yes, and asked her if I could watch it with her when it aired at 10pm PST on Saturday 11/21. It was AMAZING!!
Michael Jackson’s influence on the K-Pop genre is massive. Watching those young people sing and dance together with such joy and athleticism was breathtaking. The songs were super fun, the choreography was gorgeous, and the CG effects were astounding. My favorite songs were “Ta” and “Hellevator.” Felicity was so pumped up she couldn’t sleep afterward! I, on the other hand, was so tired that I pretty much passed out!
I didn’t care much for Halloween when I was young. The candy was mostly disappointing. Halloween costumes and colors seemed trashy to me. I had no idea what was supposed to be fun or special or “holy” about a holiday that seemed to celebrate fear and deception.
But now, I understand Halloween as a celebration of the triumph of love over fear and life over death. I love the month of October because Halloween, All Saints’ Day, and Día de los Muertos have all developed a special place in my heart over the years.
The first time I fell in love with Halloween was at my friend Mandy’s house during my undergraduate days at CSU Long Beach. Mandy invited me to my first Halloween party and helped me carve my first pumpkin. Tons of friends were crammed in that small Long Beach apartment where we drank beer, watched and laughed at classic horror movies, and turned pumpkins into art.
All Saints’ Day (November 1)
I love being an Episcopalian. And though I haven’t gone to my home church in a long time (which is quite common for musicians), All Saints’ Sunday at All Saints Church in Pasadena (pictured) will always hold a special place in my heart. The Sunday after Halloween is one of two Sundays when incense is used during the service — the other is Pentecost, which happens in the summer. At my first All Saints’ Sunday service in 2002, I sang my very first Duruflé Requiem under the direction of my mentor, James Walker. There are no words to describe the overwhelmingly exquisite beauty and power of singing the Duruflé’s work with orchestra in the context of an All Saints’ Sunday service. I had never experienced such solemnity, reverence, and beauty, all at once. I could feel the presence of all the saints, our ancestors compassed around us in that space with all those worshippers, the holy smells, the beautiful garments, the hymns and the sublime music. I’ve never been the same since.
Our ofrenda, honoring and remembering family
Día de los Muertos (November 2)
I married into a family of Mexican heritage. The Robles family history is rich and beautiful, a lot like my own Stewart family history. That’s one of the many reasons I fell in love with and married a Robles man. Grandpa Mark Robles was a professional guitarist and singer who worked at La Golondrina on Olvera Street, and had several film appearances. Grandpa and his wife, Emily, were devout Catholics and parents of nine children, including my father-in-law, Christopher Edward Robles.
To my knowledge, the Robles family didn’t really celebrate Día de los Muertos. But when the movie Coco came out a few years ago, it resonated deeply with me because of my own family connection to a great musician of Mexican heritage. So although the Day of the Dead isn’t a holiday I grew up with, creating an ofrenda each year enables me to honor the legacy of Grandpa Robles and remember all the loved ones who have passed from this life to the next. Seeing their pictures on the ofrenda during the month of October connects me to my past and reminds me of the love and strength these people continue to give me, even though they’ve passed on.
Composition
My compositions “Can You See” and “Veni Sancte Spirius” have grown in popularity over the past few months, with planned performances by several choirs across the country. Click the button below to check out my colleague Dr. Marques Garrett teaching it to his students at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
I’m back in the saddle! It’s been fun getting to conduct again, mostly for virtual choir projects where I have to “audiate” the choir (hear them in my head), because they aren’t actually singing with me synchronously.
But I was elated for the opportunity to conduct 3 songs with the group Tonality for the “Tune In Festival” produced by CAP UCLA. Check us out on Friday, October 30 at 9pm. I’m conducting my composition “Can You See,” along with “Sing About it” by Moira Smiley and “America the Beautiful” by Shawn Kirchner, with Shawn himself on piano.
I sing ALL THE TIME! on virtual choir videos, guide tracks, practice recordings, over Zoom calls, all over my house!… There’s so much singing to do, despite the fact we can’t do it together in person.
For Fun
Honestly, things have been really tough lately. COVID-19, the ongoing images of brutality against Black lives, and the upcoming election have caused my general anxiety to skyrocket.
And yet… the blessings continue. Gratitude returns. Hope is kindled again and again. So what’s giving me life right now?
Watching the World Series.
Listening to Billy Child’s new album, “Acceptance”.
Playing “Bioshock” on Xbox 1.
Chopping vegetables.
Bouncing on my trampoline.
Working on home improvement and seasonal decorating.
Completing French lessons every day on Duolingo.
Singing and editing virtual choir videos.
Playing “Just Dance” on Nintendo Switch with my daughters.
Watching Star Trek: Deep Space 9 on Netflix with my husband.
Connecting with friends and family on Facebook and Instagram.
These three concepts have become a foundation for my philosophy of singing, conducting, and just being. I love how my music-making is an experience that vacillates between spirituality, intellectualism, and athleticism.
When I also remember that balance, resonance, and flow are all equally integral to my life and work, I find peace more easily accessible.
Composition
I’m working on finishing my set of Kwanzaa Songs in time for this year’s holiday season. Umoja, Kujichagulia, and Kuumba are done. Now to finish Ujima, Ujamaa, Nia, and Imani. It doesn’t come easy, but I’m getting there. You can read a little about Kwanzaa here
A list of my finished works can be found on my website: ZanaidaRobles.com
The Duruflé “Sanctus” project went quite well! I’m proud of what our Neighborhood Chorus accomplished for our Homecoming service on September 13.
Next up: for the Harvard-Westlake Upper School choirs, I have to video record myself conducting music of Dunphy, Brahms, Naplan, and Robles (me)!
Maurice Duruflé (1902-1986) at the organ. (No, he wasn’t able to join us on the 13th!)
Singing
I’ve been rebuilding my vocal stamina since the summer hiatus ended. Teaching and rehearsing choir via Zoom means I do much more singing than conducting. It’s been fun getting re-acquainted with my larynx and remembering how to breathe!
For Fun
In honor of Halloween and to remind me not to take myself too seriously, I bought a giant plushy spider from the grocery store. It has adorable red eyes, and it’s hair can be styled in several different ways. At first my family made fun of it. But every now and then, I find it in a different room, placed in such a way as to make me laugh or scare me. It might be right outside my bedroom door, there to greet me when I wake up. It might be at the bottom of the stairs or waiting for me in a dark bathroom, there for me to find when I turn on the light. I can’t tell you the joy this $5 spider has brought into my life.
