Category: Composing

On being… with people!

The California State Music Education Conference last week (CASMEC) was an important reminder that I need to see “my people” periodically. I needed to show up, not just to be seen, but to serve. I needed to listen. I needed a place to tell my story. I needed deep hugs from colleagues, some of whom I’d only ever met on Zoom. I needed to hear how much a few college choral music students really like my music; I needed to notice that I actually have a little fan club! I needed time to myself, away from home. I needed to eat a delicious meal with friends. And I needed to be inspired and challenged over and over again by the conference choir performances. In short, I needed some “soul” food. Can’t wait for more at the ACDA Western Division Conference in Long Beach, CA March 2-5.  See more about both as we continue below…

Memories from CASMEC

Composition

Commission inquiries are pouring in!

At the forefront of my mind are commissions for a multi-movement work for SATB chorus and chamber orchestra and another multi-movement work for treble chorus and piano. I’m reading tons of poetry including works by Amanda Gorman, Rhina Espaillat, and Eve L. Ewing. I’m working on a few short instrumental works in preparation for larger works to come. There’s so much to write!!

Performances at ACDA

My works “No Fairy Tale Here” and “Lift Every Voice and Sing” are both being performed TWICE! during the ACDA Western Division Conference, March 2-5:  On Thursday 3/3 at 5pm, catch the San Jose State Choraliers performing the world premiere of the SATB/strings version of “No Fairy Tale Here.” And the SSA/piano version of “No Fairy Tale Here” will be performed by the Northern Arizona University Women’s Chorale at 8:30am on Friday, 3/4. The CSULB Bob Cole Chamber Choir will sing my arrangement of “Lift Every Voice and Sing” during their 8pm performance on Wednesday, 3/2. And on Friday, 3/4 at 8pm, I’ll be singing the solo on that same arrangement of mine for the All-Conference Sing. Plus, my setting of “Veni Sancte Spiritus” will be presented in a reading session with one of my USC teachers, Dr. Jo-Michael Scheibe.

Presenting at ACDA

On Thursday, March 3 at 1:30pm, I’m presenting a session with my friend and fellow composer Dale Trumbore called “Come Together: Fostering Meaningful Collaborations between Composers and Conductors“.  And on Friday, March 4 at 1pm, I’m participating in a panel discussion on “Writing for the Voices You Have: Composing for Middle School, High School, 2-year College, and Church Choirs“.

Hope to see some of you there!

Read more about the conference

For Fun

Remember that hail storm in Pasadena a few weeks ago?! I was stopped on the 210 FWY at the time…

Ollie’s Corner

Fun with #PicsArt! 
(Hasn’t Ollivander grown into a beautiful boy?)

Renaissance mashup by Dale Herron.  Ollie portrait by Vincent Robles.

February 25, 2022 Zanaida 0

How’s it going?

I hope you are all doing well and staying healthy. To be perfectly honest, I’ve had a rough time this month. The COVID surge and subsequent cancellation of music events, choir festivals, projects, and rehearsals was emotionally hard to bear. Being Director of Music at Neighborhood Church and conducting the Neighborhood Chorus is an important artistic outlet for me. So having to go virtual and choirless for services and canceling choir rehearsals for the first few weeks of the year left me feeling pretty low. But the love and support of family, friends, and colleagues have helped me to weather this storm. And I’m happy to say that things seem to be looking up.

Resignation from Tonality

After three terrific years, it was time for me to step down from serving on the Tonality Board of Directors. Tonality has many incredible projects on the horizon. And while my journey with the organization is at an end, I wish Tonality all the best in the months and years ahead.

Composition

My work “Veni Sancte Spiritus” will be performed by the Los Angeles Master Chorale in Walt Disney Concert Hall on Sunday, January 30. Get tickets at lamasterchorale.org. Hope to see you there!

Here’s a recent home recording of my Kwanzaa song: “Nia,” with vocals and percussion performed by Natalie, Vincent, and Zanaida Robles. It features the new tongue drum that Vincent got me for Christmas:

Listen to “Nia” by Zanaida Robles on #SoundCloud:

Listen here

Ollie’s Corner

Here’s Ollie being a vicious predator toward a toy snake.

January 25, 2022 Zanaida 0

Holiday cattitude

This Thankgiving, I’m devoting my little blog post to my cat Ollivander. Having wanted a cat my whole life and never having had one, I am absolutely in love with our precious kitty, and I’m so thankful for him. My husband and daughters and I agree that Ollivander has changed our lives profoundly. He’s simply the best thing that’s ever happened to our family. After our three pet ratties passed away (yes, we had pet rats for 2 years) we knew we needed a new therapy pet. I wasn’t sure if we could afford a cat, and I was worried that our allergies would prevent us from enjoying having him in our home. I was worried he would be too messy, that he would ruin the carpet or the furniture, that he would be a nuisance. But when the chance came to adopt a kitten, I took a leap of faith. Maybe we got lucky, but somehow we ended up with the PERFECT cat. And yes, he can be messy and a little unruly sometimes, but his comic timing and endless loving cuddliness make it all worth while. I can’t thank God enough for this little precious creature. And I can’t imagine how we ever got along without him. Like Natalie says, “now our family is complete” — gotta give thanks for that! 

Do you have a pet or other being that you’re thankful for? Pics please!

In the meantime…

Conducting

On Christmas Eve, I’m conducting the Neighborhood Chorus on “What Sweeter Music” by John Rutter, and “Bethelehemu” by Wendell Whalum. I would love to have more singers on all voice parts, so here’s your monthly invitation to join us! We rehearse on Thursday nights in the sanctuary from 7:15pm-9pm.

Neighborhood Chorus is a non-auditioned chorus open to all adults. Our repertoire consists of a variety of classical and non-classical styles, sung in various languages. No training is necessary, however classical choral experience and/or basic sight reading skills are encouraged. Neighborhood Chorus sings 3 Sundays per month at the 11:30am service. COVID vaccination is required of all singers, and we wear masks for the duration of all rehearsals and services.

Please fill out this short form to let me know you plan to sing with us this year. Or just email me.

Composition

I’m flying up to Seattle to hear the premiere of my new choral anthem “Ecstatic Expectancy” at St. Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral for Advent Lessons and Carols conducted by the Canon for Cathedral Music, Michael Kleinschmidt on Sunday, November 28, 2021.

Now I feel like a REAL composer!

Upcoming events

NANM Western Regional Holiday Party

NANM Western Regional Holiday Party is Saturday, November, 27th 2021 @ 5-8pm. Venue address: Marmalade Café 2014 E. Park Place, El Segundo, CA. Menu: Veggie Plate, Salmon, and Steak. Eat, drink, and be merry while enjoying live performances, singing Christmas Carols, and celebrating NANM. Door prizes valued at $100. Tickets are $55. 

Harvard-Westlake Winter Choral Concert

Harvard-Westlake Winter Choral Concert, Friday, December 10 at 7:30pm in Rugby Auditorium on the upper school campus (proof of vaccination required). My choirs are singing music of Moira Smiley, Juhi Bansal, and Morten Lauridsen, among others. And my HW Jazz Singers are performing with live jazz combo!

View the calendar

Zanaida speaks at Walt Disney Concert Hall

On Sunday , December 19 I’m doing a “Listen Up!” pre-concert talk about Handel’s “Messiah” with Grant Gershon and Jennifer Miller at Walt Disney Concert Hall. Get tickets and come on by.

Get tickets here

These features originally appeared in Zanaida’s November newsletters. Are you on the list? Sign up here!

November 25, 2021 Zanaida 0

New headshots

The blog and newsletter will look a little different soon, as I’ve had some gorgeous new headshots taken, with help from photographer Lauren Desberg!  Here’s a sneak peek:

Conducting

I’m conducting the Neighborhood Chorus on “Earth Song” by Frank Ticheli during the 11:30am service at Neighborhood Church Pasadena on Sunday, November 7.

I’m so proud of the work this choir has been doing, and I would love to have more singers on all voice parts. We rehearse on Thursday nights in the sanctuary from 7:15pm-9pm.

Join us!

Neighborhood Chorus is a non-auditioned chorus open to all adults. Our repertoire consists of a variety of classical and non-classical styles, sung in various languages. No training is necessary, however classical choral experience and/or basic sight reading skills are encouraged. Neighborhood Chorus sings 3 Sundays per month at the 11:30am service. COVID vaccination is required of all singers, and we wear masks for the duration of all rehearsals and services.

Please fill out this short form to let me know you plan to sing with us this year. Or just email me.

Composition

Many thanks to my good friend and fellow composer Shawn Kirchner for his encouragement and mentorship. It felt soooo good to spend time with him while he helped me update my ASCAP catalogue. His homegrown grapefruits make incredible juice!

More about Shawn

Singing

On Sunday November 7, I’m singing “Where er’er you walk” by G. F. Handel and “Dream Variation” by Margaret Bonds during the 9am service at Neighborhood Church. I’d love to see you there. 

Get to the church

Community News

HW students to join this year’s honor choirs

Four of my Harvard-Westlake choral students were selected for the 2021 SCVA High School Honor Choirs.  Congratulations to Gisele Stigi for earning a spot in the Treble Honor Choir, to Kieran Chung for earning a spot in the Mixed Honor Choir, and to Rhea Madhogarhia and Charlie Doris for earning spots in the Vocal Jazz Honor Choir.  Kieran, Gisele, Rhea and Charlie will all perform at the 2021 High School Honor Choir Performance at the University of Redlands on Saturday, November 20 at 7pm.

For your consideration

As you know, I am the Chair for the Board of Directors of the non-profit choral group, Tonality.  Tonality’s new album, “American Will Be” is under consideration in multiple GRAMMY® award categories this year.  Thank you for supporting this fantastic group of artists who have brought so much light and love to the choral community and beyond.

Please listen and share!

For Fun

Looks like we’re having a spider problem again. Also, a meme my students helped me make for our new Harvard-Westlake Choir page on Instagram @hwuschoirs… and more Ollie pics!

Arachnid alert!

(with a little fiesta flair this year…)

Ollie’s corner

October 25, 2021 Zanaida 0

An Unlikely Spiritual Practice

Almost everyday, for better or for worse, I log on to Facebook, sometimes multiple times per day. If I can stay away from negativity, I’m sometimes able to connect and catch up with friends and colleagues in fun and creative ways through this social media outlet.

Every morning, Facebook lets me know how many friends are celebrating birthdays on that day. I know from experience that there’s something really sweet about receiving birthday greeting from all your “friends” on Facebook. Sometimes, there are like 20 friends who all have birthdays on the same day. That’s a lot of “Happy Birthday!’s” to write, which could take up quite a bit of time.

One day this month, it occurred to me that the daily Facebook birthday list was a tool I could use to send positive vibes, even prayers to all my “friends” through out the year. It doesn’t matter that I don’t necessarily “know” every single person. I have an opportunity to send light and love to all these people; to meditate on and acknowledge the worth, dignity, and belovedness of about 3,000 specific individuals in my circle of facebook friends over the course of a year just by wishing them a “happy birthday.”

When I look at it like that, wishing a happy birthday to all these folks seems like the least I could do to actively send positive energy into the world on a daily basis, perhaps thereby making it a better place. Actually, this “happy birthday” practice is more for ME than it is for them.

Composition

Since this time last year, more 100 schools, churches, community choirs, professional ensembles, and individuals from around the world have purchased or commissioned my music. I never EVER imagined I could make it this far as a composer.

Thank you to everyone who who has shown an interest in my work; everyone who encouraged me and believed in me; my family, especially my incredible mom for being the very best assistant on the earth; and Lauri D Goldenhersh for helping me share my news and my music with the world.

Singing

Earlier this month, I was elated for my first live vocal recording session since the pandemic began. I had forgotten how much I love session singing. I loved seeing friends and meeting new singers. Plus, I had forgotten how pretty-darn-good I am at this kind of high-pressure gig. I’m grateful to live in a city where this work is possible. Here’s hoping for more! 

Community News

As the chair of Tonality’s Board of Directors, I am pleased to announce that our new album America Will Be has just been released. America Will Be speaks to issues that have been quieted in our attempt to portray the United States as a beacon of opportunity. In styles as diverse as the topics, this music brings voice to the most vulnerable – to lift them up, to reflect on the reality of our society, and to sing about peace and unity. Through our song, we look toward a more perfect union for ourselves and future generations.

Congratulations, Tonality!  Check it out here

Ready to Join the Choir and Sing With Me?

Neighborhood Chorus at Neighborhood Church in Pasadena is now accepting singers on all voice parts. The excitement is building as we turn our attention toward returning to our beloved sanctuary for live worship in September. Neighborhood Chorus is finally coming back in-person with regular Thursday night rehearsals in the sanctuary beginning on September 2 from 7:15pm-9pm.

Conducted by Dr. Zanaida Robles, Neighborhood Chorus is a non-auditioned chorus open to all adults. Our repertoire consists of a variety of classical and non-classical styles, sung in various languages. No training is necessary, however classical choral experience and/or basic sight reading skills are encouraged. Our new Sunday worship schedule calls for the Neighborhood Chorus to sing 3 Sundays per month during the 2nd service only. COVID vaccination is required of all singers, and we will wear masks for the duration of all rehearsals and services.

Please fill out this short form to let me know you plan to sing with us this year. I can’t wait to make music with you again!

For Fun

I actually went out to a thing!

Earlier this month, I fed my soul with some live jazz, compliments of the John Tegmeyer Quartet. Can’t wait to see these cats play again!

And finally (below), here’s Ollivander, the magical kitten, helping me multi-task ❤❤❤

August 25, 2021 Zanaida 0