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!
The need for self love and self care is crucial, and working to help uplift and show care toward other Black people is a vital part of this work. As a member of the national board for the National Association of Negro Musicians (NANM), here is a statement I have crafted about our work:
“With gratitude and reverence for the pioneers who have come before and for those who are with us now; with sober focus and determination to carry on the work of honoring and advancing our legacy; in the face of all manner of trials and tribulations in our midst: the National Association of Negro Musicians is firmly committed to its mission of promoting, preserving, and supporting all genres of music created or performed by African Americans.”
Core Messsage Concepts:
To all creators, performers, and educators who identify as Black, African American, Negro, or Colored;
To all those who seek to promote, preserve, and support all genres of music created or performed by African Americans:
WE CARE FOR EACH OTHER – Here’s what NANM provides…
scholarship money;
a platform for cultural engagement and celebration;
educational/historical/cultural resources;
a space for those who identify as members of the African diaspora to be seen and to process shared experience.
WE SEE EACH OTHER – Here’s who NANM honors for already doing the work…
WE APPRECIATE EACH OTHER – Here’s who honors and supports NANM’s work…
Our donors and members
WE NEED EACH OTHER – Here’s who we need to help continue NANMs legacy…
solicitation of scholarship applicants;
calls for scholarly papers and articles;
calls for presenters and performers at national convention.
I’m working on building the infrastructure that enable us to more effectively fulfill our organizational mission, thereby strengthening and uplifting ourselves so that we may be sustained in the fight against racism alongside our non-Black siblings.
Composition
I’ve had so much inspiration to work on new projects that I can hardly figure out where to begin. I’ve also had numerous requests for scores from my catalogue of completed works. If you would like to peruse a score or purchase a license for one or more of my works, please use the contact form on my website at zanaidarobles.com. Sometimes it takes me a couple days, but I’ll respond as soon as I possibly can. I’m excited to share my music with you!
In the meantime, here’s a recent recording I made of my work “Umoja” for treble voices. I added a few things to spice it up!
Umoja , arranged and sung by Zanaida Robles
Conducting
As I prepare to go back to the “virtual” choir room this fall, I’m working on shoring up my conducting skills. Conducting is such a magical art form to me, and I grieve the loss of the ability to practice my art due to COVID-19. However, I’ve decided to commit to continuing to work on my craft and to use my skills in the service of my ensembles through video. Some works I’m hoping to video record myself conducting this fall include “Sanctus” from Requiem by Maurice Duruflé, “Hehlehlooyuh” by James Furman, and my very own composition “Kyrie.”
As I prepare for this fall, I have been reviewing texts and notes from my doctoral studies at USC. I’ve also been reading choral music publications and paying attention to the current work of my colleagues in the field of choral music education. One of the most delightful things I’ve found was my friend Dr. Christopher Gravis’s video introduction to instrumental conducting. His video was absolutely inspirational to me, reminding me how amazingly complex our art form can be and how we have a responsibility to put in the work to thoroughly study and fully comprehend the music we conduct, regardless of whether it’s instrumental or choral. Here’s the video:
Instrumental Conducting: Introduction to the Orchestra, the Score, and Transposition — by Christopher Gravis, posted June 2020.
Singing
When I’m not recording vocals for various professional projects, I’ve been singing through my 24 Italian Art Songs and Arias, trying to work on my legato phrasing and vowel alignment. (I enjoy playing them on my flute, too!)
I’m also playing around with GarageBand to create new music. Here’s a recording I did not too long ago of “Karitas Habundat” by 12th century composer and mystic Hildegard von Bingen.
Karitas Habundat by Hildegard von Bingen, sung by Zanaida Robles
For Fun
My daughter is really into K-Pop right now. I love watching her dance to this music because she moves with such effortless style and confidence. I’m in awe of how easily she picks up these dance steps; she’s such a natural dancer (complete opposite of me!). She tried to teach me the dance steps to a couple of songs. Laughter ensued, and then I gave up. But it’s fun to try! Start here:
BLACKPINK – ‘Kill This Love’ DANCE PRACTICE VIDEO (MOVING VER.)
This post originally appeared in Zanaida’s monthly newsletter. Are you on the list? Subscribe here
In an article published by havingtime.com, the writer discusses how our thoughts affect our actions, which affects our habits, which affects our character, which affects our destiny. I’ve been dismayed by how all the schedules and lists and activities I planned for my family during these pandemic days have essentially gone out the window. Sometimes nothing seems like it’s working. Everyone is struggling to find motivation to keep up with everything. Everyone’s nerves are frayed. Everyone’s tempers are short.
In order to stabilize my depression and anxiety, I’ve had to learn to adjust my expectations on every level. These adjustments, plus reading helpful articles and inspirational stories on social media, have led me to understand that what matters most to me in my household is that we think and act with love and integrity everyday. We all know what it feels and looks like when we think and act with fear, anger, and carelessness. But at least in my household, an antidote to fearful, angry, and careless thoughts and actions has been mindful conversations about our daily loving thoughts and actions. Here’s what I started telling my kids (and my husband, and myself, for that matter!): it’s about Thinking and Doing for yourself, and for others.
THINK
Thoughts of self-care and gratitude for life
“I’m safe, I’m loved, I’m not alone.”
Thoughts for the care of others and gratitude for their presence
“I’m grateful for my spouse, parent, children, siblings, friends, etc… I pray they feel safe and healthy.”
DO
Tasks that nurture your body, mind, and spirit
Diet, grooming, exercise, play and do things that you like
Tasks that show you respect and care for others
Household chores, work/school, reaching out to loved ones, helping where help is needed.
Some days are better than others. But by focusing daily on these loving thoughts and actions, I find that no day is ever a complete loss. There’s always hope.
Other news
COMPOSITION: My arrangement of “Come Sing a Song With Me” by Carolyn McDade has consumed most of my composition time lately. My colleagues and I are recording it for the Unitarian Universalist Association’s virtual presentation of the Service of the Living Tradition next month.
CONDUCTING: Like many conductors, I grieve the loss of access to my ensemble during this pandemic. To stay positive, I’m turning my attention toward programming music. When my choirs can safely get back together, I’ll be ready with some wonderful things to sing.
SINGING: I know I’m a soprano, but I just ADORE the Duruflé “Pie Jesu” , which is a mezzo-soprano aria. Here’s a recording I made for a Sunday Zoom service at Neighborhood Church last month:
My brilliant collaborator, Wells Leng, arranged and performed all the instrumentation. To hear more of me and my colleagues sing at church, tune in the the Neighborhood Church Zoom services on Sundays at 9:30am pacific. Check out the church website here
FOR FUN: My good friend and colleague Daniel Ramon is singer, teacher, flutist. I thank him from the bottom of my heart for reigniting my love of this instrument and helping me improve my playing. He is so kind that he took time to record himself playing a little canon by Mendelssohn that I could play along with. I had to practice everyday single day for the last 3 weeks in order to get it up to Daniel’s tempo. I’m really proud I was finally able to play it without messing up! I fiddled around on my Mac with iMovie software to produce this short video:
