Category: Life in the Arts

Inspiring words

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.

Read the full text

Conducting

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.

Singing

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!*

January 25, 2021 Zanaida 0

Season’s greetings

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:

More about Neighborhood Church

Composition

Kwanzaa Service

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)

December 25, 2020 Zanaida 0

Thanks to my students!

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!

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!

November 25, 2020 Zanaida 0

Seen, heard and valued

Have you ever had an experience where you’re talking with a person or a group of people (virtually, synchronously, or otherwise) and they never respond to what you say, or they only respond if they have a problem with what you’ve said?

Have you ever thought, “Am I talking to myself? Do they not hear me? Do they not agree with me? Is what I said stupid? Do they not care about me? Do I not belong here?”

Did your heart sink? Did it make you angry? Did you keep thinking about it long after the moment had passed?

Have you ever agonized over trying to find the right words to express yourself only to have your words met with a nauseating silence?

When this happens to me (like it has on several occasions recently), it’s really painful. I truly hope I haven’t inadvertently caused anyone else to feel this way. If I have, I’m sorry.

We are in community with one another, and all of us need to feel seen, heard, and valued by each other. It’s not just about ego. It’s about caring for each other, lifting each other up, and keeping each other mentally and emotionally safe and healthy.

Why don’t we encourage each other more? Why don’t we offer more praise and gratitude for each other? Do we care enough to consistently respond promptly? Do we respect each other enough to consistently show up on time or even show up at all? Do we show our gratitude for one another? Sure, sometimes unforeseen circumstances prevent us from doing so. But what about the “foreseen” times when we fall short?

If we want a better world, we have to cultivate healthier communities and better relationships. The time it takes to more consistently pay undivided attention to each other, show care and gratitude for each other, and act with kindness and consideration in this world is time well invested.

Composition

Over the past few weeks, I’ve been amazed at how much interest there has been in my compositions, especially “Veni Sancte Spiritus” and “Can You See?” I’ve written a bunch of other stuff, too! A list of my works can be found on my website. Here’s the order form to purchase perusals and official scores. My SoundCloud page contains audio samples of many of my original compositions. Here’s a link to a sample of my piece “Umoja.”

A few of my works are not available directly from me. My piece “No Fairy Tale Here,” a tribute to the great writer Ida B. Wells, is published by MusicSpoke.com. For a sample recording, you can click here.

Conducting

At Neighborhood UU Church we are embarking on our first choral project of the year – a virtual choir rendition of the Duruflé Sanctus, with video!! A compilation of individual videos of singers will be mixed and edited into a video that will allow us to virtually “sing together” though we’re apart. Here is the link to the conducting video I made to be used as a guide when singers make their recordings.

Here’s the video

Anyone familiar with this piece who wishes to sing with us in our virtual choir is welcome to join us! Virtual rehearsal take place every Thursday at 7:15pm starting this Thursday, August 27. Singers’ videos are due by Friday, September 4th at 5pm. The finished video will be premiered during our Neighborhood UU Church virtual Homecoming service on Sunday, September 13 on Vimeo and Facebook.

Wanna sing “Sanctus” with me? It’s easy! Reply to this post or visit my website at zanaidarobles.com, and use the contact form to let me know you’d like to participate. I’ll send you all the information you need so that you can join us for our virtual choir project.

Singing

I had myself a glory attack! Here’s a preview of a gospel-style recording I made of the Negro spiritual “Over My Head” for an upcoming service at Neighborhood UU Church.

Listen on Soundcloud

For Fun

I used to joke about how I didn’t like to cook and wasn’t very good at it. But it’s COVID times, y’all! And with encouragement from my bestie Debby, my darling husband Vincent, and my wonderful mother-in-law Karen, I can honestly say I’ve grown to enjoy it! My favorite thing to do is chop stuff, especially celery and carrots. Don’t laugh, but one of my signature dishes right now is instant ramen with sautéed veggies and Trader Joe’s smoked herring. I also make a killer bruschetta with fresh basil, tomatos, and kalamata olives.

First row: “I discovered black rice!”; Smoked sardines with avocado and salsa over rice; Veggie sautèe and garlic pork soup dumplings over rice; Ramen with smoked herring

Second row: Chopped a bunch of stuff and made a scramble; Smoked salmon ramen; Traditional

August 25, 2020 Zanaida 0

Metamorphosis

In this house, for which I am so grateful,
Sometimes I feel like we’re in a cocoon.
I don’t feel trapped.
I think I see us changing, growing, blooming, awakening.
I hope.

There are many painful and awkward days.
There is uncertainty and risk and failure ahead.
Often, change feels like loss.
And there is deep grief and pain.
But something is holy here,

Here in this holy cocoon from which we cannot yet emerge;
Where we are stuck and in pain.
Are we stuck and in pain because our legs have fallen off?
Is that what has changed?
Is that why we can’t move?
Will we never walk again?

We had better be growing wings, then.

COMPOSITION

Yay! I finished movements 2 and 3 of my Nocturnes for Piano. Now to crunch out the 1st movement. I’ve got a good start on it, but I’m struggling with the development.

CONDUCTING

I shot a video of my conducting practice the other day. Ugh. So much work to do. I’m working on preparing the Duruflé “Sanctus,” which I’ll need to record for real soon for an upcoming virtual choir project.

SINGING

I had fun using GarageBand to create a multitrack recording of my setting of “Veni Sancte Spiritus” today. Singing alto, tenor, and bass is fun for this reluctant soprano.

Listen on Soundcloud

FOR FUN

I’m playing “Zelda: Breath of the Wild” on Nintendo Switch. It is a masterpiece of a video game! The landscapes are vast and beautiful, the animation is exceptional, and the story is classic. Best of all, the music is wonderful! It’s like they use chamber music textures to give the game a more intimate feel. It’s a great way to escape from the troubles of this world for a little while.

Trailer for Nintendo Switch: “Zelda: Breath of the Wild”

July 25, 2020 Zanaida 0