I’m still struggling to process the fact that Cam passed away from cancer last month. He was my go-to photographer for more than a decade.
Continue ReadingCategory: People in Music
May 25 is my birthday day!
Happy Birthday to MEEEEEEE!
Top 10 Favorite Things This Month
10. My Sodastream soda maker (I don’t enjoy water that’s not carbonated).
9. The USB thumb drive I can play in my car, onto which I downloaded such treasures as “Yo Gabba Gabba,” “Carmina Burana,” my friend Dave Tull’s album “I Just Wanna Get Paid,” old concerts I conducted with LACHSA and SGVCC, stuff by Lambert, Hendricks and Ross, Aretha Franklin, Kurt Elling, and much, much more.
8. Vincent’s meatloaf
7. The book “Staying Composed” by my friend and fellow composer Dale Trumbore
6. The organ at Neighborhood Church
5. The mango and sweet rice dessert at the Harvard-Westlake cafeteria
4. Dorico notation software
3. Trader Joe’s soup dumplings
2. The djembe party I had with my family on Mother’s Day
1. The “Burnt Offering” at Mezcalero on Broadway in DTLA
Singing
Earlier this month, I sang “Come Together” by Lennon and McCartney as an anthem for the Sunday morning service at Neighborhood UU Church. The whole service, led by our amazing senior high youth, was really cool! If you’re curious, check it out here: https://youtu.be/s7rNJDoQnLY. “Come Together” starts around 24:40.
Teaching
The Harvard-Westlake Jazz Singers had a blast and sounded great at their year-end recording session at EastWest Studios in Hollywood this month. The experience that students gain from these sessions is incredibly valuable to their music education. Recordings made from these sessions are used for archival purposes and help the group prepare for future performances, festivals, and competitions.
Composition
It’s here! My first organ piece “Flourish on Adeste Fideles” is available in an awesome new volume of organ works by contemporary women composers, edited by the incomparable organist Ann Lapwood and published by Stainer and Bell. Love and thanks to my friend and fellow composer Dr. Melissa Dunphy, who recommended me for this project. Melissa’s piece “Rorate Caeli” is also featured in this volume.
Organists: buy a copy of this cool new collection and check out our stuff!
For Fun
I had so much fun attending the Westminster Concert Bell Choir tour performance called “All You Need is Love” at Pasadena Presbyterian Church last Friday night. They were amazing! I got to sit with several of my fellow ringers from Neighborhood Church. And they even let me test out the bells after the show!
Ollie’s Corner
Heeeeeeeere’s Ollie!
New Hampshire!
From April 7- 9, I enjoyed 3 days of intensely satisfying work conducting the New Hampshire All-State High School Treble Choir. With challenging music by J.S. Bach, Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, Rosephanye Powell, Saunder Choi, and yours truly, we worked our butts off!
There was bonding, there were tears, there was laughter. We told each other our stories and let our music-making glue us together. Every piece we practiced became a precious gem. And in the brief span of less than two days, these young singers sang with such passion and nuance. I couldn’t be more proud of our work together. Working with collaborative keyboardist Molly Lozeau was an honor and a delight! And I am grateful to Will Gunn, Sarah Evans, Emma Forest, Dan Perkins, and everyone at NHMEA for making me feel welcome and trusting me with those precious treble voices.
Composition
Here’s a really cool NPR interview with Dr. William Culverhouse who conducted the premiere of my complete Mass in E minor with the Southern Tier Singers’ Collective at St. Patrick’s Church on Sunday, April 24. In Binghamton, NY.
Also, I was on the news! Check out this guest appearance with Dr. Culverhouse for WBNG in upstate New York, talking about the same piece:
Conducting
Thursday, April 28 @ 7:30pm
Harvard-Westlake Spring Choral Concert
Featuring Wolverine Chorus, Bel Canto, Chamber Singers, and Jazz Singers
Zanaida conducts her piece “She Lingers On” with the HW Dance Ensemble performing “There” choreographed by HW Dance instructor Queala Clancy
Sunday, May 1 @ 11:30am
Zanaida conducts “Jubilate Deo” by Samuel Coleridge-Taylor
Neighborhood Chorus is joined by guest organist James Walker and members of the Donald Brinegar Singers and Pasadena Pro Musica.
and…
It’s official! I’m conducting “Hiawatha’s Wedding Feast” at Carnegie Hall on Tuesday, March 28, 2023. On that same concert, Sandra Snow will conduct the premiere a new work I’ve been commissioned to compose by National Concerts.
Ollie’s Corner
Ollivander Robles turned 1 year old on April 23. That deserves a little celebration!
New tricks
I learned something new this month:
Playing tetherball with your legs and feet rather than your arms and fists is a really good workout.
Hope you’re doing well. Happy Spring!
Conducting
April 6-10, I’m conducting the Treble Honor Choir for the New Hampshire Music Educators Association in New Hampshire
Composition
My five-movement “Mass in E Minor” is being world premiered by the Southern Tier Singers’ Collective conducted by William Culverhouse on Sunday, April 24 in Binghamton, New York.
For Fun
Here are some pics from ACDA Western Division Conference in Long Beach, March 2-5:
Ollie’s Corner
Best cat ever!
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!
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.
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.
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!
