Category: Composing

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

A List of Six Favorite Lists

  • Balance
  • Resonanate
  • Flow

(if I do at least four of these with intention, I’ll have a pretty good day.)

  • Pray
  • Practice Music
  • Exercise
  • Drink Water
  • Do a chore
  • Read

AKA “If Feelings Could Talk“: Not sure who originally came up with this, but I saw it on Facebook and dowloaded the poster for free from teacherspayteachers.com

  • Sadness: I might need to cry
  • Loneliness: I might need to connect
  • Shame: I might need to exercise self-compassion and mindfulness
  • Resentment: I might need to forgive
  • Emptiness: I might need to create something
  • Anger: I might need to enforce some boundaries
  • Anxiety: I might need to breathe deeply (and drink some water)
  • Stress: I might need to slow down (and do less)

(If I do at least four of these, I’ll feel satisfied that, whatever the occasion, it was a successful celebration.)

Decorate
Dress up
Enjoy special foods
Make Music
Dance
Give thanks for that which is being celebrated

From the book by Don Miguel Ruiz

  • Be impeccable with your words
  • Don’t take things personally
  • Don’t Make Assumptions
  • Always do your best
  • Form
  • Texture
  • Timbre
  • Rhythm
  • Melody
  • Harmony
  • Dynamics


(Sometimes “Tonality” is thrown in as an 8th element, but not all music is tonal)

Composition

Summer spree

It has been wonderful to study composition with a private coach this summer. I’m learning to be more efficient, systematic, and disciplined in my practice. I still have so much to learn, but my productivity and stamina have increased tremendously. I’m working on five different projects right now, and feel like I’m actually making progress on all of them.

This pace of work isn’t sustainable throughout the year, but it’s perfect for the month of July. I look forward to sharing the fruits of my labor beginning this fall.

A composer chat for unSUNg

As part of their ‘Holidays in July” fundraiser, I was part of unSUNg’s first composer chat this summer, and the conversation was released on YouTube on July 11. Check out the video to hear me, Amy Engelhardt, Paul Gibson and Michelle Green Willner talk with artistic director Ariel Pisturino about what it’s like to write music for a holiday, which holidays are sorely underrepresented, and what might come next!

Available now: We need a little Kwanzaa

See the program that inspired it all, as a replay of last fall’s “Sharing Music” is available starting today. This diverse program celebrates a variety of December holidays, and includes my settings of “Umoja” and “Kujichagulia”, illustrating two of the seven principles of Kwanzaa. The video performance features the West Victory Dancers, with Olivia Bowman-Jackson and Abdur Rahim Jackson.

https://youtu.be/rax03KiJzYM

Nonprofit Music News

CCDA

I am so excited to begin my first year on the board of the California Choral Directors Association (CCDA) as the R&R Chair for Choral Composition. The CCDA Summer Summit starts on Monday, July 26.  Fall is close at hand, and this is one way we orient our brains towards preparing for our choral programs! You don’t have to be CCDA members to join us for any portion of this, including the meetups!

Register here
Hang out with choral friends in person here

(I’m going to a couple of the hangouts, including the one in Long Beach with my mentor Jon Talberg at Belmont Brewing Company on Tuesday, July 27th! Hope to see you there!)

Most of the sessions will be available to watch online until October 1st, so you can watch them later if you register.

Registration will be open until October 1st, but try to join us for the live sessions NEXT WEEK! JWPepper virtual repertoire will be available until August 27th.

NANM

The National Association of Negro Musicians held its 102nd convention virtually from July 11 – 14th. Congratulations to all presenters, performers, newly elected national board members, and all 5 national scholarship competition contestants. This convention was truly inspiring!

I look forward to continuing my service to NANM as an at-large member of the national board for the 2021-22 program year.

Tonality

Tonality’s name can be seen in the credits on the Space Jam movie that came out on July 16. We saw it on opening night, just to make sure!

For Fun

Samuel Coleridge-Taylor

Join me on Sunday, August 15 for a virtual celebration of Samuel Coleridge-Taylor’s birthday!

We’ll watch a fascinating talk about the sociocultural aspects of Hiawatha’s Wedding Feast, followed by a virtual sing-along. 

Send me an email for a link

Ollie update

Ollivander has grown so much! He’s 3 months old and hilarious!

July 25, 2021 Zanaida 0
purple circles

Boundaries and Circles

Circle of Life
Circle of Friends
Circle of Fifths
Circle of Care
Circle of Security
Circle of Siblinghood
Circle of Service

A circle is a boundary. The 2020-21 academic year taught me a lot about circles and boundaries. I find that when I’m stressed and scared and frustrated and angry and possibly traumatised or abused, my boundaries become more rigid. I don’t have the capacity for flexibility. It’s a fight or flight modality of thinking. When I don’t have enough money, splurging or spending more is not an option. Saving money, however little it might seem, becomes a matter of survival. When I feel my safety is at risk, adventure is not an option. And trust becomes extremely difficult to embrace. When I feel my sanity is hanging by a thread, self-preservation is survival. I can’t risk even the slightest social or intellectual challenge for fear of completely losing it and breaking down altogether. And so I erect rigid boundaries to keep myself safe, to keep me as healthy as possible, to keep me going when I feel like I could break at any moment. I’d say that for many of us, much of the 2020-21 school year was this way.

But I also think back on those moments when a friend reached out to see how I was doing, or when I was inspired by the work and wisdom of colleagues and students, or when my family came up around me to comfort me or to make me laugh. I recall seeing signs in the midst of darkness that there was light at the end of the tunnel, and it gave me hope. And when I saw hope, I felt the urge to push past a boundary and widen my circle. In these moments of hope, I found courage to ask for help one more time. I found enough courage to take an extra step, even when the ground felt like it was crumbling beneath my feet. I felt courageous enough to trust that if I allowed myself to be vulnerable, the benefits might outweigh the drawbacks. Maybe for a split second, I dared to let my guard down and do or say something with a courageous expectation that my efforts would not be in vain. With hope supplied from the loving energy of colleagues, friends, and family; and with evidence of positive change and growth around me in my community, I found enough courage to push the boundaries that were keeping me in my own little safe circle. And this is how my circle grows.

I understand why we need boundaries. We need to know the limits of our circle so that we can survive. We need to know who not to trust, when to say no, where not to go, and when to conserve resources. But as we define and redefine the boundaries of our circle, may we strive to soften it, push it, and draw it ever wider so that we ourselves may grow. After all, this is the circle of life. It’s not a dead, rigid circle, but a living circle that breathes and moves as life challenges and changes us along the way.

Conducting & Composition

I’m thrilled to share that my proposal to present a session called “Come Together: Fostering Meaningful Collaborations between Composers and Conductors” with my friend and fellow composer Dale Trumbore was selected to be included in the ACDA Western Region Conference in March 2022.

Can’t wait to see y’all in Long Beach!

For Fun

kitten with toy
We got a kitten! Meet Ollivander “Ollie” Robles. (more pics to come)
June 25, 2021 Zanaida 0