“Beautiful“
What exactly is beautiful about choral music and choral singing?
Our program this spring is choral exploration of what we find deeply moving and meaningful in the act of singing together. Is it the notes, rhythms, and structures of the sounds or the act of the singing together itself? Does it have something to do finding a voice against injustice, bonding as peoples, cultures, or nations through song? Is it harmony, melody, or rhythm? Is it the poetry or the texts with which we work? What exactly makes choral music beautiful?
Our program includes works other singers have identified as the most beautiful, or the most moving in their musical experiences, as well as works which will challenge our idea of beauty itself. With the help of special guest artists singers will explore such unusual phenomena such as “sound singing,” harmonic overtone singing, and soundscape. We will also encounter the beauty of Arabic and Islamic musics as we reflect on the relationship of beautiful music and peace.
Guest artists include sound singer Chris Tonelli and Singer/songwriter Dawud Wharnsby.