ERRANT MINSTRELS, THUS WE GREET YOU

Tschesnokov's "Salvation is Created" with the Wabash College Alumni Glee Club

 (photos by Dr. John Zimmerman)

I've long sensed the strong bond felt among choral musicians...I see it with my students, members of the Symphonic Choir, in churches. But it was brought home to me again, more clearly than before, during this past weekend's Wabash College Homecoming and the Alumni Glee Club Reunion.

My alma mater is nothing if not steeped in tradition--the "ringing in" of the new freshman class, chapel sing, Pan-hel, and more. Every anniversary is duly celebrated with reverent fanfare at Wabash. So this year's 120th anniversary of the founding of the Wabash College Men's Glee Club was a perfect focus for the college's centennial homecoming.

One result of all this traditionalism is that alums-including me-love to return to campus. Every few years, the music department hosts a reunion of former Glee Club singers, for a chance to sing, catch up with one another, and enjoy some "TWR" ("typical Wabash refreshment").

Current Glee Club Director Dr. Richard Bowen graciously invited me to conduct on this weekend's concert. His invitation, and that opportunity, meant more to me than he might have guessed. For, despite its occasionally rustic energy (or perhaps because of it!), the Wabash Glee Club was an important part of my pivot to music after a sequence of aborted academic majors in my freshman year. Singing on tours to Florida, Pittsburgh and New York City, under the leadership of Dr. Stanley Malinowski, gave me my first tastes of choral leadership and conducting. In fact, my conducting debut was with the Glee Club in a concert at DePauw University for Monon Bell Weekend many years ago. To lead this group now as an established professional would be an opportunity to savor indeed!

It was kind of surreal being on campus, and sharing the stage with current students and Glee Club members. At times we alumni felt as if we were musical ghosts, invited to a musical Walpurgis Night to commune but briefly with the present keepers of the Wabash choral flame.

In performance, the Tschesnokov impressed with the many rumbling low notes, and "Old King Cole" drew an immediate and raucous standing ovation. But of the three works I directed, it was the Fenno Heath arrangement of "My Lord, What a Mornin'" that hit closest to home. How I recall hearing that work performed when I was a student, its shimmering overtones illuminating the austere Wabash Chapel. Standing in the present-day Salter Concert Hall, the warm vocal colors of my alumni colleagues washing past me, I felt the shiver of musical deja-vu; Eric the music student and Eric the professor/conductor/middle-aged man standing side-by-side, each greeting the other with a look of knowing appreciation, embraced among the glad and open hearts of lovers of singing.

How lucky I felt to have the chance to embrace my musical heritage. How lucky are we all who sing together, who make music, and share our lives and our memories.

Here We GOOOO!

So exciting to be starting a GREAT week for the Indianapolis Symphonic Choir! Our first performances of the new season will be unveiled one week from today, on Sunday, Sept 16 at 5 and 8 pm in the sumptuous Landmark Center, 1201 Central Ave, Indy.

Featuring the 29 exceptionally talented performers of our Chamber Singers, Dr. Michael Davis will lead these performances featuring music from the American Songbook, Broadway and Hollywood soundtracks and more. We are honored to be joined by a fabulous jazz combo, including the incredible Steve Zegree on piano.

For more information, checkout the choir's website, www.indychoir.org.

See you at the show!!

Paddle to the Sea

DO YOU REMEMBER THIS MOVIE?

"Paddle to the Sea" was a film I must have watched half a dozen times in various grade school and Sunday school classrooms when I was growing up. This simple, gentle film tells the story of a small toy canoe, named "Paddle to the Sea" by the young boy who carved it. The boy places the canoe in a snowbank on the side of a small mountain in Canada, where the spring snow-melt carries it to the Great Lakes, the Saint Lawrence River, and ultimately the Atlantic Ocean. The beautifully made movie captures the unfolding drama of the journey with a sense of wonder at what each turn will bring.

Okay, it's a stretch, but I think the reason this movie has sprung back to mind in the last weeks has to do with the start of another season of great choral music. We who sing and conduct are a little bit like that toy canoe-we have an idea of the destination, but we look forward to the surprising discoveries along the way just as much. What fun awaits us at our tribute to vocal jazz and our MOOD INDIGO concert in September? What joys will be experience as we explore again the profound depths of EIN DEUTSCHES REQUIEM by Johannes Brahms?

Sometimes, the paddling is a challenge. The worst economy in a generation has impacted all the arts. Sometimes it's serene...performing favorite choruses from Handel's MESSIAH. In all seasons, however, we keep the paddle in the water, pulling ourselves forward one stroke at a time.

I'm glad to have so many treasured friends and colleagues along for the adventure. After last week's auditions, the Symphonic Choir roster stands at an impressive 175 names! That, along with a dedicated and sharp board of directors, and the most talented staff in the business, ensures our seaward progress. Here's to a wonderful 76th anniversary season for the Indianapolis Symphonic Choir...the journey continues!