BYU Singers joined with Women’s Chorus, Men’s Chorus, and Concert Choir this last week for the first concerts of the year. The Choir Showcase was a great success, and had very enthusiastic and appreciative audiences both nights. The entire night was quite varied as each choir sang selections that will be incorporated into their concerts later in the semester. BYU Singers began their section of the program with an arrangement by McGlynn of a 12th-century Irish tune–this in preparation for their upcoming performances at the Cork International Choral Festival in the spring of 2009. The cello and percussion accompaniment added much to the mood and texture of this wonderful piece.

Continue reading ‘Choir Showcase, Fall 2008’ »

We are pleased to announce that the newest collaboration between the choirs of BYU and composer Eric Whitacre is now available exclusively from this website. Please click here to see more information and to place your order.

From the website:

In 1999 the BYU Singers, conducted by Ronald Staheli, performed two Whitacre pieces—“When David Heard” and “Water Night”—as part of their solo premier at New York’s Carnegie Hall. The success of the BYU Singers: Live at Carnegie Hall recording, demand for more Whitacre music, and the fruitful partnership between the composer and BYU Singers led to Whitacre’s request for the group to record his complete a cappella works in 2001. As a result of the enormous response to that album, the Singers are pleased to release a companion volume, Brigham Young University Choirs and Eric Whitacre 2.

This CD, with BYU Singers’ tracks recorded in the spring of 2008, is essentially volume two of Eric Whitacre: The Complete A Cappella Works, 1991-2001. That recording, released by the BYU Singers seven years ago, continues to be one of the best-selling choral CDs worldwide.

This new recording includes not only Whitacre’s compositions for accompanied choir, but also his a cappella pieces written since 2001. The varied nature of these pieces in this second compilation led to the Singers’ collaboration with the BYU Concert Choir, conducted by Rosalind Hall, and the BYU Women’s Chorus, conducted at the time by David Thomas.

In November 2007, BYU Singers and Concert Choir combined with the University of Utah choirs and orchestra to perform William Walton’s Belshazzar’s Feast in the Salt Lake Tabernacle. This photograph is of the dress rehearsal prior to the BYU campus performance that was filmed for future broadcast on BYU-TV. That broadcast performance will showcase the BYU performance ensembles, only. Kory Katseanes conducted Belshazzar’s Feast. The choirs, along with the BYU Philharmonic Orchestra, performed that piece with two Walton anthems; Ronald Staheli and Rosalind Hall each conducted an anthem.

Continue reading ‘2007-2008 Year in Review’ »

On January 11 & 12, BYU Singers recorded several pieces for a new Eric Whitacre CD. BYU Concert Choir joined in “Her Sacred Spirit Soars,” a composition for double choir. The recording sessions were in BYU’s Museum of Art, which has wonderful acoustics. All lights were turned down to avoid all possible noise–hence the dark photos. The choirs were thrilled to have Eric with them for the recording sessions, both to hear his input on interpretation and to experience his delight at their performances of his pieces. The recording will be available for download on iTunes sometime in the spring or early summer, or as a CD on this website. (NEW) The new Whitacre CD will be available sometime in September on this website only, and will be available (we are told) on iTunes in the future.
Continue reading ‘BYU Singers recording session with Eric Whitacre’ »

Sunday, May 27 Cape Town

The choir attended three different wards or branches in the morning. Two of the branches were in townships, and those of us there were thrilled with the Spirit evident, and the warmth of the members. Hugs and handshakes from the members were the order of the day. And the singing! I wish you could hear the black members sing. It puts us all to shame.

18 of us were hosted to an incredible dinner at the mission home that afternoon. The senior missionaries and Pres. and Sister Egan were so very gracious and fun, and the mission home itself is beautiful.
Continue reading ‘Sunday, May 27 Cape Town - Tuesday, May 29 Home!’ »

Our final day to sightsee had arrived. We spent the morning on a 45 minute boat ride each way to and from Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was incarcerated 19 of his 26 (I think) years in prison. A former political prisoner who was held there was our guide, and he emphasized the horrible conditions that we could plainly see. It’s very good that chapter of history is done with, but we are all very aware that the country is still adapting to it.
Continue reading ‘Saturday, May 26 Cape Town’ »

Friday, May 25 Cape Town

The choir enjoyed their night off at the hotel in preparation for the final concerts. We began the day with a beautiful drive to a short boat ride at Haut Bay to enjoy the island of rocks that was absolutely covered with seals. They slept and frolicked and everyone was enchanted. And then the boat circled the island and we suddenly smelled the output of thousands of seals…the boat couldn’t exit fast enough for some of us. Such incredible views here, though.
Continue reading ‘Friday, May 25 Cape Town’ »

If you were having trouble getting to the post for May 23, it’s been fixed now. Thanks to Matt Milner for giving me the heads up that it wasn’t working.

The hour drive from Hermanus to Stellenbosch was gorgeous. Wish the bus had stopped about every 100 yards for a photo op. Instead, we arrived on schedule and split up to shop or visit museums or enjoy simply walking around. There has been precious little exercise on this tour. The market was a good place to wander around and haggle, and those who went elsewhere had a good morning. Then lunch, and back on the bus to travel to Cape Town.
Continue reading ‘Thursday, May 24 Cape Town’ »

Breakfast at 9 AM and a 10 AM departure. Sheer luxury. Some were warm last night, most were not. This area just doesn’t get this cold very often (snow on their mountains as we are driving by!) and they don’t have heaters to compensate. At least the rain has stopped and we have mostly blue skies; that has lifted spirits considerably. We hope for no widespread illness after being cold and wet for two days.

Continue reading ‘Wednesday, May 23 Hermanus’ »