Singing City Notes page 1

Singing CityS i n g i n g C i t y NotesSpring/Summer 2012

Uniting People Through Music Since 1948

64th Anniversary Concert Explores Themes of War and Peace with Two Iconic Worksby Steve Crandall

As time passes and civilizations mature, peace among people, among communities, and among nations is discussed and sought with

greater diligence and urgency than ever before. While in earlier times, peace might have been construed as simply the power to avoid being conquered by neighbors, most people and most nations today seek a constructive, edifying peace. The 20th century certainly saw this idea grow to its current intensity. Even as war consumed the world with increasing frequency, the yearning for peace grew deeper and firmer in the minds of people everywhere. Into this environment was born Singing City. In 1948, with different communities beginning to strive toward mutual understanding and appreciation, this choir was organized to provide a choral opportunity for cooperation. In the intervening years, programs with the theme of peace and understanding, like the one presented in Singing City’s 64th Anniversary Concert, have been presented quite frequently.

On May 13, at the Kurtz Center for the Performing Arts, two works were performed: Randall Thompson’s The Peaceable Kingdom and Karl Jenkins’ The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace, one an old favorite of the choir, and the other presented by the choir for the first time. The Peaceable Kingdom is performed a cappella. Texts from Isaiah recount the fate of both the wicked and the righteous with alternating majesty and quiet intensity. As the men of the choir opened the concert with the words ‘Say ye to the righteous it shall be well with him,’ the soothing melodies and gentle harmonies portray the feelings of peace that modern societies seek. Shortly, however, ‘Whoa unto the wicked, it shall be ill with him,’ introduces the opposing sentiments of pain and terror. As the work continues, the extent of the wicked is built up in loud, clamorous movements, and the resulting desolation is described in the popular quiet movement ‘The Paper Reeds by the Brooks.’ The tide is then turned and the concluding movements focus on the

rewards of the righteous, culminating in the glorious ‘Have Ye Not Known,’ and ‘Ye Shall Have a Song.’ After an intermission, Singing City was joined on stage by members of the Black Pearl Chamber Orchestra for the second work, Karl Jenkins’ The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace. On the backdrop of the stage, a film, created for the work after its premiere, was shown, further dramatizing the theme. Written to memorialize the victims of the war in Kosovo, the work attempts to portray the futility of war by detailing the preparations for and resulting destruction.

Music Director Jeffrey Brillhart conducts the choir and Black Pearl Chamber Orchestra in a performance of Karl Jenkins’ The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace on May 13.

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Singing CitySinging City Notes

Singing City’s Education Programs Highlighted at May “Sharing”

While many choral classics achieve their glory through an intricate build-up of melodic and harmonic development, The Armed Man is very straightforward in its message. Percussive vocal lines are repeated multiple times, supported by a battery of percussion instruments in the orchestra. Interweaving movements, especially those with texts from the original mass, insert soaring melodies which are presented and repeated to balance the developing chaos and accompany painful scenes of the destruction of war. (The Sanctus, however is the exception. Written in a march rhythm, it marches ominously toward a stunning clash before finishing in a stunned whisper.)

In the other sections of the work, the choir (and

several amazing soloists) present horrifying verbal images of war with melodies to match. As with The Peaceable Kingdom, however, this new work concludes with a wonderfully optimistic hymn, with the final message being “God shall wipe away all tears, and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain. Praise the Lord.’ The events of the day following the premiere of The Armed Man (September 10, 2001) show how far we have to go to reach that state. But this work, with its fervent message powerfully presented by choir, orchestra, and film, touched all of us to continue toward that end.

Audience Comments

“I was in the audience on Sunday, and the concert was indeed stunning, moving, an altogether brilliant Singing City event.” “Your concert was fantastic! You all did a wonderful job. It was very interesting to hear The Armed Man and see the film at the same time. It was quite moving, in fact, I was in tears. Darn that Agnus Dei! I hope you all enjoyed doing it even though it is definitely heavy subject matter...made even more stinging by the historical and contemporary footage in the film. I am very glad I was able to attend. Congratulations!”

On Tuesday, May 22, all members of the Singing City community came together to celebrate the work of our youngest singers and composers. The year’s final “sharing” is an informal concert where children from the SC in the Schools program and the Children’s Choir have an opportunity to perform for parents, SC board and adult choir members, and school faculty and staff.

Under the direction of Steve Fisher, the Children’s Choir performed some of the repertoire they have learned this year. Students from the Stanton and Greenfield Elementary Schools, led by workshop director Katy Gentry, joined together as a choir for the first time at the sharing and sang to appreciative

parents and friends Steve explained that a sharing is really somewhere between a rehearsal and a formal performance, with opportunities to do things a second time or fine tune.

The highlight of the evening was the premiere of a new work by resident composer Andrew Bleckner with words by two students from the Schools program, Isminah Patten and Kaleb Lerman. Entitled A Better World/Peace For All People, the work was written for adult and children’s voices. All of Singing City’s singers joined together for the first time to present its premiere. It was made possible by a Community Partners Grant from the American Composers Forum.

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Singing CitySinging City Welcomes New Board Members

Peter Boyer

Peter J. Boyer is a partner with Hyland Levin in Marlton, NJ. He is a commercial litigator and trial lawyer. For over 30 years he has handled matters in state and federal courts at both the trial and appellate level and in arbitration and mediation proceedings. Peter regularly represents both individuals and businesses in a wide variety of settings including contract disputes, litigation arising out of commercial real estate lending and development, commercial lease disputes, employment related disputes; RICO claims, fraud and lender liability claims, and business torts. A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania (B.A. 1972) and Georgetown University Law Center (J.D. 1977), Peter was an editor of the American Criminal Law Review.

Peter is actively involved in civic and professional activities and associations. A long time supporter of the arts, he is currently Co-chair of Corporate Partners for the Mann Center for the Performing Arts in Philadelphia and a member of the Mann's Board of Directors.

Outside of work, Peter's interests include tennis, skiing, choral singing (with Singing City), opera and cheering for Philadelphia sports teams.

Wendy Browder

A resident of Jenkintown since 1970, Wendy is a native of Chicago, IL and grew up in Wilmette, IL. She Attended DePauw University in Greencastle, IN, receiving a degree in music education (voice major). Wendy attended graduate school at Butler University (M.M.E.) and

Pennsylvania University in Philadelphia, PA where she received an M.S. in education. She taught general and choral music for two years in Plainfield, IN before moving to this area. Now retired, Wendy worked in admissions at Abington Friends School and the William Penn Charter School, as Director of Development at Pen Ryn School and Director of Communications at the Woodlynde School.

She has been a member of the Abington Choral Club, Jenkintown Music Theatre, Downstage Productions and the Grace Presbyterian Church Choir in Jenkintown and has been a member of Singing City Choir since 1994. She is the mother of Becky and David and grandmother of Harrison and Bain. Wendy’s other interests include travel, gardening, reading, and knitting.

Jacqueline (Jackie) M. Lesser

Jackie is an attorney at Woodcock Washburn LLP where she is Counsel for consumer products; media, technology and publishing clients. Responsibilities include: U.S. and foreign trademark prosecution; litigation in federal court and before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board of

the United States Patent and Trademark Office; client counseling; licensing, marketing and promotional agreements. Jackie received a BA in English from U Mass at Amherst and her JD from Brooklyn Law School. She is involved in Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts, has served on the board of her synagogue as the head of the education committee, and on the strategic planning committee of her children’s elementary school. Jackie is the mother of two teenagers, Rachel and Ethan. Her other interests include theater, hiking, gardening, and reading.

Milo Morris

Milo Morris is the marketing manager for the Delaware Valley Opera Company. Prior to that, he was Director of Institutional Development for Cunningham Piano in Philadelphia and worked at both the Opera Company of Philadelphia and the Executive Leadership Council & Foundation in Alexandria, VA. In addition to development and marketing expertise, Milo also has experience in web and graphic design. Milo is an experienced singer who has performed in opera, theater, solo performances, and choral groups for thirty years, including the Delaware Valley Opera, Opera Delaware, Opera Company of Philadelphia, Philadelphia Singers and the Tanglewood Festival Chorus, among others.

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Singing CitySinging City Notes

Mark Your Calendars for Singing City’s 65th Season!

Fall Concert - Love & MortalitySunday, November 11, 2012, 3 p.m.

Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church625 Montgomery Avenue, Bryn Mawr, PA

Featuring

Brahms’ Liebeslieder Waltzes, Howells’ Take Him Earth for Cherishing and

Whitacre’s A Boy and a Girl

Winter Concert A Wonderful World

Saturday, February 23, 2013, 7 p.m.First Baptist Church, 17th & Sansom Streets

Philadelphia, PAWith Guest Conductor Chris Windle

SC Prize for Young ComposersNortheast High School Choir

SC Children’s Choir

Featuring works by Whitacre, Clausen, Jennings, Lauridsen, Barber, and more.

65th Anniversary Concert The Children’s MarchFriday, April 26, 2013, 8 p.m.The Church of the Holy Trinity

Rittenhouse Square, PhiladelphiaA new work by Andrew Bleckner

and Charlotte Blake Alston that tells the storyof the 1963 march in Birmingham that helped

bring about the landmark Civil Rights Act of 1964.With Singing City, the SC Children’s Choir and

GAMP (Girard Academic Music Program)

Part of PIFA 2013 Philadelphia International Festival of the Arts

2012-2013

Three students at the James Rhoads Elementary School in West Philadelphia and long-time members of the SC Children’s Choir, have been selected to attend CAPA (The Philadelphia High School for Creative and Performing Arts). Their achievement speaks to the power of the arts to transform lives. Congratulations to D’Jah Hankerson, Lanisha Cox, and Taniesha Williams. We wish them well and look forward to someday welcoming them to the adult choir!

Tour to the Balkans July 1-11, 2012Fifty-three singers, family members and friends will depart for the Balkans on July 1 for a performance and outreach tour to Bosnia, Serbia and Croatia. The choir has a long touring history going back to the 1950s, when they traveled to the segregated South as an integrated choir. Performance and outreach are hallmarks of Singing City’s tours and this trip will be no different. The choir will visit Belgrade, Sarajevo, Mostar and Dubrovnik during the 12-day trip, with another opportunity to reach out to SOS Children’s Villages, an international organzation helping families and children in need. Our performances will be in collaboration with local choral groups and we’re excited about the musical exchanges in store. Between performances, there will be time to explore the rich history and culture of the region. Follow our blog during the trip to read about our experiences and see photos. We’ll have much to report upon our return.

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Singing CitySinging City Friends Drive

Singing City Lights Auction 2012

Singing City held its annual auction on Saturday, March 31 at the offices of Woodcock Washburn on the 12th floor of the Cira Centre. Over 100 people were on hand to enjoy live entertainment by the Mike Thompson duo and the SC Children’s Choir, under the direction of Steve Fisher. There were plenty of opportunities to socialize while eating and sampling wines and there were, of course, lots of items on which to bid. We are grateful to Alfred Putnam who served as our auctioneer. The event raised over $15,000 for Singing City. Thanks to all who donated items and joined us for the afternoon!

Singing

Together We Sing

City

Our work would not be possible without your support. Thank you to everyone who has been in the audience this year, made a Friends gift, and supported our auction. Our fiscal year ends on June 30 and, if you have not yet made a gift, we need your help. We are two thirds of the way there, but we need everyone's support to meet this year's budget.

If you can make a gift of $100 or more, we will send you our newly released CD, Together We Sing, featuring many of the works from this year's fall concert and a few surprises! Donations at any level are welcome and greatly appreciated.

Send your gift to Singing City, 123 S. 17th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, or give online at www.singingcity.org.

Photos, clockwise from top right: SC Children’s Choir with director Steve Fisher; SC Office Manager Scott Hughes with choir members Laura Randolph and Luke Brown; auctioneer Alfred W. Putnam, Jr. Photos by Sean Capuano.

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Singing CitySinging City Notes

A Simple Gift

You might want to make a gift to the Singing City endowment, but now is not the right time for you. Keep it simple. Make a bequest or deferred gift to the Choir. Your bequest will support the Choir’s endowment, which in turn will help strengthen the Choir’s ability to retain and attract the very best staff, provide ongoing support for our education programs, stabilize the operational budget and establish a financial aid fund so that everyone in the choir can participate in retreats and go on tour.

This kind of generosity sustains programs, improves services, and impacts and enhances lives. One way to continue to make a difference and perpetuate your generosity is by making a charitable bequest, a simple case of including Singing City in your will according to your intentions. This is just as important as current giving, maybe even more so, because it sets an example for others to emulate. It can be as easy as setting aside a specific amount or percentage of your estate. Keep it simple: make a bequest to Singing City.

Your gift will be gratefully received and wisely used. If you would like to include Singing City in your planning, please contact Lauren Anderson at 215-569-9067 or by e-mail at lauren@singingcity.org. You can also find more information on the “Support” page of our website.

Ronald F. CoburnDouglas and Deborah Faulkner Julie Friedman Sue Anne Grier Elizabeth L. Haslam Mike Nasielski Judy Neilson Rosalyn Ominsky Barbara Rittenhouse M’Annette Ruddell Mary Ann Sullivan John Wood

Jeffrey Brillhart—Artistic & Music Director Lauren Anderson—Executive DirectorThomas Sheehan—PianistSteve Fisher, Music Director, SCCCSteve Gearhart, Associate Director, SCCCBobbi Willig, Assistant Director, SCCCKaty Gentry, Workshop Director, SCISAndrew Bleckner, Composer in ResidenceScott Hughes—Choir Administrator & Office Manager

Singing City123 S. 17th StPhiladelphia, PA 19103tel 215-569-9067fax 215-569-9088info@singingcity.org www.singingcity.org

Foundation & Government Support

We are grateful to the foundations and government agencies that support all of the work we do at Singing City - from an outstanding concert series to our work in Philadelphia public schools, the Children’s Choir, SC Prize for Young Composers, and outreach concerts in the community.

The Barra FoundationSamuel S. Fels FundAnne and Gordon Getty FoundationLincoln Financial FoundationThe Musical Fund Society of PhiladelphiaThe Philadelphia Cultural FundThe Pennsylvania Council on the ArtsThe Presser FoundationThe Joseph K. Skilling TrustHenrietta Tower Wurts FoundationWells Fargo Foundation