The Festival Chorus
The Boulder Bach Festival Chorus had its start in the early 1980s as the St. Cecilia Singers. Its evolution happened when St. Cecilia members wished to expand their scope of performance and took on the role of chorus for the newly formed Bach Festival. For over 25 years now, the BBF Chorus has been a major contributor both to the success of the Festival and to the vital cultural scene of the Denver-Boulder region. The chorus comprises around sixty volunteer singers from all walks of life, who share a love for the works of J. S. Bach and the desire to perform them meaningfully. To create the consistently high quality that our audience expects is no small feat. Much of the success is owed, of course, to effective direction and leadership, but a lion’s share also goes to those who, in a mere two and a half months of rehearsal, take that direction and make it real for an audience. Please direct any inquiries about joining this respected group to Dan Seger, .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) .
PERFORMANCES AND GROUPS
The Festival Chorus will perform at the Finale Concert on Sat., March 3, 2012. It will sing the choral sections of Cantatas #147 “Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben,” which includes the famous “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring,” and #187. The chorus will also sing Motet BWV 230, “Lobet den Herrn alle Heiden.”
There will again be a Chamber Choir that will sing at the chamber concert on Wed., February 29, 2012. It will sing Cantata #167 “Ihr Menschen, rühmet Gottes Liebe,” and will also provide back-up for the wonderful bass arioso from the St. John Passion, “Mein treuer Heiland, lass dich fragen.”
REHEARSAL SCHEDULE
Click here to view/download the 2011-12 Festival Chorus Rehearsal Schedule. View/Download PDF
THE AUDITIONS
Please see two documents relevant to the auditions, which will be held on Tue., September 20; Wed., September 21; and Sat., September 24. The document “Chorus Auditions” outlines dates, times, and includes other relevant information. View/Download PDF
The other document “Audition Form” is for you to print (front and back if you can), fill out the front side, and bring to the audition. View/Download PDF
Please note that there is an opportunity for you to volunteer to be a section leader. This is largely a liaison position to help with communications and facilitating sectional rehearsals.
The auditions will have two parts: an ensemble sing-in and an individual audition. The schedule asks you to choose one of four two-hour blocks for your audition time. Relax! You won’t be singing for two hours.
The first portion of each block will be singing in ensemble. After that, the rest of the time will be spent in short individual auditions. These will be scheduled “first-come, first-served” when you arrive at Atonement, so come early to sign up if you have time constraints.
As we have done before, selection for the Chamber Choir will be made from the September audition. The “Audition Form” has a place to check whether you want to be considered for the Chamber Choir or not.
AUDITION REQUREMENTS
The materials for the audition are drawn from what will be sung this year. Here are two helpful links to assist your preparation:
The first link is to a YouTube performance of Cantata #147.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0ty6rQKsi8&feature=related
The second link is to a score for the entire Cantata. The final movement that will be used in the audition begins at the bottom of p. 48.
http://www.bh2000.net/score/sacrbach/bwv147.pdf
CHORUS EXPECTATIONS
Musical scores will be available soon after the auditions, so note learning can begin well in advance of rehearsals. The goal is for notes to be learned before rehearsals begin in January. There will also be two sectional rehearsals in November that will focus on notes. Attendance at one of these sessions is expected; you’re welcome at both if you wish.
Rehearsals return to Sunday nights this year. We ask chorus members to be mindful of rehearsal attendance. Please make sure that your personal calendar accommodates the rehearsal schedule. Two high priorities for the chorus this year are a blended sound and German diction. They develop best through consistently singing together. Germs or family emergencies might mar attendance, but plan to be there otherwise. If you’re unable to sing, but not fevered, contagious, or hacking, please come and sit in the back so you can hear the rehearsal and take notes.
We will be rehearsing and singing in mixed formation with occasional sectional rehearsals around specific issues. The more we have notes under our belts up front, the sooner we can concentrate on musical communication.
RECRUITING
Please share the Audition Information and Audition Form with people you sing with in other groups. Feel free to copy and post at your church choir or other singing ensembles you are with.
FESTIVAL SEASON OPENING: SEPTEMBER 23, 2011
Rick will also open the BBF season when he is here in September. BBF’s Fall Chamber Concert will double-head on Fri., September 23, 7:30 p.m. at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church (2015 Glenarm Pl., Denver) and on Sun., September 25, 4 p.m. at St. John’s Episcopal Church (1419 Pine St., Boulder). The program will include Brandenburg Nos. III, V, & VI, the Chaconne from Violin Partita #2, and organ selections played by Rick. The concert will introduce Zachary Carrettin, concertmaster for the 2011–2012 season, who will be joined by our own stellar performers Ann Marie Morgan, Erika Eckert, Matthew Dane, and Christina Jennings. This is a performance not to be missed.
