The Chorale in Israel - July 12

Today was the first Collegiate Chorale concert. It was a small chorus of the professional singers, conducted by Bob, with Ken at the piano, with some a cappella numbers and several solos and small ensembles. For the last number, "Every Time I Feel the Spirit," any chorale member who wanted could join in. It took place at the Tel Aviv Museum, which has a stunning collection of modern art. During the break between the rehearsal and concert, we could wander around and look at it.
Bob had structured the concert to show all the diverse possibilities of the choral form (and show off the versatility of the chorus), so it covered a wide range of composers and styles, from Renaissance motets to Brahms to Verdi to Leonard Bernstein. A high point was a small group doing a hilarious version of Duke Ellington’s "Hit Me With a Hot Note," which Nancy Wertsch, our choral contractor, wrote herself.
The concert was something of a revelation. Any of us who have stood near the pros in rehearsal knows that they are all excellent musicians, but I hadn’t fully realized until this concert what truly formidable talent we’re singing with. These people could give the stars at the Met a run for their money. Doug Purcell sang Kurt Weill’s "Kiddush," and Elizabeth Hillebrand sang "A Simple Song" from the Bernstein Mass, and they both sent chills down my spine. Jess Munoz sang two songs by Charles Ives and made them sound simple, beautiful, and accessible, which is no mean feat. Cliff Townsend sang "I Been in the Storm So Long," a spiritual for which he also wrote the arrangement, which showed off some really impressive bass notes, both from Cliff and from the male chorus. And Jeanmarie Lally gave a performance of "Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child" that would have made Scrooge weep. It was particularly impressive in her case, because the museum had decorated the stage with a huge bouquet of lilies, to which she is terribly allergic. But during the break before the performance, one of the other sopranos thoughtfully took a paper towel and removed every stamen from every flower, thus disposing of the pollen.
The audience loved it. About twenty members of the chorale had joined in for the last number, so we got to enjoy the applause as well. There were two encores--including "Every Time . . . " again so we extra singers actually got to sing twice.
Afterwards there was a little reception for us in the museum lobby, under a big Jackson Pollock painting, with lots of delicious little delicacies, and much mutual congratulation. I can’t speak for Bob, but he certainly looked extremely happy. It was too good a concert to present only once. I hope they manage to do it again in New York so everyone gets a chance to hear it.

-- Janet Pascal