On page 9 in Chapter One of THE CREATIVE HABIT, Tharp reminds us that “it takes skill to bring something you’ve imagined into the world” and then goes on to say that “it is developed through exercise, through repetition, through a blend of learning and reflection that’s both painstaking and rewarding. And it takes time”. Are you feeling that now as you stare at your folder FULL of unlearned music? I know I do (particularly as the performance date draws closer). Don’t you wish you could just wave your magic little choral wand and POOF! “Mother of God, Here I Stand” is completed and so breathtakingly beautiful that you are convinced that even John Tavener would be moved to tears? Or the Hebrew of “Yedid Nefesh” is mastered. Or we have achieved a perfectly blended, exquisite choral sound.
But, there is no choral magic wand. And I’m kind of glad there isn’t. Because much of our growth, our maturity as musicians, our development as human beings with refined aesthetic senses happens within the confines of the hard work of a rehearsal. Much as I’m happy with a spotless house, I get a certain (warped?) satisfaction out of the sore muscles and tiredness that comes from having cleaned to get it to that point. I enjoy it more than if someone else (the magic cleaning fairy?) had come in and done if for me. I think that is what Tharp is trying to get at here. While a focused, energetic rehearsal is hard work, it is ultimately the most rewarding thing you do as a choral musician. Dr. O
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Dr. O always tries to bring us the best experiences in the choral room. We are lucky to have an excellent choral teacher.
ReplyDeleteHowever, she cannot do it all alone. Even though she always gives 150%, her extra enthusiasm cannot make up for those of us that elect not to maximize their rehearsal experience.
When we think we have "mastered" the music, we must stop and think to ourselves. Have we truly "mastered" the music? In my opinion, there is always something that can be done better (even professionals would think so!)
Sadly, even though I loved the college choirs, I can only think of a handful of rehearsals that were honestly "focused and energetic." It only takes one sore attitude to ruin a great experience. Don't be that person that ruins it for the rest of the choir!
I challenge everyone to make every rehearsal an AWESOME experience!!!
I agree Scott. Every word we sing has got to mean something to us. But, you can't understand what you sing until you read it. You read it until you get it and it makes the performance that much better for the audience. It's very much a self-help situation for me because a lot of this music are the tunes are through which I live me life. I could not be the same person without having understood the many great texts of my choral repertoire and that in itself is hard work!!!
ReplyDelete