Bel Canto: A Case Study
[This is Chris, by the way. Enough of that “third person” stuff.]
I’ve had my share of fascinating projects and commissions, and each one has been great for unique reasons. But I want to share the story of one specific collaboration in the hope that it may give you ideas for what sort of shape your next project may take, and my hunch is that it will be particularly interesting to educators.
Part One: First Contact
On September 20, 2016, I got the following email from Bridget Faulk, choir director at Norwin High School in North Huntingdon, Pennsylvania:
Hello Chris! I received your name from one of my colleagues as I am on the hunt to commission a piece for my women’s choir.
Bel Canto is Norwin High School’s select women’s choir. All forty-eight women have auditioned to be part of the group. Two years ago, I commissioned a piece for them and the seniors are asking me to do this again for Spring (late April 2017 to perform). We have a limited budget, but are willing to make something work if you are interested. Please let me know your thoughts and if this is even a possibility at this time.
Candidly speaking, I’m not always the best or the fastest when it comes to emailing, but this is the sort of project that I frankly can’t get enough of. I responded right away: Yes, I was interested. Yes, let’s talk. Yes, let’s do it.
Here’s the thing with me and choral music: I love writing choral music, but I also find it kind of challenging, because it all comes down to the text. If I find the write text, the music can almost write itself, but until I find the right text, the process can be laborious. So I did what I always do when I receive a choral commission: I asked if she had any texts in mind. Here was her response:
Here’s the thing with me and choral music: I love writing choral music, but I also find it kind of challenging, because it all comes down to the text. If I find the write text, the music can almost write itself, but until I find the right text, the process can be laborious. So I did what I always do when I receive a choral commission: I asked if she had any texts in mind. Here was her response:
Last time I did this (2 years ago), I had the girls go to the library to do some research on texts and poems. We then voted and gave the composer 5 or so poems to pick from. He then picked the one that he felt connected to, but the girls were still involved in the process and felt connected as well. Would this be something you would be open to? If not, I understand. Or would you want to give us a few texts to pick from? Just some thoughts....