Do you feel you are a product of your environment?
I know I do, particularly as it relates to music.
I have had some great teachers.
Each of them made an impact on me personally and in what I impart to the BeckRidge Chorale and Village Voices.
Charles S. Heard was my high school vocal music teacher. He is an incredibly talented musician. Not only is Charles one of the finest all-round musicians I have ever known, he is an phenomenal pianist, gifted conductor and a pretty darn good singer. I was not blessed with all those genes but he instilled within me a passion for excellence and professionalism.
I had the opportunity to work with Fred Waring at Pennsylvania State University. Mr. Waring was the finest interpreter of song I have ever experienced. Fred believed that if you bought the music, you could change it any way you wanted. He knew so many of the great composers and lyricists of the 20th century that his insights left me awestruck. Mr. Waring taught me, words have meaning.
Donald Neuen was the Director of Choral Music Activities at the Eastman School of Music when I had the opportunity to study with him. Don has forgotten or put aside more than I know. Mr. Neuen is one of the finest choral conductors in the United States. He has a gift for sharing knowledge unlike anyone I have ever met. He could identify a problem and correct it before I could find the measure number. Don thinks like a singer and applies it to the art of choral singing. He taught me how to look at making music through the eyes of my singers, not preconceived theory.
The BeckRidge Chorale and Village Voices are committed to excellence and professionalism in every thing they do. Simply stated, nothing is left behind in rehearsal. We bring everything we have to the stage and we will deposit it in the back row of the auditorium. We are committed to being the most professional amateur choral ensemble you will ever hear.
When we sing about love, it sounds different than “Old MacDonald had a Farm.” Words like hate, fear, fire, rage do not sound like love, rest, brook or forgiveness. In addition, we provide our audience the opportunity to understand the words we sing in the hope we can touch their hearts, souls and minds.
We sing about the things of life to which we can relate. We sing to our audience and look at music through their eyes. Singing is one of life’s greatest gifts. We can do it anywhere knowing it will calm our fears, lift our sights, inspire our actions and allow us to feel all that is life.
I had some great teachers and am blessed to work with some incredible students. They too, have become a product of their environment. Please do not miss the opportunity to experience the BeckRidge Chorale or Village Voices.
Mike
