Blog: Choral & Current

Rock 'n' choral

I've been singing with the second tenor section in Chor Leoni since the fall of 2004, and have been playing cello and singing back-up with the band now known as Ten Suns since the spring of 2009.

At first glance a men's choir and a rock band don't seem to have much in common. Choirs perform in churches, bands play in bars. Choirs perform from scores, bands play by ear. Choirs perform music by long dead composers, bands play recent, modern music that is often original material.

Of course these are just generalizations, Chor Leoni has performed twice at the Vancouver Art Gallery's FUSE events and Ten Suns has played similar integrated art shows at The Chapel Arts and The Shadbolt Centre. Although most choral music is written out, there are times when the singers are able to improvise (or 'jam' in band jargon) such as in the wonderful piece Absalon by Jocelyn Morlock that we premiered at our recent Canadian Voices, or asked to 'interpret' shapes or images like in the music of R. Murray Schafer. As far as the band, yes there is a lot more freedom to improvise but quite often once a part is established it needs to be just as exact as if it were written out, and this could be as simple as the rhythm of a tambourine.

Yes choirs perform music by long dead composers, the choral tradition stretches back to the beginning of recorded history. That doesn't mean that choral music is not alive, modern and relevant. New works are being written all the time, and quite often by men within the choir itself. Rock music being not much more than half a century old doesn't mean that it is not informed by the centuries of music that came before it. Almost all the members of Ten Suns come from a classical music background.

Now there does seem to be a linguistic distinction that we make when we discuss choirs vs. bands. Choirs perform, bands play. Or further yet, choirs perform concerts, bands play gigs. On freedictionary.com it states "To perform is to carry out an action, undertaking, or procedure, often with great skill or care" whereas "(to play is) to occupy oneself in (a sport or diversion); amuse oneself in (a game)".

We often view choral music (and classical music in general) as being of a higher status, rock and pop music as frivolous diversion instead of culturally relevant, and this is reflected in the words we choose to talk about it. I can tell you that every time I step on stage with Ten Suns it is with the same level of concentration as with Chor Leoni (except I'm allowed to bring a beer) and anyone that doesn't think a choir can 'play' has not seen our Bard show!

Despite all these differences I've found that in both these groups the things that really matter are the same. A dedication to rehearsal and improvement, striving to reach excellence. A genuine eagerness to connect with our audience and create a community built around sharing the music we are passionate about. A love and trust for each other that is strengthened every time we do what we do.

Check out the Ten Suns website here, and here's their video. Ten Suns has an EP Release and Fundraiser coming up on April 30. More details are on Facebook, here.

Posted by Byron Hanson, 2nd tenor section leader, cellist, choir-boy, rocker on April 21, 2010 at 9:04 AM
Filed in: inside Chor Leoni | Permanent Link