Blog: Choral & Current: inside Chor Leoni

Congratulations, Bishop Greg!

July 7, 2010 | 2:10 PM

Chor Leoni's 2009/10 season is officially over once the choir exits the Bard stage after that final performance in June. That's the signal for summer to officially begin, with choir members scattering to vacation spots, family BBQ's, beaches, or to just find somewhere to chill out.

That said, how often does one of our own get ordained as bishop? Diane put out the call - a request, really - "Would CL be willing to sing for Greg's service?" The answer was a resounding YES!, and on Monday, July 5, over 80% of our membership (and 3 very fine "non-singing" members of our board) trekked out to South Surrey to help celebrate the event. Yes, the lions do take care of their own!

We sang Chesnokov's Spaseniye sodelal, the hymn Shall We Gather at the River, the beautiful Shaker tune, Not One Sparrow is Forgotten, and Alice Parker's rousing Hark, I Hear the Harps Eternal, as well as the usual service music. The evening was all the more special because our vocal coach, Lorraine Reinhardt, was also the cantor for the service, making it seem like a very "family" kind of celebration.

Bishop Susan Johnson's sermon neatly tied life as a choral member to the life of a bishop. (She's an alto, by the way.) Greg is a valued member of our baritone section, and CL audiences will also recognize him as one of our regular readers.

Chor Leoni wishes the Reverend Dr. Gregory Mohr all the best as he assumes his new role as Bishop of the British Columbia Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada. See you at rehearsals in September, Greg!

Posted by bruce | Comments (0) | File in: inside Chor Leoni | Permanent Link

Diane Loomer Receives Prestigious National Awards

May 24, 2010 | 3:13 PM

Chor Leoni is thrilled to announce that Diane Loomer, C.M., our beloved Artistic Director, received two prestigious awards from the Association of Canadian Choral Communities (ACCC) this past weekend at PODIUM 2010: Experience the Harmony : L'harmonie, une expérience à vivre, held in Saskatoon from May 20 - 23.

Cypress Music (founded by Diane and Dick Loomer) was honoured to receive the Most Outstanding or Innovative Sponsorship Award (Prix de la Commandite la Plus Importante ou la Plus Innovatrice) for sponsoring the ACCC Choral Composition Competition for the last 15 years and for the publishing of Canadian Choral Music. (Note: Loomers have recently handed over Cypress Music to Larry Nickel, who will no doubt carry on with great skill and care).

As the 'grand finale' of the evening, Dick and Diane were called up again to receive the Distinguished Service Award (Contribution Exceptionnelle et Soutenue) for all the work they have done over the years towards promoting choral music in Canada.

Founded in 1980, the Association of Canadian Choral Communities (ACCC) is Canada's only non-profit professional service organization for choral musicians and administrators. A national voice for over 600 conductors, 38,000 singers, as well as choral composers, publishers and administrators, the ACCC promotes its art form at all levels throughout Canada and supports and encourages the writing and performance of Canadian choral music.

Diane also conducted her EnChor choir at PODIUM and said:

"EnChor was the first 'seniors choir' to ever be invited to appear at Podium as a featured choir in the Spotlight Concert series. I think I can honestly say they sang an absolutely wonderful concert (as Wayne Riddle exclaimed "It
was beyond belief!"). We also gave a workshop to anyone interested in the hows, whys, and wherefores of EnChor. So many people came up to congratulate the choir - and many were inspired to go home and try to create
something similar in their own communities. Tovey was absolutely effusive with praise for the group. Needless to say, EnChor was riding high by the end of the week. I was so proud of them - they really went in and delivered with wonderful confidence and sensitive singing to a most discerning audience! And Ailsa Zaenker was a knockout as our accompanist.

With Elektra winning the Equal Voices (women's) and Cantata Singers winning the hotly-contested Contemporary Category, it was quite a weekend for Vancouver's choirs!"

The lions give a huge roar of congratulations to our fearless leader!

Posted by bruce | Comment (1) | File in: CL in the press, inside Chor Leoni | Permanent Link

An Inner Circle View

May 4, 2010 | 3:38 PM

Once a year, the Lions get to let their mane down, and trade their Palestrina, Poulenc and Perotin for Showtunes, Stan Rogers, and Shania. As part of the sworn-to-secrecy team that assembles the madness that is our annual romp in the tent, I can tell you that it isn't all feathers and fouettés.

As a construction engineer, I like to think about concert production in the context of constructing a new building. The pre-planning stage starts long before any ground is broken, or in this case, feathers are sewn. The plans are drawn up for the show by a dedicated, fascinated, (often well-lubricated) group for about a full year to put together the theme, program, and details. Some aspects of the work are 'subcontracted' to music arrangers, choreographers, costume designers, and stage managers.

By the time the spring concert is said and done, the project team has to have the full set of blueprints ready to hand over to the carpenters, plumbers, and electricians to get their hands dirty in the silliest music of the year. The 'dancers' of the choir attend extra rehearsals led by their foremen (choreographers) to learn the fancy footwork that gives the music that extra oomph. The 'seamstresses' of the choir stitch and bitch their way to a set of costumes that have included up to 4 costumes per chorister for a single concert and have run the gamut from Big Bird to Jar Jar Binks! We can't forget the music itself, the structure from which the rest of the show is built. Diane is supported by assistant conductors in the choir, accomplished accompanists and a rousing band to lay the foundation for the choir to present the equivalent of a stunningly crafted, architectural marvel!

As you can guess, we are well on our way to create a heel-stompin' concert for this year's Chor Leoni Country. While I am sworn to secrecy, as usual, I can say that we will take you down some country roads to famous rivers, stampedes, two Southern states, the range, and the sky above all on the back of a trusty steed (or cowboy - your choice!). Y'all get your tickets early, y'hear?

Spencer Cripps, baritone section leader

p.s. The Bard box office DOESN'T add service charges! Call now - 604.739.0559 - operators are standing by!

Chor Leoni Country

Monday, June 21 3 pm & 8 pm
Monday, June 28 3 pm & 8 pm
All tickets $35 General Admission
Bard box office: 604.739.1255

Posted by Spencer Cripps, baritone section leader | Comments (0) | File in: inside Chor Leoni, performances | Permanent Link

1st Annual "Curl Leoni" Classic

April 30, 2010 | 7:15 PM

With Chor Leoni Country fast approaching in June, choir members are wasting no time getting into character. Men are wearing cowboy boots to rehearsal, setting their iPods to repeat on Shania Twain, and last weekend, 40 choir members and friends participated in the much-loved prairie sport of curling.

The Curl Leoni Classic was an obvious choice for a team-building event, considering the many similarities between choral singing and curling. They both require immense focus and concentration, without which performance is greatly compromised. Diaphragmatic power is not only necessary for singing, but must be exploited in the curling rink as instructions are relayed to teammates, like “hurry”, or “hard”. As in part singing, it is imperative to listen to what’s going on around you, as skips yell out various instructions that must be isolated from other screams in the rink. The sense of timing and rhythm is essential from the moment a curler begins his delivery: the backswing, the leg-drive, and release together create the rhythmic complexity and beauty of a Chopin nocturne. The teamwork of a curling team is a mirror image of a classical choir, as the leader – the conductor or skip – informs many individual performances to build a single, cohesive strategy or interpretation. Both curling games and choral concerts evoke strong, varying emotions over time, culminating in a release of tension when it is all over.

Surely, these great similarities would mean great success for Chor Leoni curlers. Effortless slides, perfect draws, and angle-raise double-takeouts would have to be commonplace after all of our musical training, which surely would be transferable to curling.

Unfortunately, there is the important distinction that curling requires physical ability, or at the very least a motor skill or two. This hitch meant that diaphragms were mostly used for yelps of surprise as choir members fell on their rears. Deliveries were more analogous to The Rite of Spring as we awkwardly threw our stones. Listening was either non-existent, or players did not have “hurry”, “hard”, or “whoa” in their vocabularies. Diane called the event “a great equalizer in the choir,” probably her pleasant way of saying we were all terrible, each and every one of us.

But the event needed no professional displays to be a success. After nearly five hours of tournament curling, we were eager to do it again – and the 2nd annual Curl Leoni Classic is on the calendar for next year. And maybe after soaking up the prairie culture in our upcoming Chor Leoni Country concert in June, we’ll all turn into Olympic level curlers. After all, line dancing and curling have many similarities...

Posted by Kyle Harland, second tenor | Comments (0) | File in: inside Chor Leoni | Permanent Link

Rock 'n' choral

April 21, 2010 | 10:04 AM

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 | Comment (1) | File in: inside Chor Leoni | Permanent Link

Thoughts on Kontakion

November 2, 2009 | 9:26 PM

In 1997 Chor Leoni commissioned Vancouver composer, Rupert Lang, to write a piece that would be featured in our annual Remembrance Day concerts. That commission resulted in Kontakion. The direction was to have some kind of audience sing-along aspect to the work, so Rupert incorporated a refrain that is repeated several times throughout the piece. That refrain is initially stated by a tenor soloist, and I’ve been honoured to be that particular singer.

I also sing with the Christ Church Cathedral choir, which Rupert directs. Shortly after the male choir version premiered he re-voiced Kontakion for mixed choirs and it was published by Boosey & Hawkes. The piece has gone on to choral fame around the world. (It’s on the Cathedral Choir’s CD, Celebrate!)

In addition to Chor Leoni’s Remembrance Day performances, Kontakion has been performed at state events such as the memorial service for Princess Diana, the Vancouver service after 9/11, annually for All Souls Day, and at intimate funerals.

Between Chor Leoni and the Cathedral Choir I’ve sung that opening statement countless times now. I love its deceptive simplicity (it sits in a fairly treacherous tenor range) and the way the melody lifts to the high G flat on “life” - which by then does feel like it is everlasting!

I feel privileged to sing it, but what I didn’t count on was that whole “ageing thing” and the way the piece has become freighted with meaning as the years layer on experience. Whether it’s from the passing of an admired public figure, the parent of a fellow singer, my best friend, or my father, Kontakion has become layered with memories that are difficult to contain while maintaining any sense of the necessary singing technique to successfully negotiate it well. (One year I lost it completely and ended up singing with tears running down my cheeks.)

Singers learn tricks to get through such emotional moments - I think of doing the dishes - but nothing ever really prepares me for the climactic moment where the pipe organ swells, the choral texture thickens, the audience is in full voice singing along, and the solo line echos The Last Post.

I’m proud that Kontakion happened because of Chor Leoni, and thankful to Rupert for writing such a wonderful piece of music. So this year when the opportunity arrives, sing out, even if it’s with a lump in your throat. It’s wonderfully cathartic – and everyone around you will understand.

Bruce Hoffman, second tenor

Posted by bruce hoffman, 2nd tenor | Comments (3) | File in: inside Chor Leoni, performances | Permanent Link

Portrait of a Singer As a (Somewhat) Young Man

October 28, 2009 | 10:35 AM

Let me start by saying that I was at one time the youngest member of CL. I am now 24, and...well...not the youngest member. You may have noticed the fresh faces that have been joining the choir in the last few years. CL has some awesome young talent to complement the experience and wisdom of the ‘Geritones’.

As you faithful readers are aware, we have a PROMYS program that brings high school-aged guys into the choir. We have had the pleasure this year of accepting fourteen fantastic young men into our intensive fall program that involves singing some of the music in the Remembrance concerts. I am actually worried that the Metropolitan Opera might snatch a couple of them before we get to perform with them on November 11th. We have a couple returns from previous PROMYS events, and even a brother of a current CL member. I only wonder if I was nearly as talented, fun, and polite at their age. Mum, don’t answer that one.

Helping to organize this program is a great honour...most of the time. It has also put me in the position of potentially being referred to by this wonderful bunch as the well meaning, but dreaded Mister Cripps. Until now, I have avoided this, partly by having an older brother (Russell, also in the choir) who is a teacher. I figure he has double the right to be given this title. Even worse is being asked how many children I have of my own by the six year olds in the brilliant Zing! Children’s Choir; but I digress.

I would simply like to thank our city’s music educators for laying the foundation for these young men to flourish, to the young men for your dedication and musicality, and to Diane and the men of CL for your willingness to mentor and spread the ‘gospel’ of male singing.

Spencer Cripps, Baritone

ps. Who knew that the fear of ageing is called ‘gerascophobia’? Not that I have it or anything…

(Ed: We'd like to point out that the author remains one of the fresher-faced members of the ensemble, despite his stated concerns.)

Posted by Spencer Cripps, baritone | Comments (0) | File in: inside Chor Leoni, PROMYS | Permanent Link

And Now a Word From the Captain (von Trapp, that is)

October 19, 2009 | 11:34 AM

I first came across Chor Leoni when I heard, and subsequently bought, their Christmas CD, Yuletide Fires. There was something about the peaceful passion of the music which attracted me and kept me listening to it year-round, not just at Christmas time.

As a professional actor, one often has to do all sorts of other things to pay the rent during those periods when you're not working (which are all too frequent) and for many years, I had been a member of a quartet that sang carols during the Christmas season. One year, I was invited to a party with some professional singer friends and I had been telling them how much I'd enjoyed singing in a quartet. One of them said "You should audition for Chor Leoni". I laughed and thought there's no way I could possibly be a candidate for this amazing choir that I listened to month in and month out.

However, I decided to honour my new year's resolution to open myself up to new challenges, so I bit the bullet, and emailed to express an interest in auditioning. I knew their year started in September, so I was a little premature and fully expected to be asked to audition much later in the Spring or Summer. Almost immediately I received an email from Diane Loomer asking me if I could come in the following Wednesday. Nervously I dusted off a classical piece I'd learned at theatre school 16 years previously, as well as a couple of show tunes. After what seemed like an eternity of scales, sight reading, reading different languages, Diane asked me to sit while she consulted with someone. Imagine my surprise when she not only said they'd be happy for me to join the choir, but that they'd like me to stay for the rehearsal that very night!

And so began my adventure into a world of music that I'd never known. Languages I'd never spoken. Lots of laughter. The guys welcomed me into their ranks warmly and I was struck by the true sense of ensemble. These men really cared for each other, really cared about the music they were singing and really cared about excellence in their craft - but not at the expense of having a good time.

Over the next 3 or 4 years, my acting work came and went (I've never been able to sing at the wonderful Bard concerts because of my own gigs doing Shakespeare elsewhere in the country), but the music of Chor Leoni has continuously been a source of joy and a way to sustain my soul when work was scarce. Here was a creative outlet for me to throw myself into every week. I got to perform regularly and it made me feel connected. And because we often have to learn a lot of music in a very short period of time, my sight-reading grew stronger and stronger. This has been enormously helpful to me in my work as an actor - you never know in an audition if they're going to give you a piece of music to sing and being able to read it quickly and accurately is a huge benefit.

In the summer of 2008, I started a long gig performing in the Andrew Lloyd-Webber/Mirvish production of The Sound of Music in Toronto. Playing in the ensemble and understudying the lead role of Captain von Trapp has been a career highlight for me. The production has won awards left, right and centre and being a part of it has been a true privilege. In my programme bio, I proudly state that I'm a member of this choir and it amazes me how many people know and love our music.

18 months later, I'm looking at returning home to Vancouver and what are the things I've missed most about my time away? Well, there are the mountains, the fresh air, the beach 3 blocks from my apartment. But there is also Chor Leoni, which is not just a choir to me. It's a community of men inspired by a wonderful woman, men who have a passion for music and for each other. I can't wait to be back in the ranks.

Posted by Ian Farthing | Comment (1) | File in: inside Chor Leoni | Permanent Link

Would You Like a Slice of Chor Leoni With That Beer?

October 13, 2009 | 9:44 AM

Chor Leoni... choir of lions... lions have a den, right? Well, if you've heard a growl or two (sometimes "woot" or "represent!") near 45th and Yew... chances are us cats are chewing on some delectable tune. And the chewing continues after rehearsal, not too far away.

One of our favourite hang-outs is George's Pizza (6109 West Boulevard - between 45th & 46th). A few minutes after 10 pm on most Wednesdays, you'll spot a hungry lion (or 2, or 5, or 23!) who show up at this Kerrisdale institution for a post-rehearsal brew-ha. The staff are like family to us. The pizza is fantastic (yes, there is a pizza named after us), excellent calamari, onion rings, and greek salad too. And of course, beer! Beer - makes you [think you] sing better... and with such volume! Isn't that how national anthems are born?

So if you ever wanna be a fly on the wall of a lion's den, you know the time, you know the place. We'll laugh at your jokes, get philosophical (or philos-if-I-know, as I like to say)... we'll raise a glass and maybe even serenade you. And... we won't bite - unless you are a pizza.

submitted by the not-so-quiet (even pre-beer) - Les Nerling, baritone

Posted by Les Nerling | Comments (0) | File in: inside Chor Leoni | Permanent Link

An "Average" Singer's View - From a Remarkable Man

October 5, 2009 | 11:00 AM

As an “average” singer who does not have a musical education or voice training and who unashamedly admits that my “ticket” to singing in Chor Leoni is being married to the conductor, I never cease to wonder that this group of men, some of whom are very good musicians but many, like me, are average, have managed to build and sustain this ensemble which seems to have no limit to it’s popularity and the acclaim which it receives from the public and the musical community.

What is it about a group of men who sing well that stirs crowds, impresses musicians and judges, and inspires other choirs? Perhaps it’s our willingness to discipline ourselves to practice and blend, perhaps our sense of “all for one” community, perhaps the span of ages 19 – 74 and occupations - blue collars to 3 piece suits or perhaps our devotion to our conductor (my personal weakness) or perhaps it’s because we love to sing. Oops - Time to stop pondering and start practicing.

Dick Loomer, bass

Posted by bruce | Comments (0) | File in: inside Chor Leoni | Permanent Link