It's not often we get the chance to sit down and listen. Touring life leaves little room for reflection, and we're often in a place for only 24 hours before heading off to the next stop. Each destination is important, of course, but occasionally cities and towns blend into one on a long trip.
In this context, it was wonderful yesterday to be able to attend, as a group, Morten Lauridsen's talk here at the World Choir Games. Morten spoke for over an hour about his composition methods, inspirations and process, and it was truly one of the most interesting, memorable and emotional musical experiences I have had in quite a while. He reminded us why we do what we do; to communicate with people - really the essence of The World Choir Games - and not to forget that audiences often hear pieces for the first time that we as performers have been performing for many years. It was a very valuable experience.
Outside this lecture, the week has been one of musical joy and pleasure. From our solo concert at the enormous Arena Riga, to our joint performance with the wonderful Latvian Voices in the Opera House, and back again last night to the Arena to be part of the "All Stars" concert, we have had an enlightening and unforgettable week. The most important message: music, and singing, have relevance all across the world, and can break down borders and barriers of any sort. Where else could you speak with an Iranian and an Israeli in the same room? Not many places...
It's not often we get the chance to sit down and listen. Touring life leaves little room for reflection, and we're often in a place for only 24 hours before heading off to the next stop. Each destination is important, of course, but occasionally cities and towns blend into one on a long trip.
In this context, it was wonderful yesterday to be able to attend, as a group, Morten Lauridsen's talk here at the World Choir Games. Morten spoke for over an hour about his composition methods, inspirations and process, and it was truly one of the most interesting, memorable and emotional musical experiences I have had in quite a while. He reminded us why we do what we do; to communicate with people - really the essence of The World Choir Games - and not to forget that audiences often hear pieces for the first time that we as performers have been performing for many years. It was a very valuable experience.
Outside this lecture, the week has been one of musical joy and pleasure. From our solo concert at the enormous Arena Riga, to our joint performance with the wonderful Latvian Voices in the Opera House, and back again last night to the Arena to be part of the "All Stars" concert, we have had an enlightening and unforgettable week. The most important message: music, and singing, have relevance all across the world, and can break down borders and barriers of any sort. Where else could you speak with an Iranian and an Israeli in the same room? Not many places...
It's not often we get the chance to sit down and listen. Touring life leaves little room for reflection, and we're often in a place for only 24 hours before heading off to the next stop. Each destination is important, of course, but occasionally cities and towns blend into one on a long trip.
In this context, it was wonderful yesterday to be able to attend, as a group, Morten Lauridsen's talk here at the World Choir Games. Morten spoke for over an hour about his composition methods, inspirations and process, and it was truly one of the most interesting, memorable and emotional musical experiences I have had in quite a while. He reminded us why we do what we do; to communicate with people - really the essence of The World Choir Games - and not to forget that audiences often hear pieces for the first time that we as performers have been performing for many years. It was a very valuable experience.
Outside this lecture, the week has been one of musical joy and pleasure. From our solo concert at the enormous Arena Riga, to our joint performance with the wonderful Latvian Voices in the Opera House, and back again last night to the Arena to be part of the "All Stars" concert, we have had an enlightening and unforgettable week. The most important message: music, and singing, have relevance all across the world, and can break down borders and barriers of any sort. Where else could you speak with an Iranian and an Israeli in the same room? Not many places...
It's not often we get the chance to sit down and listen. Touring life leaves little room for reflection, and we're often in a place for only 24 hours before heading off to the next stop. Each destination is important, of course, but occasionally cities and towns blend into one on a long trip.
In this context, it was wonderful yesterday to be able to attend, as a group, Morten Lauridsen's talk here at the World Choir Games. Morten spoke for over an hour about his composition methods, inspirations and process, and it was truly one of the most interesting, memorable and emotional musical experiences I have had in quite a while. He reminded us why we do what we do; to communicate with people - really the essence of The World Choir Games - and not to forget that audiences often hear pieces for the first time that we as performers have been performing for many years. It was a very valuable experience.
Outside this lecture, the week has been one of musical joy and pleasure. From our solo concert at the enormous Arena Riga, to our joint performance with the wonderful Latvian Voices in the Opera House, and back again last night to the Arena to be part of the "All Stars" concert, we have had an enlightening and unforgettable week. The most important message: music, and singing, have relevance all across the world, and can break down borders and barriers of any sort. Where else could you speak with an Iranian and an Israeli in the same room? Not many places...
It's not often we get the chance to sit down and listen. Touring life leaves little room for reflection, and we're often in a place for only 24 hours before heading off to the next stop. Each destination is important, of course, but occasionally cities and towns blend into one on a long trip.
In this context, it was wonderful yesterday to be able to attend, as a group, Morten Lauridsen's talk here at the World Choir Games. Morten spoke for over an hour about his composition methods, inspirations and process, and it was truly one of the most interesting, memorable and emotional musical experiences I have had in quite a while. He reminded us why we do what we do; to communicate with people - really the essence of The World Choir Games - and not to forget that audiences often hear pieces for the first time that we as performers have been performing for many years. It was a very valuable experience.
Outside this lecture, the week has been one of musical joy and pleasure. From our solo concert at the enormous Arena Riga, to our joint performance with the wonderful Latvian Voices in the Opera House, and back again last night to the Arena to be part of the "All Stars" concert, we have had an enlightening and unforgettable week. The most important message: music, and singing, have relevance all across the world, and can break down borders and barriers of any sort. Where else could you speak with an Iranian and an Israeli in the same room? Not many places...
It's not often we get the chance to sit down and listen. Touring life leaves little room for reflection, and we're often in a place for only 24 hours before heading off to the next stop. Each destination is important, of course, but occasionally cities and towns blend into one on a long trip.
In this context, it was wonderful yesterday to be able to attend, as a group, Morten Lauridsen's talk here at the World Choir Games. Morten spoke for over an hour about his composition methods, inspirations and process, and it was truly one of the most interesting, memorable and emotional musical experiences I have had in quite a while. He reminded us why we do what we do; to communicate with people - really the essence of The World Choir Games - and not to forget that audiences often hear pieces for the first time that we as performers have been performing for many years. It was a very valuable experience.
Outside this lecture, the week has been one of musical joy and pleasure. From our solo concert at the enormous Arena Riga, to our joint performance with the wonderful Latvian Voices in the Opera House, and back again last night to the Arena to be part of the "All Stars" concert, we have had an enlightening and unforgettable week. The most important message: music, and singing, have relevance all across the world, and can break down borders and barriers of any sort. Where else could you speak with an Iranian and an Israeli in the same room? Not many places...
It's not often we get the chance to sit down and listen. Touring life leaves little room for reflection, and we're often in a place for only 24 hours before heading off to the next stop. Each destination is important, of course, but occasionally cities and towns blend into one on a long trip.
In this context, it was wonderful yesterday to be able to attend, as a group, Morten Lauridsen's talk here at the World Choir Games. Morten spoke for over an hour about his composition methods, inspirations and process, and it was truly one of the most interesting, memorable and emotional musical experiences I have had in quite a while. He reminded us why we do what we do; to communicate with people - really the essence of The World Choir Games - and not to forget that audiences often hear pieces for the first time that we as performers have been performing for many years. It was a very valuable experience.
Outside this lecture, the week has been one of musical joy and pleasure. From our solo concert at the enormous Arena Riga, to our joint performance with the wonderful Latvian Voices in the Opera House, and back again last night to the Arena to be part of the "All Stars" concert, we have had an enlightening and unforgettable week. The most important message: music, and singing, have relevance all across the world, and can break down borders and barriers of any sort. Where else could you speak with an Iranian and an Israeli in the same room? Not many places...
