Items by Nan Beth Walton

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Title	Author	Date
Comment: Re: How l-o-n-g do we go?	Nan Beth Walton	May 11, 2012
I usually ask my choir members about their attendance in June...trips and such that would take them away on a Sunday, and then pick the best populated of those Sundays to be our last Sunday for the regular year (June 10 this year). However, I have my email list active and in addition to the solo...
Comment: Re: "Growing" a church choir	Nan Beth Walton	May 9, 2012
I very much agree about the effectiveness of members of the choir extending a personal invitation to others who sing. This has been effective in my choir, and continues to be so. I have one guy who is particularly aggressive in this way, sometimes changing the balance of the group in a way I w...
Announcement: Tallis Scholars Summer Schools	Nan Beth Walton	April 12, 2012
Those of you who know me well know that outside of seeing my family, my very best favorite recreational thing to do is to attend the Tallis Scholars Summer Schools, which take place in July of each year on the Seattle University Campus. This year, the course will take place from July 21-28. The...
Concert: The German Baroque Tradition Seattle March 11, 3:00 pm	Nan Beth Walton	March 8, 2012
The Seattle Bach Choir, under the direction of Dr. anne Lyman, proudly presents our concert, The German Baroque Tradition, this coming Sunday, March 11, at 3:00 pm (pre-concert lecture at 2:00 pm) at Trinity Episcopal Parish, 609 8th Ave in Seattle. Admission is $18/15. The program is...
Comment: Re: 'that's on the break in my voice' etc.. - how do you respond?	Nan Beth Walton	March 7, 2012
One of my current choir directors has asked us to fill out white cards in each rehearsals with concerns and questions. It saves us the annoying rehearsal questions, gives each person a chance to share their concerns or questions, gives the director a chance to look at all of the questions and in...
Comment: Re: 'that's on the break in my voice' etc.. - how do you respond?	Nan Beth Walton	March 2, 2012
I am with Jeremy on this one. Often, I will be the one who brings up the challenges with singing in a particular range, on a particular pitch, and the vowels related to that. I think all of my choir and the resultant choir sound greatly benefit from a bit of vocal instruction here or there tha...
Comment: Re: 5 Dumb Things Directors Say to Choirs	Nan Beth Walton	March 1, 2012
My strategies are to use humor and kindness for the things that rean't going quite according to plan and to model exactly what it i that I want to hear from my choir. I also compliment the choir immediately for creating the sort of sound that I am looking for and ask them to try to remember how ...
Comment: Re: Renaissance -- Top Ten Greatest Hits	Nan Beth Walton	February 18, 2012
Alma Redemptoris Mater- Palestrina Mass for Four Voices- Byrd Ave Maria- Josquin
Comment: Re: The Key of F bugaboo	Nan Beth Walton	February 13, 2012
Well, as a string player (primarily viola now...John, we seem to have more and more in common as time goes on), though not a pro in that category but fairly competent amateur and also as a teacher of early strings, I am stunned to hear that a violin player would identify D as the hardest scale. ...
Comment: Re: Congregation Hymn singing	Nan Beth Walton	February 13, 2012
I would say that leading the congregation's song is a pretty vital part of what my congregation expects from our choir. We don't have a choir at our early service, so the folks who attend then are on their own, but the choir at the later service really assists the congregation singing by their p...
Comment: Re: The Key of F bugaboo	Nan Beth Walton	February 9, 2012
I will resonate with John's comments about the difference that a key can make for a particular solo voice. As a mezzo, I have most of my classical songs in two keys, high and low, and sometimes the high key was best, sometimes the low key was best, and I ended up transposing (before Finale) one ...
Comment: Re: The Key of F bugaboo	Nan Beth Walton	February 9, 2012
I have to say that my church choir hasn't had a difficulty singing in the key of F, per se. There have been some pieces where my sopranos have to pull out their best technique to sing well in tune on certain pitches (often E flat or C in the octave above middle C), but they have been able to ach...
Comment: Re: middle aged mezzo with odd vocal problem - advice?	Nan Beth Walton	January 6, 2012
Lucy, i am stealing your illustration to use in general with my choir! Thanks! Nan
Comment: Re: middle aged mezzo with odd vocal problem - advice?	Nan Beth Walton	January 5, 2012
As a mezzo who has, at times, not widely utilized my upper range (I'm teaching sopranos, now, so I get the exercise up there that I seem to need), I used to experience a bit of tension at the upper part of my range that caused me to cough. I didn't experience the dripping, though, but every body...
Comment: Re: Combatting flat singing	Nan Beth Walton	December 13, 2011
I stole this idea from Dennis Coleman, director of the Seattle Men's Chorus. As a director, and you can also have your singers do this, hold your arm out in front of you and move your forefinger in a circular motion, "spinning" the tone is the image. I find that works quite well on sustained p...
Comment: Re: Fast and effective way to teach men's part	Nan Beth Walton	December 11, 2011
I make use of MP3 files that I create in Finale. To make them more voice like, I actualy use the woodwind sounds, with the oboe on the highlighted voices, and flutes, clarinets and bassoons for the non-highlighted voices. And then I use a louder volume for the highlighted voice part and quiete...
Comment: Re: Simple, beautiful ancient chant Kyrie	Nan Beth Walton	November 30, 2011
Yes, yes, yes, Ron!! I so agree! I think it is ultimately up to the musicians of the church to preserve the great trust of music AND hymn poetry that has been left to our care. Some of my colleagues talk about "shelf life" of modern worship music, and are satisfied that some pieces will work...
Comment: Re: Simple, beautiful ancient chant Kyrie	Nan Beth Walton	November 28, 2011
I wanted to share my thanks, and the obvious appreciation of the congregation, for the Kyrie Orbis Factor as recommended by several of you, and put into use yesterday. We used a few bells to support the singing (open fifths with a coda...I needed something for my little boy ringers) and the cong...
Concert: Seattle Bach Choir November 20 3:00 pm	Nan Beth Walton	November 17, 2011
The Seattle Bach Choir will present the Lord Nelson Mass of Haydn and Vivaldi's lesser known Gloria (Introduction and Gloria) this coming Sunday, November 20, at Trinity Episcopal Church, 609 8th Ave, Seattle, WA, at 3:00 pm. The concert will be preceded by a lecture at 2:00 pm. Admission is $...
Comment: Re: soloist quandry	Nan Beth Walton	November 17, 2011
This problem must come up in many choirs, and it has in mine. My policy is that I award solos during the regular program year to those persons who sing regularly with the choir. These are the folks who attend unless they are ill or out of town. During the summer, anyone can sing a solo ...
Comment: Re: Simple, beautiful ancient chant Kyrie	Nan Beth Walton	October 31, 2011
I don't have an iphone and I only use my ipod very slightly, but maybe I'll try to increase the ipod use to include this. It would be nice to have!
Comment: Re: Simple, beautiful ancient chant Kyrie	Nan Beth Walton	October 29, 2011
Hi Ron, This is a start for us. We're all about making worship as rich as we possibly can, and I am delighted that my pastor was interested in the use of a Gregorian chant as opposed to something more modern. If this goes well, I'm sure we will dabble more and be able to hang our hat mo...
Comment: Re: Simple, beautiful ancient chant Kyrie	Nan Beth Walton	October 28, 2011
Frank, Normally, I would be all over the liturgical season, but since we haven't used such a chant for several decades (if ever) here, I am going with Orbis Factor and perhaps next year we can get with the correct seasonal Kyrie. I think we are going to enjoy it a lot. I know that I wil...
Comment: Re: Simple, beautiful ancient chant Kyrie	Nan Beth Walton	October 28, 2011
Thanks so much, folks! We are ging with the Kyrie Orbis Factor, for now. It is hard to deny its beauty! We are using the chant based hymns at the open of the service and bells to help achieve a more solemn, mysterious and divine opening to our service. By the way, my own resources and...
Comment: Re: Simple, beautiful ancient chant Kyrie	Nan Beth Walton	October 27, 2011
Oh, yes, I do love this one! I know I have it somewhere in the miles of music in this house, but thanks so very much!
Comment: Re: Simple, beautiful ancient chant Kyrie	Nan Beth Walton	October 27, 2011
Hi John, I am actually familiar with the Liber Usualis but do not possess a copy as yet, though it is on my wishlist at Amazon and has been for quite some time! And I know that there would be quite a lot to peruse, so I am very grateful for the specific suggestions I have received on this...
Forum message: Simple, beautiful ancient chant Kyrie	Nan Beth Walton	October 25, 2011
Hi folks, I am looking for a simple plain chant (ancient, not modern) Kyrie to be sung a cappella by my congregation for the opening of our Advent services. Do any of you have specific suggestions or can you point me to any useful sources for the chant? Many thanks! Nan Beth...
Comment: Re: Taping kids doors on trips?	Nan Beth Walton	October 10, 2011
The parents who complain about safety measures being too strict are likely to be the first to sue if something happens to their kid! We live in a time when spending a night at a hotel after prom, including drinking and other risky behavior, is all too common. Part of the attraction is that the...
Comment: Re: Why ChoralNet is not "taking off"	Nan Beth Walton	September 18, 2011
In my experience, this site has been enormously useful and I do read the daily digests, though not every post, and have been involved in several discussions. I have gotten repertoire assistance, given choir music and robes to groups for whom tey would be valuable, made new friends, and learned s...
Comment: Re: Treble clef Music Press and Mary Lycan	Nan Beth Walton	September 9, 2011
Many thanks to all of you. I will contact subito music to see if they are intending to publish those pieces under contract from Mary. If not, I will assume that I can submit my piece to other publishers. Anyone speaking to her, I hope you can convey our gratitude for maintaining such a wonde...
Forum message: Treble clef Music Press and Mary Lycan	Nan Beth Walton	September 7, 2011
I have searched and cannot find anything current on Treble Clef Music Press. The most recent catalogue I find is 2009. I have recently sent email to the company with no response. I have a piece which has been accepted by them for publishing, but I haven't seen anything further. Does a...
Comment: Re: Choirchimes - Which brand to purchase?	Nan Beth Walton	September 7, 2011
We ring Schulmerich bells and Malmark chimes. When I went to purchase chimes, Malmark were highly recommended. There were many comments regarding the Suzuki chimes as not wearing well, and having some other issues. I have rung Schulmerich chimes at a convention, but I think I prefer the Malm...
Forum message: Evangelical Lutheran Worship	Nan Beth Walton	August 9, 2011
I have received a request for my evaluation of this hymnal from someone who did not supply me with a email address for response. If it is you, could you please resend the request with your email address included in the body of your email? Many thanks! Nan Beth Walton
Comment: Re: Church Hymnal - Need Recommendations	Nan Beth Walton	August 7, 2011
While I am not 100% sold on the entire hymnal, the Evangelical Lutheran Worship has quite a bit of traditional music and all can be accompanied on piano or organ, though some hymns press for one of those over the other. If you would like (or if anyone else would like) to see it, I have created a...
Comment: Re: Dealing with rejection	Nan Beth Walton	July 8, 2011
I also have noticed that quite a few of the reality shows that are focused on growth in a field (I love the cooking and clothing design ones), and some of the really great contestants who fail to show any growth, or who fail to listen to the comments given and take them to heart, are given the boo...
Comment: Re: Dealing with rejection	Nan Beth Walton	July 7, 2011
I always audition for every opportunity possible, realizing that I surely won't get to sing everyting for which I audition, but that the experience of auditioning helps me with each subsequent audition. This is what I tell my students, as well. I suggest that they don't focus on the final goal...
Comment: Re: Mozart Requiem -- flutes and oboes	Nan Beth Walton	June 29, 2011
I have a similar problem in my church, where I have wonderful clarinet players who like to be included in the choral and orchestral pieces. This either limits our options or I add parts in. I sometimes have the winds double the choral parts. For the clarinets, I can get down to tenor. ...
Comment: Re: Mac vs PC	Nan Beth Walton	June 16, 2011
I am a Mac and Finale girl, all the way. I have to use a PC at work and it is much more difficult to find files, which is very important to me, whereas my Mac can find anything with one word. I am also on a group list for Finale and the people who seem to have the most difficulty with it are u...
Comment: Re: Children's choir solo policies	Nan Beth Walton	June 2, 2011
As one who has had a few professional singers emerge from my choirs, I would say that while they exhibited great skill over the years as they progressed in their singing, one of these would certainly not have been identified as someone who would make it professionally in her early years. She san...
Comment: Re: Children's choir solo policies	Nan Beth Walton	May 30, 2011
Lauren, This is in answer to questions you posted a while ago. I have had as few as three and as many as fourteen kids in my home-based glee club. They pretty much come because they know a friend who is already singing. I direct the group from behind the piano, so I am the one playing f...
Comment: Re: Negro Spirituals in "White" Churches	Nan Beth Walton	May 28, 2011
Ed, I think you are missing what the value of this post has been in opening up some important dialogue. To share the content of the email he received, and as Ron and others have pointed, removing the direct references to the pastor who sent the letter, Johnathan has brought his quest for ...
Comment: Re: Best Music Notation software for SATB that's not over the top?	Nan Beth Walton	May 27, 2011
I have only used Finale and am now using version 2010. I usualy have to whip out a choral score or two each week, and I find it works extremely well. In the old days there was a learning curve, and it may be less easy to use in a Windows setting, but on the Mac, I don't know how one could poss...
Comment: Re: Children's choir solo policies	Nan Beth Walton	May 26, 2011
I have taught less formal types of Children's Choirs, and have always offered solos to those who are interested. In my church Children's Choir, which is usually somewhere between 4-10 kids, I will select longer hymns to teach them, and offer solo (or duet) verse to any who are interested. They...
Comment: Re: Teaching privileges as a church music director	Nan Beth Walton	May 23, 2011
Susan, LOL!!! That full-time thing truly means full-time, as in 24/7, doesn't it? I know it well! The policy at my church, which may come from insurance or IRS guidelines, is that I may teach some lessons at church, but it cannot be my regular studio (my house is). Since I live 30 min...
Comment: Re: Negro Spirituals in "White" Churches	Nan Beth Walton	May 18, 2011
I have a couple comments. I use African Amercian Spirituals from time to time in our choir's worship. There are even a couple in our current hymnal (Evangelical Lutheran Worship). I have done a fair amount of studying of spirituals and consulting with black musicians of some stature in my co...
Comment: Re: What is the function/intent/purpose of a choral anthem in today's mainstream Protestant worship service?	Nan Beth Walton	April 14, 2011
In our congreagtion, an ELCA Lutheran church, "Special" music, as in music that is presented by a soloist of groups of people (nearly always a group), comes at three points during the service: 1) Call to Worship, which begins the service, and I select music that is often a song of praise, o...
Comment: Re: Getting them to sing...louder!	Nan Beth Walton	March 3, 2011
I think Karla's idea would prove to be very useful. It is helpful to remember that as singers, the sound we hear when we sing is not the sound everyone else hears. Also, I think kids really enjoy the process of being able to evaluate themselves and find solutions. I have used that strategy i...
Borrowing request: Need to purchase	Nan Beth Walton	February 22, 2011
Item: Gardez le Trait de la Fenétre; La Nuit Composer/Arranger/Edition: Reynaldo Hahn any edition Starting: As soon as possible For: DNA Copies: 41 Willing to rent: No I have not been able to find a source to purchase choral octavos of the SATB/piano version of "Gardez le Trait de la Fenetr...
Borrowing request: Stanford: I Heard a Voice	Nan Beth Walton	February 7, 2011
Item: "I Heard A Voice" Composer/Arranger/Edition: C. V. Stanford/Novello Starting: ASAP For: Permanent purchase Copies: 6-10 Willing to rent: No We are short a few copies for a March concert and I am looking to purchase the remaining copies we need, as our choir members purchase their own ...
Comment: Re: Bach St. Matthew: First Chorus	Nan Beth Walton	February 4, 2011
I am with you, Kari, in terms of musicians being the same then and now in terms of availability. As many of you, I struggle with the changing forces of instruments available to me (six flutes, four clarinets, one bassoon, two trumpets, two violins, three cellos and a bass, most often), and their...