Evolution of Choral Sound of the St. Olaf Choir and the Westminster Choir Alan Zabriskie
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Florida State University Libraries Electronic Theses, Treatises and Dissertations The Graduate School 2010 Evolution of Choral Sound of the St. Olaf Choir and the Westminster Choir Alan Zabriskie Follow this and additional works at the FSU Digital Library. For more information, please contact [email protected] THE FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF MUSIC EVOLUTION OF CHORAL SOUND OF THE ST. OLAF CHOIR AND THE WESTMINSTER CHOIR By ALAN ZABRISKIE A Dissertation submitted to the Department of Music in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Degree Awarded: Spring Semester, 2010 The members of the committee approve the dissertation of Alan Zabriskie defended on March 3, 2010. ________________________________ Kevin Fenton Professor Directing Dissertation ________________________________ Matthew Shaftel University Representative ________________________________ André J. Thomas Committee Member ________________________________ Judy Bowers Committee Member The Graduate School has verified and approved the above-named committee members. ii I dedicate this to my wife, Jennie. iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I first wish to thank my wife, Jennie, who has constantly sacrificed her own ambitions in order that I might be able to accomplish mine. Her constant love, support, and encouragement have enabled me to succeed in this degree and in other aspects of my life. I owe a debt of gratitude to my committee members, Kevin Fenton, André Thomas, Judy Bowers, and Matthew Shaftel. Each has provided valuable insight, specific feedback, and encouragement throughout this project and my time at FSU. Throughout my experience at FSU, the faculty has lived up to the reputation of being world-class musicians, researchers, and, most importantly, exceptional people. The students at Florida State University have given me great support. I have enjoyed watching them grow, and I appreciate the inspiration they have given for my own growth. I owe much of any success I have achieved to them. Finally, I thank the current and past conductors of the St. Olaf Choir and the Westminster Choir, and their colleagues. Anton Armstrong and Joe Miller allowed me to observe rehearsals and sacrificed extensive time for interviews. Kenneth Jennings and Joseph Flummerfelt also gave great insight into their experiences as conductors of these fine ensembles. iv TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF FIGURES ..................................................................................................................... ix ABSTRACT .................................................................................................................................. xi CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION Need for the Study ...................................................................................................................... 3 Purpose of the Study ................................................................................................................... 4 Sources of Data ........................................................................................................................... 5 Delimitations of the Study .......................................................................................................... 5 Method ........................................................................................................................................ 5 CHAPTER 2: ST. OLAF CHOIR--HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE F. MELIUS CHRISTIANSEN.................................................................................................... 6 Historical Background and Other Considerations .................................................................. 6 Approach to Choral Sound...................................................................................................... 9 Selection of Singers ............................................................................................................ 9 Singer Placement .............................................................................................................. 11 Vowels and Diction........................................................................................................... 12 Vocal Pedagogy ................................................................................................................ 13 Howard Swan Sound Description of the St. Olaf Choir ....................................................... 13 Conclusions ........................................................................................................................... 14 OLAF C. CHRISTIANSEN...................................................................................................... 15 Historical Background and Other Considerations ................................................................ 15 Approach to Choral Sound.................................................................................................... 18 Selection of Singers .......................................................................................................... 18 Singer Placement .............................................................................................................. 21 Vowels and Diction........................................................................................................... 23 v Vocal Pedagogy ................................................................................................................ 26 Conclusions ........................................................................................................................... 31 KENNETH JENNINGS............................................................................................................ 31 Historical Background and Other Considerations ................................................................ 31 Approach to Choral Sound.................................................................................................... 34 Selection of Singers .......................................................................................................... 34 Singer Placement .............................................................................................................. 35 Vowels and Diction........................................................................................................... 37 Vocal Pedagogy ................................................................................................................ 37 Conclusions ........................................................................................................................... 40 SUMMARY .............................................................................................................................. 41 CHAPTER 3: WESTMINSTER CHOIR--HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE JOHN FINLEY WILLIAMSON .............................................................................................. 43 Historical Background and Other Considerations ................................................................ 43 Approach to Choral Sound.................................................................................................... 45 Selection of Singers .......................................................................................................... 46 Singer Placement .............................................................................................................. 47 Vowels and Diction........................................................................................................... 49 Vocal Pedagogy ................................................................................................................ 50 Howard Swan Sound Description of the Westminster Choir ............................................... 51 Conclusions ........................................................................................................................... 52 GEORGE LYNN ...................................................................................................................... 54 Historical Background and Other Considerations ................................................................ 54 Approach to Choral Sound.................................................................................................... 55 Selection of Singers .......................................................................................................... 55 Singer Placement .............................................................................................................. 56 Vowels and Diction........................................................................................................... 57 Vocal Pedagogy ................................................................................................................ 57 Conclusions ........................................................................................................................... 58 JOSEPH FLUMMERFELT ...................................................................................................... 59 Historical Background and Other Considerations ................................................................ 59 Approach to Choral Sound.................................................................................................... 61 Selection of Singers .......................................................................................................... 63 Singer Placement .............................................................................................................