Cantate (Fall 2006)
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Published by the California Chapter of the American Choral Directors Association - Volume Nineteen, Number One - Fall 2006 Dr. Howard S. Swan, “Dean of American Choral Directors,” died in 1995 at the age of 89. He was professionally active well 2006 Howard S. Swan Award Winner into his eighties, not only as a conductor, but also as a speaker and writer. His integrity, high view of the artistic/human role of the choral director, and compelling ability to challenge and Shirley Nute inspire students and colleagues to greater vision Shirley B. Nute is one of Association including secretary, and higher standards awakened the collective California’s most honored choral senior high vice president, and conscience of the choral world. It is for this rea- music professionals. She received a president. Additionally she was son that the book containing his writings and bachelor’s degree, with majors in vice president of the southern speeches is entitled Conscience of a Profession: Howard Swan, Choral Director and Teacher choral conducting and voice, from section of the California Music (Hinshaw, 1987). Robert Shaw, in his introduc- Occidental College where she stud- Educators Association. She has tion to this invaluable collection, writes, “There ied with Howard Swan. She was been a vice president of the Los isn’t a choral conductor alive who doesn’t have awarded a master’s degree received Angeles Master Chorale something to learn from Howard Swan.” from Columbia University where Associates Executive Board and Swan’s career at Occidental College in Los she sang in the New York served as co-chairperson of the Angeles spanned nearly four decades (1934- Collegiate Chorale under the direc- Associate's educational out- 1971), after which he went on to teach at tion of Robert Shaw. reach committee. California State University Fullerton and the University of California Irvine. While at Oxy, Nute began her teaching career Swan was also the choir director at Pasadena at Glendale High School, leaving In 1977 Nute founded the Presbyterian Church and served as a frequent after five years to become the first Crescenta Valley Alumni guest conductor and lecturer throughout the director of choral activities at Crescenta Valley High Chorale and continues to direct that ensem- U.S. The Occidental College Glee Clubs under School, newly opened in 1960. She served with distinc- ble. She currently volunteers for Recording his direction were nationally renowned. Swan tion at CVHS until her retirement in 1998. During her Services for the Blind and Dyslexic and the was a founder of the Choral Conductors Guild 38-year tenure she developed and maintained an out- Los Angeles Music Center Arts Education (now National Association of Church standing choral program and her choirs were regular Division. Musicians) and received ACDA’s Robert Shaw participants in regional and state conventions including Choral Award for lifetime achievement. Honors and Awards As impressive as his professional accom- ACDA Western Division conventions in Palo Alto and plishments were, Swan’s influence lay in his Phoenix, a CMEA conference in Santa Barbara, and an The first Robert A. Sanchis Award of Excellence, the artistic command, powerful personality, and MENC convention in Tucson. Glendale Unified School District's highest honor to an humanitarian spirit. He had a passion for text Nute served as a mentor to colleagues in the employee for extraordinary commitment to the success and a keen ability to stir the mind and the heart. Glendale Unified School District and throughout of students in the Glendale USD(1996) Afflicted for more than 30 years with a para- southern California. Noted for her exceptional training Educator of the Year, Crescenta Valley Chamber of lyzed vocal cord that robbed him of his singing skills, Occidental College, California State University at Commerce. voice, Swan mastered as perhaps no other the Northridge and the University of Southern California ability to capture the Nominated for Outstanding Music Educator from the choral experience in engaged her to be a master teacher for their choral California Music Educator's Association Southern words. His pedagogy music credentialing programs. Section (1995). went far beyond Nute has also served on the music faculties of music to call forth and Glendale Community College and Occidental College. Eunice Skinner Memorial Award for Excellence in Choral Music Education from the California Music develop the highest Nute has been active in local and regional music Educators Association (1997) human values. Swan’s organizations throughout her professional life serving as choral performances President of the Southern Section of the American Glendale Unified School District Teacher of the Year were marked by (1987) exquisite and varied Choral Directors Association, chairperson of the five- tone quality and elec- state division Repertoire & Standards Committee on Nominee for California Teacher of the Year (1988) tric communication. Women’s Choirs, honor choir coordinator for two divi- sion honor choirs – the second Western Division Glendale Chamber of Commerce Teacher Recognition Award for outstanding dedication to teaching (1982) Women’s Honor Choir in Reno, NV and the senior high school honor choir coordinator for the 2002 PTA Continuing Service Award (1973) ACDA Western Division Convention in Hawaii. She La Crescenta Chamber of Commerce La Crescentan of also served as honor choir coordinator for the 2006 the Year (1966) Western Division Convention in Salt Lake. She has held many offices for Southern California Vocal PTA Honorary Life Membership (1963) President’s Message Our music making on this trip certainly did affect the moral character of our souls as Aristotle wrote. And more importantly I’m positive it Julie Dana, President had a lasting effect on the souls of those, from all over the world, who “Music has the power of producing gathered to share our music. How many lives do we change with our a certain effect on the moral char- music? Have you ever thought about that? The number must be infi- acter of the soul, and if it has the nite. So many appreciate your work, but never tell you. You, the power to do this it is clear that the choral director, the one who brings music to life through the marriage young must be directed to music of text and music. Are you worth $105 million? Heck yes you are! and must be educated in it.” As many of us begin another year of choral music I want to encourage Aristotle, Politics you to remember a few things: 1. Don’t forget to take care of yourself!!! No one back in school ever When will they ever learn? Aristotle told us “choral director” is synonymous with, ‘parent,’ ‘counselor,’ acknowledged the importance of music ‘confidant,’ ‘entertainer,’ ‘comedian,’ ‘ogre’ (we usually assume this education 2,356 years ago!!! And yet role directly after posting audition results!). For years I have found here we are still having to justify our myself working my life around my work. That’s not the way to do it place in the education of our young kids. Life is too short. Be good to yourself. Take that day off when you people. Thank goodness our state need it! The choral room will NOT burn down while you’re under the leadership of Governor Schwarzeneggar has made headlines gone….promise!!! by designating the largest state funded expenditure for arts education 2. Work to make beautiful music with your choirs. Don’t just correct in the public school system. If you are a public school teacher, make the notes, bring the music to life through looking at the texts with your sure you receive your “fair share.” For more information visit the web students! Let the kids offer some performance input, they really have site of the California Alliance for Arts Education at: great ideas if we listen. http://www.artsed411.org/ 3. Do not fear technology. I’ve begun using Blackboard in conjunction So where exactly has the summer gone anyway? Every year at this time with my performance classes! It is GREAT! My dates are there on the I ponder the mystery of the lost summer… Why does it seem as calendar on the website….if the student didn’t look it over…not my though I just turned in my final grades and all of a sudden I have to problem!!! I have chatrooms set up so the kids can discuss class relat- come and sit in on the exciting opening of school meetings that we all ed topics, ‘how was today’s rehearsal?’ etc. I also have them submit SO look forward to? I was fortunate to take my chamber ensemble on their weekly journal to me on-line. NO PAPER!!! I LOVE IT!!! I give the trip of a lifetime this summer! We traveled to Italy, performed in them links to information about the composers or the pieces we’re amazing venues, we sang Gabrieli at St. Mark’s and Palestrina at St. working on and let them do what so many of them already do Peter’s. We hiked the beautiful hillsides of Cinque Terra and strolled well.....Go exploring on the internet!! through the ruins of the Forum. We visited David in Florence and 4. Remember how it felt to be a new teacher? If you have new music Moses in Rome. Where did my summer go? I believe part of it stayed teachers in your area, call them up, take them to lunch, offer your help. behind in every ‘Oooooo’ and ‘Aaaahhhhh’ I heard uttered by my kids. You’ll both learn from the experience! It was worth every hot link we barbequed on campus last year!!! None of us will ever be the same. continued on page 9 Please Call or Write for Application and Scholarship Audition Information Anna Hamre CSUF Department of Music 2380 East Keats Avenue Fresno, CA 93740-8024 559-278-2539 - [email protected] www.csufresno.edu/music 2 Fall 2006 Fall 2006 Official Publication California Chapter Articles American Choral Directors Association President’s Message 2 Editor: (email [email protected]) Through September 2006: Julie Dana, President Kevin Schieberl Mentoring 4 991 Bellomo Ave.