http://sdgmusic.org/directorsblog journaling my work with Soli Deo Gloria, and musing randomly on music, faith, culture and whatever else seems worthwhile Wed, 18 Aug 2010 20:01:43 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en  Many people underestimate the contribution disease makes to the economy. In Britain, more than a million people are employed to diagnose and treat disease and care for the ill. Thousands of people build hospitals and surgeries, and many small and medium-size enterprises manufacture hospital supplies. Illness contributes about 10 per ... http://sdgmusic.org/directorsblog/?p=240 This week NPR.org posted a broadcast (embedded below) of conductor Dale Warland leading the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra and Chorale in a performance of two of my all-time favorite works, Arvo Pärt's Te Deum and Maurice Duruflé's Requiem. (By the way, and not that it actually matters, I prefer Durufle's ... http://sdgmusic.org/directorsblog/?p=239 One of the great artists SDG will have the privilege of working with in the coming season is Swedish composer Sven-David Sandström, who is creating for us a choral setting of Psalm 67. Meeting and interviewing Mr. Sandström was a highlight for me last summer during a brief visit to ... http://sdgmusic.org/directorsblog/?p=237 This week's activity included sending a 2,000-word memorandum to the SDG board, updating directors on the organization’s program activity . . . yes, 2,000 words. We’ve got a lot on our plate these days. We stay pretty busy around here in general, but 2010/11 will be the busiest season SDG ... http://sdgmusic.org/directorsblog/?p=235 I'm writing here from the airport between flights back home. I had opportunity yesterday to snap some photos and video at the recording session that followed Friday evening's performance and live broadcast of the Haydn work. I'll post some video soon, including some footage of the soloists. What a great ... http://sdgmusic.org/directorsblog/?p=225 There's something exciting about being on the ground with a video production team like we have this week in Naarden. Wires, lights, cameras and crew - it's everywhere in Grote Kerk as Haydn's masterwork is brought to life, but it's all carefully kept out of site on the video feed ... http://sdgmusic.org/directorsblog/?p=223 If I were pressed to sum up Haydn's The Creation in only four words, those would be "And there was light!" The piece is so full of joy. Here's a clip from yesterday's rehearsal, capturing that famous moment at the beginning of the oratorio where the choir bursts forth with ... http://sdgmusic.org/directorsblog/?p=220 As the choir quietly entered the studio this afternoon, while the orchestra was still rehearsing, they were greeted with an interesting remark from the conductor - "You're entering the the garden of Eden." It wasn't just a reference to the backdrop of the oratorio they're preparing this week, Haydn's The ... http://sdgmusic.org/directorsblog/?p=217