Music lives only when the notes fly off the page and soar into glorious sound. The...conductor releases them from bondage through his or her feeling for their message....” |
I believe that as a conductor and educator, it is my primary responsibility to ensure that the music making process is transformative for each musician. The majority of the choral experience is spent in rehearsal. That is why I focus on making the rehearsal process itself one that expands singers' musical skills, personal dispositions, and social awareness while simultaneously strengthening the interpersonal bond between the choristers. Not an easy task! This is why choral conductors must be outstanding musicians, effective communicators, and great at reading people–skills I try to hone in myself each day during rehearsal.
I believe that a positive, uplifting, and enriching choral experience is not only a privilege, but a fundamental right for all ages and ability levels. Every singer, from age 6 to 106, deserves an opportunity to experience the challenge and joy of singing in a choir–whether at the K–12 level, in higher education, with community/civic ensembles, in professional choirs, or through houses of worship. –Joshua Chism |
Mass No. 2 in G Major, D. 167 by Franz Schubert
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Performed by the University of Oklahoma Chorale (audience view)
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Performed by the University of Oklahoma Chorale (conductor view)
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No. 27, 28, and 29 from Elijah by Felix Mendelssohn
Performed by the University of Oklahoma Chorale |
There Is Faint Music by Dan Forrest
Performed by the University of Missouri–Columbia Men's Glee |
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Shaker Songs arr. by Kevin Siegfried
Performed by the Ars Nova Singers, Columbia, MO |
"Gloria" from Mass of the Children by John Rutter
Performed by The Norman Singers, Norman, OK |
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Lute-Book Lullaby by Alexander L'Estrange
Performed by the Missouri State University Concert Chorale |
"Ferry Me Across the Water" and "Hear What the Mournful Linnets Say" from Sing-Song Vol. 1 by Joshua Chism
Performed by the Columbia Public Schools 5th Grade Honor Choir |
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"Veni, Sancte Spiritus" and "Agnus Dei–Lux Aeterna" from
Lux Aeterna by Morten Lauridsen Performed by the University of Missouri–Columbia Concert Chorale |
"The Pasture" from Frostiana: Seven Country Songs
by Randall Thompson Performed by the University of Missouri–Columbia Men's Glee |
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An Irish Blessing by Joshua Chism
Performed by the Mt. Vernon, MO High School Select Singers |
Keep Your Lamps! arr. by Andre Thomas
Performed by the University of Missouri–Columbia Outreach Choir |
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"Kyrie Eleison" from Requiem by Joan Brudieu (1520–1591)
Performed by the Ars Nova Singers, Columbia, MO |
Ocho Kandelikas: Ladino Song for Chanukah arr. by Jacobson
Performed by The Norman Singers, Norman, OK |
King of Kings arr. by Glenn Edward Burleigh
Performed by the University of Missouri–Columbia Outreach Choir
Performed by the University of Missouri–Columbia Outreach Choir
Recital Programs/Posters
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World Tour: Outside the Western European Tradition
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Choral Masterworks
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The Elements of Design: Music and Art
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Going Home: Our Folksong Heritage
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Sacred Songs: Schubert Mass in G
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Light: The Norman Singers
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Earth: The Norman Singers
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A Winter's Concert: The Norman Singers
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Hearing Voices: A Concert Dedicated to
Underrepresented Peoples in Music/The Norman Singers |
Mariachi Mass (1970)–A. Avalos
Performed by the Norman Singers/Conducted by Joshua Chism |
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Program Notes
Mariachi Mass, a work in five movements, was published in 1970. The work’s composer (listed as A. Avalos) is actually a pseudonym for Theron Kirk (1919– 1999) who composed more than 1,000 published works. Kirk served on the music faculty at San Antonio College from 1955–1986 and as president of ACDA. A modest work for flexible voicing with mass text in English, this work features an accompaniment scored for traditional mariachi ensemble (paired trumpet, guitar, guitarrón, and ad. lib. percussion). The work is intended to be performed in the spirit of mariachi style—informally with much “gusto.” This engaging and accessible piece is rarely performed today. | ||