Conversation with laryngologist (voice doctor) Neel Bhatt, MD about the voice. We will talk about vocal anatomy and production, what makes our voices unique, ways to alter the voice through exercise and surgery, COVID concerns around singing, and much more. 

Support the podcast on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/thischoirnerd

22 Vocal Anatomy and Production with Neel K. Bhatt, M.D.

LIVE from November 2012.

Soloist: Thomas Segen

Herbert Howells (1892 - 1983) - A Spotless Rose

February 3, 2023

A conversation about intonation in the choral setting with Orrin Doyle, tenor and co-founder of the Byrd Ensemble. We will discuss the difficulties addressing intonation, some misconceptions around the causes of intonation problems, and offer some tips on how to properly diagnose and correct it. All are welcome to join us for this live conversation and participate in the Q&A at the end of the podcast!

Support the podcast on Patreon!
https://www.patreon.com/thischoirnerd

23 Tackling Intonation Problems In The Choral Setting

June 27, 2023 

A conversation with Marianne LaCrosse, founder of Suòno Artist Management, about all things related to artist representation, how to succeed as a musician, the state of classical music post COVID, live Q&A and more.

More about Suòno Artist Management at:
https://www.suonoartistmanagement.com/

24 TALK TO MY AGENT: Artist Representation Explained, with Marianne LaCrosse

December, 13, 2023

A conversation with Tallis Scholars Baritone-Bass Tim Scott Whiteley. We talk about his musical upbringing, the Tallis Scholars sound and its evolution over the years, his group Cinquecento, touring with the Tallis Scholars, and the state of professional ensemble in the UK.

Tim Scott Whiteley
https://www.facebook.com/timscottwhiteley

Tallis Scholars
https://www.thetallisscholars.co.uk/

Cinquecento
https://www.ensemblecinquecento.com

Support THISCHOIRNERD podcast on Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/thischoirnerd

25 TIM SCOTT WHITELEY: Professional ensemble singing and touring with the Tallis Scholars.

07/06/16
A conversation with lutenist, trombonist, parkourist and Executive Director of the Seattle Early Music Guild, Gus Denhard. We talk about the history of the Early Music Guild, Seattle Baroque Orchestra and our concerns about the future of the early music scene. We also discuss the current professional instrumental and singing employment climate, our future patrons, audience and the lack of US-based medieval and Renaissance groups.

Music is "The Elevator Bossa Nova" by Bensound.

05 Early Music Scene - Past, Present, Future

Where to follow ThisChoirNerd podcast. My various talks on music things...

04 These Are A Few Of My Favorite Voices

04/21/16
A conversation with Doug Fullington (director, Tudor Choir) and Scott Kovacs (singers, arts manager guru) about running a professional choir. We talk about the ideal singer and the importance of paying them, venue and much more through the lens of Doug Fullington​'s experience with the The Tudor Choir​ and Scott Kovacs​'s new venture with Gary D. Cannon​, The Emerald Ensemble.

03 The Ins And Outs Of Running A Professional Choir

04/08/16
In Episode 02 I talk about the importance of starting professional choirs. Mentions: Byrd Ensemble and Vox16. Music is "The Elevator Bossa Nova" by Bensound.

02 Professional Choirs - The More The Merrier

03/22/16
In Episode 01 I talk about my musical upbringing in Seattle, an Opus7 concert I recently attended and the concept of Contextual Singing. Other mentions: Byrd Ensemble, Choral Arts, Seattle Pro Musica and Vox16.

01 Me, Opus7 And Contextual Singing

01/13/2017
World-class Countertenor Patrick Craig has traveled the world performing Renaissance polyphony with the Tallis Scholars, singing over 1000 concerts! We talk about his strange journey to singing countertenor, giving pitches, touring with the Tallis Scholars, and our mutual concerns with the CD industry. 

Follow his all-women's group Aurora Nova Choir
http://www.auroranovachoir.com/

Other groups Patrick sings with:
http://www.cardinallsmusick.com/
http://www.earlymusicacademy.com/
http://www.lacock.org/
http://www.runbysingers.org/
http://www.ncem.co.uk/?idno=229
http://www.tvemf.org/

06 All About Patrick Craig

06/16/17
A conversation with Shaya Lyon, brainchild of Live Music Project, a Seattle-based organization that connects the general public with live concerts in Seattle. After a brief update on what I've been up to, we talk about how LMP connects strangers to music, collaborating in the digital space, how unpaid work affects quality, tips on advertising a concert, and audience building.

Links:
http://livemusicproject.org/
http://shayalyon.com/
http://www.newmusicbox.org/articles/in-the-absence-of-money/
http://www.chamber-music.org/magazine/out-of-ether
https://www.groupmuse.com/
http://musochat.com/ 

Music: 
"To Morning" by Gabriel Jackson from "Jackson: Not No Faceless Angel & Other Choral Works" sung by Polyphony directed by Stephen Layton.

07 Shaya Lyon - Doing Good Things For The Seattle Music Scene

01/04/18
A chat with tenor extraordinaire Zach Finkelstein about his unusual path to a career as a professional tenor soloist, the consequences of getting a late start, and the opera vs concert singing circuits. We also discuss the business behind the career including the benefits of having an agent, self promotion, balancing careers, and taking back control over the audience. Zach also offers some technical tips about using a straw to improve technique and how to sing through colds. We also talk about the production of his latest album, "Britten and Pears: the Canticles."

Links:
https://www.zachfinkelstein.com/
https://twitter.com/zachfinkelstein
https://www.facebook.com/zachfinkelsteintenor/

Music:  
Excerpt from "Canticle I" My Beloved is Mine

08 Zach Finkelstein - That Tenor Life

Wed April 4, 2018
A conversation with Lauren Kastanas, leader of GIRL BAND, about the a cappella style. We talk about the difference between writing covers vs original music, a cappella's occasional hokeyness, the audience, difference in singing in an a cappella group vs choir, licensing, and the thriving local scene.

Catch GIRL BAND live (with 20/20) on Sat April 28 at 7pm. Details here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1634913946624844/

Links:
https://www.facebook.com/GIRLBANDacappella/
https://www.instagram.com/girlbandseattle/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKV-XPNkm_IumnbXRulvqiQ

Intro:
"At Night" sung by GIRL BAND, arranged by Lauren Kastanas.

09 A CAPPELLA 101 With Lauren Kastanas

The Byrd Ensemble sings William Byrd's "O Lord, make thy servant Elizabeth" LIVE rehearsal clip. March 2010.

Byrd - O Lord, make thy servant Elizabeth

The Byrd Ensemble will re-release (for digital distribution only) a previously recorded Christmas album this November 2012. Here is our first draft of Howell's A Spotless Rose.

Herbert Howells (1892-1983) - A Spotless Rose

September 12, 2018

A conversation with Dawn Padula, Mezzo-Soprano and Associate Professor of Voice at University of Puget Sound. We talk about how the voice works and what parts of it are in our control. We discuss what affects our unique tone and vocal range, hormonal treatment to alter vocal range, vocal fatigue, her work on the male passaggio, and what to realistically expect from voice lessons.

Intro track: 
"Kyrie" from the Berliner Mass sung by the Byrd Ensemble. Produced by Scribe Records.

Links:
http://dawnpadula.com/
https://www.pugetsound.edu/faculty-pages/dpadula/

Recommended book:
Sataloff - 50 Ways to Abuse Your Voice: A Singer's Guide to a Short Career
https://www.amazon.com/50-Ways-Abuse-Your-Voice/dp/1909082112

10 How The Voice Works With Dawn Padula

Franco-Flemish composer Alexander Agricola (c.1445 - 1506)'s Nobis sancti spiritus. Recorded in the chapel at Castello Sannazzaro (Giarole, Italy) with the Byrd International Singers summer 2018.

Order the CD here: http://www.markdavinobenza.com/2019/01/music-for-sforza-court.html

***
Nobis Sancti Spiritus gratia sit data 
de qua virgo virginum fuit obumbrata 
cum per sanctum angelum fuit salutata, 
verbum caro factum est, 
virgo fecundata veni Sancte Spiritus, 
reple tuorum corda fidelium: 
et tui amoris in eis ignem accende.

May we know the gift of the Holy Spirit
Which once overshadowed the virgin of virgins
when she heard heaven's greeting through a Holy angel:
The Word became flesh and the virgin fruitful.
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful
and kindle in them the fire of your love.

Alexander Agricola (c.1445 - 1506) - Nobis Sancti Spiritus

03-25-20
A conversation with Gus Denhard and Markdavin Obenza about the arts in these dark times. We will talk about the impact the Coronavirus has had on the arts and musicians, a new dawn of arts consumption, pros and cons with live streaming and radio, future of arts funding, and the relief funds available for artists. Tune in and join the conversation! We will do our best to answer questions in the comment thread!

ARTIST RELIEF Resources:

ArtsFund
https://www.artsfund.org/

Seattle Office of Arts and Culture
http://www.seattle.gov/arts/

Arts Washington-State
https://www.arts.wa.gov/covid-19-resp...

4Culture
https://www.4culture.org/covid-19-res...

Early Music America
https://www.earlymusicamerica.org/

11 WHAT NOW - Arts in the era of COVID-19

Episode 12 - NORTHWEST ARTS STREAMING HUB: A conversation with John Gordon Hill about new platform Northwest Arts Streaming Hub (NASH), a digital space for Pacific Northwest artists and organizations to broadcast old work or stream live performances for audiences.  

Links:
www.nwartsstream.org

Submit content for NASH:

Individual Artsts
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScixy4s14Yb_CTMcuxsz7Zb5X_ia-U1h0ocsyHzTrQuvgNBGw/viewform

Arts Organizations
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfdn7JdnTXbvZn-TBUSJ2pzbJ8wL3AYFOz3n6fa4_rg4oAn5Q/viewform?usp=sf_link

12 NORTHWEST ARTS STREAMING HUB - A conversation with John Gordon Hill

A conversation with composer, conductor, translator, vocalist, linguist, and ethnomusicologist Eric Banks. We talk about his Seattle-based choral group The Esoterics and his unique life composing contemporary choral music, virtual choirs, and his next concert season in the COVID era.

13 ERIC BANKS - A musical esoteric

https://www.patreon.com/thischoirnerd

Patreon supporters get exclusive access to interviews and a series of musical tech videos, produced from the standpoint of a performer to show you how to use available software to produce your own content!

Now on Patreon!

Director of the Tallis Scholars, Peter Phillips talks about his approach to text in music. Subscribe to ThisChoirNerd on Patreon to hear the full conversation:) https://www.patreon.com/thischoirnerd

The conversation is oriented around his book, "What We Really Do: The Tallis Scholars," available for purchase for $35 (normally $60) here: https://py.pl/9RcoXpcXFpe

Proceeds will go directly to supporting The Tallis Scholars, who are suffering financially from the COVID pandemic.

You can also support them by playing their Tallis Scholars playlist:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5YhD7hlMxrBCHK0pWfOlmu

Topics include: Inspiration for starting The Tallis Scholars, the sound, interpretation, finding the right speed, authenticity, recording, ideal singers, Renaissance polyphony on the main stage, and a short Question and Answer session.

15 A Conversation with Peter Phillips, director of the Tallis Scholars (Patreon-only)

A conversation with Dr. Heather MacLaughlin Garbes, director of Seattle-based group Mägi Ensemble (a women’s chamber choir that performs compositions from the Baltics) and President of Greater Seattle Choral Consortium (GSCC). We will talk about the Magi Ensemble and digital choral performances in COVID.

16 Choral Covid Talk with Heather MacLaughlin Garbes

A LIVE conversation with Dr. Kosta Ruslanov, PhD about the role of economics in the Classical music business. We talk about Supply and Demand in music, conceptualizing the 'price' of a musician in economic terms, Taylor Swift and the Matthew effect, ratio of music graduates to available jobs, digital content, importance of adding complementary skillsets, Netflix/Patreon model for digital content, and government funding in music.

Support THISCHOIRNERD on patreon for access to exclusive interviews and musical tech content! https://www.patreon.com/thischoirnerd

Support Dr. Kosta Ruslanov, PhD on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/UncleKosta

And on YouTube: https://youtu.be/BElMA23-GkA

Referenced books:

The Economics of Music (The Economics of Big Business)
https://a.co/iUxuiWd

The Perilous Life of Symphony Orchestras: Artistic Triumphs and Economic Challenges

https://www.amazon.ca/dp/0300171935/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_x_rCM-EbYD63CP

*Average % of government support for Canadian orchestras: 40% of total income. For the EU it's around 70%, for the US around 10%

-The Perilous life of Symphony Orchestras, chapter 7 (for the US), and chapter 10 for the EU and Canada

17 Supply and Demand in Classical Music with Kosta Ruslanov

A conversation with one of the most influential mentors in my musical life. Very few (maybe nobody?) has done more than Peter Phillips, through his work with the world-famous Tallis Scholars, to bring Renaissance polyphony to the classical mainstage. 

This conversation will be oriented around his book, "What We Really Do: The Tallis Scholars."

Topics include: Inspiration for starting The Tallis Scholars, the sound, interpretation, tempo, authenticity, recording, ideal singers, Renaissance polyphony on the main stage, and a short Question and Answer session.

Recorded on May 25, 2020

***
Support THISCHOIRNERD on patreon for access to exclusive interviews and musical tech content! https://www.patreon.com/thischoirnerd

You can also support them by playing their Tallis Scholars playlist:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5YhD7hlMxrBCHK0pWfOlmu

15 A Conversation With Peter Phillips, Director Of The Tallis Scholars (FULL)

A LIVE conversation with University of Washington Professor of Music Theory, Jonathan Bernard. We will talk about what music theory is and what it can tell us about music. We will talk about the evolution of music theory as a discipline and where it is headed.

Support THISCHOIRNERD on patreon
https://www.patreon.com/thischoirnerd

18 Music Theory with Jonathan Bernard

A conversation with tenor Zach Finkelstein's new release, "Dark is Yonder Town," featuring arrangements of Benjamin Britten and John Dowland folk songs, and new music by composer Jesse Jones and Ricardo Zohn-Muldoon. This episode will also feature guitarist Dieter Hennings-Yeomans, and composers Jesse Jones and Ricardo Zohn-Muldoon.

The album is available for purchase here:
Physical CD from my site: https://bit.ly/31JrK39
Digital purchase from Amazon: https://amzn.to/3juLn4R
Stream from Apple music: https://apple.co/31IVD3p

***
Support THISCHOIRNERD on patreon https://www.patreon.com/thischoirnerd

19 Tenor Zach Finkelstein's new release, Dark is Yonder Town

A conversation with Emmy-nominated film director and producer Kelly Schwarze on the fundamentals of filmmaking, specifically for musicians and performers now bringing their performances to the digital platform in the COVID era. Join the LIVE conversation and learn how to produce a memorable video for your audience in this digitally saturated world.
***
Support THISCHOIRNERD on patreon https://www.patreon.com/thischoirnerd

https://indiefilmfactory.com/

20 Filming 101 for Musicians with Film Director Kelly Schwarze

Conversation with composer and conductor Benedict Sheehan and Mark Powell, executive director of Portland-based Cappella Romana and Cappella Records, about the Sheehan's setting of Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom.

Read more about the new release here:
https://cappellaromana.org/sheehanliturgy/

21 Benedict Sheehan's "Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom"

All things choral. Director of the Byrd Ensemble, Producer for Scribe Records and host of ThisChoirNerd podcast.

Popular tracks by Markdavin Obenza