I can see why my friends and colleagues who gig regularly enjoy playing with different groups of musicians. The easiest way for me to explain how it makes me feel is to use an analogy from anthropology:
The Tamil Indians believe that all living and inanimate substances are fluid essences. That is, me typing on studio computer keyboard, staring at my computer screen make up a new "joint" substance. Every music ensemble and every project is akin to this.
This week and next, I am working with a school choir in preparation for their in-school music festival. I've worked with the music teacher before but with a different choir. Different context. Different ensemble. Totally different music.
The pieces are simply charming. I'm having a great time learning the music. It's energizing as it's different from what I've been working on lately.
First, there's Antonio by Jay Broeker:
By Jay Broeker. For 2-part voices and piano. Concert. Octavo. Published by Santa Barbara Music Publishing (SB.SBMP-873)
It's the trickiest of the bunch. The lyrics are funny and tune sticks in your head for hours.
Nick Page's Fairest Lady is a beautiful ballad:
((No. 7 from The Nursery Rhyme Cantata) CME Beginning). By Nick Page. For Choral, Chorus, Piano (UNIS). CME Beginning Series. 8 pages. Boosey & Hawkes #M051471799. Published by Boosey & Hawkes (HL.48004859)
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Spirits by Douglas Beam is deliciously spooky. The fourth piece is Pirate for a Day by Roger Emerson:
By Roger Emerson. For Choral (2-Part). Youth Sing Out (Choral). 12 pages. Published by Hal Leonard (HL.8564233)
It makes me giggle whenever I practice it. Every. Single. Time.
I am enjoying my work with the choirs so far and look forward to hearing what kind of music we create together onstage.