November 2007 

Thanksgiving approaches here on Cape Cod.  Yup, Cape Cod , Massachusetts .  In August I loaded up the truck and pulled out of San Diego.  I am here to lead the Falmouth Chorale & Orchestra as their Interim Director.

Our first concerts were in October.  Dubbed “The Italian Masters,”  we featured ‘lesser-known works by well-known composers,’ including Vivaldi’s “Credo,” A. Scarlatti’s “Dixit Dominus” and Bellini’s “Salve Regina.”  I felt it valuable to develop rapport with singers, players and audience through fresh, largely unfamiliar music.  With only seven weeks to prepare it was a bit risky, but we worked hard, came together wonderfully, and gave spirited, dynamic performances.

 There is great confidence and enthusiasm in rehearsals now as we prepare the holiday concerts.  Centerpieces include Pinkham’s “Christmas Cantata” and Vaughn Williams’ “Fantasia on Christmas Carols.”  We’ll also loosen up a bit and get ‘off book’ for Roland Carter’s Spiritual “Go, Tell It On the Mountain.” 

 In March, for the final program of the season, I have selected Faure’s “Requiem” and Dvorak’s “Te Deum.”  The composers are contemporaries; their works are contrasting and make for a great concert.  We will have a full orchestra -- not symphonic proportions, but good-sized -- to bring out the incredible variety of sounds and colors.  I am pretty excited about that -- AND the fact that we will have more than seven weeks to prepare!

After that, my future is largely up in the air.  But in the meantime I am starting to build a teaching studio, taking some church gigs, may work with some other choral groups (there are a lot them around here!), and am even sitting in on piano with the Woods Hole contra dance band.

 And it feels real good to be back in New England.

 www.falmouthchorale.org