Pacific Mozart Ensemble

One of the most unique things about The Pacific Mozart Ensemble is the annual A Cappella Jazz & Pop concerts we produce every year. Unusual for a number of reasons:

• Here's a choral group that actually performs classical, modern and popular music, and pretty darn well at that.
• For the past 20-something years, each Jazz & Pop show has almost completely new repertoire. We're talking 25 to 30 new arrangements every year.
• No other group, to my knowledge, does what PME does.

I think that this show in particular attracts singers, not unlike myself, to PME who love to sing in the pop and jazz style but then get the opportunity to sing and perform classical, traditional choral, innovative and unusual material the rest of the year. It's a challenge, and switching gears for the various styles can be tricky. BUT ... this group can do it.

The process for putting this show together is pretty amazing, and not for the light-hearted. Individuals get their own song ideas and charts together, form up small/medium sized groups and rehearse outside our regular Monday night rehearsals in order to audition for the program. A committee is selected and on one Monday night, early in May, all those rehearsed small groups audition and the final program is chosen that night. Whew. It seems that even the busiest of our singers find time to put songs together and rehearse. It's fun to hear what unfolds in the auditions, although selecting the final list is not always the easiest process since there is an abundance of great stuff. The end product is an a cappella show like you've probably never heard. Humor, beauty, rock 'n roll, a few farm animal noises ...

The performances are always fun for the audience and (usually) for the performers, but between the audition night and the concert dates, we all pack up and head down to Pajaro Dunes in Watsonville (although we have had retreats in other places at times) for a weekend retreat to workshop the show. Now, we're not dubbed the Singer-Eaters for nothin'. We do work hard all day that Saturday, singing our songs for the coaches and all, but we have lots of food and drink ... and it's one of those rare times when we're together and can just hang out with each other. More singing ensues after the long day of workshops, believe it or not.

This year, our long-time friend and coach Nile Norton was not able to come to the retreat but we had the opportunity to bring in another fabulous educator, Kerry Marsh. Kerry directs the vocal jazz program at Sacramento State University and San Joaquin Delta College, and is a prolific and wonderful arranger and composer. Check out his stuff when you have a chance: www.kerrymarsh.net One of his beautiful arrangements will be in this years' show, in fact; a completely new take on "Scarborough Fair".

Jazz & Pop closes our concert season with a bang, and although we're exhausted and ready for a break by mid-June, we keep coming back every year with renewed energy and lot of creative ideas.

-Angie Doctor

(All the pics from our J&P 2008 Retreat at the PME Group Pool)

Technorati : A Cappella, Kerry Marsh, Sacramento State University, San Joaquin Delta College

We had our final concert of the season last night, and it was one for the ages. Amazing considering the time crunch we had putting together. Seems like time gets tighter every year, but we somehow get it together and, if I do say so myself, nailed it. It was one of the most enjoyable shows in recent memory. Each night as we came up to sing the final number, I found myself wishing the show could just keep going. That's a nice feeling to have.

Here's a smattering of scenes from the last 2 weeks.

Here we see the women of Summer Bounty engaging in the time honored tradition of squeezing in just one more run-through before the show. Each hall is different, so there's always a mad scramble to sing in the space during that precious time before the doors open. If you've ever been stuck out side waiting for us to get the show on the road, well now you know what we are up to!

The Green Room is a great place to do this show. The acoustics are fabulous. There were a number of tunes that sounded there best here on Sat. And as if that wasn't enough, it's beautiful! Here's a shot of Old MacDonald revving up the audience for the show.

Somehow we ended up with a lot of props this year; Armageddon cloaks, wigs, bling, feather boas, and a pick-axe! You know, I'm not so sure the foreman is gonna let those ladies go down in the mine dressed like that...

This year there were a lot of languages. One of the hardest to memorize was Tour de France. There were German and French lines to memorize over a very repetitive melody. Someone had the bright idea that the Tenors should be lucky enough to get that assignment. We were cramming right up to the last (and maybe could have crammed harder, if you know what I mean...) At the City Club, Bryan came up with a solution that amused some, but was met with stern disapproval from others...:

After the last show everyone congregates to unwind and relive the highlights of the show. This year we found ourselves once again at TCs house (Thanks TC!). The party was a blast and we sang through a couple tunes from the show. The high point of the night was a rather robust rendition of With a Little Help From My Friends, complete with revival clappin' 'n' stompin'. In TCs house the thing sounded amazing... and loud! I don't think Gretchen's relatives from NY knew what hit them!

As usual, the singers were ravenous after the show, so when some smart guy brought a Zach's pizza, the feeding frenzy began. Gone in 30s!

It was a great show and a great time. Thanks everyone who helped make it happen and thanks to those of you that came to watch the show.

You can view the entire slide show here:
PME Jazz & Pops 2008 Pictures

See you next year!
-Eric

Technorati : A Cappella, Beatles, Berkeley City Club, Green Room, Old MacDonald, Workin in a Coal Mine