A Message from the Director
Welcome to our website! I hope that you will enjoy perusing the information to be
found here. Also, if you live either in or near the Mobile and Central Gulf Coast
area, I encourage you to make the time, make the drive, and make use of your
musical talents by giving this chorale a try.
Gloria Dei Chorale:
A choral community dedicated to musical excellence, glorifying God,
and serving others through our collective gifts...
This is our mission statement. However, a mission statement is only as good as its
implementation. The members of Gloria Dei Chorale give of their time and of
themselves and, in doing so, make this mission statement a reality. I appreciate the
gifts each member brings to this wonderful group and the work, time and effort
they bring to bear.
You might wonder, before taking the plunge to get involved, what my musical
philosophy is regarding repertoire selection for the chorale, what my expectations
are for the group, and how I run chorale rehearsals. With those thoughts in mind, I
will elaborate for a moment on these three important points, which certainly
influence both the tone (musical and otherwise) and the cohesiveness of the group.
Repertoire: I strive to select music that is beautiful in terms of text and musical
context. Music has power that can and must lift people to realms unreachable
through any other medium. While I work to select music that both singer and
listener will enjoy, the music must also provide a challenge and an opportunity for
growth in the development of both the individual chorister’s musicianship and in
the overall excellence I expect from Gloria Dei Chorale. While I may occasionally
repeat repertoire upon request or revisit a work because of its appropriateness to
an occasion, generally I try to come up with new programs which feature repertoire
new to the group. There is so much good music from which to choose... some of it
newly composed, some of it older music which has been rediscovered and made
new again through the gifts of talented arrangers and musicologists, and,
sometimes, some of it is familiar music made fresh again by a reinterpreting. With
such a wealth of choices available to explore together, there are many
opportunities to be had to explore the gifts of our musical heritage.
Rehearsal Philosophy and Expectations: While the most productive use of
time possible should be exercised in rehearsals, the rehearsal time should be a
pleasure to the singer, as well. Our choral singers are all volunteers from the
community, many of whom, like myself, have full-time jobs they have already put
in a full day upon. Bearing this in mind, I believe rehearsals should be something to
be enjoyed by all. The rehearsal time provides the opportunity to set aside the
cares of the day in a nurturing environment that gives one the chance to achieve
something beyond the everyday routines. While there are many directors who
believe “No pain, no gain” applies to choral rehearsals, I do not believe that it is
necessary to “abuse” a choir into submission for a good performance. While a “little
fear” may be (and probably is) healthy, too much of a good thing, I believe, creates
the circumstances for a stiff and tentative performance, ultimately destined to be
either a failure, or at the least, something less than it could have been as these
negatives are communicated, albeit subliminally, to the audience.
However, that said, I do not believe in compromising the level of excellence
expected in the performance of the music we attempt. A bad performance is good
for no one. High standards are a necessary good. Were I and the chorale to not
work to assure that the group not only performs to the best of its capabilities, but
also expands those capabilities, nor to approach every rehearsal with these
expectations of both myself and the chorale in place, these would provide
disservice to the choir, to the audience we seek to serve, and to the music itself.
When gentle instruction, explanation or modeling is required, I provide those
things. When encouragement and affirmation are required, I provide those things.
When an admonition is required to get things where they need to be, I will not
hesitate to provide that as well. In all, I believe that the key word is balance;
balance must be maintained in these matters for the healthy functioning of the
chorale as a unit, for the good of the individual singers within the chorale, and for
the good of the overall performance of the selected music, which is one of the
stated goals of the chorale.
If you feel that you might enjoy the artistic accomplishment, the fun, and the esprit
de corps that this group enjoys, please consider this your invitation to become an
integral part of Gloria Dei Chorale and contact us for further information.
Sincerely,
Louis F. Daniel
Director, Gloria Dei Chorale
found here. Also, if you live either in or near the Mobile and Central Gulf Coast
area, I encourage you to make the time, make the drive, and make use of your
musical talents by giving this chorale a try.
Gloria Dei Chorale:
A choral community dedicated to musical excellence, glorifying God,
and serving others through our collective gifts...
This is our mission statement. However, a mission statement is only as good as its
implementation. The members of Gloria Dei Chorale give of their time and of
themselves and, in doing so, make this mission statement a reality. I appreciate the
gifts each member brings to this wonderful group and the work, time and effort
they bring to bear.
You might wonder, before taking the plunge to get involved, what my musical
philosophy is regarding repertoire selection for the chorale, what my expectations
are for the group, and how I run chorale rehearsals. With those thoughts in mind, I
will elaborate for a moment on these three important points, which certainly
influence both the tone (musical and otherwise) and the cohesiveness of the group.
Repertoire: I strive to select music that is beautiful in terms of text and musical
context. Music has power that can and must lift people to realms unreachable
through any other medium. While I work to select music that both singer and
listener will enjoy, the music must also provide a challenge and an opportunity for
growth in the development of both the individual chorister’s musicianship and in
the overall excellence I expect from Gloria Dei Chorale. While I may occasionally
repeat repertoire upon request or revisit a work because of its appropriateness to
an occasion, generally I try to come up with new programs which feature repertoire
new to the group. There is so much good music from which to choose... some of it
newly composed, some of it older music which has been rediscovered and made
new again through the gifts of talented arrangers and musicologists, and,
sometimes, some of it is familiar music made fresh again by a reinterpreting. With
such a wealth of choices available to explore together, there are many
opportunities to be had to explore the gifts of our musical heritage.
Rehearsal Philosophy and Expectations: While the most productive use of
time possible should be exercised in rehearsals, the rehearsal time should be a
pleasure to the singer, as well. Our choral singers are all volunteers from the
community, many of whom, like myself, have full-time jobs they have already put
in a full day upon. Bearing this in mind, I believe rehearsals should be something to
be enjoyed by all. The rehearsal time provides the opportunity to set aside the
cares of the day in a nurturing environment that gives one the chance to achieve
something beyond the everyday routines. While there are many directors who
believe “No pain, no gain” applies to choral rehearsals, I do not believe that it is
necessary to “abuse” a choir into submission for a good performance. While a “little
fear” may be (and probably is) healthy, too much of a good thing, I believe, creates
the circumstances for a stiff and tentative performance, ultimately destined to be
either a failure, or at the least, something less than it could have been as these
negatives are communicated, albeit subliminally, to the audience.
However, that said, I do not believe in compromising the level of excellence
expected in the performance of the music we attempt. A bad performance is good
for no one. High standards are a necessary good. Were I and the chorale to not
work to assure that the group not only performs to the best of its capabilities, but
also expands those capabilities, nor to approach every rehearsal with these
expectations of both myself and the chorale in place, these would provide
disservice to the choir, to the audience we seek to serve, and to the music itself.
When gentle instruction, explanation or modeling is required, I provide those
things. When encouragement and affirmation are required, I provide those things.
When an admonition is required to get things where they need to be, I will not
hesitate to provide that as well. In all, I believe that the key word is balance;
balance must be maintained in these matters for the healthy functioning of the
chorale as a unit, for the good of the individual singers within the chorale, and for
the good of the overall performance of the selected music, which is one of the
stated goals of the chorale.
If you feel that you might enjoy the artistic accomplishment, the fun, and the esprit
de corps that this group enjoys, please consider this your invitation to become an
integral part of Gloria Dei Chorale and contact us for further information.
Sincerely,
Louis F. Daniel
Director, Gloria Dei Chorale
| “Make a joyful noise unto God, all the earth; sing the glory of his name; give to him glorious praise.” Psalm 66:1-2 |
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