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NEWSPAPER ARTICLES & LETTERS
Pianist, Children's Choir Warm Hearts
4/26/91Arts/Concert Review
By William S. Goodfellow
Deseret News, music critic
SALT LAKE CHILDREN'S CHOIR, Ralph Woodward Jr.
conducting,
with pianist Grant Johannesen, Symphony Hall, April 25, 7:30pm.
Rain,
sleet, snow, and hail- hardly divine weather for April, no matter
how badly we need it. But within Symphony Hall Thursday, amid the
warmth generated by an audience of proud families and friends, the
Salt Lake Children's Choir sang like angels.
At least angelic is the word I would use could I have only one.
Were I permitted another, it would professional.Which is to say
there were no speeches, no undue fuss filing on and off stage and
very few pitches sounded in advance-- and that as unobtrusively
as possible.
Which meant the joyousness of Palestrina's "Osanna in Excelsis,"
which opened the evening, welled up almost out of nowhere, as though
it were being sounded by dozens of tiny bells, followed by Lotti's
hauntingly distant "Miserere," its unaccompanied strains likewise
creating a catedral-like ambiance. For the rest, this attractively
sequenced program moved to a pair of English madrigals, then to
art songs of Schumann, Brahms, Grieg, Bizet and Schubert, three
pieces by the group's director, Ralph Woodward Jr., a group of folk
songs (mostly sung in their original languages) and finally music
of Rachmaninoff, Wolf and Humperdinck- the Evening Prayer from "Hansel
and Gretel," also angelic.
With few exceptions, each displayed the same taste, clarity and
judicious balances that marked the liturgical selections. And although
one would not expect from singers aged 8 to 14 the expressiveness
and maturity German Lieder often require, that was made up
for by the freshness and lift they brought to things like the open-air
exuberance of Schumann's "Ins Freie" and Wolf's "Erist's" (from
Moerike Lieder).
By the same token, "Das Wandern" (from Shubert's "Die schoene Muellerin")
may have been a littel light in spots, courtesy of the cadet choir.
But it's youthful charm and three brave soloists reminded us that
the composer him self was once a member of a children's choir. As
did the bright antiphony of Purcell's "Sound the Trumpet" (from
"Come Ye Sons of Art"), it's thrilling effects beautifully enunciated.
At the same time this was not excusively a choral concert, featuring
as it did the solo artistry of pianist Grant Johannesen. To my way
of thinking that was most compellingly on view in his pre-intermission
account of Schumann's "Faschingschwank aus Wien" ("Carnival Jest
from Vienna"), a remarkably well-integrated statement that for all
its impulse- especially in the outer movments- retained a natural
grace and lyricism.
Likewise his post-intermission performance of Chopin's F minor Ballade.
Agine, he may not be the flashiest technician around, but his understated
sense of architecture and knowing just when to push ahead and/or
pull back on a phrase served the music well, helping it build to
an impressive climax. As had his shapely accompaniments in two of
the Schumann and Brahms Lieder. (Elsewhere Diane Bastian held down
the keyboard post.)
After which we were treated, again courtesy of Johannsen, to the
subdued effulgence of Rachmaninoff's "In the Silent Night," as idiomatically
transcribed by Earl Wild. Which eased us just as naturally into
the choir's return in the same composer's "Floods of Spring," in
which the pianist turned in a properly if a bit overwhelmingly torrential
accompaniment.
The result was that in places he actually drowned out the kids.
But in view of the song's title, not to mention the spring flood
outside, maybe that was the idea. Children's
Choir Offers Angelic Program
By Jeff Manookian
Special to the Tribune There
were 80 angels in Abravanel Hall Wednesday night. Music director
Ralph Woodward has worked with his Salt Lake Children's Choir. He
is a supreme choirmaster, instilling enviable musicianship and vocal
technique.
For some sections of the enthralling program, Woodward extracted
"older" choir members to form a 34-voice ensemble for a more virtuosic
sound. No matter which group or combination of groups singing, virtuosity
abounded. This choir of adolescents possesses a near-perfect intonation
that most adult professional choirs might well emulate.
Woodward wrote five of the 31 songs on the printed program and arranged
several others. He composes and transcribes extraordinarily for
young singers.
The program featured music from the classics(compositions by Palestrina,
Schubert, Schumann, Bach, Greig and Sibelius), music with definite
ethnic roots (folk songs from France, Israel, Scotland, Mexico and
Brazil) and the LDS hymn "Our Mountain Home So Dear" by Evan Stephens.
Sadly, the enthralled audience filled only about half the Abravanel
Hall. Concerts of this quality should be sold out.
Jeff Mankoon, Intermountain Chamber Orchestra
conductor, is The Tribune's muisc critic.
Choir Set for Holidays
11/19/82 Arts/Concert
Review
By Kerril Sue Rollins
Deseret News
Every time I hear them, I wish I were their age
again, singing two- and three-part harmony with the pure, exuberant
simplicity of youth. A city like Salt Lake has many well kept secrets,
but one that should be shared is the Salt Lake Children's Choir
directed by Ralph B. (Chip) Woodward.
To listen to them singing Christmas music - music that includes
much-loved songs of the masters (Bach, Britten, Praetorius), it
to be captured by the charm that only a children's choir possesses.
On Nov. 26, following the annual Christmas lightning ceremony on
Temple Square, the choir will give the first performance of its
1982-83 season in the Tabernacle at 8:00 p.m. Now
in its fourth season, the Salt Lake Children's Choir, a non-denominational
group of 50 boys and girls between the ages of 8 and 14, offers
child singers and opportunity to strive for excellence; and in addition
to providing fine musical training, the choir gives it members a
feeling of greater self-worth and an invaluable change to share
something of beauty. "It's is so much fun to see people's faces
light up with that 'oh my gosh' expression, and to hear them say
'I didn't know you could like that!' " says 14-year-old Holly Garison,
a charter member of the choir and one of its soloists. As
the children learn to love fine music, to sing in three parts, and
to strive for beauty of sound, they are receiving not only choral
training but also quality voice lessons. Mrs. David (Alta) bailey,
whose daughter Camille sings second soprano, believes director Woodward
is "a real miracle worker." "Even when some of the parents and the
children feel the music is too hard, Mr. Woodward won't let them
give up, and soon they are singing it with ease, and from memory,"
she says. They enjoy the feeling of accomplishment, says Camille.
"We know that Mr. Woodward likes us and that makes us feel important."
Caroline Marriott's father says the choir "allows the children to
develop their talents and realize they are valuable at an early
age." "The children gain respect for what good music can do," says
Mrs. Marriott. "Mr. Woodward has a magic that draws them out and
gets them involved in the sound." Eleven-year-old John Terry comes
from a family of classical music lovers, so he feels at home with
Woodward's selections of "really beautiful music. He has such a
good ear that he can stop us when we do something wrong and corrects
it on the spot." Although
weekly practices last and hour and three-quarters, the children
don't seem to mind at all. Richard Pack, 10, and his brother Brandon,
8, happily settle for a sandwich and an apple instead of their regular
evening meal, while their mothers drives them to practice. Both
are ardent soccer fans, but they say they like the choir even more.
Scotty Hoge, almost a veteran at 13 and a soloist with the choir,
sees it as a team effort, like soccer and other sports. When he's
playing soccer, he feels "singy" inside. And when he feels good,
he likes to sing out loud, which the choir lets him do well. Many
of the children play musical instruments - the piano, violin, French
horn, trumpet, flute, organ and drums. These well-rounded choir
members also have a lot of other interests, among them computers,
drama, magic, rock collecting, swimming, basketball, football and
soccer. Although
his musical emphasis has been instrumental, Woodward has considerable
background for directing a children's choir. This modest, multi-faceted
man comes from a family highly accomplished in music; his parents
are Dr. Ralph and Margaret Woodward, both on the music faculty at
Brigham Young University. An
expert French horn player, Chip first played the violin, however,
and took up the horn only so he could join the school band. Later
he studied in Europe under noted horn virtuoso Herman Baumann and
thereafter was active as a performer in Europe, notably as principal
horn player with the Rhine Philharmonic of West Germany during the
mid-70's. Chip
also composes songs, some of which he has the children sing in performance.
And occasionally adapts other music for the choir. "A lot of my
own musical sympathies are with things simple and straightforward,
which by nature lend themselves to children's voices," says Woodward.
"In the choir we strive for beauty of sound, for purity, clarity
and simplicity, for those moments that lift us to the best in human
nature. "In their innocence, children have not learned not to believe
in themselves, so they can do wonderful things. A fine children's
choir is really unique in its ability to stir the listener. When
we see them delivering the goods under pressure, hear their particularly
appealing sound, we are overwhelmed by what they can do." Following
their performances on Temple Square Nov. 26, the 50 young singers,
accompanied by pianist Linda Perry, will continue to share the beauty
and good will of the Christmas season at the Festival of Trees on
Dec. 3 at 4:00 p.m. in the Salt Palace. They will also sing in the
Provo Tabernacle on Dec. 18 at 8:00 p.m. The first half of their
season will then culminate in their annual Christmas concert on
Dec. 21 at 8:00 p.m. in the Zion Lutheran Church, 1070 Foothill
Drive
Singing
Praises of Children's Choir
(Letter to the Editor - Deseret News - July 1999)
I recently met Ralph Woodward and the Salt Lake
Children's Choir while participating in the Golden Gate International
Children's Choir Festival, held in Oakland, Calif. The festival
was an exciting event, with 14 choirs from the United States and
around the world. The Salt Lake Children's Choir participated in
several events, and, because of the beautiful lyrical singing, placed
2nd in the Children's Choir division. This earned the children the
privilege of performing on the final concert.
Director
Woodward, who founded the choir, was given a special commendation
for his fine arrangements. His arrangement of a Slovakian folk song,
sung in the folk song competition, was gorgeous. Salt Lake City
can be proud of these children who represented them so well. Congratulations
to these fine young musicians.
Marilyn Wells Pacifica, Calif.
Letter to the Director
April 21, 1997 Dear
Sir, My
husband and I attended a Utah Jazz game on Saturday April 19th and
were privileged to hear your choir sing the National Anthem. We
are Australian and have been living in the United States for several
years. I have always enjoyed the beautiful words of your national
song, but never have I heard it sung so beautifully as your choir
performed it on Saturday. It was such a pure, sweet rendition and
brought tears to my eyes. I just had to write to commend you and
the members of your choir on such talent and such beauty.
Thank You
Children's Choir Hits All Right Notes
Sunday, December 5, 1999
Group
sings with remarkable clarity and precision
By
Edward Reichel, Deseret News music critic Salt
Lake Children's Choir, Cathedral of the Madeleine, Saturday, Dec.
4, 8 p.m. Second performance Sunday, December 5, 8 p.m. Free of
charge. Ralph
Woodward and his 80-voice Salt Lake Children's Choir gave an exciting
concert of holiday music Saturday evening. Deftly blending well-known
Christmas music with some lesser-known pieces, and even some contemporary
songs, Woodward created a program that was simply terrific.
Woodward had done a tremendous job with the choir. These young singers
were magnificent. They sang with a clarity and precision that was
quite remarkable. They infused new life and spirit into all of the
well-known holiday favorites. Woodward
divided his choir into two groups, with the older singers in one
group and the younger ones in their own section. The older children
opened the concert with a contemporary song, "So prays the Mother
Mary," by Frank Ahrold. This melodic piece blends contemporary with
more traditional harmonies in a well-balanced and structured setting.
There
were several other newer works on the program, too, including five
by Woodward, who showed himself to be a fine composer. His pieces
were all diverse and interesting, and they brought out the distinct
characteristics present in a children's choir. "Children
Sing!" is a charming, lively little piece. "The Travelers" is a
descriptive number that has a sense of urgency to it, whereas "Gentle
Jesus" is a quiet, serene song. All these were sung by the younger
group. The older group did Woodward's vivacious "Therefore Be Merry"
and the more pensive "Do You Know What They Sang?" Woodward
has arranged the majority of the songs that were performed, and
here, too, he exhibited a flair for bringing out the best in a children's
choir. Most
of the numbers on the program were accompanied by Talia Anderson
on harp. Anderson is a wonderful harpist, and her accompaniments
blended exceptionally well with the voices. Some
of the highlights of the concert included an exceptionally poignant
interpretation of Praetorius' "Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming," which
is without question one of the loveliest songs ever written for
the Christmas season. The
older children were also suburb in the Czech carol, "Hark Now, O
Shepherds" and the German "O du froehliche," both of which were
sung a cappella. The
program ended with popular Christmas songs in which the audience
was invited to join. The Salt Lake Children's Choir is definitely
one choral group that should not be missed. This choir is great. MORE ARTICLES. . . |
