Brampton Festival Singers

Overview


Wow!  A truly wonderful concert, a genuine musical experience of depth and insight.   I was tremendously pleased to hear how wonderful all on stage sounded.  A remarkable job was done on the part of the choir, it was very clear that everyone present was engaged, prepared and passionate—it showed! Energy, expression, entrances, phrasing, intonation, articulation, diction, dynamics, all were addressed with care and insight.   I was equally impressed by the performances that the guests of the BFS gave.  Hannah Shelton (SP), Tara-Michelle Nadal (CA), Leander Mendoza (TN) and Michael Sproule (BT) all gave committed performances that were grounded and moving.  The Great Lakes Orchestra also did a first rate job in their role also.  As you will see in the notes below, there was really nothing of note that I could suggest that could help you improve upon this evening’s performance, it truly was first rate.  Thank you for a moving evening.


Specific Points…

Symphony

-great start from the orchestra—fantastic pacing and balance
-nice dynamic contour
-some slight intonation problems in the violins

Comfort ye My People

-excellent!
-great work with the phrasing and energy
-slight intonation problems in the strings

Ev’ry Valley Shall Be Exalted

-the pacing is great
-terrific unity
-delightful

And the Glory

-lovely clean entrance
-great power
-excellent work with intonation
-great job with the contrapuntal texture—everyone is clearly articulating the correct phrasing
-wonderfully moving performance
-great job sustaining the full energy level right to the end of the section
-good finish

And He Shall Purify

-good save on the miss start
-great work sopranos
-good solid, grounded sound from the men
-excellent work on the melismas
-great work on a challenging section of music!

Behold, a Virgin Shall Conceive

-lovely velvet alto voice
-great pacing

O Thou That Tellest Good Tidings to Zion

-good entrance from the chorus
-idea overall sound
-excellent energy and direction

For Behold, Darkness Shall Cover the Earth

-excellent shift in mood—dark and brooding was very successful
-again, very good job with the pacing

The People That Walked in Darkness

-good intonation and balance
-very good dynamic contour
-solid vocal performance
-again, mood shift was very successful

For Unto Us a Child is born

-great high energy start from the orchestra
-clear vocal entrance
-fantastic choral balance
-solid phrasing and pacing
-good work with the intonation—it is very clear that each section is listening to each other and the other sections
-excellent dynamic contour—energized

Pastoral Symphony

-warm, regal and gentle
-great tone from the double bass

There were Shepherds Abiding in the Field (and 2 following)

-graceful and delicate
-great job with the orchestral accompaniment
-excellent pacing
-good job with the shift in energy

Glory to God

-solid choral entrance
-great balance and energy
-lovely trumpet sound
-excellent intonation and articulation

Rejoice Greatly, O Daughter of Zion

-good solid start
-excellent energy
-great work—good flow of shifting emotions and wonderful tempo control


I was very impressed at how well all the children moved into position for their number.  The continuo was a great accompaniment to this.

He Shall Feed His Flock like a Shepherd

-beautiful
-really excellent work all—I could see all focus was on the director with eyes engaged and mouths wide open singing
-wonderful tone and balance
-this worked tremendously well

Hallelujah

-fantastic energy and sound
-great power
-good work with the phrasing
-solid sound structure—good balance through the whole spectrum
-great work sopranos on the upper notes—no intonation problems
-excellent work with the dynamics
-energy stayed full right to the end of the section—grea job
-excellent finish

Behold the Lamb of God

­­-slightly staggered start
-great brevity to the sound
-excellent balance
-solid, sell supported sound

He was Despised

­-nice pacing at the intro
-excellent work spinning out the energy with control and development
-some intonation problems in the strings
-great work with the tempo shift—great contrast and solid accompaniment

Surly He hath Borne our Griefs

-great energy to start
-very good choral balance
-good work with the dynamic contour
-solid sound---great energy

And with His Stripes We are Healed

­-lovely contrapuntal texture—clear and articulate
-great intonation and phrase direction
-excellent balance

All We like Sheep have gone Astray

-good balance
-great diction
-good work on the melismas
-excellent energy
-great restraint and control to finish

Why do the Nations so Furiously Rage Together?

-great start from the orchestra—good intonation and solid energy
-grounded vocal performance
-perfect balance

He That Dwelleth in Heaven

-good pacing and intonation

Thou Shalt Break Them

-great precision and expression
-wonderful aria, expressive and insightful

I Know that My Redemer Liveth

-great balance, intonation and tone in the orchestra
-beautiful soprano
-good work in the energy shift

Since by Man came Death

-excellent start
-haunting sound—wonderful balance
-good work with the shift in tempo and energy
-fantastic full choral sound

Behold, I tell you a Mystery

-powerful, clear and direct

The Trumpet Shall Sound

-lovely trumpet solo—great tone and expression
-very uplifting performance
-excellent precision in the orchestra

Worthy is the Lamb

-fantastic entrance
-lovely full, rich, powerful sound
-excellent balance and intonation
-great precision and direction
-excellent work on the subtleties of the phrase structure
-great projection from the tenors at the Amen
-solid and bold
-fantastic ending—powerful and touching

A determined and moving performance from all, Bravo!

Jason R. M. Saunders
Adjudicator 2009-2010 Season