At long last, now you can listen to the recording of the rest of the concert I sang with the fantastic soprano Hannah Lu and conductor Delta David Gier with the South Dakota Symphony Orchestra last season. The mp3s are now up in the Media Room and there are a LOT of recordings to listen to: I posted eight of the total 12 movements.
As I mentioned in my previous post where I linked to the recording of the Bach cantata I sang, this was a fantastic experience and I'm so proud and happy to share this music with you. The SDSO was very generous and provided the recordings, so be sure to visit their site and see the other fantastic musical work they do season after season. It might be a drive from where you are to Sioux Falls, however it's worth the trip and the change of scenery to experience what they do. Aaaand of course, to grab some delicious and nutritious food at Sanaa's.
Food and music...they go so well together.
Click here to listen to the Pergolesi Stabat Mater!
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- Written by: Nicole Warner
If you know of someone in need of some courage, please print this article out and give it to them. If you would like to reprint it, you may do so, as long as you cite "(C) Nicole Warner, LLC 2016. www.nicolewarner.com" If you reproduce this poem online, you must link to this post.
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- Written by: Nicole Warner
From the organization that doesn't pay on time to the low-balling of honorariums, you've surely seen it all. So have I. I've been paid late, had to demand fees actually be paid, been offered insultingly low fees, and have had to chase payments down after work was completed.
As well all have a "money story," it's not always our personal money stories that trip us up, but sometimes other people who trip us up (financially) on purpose. It's the roommate who doesn't pay rent on time, the friend who never foots the bill when you take turns paying, the partner or spouse who unfairly distributes the bills, the legal issue that gets dragged out and out and out.
Disclosure: Some, but not all, of the links in this post are Affiliate links and are followed by: (Affiliate link). That means if you click through that link and make a purchase, I may receive a small portion of that purchase, for which I thank you. I don't see who bought what, only what was purchased.
Remember you can always get the book at the library, sometimes through inter-library loan. Saves a ton. ;-) I'm not a financial expert, I'm simply passing on solid information that has worked very well for me. If you need advice, consult a professional. It's totally worth it.
And another quick note: I refer to a name with a bleeped-out swear word in it in this post.
1. RUN, do not walk, to a Credit Union.
Like many others, I bank-hopped for a few years. I always ended up at my old Big Bank until I tried to refinance my auto loan with the same Big Bank. Interest rates had dropped so I asked them to refinance it. Really good credit score, steady payments, I was a great candidate, but they wouldn’t do it.
So I walked. Literally, I went down the street. And I saved over 4% interest on the remainder of my car loan.
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- Written by: Nicole Warner
Read more: How to Create Healthier Finances as a Classical Singer
Now that I've moved to Milwaukee it's safe to tell this story.
My former neighbor, whom I'll simply call "Neighbor," was not what you might call the "communicative" type. If I said "hello," he would do a double-take and then say, surprised, "Hello." If I didn't say hello, he would just walk awkwardly past me. And the woman that he lived with, she was even worse. I once saw her outside, turned to her to say hello, and she literally turned and ran in the other direction. (Needless to say I didn't miss her when she moved out. It took me months to notice.)
Neighbor had an affection for techno. Really bad techno. And of all the music types in the world, you'd think that there would be enough of it that he would find some good techno when he'd start playing it at, oh, 7:10 in the morning. But he didn't. And I don't know that he played anything new. He certainly didn't play any GOOD techno, and I wished to all that is good that I could have knocked on his door and made some recommendations...
I also don't know if he perhaps composed it himself. (No comment.)
It was really annoying, but not that bad, if I played my own music at a regular volume I couldn't hear it anymore. No problem! Sometimes you just gotta deal with the neighbors, especially if you're staying for a while.
Except when this happens:
It was a Monday and I was practicing for the Les Nuits d'été concert with the Mesabi Symphony. It was lunchtime and I had exactly one hour to practice before I had to get on the road to drive to Northern Minnesota to rehearse and then turn around and drive back.
I warmed up and starting running through the songs, concentrating on the texts which I found hard. I sang through the first song, the second...and then it started.
BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM
No...he didn't...
BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM
Oh, yes he did...
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- Written by: Nicole Warner
We live in this time, in these bodies, in this world. And right now it's really hard.
Because we live in a culture of fear and in a culture of violence and sometimes it's really hard to hear your own voice inside your head.
Breathing deeply works against stress, against fear, and helps you connect with your inner voice, your inner wisdom.
If you, like so many of us, feel at a loss right now, start with this, it will clear your mind and give you your starting place.
Here are two ways to breathe more deeply:
1. Breathe over time.
Using a slow count, breathe in 1...2...3...and out 1...2...3... Now increase it to 4 by breathing in 1...2...3...4...out 1...2...3...4... Increase the count to 5 and breath 1...2...3...4...5...out 1...2...3...4...5...
Repeat this exercise beginning with a count of 4, then of 5 and finally of 6. How do you feel now?
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- Written by: Nicole Warner
Read more: How Shallow is Your Breath? 2 Ways to Breathe More Deeply
Voice students say the darndest things! And my students are no exception. Over the past couple of years I've collected their antics and funny comments. Here, without further ado, are 9 goofy things my voice students have said:
You know you're old when...
A: *takes out smart phone and hits the button* Siri, who is “Milli Vanilli”?
Do I have a wobble?!
T: *looks at me wide-eyed.* Nicole, your vibrato…it scares me.
Confessions of a high schooler:
D: (whispered) I like orchestra better than band!
Kids say the darndest things:
G: (singing from “The Cherry Tree” original lyrics "They sing of the frozen rivers...") They sing of the frozen livers…
Me: (reading from sheet music) Steht der Strauch…
E: What’s that word?
Me: Strauch.
E: *shakes head slowly* No…
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In January of this year I sang with the South Dakota Symphony Orchestra for the first time. The solo piece I performed was Bach's Cantata 170 Vergnügte Ruh, beliebte Seelenlust, which translates roughly to "Pleasurable rest, beloved delight of the soul." The idea of the cantata is welcoming virtue into your heart while recognizing that most people choose to walk all over their neighbor, and ultimately finding a way to live in harmony with these virtues despite what other people are doing.
That is no small task. And neither is this cantata!
A New Recording For You!
The SDSO was very generous and provided a recording of this Cantata, which is now available on the Media page of this site. Click here to listen! They are a wonderful organization and the musicians are fantastic! We were able to make beautiful music together and to bring the meaning across to the audience.
And One More Recording on its Way!
Ah yes, and the delightful, talented Hannah Lu and I joined forces on the second half of the program for Pergolesi's Stabat Mater, of which I also have a recording. Stay tuned for that one! This picture is of (L to R) soprano Hannah Lu, conductor Delta David Gier, and me. We had a blast!
Highlights of this Year's Concert
One of the fun parts of traveling for work is getting to know a new place. Sioux Falls, South Dakota was a new location and the people there are as friendly as you would imagine. And as snowy as can be in January! This was the view from my hotel room the day after I arrived. Brrr!
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- Written by: Nicole Warner
Read more: LISTEN: Nicole's Bach Cantata 170 with the SD Symphony
Dear Senior Voice Students,
It's hard every year when you depart. The last concert is so emotional, your last lessons are poignant. I often imagine what you'll think 20 years from now when you think about your voice lessons. Did you learn what you wanted to learn? Did all the music theory sink in deep enough? Do you remember to breathe with your belly?
Here are 7 pieces of what my students would probably call unsolicited advice I give to seniors and any voice student who's going off on a new adventure. I like to call them Words of Wisdom.
1. When you take lessons, you are paying money in exchange for a service, which means that you are the consumer. You are paying the bill, which means your teacher works for you. You might be in a teacher's voice studio, however you are the client, the customer. So if you're happy, keep it up. If you're not happy, start shopping around.
This applies to all areas of life, whether it be lessons, relationships, doctors, etc. Don't ever think you have to keep at something to meet someone else's expectations.
2. Your list of (over-)achievements is long. Life is short. Choose your activities wisely. You will be happy to have time in your calendar when your friend calls, someone in your family falls ill, or for simply having quiet time at home to follow your fancy. You are so worth it.
3. Remember that at the end of the day, there are no schools--they are just buildings; there are no businesses, it's just paper. At the end of the day, all you have are people. So be kind. And spread it far & wide. The world needs more kindness.
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- Written by: Nicole Warner
Olli Kortekangas: Seven Songs for Planet Earth
April 23, 2016 at 2 p.m.
Nicole Warner, mezzo-soprano
Aaron Larson, baritone
Masterworks Chorale of Augsburg College
Peter Hendrickson, conductor
Central Lutheran Church
333 S 12th St.
Minneapolis, MN 55404
In English, this piece uses texts by Wendell Berry and St. Francis of Assisi.
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- Written by: Nicole Warner
Johann Sebastian Bach Cantata No. 51, Jauchzet Gott in allen Landen
Johann Sebastian Bach Cantata No. 170, Vergnügte Ruh, beliebte Seelenlust
Giovanni Battista Pergolesi Stabat Mater
Saturday, January 9, 2016 at 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, January 10, 2016 at 2:30 p.m..
Hannah Lu, soprano
Nicole Warner, mezzo-soprano
South Dakota Symphony
Delta David Gier, conductor
Our Savior's Lutheran Church
909 W 33rd St,
Sioux Falls, SD 57105
On this program Hannah Lu will be performing Bach's solo soprano cantata (number 51) and I'll be singing Bach's solo alto cantata, number 170. As we get closer to the concert dates, I'll be blogging about the texts (which are in German, natürlich!) and the piece itself.
This will be the first time I perform with the South Dakota Symphony and I'm very excited to be performing with them!
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- Written by: Nicole Warner
Antonio Vivaldi: Gloria
Peter Cornelius: from Weihnachtslieder, Opus 8
More TBA
Sunday, December 20, 2015, at 4 p.m.
Teresa Tierney, soprano
Nicole Warner, mezzo-soprano
Nativity Episcopal Choir
Jim Frazier, piano
Margaret Humphrey, violin
And more members of the Twin Cities music scene!
David Ostenso Moore, conductor
This concert will be approximately 1 hour in duration, but the effects of getting into the true Christmas spirit should last a lot longer. :)
Nativity Episcopal Church
15601 Maple Island Rd
Burnsville, MN 55306
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- Written by: Nicole Warner
I love singing at funerals.
And I don't care if anyone thinks it's weird.
I love singing at funerals.
It's probably the most human and the most humane thing anyone can do, to sing to those who are grieving.
Funerals are for the living.
In a high school a student two years younger than my class died in a tragic accident; it was a horrible event and shocked our small town.The high school choir sang and I was so mad because I didn't want to go--I knew I'd cry through the whole service and I thought that would be so embarrassing. My dad advised me, "Funerals are for the living. They're for the families and for the friends to say good-bye." Although it was difficult, we all made it through the funeral and we were able to transition from the initial shock into some kind of acceptance.
Since funerals are for the living, now when I show up to sing at a funeral, it ultimately leads to the question "How did these folks know the deceased?" Sometimes I get to chat with the visitors, sometimes I sit on the side and am just another human dressed in black. Sometimes the family members all want to introduce themselves and talk about the details of the service and what their parent or sibling or friend would have wanted.
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- Written by: Nicole Warner
Having a general, predictable routine in the voice studio is part of what I call the "culture of a voice studio." When students start taking lessons from you, whether it is your private studio or at a school, they need to learn how your studio functions--
they want to know what they can predict. Having a general structure to lessons creates a sense of security for you and your students and avoids chaos.
Over this past school year I've implemented a beginning-of-lesson-routine that has helped many students focus and relax when they enter their lessons--they take 3 slow, deep breaths before we do anything else. There are always a few students who try to rush through these breaths, and I have them start over and take slower breaths.
These 3 breaths serve multiple purposes:
1. The student turns off the outside world and turns on to their voice lesson.
2. The student will calm and relax.
3. How the student breathes gets you an idea of where they are that day, breath-wise as well as psychologically and emotionally speaking.
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- Written by: Nicole Warner
Sunday, April 19, 2015 at 3:00 p.m.
Westwood Lutheran Church
9001 Cedar Lake Road S.
St. Louis Park, MN 55426
"On April 19, Oratory pairs two Easter cantatas of fascinating juxtaposition - BWV 12 & 134. Both were written for the days immediately following Easter, yet their sentiments could not be more different. Cantata 134 resounds in the to-be-expected celebration of Easter; regal rhythms, adoring arias, and joyful tonalities exude praise and gratitude for the resurrection. By contrast, Cantata 12 represents some of Bach’s most sorrowful and poignant writing. Here, any joy of Easter is replaced by a somber reminder of the sacrifice of the crucifixion."
For this tightly-knit performance, the soloists sing the solos and form the choir.
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Artists:
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Linh Kauffman, soprano Bethany Battafarano, soprano Clara Osowski, alto Nicole Warner, alto John Grau, tenor Michael Hoffman, tenor Aaron Larson, baritone Justin Staebell, baritone |
Kayla Moffett, violin Marc Levine, violin Tami Morse, harpsichord Steve Staruch, viola Julie Elhard, viola da gamba David Williamson, bass Ellen Rider, oboe Stanley King, oboe Joseph Jones, bassoon |
Matthew J. Olson, conductor
About Oratory:
Oratory is a professional chamber choir and period instrument orchestra striving to present exceptional performances of J.S. Bach's sacred cantatas within historically informed worship services. Based in Minneapolis/Saint Paul, Oratory's artists are members of The Minnesota Orchestra, The St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, The Oregon Bach Festival, The Lyra Baroque Orchestra, The Colorado Bach Ensemble, The Minnesota Opera, Vocalessence, The Singers, and the Minnesota Chorale - all gathering together with audiences to engage in the marvels and mysteries of Bach.
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- Written by: Nicole Warner