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Allred seeks continued growth in Bach Choir's summer choral institute
Bob Karlovits can be reached via e-mail or at 412-320-7852.
"We saw tremendous growth from the first year," the music director of the ensemble says, "and we're hoping for the same thing this year."
He will find out if that's the case soon enough: May 30 is the registration deadline for the sessions that begin June 17. The institute is an opportunity for amateur singers interested in choral music to participate in organized, professionally led choirs on a short-term basis rather than a full-time commitment.
While growth in new participants is important to the success of the program, continued participation of singers such as Franklin Park's Bob Douds also is vital.
"It's a good way to keep singing in the summer," says Douds, who sang in the first two institutes and will join again this year. "I really like it because the music Brady picks is always so good."
Douds plans to sing in two of the four sessions this year, might add a third and says he could even throw in a fourth.
Allred says a jump similar to the one between 2001 and 2002 would mean that somewhere between 400 and 500 vocalists will take part in the four sessions this year.
"I like big choirs -- I have 140 in the Bach Choir," he says. "Besides, the more people, the better chance they'll have of singing over the trumpets."
He is referring to one four-day session where the singers will be accompanied by about 10 members of the River City Brass Band.
Use of the brass players is one of several new elements in the third edition of the program.
Although the institute is designed for people on a part-time basis, it can lead to a full-time commitment. Douds became a member of the Bach Choir after singing in the first choral institute.
Besides use of brass players, the workshops also will incorporate a session on jazz and the use of PowerSings in which audience members join the ensemble at times.
The four sessions of the institute will be at the Mary Pappert School of Music at Duquesne University, Uptown, and three will have closing concerts.
The sessions:
Allred points out that the growth of the institute is making it possible to venture into new areas, such as the jazz program, and to continue use of collaborations such as the performance with members of the brass band.
But he adds that he has wanted to stay with programs that provide well-liked elements. Some families, he says, have found it attractive to sing together, and the selections in the jazz session and the last one offer that.
Allred has headed the choir since 1993 and has been teaching at Duquesne University, Uptown, since 1989. He will be moving this summer to the University of Utah, where he will become director of choral studies, but will remain the head of the choir.
And that means more work with the workshops.
"We're been brainstorming about a winter institute," he says, "or may be considering some satellite sessions. We want to keep it going," he says.
Deadline for registration in the Bach Choir's Summer Choral Institute is getting nearer, but latecomers will have a second chance.
Jennifer Sleppy, operations manager for the choir, says the May 30 deadline was set up to give the group a chance to order music and make other plans. But, she adds, handling late entries is possible.
Registration is $60 for "Choral Masterworks from Vienna"; $75, $40 for students for "And All That Jazz!"; $85 for "With Sounding Brass"; and $75, $40 for students for "Songs of Hope and Peace."
A $5 discount is offered for each registration done online at www.bachchoirpittsburgh.org.
Tickets for the session-closing concerts on June 21, June 29 and July 13 are $5 at the door.
Details: (412) 454-0800.
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