With so many ways to connect today, you might ask "Why sing?" Or maybe you understand, and have been looking for a comfortable place to sing. Singing, whether in the shower, in the car, or in front of people, is a soul-fulfilling process that opens both the singer and the audience to connect on a different level than mere talking or seeing can do. It's fun. It's challenging. It brings together diverse people from all walks of life, whom otherwise might not have ever met, and it forges friendships that can last a lifetime. I'm fortunate to be working with two groups that make that process fun, exciting, and a challenge both personally and artistically.
For all the ladies -- Santa Barbara Treble Clef is an all women's choir that has been around since the 1950's (as the PTA Mother Singers). Spanning an age range from 21 to 95, these women sing everything from pop to classical to gospel to jazz, and have a blast doing it. Take a look at their video from Spring 2011... 8 songs, 6 minutes... amazing!
If you've ever had an interest in singing, this is one FUN group to be in - No Auditions! Consider meeting us, 7pm on Wednesday nights at Maravilla, 5486 Calle Real, Santa Barbara, CA 93111 in their clubhouse by the pool.
Men, if you're looking too, don't fret. There's another group I work with. Mama Pat's Inner Light Community Gospel Choir. Have you ever wanted to sound like Barry White? Etta James? Beyonce? Every R&B or Soul sound has a root in gospel music. Gospel can range from spirituals, to jazz, contemporary, and old-time, and each has a specific sound that, once you know it, can be used in any pop, r&b or soul song! The director, Dauri Kennedy, pulls the absolute best out of each voice - it's like having a voice lesson every week! The time spent in rehearsal allows you to develop your vocal 'chops' and define your 'sound'. Inner Light is an open and affirming group, and anyone who wants to sing can join no matter your background - NEVER any auditions. Gospel songs are inspirational, and most of the time they pull that uplifting feeling from christian themes... yet this amazing group that has been around for over 30 years has had EVERY race, creed and orientation in it's ranks... and no one is judged. Our founder, Mama Pat said "if you can talk, you can sing Gospel" and we truly believe it. If you're new to singing, you'll be amazed how fast you catch on! If you're a trained musician, gospel is one of the fastest ways to train your ear, as most of what we learn is in true gospel fashion - by rote. Dauri sings it to you and you sing it back. take a listen to some of the songs we have done, and some we are doing now. Inner Light Choir
Come to Unity, 227 East Arrellaga Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, 7pm on Tuesdays - we have an open rehearsal, and you can listen (or join) anytime.
There are many groups out there, if these two don't do it for you. Dauri Kennedy has two different SBCC Adult Ed. Classes that are worth looking into, and there are some great church choirs - Unity Church, Unitarian Society, Greater Hope Baptist Church, Our Lady of Sorrows, and many more out there.. Classical groups like Oratorio Chorale or Choral Society - something for everyone. Here's an activity that can be little to no cost (most community choirs ask for donations - churches like you to be a member - and the chorales usually have a small fee) that connects you to your neighbors, introduces you to new people, and feels as satisfying on the inside as it does to the audience on the outside. So come sing with us! We'll be glad to have you, and you'll be glad you did!
Biographies
Terri Cruz, a second generation native born ‘Santa Barbarian’ has been a member of Inner Light Community Gospel Choir since 1993. She was previously appointed to the BOLF Board in 1999 and served as Treasurer, Board Vice President and the Executive Director for the Inner Light Community Gospel Choir. Terri was previously employed with the Fielding Graduate University as a Technical Administrator assisting with on-line training and technical support and is currently Operations Supervisor with Centaur Floor Systems a national specialty flooring distributorship. Terri lives in Santa Barbara with her family.
A Santa Barbara native, Peter Hernandez was the artistic director for the Inner Light Choir Community Gospel Choir between 2001 and 2009. As a member of Inner Light since 1992, he learned singing gospel music at the feet of the founder, Mama Pat Patrick. Peter has studied music at SBCC and UCSB. He was a singer in Canticle a Cappella Choir, past President of the Beacon of Light Foundation and current Treasurer, former Director of Santa Barbara Unity Church Contemporary Service and Unity Gospel Choir, and current director of Santa Barbara Treble Clef (an all women's choir). He also currently sings with the Unity Singers, and still lends a hand in putting together events for the Santa Barbara Community.
No comments:
Post a Comment