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Repertoire performed by the San Francisco Girls Chorus includes the full range of traditional works for treble voice, sung in many different languages, with an emphasis on music composed specifically for young female voices. Compositions are chosen from all historical periods, encompassing chant to contemporary works.
The San Francisco Girls Chorus is committed to developing the breadth and scope of music literature for female voices through frequent commissioning of original compositions and arrangements, and through research worldwide to locate excellent music for women’s voices. Commissioning new music for female voices is an exciting way that the choristers gain insight into new trends in choral music and become the co-creators of an original choral composition.
SELECTION PROCESS
The Artistic Director is responsible for selecting all repertoire for Chorissima. Repertoire for the levels of the Chorus School is directly overseen by the Chorus School Director and approved by the Artistic Director.
All music selected at the Chorus is based on artistic merit. In every academic year, the faculty considers many criteria in selecting music such as: secular and sacred, contrasting historical periods and styles, inclusion of world music (from multi-ethnic sources), music from wellknown and well-respected composers, music in a variety of languages, a cappella and accompanied selections, representation from American musical theatre and jazz styles. As a classically-based program, the Chorus is committed to learning repertoire of the highest caliber.
SACRED MUSIC
Choral music had its beginnings in the Christian Church, the Church being the primary patron of the arts for hundreds of years. Therefore, a great amount of exceptional choral music prior to the nineteenth century comes from this tradition. Just as the study of great architecture includes cathedrals and the study of great painting includes religious subjects, the study of great choral music in Western civilization includes Christian music. To learn from the famous masters, the performance of sacred music is essential.
HOLIDAY SING-ALONG
Because of the artistic merit of the repertoire and community response, the Chorus has been offering a Holiday Sing-Along concert for 21 years, and has consistently filled 3,000 seats every year at Davies Symphony Hall. Traditions associated with the Sing-Along concert have become popular for audiences and choristers alike. Audiences desire to hear carols in December; the market and exposure for these concerts is extremely high. The Sing- Along concerts regularly include familiar and well-liked carols, as well as secular pieces.
WORLD MUSIC
The San Francisco Girls Chorus responds to the cultural diversity of its artists and audiences through constant efforts to locate and perform music emanating from multicultural sources. Known as “world music,” the Chorus seeks to find and commission excellent arrangements from a variety of folk traditions. Arrangements of American showtunes and jazz are also incorporated into the SFGC programming for the more advanced levels.
CONCERT SERIES
Each year Chorissima presents a concert series with programs developed along thematic lines. This enables the Chorus to use its resources for thematic programming and reach a variety of audience needs, a necessary and cohesive part of choral performance. Because of thematic programming, all styles of music may not be represented at every concert. Programs may center around a multi-movement work or emphasize a particular style of music (i.e. music from the Venetian Ospedali). When appropriate, program balance is created by including music of a lighter nature such as arrangements of spirituals, world music or American musical theatre.
INSTRUMENTAL ACCOMPANIMENT
Works containing young women’s voices with orchestra or chamber ensemble are also a part of the repertoire sung by SFGC choristers. In addition to its regular programming, the Chorus is fortunate to perform regularly with the San Francisco Symphony and San Francisco Opera. These symphonic and operatic collaborations bring another dimension of excellence to the repertoire of the Chorus.
The San Francisco Girls Chorus provides the Bay Area and the world with a standard of excellence for treble choral music. The organization is a powerful testimony to young women’s abilities to work together to create and fulfill an artistic ideal. The repertoire chosen reflects the highest ideals of humanity.
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