One of the longest (10 days) choral gathering/festival, choirs from Israel, Germany, France, Argentina, Russia, and the U.S. sing for each other in concert, and together in workshops. (Twelve choirs are from Europe and the U.S., 16 from Israel.) The workshops focus on specific literature, and each gives a performance at the end of the period. Each choir chooses a workshop for the whole period. The workshop subjects are: Israeli, Romantic, African-American, and International choral literature, as well as Beethoven, Mass in C, and Mozart, C Minor Mass.

I have taken advantage of my “ringer” status with Mak’hela (Jewish chorus of Western New England) and emeritus/elder position, and used the time to observe and research rehearsal styles of some fine and highly varied conductors with their ad hoc ensembles. The amateur singers are of varying abilities and are mostly over 50 years of age. (The German and Russian choirs are much younger.)

I have observed each of the workshop conductors at one time or another, but have spent the most time between the rehearsals of Aharon Harlap, Israel (Jewish & Israeli Music), Anton Armstrong, U.S.  (Afro-American Spiritual & Gospel Music), and Timothy Brown U.K.  (Romantic Music). Michael Gohl, Switzerland (Songs of All Nations) leads the open sings that open each concert. One learns from concert performances, certainly, but much more from the rehearsals. The styles of teaching are delightfully different, and mostly effective. (One learns – about one’s own problems – from those teaching elements that don’t work, as well.)