What a thrill to meet with my chorister friends again, three years after the amazing VIII Song Festival in Chicago. Those who didn‘t attend this seminar, eat your hearts out! Not only did you miss hearing the most exciting repetoire, but also the food – crepes with cheese, marinated chicken stuffed with apricots, kugelis, cepelinai and even šakotis! As Jurgita from St. Paul said: “If we had had some napoleon torte, this truly would have been heaven on earth!“ Allow me to share a few highlights from this year‘s seminar.
Thursday, August 20
Three of us (two conductors and one singer) travelled from Ottawa and arrived at Dainava later than anticipated. At the Balti Rūmai (White House) we met and mingled with many people, all with their names pinned to their backs in one of the icebreaking activities. We didn‘t have a chance to join in these games, but did join in the grand finale. Lithuanians love traditions, and this evening ended with the coronation of DALIA I.(She always wanted to be a Queen!) So, does this make Paul Kuras (the co-chair of the Festival‘s organizing committee) a Prince?
A flame from the last song festival‘s candle, “Atsiliepk Daina“, lit a new candle “Daina Aš Gyvenu“. Everyone received a flag with the new motto,“Daina Aš Gyvenu“, which we pinned on a map to show where we lived. After these festivities, we enjoyed catching up with friends and sharing a well-deserved glass or two (or three) of wine after an 11-hour car trip.
Friday, August 21
After an amazing breakfast, at 9 a.m. we started to rehearse the repetoire. Seminar organizer Rita Čyvaitė-Kliorienė asked every chorister/administrator to introduce a choir conductor. After a few introductions, it became obvious that choir conductors are unique. Most experienced the magic of music early in their lives. “Svajos“ conductor Dana received toys for her television debut. Who wouldn‘t love music after that?
Every conductor approached the repetoire with a unique style. Their talents were evident. Some liked to conduct behind a piano (c‘est ҫa, Aleksandre?), others directed a consistent tempo and rythm with a pencil in hand. Others didn‘t think we were singing as well as we could, and frequently told us to “STOP“, offering pointers and feedback. But we choristers enjoyed the energy of our young conductors, and those who were competing with Petras Bingelas and his “Bingeliavimas“. There is no question that Deimantė Grigutienė was the champion for her moves and, may we say, her “Grigutieniavimas“….
Without a doubt, our guest conductor Frank Bianchi‘s expertise and talents impressed everyone so much that we forgot about lunch (an extremely rare event among Lithuanians). Food became irrelevant when compared to the opportunity to learn from this genius. “Give me a G!“ was Frank‘s recurring request, followed by the question: “Are you higher, or lower?“ These became the catchphrases of the day.
Frank presented ideas for teaching music to those who don’t read music and those who don’t have perfect pitch. (Surely there aren’t too many of those among Lithuanians…?) Frank’s techniques for singing a LONG note (to pull it like a piece of chewing gum, or to breathe as if opening and closing an umbrella) were “aha!” moments for many conductors. Personally, I loved his teaching that a dotted half note requires me to do something – I need to sing louder or softer. I don’t need to know about crescendo and decrescendo; I just need to watch the dotted notes…. aha! Frank, we love you and you’d better apply for your passport so we can see you in Toronto.
After such an intense workshop day, the hall was transformed into a Spanish night club in the evening. Guitarist Petras Aglinskas from Chicago performed lounge-style music and songs from leading rock groups. Everyone enjoyed immensely…mostly because we didn‘t have to sing along!
Saturday, August 22
Only bona fide singers wake up early and smiling, to continue singing for a second straight day. After another amazing breakfast, everyone gathered with enthusiasm and energy for the second round. Singers felt the impact of Franks‘s visit. We had to walk to feel the rythmn of a song, we had to pull chewing gum from our teeth, and we were constantly asked to find that “G“.
The grande finale of the festival – what an amazing piece. But, we lamented that we didn‘t have a pianist like Ricardas Sokas in our communities. How could we learn this song? Thank God for the website downloads, to which I promise to listen every free moment I have from now until next July!
The last evening began with wine and cheese and watching the best singers in Lietuva perform. And for those who were itching for more action outside, illumination was provided by lit torches.
What an amazing seminar! I‘m in awe of our talents, our dedication, our national pride. To all who give so much of themselves to continue the tradition of Lithuanian song in North America, I salute and thank you!
Until we meet again in Toronto,
The Atomic Bomb (Rūta Kličienė)
