Folsom Singers 美聲歌者

翠峰夕照_Folsom Singers

2011-06-01T11:59:00.000-07:00

流目油_Folsom Singers

2011-06-01T11:57:00.000-07:00

Danny Boy_Folsom Singers

2011-06-01T11:56:00.000-07:00

And So It Goes_Folsom Singers

2011-06-01T11:54:00.000-07:00

十年之旅

2011-06-01T11:31:00.001-07:00

二○一一年五月廿八日晚。中華民國僑務委員會贊助的美聲歌者十周年年度演唱會 « The Decade Voyage –十年之旅 » 吸引了300多位中外觀眾到場。大溫地區喜愛合唱音樂的朋友齊聚在溫哥華市西區的音樂會聖地Ryerson United Church，享受了一個溫馨美好的女聲合唱之夜。

開幕之前，團員得知駐溫哥華台北經濟文化辦事處處周唯中，偕同僑務組副主任李綺霞蒞臨，均倍感光榮興奮。而周處長和李副主任不僅全場聽完，會後更表示這個團果然不負｢美聲｣的團名，團員均感動不已。

這是｢美聲歌者｣第十年的年度演唱會。這群平均年齡已達52的中年婦女，個個都是合唱癡，每個星期風雪雨無阻的聚會練唱，對音樂的熱情不但不曾稍退，更培養出彼此間深厚的默契及完美的和聲。今年適逢創團十周年，我們做了許多大膽的嘗試。

有三分之一的曲目，是由陳怡誠老師在聽過我們每一個人的音色、音域後，為美聲歌者量身打造、編寫的歌曲；其中« 流目油 » 和 « 黑夜的腳步聲 »是由團員黃靜雅作曲作詞的台語歌。« 流目油 »曾榮獲行政院新聞局的台灣母語歌曲創作比賽第三獎。同時，我們也加入了更多無伴奏的曲目，和更多無指揮--由團員自己表現的曲目。再再都在挑戰我們的功力、膽量和默契。

事實證明，美聲歌者在年輕指揮黃國豐和才子老師陳怡誠的細心帶領下，表現不俗、成績亮眼。歌聲落處，如雷的掌聲隨即響起。演唱會當晚，我們所準備的｢美聲十年精選｣CD，幾乎銷售一空。

這次演唱會的曲目安排，依然承襲美聲歌者的傳統：古今中外兼容並蓄，以實踐我們成立的宗旨 – 以合唱音樂，促進台加文化的雙向交流。

首先登場的是四首當代作品，都是北美洲的音樂家作曲或編曲。現場西人觀眾對美聲歌者的詮釋，均甚為讚賞，不論是法文情詩Dirait-on的委婉深情，或是兒歌The Mouse Madrigal的輕快活潑，都有到位的演出。

第二部分的中文歌曲，二首國語、二首台語，有睹景思人、有熱情奔放、有人生感懷、還有驚悚爵士風，首首風格各異，卻曲曲打進聽眾心坎。

上半場以陳怡誠老師創新風格的Danny Boy做小壓軸。全曲長五分鐘，先以無伴奏四部表現原曲略帶哀傷的氣氛，隨後加入鋼琴，一轉而成電影 « 修女也瘋狂 »式現代讚美詩的歡樂，節奏一轉再轉，琴聲與歌聲彷彿大廳上的王子與公主，不斷旋轉卻始終緊密倚偎，扣人心弦。

下半場一開始就是三首無伴奏的拉丁文與德文傳統聖樂。美聲歌者純淨優美的和聲，精準的咬字，重現了近二百年前作曲家對神的崇敬與讚美。

隨後三首古典與亞洲民歌的改編，可說是陳怡誠老師充滿時尚｢混搭風｣的創作：貝多芬的 « 給愛麗絲 »配菲律賓搖籃曲，普契尼的 « 杜蘭朵公主 »配中國民謠，以及充分表現蜻蜓在竹葉尖上微微搖晃寧謐氛圍的日本民謠 « 紅蜻蜓 »，均是全球首演。這些新編歌曲有獨唱和二重唱挑大樑，加以節奏複雜、和聲步步驚險，美聲歌者卻能表現得讓人眼睛一亮，聽出耳油。

最後一部分是爵士與流行樂，現場氣氛隨著時而甜蜜、時而孤寂、時而歡愉的樂聲變化，緊緊抓住了每一位聆聽者的心。最後的安可曲Hot Chocolate，美聲歌者無可比擬的感染力，讓聽眾都想立刻點杯Hot Chocolate來解饞。

這次美聲歌者的舊雨新知齊聚溫哥華的Ryerson United Church，證明了一件事：美聲歌者的努力，大家聽得出、看得到，且深表肯定！

http://youtu.be/4KFfnkfttWk

Folsom Singers are TEN!!

2011-05-07T16:25:00.000-07:00

The Folsom Singers are turning TEN!

Thanks to the help of Kemuel Wong, Folsom Singers’ conductor of four years, we have been able to keep the tradition of taking on repertoires of different times and languages, such as Hebe Deine Augen Auf by Mendelssohn, Dirait-on by Morten Lauridsen, and some popular jazz pieces.

The songs for THE DECADE VOYAGE also include popular Asian folk songs, as well as two Taiwanese pieces composed by one of our own, Ching-Ya Huang, all re-arranged by our musical instructor I-Cheng Chen. The re-arrangements are full of beautiful yet unconventional harmonies. To present them flawlessly within a limited time is a new challenge for Folsom, but one we happily embrace without fear.

Place: Ryerson United Church, 2195 W. 45^th Ave. Vancouver

Time: 7:30PM, Saturday, May 28th, 2011

Admission by donation. Please call or email for ticket/reservation.

Tel: 604.420.6036 (Sherry), 604.436.5018 (Ada), or email: folsomsingers@gmail.com

美聲十年之旅年度演唱會

2011-05-07T16:18:00.000-07:00

十年有多長？十年的快樂時光有多長？十年充滿悅耳和聲的快樂時光又有多長？

其實並不長！十年不過是剎那轉眼的一瞬間罷了！

但剎那雖是稍縱即逝的瞬間，也可化為亙古不朽的永恆。

美聲歌者今年將一如過往，再度藉著歌聲，帶領聽眾神遊古今中外的合唱世界。已與美聲合作四年的指揮黃國豐，以日益純熟的技巧帶領團員挑戰德文、拉丁文聖歌，如孟德爾頌的Hebe Deine Augen Auf；英、法文現代合唱曲，如Dirait-on；以及大家耳熟能詳的流行金曲，如Embraceable You或And So It Goes等。

陳怡誠老師改編團員黃靜雅的台語創作曲《黑夜的腳步聲》、《流目油》，及日本童謠《赤とんぼ》與菲律賓搖籃曲Ili Ili等多國民謠，均是全球首演。要在壓縮的時間內練好由素有「才子」美譽的陳老師所編寫的優美作品，應是美聲歷年所面對最大的挑戰。這些新編歌曲的和聲困難、節奏複雜，加上練習時間有限，要完美呈現，實屬不易；但這也是擁有豐富經驗的美聲無懼於嘗試的嶄新經驗。

地點: Ryerson United Church, 2195 W. 45^th Ave. Vancouver（夾Yew St.）

時間: 7:30PM, Saturday, May 28th, 2011

門票: 自由樂捐，憑票入場

訂票電話： 604.420.6036 (Sherry), 604.436.5018 (Ada) 或

Email: folsomsiners@gmail.com

Sing

2010-12-13T15:31:00.000-08:00

中西校園民歌演唱會

2010-11-17T00:34:00.001-08:00

美聲歌者合唱團成立十周年的系列演唱會之一｢校園中西民歌演唱會｣，訂於11月20日(星期六)下午2:00，在本拿比New Life Community Church(8765 Government Street, Burnaby)舉行，免費入場。

美聲歌者合唱團在大溫地區素以講究和聲、屢次成功挑戰高難度合唱曲而知名，今年美聲特別安排了一場反璞歸真的音樂會，要和四、五年級生一起重溫年少時代的校園民歌及西洋經典民歌。

雖是平易近人的民歌，美聲還是會呈現豐富的和聲，賦與民歌新的生命。但保證不會艱澀難懂，絕對會勾起你青春年少時的珍藏回憶。美聲歌者為這場音樂會精挑細選了很多四、五年級生年輕時候愛唱的歌，如橄欖樹、微風往事，或如Blowing in the Wind、Today等。這些音樂的旋律，承載了我們共同有過的心跳節奏，那些琅琅上口的歌詞，訴說的是我們一起走過的青春故事。

想唱的民歌很多，有漂亮和聲譜的民歌卻寥寥可數。籌備時遇到的最大困難，就是找譜。除了團員自行找譜、騰譜外，很感謝五年級生陳怡誠老師的大力協助，特別為我們量身打造了數首和聲譜。尤其是李泰祥老師和齊豫合作的幾首經典名曲，配上陳老師深厚的樂理功力和音樂性，既保留了大師原創的經典風貌，更增添了細膩雅致的韻味，耐唱更耐聽。

唱民歌自然少不了吉他，除了團員的另一半、下一代是吉他伴奏的不二人選外，美聲歌者還邀來了年輕的生力軍，2010年加拿大中文歌曲創作大賽最佳歌曲、最佳編曲獎得主Sean(張峽浩)共襄盛舉，為傳唱了二三十年的老歌注入幾分新鮮的時代感。

喜愛校園中西民歌的朋友，千萬別錯過了這場不收門票、溫馨懷舊的午后音樂會哦！

2010-05-02T21:10:00.000-07:00

美聲歌者團員與指揮黃國豐(前排左二)，鋼琴伴奏陳怡誠(右二)。
Folsom Singers

presents

Blossoming Melodies

“The earth laughs in flowers” (-Ralph Waldo Emerson), the Folsom Singers will celebrate blossoming season by melodies.

The repertoire of Folsom Singers 2010 annual concert 《Blossoming Melodies》includes Rose Trilogy by Canadian composer Eleanor Daley, The Gardener by Brahms, and Taiwanese pieces “Flower Admirer” and “Flame Flower of Hometown”, lyrics both by renowned lyrics writer, Ching Ya Huang of Folsom Singers. As well as Chinese folksongs, madrigal, sacred music such as “Laudate Dominum” by Mozart, and popular Jazz songs like “And All That Jazz”, “As Time Goes By”, and “I’ve Got the World on a String”.

Place: Ryerson United Church
2195 W. 45^th Ave. Vancouver

Time: 7:30PM, Saturday, May 29th, 2010

Ticket: $15

For tickets please call 604-9316271 (Mary), or 604-4206036 (Sherry), or email: tlevsong@hotmail.com (Lily)

美聲歌者
《花開的聲音》
和諧悠揚

〈美聲歌者〉室內合唱團九周年年度音樂會，即將於五月二十九日星期六晚間7:30，在溫哥華西區歷史悠久、音效絕佳的Ryerson United Church (2195 W. 45th Avenue,夾Yew St.) 演出，主題為《Blossoming Melodies花開的聲音》。

「花」象徵美麗、愛情與生命，不僅凡夫俗子愛之賞之，更為古今中外藝術家激發創作的靈感。今年的曲目包括加拿大當代作曲家Eleanor Daley的Rose Trilogy組曲，Brahms的 The Gardener，中文歌曲「採茶歌」、「小花帽」等。特別值得一提的是由曾榮獲金曲獎最佳作詞人獎的美聲團員黃靜雅作詞、林福裕老師譜曲的兩首台語歌曲：「故鄉的鳳凰花」及「看花的人」。另外尚包括牧歌、民謠、宗教歌曲如Laudate Dominum和Hymn to the Virgin，以及多首大家耳熟能詳的爵士歌曲，如As Time Goes By、I’ve Got the World on a String等。

去年我們首度進軍溫哥華西區Ryerson United Church表演，實現了我們向知音朋友展現美聲的夢想。今年希望能讓觀眾從我們的歌聲中，想見花開的繽紛，聽見花開的聲音。

《Blossoming Melodies花開的聲音》音樂會門票定價15元，十人以上團體購票可享八折優惠，電話購票請洽詢：604-9316271 (Mary)、604-4206036 (Sherry)。或電郵：tlevsong@hotmail.com。
春暖花開時節，一場令人賞心悅耳的音樂盛宴，歡迎愛花愛樂的朋友們蒞臨欣賞！

Taiwanese Film Festival 2009

2009-06-13T22:34:00.000-07:00

Folsom Singers sang at Ryerson United Church packed with audiences of hungry ears on June 6th.

Folsom Singers sang at the food court full of audiences with hungry stomachs in Crystal Mall June 13, one week later.

The audiences of the different venues apparently had different cravings, nonetheless we sang with the same wholeheartedness. Because sharing our music with every audience is our greatest craving.

Dreams Come True!

2009-06-11T13:58:00.000-07:00

二○○九年六月六日晚。美聲歌者年度演唱會 « Dare to Dream - 勇於追夢 » 吸引了400多位中外觀眾到場，坐滿了溫哥華市西區的音樂會聖地Ryerson United Church。開幕之前，駐溫哥華台北經濟文化辦事處僑務組副主任莊雅淑更代表周唯中處長蒞臨後台，為既興奮又緊張的團員們打氣加油。

這是｢美聲歌者｣第八年的年度演唱會。這群來自台灣的合唱癡，每個星期風雪雨無阻的聚會練唱，對音樂的熱情不但不曾稍退，更培養出彼此間深厚的默契及完美的和聲。今年更鼓足了勇氣追求我們的夢想：不但要走出熟悉的高貴林、本拿比區，去面對人文薈萃的溫哥華市的觀眾；還要以11位團員的小規模，挑戰Gustav Holst在1900年專為女聲合唱所寫的無伴奏、八聲部Ave Maria。

事實證明，美聲歌者在年輕指揮黃國豐 (Kemuel Wong) 的細心帶領下，不但勇於追夢，且築夢踏實。Ave Maria的歌聲落處，如雷的掌聲隨即響起。會後更有許多中外觀眾紛紛詢問是否會出CD，儼然立刻有了粉絲團。

這次演唱會的曲目安排，依然承襲美聲歌者的傳統：古今中外兼容並蓄，以實踐我們成立的宗旨 – 以合唱音樂，促進台加文化的雙向交流。

首先登場的五首當代作品之中，即有四首是由加拿大、甚至是卑詩省本地的音樂家作曲或編曲。現場西人觀眾對美聲歌者的詮釋，均甚為讚賞，咸認｢不但到位，且有韻味｣，直可媲美溫哥華著名的純女聲合唱團Elektra。

第二部分的中文歌曲，三首台語、三首國語。其中｢阿母的頭鬘｣和｢天頂的星｣，勾出了現場許多鄉親思母的淚水。上半場在熱鬧的｢高山青｣帶來的興奮情緒中結束。

下半場除了重頭戲Ave Maria之外，還有管風琴伴奏的多首聖樂。美聲歌者精準純淨的和聲，在Ryerson United Church渾厚溫暖的管風琴聲襯託下，讓觀眾聽得如癡如醉，會後更前來致意：｢我從來不知道拉丁文的聖樂也可以表達得這麼有感情！｣還有隨家長來的青少年問道：｢我們家的CD就是她們唱的嗎？｣

最後一部分是爵士與流行樂。最令我們興奮的，是有三位可愛的美少女和我們一起唱Somewhere Out There。她們都是自家人 -- 團員的女兒。加上原本團裡已有的一對母女檔，台上總共有四對｢媽媽和女兒｣，大夥兒唱來｢家味十足｣，倍感溫馨。現場氣氛隨著時而深情、時而嬌慵、時而童稚、時而奔放的樂聲變化，緊緊抓住了每一位聆聽者的心。最後的安可曲Hot Chocolate，美聲歌者無可比擬的感染力更是讓不少聽眾在會後不自覺地去點了一杯Hot Chocolate來解饞。

美聲歌者對創團宗旨的認真執行，不止表現在精選曲目和勤奮練習，更進一步落實在演唱會的曲目介紹。儘管獨自站在台上講話總會令團員緊張不已，但大家仍勉力維持由指揮和團員為所有曲目做中英文介紹的美聲特色。事前的搜集資料、擬稿、譯稿、練講，都是大家自發的努力，只希望能幫助自己及現場觀眾多瞭解歌曲背後的故事、本身的意涵或是它曾有過的影響，以期真正達到文化交流的目的。

這次美聲歌者的舊雨新知齊聚溫哥華的Ryerson United Church，證明了一件事：美聲歌者的努力，大家聽得出、看得到，且已獲得肯定！

Folsom Singers' Anuual Concert at Ryerson Church

2009-06-01T11:20:00.000-07:00

Reaching out towards unspoken understand through perfect harmony is the adventure we take; and the dream we

Dare to Dream!

Come and join us at our annual concert!

心靈的默契，完美的和聲，用心演繹每一首合唱曲，是勇於挑戰自我的極限，也是我們八年來不斷追求的夢想！

歡迎愛樂的朋友蒞臨欣賞這場夏夜動人的音樂饗宴！

Time: 7:30pm (Saturday), June 6th, 2009

Place: 2195 W. 45th Ave. Vancouver

DON QUIXOTE

2009-04-13T15:51:00.000-07:00

DON QUIXOTE

April 10, 2009 at St. Helens Church

Dec. 6, 2008 at Recital Hall, UBC
Yes, we have been busy.

No, that's not a good reason for not updating the blog. But isn't it true that "It's better late than never"?

So, here it goes.

In the past half year, we had a joint Christmas concert with UBC Women's Choir, performed for Stroke Recovery Association in Feb., and worked with UBC Women's Choir again on Good Friday at St. Helen's Church.

Feb. 20, 2009 at Stroke Recovery Association, Coquitlam

As for the upcoming annual concert, it will be at Ryerson United Church on June 6, 2009. The challenge we are taking this year is Ave Maria by Gustav Holst. It is an a acappella peice for two SSAA choirs. There are 11 members this year.

Are we Don Quixote or what????

Still, we are determined to try our best and share all the beautiful pieces with you.

Best Concert Ever!!!!

2008-06-08T14:32:00.000-07:00

If the saying: “The most beautiful woman is the one who always tries her best.” is true, then the eight members of Folsom Singers would win every beauty pageant.

Seven out of the eight members are housewives with certain ages; some didn’t even wear any make up on stage; apparently not extremely appealing in appearance. But when they started to sing, the audience was completely in awe, not any sound was made nor heard. After the theme song “Over the Rainbow” was finished, the audience gave a standing ovation. The concert reached the climax by an encore piece “Java Jive”.

There were motet of 6 parts double choir; novel contemporary piece using white lines to represent the notes; as well as popular jazz pieces. The cords were absolutely beautiful yet complicated. You can tell how dedicated they must have been by the eight as one harmony.

Some audiences were so touched by the music that there were tears in their eyes. Some were so excited to hear a song that hadn't crossed their minds for a long time that they sang their hearts out all the way back home. Some were brought into a land covered with snow and "heard" the snow of many forms. Some applauded like they never had. Some were humming along quietly on their seats. All in all, most audience shared the same comment: Folsom Singers had never moved audience as profoundly as this year.

What motivates them to dare to challenge themselves to choose the road that less traveled? What is it that keeps driving them insisting on sharing the most beautiful music with the audience in spite of the brutal fact that there is never enough singers nor budget? It's the passion for multi-culture choral music; the stubbornness of never giving up; as well as a sense of obligation. Folsom Singers are determined to overcome the difficulties of recruiting new members and finding new funding, and try our best to bring the quality choral music to you, our beloved friends!!!

如果「認真的女人最美」這句話是真的，七日晚在新生活社區教會演唱的美聲歌者八位成員，一定是每場選美大賽的贏家。

雖然八位中有七位是有點年紀的媽媽；雖然在舞台上甚至脂粉未施，但是她們唱出第一個音符開始，座無虛席的會場便立刻鴉雀無聲。壓軸的主題曲Over the Rainbow 結束後，觀眾起立熱情鼓掌。節目在把現場氣氛帶到最高點的安可曲Java Jive中畫下句點。

美聲今年的曲目包括八人六部的聖樂；以音名取代五線譜、以線條粗細取代強弱記號的獨特現代音樂；或柔情、或哀愴、或熱鬧的爵士流行樂等。和弦優美但複雜。從八人如一的優美和音中，可以瞭解她們的默契有多深；投入的心力有多厚。

有的觀眾被音樂感動的熱淚盈眶；有的觀眾在歌曲中找到多年未見的老友，一路高歌回家；有的觀眾被帶領到雪地中，用耳朵看到雪花的各種面貌；有的觀眾說從沒有如此真心誠意的熱烈鼓掌；還有觀眾忍不住在台下跟著啍唱起來。但大家共同的感想是：今年是美聲歌者最讓人動容的一年。

是什麼樣的動力讓她們膽敢挑戰自我，選擇森林中人煙罕至的那條路走呢？是什麼樣的耐力讓她們能在缺人、缺錢的情況下，年年還是堅持把最好的音樂和愛樂者分享呢？是對多元合唱音樂的熱愛；也是百折不撓的那股傻勁；還有一點莫名的使命感吧！美聲歌者希望她們的執著、堅持、認真，能克服吸收新血及經費的困難，繼續把優質音樂帶給大溫地區的每一個愛樂人！

2008-05-18T16:31:00.000-07:00

Folsom Singers' 7th Annual Concert!

Lucky 7! Folsom Singers is 7 years old! Our passion for music has always been the same, if not more.

Folsom Singers would like to dedicate this year's annual concert to you, our friends, who have been supportive for all these years. The concert is scheduled on June 7th at New Life Community Church in Burnaby. This is the first season that Folsom has worked with two talented young musicians, Kemuel Wong (conductor), and Gary Tse (Accompanist).

Ms. Morna Edmundson, co-conductor of the renowned Elektra Women's Choir, and Dr. Bruce Pullan, the highly beloved and respected professor of the UBC Music Department, came to our rehearsals and offered great guidance. We are deeply moved by their dedication and passion for music, and earnestly appreciate their assistance!!! It's a rewarding and exciting experience for everyone.

〈Over the Rainbow〉is the theme of this year's concert. The repertoire includes: religious pieces as “Ave Maria,” “Pie Jesu,” “Cantate Dominum”; popular English pieces as “Shenandoah,” “Mr. Wonderful,” “Sing Me to Heaven”; traditional Chinese/Taiwanese pieces as “Autumn Chrysanthemum,” “The Moon is My Witness,” “Blossoms on a Rainy Night”…and other pieces from Spanish, Japanese and Inuit cultures.

To celebrate our 7th anniversary, admission to this year's concert will be by donation.

Time: 7:30 pm June 7th, 2008

Place: New Life Community Church
8765 Government Street, Burnaby (between Lougheed Mall and Costco)

Reservation or Inquiries: Sherry (604-4206036); Ada (604-4365018)

｢7｣是許多人的幸運數字，而今年正是〈美聲歌者〉(Folsom Singers) 室內合唱團成立七週年之幸運年。七年來，團員們對音樂的熱愛「一路走來始終如一」，為了回報愛樂聽友的熱情支持，年年卯足全力，期望能在年度音樂會上以絕佳的默契展現合唱音樂之美。

今年〈美聲歌者〉的七週年年度表演，定於六月七日星期六晚間7:30於本拿比新生活社區教會 (New Life Community Church， Burnaby) 舉行，歡迎各界喜愛合唱音樂的朋友共襄盛舉。這是〈美聲歌者〉與指揮新秀黃國豐先生及鋼琴伴奏謝志豪先生首度合作，更邀請到著名合唱指揮Dr. Bruce Pullan （UBC音樂系副教授）以及Morna Edmundson（Elektra Women’s Choir團長及指揮）擔任客座指導，相信必能帶給聽眾耳目一新的感受。

〈美聲歌者〉今年的音樂會以〈Over the Rainbow〉為主題，曲目包括多首宗教歌曲Ave Maria, Pie Jesu, Duo Seraphim, Cantate Dominum, Nigra Sum；著名英文歌曲Shenandoah, Mr. Wonderful, Sing Me to Heaven, Prayer of the Children；精選中文及台語歌曲如秋菊、月亮代表我的心、雨夜花、天黑黑；還有十六世紀西班牙民歌、日本童謠、加拿大原住民歌曲等，內容包羅萬象，精彩可期！

〈美聲歌者〉為了慶祝成立七週年，本年度音樂會為樂捐入場 (admission by donation)。音樂會地點位於新生活社區教會 (New Life Community Church，8765 Government Street, Burnaby，介於Costco 及Lougheed Mall之間)，六月七日晚上7:30，〈美聲歌者〉與您歌聲中相會。因座位有限，請預約索取門票。洽詢電話：604-420-6036 (Sherry), 604-436-5018 (Ada) 。

ChorFest 2008!

2008-05-18T01:37:00.000-07:00

Increasing our exposure to the choral music community in Vancouver is an ever-present concern, and I (as an active member of the BC Choral Federation, and English-speaking representative for the choir) try to attend as much events that this umbrella organization holds to share with the board.

Recently, I had attended the annual choir festival called ChorFest at UBC. The timing of this festival was wonderful and significant in that it was the 30th year of this festival, the 150th birthday of the province of British Columbia, and the 100th anniversary of UBC.

The major highlight was to return to sing at the gorgeous and acoustically-sensitive Chan Centre, though one of the two workshops that I attended during the festival was particularly exceptional. The singing workshop was led by Elektra co-conductors, Morna Edmundson and Diane Loomer, and was practical in that it was similar to a mini-choir rehearsal! The short warmup was interesting as not only was it about warming up our voices; it was very much a physical exercise to warm up our whole body :) No piano was necessary to do the vocal exercises, as Diane led us through vocalising by singing "Over the Rainbow" using various vowels.

Members of Elektra choir were sandwiched between festival participants, and helped us through singing the many pieces of music. The 75 minutes alloted for the workshop flew by in a jiffy...and I felt so uplifted and joyous by the end that I didn't want to leave immediately. I didn't hesitate to talk to the conductors...Morna, who had come to our choir rehearsal last November, seemed to remember me as she gave me a welcoming handshake :) Soon afterwards, I would talk to Diane...and further confirm my realization of how small and close-knit the choral community is here...by introducing myself as part of Folsom choir which was now led by Kemuel Wong. She immediately noted that she had met him last autumn, likely through Morna's connection.

All in all, it was a very wonderful experience to get together and sing with a lot of music enthusiasts, as well as reconnect with contacts in the choral music community.

黃金女郎帶來的感動！

2008-04-20T01:32:00.000-07:00

美聲前團員劉淑蓉在上了四年聲樂課後，四月十九日舉行了一場溫馨的成果發表會。

雖然她並不是專業的演唱者，但是在台上，她的台風穩健、舉止優雅、中氣十足，表現得可圈可點！雖然她沒有Celtic Woman、或 Charlotte Church般年輕甜美的聲音，但是她演唱Ave Maria時，竟能讓人有一種無法言喻的感動；眼眶甚至熱了起來。

音樂的奇妙之處應該就在於此了吧！謝謝妳，Sue!

Sue was one of us. After taking four years of vocal lessons from Ruth Suzuki, she held a recital April 19th.

She is by no means a professional singer, but she stood there confidently and elegantly, and sang every piece beautifully! Of course she is not as young (she proudly announced that she was 66 years young), and her voice is not as sweet as Celtic Woman or Charlotte Church, but when she sang Ave Maria, it touched the deepest corner of everyone's heart. It was beyond words. My eyes were warm and wet.

This must be the magic of music. Thank you, Sue.

與布拉姆斯漫步/Wander with Brahms

2008-03-06T14:22:00.000-08:00

三月九日下午2:30，在溫哥華市的St. Helen's Anglican Church (4405 West 8th Ave.)，將有場「與布拉姆斯漫步」室內音樂會。

由遠道合唱團指揮女高音康幼玲、鋼琴家彭憶芬、法國號何興華老師、小提琴家廖俐伶，聯袂演出的這場音樂會，可望為觀眾帶來一個浪漫又古典的週日下午。

洽詢電話：778-8986734

A Chamber Music Recital Wander with Brahms will be held at 2:30 pm on March 9th, at St. Helen's Anglican Church (4405 West 8th Ave. Vancouver).

Soprano Katherine Lu, pianist I-Fen Peng, French Horn Steve Ho, together with violinist Li-Ling Liao will present this special concert. This coming Sunday afternoon is expected to be a romantic and classic one.

For info please call at : 778-8986734

Dec 28 Gathering

2007-12-30T19:57:00.000-08:00

揮別2007，迎向2008!!

美聲歌者及親友用美食、美聲、以及最堅強的友誼，告別了風雲丕變的2007年，迎向充滿新機的2008年。

把「茶」言歡之餘，美聲歌者在來自台灣、美國的親友前，牛刀小試！這場音樂會氣氛輕鬆歡樂，在場的男女老幼都盡情歡唱。

Good-bye 2007, Hello 2008!!

Folsom Singers together with their families and friends bade 2007 good-bye with gourmet, beautiful music, and unbreakable friendship. And determinedly, welcome the coming 2008 which is full of exciting changes.

With craving for food being satisfied, Folsom Singers had a little informal concert in front of all the families and friends including some from Taiwan and U.S. Regardless of the age and gender, everyone enjoyed it profoundly.

Dufferin Nursery 22 Dec 2007

2007-12-26T09:32:00.000-08:00

耶誕節是個充滿歡笑及愛的節日。美聲歌者在耶誕節前再度到位於高貴林的Dufferin Nursery和大家一同歡唱。

Christmas is a holiday filled with laughters and love. Folsom Singers came to Dufferin Nursery to share with everyone our love and our music again.

Apingaut!

2007-12-01T18:03:00.000-08:00

十二月的第一天，下了2007年的第一場雪！

讓人不禁回想起美聲歌者過去演唱會中曾唱過的兩首與雪有關的曲目。

第一首是2004年由加拿大作曲家兼作家兼音樂教育家及環保人士Raymond Murray Schafer所寫的Snowforms。第二首是2006年演唱的由英國浪漫派作曲家Edward Elgar所作的The Snow。

Snowforms是以人聲表現出各種雪的形態；有初雪( Apingaut)、有柔雪(mauyk)、飄雪 (akelrorak)以及像鹽的雪(pokaktok)等。

The Snow 則是以小提琴及鋼琴，搭配女聲三部合唱來描寫純淨雪景之美，及雪融帶來的感傷。

希望今日悅目的白雪不致成為明晨令人頭痛的黑冰！

The first snow of this year fell on the first day of December.

It brought back the fond memories of two songs about snow that Folsom Singers had sung in previous concerts.

They are Snowforms in 2004 by Raymond Murray Schafer, a Canadian composer, writer, music educator and environmentalist, and The Snow in 2006 by English Romantic Composer Edward Elgar.

When performing Snowforms, singers were asked to SING all kinds of "shapes" of snow, such as : APINGAUT (first snowfall); MAUYK (soft snow); AKELRORAK (drifting snow) ; and POKAKTOK (snow like salt).

In the song The Snow, the choir of SSA, accompanied by two violins and piano, told the stories about the beauty of the white snow, and the sorrow sentiment aroused by the the melting snow.

Hopefully, the innocent pure white snow of today won't become the black ice that might cause headache of tomorrow. Good Luck!

Diana is having a concert!!

2007-11-26T00:17:00.000-08:00

據聞---美聲創團人之一的氣質美女鋼琴家雅蓉將於一月間於溫哥華舉行演奏會。非常期待！

Everyone is looking forward to Diana's concert which is scheduled in mid-Jan in Vancouver!

In case you don't know who she is, for your information, she is one of the founder members of Folsom Singers Women's Choir, also the most elegant pianist I've ever known.

Friday night rehearsal

2007-11-25T15:35:00.000-08:00

Come on, let's sing!

2007-11-25T00:21:00.000-08:00

和往常一樣，又是個充滿歡笑、歌聲的週五晚！

比較特別的是，昨晚溫哥華知名的女聲合唱團指揮Morna Edmundson；也就是我們認真、可愛的新指揮Kemuel的mentor；特別撥出自己空閒的時間，不畏寒風義務前來協助。她對合唱音樂的投入及奉獻令人感佩。

她對美聲的音色飽滿、默契十足、舉一反三‧‧‧等特質，頗為讚賞！還表示，希望有機會去欣賞我們的演出。這應該可以說是美聲這個優質女聲合唱團，向外伸展的第一隻觸角。

美聲被聽到了！

It was another Friday night filled with music and laughters; as it has always been!

There was something not as usual, though. Morna Edmundson, the conductor of the well-known women's choir Elektra and the mentor of Kemuel, our diligent new conductor, came to our rehearsal last night at her spare time. Her devotion and dedication to women's choir is greatly appreciated.

Morna gave some positive remarks on Folsom. She was impressed by our full tone, the capability of all starting the first note at the same time and ending with harmony, and the quick learning. She hoped to go to our next concert. Folsom, the quality women's chamber choir has taken the first step of reaching out , finally.

FOLSOM WAS HEARD!!!