A Christmas chorale
Rice Chorale offers a place, and concert, for one and all

BY JESSICA STARK
Rice News staff

It might not be angels singing, but the sound of the heralded Rice Chorale sure is heavenly and hark-worthy. This chorus of more than 100 voices will treat audiences to a free concert featuring holiday carols and choral music at 8 p.m. Nov. 30 and Dec. 1 in Edythe Bates Old Recital Hall, Alice Pratt Brown Hall.

“This is a concert our group really looks forward to,” said Tom Jaber, director of choral ensembles. “It’s fun, and we always have a great audience. And the repertoire is varied, as are the participants. There is something for everyone.”

	DAVID LONG

This year the chorale will be accompanied from the organ by former member Joseph Causby ’08, a leading organist in North Carolina. A Shepherd School of Music brass ensemble, prepared by Marie Speziale, professor of trumpet and chair of brass, will play “Christmas Cantata” by Daniel Pinkham and several carols. Graduate student Sadie Turner will accompany the chorale on harp as they present “Ceremony of Carols” by Benjamin Britten. Adding to the festivities will be the Chapelwood United Methodist Church Chancel Handbell Ensemble, led by Andrea Jaber, a Rice alumna and Tom’s wife.

In addition to the old favorites in the program, the Rice Chorale will premiere the short works of Shepherd School undergraduates Andrew Schneider, a Baker College freshman, and Jennifer Dirkes, a Wiess College sophomore.

“As it is throughout the Shepherd School, we have some magnificent young musicians within our ranks and accompanying us,” said Tom Jaber, an accomplished pianist and vocal coach. “But what really makes us stand out is that everyone is welcome to sing with us. No auditions are necessary.”

An open door

Jaber stands by the open-door policy and takes it upon himself to “make it work,” whether a chorale member has had formal training or not. He’s had members who can’t read music when they sign up.

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“All you need (to participate) is a desire to sing and a commitment to allow yourself to do it,” he said. “I’m a ‘bloom where planted’ sort of guy. I take those risks and usually, they work out in rather miraculous ways. Rice Chorale is a prime example of that for me. It’s my very favorite thing to do as a professor.”

While reading music isn’t required for admission into the chorale, it is beneficial as the pace of the twice-a-week rehearsals is kept quick to accommodate for busy schedules. Chorale members range from undergraduate physics majors to department coordinators to local theatre pros to faculty members.

As different singers cycle in and out with the semester, one thing remains constant: Jaber’s tutelage. He’s been at the helm of the program for 21 years.

“The unmistakable heart of the chorale is Tom Jaber, whose offbeat personality and truly marvelous musicianship produce quite amazing things,” said Deborah Harter, associate professor of French and chorale member. “I have seen him show up in Phillies gear, take off his shoes for comfort and outdo himself with irreverent asides. This all seems necessary to the inevitable musical result: a first-rate and powerful rendering of musical sounds as he plays and conducts from the piano.”

DAVID LONG

Harter first signed onto the chorale at the urging of her students. They knew she had a special fondness for choral singing and is the faculty mentor of the Rice Philharmonics, the student a cappella group. After years of hearing talk about the Rice Chorale, she had to check it out.

“I’m so happy I did. I couldn’t be more delighted with the experience,” Harter said. “Singing is like running. When you are done, you feel exhilarated. It adds time to your day, especially for those of us who don’t live in the resonant corridors of the Shepherd School.

“The musical level of the singers is extraordinary for a chorale that is open to all. It includes many of Rice’s undergraduate voice majors. To sing beside these talented musicians is an amazing pleasure,” she said.

Music’s power

All voice majors and all music majors who are not orchestral instrumentalists sing in the chorale. Jaber said that while there is an occasional music major who is just there to fulfill a requirement, most are dedicated and happy to be a part of it.

“I think that our students and every member take away a variety of things from the chorale,” Jaber said. “Reinforced musical skills, friendships, performing experiences, laughter, escape from the grind and the reward of overcoming new challenges.”

That escape is exactly what Paula Platt, department administrator for history, was looking for when she joined the group. She said singing is her version of mental therapy. She’s been singing since she was a child and continued to sing in a choir in college. She was already a Rice employee when the Shepherd School opened more than 30 years ago, and she was thrilled about it.

“The Shepherd School is a constant amazement to me,” Platt said. “It’s phenomenal as far as musicianship is concerned. You can’t tell the students are students. They meet a professional standard.”

That standard and quality of music is what drew Platt to the Rice Chorale, and she said it’s what keeps her coming back.

“Making music is a relational experience,” she said. “It’s a universal language. It’s a way to communicate all around the world whether you speak the language or not. The people who have been gifted with capability of writing music or expressing it have been given the greatest gift God ever gave.”

To learn more about the Rice Chorale and other Shepherd School programs, visit www.music.rice.edu.