Must Watch Video!

#TogetherInSong Weekend Round-Up

Week 1 was full of great videos from our archives. One each day in fact! If you missed a day, check out our Together In Song page for a summary of all our posts.

Looking ahead to this week, you’ll be treated many more recordings of past performances, plus video messages from artistic director and founder Peggy Spool and Vivace alumni, all in support of our goal to raise $40,000 to support high-quality choral music education. As of today, we’ve raised $2,825, and we need your help.

Please lend your support by making a gift, a pledge, and/or asking your social networks to give. Every dollar matters!

Creating Connection

“Enriching lives through the power of creative expression”

A few years ago, Vivace participated in a national, multi-year social change initiative called Creating Connection. Still ongoing, CC’s mission is to make creative expression a recognized, valued, and expected part of everyday life.

As a part of our acceptance into the local cohort (sponsored by the City of San Jose), Vivace was awarded a grant to purchase GoPro recording equipment and engage singers in the creation of behind-the-scenes videos. Since then, we have filmed more hours than we want to count and created several videos. The first video here is from our 2017 Eastern Canada Tour and the second is from our 2017 Concert/Chamber Choirs Hidden Villa Retreat.

The thing that makes these videos special is that the footage was filmed by singers who were unleashing their creating expression. Enjoy!

Teacher Appreciation Week, QuaranTeen Cabaret, plus a new video!

TGIF, friends!

Did you know that this week was teacher appreciation week? We at Vivace are so grateful for all of our amazing teachers! They prepare rehearsal and lesson materials week after week, plan for upcoming seasons during summer and holiday breaks, and take time to help their students whenever needed. They are an extraordinary team of unique individuals who add to the vibrancy that is Vivace.

And so to this year’s teachers—Albee, Barbara, Grace, Jay, Kate, and Peggy—we thank you! You. Are. Amazing!

QUARANTEEN CABARET

On May 5, our Teen Ensembles held their first QuaranTeen Cabaret. You might be wondering, “What’s that?” It’s an informal social hour meets performance opportunity where singers can present music, dance, a soliloquy, or just about any other skill. After the performances, our teens get to spend the remainder of the time socializing, which normally is a part of our weekly in-person rehearsals.

COVID-19 has changed not only our rehearsals but also how we all socialize. This new program is one way that we’re creating connections during shelter-in-place.

Like many nonprofits and schools, COVID-19 has hit Vivace hard. We’ve transitioned most of our programs online, but there are some that we’ve had to cancel—3 concerts and summer camp, for example.

Please consider helping us by making a donation during our #TogetherInSong campaign. Your gift will not only ensure that we can offer programs like QuaranTeen Cabaret, but also that we can expand our scholarship programs this summer and next fall.

View fullsize

Vivace Youth Chorus of San Jose's Preparatory Choir sings “Tecolote,” a Mexican Lullaby arranged by Victoria Ebel-Sabo. Masumi Maei, conductor; Laura Green, accompanist. Recorded at Westminster Presbyterian Church, San José, California, on January 13, 2019.

Happy Anniversary, Teen Men’s Ensemble!

It’s #ThrowbackThursday at Vivace, but instead of posting a video from many years ago, we’re offering you a video from our Teen Ensembles' Winter Concert this past January. Why this video? Because this year is the 10th anniversary of our Teen Men’s Ensemble! In choir years that wasn’t that long ago, and we’ve come a long way since then. Many of these singers came up through the chorus program, working with Peggy Spool and Jay Jordana before moving to Teen Men’s Ensemble with conductor Albert Mabeza. This recording exemplifies Vivace’s programs, not to mention that it’s fun to hear and watch.

If you like what you hear and you haven’t already, please make a donation.

Enjoy!