Alice Parker Workshop

“I believe that melody is the foundation of human music-making, and that song issuing from one human throat is the essential first-step to a musical life.” — Alice Parker

Lift your voice in song! On Sunday, October 2nd at 1:30pm, Washington Master Chorale is hosting a Choral Workshop led by world-renowned choral music conductor, arranger, and composer, Alice Parker. This unique workshop for singers, conductors and teachers will be held in the Chapel of Presidents at The National Presbyterian Church. Following the workshop, Parker will lead a Community Sing (open to all concert ticket holders), followed by a concert of American folk songs, spirituals and hymns with Alice Parker.

Alice Parker and “Vocal Sound”

Alice Parker received professional training successively as a composer, conductor and teacher. Her work is founded on the interaction of these fields, and their extension into writing, theorizing and mentoring. It is founded upon the conviction that music is first and foremost sound, and that a paper diagram is a very imperfect medium for its transmission.

Vocal sound comes from human throats, and is infinitely variable. An inner vision of those sounds is necessary before one can evoke them through composing or performance. She knows that wonderfully musical sounds can come from amateur as well as professional singers, from children as well as adults, and from churches, schools and family groups.

Her over fifty years’ experience in teaching has given her the ability to express her ideas in clear and memorable language. Her love of poetry and of the lyric line in both words and songs undergirds her understanding. She has identified techniques which work for composers, performers and teachers, and inspires any group which works with her into wonderfully musical, expressive and communicative singer.

A Community Sing with Alice

Following the workshop, and prior to the concert, Alice Parker will lead a Community Sing for all concert ticket holders. These “sings” led by Alice Parker have delighted groups all over the United States and Canada since she started leading this kind of program forty years ago. Begun as an introduction to her Writing for Voices classes, the concept grew to include church congregations and choirs, then people of all ages and background who wish to sing together. The music can be sacred or secular. It is sung with no accompaniment but what the singers can provide with their own voices and imagination.

The unique feature of these sings is their high musical accomplishment—the sheer beauty and communicative power of the singing. Yes, they are open to anyone, regardless of age. There is no need to read music: the teaching is done by rote. Some songs are old favorites and some totally unfamiliar. The atmosphere is one of delight in joining in music-making, and of ease in creating varied sounds.

The comment heard most frequently at the end of such a session is “That was such fun!” The singers have participated in a most wonderfully creative game which both unites the group and releases its potential as each person joins in ‘melodious accord’.

The National Presbyterian Church
4101 Nebraska Ave NW
Washington DC 20016

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Formerly the National Master Chorale