These are all fresh out of the recording oven.... just put these videos together for some auditions coming up that included video submissions. There are four contrasting styles of singing in these four videos. Special thanks to Andrew Blendermann on the keys. He's the best. And special thanks to Liz Butler, my dear friend who helped at the camera, and in keeping my energy up. It was a very tricky recording day for me, I was beyond exhausted, bedraggled, and tired by that point in my day, as many things had not quite gone to plan- I will spare you all the details, but I was so very grateful for her support and help. ...Anyway -Wish me luck! And enjoy! Let me know if you have a favorite! Translation: Una voce poco fa (The Barber of Seville): A voice a while back echoes here in my heart; already my heart has been pierced and Lindoro inflicted the wound. Yes, Lindoro shall be mine; I swear it, I will win. My guardian will refuse me; I shall sharpen all my wits. In the end he will be calmed and I shall rest content... Yes, Lindoro shall be mine; I swear it, I will win. Yes, Lindoro shall be mine; I swear it, yes. ~ ~ ~ I am docile, I'm respectful, I'm obedient, gentle, loving; I let myself be ruled, I let myself be ruled, I let myself be guided, I let myself be guided. But, but if they touch me on my weak spot, I'll be a viper and a hundred tricks I'll play before I yield. Kurt Weill: Denn wie mann sich bettet so liecht man - from The Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny --- Background: Jenny, a prostitute, has just been asked to put money forward to help Jim (who hires her regularly), since he can't pay for his bill at the pub, and he is about to be arrested for it. This is her response: Vs 1. Gentlemen, my mother labeled onto me once, a nasty word. I would end up in a the show-house (morgue), or in an even worse place. Yes, such a word is easily spoken, But I tell you, out of that will come nothing. You can not do that to me! What will become of me, we will yet see! A person is not an animal (pet). Chorus: Because how you make your bed, so you lie. Nobody tucks you in. And when somebody kicks, then that's me. And when someone gets kicked, then that's you. Vs 2. Gentlemen, a fellow lover said on an occasion, while gazing into my face, "The greatest thing on earth is love, and don't worry about tomorrow" Yes love, that is easily spoken. But as one gets older every day, Love is requested less and less. You must use the short time you are given wisely. A person is not an animal (pet). Chorus: Because how you make your bed, so you lie. Nobody tucks you in. And when somebody kicks, then that's me. And when someone gets kicked, then that's you. I don't feel like 'Maybe This Time' needs an introduction...everyone knows this classic! I Won't Mind by Jeff Blumenkrantz (1965 - ) was written for an unfinished musical, The Other Franklin. This character, after years of desperately wanting a child, and then ultimately miscarrying, has learned that she will never bear a child. She sings this song to her godson (her best friend's baby) in the nursery, while everyone else is in the next room celebrating the christening.
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I am very honored to be a guest soloist this evening at my alma mater, Northwestern University... for quite possibly one of the most difficult and rewarding and vocally acrobatic pieces I think I've ever encountered.
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VIEW ENTIRE PROGRAM HERE |
We were so fortunate to raise $700 for "Newborns in Need" through audience donations.
We also met our minimum artist reimbursement goals,
and were able to put some gifts towards future programming.
SO THANK YOU(!!!!) to our generous sponsors, and our warm, generous audiences. A VERY special thank you to THE SOREL ORGANIZATION, our main sponsor!
The Melodious Mamas plan to continue to provide free family-friendly concert experiences, while raising money for charities.
If you would like more details about our mission and goals with this Inaugural Concert, please view this video.
We still need help meeting our artistic planning goals for future programming. If you would like to give a gift to our cause, please contact me (rachelsparrowstudio@gmail.com).
We are so grateful for your generosity!
Thank you!
The check for Newborns in Need is in the Mail! (and yes, that's what I look like in the morning, 9 months pregnant! hah)
For more info on how to donate directly to Newborns in Need, the local chapter (in Orland Park) website is here: https://sites.google.com/a/newbornsinneed.org/ni/
The National Organization Site is here: https://newbornsinneed.org/donate/
Press - For Immediate Release: Download Here --->
for_immediate_release-_expecting_mamas_concert.pdf | |
File Size: | 496 kb |
File Type: |
Four professional singers, and a pianist...
ALL with 'buns-in-the-oven'
will perform a concert you will NEVER forget.
Saturday Oct 8, 2016 - 3 pm
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
2727 Lake Ave, Wilmette, IL
Sunday Oct 9, 2016 - 6:30 pm
Lutkin Hall on Northwestern University Campus,
700 University Pl, Evanston, IL
(VENUES ARE PICTURED BELOW)
Concerts are free.
Donations are appreciated, and a portion of proceeds will be donated to charity.
Families with kids of all ages are encouraged to attend!
Program length: 80 mins (with a brief intermission, see below for more details)
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CONCEPT
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So...I'm sitting in a Chicago Symphony Chorus rehearsal, among two other pregnant soprano friends, (Nathalie and Ingrid) and it was a no-brainer.
- "We should do a concert together!" I said.
Performers (especially women) go through sometimes insurmountable struggles when trying to juggle their career and a family.
We are attempting to shed light on that issue, in a bold, artistic, sensitive, hilarious, and unprecedented way. Families are so important, and our identities as artists are not lost when we become Mothers, they are enriched.
We will be celebrating Motherhood (of all kinds) singing classical lullabies, playful children songs, art song birth stories, and even some versions of musical theater songs that you should NEVER sing while pregnant.
This program is just as much of an emotional roller coaster as is
a hormonal pregnant woman!
All of us, (even our pianist!) are expecting. One of our mothers-to-be is in the adoption process. Amanda is just awaiting the finalization of all that paperwork. Even though her baby bump is invisible, she is every bit as 'expecting' as the rest of us! Her baby boy is waiting for her in Thailand. MOMS ARE AWESOME!
_________________________________________________
SPONSORS
We are honored to be sponsored by The Sorel Organization,
and in part by The Northwestern University Bienen School of Music.
(Three of the five performers are Bienen School Alumni, Go Cats!)
Additional sponsors:
Evanston Arts Council
Bel Canto Foundation
We are also grateful to The Chicago Musician's Club of Women, for featuring this concert in their private Salon Series. And to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for hosting a free venue.
_______________________________________________
SINGERS
RACHEL SPARROW (7 months along, 1st child)
NATHALIE COLAS, (7 months along, 1st child)
INGRID ISRAEL MIKOLAJCZYK, (5 months along, 1st child)
AMANDA KOOPMAN, (adopting! 1st child)
PIANIST
YOUNG JEE CHO (6 months along, 2nd child)
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PROGRAM
What songs are we performing, you ask?
You may download our extensive program notes here:
expecting_-_concert-_program-w_sponsors.pdf | |
File Size: | 2846 kb |
File Type: |
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1. "There is No Rose of Such Virtue" - Benjamin Britten
(This group number is a beautiful setting of this famous poem about one of the most revered Mothers of all: Mary, and her perfect newborn.)
2. Lullaby: Cancion de cuna para dormir un Negrito - Montsalvatge
3. Tribute to Mothers
"Songs My Mother Taught Me" - Dvorak (timeless, beautiful melody)
"I Won't Mind" - (a tribute to non-traditional/non-biological "Mothers" who are every bit as important to us in every way that a Mother can be!)
"Your Mother and Mine" - from Disney's Peter Pan
"Mama son tanto felice" - A Neopolitan song about how happy our Mother's make us!
4. Lullaby: "Weigenlied" - Richard Strauss
5. Silly Songs for Children
"A route to the sky" -"Euclid" - "The Moon's the North Winds Cooky" - Jake Heggie
"Ba, Be, Bi, Bo, Bu" - "Quelle Aventure" - Poulenc
6. Lullaby: "All the Pretty Little Horses" - Copland
7. "I Want it All" from Baby, the Musical
(group number about wanting to have a career, adventure, love, life, and a family!)
- brief intermission -
8. Songs You Should Never Sing While Pregnant
"I Enjoy Being a Girl" - from Flower Drum Song
"Je suis grise" from La Perichole - Offenbach
I Cain't Say No - from Oklahoma!
9. Lullaby: To Say Before Going to Sleep - Heggie
10. Birth Songs & Stories
"Pregnant" - "From the Start" - "Five Days" - Libby Larsen
"Greeting" - Leonard Bernstein
(Friendly warning: highly emotional content! Bring tissues.)
11. FINALE
Two show-stopper songs that we would NOT
want to spoil for you!
(Spoiler: The Finale may or may not include someone actually acting out 'going into labor'. (Don't worry-It's all safe we have Ob's on site...jk haha!) - Finale also may or may not include a hilarious list of all the things a Mother may actually say to her children while raising them, in a very short amount of time.)
BRING YOUR MOM! AND MOMS, BRING YOUR KIDS! (Dads, you can come too, ;-)
VENUES
Parking is free and plentiful at the LDS Church in Wilmette for the Saturday concert.
And on Sunday, parking is free - in the lot near Lutkin Hall,
just South of University Place, and East of Sherman.
Snapshots of venues below.
LDS Church in Wilmette:
Lutkin Hall on NU Campus:
- Rachel Sparrow
Author
Rachel Sparrow is a professional singer, musician,(violin, piano, ukulele) actor, teacher, arranger, writer, and most importantly: a wife and a mommy of two littles. She loves to help parents make everyday life musical with their kids as well as share backstage stories, and performance experiences here. She earned her Master's degree in Voice Performance from Northwestern University, and also holds two Bachelor's degrees in Voice, and Music Education (certified to teach k-12 vocal & instrumental music) from Idaho State University. She is also a certified Music Together Director (music class for birth-5 yrs). See about Rachel.
"Think Outside Your Box" means 3 things:
1. Be Selfless - think beyond your own "box". (and for singers, there's more to life than your voice box!) You're capable of helping and healing others.
2. Feel Empowered to bust out of the proverbial
"box" made of societally-induced-parameters.
3. Be Bold. Innovate. Stretch yourself. You can do anything if you set your mind to it.
"THINK
OUTSIDE
YOUR
BOX"
#ThinkOutsideYourBox
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