The repertory of the retreat will be "Propers of the Mass from Dufay to Byrd"
Mass propers are the pieces that pertain only to a particular day, usually once a year, and so a repertory that includes all the propers is very extensive. Only a few composers have provided very extensive collections of such pieces, but there are some very distinguished examples. Dufay provided a compete Mass, ordinary and proper, for the Feast of St. James, some very exciting pieces. He also composed numerous settings for the court situation of his employ. Heinrich Isaac composer perhaps the most extensive collection, the Choralis Constantinus, for the court of Emperor Maximilian (several hundred pieces). William Byrd composed sets for twelve major feast days, plus some votive Masses. Other composers wrote sets of one particular type of proper, such as the offertories for the penitential seasons of Orlando di Lasso; and many composed occasional pieces, which set the prescribed piece for a particular day, such as those of Jacob Handl. Often these pieces pertain to very particular themes of a feast day and are given vivid settings.
Our Schedule
We meet Saturday morning March 28 in the Albany Senior Center at 846 Masonic. Please arrive between 9:00 and 9:15 a.m. to check in. Find your place and be ready to warm up and then start singing promptly at 9:30. Parking may be difficult nearby, so plan accordingly.
In addition to frequent visits to our loaded snack table (both days), we take plenty of breaks during which we rest our voices and are treated to our internationally known conductor’s vast knowledge about the background of the music we are singing. Professor Mahrt’s approach is both easy going and demanding which makes for a stimulating and rewarding weekend for all. Besides, we are famous for our enjoyment of these sessions. Our Saturday afternoon session ends with a sherry tasting happy hour at 5:00.
In addition to frequent visits to our loaded snack table (both days), we take plenty of breaks during which we rest our voices and are treated to our internationally known conductor’s vast knowledge about the background of the music we are singing. Professor Mahrt’s approach is both easy going and demanding which makes for a stimulating and rewarding weekend for all. Besides, we are famous for our enjoyment of these sessions. Our Saturday afternoon session ends with a sherry tasting happy hour at 5:00.
Sunday Rehearsal and Concert, TBA
Cornell Elementary School 920 Talbot Ave (.2 mile from the Senior Center – down Solano Ave & left on Talbot) Albany, CA
Sunday’s 4pm performance will also be at Cornell Elementary School, and is a necessary part of the workshop. It is not possible to come for only one day.
We complete the workshop with a public performance on Sunday at 4 pm. Please invite family and friends.
A donation will be requested to benefit the San Francisco Early Music Society of which the Singers’ Retreat is an Affiliate. The SFEMS enables us to do two sessions per year through the Affiliate program which provides the insurance needed to perform in a public place.
For Registration Form and more information, click here.
A donation will be requested to benefit the San Francisco Early Music Society of which the Singers’ Retreat is an Affiliate. The SFEMS enables us to do two sessions per year through the Affiliate program which provides the insurance needed to perform in a public place.
For Registration Form and more information, click here.
