Boston Globe: Tanglewood chorus director Oliver to step down.
I auditioned for the Tanglewood Festival Chorus almost ten years ago. In that audition, I showed my lack of symphony and opera experience by singing a work by Landini — a good audition piece for an early music ensemble, woefully out of place for a symphony chorus. But John Oliver took a risk on what he heard and invited me to join the chorus. And he let me continue to participate through travel, at least one blown reaudition, and the appearance in the chorus of many other more qualified singers.
In the process, he has taught me a great deal as a singer, including:
- Sing with the whole body as an instrument. Be aware of the resonant space in your head, the position of your body, the depth of your breath.
- Language matters deeply. Articulating precisely conveys not just words but meaning.
- Memorization allows you to inhabit the music deeply and fully — and sometimes builds electricity in the performance via sheer terror.
- Connect with the conductor and the audience.
- Be committed completely. Don’t settle for less, in yourself or others.
- There isn’t one “correct” interpretation of a musical work. Be open to what others bring to it.
There is much to be said for John’s tenure as founder and director of the TFC, and I’ll write it someday. For today, I’ll just note my gratitude for this acerbic, demanding, opinionated… and secretly generous man, and for what he taught me as a singer.