Singing the World Awake Together

During rehearsals for last month's concert, "Sing the World Awake," members of Conspirare's Artist Citizen Choral Collective--most of whom are choral teachers--invited some of their students to come sing the repertoire side-by-side with them. "The students had such beautiful insights on the music," observed Ann McNair, Conspirare managing director. Students from Austin Community College, Texas State University, Lamar Middle School, and McCallum, Dripping Springs, Westlake and Rouse High Schools were thrilled and grateful to experience their teachers as artists. Such intergenerational connections among singers are one goal of Conspirare's newest choir. A sold-out audience enjoyed the "Sing the World Awake" concert, featuring Sarah Kirkland Snider’s Mass for the Endangered.

Spotlight on Grace Roman, Conspirare's Newest Soloist

Soprano Grace Roman is a professional vocalist, voice teacher, and Associate Director of Music and Fine Arts at St. Luke's UMC in Houston. She will be a soloist in this month's Symphonic Choir concert, "My Heart Be Brave" which features Eternal Light: A Requiem by Howard Goodall. We caught up with her as she prepares for her first solo role with Conspirare.

How do you prepare for a solo like the one in Eternal Light?

A lot of practice! I especially focus on the emotionally heavy or poignant pieces.There are many times I have to stop singing certain movements because I start to cry. I want to convey huge emotional depth while still maintaining good vocal technique and great storytelling.

What would you invite audiences to listen for in Eternal Light and "Bright Mariner," a short work by Goodall on the program?

Howard Goodall has an incredible way of setting text. Listen for how the text of these pieces feels like someone just sat down to tell you a story and it happens to be set to a gorgeous melody.

What would you tell someone new to Conspirare and 21st-century choir music?

Be prepared for a magical evening! Choir music is like nothing else--all these vocalists and their shared collective breath come together to create something entirely new in the moment that will never be repeated in quite the same way again.

What music are you listening to right now?

When I want to unplug and zone out, electronic dance music is my go-to. I've fallen in love with Max Richter's 2013 album Recomposed: Vivaldi where he reimagines "The Four Seasons." On a sad note, my friend composer James Whitbourn recently passed away so I'm listening to his choral music. ("All Shall Be Amen and Alleluia" is one of my favorites.) Amazingly, I've just started listening to Taylor Swift and I'm playing Midnights (2022) nonstop!