Bach Choir to explore music's strength with 'power sing'

Brady Allred considered the might of music in a different way than might be expected when he added a 'power sing' to upcoming concerts.

'The message of this concert is very timely, too,' says Allred, artistic director of the Bach Choir of Pittsburgh, referring to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. 'The texts deal with the power of music and how we can turn to it for inspiration and healing.'

A 'power sing' would appear to fit well into the concerts that open Friday and are called 'Cantus in Harmonia.' But the sing also is part of another task of Allred's that is represented in the program in several ways.

He says when he began putting the concert together early this year, he began looking at the strength music has spiritually and emotionally. That led to the use of works such as Benjamin Britten's 'Hymn to St. Cecilia,' the patron saint of music, and Ralph Vaughan Williams' 'Serenade to Music.'

But then he had success with his initial Summer Choral Institute this year. Another way to celebrate music came to mind: Use participants of those workshops to sing with the choir.

As a result, 12 of them will sing with the ensemble in Mack Wilberg's 'Cantus in Harmonia' and Norman Dello Joio's 'Jubilant Song.'

Then another way of celebrating music came to mind, he says. He decided to borrow the 'power sing' idea advanced by Nick Page, who directs choral workshops all over North America and has written vocally oriented musicals and books.

Allred once attended a convention of choral directors in which Page had led them in a 'power sing,' and he says he liked the results.

'He wants to show people what power they have,' Allred says. 'They can do this because, in a way, he has given them permission to sing. And the other element to the power is the connection these people can make singing with someone they don't even know.'

That makes it analogous, he says, to the aggressive exercise style known as 'power walking,' which lifts taking a stroll to a more energetic level.

Allred says Page uses many familiar songs in his 'power sings' as well as material from other cultures. He adds he will do the same, although he will concentrate on better-known folk, sacred and patriotic tunes.

That portion in the second half of the concert will be surrounded by songs Allred says are appropriate: Vaughan Williams' 'Let All the World in Every Corner Sing' and the folk song 'How Can I Keep From Singing?'

He says some of Page's 'power sings' have run several hours, but he is trying to keep this one to 15 minutes.

'There could be some grumbling by people saying 'I didn't come here to sing,' '' he says. 'We're going to have to win them over.'

Bob Karlovits can be reached at (412) 320-7852 or bkarlovits@tribweb.com .