The Greater Boston Intergenerational Chorus
Directed by Joanne Hammil
Piano accompanist Martha Leader
First Parish Church, 35 Church Street
Watertown, MA
May 22, 2016
Late afternoon sunlight filters through the windows of the worship/meeting hall of the First Parish Church in Watertown, MA. Five red oak risers lead up to a proscenium stage at one end of the airy rectangular space. An impressively large grand piano, its lid tilted open, sits on the top tier of the stage.
By 3:55 PM, the 150 comfortable chairs arranged auditorium style are occupied and an SRO crowd has begun finding good vantage points. Whatever’s going to happen here has created quite a buzz.
At 4:03 PM, seventy-five members of the Greater Boston Intergenerational Chorus file into the room and squeeze themselves onto every inch of the risers and stage. Generous applause rings out. Arms pop up like jack in the boxes as friends in the audience wave to the singers who grin and wave right back.
I’d been invited by a neighbor, had no idea what to expect, but the sense of excitement and anticipation is contagious. I settle in for the ride.
“We are about to bring you an eclectic repertoire this afternoon,” chorus director Joanne Hammil announces. Boy oh boy, did they ever.
The pianist trills a brief introduction and the full vocal range of the Greater Boston Intergenerational Chorus cuts through the still air with a joyous upbeat rendition of “Michael Rowed That Gospel Boat.”
“I modified the original spiritual, originally a work song sung by slaves as they rowed from St. Helena Island to mainland South Carolina after day labor,” Hammil says. This version has a lot more zip than the leisurely gather ‘round the campfire kumbaya version I learned in college.
The afternoon’s program is filled with songs from Hebrew liturgy, the American Songbook, pop music, a Ghanaian folk song based on an Arabic spiritual, a Xhosa chant sung alternately in Xhosa and English, a goofy parody of “My Way’, and a medley of Oldies that a bunch of the elder members of the audience know by heart.
Based on Hammil’s selections, the chorus could be re-named The Greater Boston Intergenerational Intercontinental Interfaith Goodtime Chorus.
Every song features soloists, alone, in pairs or trios. The group will not be confused with the Tanglewood Festival Chorus in artistic ability but bow to no chorus in enthusiasm and the joy of performing as a unit. This is where the allure of the chorus stands out.
By the time they cruise into “Piano Man” and “Salaam Alaikum” in the middle of the program, I realize that having perfect pitch is not a defining requirement but singing with heart certainly is.
Billy Joel’s “Piano Man,” rearranged by Hamill is a hoot. The chorus by now is in full showcase mode, with the mic being passed to eight soloists from twenty something to sixty something, who sing their parts with gusto.
Hammil takes a moment to describe the chorus while the singers behind her catch their breaths.
“We are open to ages from 10 to 110 and we have a blast together. We meet once a week for an hour and a half, Tuesday nights between 6:30 PM and 8 PM. we usually have twelve to fifteen teenagers, and today we have two.”
“Salaam Alaikum” is a Ghanaian folk song and Arabic spiritual, calm and reflective. As I listen, it feels like the chorus has filled a helium balloon with all the troubling news we read about in the daily news and let go of the string.
A wheelchair-bound woman has just taken a solo. “I have cerebral palsy,” she replies when I ask after the concert. “I’ve been singing with the chorus for two or three years. We practice once a week and I love the friendship in the group. You should try it!”
By the time the chorus has finished Mozart’s “The List.” I'll bet there are many who have been listening to these troubadours and saying "Geez, I could do that," not necessarily because they’re good at it but because they love music and this group would accept them as long as they keep showing up for rehearsals. This is the antithesis of programs like "The Voice." Everyone here has already won.
"Siyahamba" is an African chant song in alternate verses between English and Xhosa. Loosely translated as “We are walking in the light of hope” it is sung by villagers walked long distances to Sunday services. Spirited and energetic, it has the vigor of a South African spiritual grounded in living with a sense of purpose. Get a sense of the song’s fervent energy sung by a group of school children Hammil directs, check here.
The chorus has pulled out all the stops, is jamming and clearly walking in their own light of hope. We are bathed in its warmth.
I’m listening to men and women who could be our mail deliverers, bankers, electricians, hair stylists, teachers, and a few young ones who could be our babysitters. Their collective paths would never have crossed if they had not taken a chance on joining the chorus.
Hamill has concocted the perfect conclusion to an afternoon of songs of peace, love, and understanding. She shifts the chorus into overdrive with with a medley of oldies by The Mommas and The Poppas, the Five Satins, and Danny and the Juniors. By now, many in the audience are singing along to the verses of “I’ve Got You Babe,” “In The Still of the Night,” and “At The Hop.” Heck, lots of them were youngsters when these songs hit the charts.
Hammil's infectious energy, let alone creativity, is completely absorbed by this chorus. A nationally renowned music educator, performer, songwriter and choral director, her love in the power of music to energize, uplift, and heal is reflected in the faces of this disparate group of singers.
As the last lyrics float to the rafters, the chorus steps off the stage and forms a circle around the audience that feels like a wrap-around hug. Everyone is standing. The Boston Intergenerational Chorus is the embodiment of Hammil’s ideals and they’ve just rubbed off on all of us.
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SET LIST
“Michael Rowed That Gospel Boat” based on a traditional spiritual, new music by Greg Gilpin (modified by Joanne Hammil)
Uplifting spiritual
“Sim Shalom” text Hebrew liturgy, music by Linda Hirschhorn
A down-shift in tone and tempo this piece from Hebrew liturgy, asks to be granted peace, love, and blessings. Three solos by women whose voices reflect the commitment each and all have to the power of music.
“3 Way Canon Blues” words and music by Henry Brant
An up-tempo swing number that puts a charge in the entire ensemble, soloists one at a time then the entire chorus sings it as a round, Hammil puts some extra shoulders to hips body English as she directs and the chorus follows suit with heads and shoulders bobbing and weaving.
“Hills of Grass” words and music by Carolyn McDade, arranged by John Plantinitis
With a sumptuous introduction by piano accompanist Martha Leader, a song celebrating the life giving force of the earth.
“Piano Man” words and music by Billy Joel, arranged by Joanne Hammil
“Salaam Alaikum” Ghanaian folk song and Arabic spiritual, arranged by JS Kofi Gbolonyo
“Daily List” music by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (“O du eselhafter Martin”) new words by Joanne Hammil
“How Could Anyone Ever Tell You” words and music by Libby Roderick, arranged by Peter Amidon
The song features solos, trios, and the entire chorus in three-part harmony, the connective power of love.
“Siyahambra” composer unknown, South African Xhosa language
Loosely translated, “We are walking in the light of hope,” sung as villagers walked long distances to Sunday services., Spirited energetic song with the vigor of a South African spiritual.
“Their Way” ( A parody of “My Way”) original music and words by Jacques Revaux, Gilles Thibaur, Claude Francois ; English lyrics of “My Way” by Paul Anka; parody lyrics of “Their Way” by Bob Blue; choral arrangement by Joanne Hammil, very amusing.
“This Moment (is really all that anyone has, this moment, it's not about the future or the past, it's just this moment, you give your soul a gift )” words and music by Joanne Hammil, a brief reflective piece extolling the Zen moment, it feels like we're all in the moment together.
“Oldies Medley” arranged by Joanne Hammil
“You Baby” by P.F. Sloan and Steve Barri
“In The Still of the Night” originally sung by the Five Satins, words by Fred Parris
“At the Hop” originally sung by Danny and the Juniors, words by Arthur Singer, John Medora, Davi White
Sung with panache, the audience singing along, a feel-good upbeat way to satisfy all and a calling card for possible recruits to see how damn much fun it is to sing in this group.
According to the Boston Choral Consortium, there are eighty choral groups in the greater Boston area. If you’ve got a hankering to sing, there’s one in this list that will be perfect for you.
Photos by Paul A. Tamburello, Jr.
Wow, that's great, Paul! I will send it to our chorus list-serve. You did a great job capturing the feel of the chorus, on your first try!
Posted by: Sarah Bansen | June 07, 2016 at 02:43 PM
Sarah, thanks for sharing this piece about choir. It made my heart sing to hear how much it moved people. Lovely piece. Great testament to Joanne, Martha and all who bring this music forth with such joy and love.
Posted by: Karen S | June 07, 2016 at 08:19 PM
What a delightful blog post to read!! Of course I love all of your lovely words and appreciation for each song as well as for the ‘feel’ and goals of my work with this unique chorus! Thank you ever so much for expressing your view and enjoyment of our concert, for your very captivating and well-worded writing, and for posting it!! You really ‘got’ what we're all about and that makes me feel great :-))). Joanne
Posted by: Joanne Hammil | June 09, 2016 at 12:14 AM
gorgeous review of gorgeous group... could you let us know before they perform next time...
Posted by: Bambi Good | June 10, 2016 at 10:28 AM
hi Paul—
Thanks for asking.
Fall semester begins Tues Sept 6th and ends with 2 concerts: Tues Jan 17th at 7:00pm and Sat Jan 21st at 4:00pm.
Spring semester begins Tues Jan 31st and ends with 2 concerts: Sun May 21st at 4:00pm and Tues May 23rd at 7:00pm.
For information about joining GBIC, people can either contact me at [email protected] or our Membership Chair Cindy at [email protected]
Best,
Joanne
Posted by: Joanne Hammil | June 10, 2016 at 10:30 AM