Schedule: Q4 2013

Please note: this schedule is subject to change

October 4 Lorraine Forever

The magnificent American mezzo soprano Lorraine Hunt Lieberson, who died at a young age in 2006, is beloved by classical music industry insiders, but isn’t as well known to the broad public as she ought to be. Philharmonia Baroque’s music director, Nicholas McGegan, joins VoiceBox host Chloe Veltman for a profile of this unforgettable vocalist. 

October 11 Vocal Instrumentalists

Composers are increasingly asking vocal groups to accompany themselves on a variety of instruments. David Lang’s Pulitzer Prize-winning Little Match Girl Passion is a case in point. What about the other way around? Join the members of The Real Vocal Ensemble, a string quartet that specializes in singing while playing, for an exploration of how to combine these two distinct skills to make beautiful music. 

October 18 Songsmiths from Across the Border

The Bay Area boasts performances by a wealth of brilliant singer-songwriters from central and southern America. Join Carlos Disdier and Nairem Morales, the forces behind La Bohemia Productions, a promotion and booking company for Latin vocal talent, for a look at the fizzing local Latino songsmith scene. 

October 25 Women Singing Low

Shakespeare praised women with low voices for good reason. Join the deep-souled songstress Melanie DeMore for a celebration of some of the world’s most wonderful women vocalists who make the space below the alto line firmly their own. 

November 1 Hawaii Song-O

In Hawaiian Hula, singing and dancing going hand in hand. Patrick Makuakane, director of Na Lei Hulu I Ka Wekiu, a hula a hula school and performance company based in San Francisco, for a journey into this ancient artistic tradition.

November 8 School’s Out, Choir’s In

High school choruses are the place where many kids get their musical education. And with TV shows like “Glee” whipping up enthusiasm for group singing among teens, high school choir is finally becoming hip. San Francisco public high school choral program teachers Steven Hankle and Todd Wedge chat about the ins and outs of their jobs.

November 15 We Are Family

Music history and culture is full of famous singing families, from the von Trapps to The Jackson Five. Join singing siblings Jennifer and Laurie Hall of the band Ruby Howl or a discussion about the power of sharing the mike with the people you grew up with.

November 22 One Night Stand

The process of bringing a star recitalist to town for a concert is as thrilling as it is complex. Ruth Felt, the founder and president of the presenting organization San Francisco Performances explores what it takes to keep audiences – and divas – happy.

November 29 Angelic Cherubs?
Vienna isn’t the only place where boys sing like angels. The United States boasts some formidable choruses made up of talented young male singers. Kevin Fox, the founding artistic director of the Pacific Boychoir Academy based in Oakland, chats about the defining characteristics of boys’ voices and the ins and outs of training them en masse.

December 6 Don’t Let Your Ears Deceive You

Believe it or not, ventriloquists used to be a popular fixture on the radio airwaves. Playwright and theatrical impresario Sean Owens, ventriloquist Ron Coulter and Ron’s puppet partner of 60 years, Sid Star, discuss the art, technique and culture of throwing your voice. 

December 13 Medieval Madonnas

The roots of much western music today lie in the haunting sacred vocal music of Medieval Europe. Join Susan Hellauer, a member of the world-renowned a cappella vocal ensemble Anonymous 4, for a journey into the history and technique of chant.

December 20 Walking in a Winter Singalong Land
The holiday season wouldn’t be the same without a trip to the local movie theatre for a Singalong Sound of Music or Singalong West Side Story. Join performer and impresario Laurie Bushman, the host of the famous singalong soirees at San Francisco’s Castro Theatre, for a look at the culture of the singalong and what makes these events so much fun.

December 27 Zen and the Art of Singing
There’s more to the relationship between surfing and singing than Beach Boys songs in praise of surf culture. Join chorus director and surfing enthusiast Bob Geary to find out more about the intimate relationship between riding waves and singing songs.