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How can you accelerate the speed, accuracy, and quality of learning songs for performance situations?

On this blog I share my 'learning adventures' as I continue to improve my performance as a singer.

I share web resources I find helpful, and reflect on my experience using various technologies and ideas.

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

REVIEW: A century of song from Yale University Whiffenpoofs in Auckland

Click on the image to view a high-resolution image.

The Yale Whiffenpoofs sang to the delight of an animated audience of sixty people at the stunning location of the Tamaki Yacht Club in Auckland on Sunday afternoon.

The world's oldest collegiate a capella songsters presented a variety of songs presented with their own distinctive arrangements - both musical and choreographic - as one might expect from a group including several budding composers and musicians, a robotics scientist, an economist, and a philosopher who when he grows up just wants 'to be'. Folk favorites such as 'Down by the Salley Gardens' joined contemporary arrangements of 'A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square', the distinctly collegiate 'Daddy is a Yale Man' and the penultimate finale of 'The Whiffenpoof Song'.

Every year, fourteen senior men are selected to be in the Yale Whiffenpoofs. Commencing rehearsal in August, the current Whiffs have toured through America and Latin America prior to commencing their world tour. Remarkably, each year's Whiffs are a completly new group of men, some of whom have observed and rehearsed with the previous year's Whiffs. The current 14-week world tour, commencing in New Zealand, takes in Australia, Malaysia, India, Europe, and Israel. Their tour blog can be viewed at: whiffenpooftour2009.blogspot.com

At Yale Commencement 2009, the Whiffenpoofs released their newest album, CENTURY, commemorating 100 years of the group's storied history. Produced and engineered by multi Grammy Award winners Steve Barnett and Preston Smith, CENTURY is a special tribute to the group's Centennial Year. The album includes a repertoire that spans the full one hundred years. The album may be purchased through: www.yale.edu/whiffenpoofs/cds/

The ‘Whiffs’ in New Zealand
The Whiffenpoofs have visited New Zealand on several occasions, presenting in Auckland as guests of the Northern Club. This is their first performance with the American Club in Auckland.

The concert entrance fees contributed to the costs of the event, a donation towards the Yale Whiffenpoofs’ world tour, and to to the American Club Inc. (NZ) Friendship Award.

More photos of the Whiffenpoofs Auckland concert for the American Club are here: http://homepage.mac.com/petermellalieu/Whiffenpoofs/index.html

The American Club Inc (Auckland)
The American Club was established in Auckland in 1966 to provide a social venue for persons sharing an interest in American culture, history, and sport.
The club holds regular monthly meetings, including activities and events that mark Memorial Day, Independence Day, Halloween, Thanksgiving, as well as local activities and sporting occasions.

Through its 'Friendship Award' program it seeks to support friendship and understanding between the peoples of the United States and New Zealand. The Award is a scholarship offered yearly to a New Zealand student planning to complete studies in a United States university.

The Whiffenpoofs were interviewed on Breakfast Television (8 June, 2009) by Paul Henry here: http://tvnz.co.nz/breakfast-news/whiffenpoofs-perform-8-36-2772062/video

Contact
whiffenpoofs@yale.edu
www.whiffenpoofs.com

American Club:
www.americanclub.org.nz
americanclub@xtra.co.nz

Phone: +64 (9) 336 1666
Postal: PO Box 589, Auckland

President: Kim Daly (Photo right)
Phone: +64 (9) 336 1666

Membership: Beth Coleman (Photo left)
Phone: +64 (21) 325 461

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