Everybody loves a singalong. There are formal singalongs of choral masterworks in concert halls and there are informal singalongs of folk songs around the campfire, but few have participated in a “Carmina Burana” singalong, a veritable meeting of the sacred and the profane.
J. Reilly Lewis, music director of the Cathedral Choral Society, readily concedes that this may be a totally wacky concept and not the first composition that comes to mind under such circumstances, but he is thrilled that singers of every ability are among the Carl Orff fans signing up for Sunday’s blockbuster gathering in the Washington National Cathedral. Their response reflects the legions throughout the Washington area who clamor to hear the work wherever and whenever it is performed and cannot wait to satisfy their curiosity about this extraordinary format and exhibit their vocal prowess at the same time.
Joining the chorus — everyone assembled who can chirp a note — are popular tenor Robert Baker and soprano and baritone soloists from the Washington National Opera Domingo-Cafritz Young Artist Program, representing the partnership between the CCS and WNO. Scott Dettra and Todd Fickley will do the honors at two pianos, sharing the accompaniment with the essential percussionists.
If you go
Cathedral Sings!
Where: Washington National Cathedral
When: 5:30 p.m. Sunday
Info: $10, includes score rental; 202-537-5510; [email protected]; cathedralchoralsociety.org
“Never a season goes by in Washington that some group doesn’t perform ‘Carmina Burana,’ ” Lewis said. “It’s become a cash cow in most communities. I’ve conducted it with the Washington Ballet in keeping with Orff’s original intention that it be performed as a ballet, but I’ve never known it to be presented as a singalong, a concept I’ve always loved. Cathedral Choral Society got its start in 1941 when people responded to a small insert in the paper asking, ‘Can You Sing?’ From that informal gathering, it grew to today’s large choir with 12 professional singers.” Because a considerable turnout is expected, the singalong will be held in the cathedral nave. Along with the joy of being part of a major production, the participants may enter a chance to win two tickets to the Choral Society opening concert of the 2010-11 season, “French Connection.”
“I’m all in favor of anything French, including French food,” Reilly said. “In a great space like the Washington National Cathedral, French music comes to life. The ‘connection’ in this case is our close relationship with the Belgian Embassy and the works by both Belgian and French composers featured in the concert.”
But that is for another day. Now the focus is on the “Carmina Burana” singalong. The score, unlike works most people have sung in high school, college and beyond, is rarely found in the average household music cabinet. Not to worry. Lewis has arranged for scores to be available at the door for all arrivals. Before the show gets under way, he may orient newcomers with a brief, low-key guide to tricky passages and a few nontechnical explanations, but his downbeat signals that every hesitant singer has been transformed into a valuable chorus member.
