Join in the Big Sing at Blanton Museum of Art

Have you ever been caught singing in public, in your car, in the grocery store, at work? Now’s your chance to belt out melodies in participation with the Austin community, at Big Sing – where the audience is the choir!

Grammy-nominated Conspirare will be hosting this season’s first Big Sing event on Thursday, October 17, 2013 at 6:30 PM. The free event will take place at The Blanton Museum of Art, located at 200 E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.

Emphasizing the current installment of artwork on display at The Blanton, this edition of the beloved and free Big Sing event invites Austin locals to participate in the singing of songs from the German Renaissance era, featuring Hans Leo Hassler, Johann Walter, and Martin Luther.

There will also be popular music featured from other times and places. In the past, Big Sings have included familiar rounds, spirituals, Beatles songs, the Hallelujah Chorus from Handel’s Messiah, and popular 20th century standards from the Great American Songbook.

Joining forces to kick off the fall edition of Big Sing, Artistic Director Craig Hella Johnson, Texas State Musician for 2013, will lead a micro-performance given by the Conspirare Symphonic Choir. The short concert will be followed by an hour-long opportunity for the community to sing together with the choir.

The word conspirare comes from a Latin word which means “to breathe together,” and that is precisely what is encouraged at Big Sing. In true representation of diversity and community in Austin, the Conspirare Symphonic Choir will lead the “building of community, by forming a circle between audience and performer,” describes Conspirare’s website.

What to Expect at Big Sing

• Inaugural Blanton community event
• Conspirare Symphonic Choir members provide musical support
• Music in conjunction with the museum’s exhibit Imperial Augsburg: Renaissance Prints and Drawings, 1475–1540
• Vocal warm-ups and songs, which can be easily learned. Song sheets provided.
• FREE admission, no reservation needed
• Big Sing is open to the entire public, no training or experience necessary.

Melissa J. Eddy, Publications & Grants Manager for Conspirare, told me, “The goal is to provide an opportunity for anyone to experience the joy and sense of community in singing together and making beautiful music, regardless of musical experience and of ability to pay.”

This event is meant to be fun and enjoyable, where everyone can be exposed to beautiful music. Visitors will have the opportunity to learn the basics of vocal technique from chorale experts, in a no-pressure environment.

Directions and parking information can be found on The Blanton’s website.

The Big Sing is supported by the Rachael & Ben Vaughan Foundation, City of Austin Cultural Arts Division, and Texas Commission on the Arts.

 

@CrisMueller asks:

How do you feel about this free event being open to the Austin public?