December 4, 2003
Suzzallo to host medieval choir performance
The Suzzallo Library Reading Room may not have been designed for music, but the room and medieval music are a match made in heaven. Members of the Medieval Women’s Choir, who sang there last December, unanimously describe the space as “cathedral-like” — a good setting for music that was originally written for the church.
Now the group is returning to Suzzallo, this time for two concerts, on Friday and Saturday, Dec. 12 and 13.
“The Reading Room is a fabulous place to sing,” said Dianne Lattemann, a member of the choir. “We all agreed that last year’s concert there had to be one of the pinnacles of a lifetime of performances.”
Lattemann is one of a number of choir members who work at the University. A research professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, she’s been singing with the choir for eight years.
“I had never sung medieval music before and it’s a fun challenge,” she said.
University Relations writer Joyce Brewster, who likewise had had no experience with medieval music before joining the choir in 1994, has also found it appealing. “It’s almost like time travel,” she said of the music. “It takes you to a different place.”
Choir members say they like the freedom of medieval music, which isn’t as precisely written as music from later periods. The time each note is to be held isn’t necessarily specified, for example, and parts for different vocal ranges may not be mapped out.
Members describe a rehearsal process that emphasizes interaction and experimentation rather than a written score. Choir director Margriet Tindemans, a former School of Music faculty member, is a medieval music expert and likes to gather the group in a circle, trying out different methods of singing passages until she gets the sound she wants. Several members compared the experience to jazz improvisation.
Math senior lecturer Virginia Warfield is so enthusiastic about the music that she’s learning to play the medieval fiddle and will play as well as sing at the concert. She’s one of the choir members who had a head start on the music.
“My interest began when I took a music survey course as an undergraduate at Bryn Mawr,” she said. “I liked the medieval part best, so I went on to take a course in medieval music.”
This year the choir’s concert, titled Now Make We Joy, will focus on Christmas music from medieval England and Scandinavia. That means they’ll sing in Middle English and Latin, another challenge.
Classics Professor Ruby Blondell is one choir member who has an advantage there. Raised a Catholic who sang Latin plainchant, she’s been studying Latin since age 12. “It’s great to be in an environment where Latin is appreciated,” she said.
However, under Tindemans’ direction, this isn’t just Latin. There are various forms, depending on where the piece originated. Latin as sung by Danes would be different from Latin sung by Germans, for example.
“It’s a challenge but not so daunting that you can’t rise to the moment,” Lattemann said.
Tickets are $15, $10 for students and seniors, and are available by calling 206-527-2667. The concerts will be at 8 p.m.
