Viking Today ... First Round of Competition

As much of the world is excited about the Summer Olympics in Beijing, we in the music world are paying attention to the World Choir Games in Graz, Austria. The boys had a rehearsal yesterday in preparation for today's first round of competition.

Today the boys are competing in category 1, which is the Children's Choirs. Our Viking Choir is the only boys' choir from the US competing and one of only eight choirs competing in the games from the US. They will sing for a maximum of 20 minutes before 5 judges.

Francis had to submit which songs the boys would be performing months ago. He had to submit before he really knew which songs would be a strength for the choir, and instead had to try to figure out which songs the boys might excel at. The website shows the restrictions on the music the choir sings...

" 1. one piece by a composer from the country, language area or cultural environment of the participating choir
2. one piece by a composer who does not come from the country or language area or cultural environment of the participating choir (see also chapter Competition Rules)
3. one piece by a composer who is alive at the time of application
4. one piece of the choir’s own choice "

Today the boys will be performing (or by now have performed) "All Ye Who Music Love," "Ein Jager Langs Dem Weiher Ging" (this is the German folk song about the hunter that sounds like louf yager, louf yager), "Shenandoah," and "Waltzing Matilda." The songs are listed as they are matched for the requriements 1 through 4.

I'm sure we are all anxiously awaiting word from Roger on how the boys are doing. Hopefully they are getting some rest and enjoying being around so many other musicians.

I think it's so wonderful that the boys are in a little bubble of music-lovers right now. There are thousands of musicians through the many choirs and I imagine there is an electric buzz in the air. I love the idea that the boys are getting to appreciate the sounds of other choirs and that they are being appreciated by other choirs that understand the dedication of effort and time that is required to sound as excellent as they do.

Plus all the concert go-ers in the area right now...because really, it's got to be a zoo in Graz right now so I imagine the only people there are there to adore the choirs. I hope they can soak it all in.