A Choral Life Q&A with David King Compiled and edited by MJ Buell http://www.thewholenote.com/wholenote/index.html What was your first-ever choral experience? My mother and father were school teachers and musicians so all seven children sang and played an instrument to keep out of trouble! My triplet brother, sister and I, the youngest of ‘The King Family’, sang trios in the Kiwanis Music Festival in Niagara Falls and in the children, youth and adult choirs of Stamford United Church under the direction of Mrs. Marg Slinn. Throughout her 50 years as music director and organist she has helped nurture the careers of many musicians including baritone Brett Polegato and soprano Deborah Joy. What choirs have you sung with? I sang in various church and community choirs in Niagara Falls, London, Guelph and Toronto and in the University of Western Ontario Choir which I later conducted. While studying for my Bachelors of Music and Education (at UWO), I performed in opera and operetta choruses, and had the privilege of singing in the Faculty of Music Singers under professor Deral Johnson. Are you currently singing with a choir? I have been a member of the Elmer Iseler Singers for over 25 years. After graduating from the University of Western Ontario, where I received the Don Wright Choral Scholarship, I went into teaching, directed and performed in musicals and sang in the Guelph Chamber Choir under Gerald Neufeld. Then I moved to Toronto to sing with the Elmer Iseler Singers, Canada’s leading chamber choir and, at that time, professional core of the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir. I was also Choral Music Manager at various Toronto music stores and a lead and soloist in several church choirs. Singing in the TMC enabled me to work under many excellent conductors, experience great choral and orchestral music, and, more importantly, meet a beautiful soprano who later became my wife! We had actually sung together while in university in a performance of Handel’s Messiah at St. George’s Anglican Church! Comment on the differences between paid and unpaid choral opportunities. The best professional and amateur choral singers are passionate about singing in choirs. They can’t wait to get the music off the page and join with the conductor, if there is one, and each other, in great music-making. The major difference is that the paid singers often have more training and experience that can support the amateur. Where does your choral singing fit into other aspects of your life? Like many self-employed professional musicians, I juggle my conducting, teaching and singing to find time for family, friends and myself. The responsibilities of founder, conductor and artistic director of All The King’s Voices give me great joy but, like most volunteer arts organizations, take an amazing investment of my time, energy and management. What kind of concerts to you like to attend? How often? I like solo vocal, choral, instrumental and various combinations of these. As Music Director at Willowdale United Church, I have thoroughly appreciated hosting and performing in many fabulous Mooredale Concerts for the past 14 years. I also enjoy taking in an occasional community concert, musical, opera, operetta and ballet when I can. Going to workshops and symposiums is also a great way to hear new groups and music. I am very inspired when I attend and/or participate as a singer or clinician in school concerts, especially when my two sons are playing, singing or conducting! What qualities make you admire a choral conductor? It is important to know the music. A choral director who understands the voice knows how to get the best out of singers with efficient, effective and enjoyable rehearsals. The late Dr. Elmer Iseler was always inspiring - Walter Pitman has just finished a book about him. I also think a choral conductor should continue to be open to new musical ideas by listening to music and reading about the art and history of music making. Conductors, as visionaries, need to be aware of the changing times and prepare for the musical road ahead. David King’s next upcoming engagement: preparing All The King’s Voices 15th Anniversary Season. Walter Pitman’s new book Elmer Iseler: Choral Visionary is slated for a June ’08 release (Dundurn Press). |
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