Quarter-millionth Reader, Doctoral Comps, & Big Events

I have been away for awhile and I am excited to be back writing my blog.  Don't worry, I was doing something somewhat worthwhile - completing my testing for my Doctorate!  And now is my time to catch everyone up on what I've been up to.

First, I have to announce a solo recital of mine:

December 5, 2012 - 7:30 PM Grant Recital Hall - UMKC

Bryan Pinkall's Doctoral Solo Recital

Natalia Rivera, piano and Kelley Tracz, oboe

On this Island by Britten

Ten Blake Songs by Vaughan Williams

Four Dickinson Songs by Hoiby 

Other things that I'm looking out for:

1. Grammy Nominee Announcement Dec. 5 - The Kansas City Chorale has been nominated and has won several Grammy's before...fingers crossed!
2. Opera "How the Camel Got Its Hump" World-Premiere - look for announcement on this very soon, but it will be a children's opera here in Kansas City based on the Rudyard Kipling story
3. Possible trip to Miami...
4. Graduate and get a decent job that's worthy of the time and work I put into things!!

To explain my Doctoral Comprehensive Exams, I need you to imagine as if you were required to conduct ten operas over one month.  If that's not the most obscure part, you also won't find out what the operas are until opening night.  Whether you have studied music or not, you would first need to figure out some method of frantically waving your arms so you don't look completely incompetent.  And of course, you would try to study every possible opera that you could in case you were given one of them.  Essentially, it is an impossible task to prepare for.  In a way, however much less dramatic, my exams were like this.

I had ten tests over one month: 

1. two essays on German Lieder that I had the entire month to complete
2. a listening exam that played 9 random pieces of recorded music spanning the entirety of music history (they were not incredibly famous pieces either) - I had to give the composer, genre, and year that it was composed; I was scared of this test the most! - 3 hours to complete
3. a theory exam comparing two pieces of music (again from any point in music history) that I was given at the time of the exam - 3 hours to complete
4. a theory/history exam lasting an entire weekend from 9 AM on Friday - 9 AM on Monday in which I was required to write a scholarly essay on a random subject that I received at the time of the tests
5. three essays over composers - 2 hours to complete
6. two more essays over composers - 2 hours to complete
7. two essays on my profession in the modern world - 2 hours to complete
8. create a four-year study/performance plan for a hypothetical student - in-studio project
9. an IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) and translation test covering French, German, Italian, and English arias - 2 hours to complete
10. two essays concerning specific performance practices - 4 hours to complete

As you can see, it's a lot, but it was nice that they were timed, or else I could have spent an eternity on some of the topics.  In the meantime I also did many other things. I performed several concerts with the Kansas City Chorale, which in my unbiased opinion is absolutely beautiful!  I performed as a soloist in Beethoven's Mass in C with the Village Orchestra, and I was a soloist in a Bach's "Wachet auf" Cantata with the Conservatory.  I also performed at an incredible gala event at the Kauffman Center featuring many sensational performers - it actually was one of the highest quality concerts that I have ever been a part of.  I was able to work with Pulitzer Prize-winner John Corigliano.  Yesterday, I finished a great concert series with the Te Deum Chamber Ensemble, one of the several choirs that I have been a part of.

And that's not even the end of it!  I completely was consumed with my company the Kansas City Vocal Institute, the election, college football, the MLB playoffs, and soccer.  For all those who think that is too much, you're right.  Fortunately, my wife has been a great help and certainly deserved less crankiness on my part, but Hanukkah, Christmas, her birthday, and New Year's are all coming up - plenty of presents await!

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That leads me to another very important topic - every year I advertise the Best Operatic Holiday Gifts, so look out next Monday for my list!

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Sometime on Wednesday, November 14, 2012, Bryan Pinkall's World of Opera will record its 250,000th reader!  I began this blog to record my journey into a music career.  I have written about the struggles and successes in finding a school to study opera, auditioning for opera companies, learning many opera roles, and the many other music related things that I have participated in.  I cannot believe the constant emails from readers, the occasional perks of touting my favorite things and groups, and I unfortunately I still receive hate mail from Susan Boyle fans, but I am thankful for you too!  Thank you to everyone who reads this - you have given me your time and support, grazie mille!!!!!

Performance Schedule

My performance schedule for this year is always fluctuating.  Now, when you come to my blog, you can just click on the link in the black bar above to check out what concerts I have coming up!  As always, I will be singing at Village Presbyterian Church every Sunday morning - but this would be a very long post if I included all of that!

Behold...

Saturday, January 26

Horse, "How the Camel Got His Hump" opera
WORLD PREMIERE
White Recital Hall, KC, MO
10:00am - $10

Sunday, February 10

55th Annual Grammy Awards
Los Angeles Convention Center and Staples Center
Los Angeles, CA
7:00pm CT - CBS

KC Chorale nominated for "Best Choral Performance" and "Best Engineered Album, Classical"

Sunday, February 24

Conservatory Choir Concert
White Recital Hall, KC, MO
7:30pm - Ticket info not available

Monday, February 25

Kansas City Chorale and The Concordia Choir
Village Presbyterian Church, Prairie Village, KS
7:30pm - $10-$25
CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS

Saturday, March 2

Conservatory Choirs
A Celebration of Peace
Community of Christ Temple
Independence, MO
FREE

Saturday, March 9

Rock of Ages
Kansas City Chorale
St. Michael the Archangel, Leawood, KS
7:30pm - Price $30 (student $10) 
CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS

Sunday, March 10

Rock of Ages
Kansas City Chorale
Visitation Church, KC, MO
2pm - Price $30 (student $10)
CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS

Tuesday, March 12

Rock of Ages
Kansas City Chorale
Asbury Methodist, Prairie Village, KS
7:30 - Price $30 (student $10) 
CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS

Sunday, March 17

Rock of Ages
Kansas City Chorale
Liberty United Methodist, Liberty, MO
7:30 - Price $30 (student $10) 
CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS

Saturday, April 6

Rock of Ages
Kansas City Chorale
Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis, St. Louis, MO
Ticket info to come...

Sunday, April 14
Evangelist, St. John Passion - J.S. Bach

with UMKC Conservatory Singers
Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral, KC, MO
7:30pm - FREE

Sunday, April 28
Soloist, B Minor Mass - J.S. Bach

Helzberg Hall, Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, KC, MO
7pm - FREE
CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS

Monday, May 6

Beethoven Symphony No. 9
UMKC Conservatory of Music and Dance
Helzberg Hall, Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, KC, MO
 7:30pm - Price $31 
CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS

Saturday, May 18

Conservatory Commencement
Helzberg Hall, Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, KC, MO
10am - FREE
CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS

Friday, May 24

The Chorale at the Kauffman: the Durufle "Requiem"
Kansas City Chorale (with great friend, Jan Kraybill) Helzberg Hall, Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, KC, MO
8pm - Price $46 
CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS

PREVIOUS CONCERTS

Sunday, October 7

Northern Lights
Kansas City Chorale
Redemptorist Church, KC, MO
2pm - Price $30 ($10 student) CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE TICKETS

Sunday, October 7

CANTATE!
UMKC Conservatory Singers
White Recital Hall, KC, MO
5pm - Not Open to the Public

Tuesday, October 9

Northern Lights
Kansas City Chorale
Asbury Methodist Church, Prairie Village, KS
7:30pm - Price $30 ($10 student) CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE TICKETS

Sunday, October 14

UMKC Conservatory Singers Concert
Village Presbyterian Church, Prairie Village, KS
3pm - FREE

Sunday, October 28 - Soloist, Mass in C - Beethoven

Beethoven in the Village
Village Orchestra, Village Choir, JCCC Chamber Choir, Valley View UMC Chamber Choir
Village Presbyterian Church, Prairie Village, KS
5pm - FREE

Tuesday, October 30

David Farwig recital
UMKC Conservatory Singers
Old Mission UMC, Prairie Village, KS
7:30pm - FREE

Friday, November 2

CRESCENDO
UMKC Conservatory Singers
Helzberg Hall, Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, KC, MO
Invitation Only

Wednesday, November 7

John Corigliano Concert
UMKC Conservatory Singers
White Recital Hall, KC, MO
7:30pm - Price $9 (free for students) CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE TICKETS

Saturday, November 10

The Sacred Around Us
Te Deum Vocal Ensemble
Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, KC, MO
7:30pm - FREE

Sunday, November 11
The Sacred Around Us
Te Deum Vocal Ensemble
Village Presbyterian Church, Prairie Village, KS - 3pm - FREE

Monday, November 12

The Sacred Around Us
Te Deum Vocal Ensemble
Corpus Christi Catholic Church, Lawrence, KS
7:30pm - FREE

Saturday, December 1

Harvester's Concert
UMKC Conservatory Singers
Visitation Catholic Church, KC, MO
7pm - FREE

Saturday, December 8

Family Holiday Concert
Kansas City Chorale, 8 High School Choirs
Visitation Church, KC, MO
7pm - Price $10 CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE TICKETS

Sunday, December 9

The Holidays in Great Britain
Kansas City Chorale
Redemptorist Church, KC, MO
2pm - Price $30 (student $10) CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE TICKETS

Tuesday, December 11

The Holidays in Great Britain
Kansas City Chorale
Asbury Methodist, Prairie Village, KS
7:30pm - Price $30 (student $10) CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE TICKETS

Sometime, December 2012

Bryan Pinkall's Doctoral Recital - Village Presbyterian Church (hopefully) - tba

Sunday, December 16

Tidings of Joy
Village Orchestra, Village Choir
Village Presbyterian Church, Prairie Village, KS
3pm & 6pm - FREE

KC Chorale & Yale Wrap-up

Today is my last first day of school.  It also may be the first last day of my car, which wouldn't start after I returned from my fellowship at Yale's Norfolk Chamber Music Festival.

Life on the Estate at Yale's Norfolk Festival

Life on the Estate at Yale's Norfolk Festival

I had an amazing experience with the folks in Connecticut.  The performing went great, but I couldn't tell if I was in Connecticut or in Tolkien's Shire living in my cottage on the Ellen Battell Stoeckel estate (however, the Shire didn't have a chef that could make me gain weight!) It was a perfect week. I was surrounded by brilliant musicians from all over the world, and not to sound too pretentious, but it was nice to not be around "normal" people for awhile.  I cannot wait to meet up with some of my new friends and colleagues in the future.  I have already tried to arrange some recordings when some of us are both in the same part of the world.  Most of all, I am excited about music again.

Before I go any further, I need to say that I will have my upcoming performance schedule available next Monday on my blog - but if you cannot wait to know any concert dates, you can always email me at bryanpinkall@gmail.com.

My schedule in the first half of the year was incredible and torturous, but now I am completely rejuvenated and motivated - thanks, especially to the brilliant Simon Carrington.  This year, as I stated before, I will be performing as a soloist for several concerts: Beethoven's Mass in C, Bach's St. Matthew Passion, and Bach's B Minor Mass at the Kauffman Center.  I am also continuing my internship at Village Presbyterian Church (the third largest Presbyterian church in the nation) and I am loving it - I am still excited about great music performed by enthusiastic singers of any age.

When I was picked up from the train station last week, I was asked, "Where are you from?"  I said, "Kansas City!" The driver responded, "Oh, the Choral Capitol of the World."

Now, I've heard that expression before, but only from people around Kansas City.  However, when a Yale Professor says that; it makes me think a little differently about the comment.  Of course, many great choral directors have and still do direct in the Kansas City metro area, and I am very proud to be a part of the choral community here. In fact, this year, I will be performing as a soloist in several Bach Cantatas at the Conservatory in the monthly Bach's Lunch chamber concerts, which are incredibly fun, especially when there is a room filled like an arena, seating on all sides, with Bach enthusiasts, eating their sandwiches as quietly as possible.  I will also be on scholarship with the Conservatory's top choral ensemble, Conservatory Singers, with Dr. Robert Bode.  As I stated before, I will join the chamber choral group Te Deum for several concerts including the Bach B Minor Mass on my birthday next year at the Kauffman Center with the Kansas City Baroque Consortium. And finally, I am announcing that I will also be performing with Kansas City's premiere vocal ensemble the Kansas City Chorale.

The KC Chorale is a world-famous ensemble, Grammy Award-winning, and passionate about making stellar choral music.  I am very excited to begin working with them, and I cannot wait to see what all the next year will hold, but I do anticipate even more exciting gigs and events.

Many of my upcoming concerts will be held here - Helzberg Hall at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts

Back to Normal Life?

Wow, I cannot believe the response I have had with all of the ceremonial videos and my Olympic Ceremony Database www.olympicceremony.org.  These last couple months, I have left my typical Monday routine and posted videos and information about all of the Olympic Opening Ceremonies.  I intend to put all the Winter Olympic ones up in the future, but it is certainly a labor of love as one blogger wrote.  In the meantime, I've had up to 100,000 readers every day - causing my blog to crash momentarily.  Amazingly, this blog has been featured on public television and radio in the Netherlands for my coverage of the 1928 games in Amsterdam!

So, what have I been doing in the meantime.  Well, I have been relaxing for one, but I am the kind of personality that doesn't do well with time off - mentally, I must keep active and these Olympic posts have been doing that.  After I returned from my opera in Pennsylvania, I honestly was completely drained.  I had a packed school schedule last year and the most rigorous performance schedule of my life - I needed a break. So, I did what any opera singer would do.  I helped to start two off-shoot companies of my own Kansas City Vocal Institute - www.kcvocalinstitute.com.  Last month, the Philadelphia Vocal Institute - www.philadelphiavocalinstitute.com - got off the ground running and this month we will be launching the Boston Vocal Institute.  These other companies were started by several good friends of mine who are great musicians with super intelligence and big hearts, trying to give folks in these communities affordable opportunities in music education.

Surely that wasn't enough work, so I have also been exercising.  Now, I am completely self-conscious about my image and HATE taking my shirt off.  So maybe this will help me not be so afraid in the future.  In my professional opinion, opera singers don't necessarily exercise enough, and I surely fall into that category.  I have known about different workout programs and it just so happens that a friend of mine started p90x and I have had other friends and musicians who were currently doing p90x.  They look to be in great shape.  If you don't know, p90x is an extreme workout program that is only 90 days long, but it takes a lot of drive, mental strength, and loud operatic screams to get through it.  So, I started, but I couldn't keep up the routine during two of my week-long gigs and I likely won't be able to next week, but I'll get to that in a second.  So instead of 90 days of extreme workouts, I had to push that a little longer and I'll have the pictures to prove it when I'm done at the beginning of September.  Already, I feel great and wanted to push myself further, so I decided to start running again...and not just any kind of running but long distance timed runs.  Last month I ran about 150 miles and this month I should be around 200 miles!  It's been a lot of fun and I've never felt better.

Next week, I'm off to Yale!  If you don't remember, I was awarded a fellowship from Yale back in April to sing at their Norfolk Music Festival.  I am super excited and have been studying the music - it should be a great experience.

I also have several exciting announcements about my upcoming gigs.  I am singing the National Anthem on TV nation-wide on GolTV for the US Open Cup Final (soccer's national championship) featuring Sporting KC and Seattle Sounders FC.  It's likely that few reading this purchased the extra fourth-tier sports channel package from their cable provider, and if that's the case I suppose you'll just have to imagine a loud packed stadium with lots of fireworks, while I try not to forget the words.  Last week, I was able to sing the National Anthem at a Sporting KC vs. Stoke City (from the UK) and sang both the Star-Spangled Banner and God Save the Queen.  I don't get "jittery" nervous that often, but for some reason, I was completely off my game with the UK's anthem - I sang it just fine, but was extremely nervous about it for whatever reason.

I am also scheduled to be a soloist in Beethoven's Mass in C with the Village Symphony and Choir on October 28.  I also have several great professional choir gigs as well.  I am planning to sing with the Conservatory Singers again and be the Evangelist in a Bach Passion next April (which makes me super excited) and I will be singing with Te Deum and be the tenor soloist in Bach's B Minor Mass at the Kauffman Center on my birthday (April 28).

In addition to all of that, I am finally scheduled to take my Doctoral Comprehensive Exams this Semester - for that I am terrified and horribly anxious.  And, I will be performing in a solo recital likely at the end of the semester.

Believe it or not, I have much more to talk about in the coming weeks and there are some other gigs still up in the air, but I will let you know as soon as I get the go-ahead.  Until then, enjoy the Olympics and my next update will be from beautiful New Haven, Connecticut on the campus of Yale University.