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MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR

Artistic Director Wendy Looker

Welcome to the Piedmont Chamber Singers website. Whether you're a potential new singer or an old friend, please take a moment to browse around and discover what's in store for 2010-2011. Season 33 promises to be an exciting one as we highlight the beauty of a cappella singing and savor the work of composers that are near and dear to my heart.

Although I have been an active musician in the Triad since 2003, I am eager to immerse myself in the fabric of the City of the Arts. As the new artistic director of the Piedmont Chamber Singers, I look forward to experiencing new concert venues, collaborating with local musicians, and meeting new audiences. Of course I welcome the opportunity to make music with the choir, but I also relish the prospect of forging new friendships with the singers who devote so much of their time and energy to this ensemble. PCS thrives on serving the community and is likewise sustained by the community. I have the greatest respect for the singers, board members, and friends of PCS who have so generously volunteered their time and talents throughout the history of this organization, and I am delighted to be a part of its future.

If I had to summarize the season's repertoire in a few words, the phrase "choral gems" comes to mind. I have several stacks of music in my studio that I play through each May as I program for the upcoming season. This spring, I approached those piles with a fresh outlook. A new choir presents the opportunity to revisit and share musical ideas about the repertoire and composers that speak to my aesthetic sensibilities for one reason or another. Equally enticing to me, however, is the chance to try new pieces I haven't had the opportunity to perform yet. The maybe-but-the-timing's-not-right pile in my office is a big one!

We all choose where and how we spend our money a little more carefully these days. You could easily go to a movie, but why not witness art being created in the moment and know that your support sustains the life of the arts in your own community? To wrap our minds around how the arts improve the quality of the human existence is a challenge, but consider this: the arts engage the senses and the mind. They provide insight into the human condition. The endgame of the creative process is for the performer to communicate effectively a vision to the audience. Of course we hope to entertain, but arts offer much more than this.

Our artistic goals go beyond producing pleasant sounds—we aspire to offer you a transformative experience that will engage your senses and invigorate your mind.

Whether you're a new singer, an admirer of the choral art, or a newcomer curious to enrich your life experience through the beauty of live performance, I encourage you to venture out to participate in the next phase of the Piedmont Chamber Singers.
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