In Celebration of the Human Voice - The Essential Musical Instrument

John Bertalot

Director

John Bertalot

The English choral conductor, John Bertalot, won Organ scholarships to the Royal College of Music, London, and to Oxford and Cambridge.

After his studies, John Bertalot first appointment was Director of Music for 6 years of St. Matthew's Church, Northampton, UK (a successor of Alec Wyton), the church for which Britten wrote Rejoice in the Lamb. He then became director of music at Blackburn Cathedral (for 18 years) where he founded the Blackburn Bach Choir and was Associate Professor (Senior Lecturer) at the Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester.

In moving to the USA, John Bertalot has been Director of Music for 16 years of Trinity Church, Princeton, NJ. succeeding Dr James Litton. He led for sixteen years one of the most ambitious Episcopal Church music programmes in the USA, where he founded the acclaimed Princeton Singers. He was also Adjunct Associate Professor, Westminster Choir College, Rider University. In over forty years of professional music-making he has led choral workshops all over the world. He has directed courses for the RSCM in UK, USA, Canada, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand.

In 1998 John Bertalot 'retired' to the UK where his time has been filled with leading choral workshops, adjudicating at music festivals and composing. He is also organist of a village church in the middle of the Lancashire countryside, where he still puts into practice all his choir-training techniques.

John Bertalot has published four best-selling books on choir training: Five Wheels to Successful Sight-Singing (Augsburg Fortress), Immediately Practical Tips For Choral Directors (Augsburg Fortress), How to be a Successful Choir Director (Kevin Mayhew), Teaching Adults to Sight Sing (Kevin Mayhew). His compositions are well-known in Great Britain and the USA. His many compositions are widely published.

Discography

Displaying 1-3 of 3 items.

Princeton Singers : In The Midst of Life

Review: The music on this recording is a juxtaposition of joyous and somber. The album begins and ends with music by Gerald Finzi and features two Requiem settings by Henry Walford Davies and Herbert Howells. The setting by Davies, which is 'in memory of those fallen in the war,' begins with a beautiful soprano solo. The Requiems are set using texts from the Book of Common Prayer. The majority of the music on this recording is by twentieth century British composers, which is the focus of this group. The notable exception is Samuel Barber's Reincarnations. This superb choir is conducted by founder John Bertalot.

Songlist: Lo, the Full, Final Sacrifice, A Short Requiem in D Major, Requiem , Jesu, Grant Me This I Pray , Reincarnations, Opus 16 , My Spirit Sang All Day

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John Bertalot : How To Be A Successful Choir Director

Review: Dr. John Bertalot has drawn on more than forty years' experience as a renowned choir director and organist to share his knowledge and expertise with those who, like himself, are dedicated to the highest standards of choral training and musical expression. His practical guidance is clear and detailed, illumined by his use of apt analogy, personal anecdote and lively humor, and informed throughout by his psychological and spiritual insights and Christian convictions. This is more than a book of instructions; it is a book of passion and inspiration which can be summed up in one word--love: love for music, love for his singers and love for God. It might well have been called 'Love in Practice,' but you need to read the book before you can fully appreciate how fitting that title would be.

Songlist: Encourage Punctuality, Begin Rehearsals Efficiently, Cure Irregular Attendence, Raise Musical Standards, Make Demands On Your Choir, Conduct More Creatively, Train Your Choir To Listen To You, Teach Them how To Breathe, Sing As Well On Sunday As At Rehearsal, An Inspiring Experience, Stop Your Singers Talking, Keep Your Singers In Order, Watch Out For The Second Law Of Thermodynamics, Ten Basic Points For Musical Rehearsal, Create A Positive Atmosphere, Warm-ups, More Tips About Singing In Tune, Some More Advanced Techniques, Some Hints For Organists, Playing Right Notes Confidently And Musically, More Practical Tips, Random Hints For Choir Practice, Rehearsal Hints For Church Choir Practice, Rehearsal Techniques At A Glance, Searching Questions Which Demand Action, Running A Children's Choir, Problems With Clergy, New Music , The New Choir Director, Finding Sufficient Energy, The Christian Element, A Lesson In Dedication, This Is What It's All About, Five Key Words

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John Bertalot : Immediately Practical Tips for Choral Directors

Review: In this book you'll learn such things as secrets to help fill your choir stalls, advanced choir training techniques, the 'ten commandments' for leading successful rehearsals, pastoral concerns, contract information, and much more!.

Songlist: Beginning a New Job, Recruiting New Children, Auditions, Four Immediately Practictal Tips, Two Secrets To Help Fill Your Choirstalls, Choosing Music, A Training For Children's Choirs, Twelve Practical Suggestions, How To Create A Choir, Working With Colleagues, Choir Ceremonies, How To Ensure Good Behavior, Boys' Changing Voice, Choir Meals, Organizing Concert Series, Pastoral Concerns

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