Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Ambiance


The Collins Dictionary defines ambiance as "the atmosphere of a place" (Hanks, 1988, p. 32)
In choir there are a number of different types of songs.  Each  different song creates different emotions and feelings or 'atmospheres' as a result of different tempo, pitch, style and instruments involved. These factors along with the physical movements of the choir create the emotion or ambient feeling for all those involved. One song we sing is called Bay-ye-te. This song begins with just one member of our choir singing, with no instruments.  The rest of the choir joins in harmonizing with her after her first repetition, the song then builds in force through the powerful voice and actions of the choir. The feeling this song creates is very special, it alters the atmosphere in any venue or situation. 


The choir performed earlier this year at New Zealand's international indigenous conference. I was standing in the front row with the rest of the sopranos, waiting for the conductors signal.  There were people from all over the world gathered under one tent.  When the soloist began singing, you could feel the change in the room.  We had sung this song many times before but because of the people who were here and what the choir represented, this time it felt different.  We were a choir made up of people also from many different cultures and nations and we were singing a song from a different nation to all of us. I’m proud to be apart of the choir, I feel a part of something bigger and am sad because I remember that the conductor, the soloist and my friend who is standing next to me are all leaving choir.  I think this is another reason this song is so special as it is the last time we will all sing together.  


Reference:

Hanks, P. (Ed.). (1988). The collins concise dictionary of the english language. Glasgow: William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd.

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