maleensemblenorthwest

PAST MEMBERS

Paul Dennis - charter member

Larry Marsh - charter member

Howard Meharg - charter member

Geoffrey Boers - charter member

Bruce Browne - charter member

John Cobb - charter member

Richard Clark - charter member

Tim Russell - charter member

Mikkel Iverson - charter member

Ken Peterson

Ric Wheeler

Vijay Singh

Joe Strandjord

Delbert Shamon

Robert Trainer

Frank Eychaner

Paul Klemme

Adam Schwendt

Male Ensemble Northwest was formed in Longview, Washington, in 1982, the brainchild of Howard Meharg of Longview, who wanted to form a singing group as well as encourage young males in public schools to sing in choirs of all kinds. Thus it was that Male Ensemble Northwest was formed to demonstrate a high level of music making by choral conductors from the Pacific Northwest region and also to promote male choral singing.

In the years since its inception, MEN has appeared in concerts from local churches and auditoriums to regional and national audiences, always remembering to spread the message of male singing. They have performed at national conventions of the American Choral Directors Association in Washington, D. C., and San Antonio; and several Northwest regional conventions. They have appeared at the leadership conference of ACDA in Lawton, OK, and several state conventions, most recently in Oshkosh, WI.

While a high level of artistry is always an important goal, the members of MEN value the professional and personal associations they have with each other. It is important that the personal soul is fed as well as the artistic.

2009 - 2010

Schedule

August 18 - 20 Summer retreat and planning session, Puyallup, WA

September 25 - 26 Willamette Choral Leadership workshop, Salem, OR

October 8 - 9 Workshop and Festival at Rocky Mountain High School, Boise, ID

November 6 - 7 Festival at Rogers High School, Puyallup, WA

January 16 - University High School, Spokane, WA

February 11 - 14, 2010 Washington Music Educators Association Conference, Yakima, WA

Perform for the Conference Banquet

August 9 - 11 Summer retreat and planning session, Puyallup, WA

ATTENTION!

ANNOUNCING AUDITIONS FOR MALE ENSEMBLE NORTHWEST

CURRENT OPENINGS FOR ONE FIRST TENOR AND ONE SECOND TENOR

Audition Date: Saturday, June 12, 2010 in Yakima, WA.

Audition Requirements:

1) Perform two pieces of solo literature: One art song and one Broadway or Jazz tune.

2) Sing scales to demonstrate range and vocal quality.

3) Sight read some pieces from the current MEN repertoire with members of MEN. You will be asked to sing different voice parts. You may also be asked to read in a language other than English.

4) Have an onsite interview with members of MEN.

SUGGESTED QUALIFICATIONS:

1. An experienced and successful choral conductor/music educator.

2. A team player - flexible - willing/able to read new parts at the last minute if needed.

3. A connecting voice - strong, independent singer who is also sensitive to the ensemble sound and able to create a unified sound in a variety of standing arrangements.

4. Committed - willing to make MEN performances a priority, and make every effort to attend them. 5. Experience with singing in smaller ensembles

6. Able to take directions, ideas and suggestions from other members, and also willing to give them as needed.

7. Recognition that MEN is about team effort and not individual attention.

8. Willing to take an active role in the group. Come to workshops and concerts prepared. Work on committees, help find new music, advertise and promote the group.

Contact Dr. Wallace Long at: <wlongjr@willamette.edu> to schedule an audition