Postcard from TENET Vocal Artists
This week’s postcard comes from renowned early music specialists TENET Vocal Artists. Based in New York City, the ensemble tour, perform and record extensively covering diverse repertoire from the Renaissance and Baroque eras. TENET worked with SFGC in 2015 for its acclaimed season opening concert Surprising Freedoms: Music from Behind Convent Walls and returned to present a masterclass for our Soloist Intensive program.
We invited choristers from our Soloist Intensive program to submit video questions to members of TENET which you will find interspersed throughout our interview with TENET Vocal Artists Artistic Director soprano Jolle Greenleaf.
Jolle Greenleaf, soprano
How did you first learn about SFGC?
As a native Californian, I’ve known about the San Francisco Girls Chorus since I was in high school, but I lived in Central California… alas, too far away. The highest level of music-making I was able to take part in was the annual Honor Choir events in the state, and I treasured those experiences. Over the years, I’ve sung with some wonderful alums of the SF Girls Chorus: Megan Dey Toth, sisters Jennie Ellis Kampani and Cathy Ellis Stadecker, and of course, my good friend Lisa Bielawa, who first invited me and TENET Vocal Artists to work with the SF Girls Chorus in a program featuring music by 17th century Italian nuns.
How did you become a musician? Tell us about what you’ve done and what you do now.
My journey into a life of music was somewhat unusual. I wasn't seen as particularly suited to succeed in music despite my training, and my voice developed very slowly. I discovered early music in college and it felt like a natural fit for my instrument. I fell in love with the repertoire and never looked back. It has been by sheer tenacity that I remained in music all of these years, and I’m grateful that it worked out. I avoided competitions, spent many years in school, studied abroad in the Netherlands, and started several ensembles before becoming the artistic director of TENET Vocal Artists.
Over the years I have enjoyed being part of some wonderful projects, but my most memorable ones were those I created myself. I have had the pleasure of performing with many wonderful, kind-hearted musicians over the years. My dear colleagues Molly Quinn and Virginia Warnken Kelsey are among my closest friends.
Isabel asks theorbo specialist Adam Cockerham and soprano Jolle Greenleaf about the differences in Baroque tuning and temperament
Adam Cockerham is a frequent collaborator with TENET and recorded theorbo accompaniments for three of the songs in this masterclass as featured on SFGC and Ars Minerva's November 20 virtual performance.
For those girls who do wish to become professional musicians - anything you’d like to share with them?
Making the choice to embark on a career in music is not for the faint of heart, but I have found it to be, on balance, very rewarding. A passionate heart, an organized and open mind, the ability to connect with others, dedication, and a willingness to offer one’s best self in performance are some of the components that come to mind when I think of what my colleagues have in abundance. Making friends is an especially wonderful talent, though a challenging one for some, myself included. Given the times we are living through, I believe this is an especially important and necessary skill. In my own life, music has been a solace, a comfort, a guiding light. It has the power to propel me forward. It helps me to reflect on life, and it connects me to others. The very act of singing allows me to share the best parts of myself.
Maggie asks Jolle Greenleaf why she chose to specialize in early music and how this can help artists perform music from other time periods.
Why is it important to continue practicing music and have online performances in this time of pandemic?
To be honest, I have found it difficult to practice during this time, and I imagine many of my colleagues feel the same way. I’ve been planning and recording performances over the past few months because it propels me forward and gives me something to focus on. Some days are easier than others, of course, but I usually feel a little better after I’ve sung something. When self-soothing is a toss up between singing and a cookie, I might consider it a win if I choose both.
Sometimes it’s hard to just get going. I love to sing while walking because it helps me avoid vocal tension and keep my body engaged. When I’m feeling frustrated with my voice, I’ll spend time alternating between lip trilling and singing the text of a work to kick my support into gear. Or I’ll focus on one technical issue (trills, smooth line, easy transitions between words, starting a phrase) so that I don’t get overwhelmed by all the potential issues. I remind myself to be kind in thought, word, AND deed.
When I start to question why it’s important to keep making music during the pandemic, I am reminded of TENET’s audience. They have really partnered with me during this time. We have made a lot of wonderful, pre-recorded videos celebrating our musicians and giving them a chance to express themselves. Despite the fact that videos are way less interesting than live performance for our audience, they have shown up and lovingly received our musical offerings, which brings happiness to everyone involved in creating them. It’s a beautiful community that gives me hope for the future. I trust this is true of the SFGC audience too, and I hope you feel the love being expressed from those around you even when it’s not possible to be in the same room and hear live applause.
Ava asks soprano Molly Quinn what her favorite Purcell song is
Anything you would like to add? Especially about the work with our choristers?
What an extraordinary group of girls you are! It’s always a pleasure to work with you, and an honor to spend time thinking about repertoire that you might enjoy singing. Some of you will go on to pursue careers in music and others will choose non-musical paths. Whatever you choose to do, you are bound together in an unforgettable way. You are part of something BIG and you are sharing your gift with those in need of music’s joy! It’s impossible to quantify what this experience will mean to you in the years to come… something I’m sure you hear from other alums pretty often.
The songs I suggested come from far away… and so long ago. Yet they remain relevant today because of their melodic beauty and theme of love. They connect us to the past and help us to see our present more clearly. They give us hope for a better future - one that you’ll be instrumental in creating.
Audrey Johnson asks mezzo-soprano Virginia Warnken about the difference approaches to performing music from different time periods.
T( )NIGHT VIRTUAL PERFORMANCES
Throughout the month of December, TENET is presenting a series of virtual concerts highlighting the exceptional artists on its roster. Ticket holders receive on demand access to events through June 2021, including all previously released events since its launch in September.
For more information, please visit https://tenet.nyc/tnight