The Choirs:
The Tulane Choirs rehearse and perform according to the Aristotelian concepts of logos, ethos, and pathos; that is, we take great care that our musical argument is clear, that we are competent singers, and that we make the music compelling to our audiences.
In most semesters, there are various choral tracks that perform mostly classical repertoire, usually one or two extended works each year, often with orchestra. Some examples are:
- Nänie, Johannes Brahms (Fall 2016)
- Jesu, meine Freude, J.S. Bach
- "Coronation Mass," W.A. Mozart
- Paukenmesse, F.J. Haydn
By singing in Tulane-Newcomb Choir (TNC), you will enjoy two distinct experiences. (In some semesters there is one, large mixed chorus only.)
Full TNC Ensemble
Mondays, 6:00-7:30 P.M.: This is the large mixed ensemble that performs major choral/orchestral works, among other exciting selections.
- Each of you will sing in one of the following tracks, for an additional 1.5 hours per week (3 hours total).
Men's Chorus:
Mondays, 7:30-9:00 P.M. This group performs exciting and fun repertoire that revels in the richness of men's voices.
(all male singers new to TNC will invest their talents in this track for at least one semester.)Chamber Choir:
Fridays, 1:00-2:30 P.M. This smaller mixed ensemble tackles very specialized repertoire.
- Women's Chorus:
Fridays, 2:30-4:00 P.M. This choir celebrates the unique timbre of treble voices and performs a wide range of literature.
(all female singers new to TNC will invest their talents in this track for at least one semester.)
Auditions for TNC usually occur on the first evening of classes, and a flyer and a sign-in sheet are usually posted about a week before that in Dixon Hall. You can prepare a piece, or just show up ready to sing.
Also, Dr. Raybon teaches a Voice Class (APMS 2211-01) most semesters that helps in training inexperienced singers in classical voice.
Email Dr. Raybon with any questions lraybon@tulane.edu
Dr. C. Leonard Raybon
C. Leonard Raybon has been on the faculty of Tulane for nineteen years, and has recently served as chair of department for six years. At Tulane, he is the Director of Choirs, and frequent musical director and conductor for the prestigious Summer Lyric Theatre at Tulane, and voice teacher.
Raybon earned a DMA at Louisiana State University under the mentorship of Dr. Kenneth Fulton. Raybon has conducted and presented papers across the United States, Israel, Italy, Greece, Malaysia, and England.
Raybon enjoys creating new methodologies for his students, the latest of which is his "Vowels in Hand" method, which aims to take the mystique out of choral vowel unification, and which was published in Voice and Speech Review in 2017.
Raybon's own "Sacred Nine Project" is the vehicle for his current research: finding the darker parts of music history and seeing what lessons can be learned from them. To learn more and to see and hear the inaugural Sacred Nine concert, visit sacrednine.com.
Facilities
Tulane University boasts a beautiful choral rehearsal room with vaulted ceilings, parquet flooring, and fine acoustics.