If you'd like to know more about what's happening behind the scenes of Minnesota's premiere symphonic chorus, you've come to the right place. In these pages, we've collected critics' reviews of past performances, and some of the Chorale's press releases and media features.
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Chorale Artistic Director Kathy Saltzman Romey on the work of the chorus master
Reprinted with permission from Minnesota Orchestra Showcase Original version appeared in the Dec. 2019, issue Link to article here |
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Hal Ransom: We remember.
For as long as he could remember, Hal (nicknamed “Jack”) loved singing! He lived most of his growing-up years in Downers Grove, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. Through his school years, he participated actively in choral groups and musicals as well as in athletics. A high school classmate recalls him being known as “Handsome Jack Ransom.” The high point of his school music experience was being the lead in the high school's production of Brigadoon. Click to continue.
Upon high school graduation, he attended the University of Michigan for five years, obtaining Bachelor's and Master's degrees in business. For all of those years, he was a member of the University of Michigan Men's Glee Club (an organization that is over 150 years old) and president his last two years. After an extended European tour in the summer of 1963, the club sang in the 17th International Eisteddfod (song festival) at Llangollen, Wales, and won first place in the male chorus competition. A men's quartet, The Arbors (which was in the style of the Four Freshmen), emerged from the glee club in the early 1960s, and Hal was the bass. While still at the university, the group made network radio and TV appearances, did nightclub gigs and a recording project one summer in New York, was the Glacier Park resident performing group another summer, and gave shows on some 30 college campuses. Hal was the youngest in the group and when the other three members graduated and were drafted, he dropped out of the group to finish his college education.
During his final year in Ann Arbor, he met whom he would call “the love of my life,” Anne Emley. She was a music educator, harpist, and pianist at the University of Michigan. They were married in Ann Arbor when Hal completed his MBA.
After a short time in Philadelphia, Hal accepted a job in marketing with The Pillsbury Company in Minneapolis. He and Anne happily moved to the Twin Cities, where they would live for about 40 years.
Hal joined the Minnesota Chorale in 1973, a musical decision that he would discover to be incredibly educational, deeply inspirational, and musically very gratifying. Singing diverse repertoire that spanned the ages was a real joy for Hal --- some a capella, some accompanied by small instrumental ensembles, and much of it performed in partnership with the Minnesota Orchestra and St. Paul Chamber Orchestra. The relationships he established with singing colleagues was very special to him as well.
During these years, Hal also sang in several church choirs. Although a bass-baritone, he had a wide range and could read music well --- so he sang bass OR tenor, depending on the needs in the choir!
Giving encouragement and support to his family's musical activities was paramount to Hal: Anne, a harp free-lancer and second harpist in the Minnesota Orchestra; daughter Catherine, now Associate Principal Flute in the Los Angeles Philharmonic; son Rollin, a Minnesota Boychoir member and later active in choral groups and musical theater. He is currently an attorney in Los Angeles.
It was because both of Hal and Anne's children settled in Los Angeles that they moved to Palm Springs in 2006. The timing was chosen because in two years, they “suddenly” had four grandchildren!
Hal was so happy to discover the California Desert Chorale and sang in that group for most of his years in California. The repertoire was very diverse including major choral works, new locally composed and arranged choral music, and a wide variety of pieces from pop music, Broadway, etc. Anne had the privilege of often being part of the instrumental ensemble that accompanied the group in concerts.
As Hal's physical condition deteriorated, he was given a seat in the middle of the front row of the chorale for rehearsals and performances. One member of the group told Anne she will never forget Hal's last rehearsal. He could barely get to his place in the group, even with his walker. She thought, “There is a man who really loves to sing and has an incredible commitment --- to come to rehearsal under these circumstances.”
At the small March 31 family memorial held for Hal after his death in February, Anne began the event by reading comments about Hal from each of the two chorale directors: Kathy Romey (Minnesota Chorale) and Tim Bruneau (California Desert Chorale):
…..His resonant, rich voice provided a solid foundation for the bass section and his strong musicianship guided both young and experienced singers through many beloved masterworks.
…..Hal was among the more authentic, kind, and compassionate people I've been blessed to know.
…..He was a passionate, committed singer, who served the score with integrity and led by example.
…..He lived such a rich life defined by a wonderful family and great music.
…..He was warm and caring with a wonderful intellect, keen sense of humor, wisdom and insight, and a beautiful voice and soul.
May all of those who knew Hal celebrate his life and the legacy he has left because of his love for choral music.
Written by Anne Ransom – April 2018
Upon high school graduation, he attended the University of Michigan for five years, obtaining Bachelor's and Master's degrees in business. For all of those years, he was a member of the University of Michigan Men's Glee Club (an organization that is over 150 years old) and president his last two years. After an extended European tour in the summer of 1963, the club sang in the 17th International Eisteddfod (song festival) at Llangollen, Wales, and won first place in the male chorus competition. A men's quartet, The Arbors (which was in the style of the Four Freshmen), emerged from the glee club in the early 1960s, and Hal was the bass. While still at the university, the group made network radio and TV appearances, did nightclub gigs and a recording project one summer in New York, was the Glacier Park resident performing group another summer, and gave shows on some 30 college campuses. Hal was the youngest in the group and when the other three members graduated and were drafted, he dropped out of the group to finish his college education.
During his final year in Ann Arbor, he met whom he would call “the love of my life,” Anne Emley. She was a music educator, harpist, and pianist at the University of Michigan. They were married in Ann Arbor when Hal completed his MBA.
After a short time in Philadelphia, Hal accepted a job in marketing with The Pillsbury Company in Minneapolis. He and Anne happily moved to the Twin Cities, where they would live for about 40 years.
Hal joined the Minnesota Chorale in 1973, a musical decision that he would discover to be incredibly educational, deeply inspirational, and musically very gratifying. Singing diverse repertoire that spanned the ages was a real joy for Hal --- some a capella, some accompanied by small instrumental ensembles, and much of it performed in partnership with the Minnesota Orchestra and St. Paul Chamber Orchestra. The relationships he established with singing colleagues was very special to him as well.
During these years, Hal also sang in several church choirs. Although a bass-baritone, he had a wide range and could read music well --- so he sang bass OR tenor, depending on the needs in the choir!
Giving encouragement and support to his family's musical activities was paramount to Hal: Anne, a harp free-lancer and second harpist in the Minnesota Orchestra; daughter Catherine, now Associate Principal Flute in the Los Angeles Philharmonic; son Rollin, a Minnesota Boychoir member and later active in choral groups and musical theater. He is currently an attorney in Los Angeles.
It was because both of Hal and Anne's children settled in Los Angeles that they moved to Palm Springs in 2006. The timing was chosen because in two years, they “suddenly” had four grandchildren!
Hal was so happy to discover the California Desert Chorale and sang in that group for most of his years in California. The repertoire was very diverse including major choral works, new locally composed and arranged choral music, and a wide variety of pieces from pop music, Broadway, etc. Anne had the privilege of often being part of the instrumental ensemble that accompanied the group in concerts.
As Hal's physical condition deteriorated, he was given a seat in the middle of the front row of the chorale for rehearsals and performances. One member of the group told Anne she will never forget Hal's last rehearsal. He could barely get to his place in the group, even with his walker. She thought, “There is a man who really loves to sing and has an incredible commitment --- to come to rehearsal under these circumstances.”
At the small March 31 family memorial held for Hal after his death in February, Anne began the event by reading comments about Hal from each of the two chorale directors: Kathy Romey (Minnesota Chorale) and Tim Bruneau (California Desert Chorale):
…..His resonant, rich voice provided a solid foundation for the bass section and his strong musicianship guided both young and experienced singers through many beloved masterworks.
…..Hal was among the more authentic, kind, and compassionate people I've been blessed to know.
…..He was a passionate, committed singer, who served the score with integrity and led by example.
…..He lived such a rich life defined by a wonderful family and great music.
…..He was warm and caring with a wonderful intellect, keen sense of humor, wisdom and insight, and a beautiful voice and soul.
May all of those who knew Hal celebrate his life and the legacy he has left because of his love for choral music.
Written by Anne Ransom – April 2018