30 Years of Portsmouth Pro Musica
Portsmouth Pro Musica began life under the direction of Priscilla Stevens French as Portsmouth Women’s Chorus in 1985. Over the years, our group has achieved many milestones and made amazing friendships along the way. We invite you to look through this collection of memories and images from the past three decades. As we progress through our […]
Vocal Onset for Vowels, or Avoiding the Amateur Scoop
When the first word of a musical phrase begins with a vowel ( “and,” “in,” “Osanna,” “Agnus”), it will sound flat and/or scoopy unless the singer’s throat is open on the inhalation. It’s just like a sneeze—try simulating one, and see how your throat and nasal passages open up as you breathe in. This is how […]
Purchase a Concert CD
If you want to purchase a CD recording of the Sunday night performance at St. John’s Church in Portsmouth, Add your name to this list, then either give Patrick Dowling $20 or click the button below to pay via Paypal. How easy is that?
Concert Program Order
Singers, Here is the concert program order: Star Spangled Banner (1814) At the Round Earth’s Imagined Corners Hark, I Hear the Harps Eternal O My Luve’s Like a Red, Red Rose Steal Away Sing Me to Heaven Let Your Light So Shine Hold On INTERMISSION Ave Verum Corpus Missa Brevis Loch Lomond Make our Garden […]
Christmas (2014)
Courtesy of Portsmouth Public Media. Special thanks go out to PPMTV and their hard working crew.
PPM’S Spring Concert
Join Portsmouth Pro Musica for our 30th Anniversary Concerts on Saturday, April 11th and Sunday, April 12th. The program includes Sacred Music, Spirituals, Folksongs and Hymns plus American classics and contemporary. This concert commemorates 30 years of choral music on the seacoast under the direction of Priscilla French. PPM began as Portsmouth Women’s Chorus in 1985. […]
John Donne and Metaphysics
Our April concert program includes an adaptation of John Donne’s At the round earth’s imagin’d corners, blow. Donne is known as a Metaphysical Poet. Wendy Graham did a bit of research and provided the following information. What Does Metaphysical Mean? The word ‘meta’ means ‘after,’ so the literal translation of ‘metaphysical’ is ‘after the physical.’ Basically, metaphysics deals […]
PPM’s Midwinter’s Eve Event, Sunday, March 8th
It’s PPM’s annual fundraiser, auction and party in the beautiful Discover Portsmouth Center at 10 Middle Street, Portsmouth. The event will include a silent auction, and musical entertainment from PPM’s own a cappella group, the Overtones. Hors d’eovres, libations, great conversation, friends and auction treasures. Bring the warmth to a cold winter’s eve. Sunday March […]
Breathing Workshop With Marya
This Tuesday evening (Jan. 20) from 6 to 6:45 p.m., there will be a free (optional) mini-workshop focused on improving breathing for singing. This will take place in Sanborn Hall ahead of our regular rehearsal. Marya Danihel will lead participants in voice and movement exercises that encourage bodies to breathe naturally and fully even when […]
Rehearsal notes for Jan 20
Throughout the rehearsal season, we will post notices of specific pieces we will be rehearsing the following Tuesday. This will give you a chance to review music or sections prior to rehearsal. Here is what we will be coviering on Tuesday, January 20th. Hark, I Hear the Harps Eternal At the Round Earth – speak […]