ABOUT TIM HARBOLD
welcome
to timharbold.com As a composer and performer, I seek variety and vitality in my music. And heart! Reviewers have praised my compositions as "transporting," "rousing," "scrumptious," and "gloriously inventive." Accessible for singers and audiences, my works have been embraced by all-state and professional choirs, as well as school, church, and community choruses of all sizes and ability levels. Publishers include MorningStar, E.C. Schirmer, Santa Barbara Music Publishing, Hinshaw, and coming soon, Gentry Publications, as well as my own TH Choral Music. Some of my newer works have now been recorded by the professional choir Ensemble Altera, under the direction of Christopher Lowrey. My choral catalog includes numerous spirituals and gospel arrangements, reflecting decades of experience working with gospel choirs. I’m proud of the respect I’ve earned from colleagues in gospel music, but I’m always mindful of my outsider’s role in a musical tradition that is not my own. For me, this means approaching rehearsals as a collaborator, working in partnership with those who’ve grown up in the tradition. My work in gospel music began by serendipity: A substitute organist job at a small, black Baptist church led to 6 years directing their gospel choir, which led to further gospel choir appointments and opportunities to perform with many of Boston’s leading gospel musicians. Working with a team of gospel specialists, I now lead a multicultural gospel choir at the historic Old South Church in Boston, where we've had the honor of performing at Boston’s venerable MLK breakfast, attended by the governor, mayor, congressional representatives, and an audience of 1000. My devotion to choral music grows out of a long performing career. For nearly 30 years, I conducted the choirs at Wheaton College in Norton, MA, leading singers and audiences in an exploration of music spanning 10 centuries, 6 continents, and over 30 languages. Memorable highlights include concerts with Ensemble Altera, Skylark Vocal Ensemble, and Emmanuel Music, as well as coaching with the King’s Singers, Roomful of Teeth, Rockapella, and Take 6. In addition to learning choral masterworks, my choirs have enjoyed collaborating with visiting artists to experience distinctive styles ranging from Bulgarian folk songs to Brazilian jazz, to vocal traditions of Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. As a pianist, I have specialized in American song, performing with vocalist Valerie Anastasio. Our shows have blended jazz standards, show tunes, and comic cabaret with our distinctive musicianship and humor. We've paired with Benjamin Sears and Bradford Conner to create popular shows celebrating Cole Porter, Noel Coward, Irving Berlin, Ethel Merman and Fred Astaire. This cabaret work has led to four CDs and a Best Cabaret nomination from the Independent Reviewers of New England. |
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Tim Harbold Professor of Music and Choral Director Emeritus Wheaton College, Norton, MA [email protected] |