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NEW Common Thread CD
“Changing the World One Song at a Time – The Best of Five Years”
Price: $20.00
To order a copy of this CD, please see the contact us page for phone number and address. Cheques should be made out to Common Thread Chorus
Repertoire

Common Thread’s repertoire is rooted in secular folk music traditions from around the world. About half of our music is in languages other than English, reflecting the linguistic diversity of Toronto. Learning music in many different languages is challenging but very rewarding because it gives us a unique opportunity to appreciate the language and history of different cultures.

Our aim in developing the repertoire is to have a balance of songs that reflect the real lives of ordinary people and speak to the “full cup of life”– birth, death, joy, sorrow, struggle, triumph, work, play, love, community, celebration.
Musical selection

Unlike many other choirs, the repertoire is chosen by a Music Committee in collaboration with the conductor. The Music Selection sub-committee, which is part of the Music Committee, works to find and prepare material for the following season. Each year this group consults choir members to choose themes for future seasons and solicits suggestions for songs to fit the theme(s). Although we cannot choose every song suggested, many of the songs we sing are suggested by members. In making selections we consider the following:
Language
  • How many songs are in English and how many are in other languages?
  • Is there a balance between different geographic areas and cultural groups represented?
  • Can we find help with pronunciation, translation, history and context of songs in languages other than English?
Meaning and context
  • What are the songs about?
  • Besides the literal meaning, what is the history and context of each song?
  • Is there a balance between issue-oriented songs and others?
  • Do the songs fit the season’s theme?
Difficulty
  • Is there a balance between easy and difficult songs?
Tempo and Mood
  • Is there a balance between fast and slow songs?
  • Is there a balance between serious and light songs?
Arrangement
  • Can we purchase an arrangement or do we need to commission one?
  • Is there an appropriate arranger?
Style
  • Is there a variety of musical styles?
Accompaniment
  • Do the songs require accompaniment? What kind?
  • Can we find appropriate accompanists?
  • Do we have a balance of accompanied and unaccompanied songs?
Other
  • Do we have enough songs with opportunities for audience participation?
  • Are there songs that we can perform with a special guest, if we have one at our concert?
Most choirs sing a repertoire that is already arranged and published. Common Thread has a different vision. Some songs that we want to sing have already been arranged in four parts for a choir. Many have not. The Music Committee works closely with musicians from different communities who help us find and arrange material. This process means a lot more work for us, but we think the result creates something new, exciting, and inclusive.