Latest News About the Choral Tales Project
Choral Tales presented on Three Days of Global Event
November 6, 2020
Different Choral Tales performances were included on three separate days in the global online event called Source of Wonder, and are now up on YouTube.
It was a privilege for Ludwig Tuman and the Choral Tales Project to take part in this event with change architects and thought leaders from around the globe, such as UN Under Secretary General Fabrizio Hochschild, Ervin Laszlo, Jane Goodall, and Deepak Chopra.
Day 1 - Tuman speaks on Oneness of Humanity, introduces Choral Tales, presents 'Cat's Protector'
Day 2 - Tuman introduces & presents 'Lord of the Cranes'
Day 3 - Tuman introduces & presents 'Happy Man's Shirt'
Many engaging presentations can be seen, including those given by Ervin Laszlo (multiple days), UN Under Secretary General Fabrizio Hochschild (Day 2), Jane Goodall (Day 2), Mila Popovich (Day 4), and Deepak Chopra (Day 1). See the time codes in the video description under each video to watch a specific speaker on that day.
Choral Tales to be Highlighted in Global Event
October 12, 2020
We are delighted to share that Choral Tales founder Ludwig Tuman has been asked to serve as a speaker in an international online event called "Source of Wonder," together with "change architects" from around the globe. The event will stream worldwide on October 17-18 and 24-25.
The event is dedicated to facilitating a shift toward a world that is just, inclusive, at peace, and in harmony with nature.
It is an honor to be included with Jane Goodall, Deepak Chopra, Ervin Laszlo and a number of distinguished scientists and thought leaders who have brought so much good into the world.
Each speaker has been asked to give a creative presentation. In his presentation, Ludwig will be referring extensively to the Choral Tales Project. Within the site, clicking on the image of each speaker pulls up a summary of their background and current work.
See more at www.sourceofwonder.com
Another Choral Tale Translated for Use in Schools in Chile
January 12, 2020
Our Choral Tales Project is honored that another of our tales, "Lord of the Cranes," has been translated and adopted for use as educational material in the kindergarten and 1st grade level of schools in Temuco, a large university city and the capital of the Araucania region of Chile.
We are most grateful to educator Doris Pacheco for this initiative. This Chinese folk tale is beautifully re-told by Choral Tales collaborator Shirin Sabri. The story, illustrated on large placards as seen below, focuses on compassion, kindness and generosity.
While the Choral Tales Project at this stage is oriented primarily to young adults, we are delighted to see that children, too, are being exposed to the wisdom in these stories from around the world.
School children with placards of “Lord of the Cranes”, in Temuco, Chile.
Choral Tales Founder Interviewed for “Giving to the Givers” Series
December 7, 2019
In a series called “Giving to the Givers,” The Build a Better World Foundation interviewed 21 nonprofits and organizations from around the United States, and our Choral Tales Project is one of them!
Other organizations interviewed include Habitat for Humanity, Goodwill, Re-Generation, ABC World Citizens, the Tahirih Justice Center, UnityWorks, Full Circle Learning, and many others.
The 30 minute, mini-documentary, behind-the-scenes interview takes viewers on a journey into a heart-to-heart conversation about how The Choral Tales Project is having an impact!
Choral Tales selected as National Finalists in Ernst Bacon Memorial Award
August 26, 2019
All three Choral Tales pieces have been selected as National Finalists in the Ernst Bacon Memorial Award!
One of the categories of this national award recognizes outstanding performances and recordings of music written by American composers.
So grateful to our stellar Choral Tales team of artists for this achievement — including lyrics writer Shirin Sabri, choral director Jonathan Talberg, the Chamber Choir of CSU Long Beach, choreographers Sherene Melania Bretschneider, Anindo Marshall, Jingqiu Guan and their dance teams, videographer Teodora Totoiu, mix engineer Jon Rezin, and all who took part in support of the filming and audio recording of these works!
Choral Tales Awarded with Citation for Excellence from The American Prize
August 2, 2019
All three Choral Tales works have received an award in The American Prize — in the division of Composition for Opera/Theater/Film/Dance. The Choral Tales were described by one judge as "stunning" and were cited for "excellent integration of music, dance and story-telling in a choral framework."
This is significant not only because The American Prize is a prestigious nationwide competition, but also because the division of Opera/Theater/Film/Dance is very broad. That means that our short Choral Tales pieces (mostly a cappella and 5-7 minutes each) had to compete with operas having a full cast of characters, accompanied by instrument ensembles and lasting up to one and a half hours — and we still received an award! Congratulations to everyone on our Choral Tales team of artists!
“Cat’s Protector” Advances to Round 2 in International Film Festival
July 15, 2019
One of the Choral Tales — "Cat's Protector" — has advanced to Round 2 in the Aesthetica Short Film Festival, an international film festival based in the UK and recognized by BAFTA. Quite an honor, considering there were 3,500 entries from film makers around the world!
This is one of the pieces in which Ludwig Tuman served as producer and composer, collaborating in this case with choreographer Anindo Marshall. Congratulations to our outstanding team of artists! See the video here: Cat’s Protector
Choral Tales Music was Broadcast Worldwide on Radio!
February 13, 2019
Choral Tales music composed by Ludwig Tuman was selected for worldwide broadcast on World Radio Day, an annual event sponsored by UNESCO in partnership with the European Broadcast Union and many other broadcast unions around the world.
Choral Tales music was part of a package provided by the event's organizers to participating radio stations in over 100 countries.
The theme for World Radio Day this year was “Dialogue, Tolerance and Peace.”
All Three Choral Tales Selected as National Finalists in The American Prize
March 11, 2019
All three Choral Tales works have been selected as National Finalists in The American Prize!
This is a prestigious national competition in music and related performing arts. The 3 musical works are pieces composed for choir — "Cat’s Protector," "Lord of the Cranes," and "The Happy Man’s Shirt." The 3 of them are in the finals in two separate Categories — “Professional Choral Music Composition” and “Music for Film or Dance.” Grateful thanks to collaborator Shirin Sabri for writing the text.
Winners will be announced in the coming months.
Screening of Choral Tales Films on World Peace Day
September 21, 2018
The first Choral Tales films were screened on the UN International Day of Peace, September 21st. The occasion was a concert and expo hosted by the Build a Better World Foundation, in a theater of Agoura Hills, California.
The event honored and raised funds for four educational and humanitarian organizations, including the Choral Tales Project. We are most grateful to Build a Better World Foundation for their support.
The Choral Tales films were projected in the theater and the screening was very well received.
The screening of “Cat’s Protector,” one of the Choral Tales films premiered on the UN International Day of Peace
At the event, Mayor William D. Koehler of Agoura Hills spoke on the vital importance of peace. Other speakers included Robin Dimaggio, Music Director to the United Nations, and Ludwig Tuman, founder-director of the Choral Tales Project. The event was MC’d by Kristy Corwin, founder of the Build a Better World Foundation.
Kristy Corwin, founder of the Build a Better World Foundation, with Robin Dimaggio, Music Director to the UN
Ludwig Tuman discusses the Choral Tales Project at the premiere of the project’s films.
William D. Koehler, Mayor of Agoura Hills, spoke at the event.
Schools in Chile expand use of Choral Tales
September 1, 2018
In Temuco, a large university city and the capital of the Araucania region of Chile, schools are expanding their use of stories from the Choral Tales Project.
The children learn about their own ancient indigenous Mapuche culture and language (see backdrops in photos). At the same time, they are learning to respect cultures from other parts of the world through the Choral Tales stories, which are from Tanzania, Mexico, Scotland and China.
While the Choral Tales Project at this stage is oriented primarily to young adults, we are delighted to see that children, too, are being exposed to the wisdom in these stories from around the world.
Choral Tales Filming a Success!
April 29, 2018
We are excited to announce that on April 29, years of preparation bore fruit in a single, wonderful day when the first Choral Tales works were successfully filmed.
The audio recordings and videos are being edited and will be made available for viewing in the weeks to come. Stay tuned!
Dr. Jonathan Talberg (2nd row of choir, left) led the Chamber Choir of California State University, Long Beach, accompanied by percussionists Arthur Lin, Petra Elek and Bailey O'Donnell on African instruments.
It was a joy and privilege to engage and work with so many wonderful people, to see so much talent and experience all in one place! Musicians, choreographers, dancers, audio and film teams - some 60 artists in all - traveled from Long Beach and Los Angeles to Oxnard College to film the first Choral Tales pieces.
Click the link below to see striking photos of the individual artists performing. Photography here and on Facebook: David Tuman.
Choral director, Dr. Jonathan Talberg, led the renowned Chamber Choir of California State University, Long Beach. The music was composed by Ludwig Tuman, based on text by collaborating poet and author, Shirin Sabri. Choreography was by Sherene Melania (previously filmed), Anindo Marshall, and Jingqui Guan.
The pieces performed and filmed were "The Happy Man's Shirt," "The Cat's Protector," and "Lord of the Cranes" - based on folk tales from Scotland/UK, Tanzania, and China.
Bei Bei, internationally known guzheng performer, with flutist Jeffery Harley and members of the Chamber Choir, during an informal run-through of "Lord of the Cranes."
Anindo Marshall choreographed "The Cat's Protector," based on a folk tale from Tanzania. Seen above, Nateli Ruiz and Shannon Grayson dance on stage with the choir.
Choreographer and dancer Jingqiu Guan (front left), with dancers Mizuki Sako, Kelsey Manes, Kristianne Salcines and Kyra Sakamoto. They performed "Lord of the Cranes," based on a folk tale from China.
Sherene Melania, Artistic Director of the Presidio Dance Theatre in San Francisco, choreographed "The Happy Man's Shirt". Seen above are Andrew Leathers as the Happy Man, and Edgar Lepe as the King. Filmed last year, this dance has now been combined with the filming of the choir singing the music.
Grateful Thanks to All Who Made it Possible!
Institutional Sponsors:
The Arts Collaborative, headed by Armando Lopez
Artists Building Capacity as World Citizens
Oxnard College, special thanks to President Cynthia Azari
Donors:
The many friends of the project whose contributions large and small helped us reach our budget goal. Without your help, none of this would have been possible. To travel, you have to have fuel!
Visual Artists:
Heidi Bradbury, whose donated painting "Namaste" graces the Choral Tales web site
Bridgette Kelling, for rendering the Choral Tales logo
Artistic Collaborators:
Choral Tales was privileged to engage artistic collaborators with wonderful records of accomplishments. To take just one example, who has not been highlighted in a previous newsletter: Jon Rezin, our project audio engineer, has recorded and mixed for the likes of Disney films, American Idol, John Legend, and Santana. To list just some of the more notable achievements of our collaborators would make the newsletter impossibly long!
Dr. Jonathan Talberg, Head of Vocal and Opera Studies, Cal State University, Long Beach; Director of Chamber Choir
Shirin Sabri, Poet and Author
Anindo Marshall, Choreographer
Sherene Melania, Choreographer
Jingqiu Guan, Choreographer
Jon Rezin, Recording & Audio Mix Engineer
Teodora Totoiu, Cinematographer
Singers:
The Chamber Choir of CSU, Long Beach, winner of the Choir of the World Award, in Wales. The members are vocal majors, some specializing in jazz or opera, and each a wonderful singer in their own right.
Amanda Mello
Amanda Mitton
Ashley Miner
Attia Arenas
Blake Larson
Brandon Guzman
Brittany Logan
Emilio Valdez
Emily Booth
Emily Bosetti
Ethan Daneguldberg
Harlee Balajadia
Holly Freiberg
Ian Luna
Jennifer Paz
John Carroll
Jonathan Arenas
Justin Baptista
Kathleen Moriarty
Kathleen Van Ruiten
Kaylee Lackman
Malek Sammour
Marcus Klotz
Matthew Hazzard
Michaela Blanchard
Nancy Leigh Morgan
Natalie Gonzalez
Pauline Tamale
Ricardo Martinez
Ryan King
Saane Halaholo
Sarah Shaler
Sarah Conniff
Sean Wilburn
Thomas Murphy O'Hara
Zachary Haines
Dancers:
Tale from Tanzania: "The Cat's Protector"
Eric Freeman
Mychal McCulley
Nateli Ruiz
Shannon Grayson
Sherrod Tate
Tale from China: "Lord of the Cranes":
Jingqiu Guan
Kelsey Manes
Kyra Sakamoto
Kristianne Salcines
Mizuki Sako
Tale from Scotland: "The Happy Man's Shirt"
Sherene Melania
Andrew Leathers
Annalise Thompson
Edgar Lepe
Hillary Mimnaugh
Camera Operators:
(San Francisco)
Khari Jones
Chris Bundy
(Los Angeles)
Teodora Totoiu
Michael Thomas
Nathaniel Nguyen-Le
Samia Zaidi
Choral Tales in Chile
December 26, 2017
A school child in the Araucania region of Chile holds the Choral Tales logo
We are excited to share the news that school authorities in Temuco, a large university city and the capital of the Araucania region of Chile, have begun to use in classrooms their translation into Spanish of the first set of stories of the Choral Tales Project. The tales, which are from Tanzania, Mexico, Scotland and China, have been given to teachers, who have begun teaching them to children in school.
Most of the children in the region's schools belong to the Mapuche community, an indigenous people whose roots in the southern Andes are estimated to date back several thousand years. The Mapuche have succeeded in keeping their culture and language intact throughout the colonial period and to the present day.
While the Choral Tales Project at this stage is oriented primarily to young adults, we are delighted to see that children, too, are being exposed to the wisdom in these stories from around the world. In the process they are strengthening a sense of belonging to a world wide community.
Choral Tales welcomes Anindo Marshall as Choreographer for Tale from Tanzania
November 29, 2017
We are delighted to announce that Professor Anindo Marshall has joined our Choral Tales team of artists. She will be choreographing "The Cat's Protector," a tale from Tanzania which was a favorite of Nelson Mandela.
Ms. Marshall teaches Afro-Cuban dance at the University of Southern California. She began her musical and dance career in her homeland of Kenya, as a vocalist/dancer/percussionist. While in Kenya as a young dance student in ballet, modern, jazz and African, she met Saundra Barnes, a Dunham dancer living in Kenya and teaching Dunham Technique. Anindo studied with Ms Barnes (Ife) and in 1983 moved to the USA continuing her study of the Technique with Miss Dunham, and Dunham Masters Pearl Reynolds, Archie Savage, Lucille Ellis, Tommy Gomez, Tally Beatty, Vanove Aikens, Theo Jamison, Ronald Marshall and Keith Williams.
Ms. Marshall holds a BA from the University of Nairobi, Kenya. She is a Certified Dunham Technique Instructor, and serves as a board member of the Institute for Dunham Technique Certification. She has taught and continues to teach worldwide, including Debbie Allen Dance Academy, Dance Dimensions and Lula Washington Dance Theater in Los Angeles, as well as Occidental College, LMU, LACHSA. She also conducts Dunham Technique residencies in LAUSD schools as part of the Arts Community Partnership Network, as well as conduct residencies in colleges all over the US.
Choreographer Jingqiu Guan Joins Choral Tales Team of Artists
November 25, 2017
We are happy to welcome a new member to our growing family of Choral Tales artists. Choreographer Jingqiu Guan, based in Los Angeles, has agreed to choreograph and perform in the production of our project's folk story from China, "Lord of the Cranes."
Jingqiu grew up in Chengdu, China, where her love for dance was first ignited through the study of Chinese folk and classical dance. However, it was the exposure to modern dance after she came to the United States and to ballet when she was studying abroad in France that allowed her to discover that dancing had become her way of life. As a recipient of an Iowa Arts Fellowship, Jingqiu had the opportunity to deepen her understanding of dance performance through an MFA program at the University of Iowa.
Currently, Jingqiu is pursuing a doctoral degree in Culture and Performance at the Department of World Arts and Culture/Dance at UCLA. Her research focuses on the knowledge production of dancefilm, examining the interplay of practitioners, exhibitions, and spectators in the shaping of this unique cultural practice. Jingqiu has earned a BA in Economics and French from Saint Mary’s College and a Master’s Degree in International Education Policy from Harvard University.
First Choral Tales Dance Filmed in San Francisco
June 29, 2017
The unhappy king finally finds a happy man... (Photo: David Tuman)
We are so grateful for the large in-kind donations our project received in June. They made it possible for us to film the first of the Choral Tales dances ahead of schedule - to the music for our tale from Scotland, "The Happy Man's Shirt."
The choreography is by Sherene Melania, acclaimed Artistic Director and Principal Choreographer of Presidio Dance Theatre & Academy, San Francisco. With dancing by outstanding members of the Theatre, the filming was a success and will be included in the Choral Tales productions next year.
Premiere of "The Happy Man's Shirt" Delayed
February 11, 2017
We were looking forward to the premiere of "The Happy Man's Shirt" in March. It was to have been performed by the Chamber Choir of CSU Long Beach, under the direction of Dr. Jonathan Talberg, as part of the choir's spring concert at the university.
We have now learned from Dr. Talberg that the original plans for the concert had to be suspended, because the choir has recently been hired to perform an opera of the renowned American composer, Phillip Glass, at his 80th birthday celebration!
Congratulations to Dr. Talberg and the Chamber Choir for this additional recognition of their musical excellence! We continue to look forward to the premiere of "The Happy Man's Shirt" on another occasion.
Choral Tales Receives Large Donations
January 12, 2017
Chamber Choir of CSU Long Beach, performing in Wales, where they won the 2016 Choir of the World Award. This choir is to record the works of the Choral Tales Project.
We are excited to share the news that our project is starting 2017 with large new donations.
We are ever so grateful to these friends of the project for their generosity. Their donations carry us much closer to completing our production budget.
"The music is magnificent. ...an extremely talented and gifted composer."
The above is a comment from a songwriter and producer in southern California, in response to the first Choral Tales piece to be composed by Ludwig Tuman, "The Happy Man's Shirt." Here is another:
“Congratulations for all the wonderful, healing and world-uplifting work you are doing!”
~ from a friend of the project in Florida
Choral Tales Translated for Use in Schools in Chile
December 22, 2016
Doris Pacheco Soto
We are proud to announce that the inspiring stories of the Choral Tales Project, as re-told in the words of collaborating author, Shirin Sabri, have recently been translated from English to Spanish for use in schools in a region of Chile. Our grateful thanks to Doris Pacheco Soto, a Chilean specialist in children's education, for recognizing the educational potential in these stories, proposing the initiative to our project, and coordinating the translations.
"I felt like I was listening to the voices of angels. I even imagined myself dancing..."
We continue receiving enthusiastic responses to the provisional recording prepared by Ludwig Tuman for "The Happy Man's Shirt," from all around the USA and many other countries. This is the first of the Choral Tales for which Ludwig has composed the music. The caption above was from a message received from a supporter of the project in the Philippines.
Another supporter, in San Mateo, California, sent this response:
“Beautiful... I felt my breathing slowing down, and I drifted into a calm place! I can't wait to hear the next chapters in this journey.”
Choral Tales Highlighted at Gathering in EU for Anniversary of Declaration of Planetary Consciousness
The Choral Tales Project was included in the slide show at the Club of Budapest gathering, held on Dec 2-3, 2016 for the 20th anniversary of the Declaration of Planetary Consciousness. The event was attended by speakers and guests from 25 countries.
The poster/flier shown in the slide (shown above) was created by The Arts Collaborative, one of the two non-profits sponsoring our project.
The program highlighted examples of projects around the world, including our own, that promote oneness and positive change.
National Fashion League in Hungary to Partner with Choral Tales!
December 6, 2016
Fashion Model for Global Sustainable Fashion
We are excited to announce that the National Fashion League, based in beautiful Budapest, Hungary, is partnering with the Choral Tales Project.
See their web site here: www.fashionhungary.com/
The National Fashion League is an umbrella organization for a number of designers dedicated to sustainable fashion and the using of eco-friendly materials. The League, which is a member of Fashion Council Europe, sees Choral Tales as a natural partner since one of the themes in the stories we are setting to music and dance is care of the environment.
Arrangements are being made through Dr. Gabriella Walek, President of the League, and also President of Global Sustainable Fashion Week.
Dr. Gabriella Walek (center), Pres. of National Fashion League and of Global Sustainable Fashion Week
Responses to First Choral Tales Piece Pour In
We have been receiving glowing responses to the music Ludwig Tuman wrote for "The Happy Man's Shirt," and the provisional recording he prepared. Responses have been coming from all around the USA and from many other countries. Here is a message received from a friend of the project in Beijing:
“This is absolutely stunning!!! It left me wanting more and imagining, with awe and delight, what the finished product might be like - what a tremendous accomplishment.
...It would be an honor to attend the performance, to watch this unfold on stage, whenever and wherever it is. Please keep me posted."
First Choral Tale to be Performed in Long Beach, California
November 15, 2016
We are grateful to share that the first piece composed by Ludwig Tuman for the Choral Tales Project - "The Happy Man's Shirt" - has been selected to be performed by the Chamber Choir of California State University, Long Beach, in their upcoming Spring Concert!
Dr. Jonathan Talberg, the choir's renowned director and head of vocal and opera studies at the University, decided to include this work in their concert shortly after Ludwig completed it and sent it to him.
To include this Choral Tales work in the university choir's selective concert repertoire was an independent decision on Dr. Talberg's part, and a high compliment.
The concert is separate from the video recording we will eventually make of the set of four Choral Tales, with narrative dancers, once the remaining pieces are written and the fund raising is completed.
The Chamber Choir at CSU Long Beach is one of the finest collegiate choirs in the world, making regular tours around the world.
They won the prestigious 2016 international competition for "Choir of the World," in Wales, an event in which choirs from all continents took part. All the 40+ singers are voice majors and their sound as a choir is simply glorious.
Click here to see this choir in action when they won the Choir of the World Award
© Ludwig Tuman 2018