The Idaho Statesman

September 16, 2007

BOISE MASTER CHORALE IS A RESPITE FOR JAMES JIRAK

Dana Oland

Staff

James Jirak used all his tools in last week's rehearsal of the Boise Master Chorale.

He asked the chorus to sing a few measures over and over, trying to illicit subtle shifts in tone, accent and vocal color in "Armor of Light," a contemporary choral piece paying tribute to Saint Cecilia.

With a clear tenor voice he offered examples of what he was listening for, with a smile and humor accompanying each correction. His energy and love for choral music is obvious as he conducts the 80-member community chorus, preparing for their season opening concert in early October.

The group gathers each Monday at Boise State University to rehearse. It's sometimes a challenge to get everyone there, but it's always worth the effort.

"People's lives are more complicated today. I view the Master Chorale as a respite from the busyness of life. I think that's why so many people come to spend their Monday nights with us. It's a calm in the storm of society," he said.

When that intent is matched by the audience, then it's magic.

"That's when you have real synergy," he said.

The skill he needs most from the podium is the ability to listen across the group, he said.

"It's an acquired skill. You have to train yourself. Part of it is having a concept of tone you want," he said. "I also know from my work with the score what are going to be problem areas. So I can plan to work on those."

Singers in the Boise community formed the Master Chorale to perform Handel's "Messiah" in 1975, which the chorale continues to perform each holiday season. The group regularly performs its own season, plus occasionally with the Boise Philharmonic, Boise Baroque and other groups.

An assistant professor of music at Boise States University, Jirak took on the chorale 11 seasons ago and it's become an increasingly satisfying proposition as he and the group have grown.

"It's been a learning experience for me. I made some mistakes early on in programming. For example, we're better at performing choral master works than we are at performing hits off the radio," he said referencing the "Love and Romance" series they did a few years ago.

"We need to shine at what we do best," he said.

For Jirak, that's as easy and reaching into his background. Music might be in his genetic makeup.

His parents met while they were performing in Colorado's all-state choir. They lived in different towns but kept in touch. So he grew up with a natural connection to music of all kinds.

"All the Jirak kids learned piano," he said, an obvious result when your mom is the town piano instructor.

Of all of his siblings, music seemed to stick with him the most.

Jirak sang his first competitive aria in junior high school with his mom, Leona, as his vocal coach. He went on to excel at choir and eventually made it to Colorado's all-state choir as a senior.

"That was a life-changing experience because all of a sudden I was in a room with 200 people who loved to do what I did and it was very affirming," he said.

His road to Boise included a stopover in Jackson Hole, Wyo., and a stint in a modern dance company. His dance training helps him when it comes to conducting, he says.

Working in choral music is a very personal experience, Jirak said. "We don't have an instrument between us and the audience, so there's personal contact in the face value. That is the audience being able to look into our faces," he said.

Though the chorale membership is broad, Jirak plans to recruit younger members to create a multi-generational chorus.

"We're very ardent about helping high school and college students know that their choral experience doesn't have to end with school. They can become singers for life."