Interview with Paul Flight
Dr. Paul Flight, noted choral conductor and singer, brings a wealth of expertise to the direction of the Schola Cantorum San Francisco. The NCCO is excited to collaborate with him on the December program, Celebrate the Holidays. We spoke with him recently about the upcoming collaboration and his experience as a conductor and musician. Purchase tickets for the program here.
Q: Many people are happy to pursue performance in one instrument or specialty. Why did you decide to pursue both singing and conducting?
A: I have always been interested in vocal and choral repertoire; they complement each other very nicely. I had skills in both areas and so it seemed a very natural path to take.
Q: How does your vocal performance experience inform or enhance your conducting?
A: My background as a singer is enormously useful in training a choir. It is rather like when a good violinist takes charge of an orchestra. That person has special insight as to how to render a phrase or make a beautiful sound from the technical point of view. I am able to foster a beautiful sound from the choir and to help them with the phrasing. I can often demonstrate just how I would like the phrase to be sung.
Q: You have a wide range of musical interests, from little-known early music to very modern composers, like John Adams and Philip Glass. What about this music attracts you?
A: Very early music and the music of composers like Glass and Adams take a keen ear and a good sense of pitch and intonation. I like the accuracy that it takes to render the music.
Q: What brought you to work with Schola Cantorum San Francisco?
A: I had always been a fan of their sound and their artistry! When the opportunity came to lead them, I was grateful.
Q: What are your goals as Artistic Director of Schola?
A: I would like to increase their visibility, since they are one of the best kept musical secrets in the Bay Area.
Q: What are you most looking forward to in your December collaboration with the NCCO and Melody Moore?
A: The chance to collaborate with NCCO is very exciting! These two ensembles are highly skilled, and both program music that is not well known but is of the highest quality.
Don't miss this exciting concert. Purchase your tickets here to see Dr. Flight and Schola Cantorum collaborate with the NCCO and soprano Melody Moore.