© Òscar Boada, Spain

#WCG2018 – Meet the Jury

10 questions with Òscar Boada (Spain)

World Choir Games 2018

Renowned choral experts from 28 different nations are going to evaluate the competition performances at the World Choir Games 2018 in Tshwane, South Africa. Time to learn more about them!

10 questions with Òscar Boada (Spain)

INTERKULTUR’s Artistic director of “Canta al Mar” in Calella since 2017, Oscar Boada, is not only well-known for his choral engagement in Spain. He is also is the Artistic Director and founder of the children's choir Cor Vivaldi-Petits Cantors de Catalunya (Ambassador 2017 IFCM) and – amongst other - a sought-after adjudicator in international competitions.

Who or what is your greatest inspiration in life?

Nothing more inspirating to me than a gentle smile and a sincere will to help.

What would you be doing today, if you were not in choral music?

I would be, no doubt, a commercial agent selling all kinds of non artistical products: lamps, electric wires, imagine!! My life would be very boring indeed!

When did you last sing?

Today at 13.30!

What is the best (and funniest) story to tell from your choral life?

It may sound funny nowadays, after so many years, but it was certainly not at the time it happened. Imagine the situation: directing and playing at the same time a bunch of kids in "Sound the trumpet" by H. Purcell. The electronic piano (hate them!!!!!) was sounding too loud, the page turner did not turn the page at the right moment, I had to stop and, abruptly, threw the score on the ground and, you can easily imagine the rest...

Which song never fails to move you?

Not a song exactly, but I always feel moved when I listen to a good version of "Tullerunt Dominum meum" an excerpt of motet Surrexit pastor bonus by Felix Mendelssohn.

With whom would you like to sing a duet once in your life?

It's impossible, now, but what an incredible pleasure to sing a duet with great baritone Dietrich Fischer Dieskau, or accompany him playing the piano (maybe I would preffer this...)!

What is the greatest piece of choral literature that has ever been written?

I doubt between "Ein deutsches Requiem" by Brahms or Mendelssohn's Elijah (in English, sorry, Elijah sounds to me like an english work!)

Acting as adjudicator at choir competitions, what is your main focus of evaluation?

General Intonation, obviously, but very specially, phrasing and general vocal colour are my main focus of evaluation.

What is your personal advice to choirs/conductors competing at the World Choir Games?

The World Choir Games is an amazing competition. Prepare your choir thoroughly, choose a musical program (avoid dull or unmusical pieces, please, please, please!!) and do your best!

What’s the most useless talent you have?

I can keep in my memory all kind of personal situations relating them to the year but you will not believe it, I very rarely can conduct by heart...what a drama!!!

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