Singing a Tradition

The Wagner ‘sound’ is unique. It has its roots in the experiences, the history, and the perceptions of one man, Roger Wagner. Dr. Wagner was born in France and at an early age made music his life and passion. As an organist he grew into an uncompromising commitment to registration of the overtone series. An accomplished and gifted organist, the door to music led him to appreciate that the bass predominates and is built upon to reach a production of sound that reaches into the soul and expresses the depth of human emotion.

Another element in the Wagner Sound is propulsion of the line to the organic culmination that gives it the "motion" that we hear. Without this surge in the music we would not be carried along to experience the story, to share the tale that informs our humanity. Nothing is more interesting than the narrative of life with lyric resonance as its accompaniment. This allows for the emotional investment in the text to evolve from the page to the people. We are all enriched by the encounter.

Roger and Jeannine shared an important fundamental talent: a singular, discriminating, uncompromising, superbly honed sense of hearing. In the 'business', Jeannine is known for her 'ears'. Roger felt that the bass predominated and was the foundation upon which the 'sound' was built. Added to this is the famous 'floating soprano' strategy that she demands from the choir. This talent is the tool used to fashion the Wagner Ensemble's production that has thrilled audiences throughout the world.

Roger Wagner's experience with boy choirs led him to want to retain the purity of the boys' sound along with the warmth of the women’s sound resulting with what Jeannine strives for today. And now we sing the tradition.