Hello Everyone,
It was lovely to see and hear you all at rehearsal last night. It is so nice to be back to our music-making after our summer break.
It was very fun to learn a bit about our newest members. I know I speak for everyone when I say that we are glad that you are with us and we look forward to getting to know you better in the weeks ahead.
If you are interested, auditions for Chamber Choir are scheduled for 9/18/23 from 9:30-10pm (after our regular rehearsal). The PDF of the music is attached. Please be prepared to sing from the pick up to m. 25 through m. 56. The practice files and pronunciation guide are on our website. The Chamber Choir will also sing The Bird’s Lullaby but this will not be part of the audition. Both of these a cappella pieces will require solid intonation and voices that blend well together. The desired timbre for both pieces is light and lively. Rhythmic accuracy is super important, too. The strong preference is that you are present in person for auditions but If you already know that you will be absent next week, you may email a recording (due by 9/18/23). Sing along to the practice track with ALL parts softly in the background. It will be important to balance the ensemble so you may be assigned to sing a different part than the one you regularly sing with WVC – please be open to that – your flexibility is appreciated.
Rehearsal Reflection:
We covered most of our rehearsal plan focusing primarily on learning notes and rhythms. Next week we will review and add some new material, as well as rehearse the items we didn’t get to last night.
Everyone received a self-assessment guide. These are for personal use – they won’t be shared. I encourage everyone to reflect and identify areas that would benefit from attention, setting personal goals for the semester. As we individually grow, our ensemble will grow, too! If you missed rehearsal, extra copies of the self assessment are in the bin that is out on the table during rehearsals – feel free to take one.
I encouraged everyone to number all of their measures. It makes navigating starting and stopping places much more efficient.
I also encouraged everyone to spend some time with their music and the practice files during the week so that every rehearsal we make progress together and can review without relearning.
Love is Welcome Here – Catherine Dalton mm. 1-24
- note the 6/4 measures mm. 6&14 – all others 4/4
- shape the vowel of ‘love’ toward an ah
- sing the K in ‘kindness’
- emphasize the F in ‘fear’
- minimize the R in ‘here’
- A2U rhythm in mm. 6 and 14 – change the last quarter note to an eighth note and add and eighth rest so that you finish the word with the other parts
Sparks of Divinity – Lana Walter mm. 1-4, 12-13
- ‘divinity’ pronounced dih-vih-nih-tee (but the last syllable ‘ty’ is shaped toward the ih vowel, as well!)
- minimize the R in ‘sparks’ (Think of Spock from Star Trek – Live Long and Prosper!)
- the eighth pulse remains constant throughout
- this piece will benefit tremendously if everyone will spend some time with their practice file!
To Sit and Dream – Rosephanye Powell mm. 13-14, 18-19, 22-23
- focused primarily on pitches and rhythms
- minimize the R and L in ‘world’ – make sure your tongue stays relaxed
- note the same rhythmic movement in mm. 18 & 22 for S1/A2 and S2/A1 and the octave unisons for S1&A2
Spes (Hope) Mia Makaroff mm. 1-10, 59-72
- focused primarily on pitches and rhythms
- A1 note the C#s in m. 4 (good job!)
Through the House Give Glimmering Light – Amy Beach mm. 1-41
- flip all of the Rs
- sing lightly throughout, even on the louder sections! Fairies, not ogres in the house!
- mind the B-flats and B-naturals!
You’ve Got a Friend in Me – arr. Julie Gault mm. 19-35 (review mm. 1-18)
- keep a steady tempo – a nice ‘soft shoe’ so not too fast. Should feel zippy without feeling rushed
Ave Maria – Brahms did not have time to rehearse mm. 1-42
Mah Dodech Midod – Eleanor Epstein did not have time to rehearse mm. 1-23
Looking Ahead to 9/18/23:
We will review our work from 9/11/23 and continue to work on some of our 4/8-part divisi pieces, focusing on the following sections:
Love is Welcome Here – Catherine Dalton mm. 25-40 (review mm. 1-24)
Sparks of Divinity – Lana Walter mm. 1-21 (review mm. 1-4, 12-13
Ave Maria – Brahms mm. 1-42
Mah Dodech Midod – Eleanor Epstein mm. 1-23
To Sit and Dream – Rosephanye Powell mm. 1-24 50-63 (review mm. 13-14, 18-19, 22-23)
Spes (Hope) Mia Makaroff
We will add the Latin text and review parts for mm. 1-10, 59-72
- Please add the translation to your score (it’s on the inside cover). Please read the interview with the composer posted under our members practice files section. https://acdaeast.org/2022/10/17/spes-hope-by-mia-makaroff/
- There is also a follow up interview here that talks about folk singing and the contrasting singing styles in this piece: https://acdaeast.org/2022/10/25/getting-into-treble-a-conversation-with-alison-wahl/
Through the House Give Glimmering Light – Amy Beach mm. 1-41 (review)
- Phrasing, marking in breaths and noting ritards and a tempos mm. 1-41
You’ve Got a Friend in Me – arr. Julie Gault mm. 19-35 (review mm. 1-18)
See you on Monday!
Laura