H
ello Everyone,
Thank you for your attention to detail as we rehearsed this evening in our sectionals and for your enthusiasm as we came together for the last portion our rehearsal. At this point, I am hopeful that everyone knows all pitches and rhythms of our repertoire. If not, please work with your practice tracks so that we can move forward with our music-making. Thank you, again, to Laura D. and to Debbie for your musical leadership and encouragement.
In our upcoming rehearsals, we need to focus on polishing our music by spending rehearsal time on phrasing, dynamics, and articulation. We need to think about ensemble balance, blend, intonation, timbre, vowel shapes, and consonant clarity. We need time to share our ideas with one another regarding the meaning of our texts and how we can best share our connections with our audience in January. These rehearsals can be especially fulfilling and fun but difficult to accomplish if we are chasing notes and rhythms. Please let know if I can be of assistance in any way outside of our regular rehearsals if you are having a particular challenge that you are not able to work out on your own. I know our terrific section leaders can also be of great help.
Specifically, here is feedback on the following:
Now Let Me Fly (Memorized by 12/2/19) – Stacey V. Gibbs
S1L – listen to your practice tracks and check to make sure that you are accurate in m. 80.
A1 – practice m. 53-56 so that you can be very confident on your melodic storytelling.
A2 – listen to your practice tracks and work on mm. 59-60.
Please listen to and sing your part with this recording: Let Me Fly (click on the sound button)
Overall, it will be very important that we take rhythmic breaths as an ensemble so that our entrances are not behind the beat. It will also be important to not take a breath in some strategic places – for instance, please don’t breathe between mm. 79-80 or mm. 83-84. There are many more instances – I am going to conduct the phrases as they are sung in the above recording link if you want to go ahead and mark them in your scores. Consonants need to happen ahead of the beat so that our vowels are on the beat.
The Valley – (Memorized by 12/9/19)
Review with your practice tracks – especially the verses (much improved!) and the final refrain at rehearsal G, mm. 77-85.
Looking Ahead to 11/18/19
During our warm ups, we will spend more time with vowel exercises. We will continue to also focus on intonation, Any work you can do on your own at home with a tuner will be helpful.
Faith is the Bird – Elizabeth Alexander
Circle all of your dynamic markings.
Speak the text in rhythm, focusing on clearly articulating the consonants. (Modify words and syllables ending in R)
Breathe on the rests, otherwise stagger breathing. There are two exceptions: breathe in m. 22 after “light” and m. 43 after “dark.”
The Peace of Wild Things – Sean Ivory
We need to sing through this together to accomplish the transitions from section to section. Please review with your practice tracks if you are not sure of pitches or rhythms.
Circle all of your dynamic markings.
Speak the text in rhythm, focusing on clearly articulating the consonants. (Modify words and syllables ending in R)
My People Are Rising – Carol Barnett
Review mm. 80-119 to make sure that all pitches and rhythms are secure.
The Tree of Peace – Gwyneth Walker
Review mm. 46-91 pitches and rhythms. Note the accel. beginning at mm. 48 and going through mm. 54.
1941 – Andrea Ramsey
Circle all of your dynamic markings.
Speak the text in rhythm, focusing on clearly articulating the consonants. (Modify words and syllables ending in R)
We will put this together (can’t wait!)
Thanks to the WVC board and to everyone who is working on SO MANY logistical details as we move closer to our January concert. Thank you to Debbie and to all for your musical work.
Cheers!
Laura