Hello All,
I can’t tell you how much fun I had HEARING us sing together as we sight read through our repertoire. Yay us! I did sweat a river under my mask but am grateful for it (the mask, not the sweat). I heard my breathing was LOUD into the microphone – SORRY about that! I will try a lower mic placement and see if that will lessen the Darth Vader effect. 🙂
I shared wonderful news last night – Women’s Voices Chorus will be featured as a virtual choir at the NC American Choral Directors Association conference in October. I submitted our What the Heart Cannot Forget video and it was enthusiastically received. Yay us!
I also recently began my two-year term on the NC ACDA board as the Chair for Repertoire and Resources – Community Choirs. I look forward to serving NC’s choral directors in this capacity.
As I said at rehearsal last night, we will keep our warm up period brief. I will aim for about 5 minutes. If you need more than that, please warm up on your own before you arrive. Also, aim to sing a little each day – vitally important in keeping our voices limber and responsive.
There are three YouTubers I enjoy, all for different reasons (there are, of course, many others). I think that you will find any of their videos helpful – pick the style and energy you relate to best…and sing everyday!
Cheryl Porter https://www.youtube.com/c/CherylPorterVocalCoach
Kathleen Hansen (KHansenMusic) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jFYocaHPOgU&list=PLSFJRREjhcLTiayXKoQCsRzn5vklLZdqB
Roger Hale https://www.youtube.com/c/RogerHale
I shared these expectations:
Community:
- Respect one another as humans and musicians.
- Be patient. Rehearsals will be challenging but also hopefully fun and rewarding –
extend grace to yourself and to others.
- Encourage and affirm one another and support those in leadership positions. Contact your section leader, membership liaison, or board member as appropriate.
- Share positivity and avoid complaints and negative comments.
- Be patient with how rehearsals are structured knowing that we are maximizing our singing time and minimizing our virus exposure.
- Take vocal breaks as needed during rehearsal – singing/breathing in masks is challenging. Pace yourself and take care to not push past what is best for you.
- Follow all COVID mitigation protocols consistently.
Musicianship:
- Engage fully in rehearsal – while not singing, listen and study your score, think about the text, audiate your own part as you listen to the others, etc.
- Mark your music with rehearsal notes. If you have questions, contact your section leader.
- Learn your part – use the practice files on our website. The sooner you can accurately sing your part, the faster we can all move on to the expressive elements that bring our music to life.
- Keep your voice as limber and responsive as possible – strive to sing every day.
- Warm ups at rehearsals will be brief. Warm up on your own if you need more time to get your voice moving.
- Set vocal/musicianship goals for yourself.
Looking Forward to 9/13/21
Rise Up – Jake Runestad/Susan B. Anthony mm. 1-37
- Pitches and rhythms
- Altos – singing the accents will bring your part to life
- The primary vowel for rise is AH
- Also shape up with an AH vowel
Nothing Short of Grace – Joan Szymko (text inspired by Danna Faulds) mm. 1-33
- Pitches and rhythms
- Sing all notes for their full duration
- Tempo is steady throughout
Storm Comin’ mm. 1-18
- Pitches and rhythms
- Listening to the Wailin’ Jennys performance is very helpful (and enjoyable!). There are stylistic elements that are impossible to notate. (the link is on our website under practice files)
Sing My Child mm. 1-38
- Pitches and rhythms
- The asymmetrical meter is so fun – note the shift from 7/8 to 5/8 at m.19 and then back to 7/8 at m. 27.
Enjoy your Labor Day weekend – I look forward to seeing everyone in person or on Zoom on 9/13.
Yay us!
Laura