Hello Everyone,
It was wonderful to see you all (and hear you sing) after our break. I hope that our lizard friend is enjoying their new home in the succulents!
I am very excited about our remaining rehearsals and upcoming concert.
I know that Janet already sent the A2 some very helpful notes – thank you!
Some aspects to consider:
Love is Welcome Her
– Wow! The overall tuning has greatly improved. We stayed in E major throughout. But still to work on is the tuning within the key so that we feel and hear the harmonies lock in. The Bs in the A1 and A2 parts are consistently flat throughout – if you have a tuning app, perhaps give that a try…or sing with the practice files and really pay attention to being on top of the note instead of underneath. Also, always be sure that you are singing with your best possible posture so that you take an energized breath and then produce a resonant tone. The spot in the music that is really noticeably under pitch is mm. 50-51. We do not hit an A major chord in m. 51 because the A1s are under pitch – especially singing the C# which is the third of the chord and is what establishes that we are singing a major chord. We are VERY close – we will work on it together. It is much, much improved.
– Be sure you know when notes end! Some A1s and A2s are holding out their phrases into the rests – for example, m. 16…it’s happening as the altos finish and then the sopranos enter…so many places throughout the piece.
– Nice job with the spoken word, Hannah! Every word is clear and expressive.
I Started Out Singing
– Overall – lovely! I really enjoy hearing you sing this piece and I love Deb’s part, too.
– We could use more consonants throughout so that the poetry comes to life. The S is much improved.
– Be sure to watch for the tempo changes on page 7
– Mezzos, love your attention to the accents on mm. 82-84 – but don’t let them get too aggressive or angry sounding. The mood is exuberant!
Ave Maria
– This piece has come a long way! I could really hear the phrasing and dynamic energy last night. Great job!
– Please check pitches mm. 43-52 and we will also pick up the tempo here and move the energy forward
– This is the recording I shared last night
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEEYgyOVQmc
Through the House Give Glimmering Light
– This one started off great! And the tempo was light and lively!
– Let’s pay attention to the pp sections that we are currently singing about mf. Please circle these dynamic markings in your music if you have not already: mm. 17, 30,41, 74-75, 86, 102, 115. Then there are p sections that also need to come down a notch in volume.
– Tuning was really solid until we got to page 7. When we switched from A major mm. 78-79 to A minor mm. 83 we drifted down a quarter tone and then sang the rest of the piece under pitch until we settled a half step under at the final cadence. Hopefully, if we fix mm. 77-85 we will be successful to the end. We will work on this together.
– I think it would be super fun to have really clean and crisp consonants throughout.
Sparks of Divinity
– if everyone could review their parts on this one it would be very helpful.
– m. 8 has 3 big beats – some of you wanted to move to m. 9 too quickly so please be aware of that.
– we never started this piece in tune so we sang about a quarter tone under the pitch throughout – we will count on the A1s and A2s to get us off to a solid start with their foundational parts in mm. 1-4
– let’s be sure that we can clearly hear the A2s who have the melody mm. 41-43
– As Susan pointed out, mm. 22-23 are to be sung VERY softly – ppp – as is called for in the text, ‘unimaginably tiny.’
Spes
– please listen to this link a few times this week and emulate what you hear – it is an outstanding performance from which we can learn a lot.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6QG6zMfhpg
– especially when you have the parts that are yoik-like, we need to sing with a forward, bright resonance. I think of using my projecting ‘outside voice.’ These parts contrast with the more formal Latin sections that are sung in a bel canto style
– we need to sing rhythmically and a bit detached, especially the supporting parts. Next week we will sing on the syllable ‘pim’ if you want to practice with that this week.
Tundra
– breathe in the shape of the vowel
– listen for all of the other parts – especially when there is a melodic line to be sure that it is shining through the texture.
– A2s check your starting pitch so that you are not coming in too low – I know Janet gave you a note about that
– beautiful singing Kinley and Wendy – sounded crystalline!
– love Deb’s part on this and can’t wait to add the strings
Looking Ahead to 1/15/24
We will begin our rehearsal at the end of our concert and work our way toward the beginning. We will then spend the time we have on our remaining priorities.
How Can I Keep From Singing
Big Dogs, Music, and Wild, Wild Women
You’ve Got a Friend in Me
Mah Dodech Midod
Gloria
The March of the Women
To Sit and Dream
Spes
Sparks of Divinity
Through the House Give Glimmering Light
Love is Welcome Here (focuson tuning mm. 50-54
….and anything else we have time for!
Chamber Choir
We will work on both pieces including recording and listening – looking forward to that!
Thank you, everyone, for all of your dedication and work on our music. I am so excited about our music and grateful for each of you!
Thank you to everyone working behind the scenes to get us ready for our concert!
If you have been sick, hope you feel much better soon and are able to join us in person – we miss you when you are away!
See you Monday,
Laura