Hello,
Thanks for a wonderful rehearsal last night – much was accomplished!
Thanks to those who attended the soprano sectional – your extra effort is greatly appreciated.
Rehearsal Reflection
Swifter Than Flame mm. 26-end
– reviewed parts, especially mm. 47-end
– note the tempo changes: m. 47 – 80bpm (beats per minute), m. 53 – 88bpm, m. 59 – 100bpm, m. 66 – 108bpm
– the measures of “flight” 8th notes should be light and flowing (like cirrus clouds!)
– sound the T of ‘flight’ on the rest that follows
– mm. 59-62 bring out the moving parts: A1, then S2, then A1, then S1, then A2
Flying
– m. 14 turn the half note into a dotted quarter and and 8th rest On the 8th rest sound the T and breathe
– m. 9-13 pronounce ‘whether’ HW. You will find mixed opinions on this H – my preference is to lightly sound the H for clarity
– mm. 23-31 be certain of the S placement at the end of ‘stars.’ (we tapped them in the air to unify our sound).
– we are improving returning to Eb (our dining room!) for the final measures
Flying Away
– use solfege to help tuning the oos at the beginniing.
– mm. 27-38 S2 place the T of ‘throat’ on beat 4 (m. 30 and m. 34), that’s our Option B.
– A1 and A2 breathe together on beat 4 of m. 34
– m. 47 A1 and A2 are holding their tied notes, S2s watch for your final ‘oo’
Flight Song
– Here is another lovely performance of Flight Song for your listening enjoyment: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3jbaUT0t014&list=RD3jbaUT0t014&start_radio=1
I especially appreciate the consonant clarity in what seems to be a very acoustically live space and also the phrasing (which I think is gorgeous). I have had the pleasure of observing Andrew Crane rehearse with the NC Honors Chorus and have always admired his gentle, yet clear approach. Let’s aspire to this level of clarity and sensitivity!
Now Let Me Fly mm. 1-24, 89-end
– we reviewed pitches, especially the big chords with 8-part divisi
– we worked on intonation (used a drone of Do and So)
Be Like the Bird
– we divided into 5 groups, mixed formation
– we will sing once through in unison and then twice through in canon
Koowu
– intonation is our biggest challenge on this piece
– m. 3 is UNISON. If you sing alto, you join the sopranos in m. 3 on the G.
Your World mm. 96-end
– we worked on pitches and rhythms for the final section
– we sang through with the accompaniment (beautiful – thanks, Deb!)
– as you have time this week, please review this piece and work on your part.
Looking Ahead to 4/6/26 and the Retreat
– We will sing through all of our music on Monday to check our progress and to determine our retreat priorities.
– We will not have printed programs for our performance on 4/11 so we can be flexible and sing anything in our folders. I’ll know best after Monday’s rehearsal
Chamber Choir
Please reference this performance of Bumble Bee by The Real Group for tempo and everything else! Composer Anders Edenroth is one of the founding members of the Real Group. There are different singers now but AE is currently one of the ensemble’s managers.
You can read more about The Real Group here: https://www.therealgroup.se
Hope you have a great rest of your week and are able to get out and enjoy the springtime!
See you Monday!
Laura