Rehearsal Notes for Wednesday 9/13/17

Great rehearsal last night. We missed Doug, Ben, and Peter.

In the Bleak Midwinter

·         Make sure to stretch the vowels and bit the consonants. Pronounce closer to “ee” than “ih” in words like in, midwinter, wind, etc.

·         Overall, think of a tenuto (stretched-held) articulation throughout

·         Note rhythm shift in 3/2 measures

Masters in This Hall

·         Sing with full tone, but feel the bounce of the 6/8 rhythm

·         Make sure to practice rhythm shifts in nowell patterns. Also, use a brief dentalized (Italianate) “l” on each nowell

·         Men, think about solo on pages 127-128. I would like to decide by the next rehearsal.

I Wonder as I wander

·         Remember to pronounce as “loo-la” and “loo-la-by”

·         Measure measures 37-54 very legato/tenuto

·         Breathe after wing in measure 44, but no breath after it in measure 50. NOTE: No breath after thing in measure 40. (This is a change)

·         Make the humming note/chord changes distinct but unaccented in measures 54-end

·         The solo can be a man or woman. Look it over. I will decide on it on September 27.

Alleluia

·         Be sure to note all dynamic and articulation markings while learning and practicing

·         Sopranos be mindful of pitch always. This song is challenging to keep in tune.

·         Practice the chord change from the last beat of measure 40 to measure 50

·         Don’t ever let it get languid. It is often very soft, but should have sense of wonder in tone and movement in line.

Before the Marvel of This Night

·         Trebles keep the unison section on first verse clean but flowing. Diction is imperative.

·         Verse 2 at measure 29, should be warm and sustained. Be definite in rhythm when moving in and out of the 3/2 measure.

·         Beautiful unison sections for men and women on verse 3 at measure 53. Whoever has the melody takes the lead dynamically.

·         There will be a slight hold on the sustained notes on the first two beats of measure 73.  After the breath, watch for re-establishing tempo which will be slower.

Below are what I want you to look at/listen to this week:

Allon, Gay Bergeres

O Magnum Mysterium

Gaudete (Men, think about solo)

Hodie Christus Natus Est (At least the first 4-5 pages)

Al Hanissim

Thanks,

Ted