Notes from 9/18/19 (and previous weeks in September)

Dear Singers,

My apologies for three weeks without notes. Early in the month it became apparent that several (maybe many) of you were feeling a little overwhelmed with the amount, complexity, and sophistication of the music I chose for this holiday season. Last year's concert was stellar and that was because you all worked hard to prepare the music for our recording in early November. Also, for some of you, all that music was all familiar, having been sung at our previous concerts. In light of the fact that several of you have indicated to me directly (or through Joanna) that you feel that we may not be able to maintain the same high standards nor provide something for everyone (lighter fair), I have decided to revise the concert repertoire as follows:

• We will be omitting Jubilate Deo
• We will be omitting the 3rd and 4th Poulenc (Videntes stellam and Hodie Christus natus est)
• We will be abridging Al Hanissim cutting from measure p. 13 m. 74 (with editing in mm. 73-74 which I will give you next Wednesday) to p. 20 m. 122)
• We will be adding Here We Come A-Caroling arr. Kirby Shaw - an a cappella jazz arrangement - which you will receive on Wednesday
• We will be adding Ding, Dong! Merrily on High - a simple carol arrangement with four-hand piano and chimes, which will be our concert closer - also which you will receive on Wednesday 

Therefore, we now need to concentrate on the task at hand.  I would really like, in the 4 rehearsals remaining before Boot Camp, to get through everything and have a fairly solid knowledge of notes, rhythms, and words on everything. Pieces you should know now:

• Verbum caro factum est
• O Magnum (Poulenc #1)
• The Glory of the Father
• Christ was born on Christmas Day
• Carol of the Angels (review the end)
  
• Lobet den Herrn (up to mm. 58) 
• Resonet in laudibus (up to mm 48)
• Al Hanissim (up to mm. 73) 

and a cursory knowledge of  I Saw Three Ships and Come and See the Newborn King. Please review these.

FOR WEDNESDAY:

1. Lobet den Herrn - mm. 58 to 98 - notes and rhythms on doo - we'll work in sectionals
   
2. I Saw Three Ships - review
3. Quem vidistis pastores dicite (Poulenc #2) review
4. The Beautiful Sing - we'll sing through - parts are not difficult
5. Resonet in laudibus - we'll work mm. 80 to end in sectionals (incidentally, mm. 49 - 79 are all altos, all tenors, and all bass, sopranos tacet)
6. Come and See the Newborn King
7. Here We Come A-Caroling