Bel Canto Rehearsal Notes: Prep Rehearsal 7/22/2020

Singing friends,

Thanks again for your attention and work in last weeks rehearsal.

As a recap on Os Justi:

Dynamics are many and varied. Please highlight all.
Sing with rich, round vowels and lean into strong syllables.
Maintain tone and pitch acuity in sustained, staggered phrases all the way to the end.
Sing middle pages with the tone quality, fluidity, and ease of Renaissance style
Altos lean into suspension on in corde
Alleluia at end will be light and free

On Grace Before Sleep:

Watch every final "t" for clean release
Even when not singing the melody, ATB sing chordal phrases as if its the melody
Pg. 5, mms. 17-20 - elongate the vowel (no consonant until next syllable) and control crescendo and softening on last chord
Starting at m. 21 sing legato but clearly articulated words
Sing pp. 9 rich and hymn-like.
In mm. 40, 42, and 44, watch final consonant and breath so sopranos are by themselves when entering.

For Wednesday:

Abendlied:

Any women who sang a different part and don't want to learn a new one, see if you can get someone to switch with you.

All f and ff should be warm rich and not "loud." Think fuller orchestration or fuller organ.
The song is about an invitation to stay for the evening as the shadows are lengthening (basking in the richness of the setting sun at the end of the day)
Highlight all dynamic shifts

I'm Gonna Sing 'Til the Spirit Moves in My Heart:

I would like Dan, Chuck, Joe, and Thom (in that order) to sing the first page as solo riffs. Joe, make a little more of the third one.
Small group starting the pick-up to m. 10 is Chuck, Dan, and Joe. Tenor line at m. 10 is Dana, Thom, Ovid, and Andrew
Highlight all accents and dynamics. Note some changes I made.
Note asterisk and meaning in mm. 13, 31, 47 - Je-su-sa
SAT sing mm. 20-27 as if you're listening and responding to basses.
Sing mm. 35-43 smoothly and cleanly observing dynamics
Suzanne and Melody do the soprano obligato starting mm. 44 with Melody on top
Add rit. in measure 53 before fermata.
There will be a slight crescendo bump on the final fermata.

See you on Wednesday.

Ted

Bel Canto Rehearsal Notes