NOTES for Week of CONCERT Fall 2022

Dear friends,

Thank you for the good work you've put in to make this a great concert. Here are some musical notes that I hope you will internalize and then express wildly.

Pat-a-pan

• Make it playful, fun, light and brisk. Look animated.
• Each of you lead the way in singing the dynamics.
• You MUST capture their attention with this first song.
• MEN please practice finding your initial pitch from the G4 that's given on the pitch pipe.

Blow, Blow, Thou Winter Wind

• Please look up and watch for phrasing/breaths. The spirit may move me to express it in ways other than how we have practiced. 

Magnificat

• Keep all the uptempo sections moving and lightly articulated. TENORS you set the mood et exultate at the beginning.
• ALTOS sing with a warm, rich, "motherly" tone. Lightly, but distinctly articulate your 16th-note figures.

O Magnum Mysterium

• Watch me for breaths. We won't rush them.

In dulci jubilo

• Sing with a gentle precise rhythm. 
• Sing anything other than the melody no louder than mp. 
• Listen for the solo sections, so they never have to over sing.

Sing We All Noel

• Stagger breathing mm. 31-35 (no breaths between oh's)
• Watch for rubato in mm. 37-45. Also mm. 66-75

Betelehemu

• Have fun and move on this piece (in your own spirited way) starting when the rhythmic drumbeat starts
• We'll coordinate with Alan to determine transitions with the percussion.

Be All Merry

• Because we will be using two editions, there are some differences (rhythm, harmonies, parts doubled, etc.), including the addition of a measure at 24.
• Mark your music with the letters at these measures (the ones in your score): A=9, B=17, C=25, D=38, E=53, F=78, G=93, H=110
• Sing the dynamic markings!
• If you have the melody, be clear on the diction.

Wexford Carol

• Long, rich phrases. 
• Watch tempo and dynamic changes.

Long Ago (In the Bleak Midwinter)

• Watch tempo changes (lots of tenuto and ritardando/a tempo
• Make cross rhythms distinct (even quarters vs. dotted rhythm)
• Final chord is C# Major (change to E-natural)

Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day

• Don't over sing. Keep light and buoyant.
• Sing dynamics when phrase grows and subsides (often).
• MENs section (mm. 67-92) should be lighter and with more lilt.

Enfold Us - MAKE THESE MARKS

• NO ONE takes a breath in m. 6
• Break after fermata in m. 13. Then BASS get a cue for breath.
• Break after fermata in m. 21. Then SOPRANO get a cue for breath.
• NO ONE takes a breath in m. 23
• Break after fermata in m. 29. Then SOPRANO get a cue for breath.
• Luftpauses after alert us in m. 33, after creation in m. 37, after needs in m. 38, and after dangers in m. 39
• Break after fermata in m. 42. Then SOPRANO get a cue for breath.
• Break after fermata in m. 45. Then SOPRANO get a cue for breath.
• NO ONE takes a breath. in m. 49
• EVERYONE takes a breath in m. 51.
• Break after fermate in m. 54.
• Short break after presence in m. 55. SOPRANO get a cue for breath your love.
• SOPRANO breathe before your wisdom in m. 58, and your peace in m. 60.

Joy to the World

• Make sure you have your notes and rhythms in the 3rd verse up to speed. You sing that alone.
• I will be conducting the audience so be prepared for the phrase you do at the end of each of the audience verses.

The Work of Christmas

• Make me cry!

NOTES for Week of November 7, 2022

Dear Friends,

I was really pleased with the way you were sounding in our rehearsal on Tuesday. That being said, we are in the home stretch with only three more Tuesday night rehearsals and our rehearsal with the instruments on December 1. 

1. Please plan to review your music regularly. Sing along with the recordings to get used to hearing your part with others, and at tempo.
2. If you must miss a rehearsal, please make sure you check in with your section to find out what you missed. I don't want to play catch-up in the subsequent rehearsal.
3. Please check your emails for memos and attachments, i.e., the concert order.
4. Continue to invite friends, co-workers, and family.
5. I will try to focus on several pieces in rehearsals and quickly run others that we rehearsed the previous week.

Betelehemu

Continue to work on memorization and movement. Here is a break down of movement and claps.

• Begin moving on p. 4 m. 20 starting to your right, and then continue throughout.
• Clap in an upward/downward motion on the 5 accented beats at p. 6, mm. 36-37 
• Eliminate the last measure on p. 9
• Men will sing through mm. 68-71 twice, then Chuck will sing the solo while the men repeat five more times. Women may lightly ululate here. 
• Start clapping on all six beats in groups of 3 ascending starting at repeat p. 4, m. 20. Continue until top of p. 6 m. 35. Ululation should increase with just one or two people doing it.
• At m. 36 skip to the CODA and clap on the accented beats in mm. 72-73. On the repeat, clap on all accented notes.
• WE WILL REHEARSE THIS TUESDAY

Enfold Us

• Hear the rhythmic flow of the melody which starts with the altos and moves to the sopranos at m. 5. This will help with the changing meter.
• Practice the key changes at mm. 29-30 and 45-46.
• Practice with the recording so you feel the controlled movement.
• WE WILL REHEARSE THIS TUESDAY

Pat-a-pan

• Again, intense percussive approaches to the "p's" and "n's" with little time on "a". It's beatbox backup to the solo sections.
• Crescendo and then decrescendo in the 3/2 measures at mm. 12-14, 25-27, and 65-67.
• Make crescendo at m. 39 powerful.
• Make decrescendo at m. 52 dramatically soft.
• WE WILL RUN THIS TUESDAY

Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day

• Don't slow down the my love, my love, my love at mm. 27-30 (Tenors), 60-63 (Sopranos), 86-89 (Men), 117-122 (all singing)
• Keep the tempo light and brisk
• WE WILL RUN THIS TUESDAY

Blow, Blow, Thou Winter Wind

• Shakespearean diction in the verses must be distinct.

Magnificat

• Tenors practice mm. 15-22, 33-40, and 116-128
• Altos practice mm. 15-19, 58-62, and 71-79. Make you entrance in m. 83 warmer in tone.
• Basses practice mm. 5-13 and 61-66
• Sopranos practice mm. 29-34, 42-50, 63-68, 71-75, and 122-128
• WE WILL RUN THIS TUESDAY

 Long Ago and Sing We Now of Christmas

• Gregory, I would like to REHEARSE THESE with piano

Be All Merry

• Clean up all rhythms and diction (shifts in language)
• Practice with the recording so you get used to the interludes
• WE WILL REHEARSE THIS TUESDAY

The Work of Christmas

• Continue memorizing
• WE WILL RUN THIS TUESDAY

Merry Christmas To You All - CANON

• WE WILL REHEARSE THIS TUESDAY

Keep up the good work. See you Tuesday!

Ted

 

NOTES for Week of October 31, 2022

Dear Friends,

We're counting down the weeks and the rehearsals. We have 5 rehearsals left which includes our dress rehearsal. At this point we need to be focused on singing with the utmost beauty of tone, expressiveness, and musicality.

A few things that will help you prepare:

1. Practice with your recordings for tempo and sense of how you fit into the whole. Always sing musically, listening to the dynamics and tempi of the ensembles.
2. Work on memorization of the specific piece and true knowledge of everything else, which means you are looking up most of the time.
3. If there are sections that cause you pause, really drill them so that they are second nature.
4. Mark anything in your music that will remind you to sing expressively and beautifully.

Continue to spread the word. This is going to be an exciting concert. People need some beauty and joy in their lives. And what better way to receive it than to be part of a thrilled live performance.

FOR TUESDAY

Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day

• Get it up to tempo. It should feel brisk (though unhurried) and dancelike. You need to feel it to sing it. 
• Sing the doo's with a lilt and a joyful freedom. No questions on notes or rhythms as this point.

Enfold Us

• You need to have a sense of the flow and phrasing. Practice with the recording. Your part alone may not give you enough of the musical information to feel the forward movement.
• It should sound like a prayer...a prayer full of awe and wonder. 
• Listen and sing the transposition on page 6 and mm. 29-31 so it doesn't surprise you.

Blow, Blow, Thou Winter Wind

• Make the wind sections (ah's) starting on p. 6, mm. 67 to 95 sound free and effortless, and watch your dynamics. Gregory will you please accompany on this.

Bethlehemu

• Memorized to bottom of p. 6. 
• Watch the performance by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9gXWuqZcNw

• Practice swaying while singing the instrumental section starting m. 18 and on. Shift weight to the right foot and turn your body a 1/4 turn while looking forward then repeat to the left.

Pat-a-pan

• Keep dynamics on the soft side.
• Continue to emphasize the percussiveness of the pat-a-pan figures
• Sing with the recording and watch the 3/2 measures for accuracy and tempo

Magnificat

• I'd like to go through this a couple of times with the keyboard accompaniment (Gregory) so that you can get used to it being conducted and make the transitions between sections whether or not there are tempo changes.
• Sing along with the recording to get a sense of the mood changes.

The Work of Christmas

• We'll sing through this a couple of times (MEMORIZED)

Have a productive weekend and I'll look forward to seeing you on Tuesday.

T.

NOTES for Weeks of October 3 - 24, 2022

Dear Friends,

Firstly, I want to thank Andrew Moore and Gregory Whitfield for their expertise on the piano and their willingness to assist playing for sectionals in my absence. I ask that you work diligently with them to iron out any uncertainties of pitch, rhythm, and pronunciation in our repertoire. I would also like to ask Suzanne Quinlan, Michele Conyers, and Dan Bunnell to communicate the needs of each section (along with Andrew and Gregory on the bass). So if you have requests to specifically target any areas of concern, please let those section leaders know.

Observations from our last rehearsal.

Pat-a-pan

• Use a more percussive approach to all the pat-a-pan's. Use a sharp plosive p and go immediately to the n with little time on the vowel.
• Make pat-a-pans detached.
• Watch dynamics on the pat-a-pans (especially tenors on the D4 - above middle C) starting in m. 36.
• I don't know if I asked anyone specifically, but if an AI (Cassi) could sing with the SII when there's a divisi, i.e., mm. 26, and 42-52.
• Keep the tempo up. Especially in the transitionary measures (3/2).
• Work towards the tempo of half-note = 80

Blow, Blow, Thou Winter Wind

• Men sing melody at D sweeter and lighter. Really work on blend and accuracy.
• Move the tempo through the heigh-hos.  
• Articulate the 16th-notes.

Magnificat

• Full, rich forte on first page.
• Be ready to move the tempo and articulate more at m. 4-5.
• Be more confident at mm. 116-117.
• Really jump on the Abr'hams at mm. 122-123
• Get used to making sudden tempo changes between some movements, sans ritardandos.

O Magnum Mysterium

• This was quite rocky in rehearsal. Solidify your part and then practice with the recording.
• There should be a mystical quality to it. That requires floating the lines so they sound effortless.

In dulci jubilo

• If you know your part begin to practice in tempo. Singing slowly will only reinforce lazy rhythms. 
• Make sure the melody is predominant. 
• If you are singing the rhythmic in dulci jubilo, make it light.

 Sing We Now of Christmas

• Make sure all the m, oo, and oh sections have a sense of line.
• Sing with clear diction and matched vowels.

Be All Merry

• Sing out all melodies with clear diction.
• Every time your section has a 2-measure ah pattern (mm. 29 and on), crescendo to the 3rd note and decrescendo on the 4th. 
• To sing the 3 quarter-note measures, always keep the sub-pulse of eighth-notes. 
• Really work on your rhythms starting on page 8 on.

Wexford

• Really sing these lines with great tenderness and earnestness. Rich, warm tone.

Long Ago

• Women clean up your melody lines and harmony in parts A and B and sing with greater confidence. 

Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day

• This was a bit ragged. 
• Articulate the "d" of each doo section.
• Really solidify your notes and rhythms throughout. It should be a quick rollicking tempo.

Enfold Us

• Really get comfortable with you notes and the timing. 
• Be prepared to slow it down significantly from how we practiced it. It needs to have a peaceful, sustained, ethereal quality. 

Joy to the World

• Remember that this needs to be memorized, so review your parts and begin that process.

The Work of Christmas

• Remember that we are starting on a hum (m) omitting any vowel. 
• Sopranos make sure there's energy in your melody at the beginning. 
• Begin memorizing.

Betelehemu

After watching  and listening to the audio recording, here's the breakdown.

• Men sing mm. 1-4 four times
• All sing mm. 3-10, then repeat mm. 3-6 and skip to mm. 11-14;  repeat both and second time add mm. 15-18
• Instrumental break # of measures TBD - At this point, you will start moving
• All sing mm. 20-23, then repeat 20-22 and take second ending (mm. 24)
• Continue mm. 28-35
• Continue mm. 36-39, then repeat 36-38 and take second ending (mm. 40-41)
• Continue mm. 42-45, then repeat 
• Continue mm. mm. 47-66 (how long you will hold TBD)
• Men sing and repeat mm. 68-71 many times - # TBD - This is where the soloist will sing
• Instrumental break (# of measures TBD) - mm. 19 on Page 4 - This is were you will begin clapping and making calls as you did in Modimo.
• Continue singing mm. 20-35 (with repeat)
• CODA jump to last page mm. 72 with repeat. Last measure TBD

FOR REHEARSAL - Tuesday, October 11

6:30 to 7:30: MEN with Andrew playing parts

7:30 to 8:30: WOMEN with Gregory playing parts

Any issues on:

Pat-a-pan

Magnificat

In dulci jubilo

O Magnum Mysterium

FOR REHEARSAL - Tuesday, October 18

6:30 to 7:30:  WOMEN with Andrew playing parts

7:30 to 8:30:  MEN with Gregory playing parts

Any issues on:

O Magnum Mysterium

Be All Merry

Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day

Enfold Us

and YOUR CHOICE

Have some great sectionals and I'll see you on October 25. 

Incidentally, the community hall was not available on the 29th, so the Kastens are graciously allowing us to have Boot Camp at their home. More details to follow.

Best,

Ted

NOTES for the Week of September 26, 2022

Dear Friends, 

We're coming to the point where we need to focus on the musical elements that need attention: pitches, rhythms, and diction This will be the last full rehearsal before I leave town so I plan to do a quick run through of most of the repertoire at this week's rehearsal. I want you to make mental notes along with me and determine where you as an individual, and you as a section need specific help.

A few things to remember:

• PROGRAM ADS:  If you or your friends/acquaintances want to put ads in the program, we need to start putting that together. Again, the rate is $50 for 1/4 page, $100 for 1/2 page, and $150 for full page.
• TICKET SALES: Thank you to Chuck for getting things organized. Tickets are now for sale on line. Encourage your friends and family to buy in advance.

NOTES

• Betelehemu: We will go through this together this week. It's not difficult music, and quite repetitive. I chose not to go through it last week because so many people were absent. What I would like you to do is review the diction and the rhythms. Speak through the language in rhythm, starting very slowly and picking up the tempo. Also, note where the repeats are and highlight them.

The language is very phonetic. Think Latin vowels. A-ah, E-eh, I-ee, O-aw, and U-oo (more open like book). The consonants are also standard with the exception of the combo gb and s which is pronounced sh. Go through the consonants smoothly and quickly to the vowel.

Beh-teh-leh-heh-moo,

Ah-wah yee-aw ree bah-bah gbaw-joo-leh, 

Ah-wah yee-aw ree bab-bah feh-hehn-tee.

Nee-baw lah-bee Jeh-shoo,

Nee-baw lah gbeh bee-ee.

Beh-teh-leh-heh-moo, ee-loo ah-rah,

Nee-beh lah-bee bah-bah aw dah-joo.

Ee-yeen, nee-foon-aw,

Ah-doo-peh foon aw.

Ah-doo-peh foon aw jaw-ow-nee

Bah-bah aw-law-reh-aw

Ee-yeen foon a bah-bah ah-noo

Bah-bah taw-dah wah-shee

FOR TUESDAY, OCT. 4

Review anything that is particularly challenging or problematic

NOTES for Week of September 19, 2022

 Dear Friends,

Sorry about the delay in sending this. I spent quite a long time going through the Magnificat assessing the editor's suggestions and determining if I wanted to follow them or do what I thought was stylistically and aesthetically pleasing. As a result, here are very EXTENSIVE notes. Please write all pertinent notes into your score.

Magnificat

Page 3

·        Highlight the f at the beginning.

·        The “t” in Magnificat comes precisely on beat 2 for those with a rest and basses who keep going (staggering your breathing).

·        Highlight the mf at the Allegro and sing it detaché (not staccato).

Page 4

·        Tenors insert a luftpause after exultavit  m. 5

·        No breath for any in m. 7

·        Highlight mp at m. 9

·        Sopranos and tenors insert luftpause before salutari in m. 11

Page 5

·        Highlight the dynamics in mm. 14-15

·        Change to mp in mm. 17-18

·        Highlight mf and marcato in mm. 20-21

Page 6

·        Tenors insert luftpauses before me dicent in m. 23, and before the 2^nd omnes in m. 24. All others stagger.

·        Highlight the f and marcato in mm. 25-26.

Page 7

·        Highlight the mf at the top and then the mp. Stay mezzo-piano mm. 34-37

·        Highlight the slurs and bring them out

Page 8

·        Make it mf starting in m. 38

·        Sopranos start a slight rit. only on the 1/8^th notes in m. 41

·        Make it mp starting in m. 42. Sing it legato

Page 9

·        Sopranos insert luftpauses before a progenie in m. 46, and again before in progenies in m. 48

·        Altos insert a luftpause before a progenie in m. 46 then stagger

·        Tenors insert a luftpause before in progenie in m. 48

·        Basses insert a luftpause before a progenie in m. 46 then stagger

·        Highlight the mp and p at the bottom.

Page 10

·        Altos sing a slight rit. on the 1/8 notes in m. 56

·        At the Allegro highlight the mf and sing it marcato not staccato. Much more articulated and muscular.

·        Altos breathe before in brachio in m. 58

Page 11

·        Starting with dispersit, sing detaché.

·        Sopranos insert luftpauses before mente in mm. 66 and 69

·        Altos breathe before dispersit in m. 63

·        Altos and tenors do not breath between mm. 68 and 69

Page 12

·        Change dynamic to mf at top and bottom

·        Sopranos insert a luftpause after dispersit in m. 72 and both Sopranos and Tenors breathe before et exaltavit in m. 75

·        Altos insert a luftpuase before potentes in m. 72

·        Page 6

·        Everyone feel an increase in volume from mm. 75-79

Page 13

·        Change dynamic to f in m. 79 and mp in mm. 83-84

·        Sing more legato starting at m. 84 on

·        Altos and Tenors take a quick breath before implevit in m. 87

Page 14

·        Sopranos take a quick breath before implevit in m. 88

·        Highlight the mf at the top

·        Make mm. 89-92 slightly more legato

·        Make the dimisit starting m. 93 quite marcato

Page 15

·        Singer more smoothly (legato) and more plaintively.

·        Make dynamics mp

·        Sopranos insert a luftpause after recordatus in m. 102

Page 16

·        Highlight mf at top and then sing almost f starting in mm 111

·        Tenors take a breath before misercordiae in m. 105

Page 17

·        Highlight mp

·        Sing detaché observing slurs

·        Tenors insert luftpauses before adpatres in m. 117 and before nostros m. 119.

·        Basses stagger your breating

Page 18

·        Dynamic should be mf with a slight crescendo

·        Sopranos add luftpause before et semini in m. 124 then stagger

·        Altos add luftpause before et semini in m. 123 then stagger

·        Tenors add luftpuase before et semini in m. 123, and before in saecula in m. 125

·        Basses add luftpause before et semini in m. 124, and before in saecula in ms. 125

Page 19

·        Highlight the Largo and the f and the legato. Keep it forte throughout

Page 20

·        Highlight the mp at the top and the mf at the bottom

·        Sing detaché

·        Sopranos insert a luftpause before et nunc in m. 139, and before the Amen in m. 142

·        Altos insert a luftpause before Amen in m. 144

·        Tenors insert a luftpause before et nunc in m. 140, and again before et in saecula in m. 141. Take no breath going into the Amen

·        Basses no breath going into the Amen

Page 21 – This is where it is going to get a little crazy. I’m finishing an Amen and beginning another one where there are repeated notes rather than simply lifting and rearticulating the same note. I’ll do part by part to the end.

·        EVERYONE starts mf. By m. 167/168 you should be up to f. Highlight the mp in m. 175 and make the ending f.

·        Sopranos:

M. 150 add -men to beat 3 and A- to beat 4

M. 151 add -men to beat 3 and A- to beat 4

M. 168 add -men to beat 2 and A- to beat 3 ½

M. 169 add -men to beat 2 and A- to beat 3 ½

·        Altos:

M. 150 add -men to beat 2 and A- to beat 3 ½

M. 151 add -men to beat 2 and A- to beat 3 ½

M. 155 add -men to beat 2 and A- to beat 4

·        Tenors:

M. 147 add -men to beat 1 and A- to beat 2

M. 148 add -men­ to beat 1 and A- to beat 2

M. 168 add -men to beat 3 and A- to beat 4

M. 169 add -men to beat 3 and A- to beat 4

·        Basses:

M. 146 add -men to beat 4

M. 147 add -A to beat 1 ½ and -men to beat 4

M. 148 add -A to beat 1 ½

M. 158 add -men to beat 3 and A- to beat 4

M. 159 add -men to beat 3 and A- to beat 4

M. 164 add -men to beat 3 and A- to beat 4

M. 165 add -men to beat 3 and A- to beat 4

 

­FOR NEXT WEEK

Magnificat

Joy to the World

Betelehemu – Look at it, but will go over it together

Enfold Us

Sing We Now of Christmas

The Work of Christmas

NOTES for Week of September 12, 2022

Hello Friends,

A few announcements:

1. Congratulations to Wendy Valley who became a grandmother this past week!
2. Repertoire Change: We will NOT be doing Masters in This Hall, but instead will be adding a new piece, Betelehemu which is a Nigerian piece appropriate for the holidays. This was decided since several people wanted to know why we weren't performing a spiritual. Answer, there aren't a lot of great Christmas spirituals. I hope to receive it by next week. It will need to be memorized.
3. Ticket Sales: Start thinking about inviting your family and friends to the holiday concert. Remember, we're asking each member to sell 10 tickets. If you have friends who will be purchasing online, make sure you submit their email address so that you will receive credit for those sales.

A few notes about last week's rehearsal.

Magnificat

• Make sure that you now know all the notes, rhythms, and pronunciations. 
• Also, make sure that you have written the translations in your score.

In dulci jubilo

• Always listen for whichever part has the melody. Those who have the melody, sing it out.
• Mark a piano (p) in the A/T/B parts starting in m. 9 when the sopranos come in.
• Practice and anticipate the going between English and Latin
• Practice going through the key changes at mm. 44 and 51.
• S/A highlight the changes of staff going into mm. 59 and 74.  

Enfold Us

• Really make the effort to use your tone to express the words. It should sound warm, rich, and inviting.

FOR TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20

Long Ago

Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day

Pat-a-pan

Wexford Carol

Blow, Blow, Thou Winter Wind

NOTES for Week of September 5, 2022

Dear Friends,

A couple of announcements.

• Absences: If you are planning to miss a rehearsal, please make sure that the absence is noted on the community calendar. If something comes up last minute, please email or text that you won't be at rehearsal. 
• Notes: And please look over your notes before and after the rehearsal if you're absent to make sure you're keeping up on the repertoire. I don't want a lot of sight-singing in rehearsal.

To Be All Merry

• Altos: Make sure the hm starts exactly on the downbeat in mm. 9 and 11.
• ATB: make sure Ah's follow a musical pattern on page 5, et al
• Whenever you move from the standard 6/8 meter feel to 3/4 as in Soprano part p. 5, m. 31 into 32, that you are feeling the 1/8th note sub-pulse so that your rhythm is accurately together.
• Everyone tighten up notes, rhythm, and words starting p. 8 to the staccato release on p. 11, m. 9.

Blow, Blow, Thou Winter Wind

• Everyone please download a copy off the resource sight and review.

Magnificat

• Review all notes, rhythm, and words from beginning to p. 18

The Work of Christmas

• A/T: Treat the timing on the Oh(Mm) like a meditative Ohm. Go right to the consonant.
• Put a luftpause in m. 14 following home.
• T/B: Match the lighter quality of the women when you enter in mm. 19-20
• Stagger through mm. 22 to 33, except for the printer breath in m. 26.
• Highlight all dynamic markings
• As you learn, begin to memorize

FOR NEXT WEEK

• Masters in This Hall - Please download, print, and go over 
• Enfold Us
• In dulci jubilo review and concentrate on the going between English and Latin
• Magnificat look at the section starting with the Gloria at m 131 on p. 19 to the end. Please insert the translations in your scores.

Magnificat - Latin & English

Magníficat ánima mea Dóminum. Et exultávit spíritus meus: in Deo salutári meo. Quia respéxit humilitátem ancíllae suae: Ecce enim ex hoc beátam me dicent omnes generatiónes. Quia fécit mihi mágna qui pótens est: et sánctum nómen eius. Et misericórdia eius in progénies et progénies timéntibus eum. Fécit poténtiam in bráchio suo: dispérsit supérbos mente cordis sui. Depósuit poténtes de sede: et exaltávit húmiles. Esuriéntes implévit bonis: et dívites dimísit inánes. Suscépit Ísrael púerum suum: recordátus misericórdiae suae. Sicut locútus est ad patres nostros: Ábraham, et sémini eius in saecula. Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto, Sicut erat in princípio, et nunc, et semper, et in sæcula sæculórum. Amen.

My soul magnifies (glorifies) the Lord. And my spirit rejoices in God my Savior. For he has regarded the low estate of his handmaiden. For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed. For he who is mighty has done great things for me; and holy is his name. And His mercy is on those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm: He has scattered the proud in the imagination (conceit) of their hearts. He has put down the mighty from their thrones, and exalted those of low degree. He has filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he has sent empty away. He has helped his servant Israel in remembrance of his mercy: As He spoke to our fathers (forebears), to Abraham and to his posterity for ever. Glory be the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, forever and ever, Amen.

This is a Test Post

This post is for the purpose of testing our feed delivery service. Please ignore this message and trash it. See you all Tuesday evening.

Chuck

Notes for Week of August 28, 2022

 

A great big THANK YOU to all who were available to sing at Raoul’s and my wedding last Saturday. What a delight that was. It made the day even more special. We’re both very grateful.

A few announcements:

·        ADVERTISEMENTS: We will be selling advertising in our program. Please let your friends and family know. Rates will be: $50 for ¼ page, $100 for half page, and $150 for full page. If you have any questions about layout, please contact Hunter.

·        ADDITIONAL REPERTOIRE: We will be adding two songs to the repertoire for the holiday concert. 1) John Rutter’s arrangement of Blow, Blow, Thou Winter Wind and the Shaw-Parker arrangement of Masters in this Hall. If you’ve done them, please dig out your copies, otherwise, pdf’s will be available on the resource website.

·        MEMORIAL FOR EILEEN: We will meet at St. Helena Catholic Church, 1340 Tainter Street at 1:00 pm (12:30 call time).  Wear black with colorful scarves/ties. We will sing Sing Me to Heaven, Psalm 42-As the Deer, as well as lead the congregation in Will the Circle Be Unbroken and Dream a Little Dream (words will be in program). We will sing in the balcony. There is a reception following. Try to carpool as parking can be challenging.

 MUSIC NOTES:

Notes for the Week of August 15, 2022

 

Dear friends,

It was great to see you all at rehearsal Tuesday evening. As we look forward to our 8^th Season, I want to make sure we’re all on board to make this our best season yet.

1.      Hopefully you will enjoy learning and performing this repertoire. If you have not yet paid the $50, you can do so by cash, check, PayPal and Venmo (check your email from Joanna).

2.      Let’s make it a habit to be punctual. Vocalizing will start close at 6:30 pm, so try to arrive a few minutes early.

3.      Please start thinking of who you’d like to invite to the concert.

4.      Also, please think about who you know who might want to place an advertisement in our program. I will have rates by next week’s rehearsal.

For rehearsal on Tuesday, August 23, please prepare:

O Magnum Mysterium

·        We have several pieces that are in Latin or contain Latin. Please be meticulous in your latinized pronunciation. No American r’s, de-emphasize the final syllable, remember the dental consonants (d, n, t, and l) and in is pronounced “een” every single time.

·        Work on precision while keeping it very rich in tone and molto legato.

·        On the 3-part men’s divisi (mm. 11-12, 26-27, 36), I would like Thom (coming from tenor), Andrew, Robert, and Larry to take the middle notes.

·        Bass/Baritones, if you can effectively sing the E1 in mm. 47-48, please do so, otherwise take the E2.

·        Highlight all dynamics.

·        Treat the chord in mm. 17 gently. Very tight harmony.

In Dulci Jubilo

·        We have several first Altos who would rather not sing Alto II, so we will mix it up. In the divisi mm. 1-57, and 74-end, Alto II will be Suzi, Michelle, Cyndi, and Toni, Alto II will be Cassi, Wendy, and Joanna.

·        When the Sopranos divide on mm. 59-73, I want Suzanne, Carissa, and Hunter on Soprano I, and Dana, Lisa, and Toni on SII.

·        Write in the English translation of the Latin above or below the Latin words. Remember that the h in trahe is silent so it’s ”trah-eh”.

·        Make sure to be precise in the rhythm such as the syncopation of Dulci opposite the even 1/8^th notes in jubilo

·        Highlight all dynamics and articulation marks (accents, etc.)

Magnificat

·        Work from mm. 1-41. Remember, we’re doing the solos in a slightly lighter volume.

·        Disregard the editor’s suggestion to sing staccato. Think detaché which is in a slightly detached manner as strings players do when they change the direction of the bow for each quick note. For slurred notes such as mm. 33-36, connect them (two notes to bow stroke). 

·        The dynamic markings are good suggestions. Observe them.

·        Mihi in m. 30 is pronounced with a hard ”h” sound, almost like German.

Sing We Now of Christmas

·        Highlight all dynamics

·        Alto divisi is Suzi, Michele, and Cyndi on Alto II, others on Alto I

We will also go through the wedding music (A Nightingale Sang, Sing Me to Heaven, and Laudate Dominum with Andrew) as well as have a cursory look at the hymn that will be sung. I will bring copies on Tuesday.

Have a great week until I see you again.

Ted  

Notes for the Week of August 8, 2022

 

Dear friends,

I’m so excited to be beginning our 8^th Season of Bel Canto Napa Valley. After a great spring season, I can’t wait to dig into our holiday repertoire. It’s going to be a great concert featuring your beautiful voices, as well as strings, piano, oboe, and even possibly accordion. 

REHEARSALS:

Rehearsals begin this Tuesday, April 16, at 6:30 pm at Harvest Middle School Music Room

·        We will be handing out the holiday repertoire. Please bring a check for $50 for the music made out to Bel Canto.

·        If you are planning to sing for the wedding and/or the memorial, please bring copies of the music that was sent out this summer. Please review your parts on it. I would like to spend time at the end of rehearsal reviewing and refining.

·        Andrew Seifert, a former student, and a graduate of UW with his DMA in conducting will be here August 23, to rehearse with you on the wedding repertoire, so you are comfortable following his lead.

NEW MEMBERS:

We will have a couple of new singers joining us. Please make them feel welcome.

·        Toni Chiappetta is known to many in the Valley as Owner of Sweetie Pies Bakery. Toni has sung with the NVC Chorale and Sing Napa Valley and is joining the alto section.

·        We welcome back Larry Black, a wonderful bass/baritone and founding member of Bel Canto.

SECTION LEADERS:

I plan to have section leaders again. I would like the section leaders to be someone each section chooses, so, begin thinking about who you’d like to help solidify your section.

The section leader will:

·        Make note of all directions and markings (breaths, dynamics, tempi, tonal considerations) and help each section has those marks in their music.

·        Keep their section up to date on what is covered if someone misses a rehearsal.

·        Bringing any needs or concerns to my attention, especially in sectional rehearsals.

MEMBER RESPONSIBILITIES:

While it would be nice if everyone could just come and enjoy singing together, Bel Canto is more than a choir. It is a non-profit entity which takes time, energy, and money to keep in operation. Therefore, it is important that each member aids in some function within the organization.

·        One of the primary ways each person can help is through marketing and ticket sales. We’re asking that each member be responsible for “selling” 10 tickets to the concert. If you personally invite you family, neighbors, friends, co-workers, etc., we can fill the seats with people who want to see and hear you perform. If each member brings 10 people, that will be 250 people. This holiday concert is going to be special in that it will feature our traditional a cappella music but will also feature a variety of instrumental accompanists. A concert sure to please a variety of musical tastes.

·        We also need everyone to participate in the various functions of running Bel Canto, whether it be: a) helping with advertising such as posting posters, handing out note cards, or making connections with local media; b) helping with the reception (set-up and clean-up); c) recruiting volunteers to help with ticket sales at the door, greeting and ushering; and d) organizing and helping with social activities.

·        Something new this year, is program advertisements. We want to bring in revenue to help cover the costs of concert production (venue rentals are WAY UP), as well as fund our new STaR scholarship intern program. Personal or commercial businesses can now advertise in the program. We will also be creating a sponsorship program for donors. If you or someone you know might want to put an advertisement (business card or other) in the program, get them on board.

·        We also need to be proactive in learning the music on our own. Rehearsals are for putting the music together and refining. Remember the vision for Bel Canto is that we are an advanced ensemble and that means you are serious about singing. In the weekly notes, which will go out by Thursday noon, you will have instructions for which pieces we will rehearse the following rehearsal. Please come to rehearsal knowing your part. Also, if you miss a rehearsal, you need to check with your section leader about what we covered, any specific instructions given, and be up to date when you return.

I want this to be our best year yet. It will require commitment, but I know that we will make beautiful music to grace the Napa Valley community.

I look forward to seeing you on Tuesday.

Ted

Notes for Week of July 25, 2022

 

Welcome back for the 2022-2023 Season

Rehearsals begin on Tuesday, August 16^th, at 6:30 pm at Harvest Middle School

We will be begin working together on: 

·       Vocal technique

·       New Repertoire for the holiday concerts, Sing We Now of Christmas on Dec. 2 & 4

·       The repertoire for the wedding and the memorial

 Wedding – Saturday, Aug. 27 at 11:00 am

·     Arrive at 10:00 am to rehearse in the church with the soloist and organist.

·       Wear attire for a summer church wedding.

·       You will sing from the balcony and the lights can be a bit dim, so I suggest book lights.

·       You are invited to the garden reception following the ceremony at the home of Kellie Lind in Angwin. Due to limited space at the venue, I am unable to include +1’s. The address is 235 Howell Mountain Road South, Angwin. Her home is a two-story white stucco house just at the base of Caiocca Pass before you get to the Pacific Union College campus. Park (carefully) along Howell Mountain Road on the opposite side. Please let me know if you plan to come to the reception.

·       The order of the service is:

1.     A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square will be sung just prior to the procession.

2.     Sing Me to Heaven will be sung following the marriage ceremony and before communion (Offertory).

3.     Laudate Dominum will be sung during Communion.

 

Here’s the list of singers that I have.

Soprano                                 Alto                                Tenor                              Bass

Dana Bienenfeld                   Joanna Mittman              Dan Bunnell                  John Kasten

Hunter Hollingsworth           Michele Conyers            Thom Hinesley              Robert Mittman

Suzanne Quinlan                   Cyndi Kasten                  Joe Pesch                       Andrew Moore

Lisa van Stuijvenberg           Cassi Tynan                     Dana Zaccone                Gregory Whitfield

                                               Wendy Valle

Eileen’s memorial – Friday, Sept. 2, at 1:00 pm

·       Arrive at 12:30 to do a sound check in the church.

·       Wear appropriate attire for a memorial – black?

·       Again, I may have you sing from the balcony.

·       The order of your singing will be:

1.     Joining the congregation on the chorus of Will the Circle Be Unbroken. I’m assuming the words will be in the program

2.     Following two speakers, we will do Sing Me to Heaven.

3.     One more speak and then we will sing Psalm 42 (As the Deer)

4.     Following the homily by Fr. Brenkle, Suzanne will sing Irish Blessing (from the front)

5.     At the conclusion of the program, I will sing Dream a Little Dream of Me. The congregation (choir) is asked to join in after the first verse as people leave the church.

6.     You are, of course, invited to the reception that will follow the service.

 Here’s the list of singers that I have. Please let me know if this is correct.  

Soprano                                   Alto                                  Tenor                                  Bass

Dana Bienenfeld                     Michele Conyers              Dan Bunnell                       John Kasten

Hunter Hollingsworth             Suzi Gilbert                      Chuck Dresel                     Robert Mittman

Suzanne Quinlan                     Cyndi Kasten                   Thom Hinesley                 

Lisa van Stuijvenberg              Joanna Mittman               Joe Pesch                          

Carissa Wendt                          Cassi Tynan                     Dana Zaccone