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: