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
