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!