NOTES for Week of November 26, 2023

Dear friends,

We're in the home stretch. Thank you for the work you've put in to learning some pretty complicated music and working to perform it artistically. Please don't let up. We can make this our best concert to date with continued energy and focus. Below are a quite few things about each piece on which I would like you to direct your practice independently and in rehearsal. Mark them, practice them, and make them your own.

1.    Alleluia! A New Work is Come On Hand

• This is our concert opener. It must be flawless. And enthusiastically energetic. Keep the tempo brisk throughout.
• Alto I please join the Sopranos on the first page. 
• Tenor/Bass, on p. 4, do not elide the w of Now into the word is. It's causing intonation issues. Almost detach. 
• Soprano/Tenor on p. 6, please make this clean, blended, and energetic.
• The energy, accuracy, and volume from top of p. 8 to the end should be sustained, that means especially in m. 29 and 30. 

2.    The Waiting Sky

• Please sing the story, making making your inflection color words like bare, waiting sky, cows (k sound), smother, puddles, warm light.
• When you sing a question, make it a question - What if the clouds smother the shining star in every iteration.
• We'll know it's there, should sound gently confident and reassuring.

3.     Children, Go Where I Send Thee

• This song is to be sung fast and passionately. Make sure that your certainty of memorization allows you to do that.
• Also, dynamically, it's pretty robust all the way through with the exception of the sustained born which we'll swell and diminish on.
• Overall, make it fun to watch and listen to.

4.    O Come, Emanuel

• Women start the piece expressively, with energized slurs on the intro and throughout. Don't wait for me to conduct you into the slurs.
• Men move your initial melody on p. 5. It says mysterioso, but not slow. The metronome marking is faster than you've been wanting to take it.
• Sopranos sing p. 7 through 8 almost piano so we hear the low alto melody.
• Every time there is a slight rit. ready for the a tempo.

5.    Gloria in excelsis Deo

        Music of the Baroque period should have a lilt as if performing a stylized dance. Sing with the                vocal equivalency of dancing lightly on the toe.

• I Coro: Tempo will be approximately dotted-quarter = 60. That means the speed of a second per measure. 
• Alba, Joanna, Cassi please sing m. 25-28, 124-134, 147-156 with the altos if you can
• All tied dotted-quarter notes need to be intensified moving to the following 16th-note.
• Decrescendo on the last syllable of Gloria, excelsis, Deo and voluntatis.
• Sing every Pax warmly and gently.
• When singing the fugue starting in m. 120 and beyond, keep it flowing and semi-soloistic, meaning expression is as important as accuracy

• NOTE: When finished with Coro I, please turn to Coro III. Don't follow the soloists in your score while they're singing. 

• III Coro: Make this effervescent and lively.
• Energize dotted-half note sections. Feel the sub-pulse.
• Alba, Joanna, Cassi please sing m. 46-57 with the altos if you can
• Decrescendo on the last syllable in saeculorum and amen.

6.    Dixit Maria

• Diminish at each full cadence (mm. 22, 25, 30, 35, 37, 41, 43, 47, 51, 55, 57, 59, 62, 65).
• Tenors start with the beautiful light quality you had in last Tuesday's rehearsal and everyone else follow suit.

7.     Still, Still, Still

• Keep the syncopation light and very accuracy while being very legato. 
• Also, keep background words snow, still, and all oo's and m's smooth and soft. 
• Sings as a gently controlled lullaby.

8.    Spotless Rose

• Sing the Alleluias with a warm, full, rich tone. Think Brahms!
• Move this. If hesitant with Norwegian words - PRACTICE. It should never sound tentative. 
• Wrap the audience in wonderful, flowing tone.

9.    Solstice

• Sopranos really focus on intonation in mm. 3 and 45 on dark
• Never hum a pitch before entering. 
• This is intense storytelling. Sing it accurately, beautifully, and very expressively. Move past singing with apprehension.
• Mm. 27-31 should be softer for EVERYONE, TI and AI should be piano, and all others pp.
• When cadences have a diphthong (mm. 10-11, 14, 25, 27, 35, 43) sustain the primary vowel. When it has [i] as in me, make sure the vowel is tall and gentle.

10.    Soon We Will Be Done

• As you continue memorizing, please pay attention to rests, non-breaths, and dynamics.
• Men remember to start softly intense. Think stage whisper.

11.   The World for Christmas

• All oo's in solo section start on the downbeat (m. 10 for women, m. 18 for men.)
• Be ready to move at m. 34. And really move at m. 67.
• Sing this tenderly and ardently

12.   Sussex Carol

• This is our concert finale. It must be flawless. Please be sure of your memorization. 
• Sing with energy and enthusiasm, but be careful not to over sing. Save some voice for the delicate Encore.

13.    The Work of Christmas

• Men please double-check where you enter singing words (Ex. Tenors mm. 10, 19 Basses mm. 11, 20, Tenors/Basses together mm. 58, 67).
• Sing it so they think about the words.

Again, I appreciate all your fine work. And I look forward to making beautiful music together next week.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Ted

 

NOTES for the Week of November 5, 2023

Dear friends,

We’re in the last few weeks of rehearsals  you’re making beautiful music together, and I know you’ll continue to do so. Now is the time to do precision practice.

1. Really sing with your best tone and breath management when you practice any phrase. Try not to sing the ends of phrases with laboring breath—the tone suffers and intonation can be compromised.
2. On the subject of intonation, be especially careful on descending phrases (basses chromatic descents) and ends of phrases. 
3. Always sing musically (move to and emphasize important words, lean into slurs, and exaggerate dynamic shifts.

FOR TUESDAY’S REHEARSAL

Solstice: Read and reread the words as a poem. That should influence your singing expression

Cantata 191: Review and rehearse section by section. We will definitely have the accompanist on the 14th, but possibly this week. 

Alleluia! A New…

The World for Christmas

Rose (Norwegian) 

The Waiting Sky

NOTES for the Week of October 22, 2023

Dear friends,

We're a week away from our bi-yearly Bel Canto Boot Camp. For those new to the group, this is special day in which we rehearse intensely, as well as have an opportunity to spend some time socializing and getting better acquainted. It's hard work, but it's fun. And it is a required part of our rehearsal season.

Boot Camp

• When:                   Saturday, October 28, 9:30 am to 3:00 pm
• Where:                  Clubhouse at Rancho de Calistoga MH Park - 2412 Foothill Blvd., Calistoga
• What to Expect:   Arrive before 9:30 and spend a little time enjoying coffee and baked treats                                     before we begin. We will break for lunch around 12:30.
• What to Bring:     Your music, stand (if desired), pencil, a water bottle, and a sack lunch. 

Solstice

• This is coming, but still needs more certainty of parts and rhythms. 
• Work mm. 27-35. That section sounds particularly insecure.
• Highlight every expression mark (dynamics, tempo, slurs, etc.)

Sussex Carol

• We worked on memorization up through page 8. Work on memorization to the end.

Spotless Rose

• Work on the Norwegian pronunciation, particularly of the 2nd verse. It needs to sound confident
• We need to speed this up, and your knowledge of the language (and parts) is crucial

The World for Christmas

• We need to secure this, so that it flows. Review all parts.

Soon We Will Be Done

• We need to work parts from p. 12 to end. 
• And memorize

FOR TUESDAY, October 24

• Solstice
• The Waiting Sky
• Cantata #191 - both movements
• Spotless Rose
• The World For Christmas
• Dixit Maria
• Still, Still, Still

NOTES for Week of October 15, 2023

Dear friends,

We had a productive rehearsal last Tuesday. Unfortunately, I came down with Covid the next day and have been kind of miserable. My head is just enough out of a fog to jot down a few notes for this next week. If I'm not cleared, by Tuesday, I will schedule sectionals. I will let you know, so check your email on Tuesday.

As we begin preparing for our Boot Camp, remember that we need to be absolutely confident on notes, rhythms, and lyrics of all pieces, and memorized on a few of them.

Cantata 191 - Gloria in excelsis Deo

• Your parts really need to be practiced independently at home. It just isn't efficient to drill individual sections at rehearsal. We need to be solidifying the piece in ensemble at rehearsal. Please spend some time this weekend getting closer to 90+ accuracy.

Dixit Maria

• This is coming. What I most want to hear is a smooth, gentle tone, and an attention to line. 
• Sing the rise and fall of phrases as we've discussed.
• Non vibrato.

Still, Still, Still

• This should sound a bit like a lullaby. Gently rocking and gentle in tone.
• Really listen to the other voices to blend and balance.
• Listen for the melody.

Solstice

• Again, you need to practice your parts independently at home so that we can put the harmonies, tone, and balance together in rehearsal.
• Shoot for 95 accuracy this week.

Alleluia! A New Work is Come on Hand

• This is coming together. Really pay mind to the dynamics. Some are sudden.
• Keep it gently detached throughout. 
• Think medieval dance.  

For TUESDAY, October 17

• Sussex Carol - memorize to m. 46
• Solstice
• Soon We Will Be Done  - memorize to m. 58
• Cantata 191 - concentrate on 1st movement Et in terra pax section - mm. 101 to end of movement 
• The World For Christmas
• Spotless Rose

Stay well,

Ted

NOTES for Week of October 8, 2023

Dear friends,

We had a productive rehearsal last week covering quite a bit of material. We have a lot of repertoire to refine and several pieces to continue memorizing, so there is still a lot of work to do. Keep up the good work. 

• Get the word out about the concert. You are our best PR. Tell you family, friends, acquaintances, church communities, etc. We want to fill both venues.
• Continually work on memorization. Sing along with the recordings and test you knowledge. 
• Continue to develop expressiveness in your tone and in your phrasing. That's what makes the music magical.

Children, Go Where I Send Thee

• Continue working on memorization. FOR TUESDAY, please secure your parts in mm. 122-End. We will work on memorization of the whole piece.
• I'm looking for a soloist for the ending, and possibly for the beginning as done on the recording. I want a warm, dynamic, soulful sound.

The Waiting Sky

• Good work on this. Please practice the harmonic change from bottom of p. 2 to top of p. 3.
• Practice singing the word puddles so it sounds significant: enunciated and warm.

Spotless Rose

• Notes and rhythms need to be more solid before mastering the language.
• Practice BOTH! FOR TUESDAY, we will be rehearsing this for uniformity and expression.

The World for Christmas

• Refine your knowledge of the notes and rhythms. It sounds uncertain and stodgy. 
• The words/phrases determine the tempo. It will be quite rubato, so it has to be confident.
• FOR TUESDAY, we will be running it all the way through.

The Work of Christmas (Encore)

• If you haven't performed this, please spend a bit of time working independently. 

Cantata 191 - Gloria in excelsis Deo

• Continue to rehearse this several times weekly, that's the only way it will become more accurate.
• Several sections are relying on a single person in your section to lead you. (SOPRANO I, I'm looking at you.) We need everyone in every section to sing entrances and lines with confidence, whether or not your section leader is present.) 
• FOR TUESDAY we will focus on the 3rd Movement.

FOR TUESDAY, October 10, 2023

1. Children, Go Where I Send Thee
2. Spotless Rose
3. Cantata 191 - Gloria in excelsis Deo - Movement #3
4. Solstice
5. Dixit Maria
6. Alleluia! A New Work is Come on Hand
7. Still, Still, Still

NOTES for Week of September 23, 2023

Dear Friends,

We had a good and productive rehearsal even with almost 1/3 of the group missing. I look forward to having you all well and back in town soon.

NOTE: Going forward, I'm going to play the piano and help you develop your own sense of pitch and rhythmic accuracy. You may feel insecure at first, but I believe it will help you in the long run. If you're unsure of pitches or rhythms, please review them repeatedly at home. What I want to work on in rehearsals going forward is your intonation, blend, balance, dynamic nuance, and expressive singing of the text. That's what makes Bel Canto outstanding.

Cantata 191: Gloria in excelsis Deo 

• We have hammered out the notes in the 1st and 3rd movement and it's beginning to come come together.
• Please review this piece weekly to incorporate the text with precision and fluidity.
• If need be, work slowly on #3 until you can more confidently begin to speed it up.

Soon We Will Be Done

• Remember the rhythm is "swung" on all 1/8th-notes.
• Make sure syncopation is precise. Ex. m. 10 - war comes slightly before beat.
• As you rehearse, strive to memorize at the same time.

Solstice

• We worked parts through mm. 27-28. 
• Sopranos need to become precise and fluid in mm. 1-3.
• Basses become confident with entrance in m. 4.
• Really refine intonation at cadences. Ex. mm. 55, 11, 16, and 27.

Still, Still, Still

• This is coming, but it needs to sound more lullaby-ish. 
• Work on precision with gracefulness.

Alleluia! A New Work

• ALL singing melodies (Sopranos mm. 1-6, Men mm. 8-12, Sopranos/Tenors mm. 16-19) with precision and nuance.
• We will work on a slightly detached articulation.
• Observe all dynamics.

FOR TUESDAY, September 25

Solstice

• Rehearse mm. 28 to end. Secure notes and rhythms.
• We will rehearse entire piece.

Spotless Rose

• Work mm. 1-34 with Norwegian lyrics.

Cantata 191

• Review both movements #1 and #3

Children, Go Where I Send Thee

• Review parts. 
• We will begin memorizing this in rehearsal (mm. 1-81). Pattern: Vs. 1 harmony then chorus, Vs. 2 unison then chorus, Vs. 3 unison followed by individual phrases by section then chorus.

O Come, Emmanuel

NOTES for Week of September 17, 2023

Dear friends,

We've had some really productive rehearsals the last couple of weeks. It helps having you review the pitches and rhythms on pieces in advance of the rehearsal. Thank you for that!

Sussex Carol

• We went through it and marked breaths, slurs, dynamics, and change in meter to make sure of cut-offs. NOTE: I will move from 6/4 (a two-beat pattern) into 3/2 (a three-beat pattern) in mm. 26, 64, and 76-79 to make sure cut-offs are correct. 
• Please begin memorizing this. We will only review it once in a while.

Dixit Maria

• Sing with text and with a fairly light volume.
• Move to the stressed syllable of each word and fade on week syllable (especially last one).
• Intensify moving 1/4-notes and really articulate any 1/8th notes.
• Intensify any longer, sustained notes.

Spotless Rose

• Practice with the Norwegian. If you're unsure of the pronunciation of a word/syllable, please listen to the recording on the Resources Website.
• DAN please sing TI
• Musically this isn't difficult, but incorporating a new language will present a little challenge. Work steadily (and slowly, if necessary), phrase by phrase.

Cantata 191 - Gloria in excelsis Deo

• You're all plugging away at learning "too many notes." Keep up the good work.
• As you begin to get more accurate and confident sing with the text. 
• Review/sing it regularly to develop endurance. 
• Keep the tone relatively light.

The World for Christmas

• We did a sing-through. NOTE: The Soprano part from mm. 1-34 is a solo. Sopranos sing with the altos on oo starting m. 9. Men sing oo starting m. 17 until 34. 
• ALL sing the text together on assigned parts starting m. 34.

For TUESDAY, September 19

Cantata 191 

• Work the pitches and rhythms in 3rd Movement mm. 74 to end on doo
• Review previous parts.

Solstice

• Other than the Bach, this is probably the most complex piece with the 8-part divisi. Work you pitches and rhythms. Listen to the recording of your part or of the performance if you have questions.
• This needs to be very expressive, creating an almost mystical sense of community written in the height of the pandemic. I LOVE THIS PIECE. Let's sing it marvelously.
• Read the poem regularly as found on the first page.

Alleluia! A New Work...

• This piece has a rhythmic dance feel to it. Sopranos please make sure of all rhythms in your entrance. 
• Note that there are a lot of dynamic contrasts. Sometimes abruptly. 
• Make slurred pitches on extended syllables mm. 17, 26, and 28 legato.

Soon We Will Be Done

• Secure rhythms and pitches. Remember 1/8-notes are "swung."
• Begin the memorization process as you nail down your parts. Make sure to memorize dynamics and articulation.

Still, Still, Still

• Please note rhythms, breaths, slurs, and dynamics.
• Larry, I'd love to hear you on the solo starting m. 19.

See you on Tuesday. Thanks,

Ted

NOTES for Week of September 10, 2023

Dear friends,

It occurred to me that I got ahead of myself and said we had covered everything except The World for Christmas forgetting that the last movement of Cantata 191 is longer than the first one. Therefore, we will break it into two rehearsals.

In preparation for next TUESDAY, Sept. 12 Rehearsal.

Cantata 191

• Review the first movement, and as your notes and rhythms get secure, begin to sing the words keeping in mind pure Latin vowels. Sing lightly, as you have been on doo.
• In the last movement, please work your parts up to m. 68 (again on doo).
• Keep the tempi moderately slow until you have mastery of the notes and rhythms.

The Work of Christmas

• I plan to have Cam Gilgallon (our scholarship recipient) mm. 1-36 as a solo. 
• WOMEN sing the alto part unison on oo starting m. 9, with the MEN singing on oo starting in mm. 17. 
• ALL shift to words and your parts on the pick-up to m. 35.
• We will do it with out the insert pp. 13-14.

Dixit Maria

• Begin incorporating the words, again on pure Latin vowels. 
• Sing attentively with emphasis building to the strong syllables. 
• Energize the slurs.

Spotless Rose

• Secure notes and rhythms and start to incorporate the Norwegian words.
• I have recorded the pronunciation word by word and Chuck should have it available on the Resources Site shortly. 
• You should have a sheet that has the IPA symbols. We will go over the IPA on Tuesday evening.

Sussex Carol

• Make sure all pitches and rhythms are secure.

Have a great weekend,

Ted

NOTES for Week of September 3, 2023

Friends,

The board and I really appreciate those who signed up to help with some of the operation activities of Bel Canto. The following are a list of the committees, coordinators, and assistants. 

Marketing/Advertising/Sales - Hunter Hollingsworth, coordinator. Susan Dunaway-Tsujihara, Bill Leigon, Cyndi Kasten, and Larry Black

Volunteer Coordinator - Larry Black, co-coordinator. We need one person to be co-coordinator along with Larry. 

Concert Manager - Dana Zaccone, coordinator. Dan Bunnell and Matthew Gracy

Social Activities - Anna Leigon, coordinator. John Kasten, Thom Hinesley

Reception - Kellie Lind, coordinator. Cassi Tynan

Development/Fundraising and Audience Development - Ted von Pohle, coordinator. Gregory Whitfield.

A couple of you have spoken to me about specific activities that you assist the group with. Those who haven't signed up, please be amenable to helping in an activity if asked by the coordinator.

Notes from last week's rehearsal. And for next week's rehearsal.

*Cantata #191

• We drilled notes through m. 138. I've decided it is not time efficient to drill such complex music part by part. THUS, please work independently this week on your part through the end of the movement (m. 176). You can use cyberbase.com or work the parts on your piano. I want to run Gloria in excelsis and Et in terra pax next Tuesday.

The Waiting Sky

• We worked through parts on this and sang with lyrics. Continue to iron out any questionable notes and rhythms.

Soon We Will Be Done

• Note that 1/8th-notes are swung rhythmically. 
• On last page, m. 110 on Thy will be - all 1st SATB sing the words, all 2nd SATB speak the words.
• This will be memorized by Boot Camp
• If you're interested in the doing one of the raps, please let me know

Still, Still, Still

• Highlight all expression marks (tempi, dynamics, slurs)

FOR TUESDAY, September 5.

Cantata #191

Solstice

Children Go Where I Send Thee

NOTES for Week August 27, 2023

Hello friends,

In case you haven't heard, Carissa was involved in a pretty serious car accident on her way to rehearsal Tuesday evening. She'll be ok, but sustained a broken jaw (2 places) and a broken clavicle. She is having surgery Wednesday to repair her jaw. Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers.

1.    Thank you Hunter for the breakdown of our branding, marketing, sales, and advertising which you oversee. Also thank you Joanna for coordinating the sizing of the tops for the women's uniforms.

2.    Bel Canto Responsibilities: I will plan to have a sign-up sheet next Tuesday for some of the responsibilities for which we need help. Please give some thought to how your gifts (in addition to singing) can help Bel Canto run more smoothly.

3.    BIOs: We're still in need of your bios. If you haven't yet set it, please send it directly to Hunter at hunter.artworks@gmail.com.

4.     Absences: Thank you for those who texted or emailed me about a last minute absence. If you know you'll be absent before the evening of the rehearsal (at least a few hours), please enter it into the calendar. It helps when we have record all in one place. 

Great rehearsal last night! I appreciated your attentiveness and patience hammering out parts. Please remember, that if you missed the rehearsal, you need to pay particular attention to what we covered (check with your section leader) and/or I will give what we covered in the NOTES. I also expect all singers to be fairly solid on the music we went over when we next revisit those passages.

Alleluia! A New Work is Come on Hand

• Review the entire piece. We worked out all notes and rhythms on doo.
• Begin to incorporate the words.
• Highlight all expressions marks. Pay particular attention to dynamic changes.
• Observe cut-offs!

O Come, Emmanuel

• Review NOTES for August 20, for directions on unison/divisi.
• WOMEN insert luftpause between O come in mm. 6, 8, 12, 7274, 76, 104, 106

Cantata 191-Gloria in excelsis Deo

• Review all notes and rhythms mm. 25-101 on doo.
• When you can sing it confidently, insert the text, keeping it relatively light.
• These are incredibly long phrases, so for now stagger your breathing. (When we get it up to tempo, you may be able to sing the entire phrase in a single breath.)
• Reminder about Cyberbass. The Gloria and Et in terra pax are to be found in the recordings of the B-minor Mass. There are no parts yet on the website for Cantata 191.

FOR TUESDAY, August 29

Cantata 191-Et in terra pax

• Please look through and sing on doo. Mm. 101-end
• This is about twice as long as the Gloria in excelsis Deo and has some quick imitative counterpoint. We'll work slowly.

The Waiting Sky

• Look through notes and rhythms on neutral syllable.
• When you're confident add words.

Soon We Will Be Done

Still, Still, Still

• When solid on pitches and rhythms sing words with rich, open vowels.

Until Tuesday,

Ted

NOTES for Week of August 20, 2023

Dear friends,

It was a delight to meet with you all and begin rehearsing for our 9th Season. Welcome to the new members (Susan and Raja) and welcome back to Suzi.

1. RESOURCES: If you have any questions about the resources site, please let Chuck know and he can either email you or maybe take a few minutes in our next rehearsal.
2. VOLUNTEER: Be thinking of how you can help Bel Canto as either coordinator or helper on the various committees for which we need help. I'll provide a more detailed explanation at our next rehearsal along with a sign-up sheet.
3. MUSIC PAYMENT/DONATION: Please follow up with Joanna or Lisa.
4. WOMEN WARDROBE: Joanna will be bringing several sizes of the tunic top to try on for fit next rehearsal.
5. BIOS: For those who didn't get the email describing this, we need a 100 word bio that gives your a) name, b) part you sing, c) music degree or training if any, d) Music Experience (choral, solo, musical theater - highlights); and personal fun fact (optional). 
6. MARKING MUSIC: It was great to start singing again. Please be sure to read carefully and mark any directions into your music. Remember to highlight all dynamic, tempo, and slur markings.

Sussex Carol

• Maintain an inner 1/8-note pulse so transitions from simple to compound meter will be smooth, and watch for change in beat patterns to correspond. 
• Carissa sing SI, Michele sing AII, Robert sing BII in divisi sections.
• Breathing: m. 17 no breath, m. 21 luftpause, m. 34 no breath, m. 38 luftpause, m. 43 no breath, m. 55 luftpause, m. 59 no breath, m. 81 and 85 no breath.
• Cutoffs: I will move to 3-beats (3/2 time) and you cut off on the third beat in mm. 26, 64, and 90.
• Memorize: Have memorized by Boot Camp.

The Work of Christmas (Encore)

• No oh will be sung on humming sections. 
• Breathing: This may be different than before because I can't find my score, but m. 14 no breath, m. 23, 26, and 62 luftpause. 
• Memorize: Anyone who sang this last holiday must be off score going forward. All others have memorized by Boot Camp.

Dixit Maria

• Tone: Work pitches and rhythm on doo for lightness of tone. When accurate, practice in a supported light tone with words.
• Phrasing: Again, mark in a slur over any repeated notes on a single syllable. Energize a) slurs, b) accented syllables, and c) moving pitches, i.e., 1/4-notes and 1/8-notes. 
• Accented Syllables: Di-xit Ma-ri-a ad An-ge-lum, Ec-ce an-cil-la Do-mi-ni, se-cun-dum ver-bum tu-um. Always de-emphasize the last syllable.
• Memorize: Have memorized by Boot Camp.

Spotless Rose

• Divisi: Carissa SI, Michele AII, Robert BII
• Tone: Work pitches and rhythms with neutral syllable (doh, dah, doo) with a full Romantic (think Brahms) tone. 
• Language: We will be singing this in Norwegian. Attached is a IPA transcription. We'll work on this together next time. 

FOR TUESDAY, August 22

Gloria in excelsis Deo

• Women Divisi: Divide as you do on Sussex Carol (SI, SII, A)
• Pitches and Rhythm: Practice the first section mm. 25-101 using doh. No words! Start slowly and speed up only when proficient. Sing with medium-light tone and articulated.

Soon We Will Be Done

• Rhythm: Rhythm is swung. 
• Pitches and Rhythm: Work pitches and rhythm to the end. All Parts I (ex. SI, AI), sing the pitches in m. 110 Thy will be. Parts II, speak the words.
• Expression: Highlight all dynamics and slur markings.
• Rap: If you are interested in doing one of the rap sections, please let me know. I will have to divide it between 2-3 sections so no section is missing more than one singer. Diction must be crystal clear.
• Memorize: Have memorized by Boot Camp.

The Waiting Sky

• Pitches and Rhythm: Sing through pitches and rhythms on doo. Sing lightly with semi-straight tone.
• Expression: Highlight all dynamics, tempi, and slur markings.

O Come, Emmanuel

• Divisi: Divide as indicated when in 3-part (ex. S and AI/AII in mm. 12 and 13). Alto sing with Sopranos in mm. 4-8, 37-40. ALL WOMEN sing those measures p-pp
• Expression: Highlight all dynamics, tempi, and slur markings.

Alleluia! A New Work is Come on Hand

• Expression: Highlight all dynamics, tempi, and slur markings. All begin practicing with very clear diction and slightly detached articulation. Make it dancelike.

See you on Tuesday,

Ted

NOTES for Week of August 13, 2023

Dear Singers,

I'm writing in great anticipation of first rehearsal of the 2023-2024 season. I'm so excited about working together making beautiful music.

A FEW NOTES and INSTRUCTIONS

1. We begin rehearsing, Tuesday, August 15 at 6:30 pm at the Harvest Middle School Music Building. Please try to get there a few minutes early, if possible, as you will need time to greet friends, get you music, and hear some announcements.
2. Please bring a check in the amount of $43, or coordinate with Lisa or Joanna when you arrive about how to pay through a couple of online sites.
3. Please bring a folder for your music as well as a pencil with an eraser.
4. Make sure you have a printed copy of Dixit Maria which is on the Resources Site (explanation below). Please review your part before rehearsal on Tuesday and write the following translations in your score:

Dixit Maria ad Angelum (Mary said to the angel); Ecce ancilla Domini (Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord); fiat mihi secundum verbum tuum. (let it be done to me, according to your word.

Also, mark the following sections in the score: m. 1 - A, m. 22 - B, m. 48 - C

Mark slurs into your part anywhere there are successive notes on a single syllable. For example, tenors in m. 3, connect the A to the C on the syllable an- of angelum. 

REGARDING the RESOURCES SITE

The resources site has been updated. (THANK YOU, CHUCK!) You can access it at www.belcantonv.org/members. The Resources Site has:

• PDFs of scores such as Dixit Maria
• Part recordings for each section
• Performance recordings of the pieces we will be learning
• It also has a link and instructions on how to put into the calendar any rehearsals you know you will have to miss.

If you have any questions, Chuck will help explain it.

I really look forward to seeing you all on Tuesday.

Ted

 

NOTES for Week of April 23, 2023

Dear friends,

We are on the home stretch. Please keep your focus on really singing this music technically and expressively. Listen to the recordings for inspiration.

Continue to get the word out about the concert. Send cards, invite your family, friends, and coworkers.

Can we get an announcement into the church bulletins and/or email newsletters (First Presbyterian, Napa Methodist, St. Mary's Episcopal, others in town?)

FOR TUESDAY:

Brian Shaw, the pianist is coming to rehearsal. I want to focus on Brahms and Evening Gale. But I also want to go through the Due North pieces, as well as our closer, My Soul's Been Anchored and There is a Pleasure.

Here are extensive notes. Please mark them in your scores!

Brahms Vier Quartette Op. 92

·       I'm emailing you English Translations of the text. Please write them in your score and review the lyrics/meaning.

·        Highlight every dynamic and tempo marking, as well as slurs.

O Schöne Nacht

·        Basses remove the breath in m. 17 after Mond. Stagger breathing the entire phrase.

·        Tenors sing your phrase gently describing the sweet company of stars.

·        Sopranos need to be 100% accurate rhythmically and melodically in your line. Practice it listening to recording if necessary until you’re sure. It needs to be sung with some power.

·        ALL sing der Knabe schleiht zu seiner Liebsten (boy stealing to his love) gently with occasional crescendo and diminuendos. Think of the forte to piano in mm. 61-63 as an arrested exclamation…the lovers catching themselves and quieting.

·        ALL write mf in m. 73 (O), mp in m. 74 (schö-), and mp in m. 75 (-ne), and p in m. 76 (Nacht!)

Spätherbst

·        ALL sing with a feeling of melancholy. Really observe the slur markings and dynamics. This piece has some big dynamic contrasts.

·        When there are <> over a beat or two, really energize them. EX. mm. 29-30.

Abendlied

·        ALL sing the opening gently and peacefully.

·        Espressivo in mm. 15-20 expresses the melancholy of the words, that which depressed me. Are you already asleep, O pain.

·        ALL make the minor chord in m. 33, intensely soft on aber der Schlummer

·        ALL the apex of the crescendo in mm. 41-42 on empor reflects soaring heavenward then immediately softens to the piano.

·        ALL sing the rest of the song softly and gently as is describes a lullaby.

Warum?

·        ALL sing the beginning 11 measures strongly, as it describes songs resounding heavenward. Then really observe a quick diminuendo in mm. 13-14

·        The dotted quarter in the 6/8 time will be approximately the speed of a half-note in the 4/4 time.

·        Observe the crescendo in mm. 42 (piano) to 47 (forte). Women have a subito piano in mm. 48 on uns herab. Men float your uns herab.

Due North

Woodpecker

·        ALL need to push the tempo. Don’t slow down after pauses.

·        Sopranos, you need to be stronger mm. 10-13. ATB, need to sing pp jumping to ff in m. 14.

·        Tenors practice interval from m. 17 to m. 18 so the C4 is in tune. Everyone depends on your accuracy and intonation.

·        ALL sing pp mm. 18 until the poco a poco cresc. in m. 23.

·        ALL push tempo through and don’t begin to slow down until the top of 29 m. 35.

·        Tenor II, if you’re not doing so, please sing with the bases in mm. 40-46.

·        ALL drive tempo mm. 46 to end as your diminuendo.

Trees

·        ALL sing gently as if murmuring.

·        Basses practice your pitches mm. 12-18, especially the D♭to B♭on sycamore in m. 16.

Mosquitoes

·        ALL bring back more buzzing overall and push tempo.

·        ALL push tempo

·        ALL crescendo to third beat in mm. 28, 29, 30, 31

·        ALL carry the pp in the first ending (mm. 32-35) back to the repeat.

·        ALL sing f in mm. 37 to end.

·        NOTE: Each part should practice holding your score, singing your part, and vigorously swatting at imaginary mosquito while singing your lines in mm. 37-48. Stop when Larry starts the ascent. We’ll talk about how to stage the swat at rehearsal.

Evening Gale

Night Song

·        ALL be careful with the diphthong on raises as in mm. 6 and 17. Some are gliding/sliding on pitch.

·        ALL watch for expressive rubato starting in m. 40.

·        ALL there will be no break/breath after the fermata on moon in m. 45. WATCH

·        ALL keep mm. 40-50 p and get softer (float it) until m. 53.

·        Women observe the mp in m. 70, then crescendo to mf to match the men.

·        Women sing mm. 77-78 mp and marcato (slightly accented) and mm. 79 and following softer (p) but still marcato.

Acquainted with the Night

·        Women sing unison mm. 5-7, and 80-82

·        Tenors keep mm. 21-23 mp

·        Men watch your rhythm in m. 33, and delay the l in still, singing on the vowel.

·        ALL observe the crescendos on p. 26.

·        ALL note the mp in mm. 42-43

·        ALL come in strong in m. 65 then soften to mp in m, 66. Then crescendo to m. 74.

·        ALL make your entrances in mm. 88-98 distinctive.

·        ALL no breath in m. 104. Stagger to end.

The Sundown Sea

·        Women sing your entrance in m. 5 strong with conviction of rhythm (meaning, accurately)

·        ALL practice these rhythms mm. 9-17.

·        ALL sing gently but with rich, expanded vowels in mm. 19-24.

NOTES for Week of April 9, 2023

Dear friends,

We've had some productive rehearsals and I would like you to make some notes in your music and practice accordingly.

Evening Gale

1. Night Song

• P. 10, mm 32 and following, mark it legato and sing it that way. 
• P. 12, note that it is soft through out and moving to pp starting at m. 50. Keep the vowels warm and rich.
• P. 14, m. 70, WOMEN start mp and ease up to mf in m. 73.
• P. 15, m. 77, WOMEN come in mp and marcato (slightly accented) and then repeat in m. 79 piano.
• P. 19, mm. 107-109, SOPRANOS make that phrase gentle even while going up to the F5 and back down.

 2. Acquainted with the Night

• P. 21, WOMEN sing the opening theme soulfully and in a warm chest voice
• P. 22, Everyone make sure the t of light in m. 17, ends precisely on beat 1 of m. 18.
• P. 23, mm. 21-22, TENORS make sure to sing the phrase (up to the A4) gently.
• P. 25, mm. 33 MEN sing the phrase legato. Write that in your score.
• P. 26, mm. 36-42 All make sure of rhythmic/melodic accuracy and expression.
• p. 27, m. 42 Watch the fermata and GOS (gesture of syncopation) WOMEN to resume. 
• P. 29-30, Matthew and Suzanne, please sing the respective baritone and soprano solos in mm. 54-64. EVERYONE be ready to come in in m. 65.
• P. 31, starting at m. 67 SOPRANOS (and subsequently BASSES and ALTOS enter at mp, then note crescendo in mm. 69, 72-74.
• P. 36-38, EVERYONE make sure of your phrases (rhythmically and melodically) and note that its mp.
• P. 39-40, starting in m. 102, EVERYONE sing with rubato and don't breathe after acquainted. Stagger to the end.

3. The Sundown Sea

• P. 42, EVERYONE really practice your rhythm and WOMEN keep moving 8th notes in mm. 7-8 in tempo.   
• NOTE the difference in rhythms in the entrance on ten thousand in mm. 7 and 11.
• P. 44 and 46, EVERYONE keep the 8th notes in tempo. They're quick.
• Pp. 50-51, Suzanne, please sing the soprano solo. 

The Willow Song

• Don't start too slowly. Have a sense of motion. 
• Watch the joint cut-off in m. 4, and then the GOS to re-enter BASSES and TENORS.
• Women watch cue to re-enter at m. 18.
• Mark m. 20 pp.
• Note the diminuendo that covers mm. 25-28. There should be a slight intensification on the first syllable of each willow, but then diminish.
• Pay close attention to your pronunciation of garland. The final syllable is [ə] not [a].

Due North: Woodpecker

• Work towards ♩=116, which is very quick.
• Highlight EVERY dynamic and articulation mark. It's the contrasts and subtleties that make this piece interesting.
• P. 15, BASSES bring out the melody, everyone else should be piano-pianissimo.
• P. 17 m. 9 is a subito ff, then drop to pp except the SOPRANOS who sing their part ff.
• P. 19 m. 14 is a subito ff for all parts then WOMEN drop to pp.
• P. 21 Everyone should be pp. 
• P. 23 SOPRANOS should come out a bit on the sop and then EVERYONE should begin a crescendo through P 27. 
• P. 29 Wait to begin the molto ritard until the 2nd beat at the top. Keep volume up.
• P. 30 SOPRANOS enter fast and pp.
• P. 31 at the bottom, there should be contrasting dynamics with the SOPRANO and BASSES louder than ALTOS and TENORS
• P. 34 m. 46 SOPRANOS and BASSES need to really be open on the vowel of way [ɛ] and tune the F major chord. Be full, not just loud. ALTOS and TENORS need to be forte to begin that page.
• Write in the following dynamics: m. 46-47 ff, m. 48 f, m. 49 mf, m. 50 mp, m. 51 p, m. 52 pp to fade in 4 beats. 
  

My Soul's Been Anchored

• Watch the contrasts in dynamics in the introduction. Watch me for pauses and moving on.
• WOMEN and TENORS be ready to move at Allegro in m. 9. 
• Be aware of entrances following an 8th rest and a 16th rest.
• Drive the tempo to the end. Don't let the energy relax.
• Contrast the responses of mm. 26-27 to 31-32. Happens again in 49-50 and 52-53.
• In questions Do you love Him? (starting m 70) emphasize love when it follows an 8th rest and emphasize Do when it follows a 16th rest. Same pattern starting in m. 78.
• TENORS be sure of your pitches starting in m. 85 coming off the treble Hallelujah.
• Don't slow down before the molto rallentando in m. 99. Then slam on the breaks and WATCH. 
• Close to n on in in the penultimate measure and crescendo as you open to the words the Lord. There will be a slight pause on the, the second to the last note.

FOR TUESDAY:

DUE NORTH: Woodpecker, Trees, and Mosquitoes 

Now All the Woods are Sleeping

Trees (Brinsmead)

The Birds Lullaby

There is a Pleasure

My Soul's Been Anchored

Concert Program Order

 Song of the Woods

PROGRAM

Away in the Woods   Jonny Priano

Vier Quartette, Opus 92         Johannes Brahms

O schöne Nacht 

Spätherbst 

Abendlied 

Warum? 

Trees         Daniel Brinsmead

Due North       Stephen Chatman

Woodpecker

Trees

Mosquitoes

Now All the Woods Are Sleeping           David Cherwien

INTERMISSION

The Willow Song         Ralph Vaughan Williams

The Bird’s Lullaby Sarah Quartel

Evening Gale Anthony Bernarducci

Night Song

Acquainted with the Night

The Sundown Sea

My Soul’s Been Anchored in the Lord         arr. Moses Hogan

ENCORE: There is a Pleasure   Matthew Armstrong