Dear Friends,
I hope you had a wonderful holiday and are ready to sing again. I look forward to gathering with you this coming Tuesday, January 17, 2023 at 6:30 pm in the Music Room at Harvest Middle School.
We had a very productive Board Meeting this past week discussing and planning upcoming activities. We also talked about the success of our holiday concerts. We had over a 100 more people at our concerts than we have ever had. Kudos for getting the word out.
I want to give a special thanks to one of our Board Members, Joanna Mittman, an often unsung hero of Bel Canto. Joanna is the one who oversees the operations of our organization: setting up meetings, taking notes and preparing Minutes, preparing our annual tax and governance filings for our non-profit status, managing licensing requirements, keeping our calendar and communications up to date, and assisting me, and the Treasurer with donor receipts and acknowledgements, to name just a few of her duties. Joanna will be taking this spring semester off while she helps with the transition of her family, who is relocating to New Zealand. Despite taking the semester off, she has agreed to make sure the legal aspects of our organization are kept up to date. Thank you, Joanna for all you do! We will miss you.
A FEW THINGS
- Chuck sent out a repertoire list. If you sang with us in Spring of 2020 (when we stopped rehearsing due to Covid), you should have the music as indicated. Please dig it out and bring it. I have not ordered much more than we need for the new members.
- I'm still waiting for the new repertoire to arrive. We will let you know when it arrives and what each person will owe for their scores.
- The Brahms Vier Quartettes Op. 92 are available on the resource site for those who don't have it. As it is public domain, it is easier and cheaper to print it, than ordering it and waiting indefinitely to get it (it also includes the accompaniment). For those who want a published vocal score, I have a couple of originals, if some of you prefer. Please plan accordingly as we will begin working on it TUESDAY.
- As Chuck said in his memo, there are parts and performance resources for those pieces. I will have the others shortly after I receive the new music.
- Plan to bring a music stand if you prefer. I will be arranging the choir in rehearsal formations that will help you hear, blend, and balance. Be flexible. I will discourage singers from sitting/standing at a distance from their section.
- Plan to do a little vocalizing prior to coming. I will do some ear-training vocalises, as well as vocal development exercises, but sing a bit before arriving, even if in the car (do so carefully).
- PLEASE BE ON TIME! We need to be punctual. It shows respect to one another and to me.
- I will be choosing section leaders (and a secondary section leader). These people will help me and you determine what needs to be done to sing our best. This will include checking for accuracy of pitches and rhythm, diction and vowel uniformity, and observation and performance of expression marks. Over the course of the semester, we will have sectionals scheduled into our rehearsal times. This will provide opportunity to work on matched tone, intonation, and expressiveness.
- Once I've given you a chance to know your music, be prepared to sing alone in quartets or small groups. This will give you a chance to show that you know your parts independently.
I want Bel Canto to continue to grow and improve, and to be the best ensemble possible. From what I've heard over the last several months, this is the expressed desire of most of you. Know that it will require a high level of focus and discipline. I also want it to be enjoyable experience, and something that you are proud to be a part. I will do my best to make that the case.
I look forward to seeing you all soon and to begin a wonderful Spring semester together.
Ted
