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