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