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