NOTES for the Week of November 17, 2024

Friends,

We had a productive rehearsal with Brian Shaw, our pianist for the concert. We will not work with Brian again until the dress rehearsal. Please continue to rehearse these pieces.

Festival Gloria

• Make the syllables in Gloria (especially -a) rich and full.
• Crescendo each time whether in the introduction or when singing the full phrase ex. mm. 1-3, 4-6, 13-14, 25-26. Don't wait for me to indicate.
• Altos use a rich chest voice in the et in terra pax section. Sound like "mother earth."
• Tenors clean up mm. 21-24 in terms of accuracy and fluidity.

O Little Town of Bethlehem

• Vs. 1 emphasize Bethlehem, still, deep, dreamless, silent, Light, hopes, fears, met, thee, tonight. Some are softly intense emphases like still and silent. Make sure the sibulant s is there on those words.
• Vs. 2 emphasize Christ, Mary, gathered, angels, sleep, angels, keep, watch,  love, morning claim, birth, sing, God, King, peace, all, earth.
• Note the molto rit. a m. 61 and fermata in m. 63, with an immediate return to a tempo.
• Vs. 3 emphasize silently, giv'n, imparts, blessings, in world sin. receive Him still, enters.
• Vs. 4 emphasize Holy, Child, Bethlehem, descend, pray, Cast out, enter, today, hear, angels, great, tidings tell, come, abide.

Magnificat

• Feel the driving, often syncopated rhythm throughout. Don't lag.
• Swell on Mag- into ni, and again into Dominum in first measures.
• Sopranos/Altos activate 1/2-notes on soul and Lord.
• Crescendo at top of p. 6.
• Make the anima mea on pp. 8-9 strong and then fade for the soloist
• Sing agitato on pp. 10-11, also in mm. 58-62. Very deliberate.
• Watch me in the a cappella section mm. 66-77. Keep it free and don't lag.
• Crescendo/diminuendo on Amens in mm. 97-98.

While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks

• Be prepared to sing each verse very freely, not overly steady like a congregational hymn.
• Be especially mindful of changes in tempo in transitions between verses.
• The scoring on this peace is lush and lovely, don't let it become predictable and boring. Make it come alive.

Fum, Fum, Fum

• Remember we are using traditional Spanish pronunciation. Double ll's are pronounced like a j, not a y.
• On page 6 and top of 7 (for women), make the 16th-notes detached and articulated.

For TUESDAY, November 19, 2024

AS MANY OF THE UNACCOMPANIED PIECES AS WE CAN GET THROUGH

NOTES for Week of November 10, 2024

Dear friends,

I hope this message finds you well. For many of us, the last few days have been particularly challenging. Personally I'm still trying to make sense of who we are as a people and as a nation. This political season was particularly difficult as we witnessed the incredible divides in our ideologies, values, and policies. It's for this reason that I believe we make music together. Choral music, by it's very nature causes us to stand collectively as we face the world. We breathe together, we harmonize, and even our hearts begin to beat in cadence. As a member of an ensemble, we are able to create something that is bigger and more enpowering than we could alone. Singing has the ability to bind us, uplift us, inspire us, and heal us. And when we share our music with others, they have the ability to experience those things as well. Our job as members of Bel Canto is to help create musical experiences to delight the heart and inspire the soul. Never forget that. We are on this mission together. 

This endris night

• Intonation is crucial. Think high on every F#, C-natural, B and every descent/return to tonic (D)
• Phrasing. The more you consciously energize the line whether in crescendo or diminuendo the lesser chance there is of sagging in pitch. Also lean into slurs (highlight them.)
• Be mindful of the words and the storytelling. 

Shalom!

• In m. 41, Men go to the mm on beat 4 (don't observe the fermata on beat 3) and sustain while I cut off the women and cue Hevenu. Then men lift and breathe before the downbeat of m. 42.
• Watch like a hawk on pp.8-9 for the accelerando. It will happen when the women sing Hevenu in mm. 43, 45, 47 and then in mm. 48-49. It will explode with the Alto/Tenor Hevenu in m. 49.
• Remember to rein it in and don't over sing. Save some energy and volume for the end.

Es ist ein' Ros' entsprungen

• Even though much of this is accompanimental, please sing expressively. Pull through 1/2-notes. Itensify 1/4 and 1/8-notes. 
• All chorale sections should be sung with rich, warm vowels and tone.

My King is Comin' Soon

• All oo-ing must feel like it's going somewhere, not just counting beats, especially when moving into phrases like mm. 15-16 leading into The king is comin'...
• Everyone start lighter on pp. 7 and 14 including tenors.
• Start mm. 91 and 95 very soft and intense and build.

Let Your Heart Speak Music

• Begin the stead crescendo in m. 34 growing more powerfully (rather than loudly) to the words heaven come!
• Use the words (storytelling) to guide your dynamics.

Ain't That-a Rockin'

• Use a richer tone throughout. It sounds a bit bright and harsh.
• Tenors secure the rhythm in mm. 83-86. Don't oversing.
• Begin rallantando in m. 80, not before. 
• Cut off immediately on the 1/8-note in m. 92 on mercy.
• The sffz at the end should be a loud [l] and a soft [a] in land that then crescendos.

For TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 20204

1. Tenors meet at 6:15 sharp for a sectional. Please vocalize a bit before coming.
2. S/A/B plan to arrive 6:45.
3. Brian Shaw will be there to rehearse the accompanied songs again.

Festival Gloria

Magnificat

While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks

O Little Town of Bethlehem

Fum, Fum, Fum!

also

Let It Snow and I'll Be Home for Christmas  

NOTES for Week of October 27, 2024

Dear Friends,

The good news is, Mont La Salle is sold out (has been for a couple of weeks) and we can probably anticipate a good audience at the Methodist Church. The bad news is, this coming Tuesday, the 29th will be the last rehearsal when all of you are scheduled to be there until our Dress Rehearsal. That is problematic for a number of reasons. It means that we will have difficulty really achieving the necessary blend and balance that makes an ensemble extraordinary.

To that end, work on the following:

1. Vowel uniformity. Some of you are not carefully listening as you should to the way you're singing/pronouncing your vowels and matching your resultant pitches. This is particularly true of the men. Tone and Pitch vary as the vowels vary, so when I tell you how to pronounce the vowels or adjust the tone, it's not a suggestion.
2. Blend. This includes what I said above, but it also includes a sense of matching the general quality and intensity of the singers around you (particularly in your section). If I tell you to ease up, it means you're sticking out and singing too loudly. In a few cases, there are voices who I'm aware are holding back. If I ask you to sing out, it's because I feel you can give more to fill out the sound in your section. 
3. Balance. This applies to the section as well as the group as a whole. Some of you are charging through the music consistently at mf seemingly unaware that you and/or your section are singing "back-up." Move from accuracy of pitches and rhythms to accuracy of expression. Every note you sing must be expressive, even if very light and supportive of another section's melody.
4. Memorization. The reason this is necessary is that you sing more expressively when you have memorized the music. NOTE: Many groups memorize all their repertoire. I want it to feel second nature, not something you're doing in panic mode. That means that you have to put in individual practice time. Practice with the recordings, so you can hear your part in context. Here are the pieces that we will be singing memorized. 

• Ain't That-a Rockin' (concert closer)
• My King is Comin' Soon
• Shalom! (I substitued this for Fum, Fum, Fum)
• Il est ne
• Let it Snow
• I'll Be Home for Christmas

BOOT CAMP: Saturday, November 2, 2024 from 9:30 am to 2:00 pm. 

Rancho de Calistoga Club House, 2412 Foothill Boulevard, Calistoga

NOTE: Sorry about the bait and switch, but please bring a sack lunch. 

Ain't That-a Rockin'

• Men: work on your blend and balance (and intonation) in the solo parts on pages 13-14. It needs to be flawless
• Anticipate your entrances in mm. 48-51. 
• Again, weary should never be accented (despite syncopation) or very loud.

This Endris Night

• Much better intonation.
• The faster tempo means that you have to work harder on the diction. Tell the story.
• Also make the dotted rhythms clean BUT smooth. 

My King is Comin' Soon

• Men please work out pitch/rhythm/dynamic accuracy of mm. 91-94
• Memorize and sing the crescendos into diminuendos that are pervasive 

Let My Love Be Heard

• The oo-ing must be steady and flowing with observable dynamic shifts. 
• Tenors work on your exposed melody in mm. 9-14. Make it gentle, warm, and blended.
• The name of the poem on which this is based in entitled Prayer. Sing as a fervent prayer.

Shalom!

• This needs to be tidied up. Crisper, articulated rhythms (staccato, flipped l's on la).
• Also, clean up the chords on the transitions, especially m. 59. They're not in tune and they sound really tentative. Know what note you arrive on and then where your next pitch is. NOTE: in m. 59, there is no fermata. It goes right on.
• Starting mm. 58+, don't over sing. Keep it neat and clear. Don't add to the cacophony by making it sloppy 

For TUESDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2024

Brian Shaw, the piano accompanist will be at rehearsal. We will be singing through all the accompanied works. Make sure you really know them. This will be an opportunity to work on polishing them.

• Magnificat
• Festival Gloria
• O Little Town of Bethlehem
• While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks
• Let It Snow! (x3)
• I'll Be Home for Christmas

NOTES for Week of October 20, 2024

Dear Friends,

We've been having some good, productive rehearsals. Keep up the work learning your parts so that our times together can be focused on blend, balance, and musical expressiveness. 

SINGING TECHNIQUE: Continuing my discussion on tone production. I want you to try a technique this week in your warm-ups and practice. Using a straw, practicing humming scales as well as your parts while holding it with your lips. This is particularly helpful as you transition between registers or sing in higher voice. If done properly, it helps equalize the pressure in your /throat and larynx and relaxs the phonation process in your throat. This can even be done while humming in the car. As our voices become more mature, the vocal folds start thinning and don't function at their peak level. Using a straw focuses on better adduction of the vocal folds and better equalization of pressure on them. 

MARKETING: Please help distribute the posters for the concert. You might take a silver Sharpie and neatly write Sold Out over the Sunday date. Also, jotting a personal note and mailing the cards the cards to friends will help fill up and hopefully sell out the Friday evening performance.

Magnificat

• Focus your attention on the correct pitches and intervals so the clusters are clean and accurate.
• Also, remember to sing with a full, resonant, but not forced tone. It should be exciting, but not strident in sound. 
• Work on dynamic contrasts and expressiveness.

Let Your Heart Speak Music

• The harmonies are coming and you are beginning to sing phrases with expression. 
• Note in mm. 15-28 and 34-41, there are dramatic dynamic changes both louder and softer. Please observe with care.
• SING THE WORDS.

Shalom!

• Men continue to work through the sections in mm. 30-41. They need to be strong, independent, and unified.
• Basses tune up the Shalom's.
• Finish memorizing pp. 3-8.
• Sopranos we have agreed that the F-flat in m. 41 will be altered to F-natural.

Es ist ein' Ros' entsprungen

• Keep in mind that this has a slow, sustained waltz feel in 3/4 time. It will make it easier to feel the rhythm.  
• Whenever singing the lyrics, make sure you blend the harmonies with the other sections. They sound a bit disjointed.

Fum, Fum, Fum

• Make sure to recognize and sing the various articulations based on the notation in the fum, fum, fum responses: a) if 1/4 notes (ex. mm. 11-12), make them full value stretching the vowel; b) if 1/8th notes follow by an 1/8 rest (ex. mm. 46-47 woman) make very detached; c) if articulating the parts in mm. 47-48 and following men, make them slightly detached.
• Overall, the piece should have a light, stylized, dancelike, detachment feel throughout.

Caritas

• Make sure to sing each phrase with a gentle pressure (see above about using a straw) observing the dynamic shifts.
• Sing Cah' - ree - tah-s. NO American r's - ever.

Ain't That-a Rockin'

• Keep the syncopated words accurate (no rushing or delaying) WATCH ME!
• Weary should always be light with a slight stretch - tenuto, not accented.
• Back-up sections STB, cut off precisely on beat 4 in mm. 11, 21. Count, you may not be cued.
• Carry the vowel and sing the n of lan' in m. 30 to the downbeat of m. 31 and then quickly breathe to begin the next phrase in syncopation.

For TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2024

• Brian Shaw, the piano accompanist will be at rehearsal. We will be singing through all the accompanied works. Make sure you really know them. This will be an opportunity to work on polishing them.

Magnificat

Festival Gloira

O Little Town of Bethlehem

While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks

also

Let It Snow! (x3)

I'll Be Home for Christmas

NOTES for Week of October 13, 2024

Dear Friends,

Finally, the fall weather has arrived and we are almost to the half-way point in our rehearsal for our holiday concerts. We have sold out Mont La Salle already (it's getting earlier and earlier) and Friday night ticket sales are picking up. It's all exciting news.

A few reminders:

1. There seem to be quite a few absences that are not being recorded on the calendar. Please, even if it's a last minute (that day) illness or conflict, enter it on the calendar (along with letting Joanna know) so that I know how to plan rehearsal. There's no point in working diligently on a blend and balance within a section if one or two members of that section are missing.
2. Continue to work on the memorization. This is best started early.
3. Continue to get the word out for our Friday night concert. We'd love to have a full house like last year.
4. These notes are going to be more specific. Please mark and rehearse accordingly.

Festival Gloria

• Really work on rich full tone and intonation on the opening and closing sections so those crunchy chords don't sound harsh, but rich and powerful. Pronounce all Latin with very italianate style.
• Start the first chord on f and swell slightly over the two measures. Start the second chord again on f and swell. Always go somewhere on sustained pitches.
• The same goes true on sections like mm. 13-14, 25-26, etc.
• Tenors clean up rhythm with words in mm. 22-25.
• Put in a slight diminuendo in m. 67.
• Rich, warm tone in Lento section starting at m. 75 for all voices.
• Follow dynamics in mm. 81-83 so that the key change in m. 84 is powerful.
• Take a deep, low breath in m. 95 so that you have enough to systain the rit. and fermata without losing power.

Let My Love Be Heard

• I'm not hearing much dynamic shifting in the opening measures. Respond to the crescendos and diminuendos.
• Tenors, work on the melody starting in m. 9 to make it accurate, gentle, and sustained. Support the tone so the voice doesn't falter or crack.
• There are a lot of triplets scattered through various voices. Please don't be hesitant. Don't rush them, but keep them moving.
• Women, keep the triplets starting in mm. 31 fluid and gentle. Listen to the other sections and pass the movement back and forth.
• Men, again, I didn't hear much dynamic shifting on your part in mm. 32-45 until we got to the end.
• This piece is quite slow in tempo, but it should have a sense of steady movement and flow. Not plodding.

This Endris Night

• We're really struggling to keep this in tune. When practicing, always check a reference pitch of D at major cadences. Also, watch that whenever you have D, B, and either C or C#, that they're in tune.
• We will take it at a slight brisker tempo. Practice faster, but really make sure to enunciate the words. 
• The song, though lyrical, should have an energy about it. It should never feel languid.
• 16th-note and dotted rhythms should be crisp and accurate. 

My King Is Comin' Soon

• Again, make sure that the dynamics in the opening section are realized without need for a lot of conducting. Observe dynamics in the repeated sections like mm. 17-18, 25-26, 39-42, 59-60, 73-76, etc. Don't hestate to exaggerate. I'll let you know if it's too much.
• Altos sing your lines in mm. 43-46 legato. Tenors, make your melody light, but clear. Sopranos and Basses make your rhythms crisp and detached.
• HIGHLIGHT the subito piano at m. 68. 
• Everyone, work through you notes and rhythms in 83-100. This is still halting.

While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks

• Again, observe the dynamics as indicated. The oo-ing section at the beginning sounds dull and doesn't move. 
• Get to the point where this can be sung with freedom and movement. It sounds stilted. I want it to have a sense of rubato.
• Remember, your ultimate knowledge of a song will allow you to watch the conductor 95% of the time.

O Little Town of Bethlehem

• On this and other songs, please be mindful of cut-offs. They must be precise. Make sure to count rather than simply rely on the conductor's gesture.
• Highlight and observe dynamics.
• There will be a significant slow down and pause in mm. 61-63

FOR TUESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2024

Let Your Heart Speak Music

Fum, Fum, Fum

Est Ist Ein' Ros' Entsprungen

Ain't That-A Rockin'

Caritas

Shalom!

Magnificat

NOTES for Week of October 6, 2024

Dear friends,

In the next few weeks, I want to really begin pulling things together musically. Please look closely at your specific challenges with pitches and rhythms, and work those sections. If there is a need for extra attention on my part let me know.

Shalom!

• Make sure to keep the rhythmic back up sections crisp and exact. If you have the melody, sing it out. Keep the syncopated la's very detached.
• Bring out your snippets of melody in the last section, and if you don't have melody, tone down.

 Caritas

• We will continue to sing this in tight C-position in sections so you get used to working as a section on tone and dynamics.
• Men (especially Tenors), be extra careful with intonation, especially in mm. 14-16, and 33-35.

Magnificat

• Review any pitches (and rhythms) that you don't know and begin practicing it with the recording of the performance so that you hear your part in context.
• Work on singing expressively - toward words or syllables that should be weighted.

Let Your Heart Speak Music

• Work through transitions in mm. 15-16, 20-21, 25-26.
• Watch cut-offs in mm. 38 to end.

Ain't That-Rockin'

• Be very precise with syncopations (make your beats into the score).
• Also, make sure you observe the variety of articulations: accents >, strong accents ^, and 
• tenutos -.
• Basses, work for accuracy and articulation in you solo in mm. 74-82. It doesn't have to be loud.  When tenors come in, you can beef it up a bit.
• Sffz at the end is done by hitting the consonant (l), then the vowel is pp followed by crescendo.

I'll Be Home for Christmas

• Ease into cadences. Listen for comfortable dissonance.
• Memorize.

Es ist ein' Ros' entsprungen

• Sing using words or humming sections.
• Make the background singing seamless and effortless sounding.

FOR TUESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2024

This Endris Night (we will do this in section of men and women)

Festival Gloria

While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks

My King is Comin' Soon

Let My Love Be Heard

O Little Town of Bethlehem

NOTES for Week of September 29, 2024

Friends,

We're making some good steady progress on our music. Continue to clean up notes and always rehearse with good vocal technique, attentive to expressive markings. Also, warm up your voice with breathing exercises using "ss" or "sh" and work up to 20 counts for good breath control.

This Endris Night

• We've already discovered that this one is going to take constant attention to pitch. Practice near a keyboard and continually check yourself that you are tune to the tonic D.
• Be aware of the breathing in this. There are multiple long phrases where you need to stagger.
• All the echo reponses need to be very light (ex. Tenors mm. 24 and 28, ATB m. 32, etc.)

He is Born: Il Est Ne

• Men sing with flawless unison and make sure of the pronunciation when you're singing the intro mm. 3-10.
• Memorize

Es ist ein' Ros' Entsprungen

• Continue to count while rehearsing the "humming" sections. That seemed to really help you know where you were and sing more accurate rhythms. When confident, sing the "n's", "ah's", and "m's".
• Practice your German

Festival Gloria

• Sing the opening with proper Latin pronunciation, ex. open "o" on Glo-ri-a. No American diphthong. Also roll your "r's". And a final "-ah" not "-uh."
• Even when singing mp, make sure there is dynmaic energy in your tone. 
• Move the 1/8th notes. They're a bit sluggish throughout.

While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks

• Count your rhythms while rehearsing this as well.
• Sing with tall, rich vowels through, regardless of dynamic level

My King is Comin' Soon

• Tighten up all pitches and rhythms.
• Pay attention to articiulation and expression marks.
• Make speaking and singing in mm. 83-98 very clean and crisp.
• Memorize

FOR TUESDAY,  OCTOBER 1, 2024

Caritas

Shalom!

Ain't That-A Rockin'

Let Your Heart Speak Music

I'll Be Home for Christmas (A Holiday Jazz Trio)

Magnificat

NOTES for Week of September 22, 2024

Hello friends,

Let My Love Be Heard

• Practice singing with attention to dynamics
• NOTE: Rhythm is incorrect on the recording in mm. 14 and 23
• Women: begin subdividing into triplets as you sustain m. 30 so it proceeds smoothly into the new rhythm. Men: be aware that you're still in duple rhythm

Magnificat

• Practice finding you pitch at the entrances based on the chords in the into
• Keep tempo stead in mm. 7-8 and following entrances like it
• Practice added cresc. poco a poco in mm. 19-20
• Close to -m on beat 4 in m. 31 and on beat 1 in m. 36
• Note you're in uniton mm. 53-54, and 61-62
• Write in crescendo on beats 2-3 with diminuendo to beat 4 in mm. 97-98

Fum, Fum, Fum

• Sing with stylized elegance, and not too fast
• Fum's in quarter notes, ex: mm. 11-12, 15-16, 24-25, 27-28, should be full value and almost legato in contrast with women in mm. 47-48, 51-52
• Men clean up pitches/rhtys in mm. 47-48, 51-52, and 55-56
• Women cleanly articulate mm. 50, 54, and 58

Let Your Heart Speak Music

• Begining will have some rubato.
• Men work out harmonic transitions in m. 16 and 21-22
• Watch and count in mm. 38 to end

Ain't That-a Rockin'

• ATB start diminuendo in mm. 3
• Highlight and sing all dynamics and articulations
• Expand wear- in m. 8, 28, etc.
• Write dim. in mm. 20.
• Write f in m. 37, mf in m. 39, mp in m. 41.
• ALL write in your beats in measure where rhythm is trick or there's a break before coming in.
• Write in note to remind you that basses start alone at 74, then repeat with tenors, then repeat with everyone
• Get right off mercy in m. 92
• Sing last chord pp swell.

Let It Snow! (X's 3)

• Remember to repeat back to m. 9

FOR TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22

My King is Comin' Soon

Est Ist Ein' Ros' Entsprungen

This Endris Night

While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks

Festival Gloria

He is Born (Il est ne)

NOTES for Week of September 15, 2024

Friends,

As of this last week, we have completed a cursory rehearsal of each piece. Now we need to dig in deeply getting into the notes and rhythms into our heads, into our bodies, and into our voices, while rehearsing with increasing musicality and expressiveness.  

• Practice with attention to pitch/rhtymic accuracy, intonation, and tone - ALWAYS.
• Be bold in your approach to dynamic shading and expressiveness. Remember slurs. 
• Begin working on memorization. Here's a list:

1. My King is Comin' Soon
2. Ain't That-a Rockin'
3. Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!
4. I'll Be Home for Christmas
5. Fum, Fum, Fum
6. Il est ne

This endris night

• Women mark in crescendos in mm. 5, 7, 9, and 11, and diminuendos in 6, 8, 10, end of 11/12. Also, stagger breathing until m. 8.
• Altos, take a luftpause in m. 14. NB in m. 18.
• All, breathe only in the rests on pp. 4-5.
• Use oh in mm. 53-64.
• Please note and mark your variations in rhythms in the various verses. 

My King Is Comin' Soon

• All, please practice all dynamic shifts on the oo-ing, especially the fp's in m. 3-5. Basically swell to a forte on downbeat, then instantly sing sub.p and begin to cresendo again.
• Keep energy in the sustained oo's.
• Remember to mark where words close to n's, m's, and ng's. When they don't, extend the vowel.
• Remember to not swell on the glissando in the penultimate measure so you can swell on the final chord.

Es ist ein' Ros' entsprungen

• Keep the n's, ah's, and m's seamless.
• Those singing the German, make the tone on the vowels gentle, but warm and rich.
• Sing this song dolce throughout.

Festival Gloria

• Crisply enunciate the Gl- of Gloria and then crescendo on the sustained -ah. 
• Tenors, cresendo from Gloria to in excelsis in mm. 13-14, 17-18, and 27-28. Sopranos do the same thing in mm. 25-26 and 29-30.
• Altos and Basses really observe the dynamics on et in terra pax.
• Men, sing with rich, warm sound at Lento mm. 75+. Women also mm. 79+
• All write in "Big Breath" at m. 95.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2024

Let Your Heart Speak Music

Magnificat

Let My Love Be Heard

Ain't That-a Rockin'

Fum, Fum, Fum

Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!

KNOW YOUR NOTES and RHYTHMS!

 

NOTES for Week of September 8

Hello Friends,

Thank you for the good work you've done in rehearsals, as well as the preparation you're doing at home. It makes a difference.

Shalom!

• As I said in rehearsal, the individual parts are not difficult, but there are a lot of cross melodies and rhythms. 
• Please get very comfortable with you part, especially at harmonic pivot chords such as mm. 41, 59, and 81. 
• Next time we rehearse it, I want to be able to go straight through.

While Shepherds Watched...

• WOMEN, I apologize for misspeaking about the 3-part divisi. I was confusing this with another piece. The arranger does want equal balance of voices. when going to three part, here is the voicing. SI: Carissa, Melody, Suzanne, Hunter; SII: Lisa, Vania, Anna, Brittany, Toni ; Alto: Michele, Cyndi, Susan, Joanna, Cassi.
• Please practice with your highlighted dynamics. 
• NB (no breath) in m. 16, stagger from m. 12 to rest in m. 18
• Stagger from m. 25 to m. 29 (luft pause) 
• MEN, NB in mm. 35 and 40 - keep energy flowing. 
• ALL, stagger breathing in oo-ing sections mm. 46 until you have a rest

Magnificat

• Review pitches and rhythms noting dynamics. 
• Add mezza di voce (crescendo followed by diminuendo) in mm. 97-98, making -men of Amen softer.
• Next time we rehearse, I want to be able to go straight through.

O Little Town of Bethlehem

• WOMEN: Equal divisi on 3-part. I think we assigned that, right? 
• This is not complex, but please know your part. 
• Sing with rich, warm tone, through.

Ain't That-a Rockin'

• Clean up pitches and rhythms. Some are tricky: Altos: page turn from p. 5-6. 
• This will be memorized. Start working on that.

For TUESDAY, September 10, 2024

Festival Gloria - review 1st section and then work mm. 75 to the end. 

This Endris Night

My King is Comin' Soon

Es ist ein' Ros' entsprungen

NOTES for Week of September 1, 2024

Hello friends,

Thank you for a good rehearsal. I appreciate you reviewing the music during the week and coming prepared. Keep up the good work. A few requests about rehearsal:

1. Arrive on time. I begin vocalises at 6:30 and everyone needs to be there. If you want to visit a bit or need time to set up, please plan to arrive early. The room is open by 6:15.
2. Using singing posture. Remember, we are building vocal technique both at home and in rehearsal. The first step is either sitting up straight or standing up straight. Slouching and sitting with your legs crossed does not help your singing. When sitting sit upright sit towards the edge of your seat with your back away from the back of the chair. You can relax when I'm giving instructions or when not actively singing.
3. Mark your music. If I give an instruction about breathing, phrasing, dynamics, or tone, please write it in your score. 

Magnificat

• Write in crescendi starting in m. 6 (mag-) and m. 7 (-cat), and m. 8 (me-a). 
• The 8th-notes tied to a final note in mm. 9 and 22 should be the cut-off.
• Write in cresc. poco a poco starting in m. 18.

Shalom!

• Basses - omit the lower E-flat throughout starting at beginning.  
• Thom, sorry for the late switch, but can you please sing 2nd tenor on this.
• Tenor I, please work on a strong unison for the melody in mm. 9-16.
• Men really clean up your parts in mm. 30-41.

Let It Snow x3

• Repeat from m. 9 beat 4 to the end.
• Keep triplets in mm. 13 and18 clean

I'll Be Home for Christmas

• Sing smoothly, but not too slowly.
• Tenors sing the B# in m. 28, nice and high. Practice that progression in mm. 27-28 as well as 33-end with precise intonation.

Let My Love Be Heard

• Highlight your meter changes.
• It's slow, so work on a beautifully pure sustained tone. 
• Practice singing dynamically from the start.
• Starting on p. 5, women feel the triplet subpulse. 

FOR TUESDAY, September 2, 2024

Magnificat - review and work parts to the end.

Shalom! - review and work parts p. 8 - p. 11, m. 65

While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks by Night

Ain't That-A Rockin'

O Little Town of Behlehem

NOTES for Week of August 25, 2024

Friends,

Thank you for a great start to our 10th Season. I believe this will be our best yet.

Please remember;

1. Listen more acutely to intonation, blend, and balance.
2. Train your instrument with proper warm-ups and singing with healthy technique.
3. Study your score for notes and rhythms, of course, and also musical nuance. Highligh every tempo and dynamic marking.
4. Sing Actively, using expressiveness even in your practice.

REVIEW:

Let Your Hear Speak Music

• Circle meter changes. Remember that the climax of a crescendo is at the point the dimuendo starts.
• Continue to practice on doo until you can sing notes/rhythms flawlessly while observing dynamics. Then incorporate diction, using rich, pure vowels.
• Breathing: Stagger through mm. 7. There is a luftpause in m. 23. 
• Sopranos keep m. 13 piano with gentle increase in phrase.

Fum, Fum, Fum

• Women, no breath in m. 22. Sing the 16th-notes in mm. 50 (S), 54 (A), 58 (S/A) lightly and articulately. 
• Men, sing the slurred notes in mm. 47-48, 51-52, and 55-56 cleanly and very accurately.
• I will record the Spanish and have Chuck put it on the resources site.
• Begin memorizing.

Caritas

• This song is deceptively challenging. It's about pure, sustained tone, active dynmaic shifts, and flawless intonation.
• It's one word, pronounced CAH-ree-tahs, with a consistently rolled "r". If you can't roll r's, use a latinized (frontal) d.
• Work through the notes and the counting. Remember all note values are doubled.
• When practicing, always actively sing the dynamics.

Il est ne

• Middle divisi women (Vania, Lisa, Brittany, Joanna Mittman, and Cassi). 
• Middle divisi men (Christian, Dana, Jeremy, and Thom)
• I will record the French and have Chuck put it on the resources site.
• Begin memorizing.

FOR TUESDAY, AUGUST 27:

Magnificat - Rehearse parts up to page 9

Let My Love Be Heard - Rehearse parts to end (listen to recording)

Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! and I'll Be Home for Christmas - Rehearse parts to end

Shalom! - Rehearse parts to top of page 8

Audition Information

 Friends,

I'm reposting this information here so it is easy to find as auditions are approaching.

Dear Singers,

Thank you for your interest in singing with or continuing to sing with Bel Canto. This email is to provide you with the information you need to plan for your audition/re-audition this summer. Regular auditions benefit the group, giving the Director a chance to hear new singers and assess where previous singers are in terms of vocal tone, musicianship, and expressiveness. Hearing singers individually and the group collectively will provide the necessary understanding of how Bel Canto can continue to grow musically.

To Audition

Please print out and complete the upper portion of the attached Audition Form. Bring this to your audition.

Be vocally warmed up when you arrive.

·       Plan to sing a prepared short song or song excerpt of approximately 32-bars. It should be in a lyrical or ballad style and can be classical, musical theater, or folk song. Something that shows your tone quality, range, and your musical expressiveness. You can either bring a karaoke track accompaniment (recommended) or sing a cappella.. A Bluetooth linked speaker will be available to sync with your phone.

If you want a suggestion of what to sing, I recommend printing out the corresponding pdf for your part and using the attached accompaniment track.

Sopranos:        I Could Have Danced All Night

Altos:               When You Wish Upon a Star

Tenors:            Younger Than Springtime

Basses:           Try to Remember

              

·       You will be asked to sing mm. 1-26 (Sopranos 1-28) of The Eyes of All  along with a keyboard track which has your part omitted. Focus will be on accuracy and intonation. Print out the attached pdf if you need.

·       You will sing scales to demonstrate your range.

·       You will demonstrate your pitch and rhythmic accuracy and retention hearing a series of pitches on the piano which you will immediately sing back.

·       You will be given a short melodic exercise to read to demonstrate your sight-singing skills. 

The audition will take approximately 15 minutes. Plan to arrive 5-10 minutes before your scheduled audition time.

Auditions times will be scheduled on Tuesdays, July 9, 16, and 23 from 6:15 to 9:00 pm and will be held at Harvest Middle School Choir Room, 2449 Old Sonoma Road, Napa.

To schedule an audition time, please contact Raoul Blanco at (707) 977-9121.

Thank you,

Ted von Pohle

NOTES for Week of April 21, 2024

Dear friends,

We are down to the wire. We have one more regular rehearsal this coming Tuesday and then we have our two final "dress rehearsals." Please really concentrate on flawless accuracy and expressive musicality. 

• If you are going to be absent, you must put it on the Google calendar. No exceptions. Don't think because you told me about it that I will remember. I need to SEE it. If you are sick or unable to come at the last minute, you must let Joanna know. 
• I do not want to see ANYONE with music on Hold On!, It Takes a Village, or When You Wish Upon a Star. MEN - I don't want to see you use your music on the chant of Ubi caritas.
• Continue to invite anyone you know to the concerts. It's going to be beautiful and meaningful. They won't want to miss it.

Tuesday, April 30, 6:30 pm at St. John's Lutheran, we will work specifically on 

• It Takes a Village
• Song for Justice
• Can We Sing the Darkness to Light?
• Five Hebrew Love Songs, and 
• The New Colossus

Thursday, May 2, 6:30 pm at Harvest Middle School, we will work specifically on

• The Eyes of All
• If Music Be the Food of Love
• Alleluia
• Breathe
• Hold On
• When You Wish Upon a Star
• Ubi caritas
• Grace Before Sleep

For TUESDAY - PRACTICE EVERYTHING!!

NOTES for Week of April 14, 2024

Dear friends,

Because we've had significant absences over the last few weeks, please continue to work independently on your music. Pay particular attention to expressiveness. Don't wait for the performance to sing artistically.

Also, there are some who are reticent to put down their music on the pieces to be memorized. Practice singing without your music at home (or in the car). When in grad school and having to memorize everything, I practiced singing with a recording of the piece so I would be help along by the other parts.

Continue to reach out to your friends and family about the concert. This is going to be a beautiful and meaningful concert they will not want to miss.

It Takes a Village

• Sopranos make sure you are synced on the motif in mm. 45-48 when you sing the initial one. It takes about a measure until your rhythm clicks in.
• Basses watch me and I will cue the variances in your line.
• All drop to mp at mm. 77-80 to underscore the soloists. 

The New Colossus

• The composer has written expressive words throughout the score. Please highlight and observe them.
• Treat the 3rd bead half-notes in mm. 52 and 58 (poor and free) like sfp. In other words, hit the accent firmly then immediately soft, followed by the crescendo. Similarly to how we do it in Hold On!

Alleluia

• I'd like to start this a bit lighter so we have time to expand.
• In the 4/4 sections stretch the initial vowel of each syllable and distinctly tap the combined consonants returning quickly to the next vowel. Don't chew the diction.
• You're over-singing at both key changes mm. 43 and 51. Let them grow in fullness but don't release the Kraken.

Five Hebrew Love Songs

• #1 Temuna: There will be a great deal of rubato in this movement, so please look up continually. 
• #2 Kala kalla: Tenors, in particular, continue to work on a pure, unison with complete accuracy. And don't push on the D in m. 3 on she-li. Also, Tenors work out the accuracy of mm. 29-32. It's still ragged.
• #3 Larov: Sopranos and Altos tell the story in your lines. All make your entrances clean in m. 6 as if merely continuing to sing the entire line from where the start.
•  #4 Eyze sheleg!: All make the initial entrance slightly more distinct giving the vowel on bong a moment, then reduce volume. Think of dropping a ball which sounds lighter and slightly faster as its bouncing subsides. Soprano I sing the "solo" section in mm. 1-7 with a greater confidence and freedom. Tenors remember the G in your last series of "bongs" as that is your note in the next movement. 
• #5 Rakut: Sopranos I want to work on your grace notes when we have everyone at a rehearsal. They need to be accurately synchronized. All sing the crescendo at mm. 18-19 and make it a subito piano at m. 29 because it means softly
• All ideally, these are best performed without restating pitches. Movements #1 and #2 are in the same key so Men you should be able to get your starting pitch for Kala kalla from the previous piece. #3 starts on D which is a step down from the E-major chord that #2 ends on. If you can't find it, I can have the violinist play it quietly. #4 starts on an E which is a step up from your last sung chord in D-major. #5 is attacca (without pause).

FOR TUESDAY, APRIL 15

Song for Justice

Can We Sing the Darkness to Light

Hold On!

Grace Before Sleep

Breathe

NOTES for the Week of April 7, 2024

Dear friends,

We have 5 rehearsals until our concert. Things are coming along well, but we have a lot of work to do to make sure this concert is a success.

1. Please put in rehearsal time during the week to review notes/rhythms/expression markings. Also, please work on things that might be technically challenging to sing. Remember the audience listens for beautiful tone and the line of expression. 
2. Elongate tall vowels and stack consonants.
3. Memorize. We just don't have enough time to repeat things in rehearsal in order to memorize. Use your recordings to do that.
4. Please help find family or friends who can assist at the concert. Don't leave Larry hanging with the needed volunteers.
5. Continue to get the word out. Your personal invitation means more than a poster. This will be a beautiful and meaningful concert for a very worth organization.
6. I'm going to become very specific at rehearsals when I hear or see something that needs improvement. If you are singled out, please don't take it personally. I try to be as kind and tactful as I can and I hope you realize it's for the benefit of the group. 

If Music Be the Food of Love

• Lightness of tone and clarity of diction is your constant aim.
• Write a diminuendo in mm. 6, 12, and 16.

Can We Sing the Darkness to Light?

• We worked parts with both women and men. There should be no further uncertainties.
• Highlight all dynamics.
• Sing the meaning.

Five Hebrew Love Songs

• Sing all vowels as if they were Latin. No a-vowel should sound like uh regardless of whether it is a stressed or unstressed syllable. Match your e-vowels closer to [e] than [E].
• Write the English translation above your text or at least at the beginning of each song and read before singing (every time).

Ubi Caritas

• After consideration, I've decided the Men will sing the portion of the chant written in your score.

It Takes a Village

• Lisa will be playing one of the initial percussion parts. Please take a look at the parts and determine if you want to do the shaker or the conga. 
• Articulation is crucial. And I will indicate dynamic shifts while you're watching (memorized).

Breathing

• The "breath motif" is crucial. Please write in that the climax of the crescendo is the down beat of the second measure with an immediate diminuendo of a beat.

Hold On!

• Please use the Letter system to indicate sections and help memorize.
• We will sing this every week. It needs to be bold and flawless.

Tuesday, April 9

Hold On!

The New Colossus

Alleluia

It Takes a Village

Five Hebrew Love Songs

NOTES for Week of March 31, 2024

Dear friends,

Were a month away from our concerts and we need to focus our energies on really perfecting our repertoire.

• Please make sure that you're reviewing everything weekly, perhaps listening to the performances and singing along paying attention to expressiveness and tone quality.
• Get the word out. Send out cards. Invite friends, colleagues, family, and any music lovers. Let them know this is a benefit for a very good cause.
• Work on your memorization.

Here's a rundown on what I would like you to focus on in each particular song.

If Music Be the Food of Love

• Sing with a light, lilting, tone quality. Warm up on doo to get the easy flow without to much volume.
• Think courtly dance.

Can We Sing the Darkness to Light

• Work you parts (we haven't spent a lot of time in rehearsal) and watch cut-offs. Be exact.
• Make hm and oh musical underscoring the melodies with words

When You Wish Upon a Star

• This must be memorized this week. I want it to be rubato, and some have their noses in their scores and not watching.
• Use a light, almost breathy tone. Think jazz.

It Takes a Village

• I would like Brittany to sing the solo in the beginning and also in mm. 77-80. 
• Memorize. 
• Sing the repetitive patterns musically. Don't just sing the same way over and over.

Alleluia

• Don't over sing, especially at the key changes (mm. 42+ and 51+).
• It should always have a buoyancy to it, even in the 4/4 sections.

Ubi caritas

• Don't over sing going in m. 15. Also, practice the harmonic shift between mm. 14-15.
• This is harmonized chant. Keep it flowing and gentle.
• Men sing the introductory change at almost piano.

The Eyes of All

• The tone is lovely. Don't slur through "w's". Also watch the eyes. It sounds like thee-
• yize.
• Begin to move in m. 16 and do an energetic expansion to the sopranos forte in m. 26.

Breathe

• Really sense the breathing motifs throughout and sing them. 
• Make mm. 33+ warmer and more earnest.
• Make sure there is a natural sounding crescendo going into m. 49.

Song for Justice

• Sing rich, round tone, and really enunciate the words. 
• Put the time into this as we haven't rehearsed it as much.

The New Colossus

• Make the fanfare section at the beginning rich and powerful.
• Make the contrasts in dynamics and mood through come through. 
• The words have to be expressed.

Hold On!

• Really pour over this to memorize.
• Make sure you know where every syncopated chord is.
• Melody, if you have the high notes, I would like you to do m. 86-88 by yourself then have the 1st Sopranos join in m. 89.
• Anna and Chuck use a nice full, rounded tone on the solos. Check you pitches in mm. 82-84 

Grace Before Sleep

• Make the crescendo in mm. 17-20 be more intense.
• Those singing words in mm. 29-34, use a warm, intense blended sound. Those singing ah make it really full and warm.

Five Hebrew Love Songs

• #1: Really make sure to sing the tenuto (- or ten) articulations. 
• #2: Men (tenors, particularly), really work on the seamless quality of the unison melody when going up and down intervals large than a 4th. It sounds labored and not unified.
• #3: Make the entrances in m. 6 more confident and clean. 
• #4: Soprano I sing mm. 1-7 very smoothly and sweetly. 
• #5: Sopranos practice the timing of your ornaments. in mm. 11, 15, and 32, the two grace notes come before the next syllable. 

For TUESDAY:

6:30 - 7:30 EVERYONE

• It Takes a Village
• Breathe
• Hold On!
• If Music Be the Food of Love

7:30 - 8:30 MEN

We'll be focusing on places where you have solo sections or are not confident. I will take requests.

NOTES for Week of March 10, 2024

Dear friends,

We're almost to the halfway to our concerts. You've made good progress. Please keep it up. Mark your scores, practice difficult passages, and always rehearse using good vocal technique. That's how it becomes habit.

Please do what you can to get the word out for this concert. It's going to be beautiful and inspirational and benefits a very worthy cause. Share the posts on social media. Strategically help put up posters. Share the  cards. And even write a few of the cards as personal invitations to your friends and acquaintances.
Begin earnestly memorizing the following pieces:

• It Takes a Village
• When You Wish Upon a Star
• Hold On
• Grace Before Sleep

Hold On!

• Please be mindful of (and mark) each of the syncopated chords. They need to be precise. Upon memorization, you will be able to watch me and that should help. 
• I would like to hear any who are interested in the solos for women (5-17, 61-65) and men (37-41, 69-73) the next time we rehearse which will be March 19.
• I want to hear any and all Sopranos who can reach and sing mm. 86-89
• Please practice singing and observing dynamics and articulation (> , sf, sfp,) 
• Basses work on your solos in mm. 21-33. It needs to sound like one voice.

If Music Be the Food of Love

• This is Renaissance, so very dance inspired. Keep it lively and light. Think of the tone you produce when singing on doo.
• Rehearse the words to the second verse.
• Basses make sure the passages where you move up from F to C to F (mm. 3 and 17) are clean and in tune. Also the octave skip in m. 10.
• Sopranos detach slight the 1/8th notes in m. 12. 

When You Wish Upon a Star

• Altos practice the progression in mm. 1-2, especially the chromatics.
• Basses make sure your first two measures are clean. Also we need plenty of depth and accuracy on the BII part in mm. 22-25. 
• Sing with a light, no-vibrato tone all the way through.

The New Colossus

• Clean up any uncertain pitches.
• Next time we rehearse, I want to work on the opening which is unaccompanied. It needs to sound strong and confident.

Grace Before Sleep

• Sing legato on rich vowels with brief, clear consonants.
• Add expressiveness to words like grateful, gen'rous, evening of content, hearth is wide and warm, shelter, light thanks. Also, women be distinct on walked through storm and fled the wolves.
• As you memorize, you can watch the cut-offs (and -t of light) in mm. 40, 42, and 44

For TUESDAY, March 12

• It Takes a Village (if you're interested in the solo be ready to try it out)
• Alleluia
• Breathe
• Ubi Caritas
• The Eyes of All
• Hebrew Love Songs (#1 and #2) with Hebrew

 

 

NOTES for Week of March 3, 2024

Friends,

Thanks for a good rehearsal. 

1. Make sure you are reaching out and letting your friends and family know about our concert. Hunter has posted the graphic on our Facebook page. Go ahead and share it on your social media. Also, consider people you might personally invite with a postcard.
2. If you're interested in any of the solos, be prepared to sing in rehearsal. I'll let you know the week in advance of the rehearsal when I will want to hear them. 
3. Thank you Chuck for your work in preparing our grant proposal to the Napa County Arts Council.

It Takes a Village: 

• Begin memorizing
• Next time we rehearse (March 12), I will listen to auditions for the solo. If you are interested but won't be at rehearsal, please let me know.
• Please practice with articulation (

1. Bass detached and accented in mm. 55+, 
2. Tenor make the mm's very resonant and burst into ah in mm. 49+, 
3. Soprano make the he's detached as indicated in intro on 1st page in mm. 45+, 
4. Alto sing legato with attention to dynamic rises and falls in mm. 53+

Eyze Sheleg! (#4)

• Be accurate intonation and unified on the onset of each pitch in the intro. Accent the first Bong, then sustain the tone on -ng as you restate the bo- portion of the word. Establish your on pattern and rate.
• Suzanne, please choose 3 sopranos to sing the solo part on p. 19 together. 
• Soprano/Alto will observe the optional rests in mm 8. 
• Let me know if you're interested in the speaking solo. It can be male or female.

Rakut (#5)

• I would like to work through unification of the Soprano part grace notes and turns when all are together.
• Work on Hebrew pronunciation

Alleluia

• Sopranos make non-slurred notes in the melody at beginning slightly detached with connections in slurs. Easy mf. All others sing light mp. 
• In 4/4 sections really sing tall vowels with crisp consonants at syllable changes.
• Tenors sing your mf at mm. 9-12 lightly
• Don't sing to heavily at mm. 43-49. 
• At m. 50 crescendo to full, not necessarily overloud volume. It should never sound heavy. 

Breathe

• Make the phrasing/dynamics feel like breaths. Most soft, some (as in mm. 48-56 more loudly). Create the rise and fall sound of breathing complete with suspension and recovery phases.
• Start very softly. Always listen to the Altos.
• There is a Tenor solo in mm. 81-84.

Can We Sing the Darkness

• This is more challenging harmonically than it appears. Really know your part.
• Sing the second syllable of beautiful as [tə] 
• Thank you Gregory for your assistance on the piano!

FOR Tuesday, March 5

If Music Be the Food of Love

When You Wish Upon a Star

Hold On!

The New Colossus 

Grace Before Sleep

NOTES for Week of February 25, 2024

Dear friends,

Thanks for a good rehearsal last Tuesday. I believe this is going to be a really great concert.

Hold On

• Review the part up to the top of page 9. Circle all syncopated notes so you're aware of them.
• Continue learning the pitches/rhythms to the end. 
• Suzanne/Leila, we'll need to find some strong  voices to sing the trio at the top of p. 11. 
• Also, there are solos for a strong, spirited Soprano and Tenor. 
• This will be memorized.

Five Hebrew Love Songs

• Review #1, #2, and #3 for pitches and rhythms. 
• Here is the link to the pronunciation of the Hebrew: 
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TK1_WadA4Mg  
• Chuck/Larry is there a way to slow this down the Youtube recording? She speaks quite quickly.  

Song for Justice

• Review your notes and rhythms (and mark rests). We won't be spending a ton of time on this.

When You Wish Upon a Star

• Make sure of all your notes and rhythms.
• Begin to memorize.

FOR TUESDAY, February 27

Breathe

It Takes a Village - Let me know if you're interested in a solo 

Alleluia

Hebrew Love Songs #4 and #5

Can We Sing the Darkness - Gregory can you help us with the accompaniment

NOTES for Week of February 18, 2024

Dear friends,

It Takes a Village: 

• Please solidify your pitches and rhythms. This piece needs to feel free and natural and if you're second guessing the rhythm, it will not sound that way. 
• Begin NOW to Memorize!
• There are solo opportunities (beginning and mm. 77-82). I'm hearing a clear, easy, natural voice with exceptional intonation.

Ubi Caritas:

• Mark the following breaths: In the chant at beginning, after amor, luftpauses (very little pause with or w/out breath) in mm. 3, 7, and 31, and full breaths in mm. 4, 8, 11, 14, 18, 21, 24, 27, 28, 31, 32, 37. Sopranos we will try a breath in m. 35 between the C and B. Move the -men in m. 37 to the last measure.
• Altos, Tenors, and Basses, add a -men in m. 37, then sing A- after the breath with final men in the last measure. 
•  Sing with very warm vowels and Latinized consonants (dental). In is pronounced "een"
• All notes in parentheses are omitted.

Grace Before Sleep:

• Women sing the the first page with elongated vowels and clear, brief consonants. Make generous room sound beautifully inviting.
• When singing harmonic lines (Altos, Tenors, and Basses) ex. mm. 9-12, 21-28, 35-38, make them legato and expressive, not just singing beats. Move into important words and away from lesser ones.
• Make Ah in mm. 29-34 very warm and rich. SI, AI, TI, make your words legato and warm.
• Lower parts watch and listen for soprano pick-ups in mm. 42 and 44. 

If Music Be the Food of Love

• Sing with tone that matches the lightness and purity of an oo vowel. Keep all vowels sounding like that. 
• Practice the diction on both verses. 

When You Wish Upon a Star

• Altos your last pitch in m. 8 is a D-natural. Tenors, yours is a B-flat.
• Basses, your C-flat and B-natural in mm. 23-24 are the same pitch, spelled differently.
• Begin memorizing this as you learn it. It will be sung with a degree of rubato.

For TUESDAY, February 21

Hold On! (I will have music for everyone)

Five Hebrew Love Songs

Song For Justice

Can We Sing the Darkness to Light 

NOTES for February 11, 2024

Dear friends,

A couple of announcements:

1. We're glad to welcome Kaitlyn Nakanishi, our Spring 2024 Scholarship Recipient. She will be singing Soprano II. Please introduce yourself to her when you have a chance.
2. We've finalized on a date for Boot Camp. For you who are new, this is an intensive ensemble building rehearsal in which we sing, eat, chat, and grow together. It will be held Saturday, March 23, 9:30 am to 3:00 pm at John and Cyndi Kasten's. Thank you to the Kastens for their gracious hospitality.

Alleluia

• Maintain a consistent eighth-note sub-pulse throughout the song in order to move from 7/8 to 4/4.
• Increase intensity (volume) to -lu and away at -ia. Al-le-LU-ia.
• Make the 4/4 sections more legato.
• Practice the key changes so they are in tune.

Breathe

• Altos, you're the stars of this piece. Work on a rich, warm, tone with clear diction. Remember, long vowels, short consonants. 
• All the phrases on breathe should move either like an inhale or like an exhale.

The New Colossus

• Sing the opening with a full, powerful tone, but don't over sing. Keep it warm.
• Highlight the dynamics and let them guide your development of the vocal lines.

Five Hebrew Love Songs #V

• Sopranos work on uniformity of line and timing. Keep the lines legato.

For TUESDAY

It Takes a Village

Grace Before Sleep

When You Wish Upon a Star

Ubi caritas

If Music Be the Food of Love

NOTES for Week of February 4, 2024

Dear friends,

Thank you for a good rehearsal last Tuesday. A few things of which to make note.

Kala kalla - II from Hebrew Love Songs. 

• Bass please practice the 5th and 6th intervals in mm. 2, 3, and 6 (kula sheli). They need to be absolutely accurate while sounding free-flowing.
• La-la's need to be clean with an open tone. Sing the "l" in an Latinized way with a flick of the tongue.
• Measure your breathing at the end mm. 72-76, so you have enough breath support for the climax without pushing.

Grace Before Sleep

• Women really work on clear diction as well as unified tone in opening. The words are very important.
• I'm making some modifications to the dynamics. In mm. 8-9, make that piano rather than mp. Keep it gentle and start from piano at m. 17. At m. 21, ATB should sing piano instead of mp.
• When singing quarter-notes in mm. 21 to 32, make them very legato.
• Practice the transition from mm. 34 to 35 so the key change is in tune.

The Eyes of All

• Sing with tall, warm vowels and delay all consonants until the beginning of the next syllable.
• Make the "w"  in wait be a brief consonant, rather than treating it like a vowel oo.
• Energize longer notes (half-notes and dotted-half-notes) in addition to observing the dynamics.
• Make the crescendo in mm. 18-27, culminating with the Soprano phrase sound like natural excitement building.

It Takes a Village

• Sopranos have the most challenging rhythm melody starting in m. 45. A) listen to the part recording and sense the rhythm. B) Add the pitches on any syllable. C) Add the words only when you're comfortable with the rhythm and pitch. 
• Think about the solo at beginning and starting in m. 77 

If Music Be the Food of Love

• Work with a neutral syllable (ex. doo) until you're confident with the notes and rhythms. 
• Please add slur marks to successive eighth-notes sung on single syllables (especially Sopranos at mm. 13-14 on eyes, mien, tongue, de-clare.)

Can We Sing the Darkness to Light?

• Gregory could you take a look at the accompaniment and maybe the next time we sing through, we can get a sense of the flow. 

FOR TUESDAY, February 6

• Alleluia
• Breathe
• Five Hebrew Love Songs, #V Rakut
• Song For Justice
• The New Colossus

NOTES for Week of January 28, 2024

Hello friends,

It was great to come together last Tuesday and begin our musical progress towards our concerts in May.

1.    Concerts are Friday, May 3, 7:30 pm at First Presbyterian Church and Sunday, May 5, 2:30 pm at St. John Lutheran. There will be a dress (not in concert dress) rehearsal at First Presbyterian Church on Thursday, May 2, 6:30 pm with the instrumentalists.

2.    We may need to move Boot Camp due to some conflicts. I hope to work that out by the time I see you on Tuesday evening.

3.    I have sent Chuck some links to part recordings that I found on Youtube and he will no doubt notify you when he's been able to put them on line. I hope, with Gregory Whitfield's help to get the rest completed by the end of this coming week. Chuck also has links to the performance recordings.

4.    Altos, since Alba is not with us this semester, I would like to appoint someone to act as a section leader for your section. That person would listen and help notify me when parts are uncertain so I can address them, work on accuracy, tone, diction, etc. I would like you to choose amongst yourselves the person you feel could most help in this capacity.

5.    There are two pieces that I would like you to print off from the Resources Site. If you're uncertain how to get access, let Chuck know and he can help with that. Everyone needs to have a copy of:

• When You Wish Upon a Star
• If Music Be the Food of Love

FOR TUESDAY, January 30

• The Eyes of All
• Can We Sing the Darkness to Light?
• If Music Be the Food of Love
• Five Hebrew Love Songs #'s 1 and 2
• It Takes a Village (Sopranos especially listen to mm. 45-76 on the link to get a sense of the rhythm and pitches)

Have a great weekend