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