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