Check here each week for rehearsal notes and other important information concerning Bel Canto Napa.

Thursday, April 10, 2025

NOTES for Week of April 13, 2025

Dear friends,

Here is the 

Program Order

  • Now is the Month of Maying
  • Rise, My Soul
  • Sicut Cervus
  • Bring Me Little Water, Silvy 
  • Inkosi Namandla
  • Nella Fantasia 
  • Witness
    Intermission
  • Set Me as a Seal
  • All of Me 
  • Sacred Heart
  • Time
  • I Love You/What a Wonderful World
  • Music Down in My Soul
NOTES:

Sing Gently
  • Stretch the vowel sans any diphthong as long as possible on each syllable.
  • Lean into suspensions and ease off of the resolutions
  • Control dynamics. pp must be very soft!
Nella Fantasia
  • Susan Quinlan will sing the solo on the 1st verse. Sopranos gently join the altos mm. 11-21, dividing on the divisi in mm. 15-17.
  • Trebles and Men clean up the rhythms in the melody in your respective sections on verses 2 and 3.
I Love You/What a Wonderful World
  • Though slow, keep energy in the long lines and move to important words. Contrast dynamically bright blessed day and dark sacred night, for example
  • Wonderful should sound wonderful each time you sing it.
  • Chorus/Ensemble dim starting in mm. 74 and Chorus be at piano in m. 78. Ensemble come in gently at m. 78 and build to mf.
All of Me
  • Michele sing in a more focused pop style. 
  • All really enunciate. Turn up the voices of truth in mm. 81-82, for example. 
  • All make the arrival at see in m. 89 a quiet, intense moment (of realization).
Music Down in My Soul
  • Don't over sing. Conserve your energy...it's a long song.
  • Once the uptempo begins, become physically animated.
  • At the modulations, begin to push the tempo just a bit so the last time through is more energetic.  

MEMORIZE, MEMORIZE, MEMORIZE 

Saturday, March 15, 2025

NOTES for Week of March 16, 2025

Dear friends,

A few reminders:

  1. Bel Canto Boot Camp is this next weekend, Saturday, March 22, 9:30 am to 3:00 pm. John and Cyndi Kasten have graciously offered to host us again. Please plan to bring a lunch and plenty of water. This will be an opportunity to go through all the repertoire and begin to really refine it. Please make sure you have no questions about pitches or rhythms. Cyndi will be providing information regarding address and parking.
  2. Tickets are on sale. Please let your friends know. 
  3. We will be working on our list of volunteers who can help with the front of the house (check-in, ushering, parking at Mont La Salle, etc.)
Set Me As a Seal
  • You need to keep your eyes up so that the changes in tempi and breaths are uniformly executed. This means mm. 3, 5, 9, 14, 26, 29, 31 and 34 to the end.
  • Women remember to treat the w of waters in m. 18 as a consonant (briefly) so you don't scoop on that syllable. Move that section a bit more.
  • All parts keep the tempo moving on neither can the floods. There is no ritardando until the end of m. 25.
Time
  • Sing this with a greater sense of quiet intensity.  
  • Accuracy in the sections with omissions of text and rests is a must!
  • Never lose the detached articulation and make the staccato in mm. 4 and 16 sharp.
  • The transition into and out of the na-na's in mm. 11-13, and 32-33 need to be clean and unstressed.
Inkosi Namandla
  • This song is about how it's performed - fervently. You'll need to really know what you're doing so start memorizing NOW. Memorize to p. 8 for Tuesday.
  • Remember that mm. 67-77 are repeated three (3) times: 1st time with Sopranos and Tenors, 2nd time add Basses, 3rd time add Altos. Those not singing can add interjections appropriate to the style like we did with Modimo. Ex. ululation, calls, hoots, etc.
Sacred Heart 
  • Those on ostinato, make it sound like fluid chant with rise and fall of line, always softening at cadences.
  • Melodic sections in Bass, and later in Soprano and Tenor needs to be fluid, heartfelt, and unified.
  • Observe the gradual dynmaic shifts.
Bring Me Little Water, Silvy
  • The body percussion will not be performed by everyone. Some Sopranos will carry the load with other members who desire and feel comfortable joining them. 
  • This should sound easy despite the canons and rhythms. 
For TUESDAY, March 18, 2025
  • Witness
  • All of Me (if you're interested in one of the two short solos at the beginning be ready)
  • Sing Gently
  • Rise, My Soul
  • Nella Fantasia
  • Music Down in My Soul

Friday, March 7, 2025

NOTES for Week of March 9, 2025

Friends,

  • Keep up the good work with your practice. Remember to do so musically/expressively.
  • Work on memorizaiton. Songs to be memorized: Now Is the Month of Maying, Music Down in My Soul, Inkosi Namandla, and Bring Me Little Water, Silvy.
  • Practice your body percussion for Bring Me Little Water, Silvy daily so it becomes second nature. New videos available soon.
Now is the Month of Maying
  • Push the tempo and don't slow down at cadences.
  • Again, sing the fa-la-la's detached and the verses more legato
  • Overall, use a light tone, especially in the complex mm. 28-31.
I Love You/What a Wonderful World
  • Keep energy in the chorus' slow, extended phrases. Make them have "line."
  • Also, sing with rich, warm tone.
All of Me
  • I want two different singers to sing the short solos in mm. 12-16, and 17-22. Let me know if you're interested.
Bring Me Little Water, Silvy
  • Work on your memorization so we can begin putting the song together with the body percussion.
Music Down in My Soul
  • Clean up any notes and rhythms with which you are unsure. Be precise.
  • Watch cut-off's
For TUESDAY, March 11, 2025

Sicut Cervus
Time
Bring Me Little Water, Silvy
Inkosi Namandla
Set Me As a Seal
Sacred Heart

Friday, February 28, 2025

NOTES for Week of March 2, 2025

Friends,

Just a reminder that Bel Canto Boot Camp is coming up on March 22. For those of you who are new, it’s a most-of-the-day rehearsal (9:30 am -3:00 pm) to go through everything and see where we are as well as begin refining things. Cindy and John have graciously offered to host us again at their place. 

Time
  • Work on pp 8-15 to clean up rhythm in gaps
  • Sing with a detached articulation except in the sustained sections. 
  • Synchronize your tick-tocks
Rise, My Soul 
  • Highlight all dynamic markings and slurs
  • Most phrases are 4 measures. Don’t breathe in obvious places when staggering
  • Sing Rise with a messa di voce technique (Google it)
  • Be aware of melody moving from part to part
Witness
  • Clean up parts and rhythms
  • It should have a sense of power especially in the divisi sections, but should never sound heavy or ponderous. 
  • Make the story telling exciting
Sacred Heart
  • Keep the ostinato sections light and moving with a slight detached feeling 
  • Sing the melodic sections lyrically and with freedom of movement, but be careful not to over sing. 
Inkosi Namandla
  • Practice p 9 to the end focusing on pronunciation, rhythmic accuracy and correct pitches 
  • Begin to speed up and memorize
For TUESDAY, March 4

Now Is the Month of Maying
Sicut Cervus
Bring Me Little Water, Silvy 
I Love You/What a Wonderful World
All of Me
Music Down In My Soul

Saturday, February 22, 2025

NOTES for Week of February 23, 2025

Dear friends,

Please continue to mark your music and rehearse anything for which you are unsure on the pieces we worked these past weeks. If you're absent from a rehearsal, you need to check with your section leader for any directions that you missed. 

If you have not done so, please send your music payment to Lisa Skinner at Venmo @LisaSkinner16 ($40)

Inkosi Namandla
  • As previous stated, write the correct pronunciation in you score, that way you'll see it as you sing.
  • Most of this is phonetic vowels are like Latin, and consonants are in somecase just more intense.
  • The exceptions are Namandla which is pronounced nah-mahn-zha (like Zsa Zsa Gabor). The hl combination is pronounce sh, as in Wenhliziyo (wehn-shee-zee-yoh), Mawuhlakaniphe (mah-woo-shah-kah-nee-peh), Ungalahli (oong-ah-lah-shee)
  • The click consonants need to be practiced. They are produced by creating suction with the tongue pressed to the roof of the mouth and then released quickly. We are not differentiating the placement of the tongue (roof vs. aveolor ridge). Do whatever works for you. Practice clicking first, then when comfortable, do it with the accompanying vowel. The clicks are in Zikuhaq'i (zee-koo-hah-*click/ee), uzoqeda (oo-zoh-*click/eh-dah), Cela (*click/eh-lah)
  • As you practice begin memorization.
All of Me
  • Practice the rhythms so that your unison is precise. In the phrases Look at my or look who I, the rhythm last note of that beat is the longest so think of stressing the words my/I
  • NOTE the combinations of 1/4-note followed by 1/8 note patterns and vice versa. 
  • Circle the breaths in the ascending and loudening passage in mm. 66-70. Get of the 1/8-note in m. 70.
  • Hold the dotted-half-note on skin in m. 71 to the downbeat of m. 72, with a forte nuh release.
  • Sopranos and Altos work on your oo's starting in mm. 89 and going to 97.
Seat Me As a Seal
  • Number your measures.
  • I've changed my mind. There will be no luftpauses in mm. 3, 12 but there is in m. 29.
  • Breathe at all marked breaths.
  • Watch carefull in mm. 9-10, 14-15, 26-27, 29, 34-36.
  • Women sing mm. 18-25 with more movement and a full, rich tone. Men sing more gently.  Keep energy in the sustained notes, but sing lightly unless you have neither can the floods. Neither is pronounced nigh-ther.
Time
  • Sing the whole song in a detached manner, with the exception of the tenuto (-) marks. Don't accent them, stretch them. 
  • Work pages 8-15 which has the omitted words with rests to clean this up rhythmically.
  • Begin speeding up the tempo when you're more comfortable. 
  • Sopranos clean up the phrases in mm. 12 and 16 with the 7th leap. It's a bit ragged. 
Sing Gently
  • This isn't a complicated song, but because is so languid, it needs to be song with rich, full, vowel tones and delayed and brief consonants. 
  • Please highlight all dynamics and observe while practicing.
Music Down in My Soul
  • If you're unsure of the divisi, check with your section leader - the three part sections for men and women is evenly divided. 
  • Melody, please sing the I've got joy parts by yourself.
  • Women please note the back and forth from B-flat to B-natural starting mm. 38-62. Be very accurate. 
  • Basses be very accurate in your ascending line starting mm. 47-48 and repeating.
  • This will need to be memorized.
For TUESDAY, February 25, 2029
  • Nella Fantasia
  • Inkosa Namandla (particularly the section starting on p. 9)
  • Sacred Heart
  • Rise, My Soul
  • Witness
  • Time (particularly pp. 8-15)  

Friday, February 14, 2025

NOTES for Week of February 16, 2025

Friends,

  • Per request, and because I think we might need one more upbeat piece to round out the program, I have decided to add one of our favorites from the past (plus it's thematically appropriate). It is Music Down in My Soul arranged by Moses Hogan. Quite a few of you have sung it and so dig out your copies. For the rest of you, Chuck will add a pdf to the resources site that you can print out. (We've purchased almost 3 dozen copies over the years, so I think we have enough originals to avoid copyright infringement). 
  • Tickets will be going on sale soon, so let your family and friends know, especially those who want to attend at Mont La Salle, we've sold out there for the last few years.
Now is the Month of Maying
  • We worked through the fa-la-la's in mm. 28-32 and 36-39. Please review and remember to keep the fa-la-la's consistently light and detached throughout. 
  • Continue to rehearse towards memorization.
I Love You/What a Wonderful World
  • The ensemble parts will be sung by Suzanne (SI), Brittany (SII/A1), Susan (AII), James (T), and Ronnie (B). Mm. 59-62 will be James and Ronnie on the solo section, then Ronnie will drop to the ensemble part in m. 63. Then sing ensemble from mm. 78 to the end.
  • Chorus needs to be sustained, but have a sense of movement so it doesn't sound lifeless.
Sacred Heart
  • Keep the 1/8-note ubi caritas et amor chanting gentle, but rhythmic. It should have a light pulsing, chanting feel. 
  • When the various voices have the more elongated melodic lines, make sure they are very legato and not over sung.
Rise, My Soul
  • Sing with a lilting, upbeat movement. 
  • Enunciate the words, making sure vowel sounds are warm and rich.
  • Any time Rise is song on dotted-whole note, make sure there is a crescendo into beat 2 then a diminuendo to the end of the measure (EX. mm. 17-19 for ATB)
Nella Fantasia
  • Work on the notes and rhythms (securing the multiple triplets) before adding the words. 
  • Practice saying the words in rhythm before combining with the pitches.
For TUESDAY, February 18, 2025

Inkosi Namandla - practice the isiZulo words. Write in the phonetic pronunciation of the unique consonants in your score.
Set Me As a Seal
Sing Gently
Music Down In My Soul
All of Me
Time

Friday, February 7, 2025

NOTES for Week of February 9, 2024

Hello friends,

A few things:

  • We had several people absent last Tuesday who neither posted their absences on the calendar nor communicated with me to let me know that they were going to be absent. Remember: If you have a planned absence, you need to post it on the website. If it is last minute, please text me at (707) 815-1733 and let me know. It helps me plan for rehearsals.
  • Continue to review the music in advance of the rehearsal. It makes our time together more productice.
Sacred Heart

  • Because there is little in the way of dynamics noted, please use the language to help with phrasing. expand to the strong syllables: U-bi CAR-ri-tas et a-MOR and DE-us I-bi est, regardless of the beat. 
  • At B, note the crescendo, being aware of who as the melody. 
  • Work through the cadence harmonically in mm. 30 to 33.
Bring Me Little Water, Silvy
  • Chuck will putting up videos of me demonstrating the body percussion - both from the back and mirrored from the front. Continue to practice and begin to speed it up.
  • Women sing mm. 13-38 lightly. Men join in lightly at m. 22. 
  • Basses sing lightly starting m. 49 and move to harmony part in m 55. 
All of Me
  • The trickiest thing about this song is the pop-styled melodic rhythms. We'll need to work these together to make them sound relaxed and natural. Listen to the performance recording as a guide.
  • Women, please note that the 32nd-note ornaments in mm. 29 and 33, need to be gentle. 
Inkosi Namandla
  • Transfer the IPA (or at least your transliteration) into the score through out. This will help you become consistent the pronunciation.
  • I have recorded the pronunciation so you can practice slowly until you become comfortable with it.
Time
  • Write in the beats starting on p. 8 so that it helps determine counting the rests and re-entrances.
  • Practice your clicking for the tic-tocking of the clock.
Witness
  • Be aware that most of this is written in even 1/8th note. Only mm. 45 - 52 are swung. 
  • Be careful with the syncopation on Lord in beginning and in various places throughout.
For TUESDAY, February 11, 2025

I Love You/What a Wonderful World (Suzanne, Brittany, Susan, James, and Ronnie sing the ensemble part starting on p. 7)
Nella Fantasia
Now is the Month of Maying 
Rise, Rise My Soul
Sacred Heart

Thursday, January 30, 2025

NOTES for the Week of February 2, 2025

Friends,

Again, I want to compliment you and thank you for your improved musicality. Please keep it up! It makes a tremendous difference. Look for every opportunity to sing musically and expressively, even when you're learning pitches and rhythms.

Now is the Month of Maying

  • Sing the fa-la-la's lightly and detached so they don't sound muddy, particularly mm. 28-32.
  • Work through second verse lyrics.
Set Me As a Seal
  • Insert luftpauses in mm. 3, 12, 29.
  • Use punctuation to mark additional luftpauses for sections, such as Tenors in m. 31 and 34.
  • Womensing legato in m. 18 but don't slide up the progression.
Time
  • Sing the tenutos (-) as stretched notes, not as accented ones.
  • It is helpful to write in the beats in measures with added rests.
  • Don't overly concern yourselves with the bended pitches in the tick-tock sections
Sing Gently
  • Practice singing with elongated vowels
  • Though slow, keep sustained tones energized and in tune
Witness
  • Basses make sure moving lines are clean and acurate. Ex. mm. 17-24, 27-29, 65-68.
  • Make sure of pitches (intonation) on all for my Lord cadences
For TUESDAY, Feb. 4, 2025
  • Sacred Heart (Sections A-C)
  • Inkosi Namandla (through m. 66) - don't wory about language
  • All of Me (we'll work through this together)
  • Time
  • Witness
  • Bring Me Little Water, Silvy
Here's the body percussion pattern. It is a two-measure pattern that repeats in the designated measures. At tempo, it goes quite fast! Practice it for a couple of minutes daily so it becomes automatic. It needs to be fully in your motor memory before we put it together with singing. NOTE: I have actually left off an additional foot stomp that occurs in the repeat (beat 2 of the repeating 1st measure) because I find it awkward and it might be too much stomping on risers.
 





Thursday, January 23, 2025

NOTES for Week of January 19, 2025

Friends,

It was great to see most of you at our first rehearsal. We welcomed new tenor, James Ball, and look forward to welcoming new baritone, Ronnie Zanella soon. 

If you have not yet done so, those of you paying for your music via Venmo, please forward your payments to our Treasurer, Lisa Skinner @LisaSkinner16 (7901).

I talked about expectations for this next semester. I will be focusing on our singing with great knowledge and understanding of the music we perform. That means each member needs to be at the top of their game in terms of accuracy, intonation, and expressiveness. In the most sensitive way possible, I will be giving directions to specific people when necessary rather than making generalized comments towards sections. I feel this will be more productive in solving issues of blend, balance, intonation and group accuracy. Our success will be based on creating synergy as each person contributes to the greater success of the ensemble. 

This week I will be working on creating the remaining part recordings so Chuck can add them to the ones already available.

NOTES:

Sicut cervus

  • If you don't have a copy, please download the pdf on the resources site. We will be singing up to the end of the 3rd system, second page (m. 58).
  • Practice using doo until you can sing the line musically. Remember that sustained notes, strong syllables in text, upward movement, and moving pitches are energized (think crescendo).
  • When moving to words - elongate the vowel and delay consonant to the next syllable.
  • Use plenty of breath so tone is light and pure with minimal to no vibrato.
  • Please write the English translation into your text. Sicut cervus desiderat ad fontes aquarum (Like as the hart desireth the water-brooks), ita desiderat anima mea ad te, Deus (so longeth my soul after thee, O God.) 
Witness
  • Review the parts we did (up to p. 5 m. 36). 
  • Practice the parts to the end.
  • The t in witness should be neither emphasized nor diminished. Sing it like you'd say it.
  • Highlight all expression markings (dynamics, changes from straight rhythm to swing, etc)
  • Note the syncopation the phrase for my Lord. Lord comes ahead of the beat.
  • Basses be diligent in accurately learning and singing the ascending and descending chromatic lines.
Set Me As a Seal
  • Practice singing this gently with sustained pure vowels. Move consonants to next syllable, expecially l's, n's, m's, ng's and r's.
  • Highlight all expression markings (dynamics, tempi, and breaths.)
  • Number your measures.
  • Work on the rest of the piece.
  • Brittany, please move from Alto to SII in mm. 18-19, and back to Alto in mm. 21-22.
Now is the Month of Maying
  • Practice slowly until confidently singing the syncopated rhythms on the fa-la-las. Sing them lightly and somewhat detached. Sing the verses in a slightly more legato fasion. 
  • This needs to be memorized for performance.
For Tuesday, February 28:

Witness (parts to the end)
Set Me As a Seal (parts to the end)
Sicut Cervus
Now Is the Month of Maying
Time (at least to bottom of p. 7)
Sing Gently (look over)