NOTES for Week of September 28, 2025

Dear Friends,

We're moving along in rehearsals. Keep up on your weekly practice on materials we've covered. Also keep moving toward memorization. 

Vivaldi Gloria - We've spent some time on the Gloria, Et in Terra Pax, and Gratias Agimus Tibi. Review your parts on those three movements. Also, some general considerations are:

• Your Latin pronunciation needs to be italianate ALWAYS - rolled (or flipped) r's: dentalized d's, n's, t's, and l's; and in is pronounced "een"
• Work on proper syllabic stress, for example Glo' - ri - a, in - ex - cel' - sis and De' - o. In both examples, the last syllable should be decidedly softer, particularly when given equal note values.

Et in Terra Pax

• Group the descending Et in terra pax motifs in syllabic couplets (two 16th-notes per syllable).
• Really work on energizing descending chromatic phrases to avoid flatting.
• Because of the Largo tempo, make sure to energize the 1/4 and 1/2 notes.
• There are no written dynamic marks but listen to the harmonic progressions to guide you.

Angels We Have Heard

• When practicing, become aware of the subdivided beat whether in 12/8 (triplets) or 4/4 (duple).
• Textually emphasize the verbs in most cases, regardless of dynamics: m.14 heard, m.17 singing, m.22 in reply, m.25 echoing (not echo back), m.35 why this, m.37 why, m.38 why, m.42 tidings be, m.43 inspire, mm.65-66 Come & see, m.67-68 Him, birth, sing, m.71 Come, adore (articulate the two words-don't run them together), m.111-112 See Him, laid, m.118 lend.

Frostbound

• Despite the slow tempo, sing through the phrases with a sense of flow and energy. 
• Tenors make sure to sing the opening descending pitches definitively but without accent. With Altos arrive on the first pitch without scooping.
• Words to be emphasized: m.1 seems dead, m.3 no throb, give, m.5 When your cold heart, m.8 live, m.11-12 strong and red, m.13 look, m.15 see & make, m.16-17 take life & rise, m.26 sleeping, m. 32-33 turn away, m.38 meets, m.42 ends, m.45-46 breaking from, m. 48-49 run free, m.52 stretch, m. 55-57 cling.

30-Second Merry Christmas

• Sing the 1/8th-notes of the Merry's with a light detachment and make the 1/4-notes more legato.
• Memorize dynamics.

For Tuesday, SEPTEMBER 30, 2025

CHOIR III will meet at 6:30 to work on Jubilate Deo

All others meet at 7:00 pm.

Nutcracker Medley

The Angel's Message - review your words

Gloria (movements #6 and #8)

O Come, O Come Emmanuel

Iesou ahatonnia' - review your words