NOTES for Week of October 5, 2025

Dear Friends,

 We're about halfway to our concert weekend. There is still much to do. 

1. Remember that Bel Canto Boot Camp is coming up in two weeks (Saturday, October 18 from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm.) Again, it will be at the Rancho de Calistoga Community Club House (2412 Foothill Boulevard, Calistoga). Please plan to bring plenty of water and a sack lunch.
2. Tickets are selling and the 3:00 performance at Mont La Salle is almost sold out. Encourage your family and friends to get tickets for the 6:30 performance as it will be lovely there in the evening.

The Angel's Message

• Many of you are still stumbling over the words. Yes, there is a lot of Latin diction and even if you're familiar with Latin, the complexity of these words and rhythms are slowing you down. Please review the words alone, in rhythm, and then practice the phrasing repeatedly with the pitches. It needs to sounds lilting and graceful.

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

• Rehearse using a round, warm, energized tone. This song is all about tone.

Gloria

• Continuing reviewing the sections we've worked through: #'s 1, 2, 4, 6, and 8. We'll go through #11 this Tuesday. 
• There is a pronunciation guide now available on the resources site. 

Iesous ahatonnia'

• Chuck has added a new pronunciation guide to the resources site. It is is clearer and more accurate than mine. The principal differences are in the treatment of the consonants and the nasalized vowels. Please spend some time practicing the words with this guide so that you become more proficient.

Nutcracket Medley

• This is coming along. Please review your parts and work on getting it up to tempo. 
• Contrary to what I said in rehearsal, we will not pause significantly between sections, but instead move seamlessly from one to the next, so...
• Memorize as you practice.

For Tuesday, October 7, 2025

Jubilate Deo: 

• Now that each choir has had a chance to review their respective parts together, we will begin putting it together. 
• Rehearse your part from beginning to page 11, measure 42.

Vivaldi Gloria:

• Rehearse Movement #11 Cum Sancto Spiritu
• Also Movements #6 and 8

Season of Light

African Noel