Week of September 8, 2026

Friends,

I think we have run through all the pieces in our Fall repertoire. Now comes the time when we need to focus on really securing our respective parts (pitches, rhythms, and text) through independent and cooperative rehearsal. A few reminders:

1. Practice with attention to tone and intonation. Always sing it as in a performance.
2. Pay attention to the foreign language requirements--sounds not familiar to you. For example, the click in the isiZulu language of Ngothando, the dentalized consonants in Latin and Spanish (Adeste fideles in Choral Christmas Overture and Nino Dios); and the "throat clearing" ch in baruch and Chanukah in The Everlasting Flame.
3. Practice subtle staggered breathing on songs with particularly long phrases, i.e., breathing and coming in gently.
4. Work on expressive singing and phrasing, highlighting and paying particular attention to all tempi, dynamics, and slurs. Also, when in doubt energize the verbs.

PLEASE NOTE: On Tuesday, 9/22, we will meet at First Presbyterian Church at 6:30 to briefly get an idea about the space. Or standing formation will be more limited on the chancel because of a large Christmas tree for our concert there. Consequently, we cannot use risers. We will use the steps and will be constructing smaller, adjustable platforms for a few people in the back row to stand on. The builders need dimensions. I'll remind you next week as well.

Three Nativity Carols - mark the following breaths (b) and luftpauses (lp). Breath is more expansive, luftpause is briefer and more for phrasing. No other unison breaths except where printed or in rests.

• The Holly and the Ivy: mm. 12, 16 (b), 23 (lp), 29 (b), 34 (b), 38 (lp), 42 (b), 49 (lp), 55 (b), 60 (b), 64 (lp), 75 (b), 81 (b), 92 (lp), 96 (b), 107 (b), 115 (b), 121 (b), 127 (b).
•  This Endris Night: Trebles - mm: 10 (b), 27 (b) Tenor/Bass stagger mm. 22-34, All 46 (lp), 64 (lp), Tenor/Bass 84 (lp), All 97 (b), Treble 104 (lp), 108 (lp), 112 (lp), Tenor/Bass 106 (lp), 110 (lp), All 114 (b).
• Wonder Tidings: mm. 4 (lp), 8 (lp), 14 (lp), 20 (lp), Tenor/Bass 25 (lp), 27 (lp), 33 (lp), All 36 (lp), 39 (lp), 42 (lp), 48 (lp), 50 (lp), 52 (lp), 54 (b), 59 (lp), 65 (b), 71 (lp).

Gabriel's Message - this arrangement is like a musical tableau. The texture and emotional shifts reflect  the speaker and message - creating the mystical and magical quality portrayed in this setting of the annunciation. 

• There is a lot of non-verbal (mm, oo, oh, etc) singing. Keep it dynamically appropriate and absolutely energized.
• Note that the sections are described not with tempo or dynamic indicators, but with moods, ex. Unfolding, Mysteriously, Tenderly, Triumphantly, With optimism, Brightly, etc. What does that mean? Please give it thought.
• Listen to the recording so you understand how the sections meld into each other.
• I would like Lindsay, Susan, Chuck, and Matthew to sing the solo quartet section. The Basque pronunciation is detailed in the back. 

Awake, Arise

• Because of the divisi and because we are a smaller group, sections like Choir I in the beginning need to be a bit fuller and stronger than the p indicates. 
• Articulate all the syncopation cleanly and accurately without undue emphasis. Ex. pp. 12-17.
• The soloists in mm. 45-71 will be Brittany and Cyndi. Please make sure the divisi in those sections is balanced.
• Choir II in the beginning, make sure not to short the duration of is. 
• We'll work on Choir I's rhythms on page 20-24. They're tricky.
• When the choirs are together on the chorale, make the tone full and "church hymn-like."

FOR TUESDAY, September 15, 2026

Patapan - remember to begin the memorization process early

The Everlasting Flame

Awake, Arise

Ngothando - remember to begin memorizing as you learn

The Darkest Midnight in December