Hi choir,
Hopefully the last email for today. I think we all got a better idea of where we stand with each piece last evening. I know I have some sections that I want to tackle before next Tuesday. Let’s keep at it – just one month left! And it will feel AMAZING when we can get up there and sing with confidence and joy for our families and friends!
Baba Yetu
– we are really getting there. Don’t give up. Those long phrases of held notes are incredibly important for building emotion and intensity.
– Aim to memorize the words of the chorus so you can look up more. The translation is the Lord’s Prayer.
– Ryan will be coming to rehearsal on April 28 and possible May 1 to work together. We won’t have time to deal with breath marks and notes at that time. Let’s be ready!
– there was a question about the sotto voce at m.45. Good eye! Don’t stress over it. It is generally a moment of – hey, let’s get softer to grab everyone’s attention and help them realize that this text is very important. “Amina” translates to “Amen.”
Click here for Google’s translator if you want to delve deeper. I found it very useful a while back to learn that “mbinguni” is “heaven”. One word of two syllables, an important word in the song! -Editor
– Stay on your toes with the rhythm – it’s not swung. It’s incredibly rhythmic and precise.
Rainbow Connection
– A few people were confused about the voicing. Mark your scores. We cannot afford to spend rehearsal time sorting out who sings which line at this point.
– Verse 1 – all voices in unison until m. 21. Verse 2 – all voices on parts.
– m.48-63 needs extra review for familiarity, please. We’ve worked on it a number of times in rehearsal. The soprano parts should be in the rehearsal folder.
– channel your inner Kermit! Be a little dreamy and reflective!
Singin’ in the Rain
– big improvement in sense of ensemble in general. Just a few spots tripping us up.
– final consonants on “chase” “place” and “face” – we’ve worked on this and fixed it already. Please review.
– m.51-74 will feel twice as fast! Fun!
– m.82 and 91 – check syncopated rhythm
Dear Old Shiz
– We have the notes. Time to add school pride with a little drama 🙂
– Sopranos, let’s have you all do the solo like we did yesterday. It sounded good and wasn’t overpowering.
Danny Boy
– please use the rehearsal recordings and the 2 handout pages to learn the simplified m.33-end.
– Also, review the beginning of the piece at home so you know which lines to read. We’ve already marked our scores, but it’s been a while!
Skyfall
– Wake-up call! Focus on verse 2, m.37-44 and verse 3, m.61-68.
– The sections that we did sing sounded pretty good. We are going for a James Bond-y sound, without actually being foolish 🙂
– We cut the 1st 4 measures of the introduction. Please mark your score.
Down to the River
– Mark and count rests in your score, please. The entries are not always the same and we want to be confident!
– Get in the habit of looking up. This is the only way we will be able to shape the phrases together and make sure the song doesn’t drag and get boring.
Acxiom
– Keep working, please!! We want the words to have an effect on the audience. Keep it clean and clear!
Social Madrigal
– We will need to dig into this one next Tuesday as we’ve only worked on it a few times.
– When you are practicing, also review the roadmap – sing to p.10, repeat to p.7 and sing to the end of p.8, jump to the coda on p.10.
I’d Like to Teach
– I’m disappointed we didn’t get to this one yesterday. We’ll dig in for sure next week. Please be as prepared as you can.
– The rehearsal tracks are in the shared folder. And there is indeed a scan of the score that shows which part sings on which line. Remember, we are leaving out the “small group” staves at the top of each system. Dean can add those if he chooses!
– Our overall goal for this one is… performance! Singing together! Confidence! We will be with the boys choir, and let’s be honest, all eyes will be on them 🙂
I know this is a lot. I have high expectations for us because we are so capable and really need the challenge. We’re smart musicians and will not settle for a half-good job! Happy practicing and remember to check in with choir friends to see if they need help!
Krista