Hello lovely choir!
I was so glad to dig into those new pieces yesterday. I know some people felt panicked with all of those chromatic lines and crunchy harmonies. Don’t stress. It’s nothing that some solid practice can’t solve! And we will become stronger musicians because we are challenging ourselves. YES!
For your at-home practice this week please focus on the sections that we worked on in rehearsal last evening. Little bits throughout the week is better than a parking lot cram session!
Our website is enchoreastsingers.ca – the member’s page password is happysong, then go to Practice Resources or Director’s Notes.
On these resources are links to videos, the shared google folder, weekly rehearsal notes. Thanks to Bill!
Shared google folder with practice help:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1EfLf1-sEfJVt7YmOIGG47DB1LxhchnTI
Cantique de Jean Racine
– we focused on m.60-79
– use the video to help with French diction. Especially those nasal vowels and silent final consonants
– going for long and legato lines with dramatic dynamics
– youtube links to diction and practice tracks are in the Practice Resources page or in the google doc called Practice resources JAN-MAY 2026
Skye Boat Song
– get a metronome app on your phone or tablet. Set it between 100-120. Tap the beat and count to 6. Add subdivisions 1 and 2 and 3 and etc.
– Dean and I will be relentless about this beat/rhythm in rehearsal. We might as well get it right. No swinging the rhythm 🙂
– m.41-end
– SA notice the different between +3rd and P4th in the melody of the verses. ex. m.49-50 SOP, m.53-54 SOP, m.33-34 SA
Hymn of Acxiom
– practice tracks are in the shared folder
– focus on m.1-41, please
A Social Madrigal
– read it like it’s in 4/4 time with the quarter note getting the beat. For measures where there are more than 4 quarter notes, don’t stress. Just count to 6 instead!
– no practice tracks, but there is a recording on youtube
Baba Yetu
– really great work with echo and rhythm, and learning the text
– focus on m.11-22
– if you need some comfort that we can handle this check out m.55-62. Might look familiar 🙂
Enjoy the week and find some time to sing every day!
Krista