09/19/2025 – First Friday Missive of our 19th season!

It was absolutely brilliant being together on Tuesday after our four month hiatus. And what fun to greet our new singers! I was thrilled with the sounds that were being made by the end of the rehearsal and such joy permeated the room. I think we all need that feeling!!! And after two hours of singing, I felt even more energy in the room. Just think what will happen when you have a chance to practice!

Here is the plan for September 23:

Welcome and introductions by our new tenors and altos and any other new folks who join us. Registration will soon be over for this Fall semester.

Warmups-Volume V Nos. 6-8 using a variety of vowels and solfège. Practice at home when you are by yourself!

Alleluia round. Will ask individual sections and then combine in different ways. Write in the solfege. Key of C so C is do. If you are lost, don’t worry!!!

My Very Own. Such a gorgeous piece by Susan LaBarr. She is one of our favorite young composers. The text is such a love story!!! Have a story to tell about that!!!!

Wasn’t on the syllabus but we will finish Snow. Have fun with it. Would like it memorized or close to it by the performance.

Review and enjoy the lush musical line in Blow, Blow. Such opportunity for tone painting. Feel free to flip the r’s, especially for emphasis on the word “freeze”.

Number measures in #5 and # 6.

Pg. 35, meas. https://naturheilpraxis-hauri.ch/ 30-37, use doo instead of hum. Will finish this movement and also, enjoy the solo part.

Hay- meas. 85-117. Note the divisi on pg. 47.

Use the learning files to your advantage. Practice your individual part first, and then all parts. If you have a piano, you can work out the tough intervals on your own. All of these movements require a very crisp diction and clarity, especially since the text is in old English.

Looking ahead, we will be doing some sectional work on the 30th.

Also please help our development committee out with suggestions. They have worked so hard on our behalf this past summer. If anyone would like to join them, please see Jeff Roemer or Colleen Case. I can tell you the meetings are really fun!!

Continue to bring in auction items and help us get gift certificates at local restaurants. Stay tuned for the launch date. It is a great way to shop for the holidays and at the same time, help our organization.

October 7 will be our annual harvest party to meet and greet and get to know our new singers. More information to follow.

I think that’s it for now. After three nights of waking up at 4 AM, I slept until 6AM this morning. Hopefully my jet lag will be behind me by the time I see you next!

And here is a great way to learn your rhythmic patterns.

Have a great weekend and practice often and maybe outside!!!