9/22/2023 – Happy pre-storm Friday!

We are so blessed that this is not the weekend of our fundraiser! We are coming up on the first anniversary of Ian which not only damaged our house in Sanibel but also canceled our fundraiser at Starbright but fortunately we were able to reschedule in November at Silo Hill. I am preparing to stay in and do a lot of score study and reading! And watch some sports!  A wonderful chance to do some serious practicing…. hint hint.

We got a lot accomplished on Tuesday but have some things to catch up with this week. We will start with the assigned warm-ups and include number 4 from warm-up VI. And we fill dance through the Handel.

After warmups we will concentrate on fabric of gratitude.  As I said before, it is not difficult but there are lots of words and some tricky syncopations.

The new section in the Stroope changes into minor with the basses and tenors supplying the ostinato. This development section that is more frantic feeling resolves at measure 41 into a repetition of the melody.

 In the Bernstein, much of Measures 46 through 58 are a repeat of what we did last week. Once again, all soprano sing the second soprano part.  let’s see how the basses do on the quarter note figure and if the balance is good, I won’t add any tenors.

For those of you who do not know Paul Mealor, he is an amazing composer and his music is being performed extensively worldwide. He is incredibly hard-working and prolific and is a favorite of King Charles. I discovered his Welsh prayer from my friend Nigel and fell in love with it, especially his message on service, and its timeliness for the Thanksgiving season. I hope you enjoy learning this. And Roy will be transformed into a harp!!!!!

At the conclusion, we will review We Gather Together. Auditions will be on October 3 for most of the solos: We Gather Together, Threads of Joy, The Times they are a Changin and How Can I Keep. Please email me if you would like to audition. Auditions will be held in the choir room.

Have you got your tickets for big band in the barn? I am confident that we will have a big showing there of our choir members. If you have not been to Starbright farm, this is your chance, and of course, it’s your chance to hear great music, eat delicious food, bid on some cool items, try your hand at the wine pull and visit the barn market. Remember, you can avoid fees if you pay Lance directly at rehearsal. That is what I intend to do.

Today I Had a lovely hike with Heidi, the Director of the Frederick Chorale who will be working with us in the spring. She looks forward to meeting many of you on October 14.

Stay dry, practice hard, drink tons of water, and stay healthy. See you on Tuesday! And, of course, go Ravens and Orioles.

Musical hugs,

Marty

And we need you basses!!!!