11/15/2019 – Here We Go ! Read Entire Missive So You Don’t Miss Anything
Good Evening Folks,
This semester has flown by and believe it or not, the concert is 9 days away. We have lots to do to put on the finishing touches but if we prepare carefully and follow directions, it will all come together. Here is your checklist:
1. Black folder with music in this order-Thanks be to Thee, Consecrate, What Sweeter, Serenade, SIT. Intermission. Hymn with
audience, Ode to Music, Always Something, Thanks for this amazing day, SIT, join children in Simple Gifts and Look at the World.
2. Tickets will be available at dress rehearsal starting at 6:30 PM. Encourage your guests and family from afar to order online. There will be NO WILL CALL so you can not leave tickets at the door. This will greatly help Melissa and reduce confusion. Tickets will be available at the door if the concert is not sold. Risky to wait though. Last two years, been sold out. NO CHRISTMAS PARADE so traffic should be more manageable.
3. Wayne is the master at the dress rehearsal. Listen to him carefully. He will begin assembling you on the risers at 7 PM sharp and the children will join us at 7:15. Once we have done the two combined pieces, the DCYC will leave and the orchestra will gather for Thanks Be to Thee. We will practice processing and singing. Then we will do Always Something Sings with Patrice, orchestra and soloists. Serenade will follow. Hope to run this twice. The orchestra will then be free to leave and we will do Consecrate, What Sweeter, the processional for the 2nd half (familiarize yourself with the words so you can walk and sing), Ode to Music, and I thank you God.
4. Wayne will go over parking instructions and any other logistics necessary for a smooth concert. If you can arrive early at both the dress rehearsal and/or concert to help set up, Wayne would certainly be appreciative. Same goes for breaking down.
5. Concert day, report in complete concert dress. During the warm-ups between 2:30-3:30, Tracy Grumbach will be taking professional pictures for our marketing materials and grants. Look lovely/handsome! Doors open at 3:30 PM.
6. Please encourage your guests to fill out an audience survey which will be in the program and deposit in boxes at the back of the hall as they leave.
7. Concert dress: Ladies-gown, black comfortable low shoes, pearls, no dangling earrings, no perfume, bright faces and hair off your face. Gents: Tuxedo, black shined shoes, black socks, black bow tie.
8. As far as music preparation, recite the words over and over, especially over the page turns. Want to get your eyes up and out as much as possible. Better you know the text, the more you can communicate. DYNAMICS! Prepare for entrances by early breath, uniform, round vowels, check markings and breathe together; when you hold long notes that end with s, connect sibilant with first letter of following word, glottals, review Ode to Music, especially last page since we did not sing this on Tuesday. Most important feature that creates the WOW factor is whether you communicate musically, honestly and visually. We can do it!!! Practice holding your music and singing in front of a mirror as you listen to the all parts learning files.
9. Remember, all missives can be found on the member login page as well as our updated directory.
10. Musicianship classes will be offered again this winter on these at my studio. Please let me know if you are interested. I have room for 15. Great opportunity to tweak your skills, learn more about the vocal mechanism and study the elements of music. January 25 10-11;30, February 22, March 14. And it is a great way to get to know folks.
11. Rehearsals resume on January 14th with welcome back reception at 6 PM. In the mean time, begin studying the music for next semester. Wayne will be posting learning files and it would be helpful if you arrive with some knowledge of the music. I will be preparing a syllabus which will be posted by the end of 2019.
12. Videos will be available again for Christmas gifting. Melissa will be sending out info at a later date. Monies benefit the scholarship fund.
I hope I have covered everything. If you have any questions, please let me know. Stay well !!!!!!!
Gratefully and excitedly,
Marty