September 24, 2015

Dear Singers,

Welcome to another wonderful season!  I trust that you’re enjoying (and being engaged by) our music as much as I am.

I don’t believe it’s unrealistic to say that this year’s ensemble is among the most capable in recent memory.  You’ve already taken seriously the challenges of notes and words – and you’ve made fine music.  Do be reminded, however, that our preparation time for concerts is (as always) briefer than we think.  Please take your own music-study schedule seriously and try to anticipate your own note-learning needs for coming rehearsals. That helps to make each Mondaysession much more fun and productive.  This is the first of the LCS weekly “Director’s Notes,” in which I’ll try to remind and to make friendly “assignments.”  Please do your best to read and to commit to their challenges.


Assignment 1:  Please commit to a weekly check of the LCS website, where the Director’s Notes and other important information are posted.  Even though your section leaders may often help by sending you a copy of these notes, there are times when emails get lost or delayed.  Nearly always, the new Notes will be posted by midday Thursday:
http://www.lakelandchoralsociety.org

Assignment 2:  For pitches and rhythms that are elusive, it’s often helpful to use technological wizardry to lead  the way.  On the website, Craig has provided some links to Cyberbass practice passages.  These are excellent resources which allow single parts to be isolated and heard alone and to be used at slower tempos, if desired.  They’re well done and fun to use.

Assignment 3:  Our music is nothing without the words we sing.  It’s a primary difference between what we sing and what instrumentalists play.  The words have informed and inspired the composer to write such expressive music – and we, as interpreters, are obligated to bring such texts to life. Attached to these notes (and on the website) is the English translation for the Vespers.  Please print a copy of these lyrics and carry them with your scores, as you attend rehearsals.  And, please take some time to insert the English for Movement 1 (Dixit) into your score before Monday.  This will be a little challenging, since not every voicepart does the same words!  I think you’ll find it interesting (and perhaps revealing, as well).

See you Monday!
Larry