I received the following notes from Larry after I had posted the rehearsal/concert information -- Craig McCaa
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​10/28/15
Dear singers,

Excellent work, singers!  It’s such great fun to hear great music coming together. We’re almost there, but please keep in mind: Only one more Monday rehearsal before we join forces with the orchestra.  At that point, there will be no opportunity to check pitches, review words, or explain rhythms.  With that in mind, please note the “assignments” below:


Assignment 1:  Please mark your calendars carefully for the coming schedule through December:
 
            Monday     Nov. 2                    7 p.m.             Last LCS (alone) rehearsal           Choral Room
            Monday     Nov. 9                    7 p.m.             Combined LCS/orchestra            Choral Room
            Saturday    Nov. 14           10 a.m.-noon       Combined Choirs/orchestra       Branscomb stage
            Sunday      Nov. 15                   2 p.m.            Choral Call-time                            Choral Room
                                                                3 p.m.            CONCERT!                                      Branscomb
            Monday(s) Nov. 30-Dec.14     7 p.m.             Rehearsals resume                     Choral Room
                                   
 
Assignment 2:  Because we did concentrated work on several less solid sections last week, you may have found areas that were not yet comfortable for you.  Please take a moment to look over last week’s rehearsal material, just to reinforce the improvements you made. 
 
Assignment 3:  Second halves:  We did serious study of the first parts of the Confitebor and the Beatus Vir, but had to (in the interest of time) neglect the second halves.  Please review those sections before Monday:  pp. 22-28 and 39-45, just to be ready.
 
Assignment 4:  Programs/Posters/Tickets/Donors:  We’ll be distributing PR materials and tickets on Monday.  Your help in spreading the word, soliciting advertisers and sponsors, and selling tickets is vital.  Please think about ways you can help here. We want to sing for a wonderful audience!
 
Thanks for your great work!  See you on Monday,
Larry

Dear singers,

You've done very well, but now the tough work begins: Despite our initial success in making the music sound "pretty good," we're now confronting passages in which our command of notes/words/rhythms is not as strong as we might have assumed.  Monday night's rehearsal made that rather clear.  Unless we all know the music securely, independently, and without encouragement from fellow singers, we don't know it well enough.  It was evident that some singers were producing their parts timidly - and we have to address that issue every season.  With that in mind, please note the “assignments” below:


Assignment 1:  For the last three years, the initial Director’s Notes have included the following paragraph, with a quote from the beloved opera star and former FSC voice professor, Beverly Wolff.  It’s very applicable now, as well:
 
Beverly Wolff: “Sing with authority!” We’ve done fine work in our recent rehearsals and I do hope you’re allowing some mid-week time to review that work and to refresh the notes and thoughts you encountered on Mondays.  It’s no secret that uncertain singing doesn’t translate into good performance, ever. So please strive to solidify your skills in the passages we focused on at rehearsal; strive to be certain.  Sing with authority.
 
Assignment 2:  If you have time (at this late date) to write in English translation to your score of the 4th movement of the Mozart, please do. 
 
Assignment 3: If you haven’t had opportunity to hear a good performance of the Mozart, here is a wonderful and exciting one from YouTube.  It’s a little quick for us to copy tempos, perhaps, but it’s very insightful and beautifully expressed.  A nice inspiration!
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LTiR8U2d4O0

Not an “assignment,” but a great opportunity:  The Kiev Symphony Orchestra and Chorus performs Saturday (tonight) at 7 p.m., 1st Presbyterian Church, Lakeland.  They’re a fine and unusual group – and there will be NO “uncertain singing”!!  Here is a taste of their work:
 
https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=552690261514521
 
Thanks for your great work!  See you on Monday,
Larry