January 7, 2016

Just a few words of greeting, and hopes that you’re looking forward to the next installment of Monday rehearsals.  As I’m sure you agree, these new pieces that we touched on during last week’s rehearsal already promise great experiences. 
 
Additional titles will be added to your packets at next practice, which is certainly exciting.  However, our time for study of individual pieces will necessarily become more limited and require us to work efficiently and to retain the accomplishments of each week’s rehearsal.  I encourage you to (a) make generous and accurate markings (in pencil) during every rehearsal, and (b) to review the music sometime during each week between Mondays.  These weekly Director’s Notes may help you focus on certain areas of concern – but you’ll find others on your own, I’m sure.  (Your excellent markings will certainly help here!)
 
In light of the above, please take time to look at and to listen to the two Finzi pieces.  They’re both very exuberant but quite different in other ways.  You’re nearly in control of the notes for “My Spirit Sang All Day,” but the “God Is Gone Up” is more challenging (and also we’ve spent less time on it).  Please commit to learning your notes for both pieces before Monday night.  It will be wonderful to put these together without wood-shedding your parts at rehearsal.
 
God is Gone Up:  (Georgia Boy Choir) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8XP1eGTWzM
God Is Gone Up:  (Stanford Univ)  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=84mrFdSJZi0
God Is Gone Up:  (Ruach Vocaal Jeugd Ensemble ) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0rAjBlYxaDc
And, to learn notes:
Soprano 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BVr4J6iqXZo
Soprano2 at http://youtu.be/Q1TLjqidsKY?hd=1
Alto1 at http://youtu.be/Z8ug_Iug72U?hd=1
Alto2 at http://youtu.be/42LfJIXIMok?hd=1
Tenor1 at http://youtu.be/RrZ4CciJg6E?hd=1
Tenor2 at http://youtu.be/oKUnYq0SUco?hd=1
Bass1 at http://youtu.be/267836-lmns?hd=1
Bass2 at http://youtu.be/rSO5_3H-9u8?hd=1
SATB at http://youtu.be/gf5hnPFRis0?hd=1
 
My Spirit Sang All Day: (Chanticleer)  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZ-fhmWQLIQ
 
And this last note: We’re sorry to learn that Sue Mayo has experienced germ difficulties the last few days and has been in the hospital.  She hopes to be home by Friday and we wish her much improved health!
 
Thanks to you all for fine singing. See you again soon.
 
Larry