Welcome back, everyone!  This semester we're going to be singing two larger works.  The first, "American Tapestry is a bunch of American folk songs that are woven together to tell the American story.  The piece is arranged by Ed Lojeski.  The second piece is called "Gospel Mass" by Robert Ray.  It takes the traditional mass text and outline and weaves in a gospel feel.  Here is a YouTube playlist to listen to the piece, conducted by the composer:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLF5ECE51DFAF18FFF  

This next Monday, January 27th, we are having our first ever Bring-a-Friend Night, where you are encouraged to bring someone who may be interested in joining as a guest, so they can test the waters before making a decision.  Everyone who brings a guest will be entered in for prize drawings.  We hope everyone is able to bring at least one guest.  Below is the information that was posted on our Facebook page.

General Rehearsal Notes:  We worked on the first two movements of the Gospel Mass and sightread the first two movements of Americal Tapestry.  For next week, please continue to look over Kyrie and Gloria from Gospel Mass and the first two movements of American Tapestry so you are more comfortable with them.

Lastly, here are the individual section notes from your section leaders:

Sopranos:
Gospel Mass
Kyrie m.33 watch for the accents and make sure they are brought out.
Gloria m.3 Sop 1 make sure that you hit -est before everyone else
Gloria m.3-4 put the -st of highest on the 'p' of peace in the next measure
Gloria m.37 There is a big tone and tempo change in this section

Altos:Gospel Mass:
- Kyrie page 6 (measure 32) should be an Ab instead of a Gb
- Kyrie page 7 (measure 44) the Db at the end of “Mercy” needs to be an Eb
- Kyrie look for accents - “Lord” “Abraham” etc.
- Gloria be aware of chromatics and key changes


Tenors:The first movement in Gospel Mass has a tenor solo and all the recordings I’ve heard keeps it going throughout that first piece (ad lib type thing). There’s a couple in Tapestry as well, could be tenor or bass though.  Start looking over them if interested. 


Basses:Gospel Mass 
- Kyrie m.19-24 watch for the syncopation
- Kyrie m. 33-34 watch for the accents and practice the pitches
- Kyrie m. 35-36 watch the Db pitch
- Kyrie m. 43-end are very similar to m. 19-20
- Gloria m. 1-4 watch for the chromaticism and note clashes with the other voice parts
- Gloria m. 13 key change
- Gloria m. 37 key change
- Gloria m. 48 watch for the time signature change
- Gloria m. 57 watch for the tempo change

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If you plan on caroling on 12/20/24 at Lakeside Village, please sign up below so enough music can be prepared :
 www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E4AA5AC28A2F8C43-53436026-caroling

Details:
Meet in the south parking lot next to the movie theater and Gaskins. 
6pm Rehearsal - In the parking lot
7pm Caroling begins

Our Christmas Party will be on Monday 12/16. Please click the link below to sign up to bring a dish or item to share.  
This is a family friendly event! 

www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E4AA5AC28A2F8C43-53171983-lakeland

DETAILS:
12/20/24
6pm
United Women's Club
1515 Williamsburg Square
Lakeland, FL