Thursday, September 16, 2010

Thursday Thoughts

Good morning everyone,

I think we all can hear the potential in this year's choir sound as there were some really lovely moments on Tuesday. I want to thank those of you who are working so hard to realize the vision of Camerata. It is obvious to me that you are in the majority.

However in order for the choir's potential to be realized to its maximum, it is the responsibility for all singers to arrive prepared on Tuesdays.  Last Tuesday, a number of you were struggling.   I can only assume that there are three possible senarios: either you did not prepare, you did not prepare well enough, or the music is above you. Any of the three is unacceptable to me and we need to correct it right away.  My expectations were made clear last spring, articulated in writing during the summer and verbally at our first rehearsal so this is starting to sound like a broken record. 

I have excellent resources with Tristan, Christina and Cynthia who are helping me realize my vision for Camerata.  I sincerely thank them all and appreciate their work.  I expect there are few choirs in the country who are blessed with such resources. By now you are aware of the direction I am proceeding with all of us on the team working on the unimanity of vowel colour, blend and ultimately good vocal health.  However all the resources in the world will not do any good if I am reviewing notes and rhythms week after week.

So lets have a go at it again. For next Tuesday's rehearsal please look at the list below and prepare carefully:

Even When God Is Silent - Horvat
Kyrie - Nickel (the divisi bass line needs work.)
Many Winters - Enns  (review up to m 102.  Be familiar with the notes from m. 103 - end)
Song for Athene - Tavener ( I'll  sort out divisi on Tuesday)
RVW - mvts 4 & 6

Remember: you have until Tuesday, October 12th to memorize your vocal line for "Eternity" as outlined by Christina last Tuesday.   I would recommend that  you listen to one of the many You Tube recordings to get the piece in your ears.

Recommended recordings for other rep:

Vaughan Williams:

IV: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-Jl4dqoESs
VI: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3zfHiloldtg&feature=related

Larry Nickel – Kyrie: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZC_lyvq1Tc

John Tavener - Song for Athene: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hcYcjc0Ylp8

For the ACCC conductor's workshop on the 25th please know the three assigned pieces.  In addition, the choir is asked to please wear your new choir t shirts for the morning workshop.  For new singers I would ask Christina to bring you a t shirt on Tueaday - we have your sizes as per the form you submitted to me during the summer.

Have a great weekend.  Christina, Cynthia and I will be hanging out with my Girls' Choir at our annual "Fall Tune Up"  - lots of fun in store for us!  See you Tuesday.

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