WE ARE NOW IN THE HOME STRETCH!

FOR THE CHOIRFOLK: IT'S HERE! THE HOME STRETCH

You already know and (hopefully!) have implemented every single item on my list, below.

Please re-visit these items and govern yourself accordingly. 

Yes, we will ALL be crying during the final 10 minutes or so of the Saturday 5/5 concert. But we'll be crying like the sharp, elegant, snazzy, talented, amazingly accomplished, alert, focused people that we are...

GETTING READY FOR IT

1. Consistent, focused effort alone and in rehearsals and breakouts.

2. Pencils MOVING during rehearsals!!!!!

3. Application of singing technique principles /across/ the board. For example, most of our pieces contain the English first-person pronoun "I." We all know how to sing that pronoun (ahem!) - writing this in just one piece may help you with THAT piece, but what about all of the /other/ pieces that employ the exact same pronoun and pronunciation? You have TWO pencils!! You see where I'm going with this. Your binders came with those pencils for a reason :-)

4. Reinforcement and referral - these things, these things called CR - "choral recordings" - !!!!

5. Planning your self-care routine. What's left to chance or luck seldom happens the way we want it to happen, if it happens at all.

6. Use little bits of time to accomplish small, nagging tasks. F'r example: yesterday (and this morning!) I chanted and practiced the "Mr. Toad" motions while walking to and from bus stops, AND while waiting. I accomplished something important AND I had breathing space and an entire seat to myself once I got on the bus :-)

7. CHECK / CLEAN / ASSEMBLE //ALL// PARTS OF YOUR CONCERT OUTFIT BY MIDNIGHT ON THURSDAY MAY 3. Tux wearers: This means ALL the studs, ALL the tie / socks / n' stuff. Everything together in one place. Shine your shoes. Gown wearers: If it can be seen through, or if the decolletage is more suitable to a romantic evening out, make the adjustment beforehand. At our last couple of concerts, I saw things that were NOT appropriate. Please re-visit your syllabus for the details.

SELF CARE
ENOUGH SLEEP, STARTING NOW! Not a few hours every 3 days (like me) but several consecutive hours, every 24-hour period.

FOOD - You'll need FOOD with you on concert nights. We won't be snacking together. Assemble a little bag of goodies and bring it with you.

WATER

NO ALCOHOL - if you imbibe regularly, taper off so that you are imbibing /no/ ethanol on Thursday AND Friday. Your next drink will be AFTER SATURDAY'S CONCERT on May 5th. (If you find it difficult to taper down or to shut off completely for this short period, I recommend investigating that issue with a counselor after the weekend. I'm not being sarcastic here. Things can sneak up on a person, and certain things are always armed and carrying a ball bat and a .45...

NO 'HERB'. You know what I'm talking about here. And, the answer ALL next week is, "NO."

CONSCIOUS DEEP BREATHING. That (and giving up sleep time to Make, alone and in silence) is helping me greatly right now.

NO SCENTED STUFF: Cologne, perfume, shaving lotion or pat-down stuff, scented deodorant - you know the drill. Your neighbors should see and hear you - - /not/ smell you.

You're welcome!

Let's work together to make this our very best concert /ever/! What a tremendous gift for Doc - an outpouring of love and support and superb music-making <3 

In musical solidarity,

Lee