Hello Cantemus,
I just spent TWO HOURS working on this stupid Chrome Book, gathering tips, writing tips, and linking sites for you to practice F major and A-flat major,.
SOMETHING HAPPENED - either my palm touched the pad or something? and everything suddenly clicked out - I wound up back at the log-in screen.
Two hours of dedicated labor has been irretrievably lost, and it is too late to go to campus and repeat this on a real computer.
I ask you for your pardon. I had intended to have these things ready for you yesterday.
I will post a bunch of material tomorrow (Monday) from a real computer.
In the meantime!
First - using keyboard app or regular keyboard, find and play the major scale whole/half step pattern beginning on C, F, and A-flat.
Reminder: W W H W W W H
Do to Re - whole step
Re to Mi - whole step
Mi to Fa - half step
Fa to Sol - whole step
Sol to La - whole step
La to Ti - whole step
Ti to Do - half step
Do spend a few minutes writing out, playing, and singing solfege for the keys of F major and A flat major.
You can find scales and key signatures here
SOLFEGE YOUR MUSIC FOR "WALKING" - Leave altered tones (accidentals) blank if you aren't sure how to designate them.
Tenors - familiarize yourselves with bass AND tenor clef.
Basses - you need to know this in bass clef only
INTERVALS - from Do
Do - Re: major 2nd
Do - Mi: major 3rd
Do - Fa: perfect fourth
Do - Sol: perfect fifth
Do - La: major sixth
Do - Ti: major seventh
Do - Do: perfect octave
How many half steps are in the various intervals? You can't always count from Do, yanno - (use piano keyboard to help - remember that you are counting the DISTANCE between pitches)
Examples are given in the key of C major. Ascending and descending intervals are the same size and have the same pitch names (when you're not starting them all from Do, that is! Why?)
Minor 2nd is 1 half step (example, E to F)
Major 2nd is 2 half steps (example, C to D)
Minor 3rd is 3 half steps (example, D to F)
Major third is 4 half steps (example, C to E)
Perfect fourth is 5 half steps (example, D to G)
TRITONE! is 6 half steps (example, F to B)
Perfect fifth is 7 half staps (examples C to G, D to A, E to B, F up to C)
Minor sixth is 8 half steps (example, B up to G, E up to C)
Major sixth is 9 half steps (example, C to A, D to B
Minor seventh is 10 half steps (example, D up to C)
Major seventh is 11 half steps (example, C to B)
Yours in musical enjoyment,
Lee
Sunday, January 29, 2017
Wednesday, January 25, 2017
CHOIR POSSE SUBGROUP UPDATES!!
Monday SubGroup - Bella Voce - update
The voice part tracks for "Birdsong" were put into DropBox on Friday, January 20th. There are 2 tracks: a S1 track and a DOUBLE track with the parts for S2 and Alto. I made a double track because some of you Altos may be singing bits of S2, and vice versa.
Monday SubGroup - Chamber Singers - updates
1. The voice part tracks for "Erie Canal" and "Under the Willow Tree" are not yet in DropBox, but I hope to have them in DB by the weekend. Check DB on Sunday evening, January 29th. You'll have one week from that time to get "Willow Tree" worked out on your own; the first group rehearsal for "Willow Tree" is on Monday, February 6th.
2. We will cover the Mass part music for our February 5 performance at St. Joe's on Wednesday, February 1.
Tuesday/Thursday SubGroup - Chorale - updates"I Love The Lord" (tenors and basses) - remember 2 things for tomorrow'sperformance in rehearsal (Thursday January 26th):
a. am conducting/leading it "in 4" for the time being - HOWEVER! we need to feel this "in 2" beginning as soon as possible. You need to remember that it does not begin on a downbeat! Remember that the music actually begins BEFORE you start singing! it's BEAT I love the / LORD"
b. The key changes are easy as pie when you remember that Do (final pitch before the key change) becomes Mi (first melodic tone) in the new key - keep that in mind and find your new pitch accordingly.
"Surely He Hath Borne Our Griefs" - I invite you to sit quietly in a quiet space, cue up the choral recording, and move towards the spirit and message in whatever way you see fit.
Here.
And here.
And here...
Here.
Those who love Chaim Potok's fiction (?) will remember a relevant sub-plot in "My Name is Asher Lev." ("Brooklyn Crucifixion").
I invite you to move more deeply into the "crucifixion" story. What is happening here? Why? And to whom? (the answer to that last question may surprise you - go with what you find).
I like to do etymological searches when I tackle "Big Concept Words" - here are a few, for starters:
sacrifice
paradox
volition
in/justice
burden
suffering
empathy
In search of greater musical and heart-understanding,
Lee
The voice part tracks for "Birdsong" were put into DropBox on Friday, January 20th. There are 2 tracks: a S1 track and a DOUBLE track with the parts for S2 and Alto. I made a double track because some of you Altos may be singing bits of S2, and vice versa.
Monday SubGroup - Chamber Singers - updates
1. The voice part tracks for "Erie Canal" and "Under the Willow Tree" are not yet in DropBox, but I hope to have them in DB by the weekend. Check DB on Sunday evening, January 29th. You'll have one week from that time to get "Willow Tree" worked out on your own; the first group rehearsal for "Willow Tree" is on Monday, February 6th.
2. We will cover the Mass part music for our February 5 performance at St. Joe's on Wednesday, February 1.
Tuesday/Thursday SubGroup - Chorale - updates"I Love The Lord" (tenors and basses) - remember 2 things for tomorrow'sperformance in rehearsal (Thursday January 26th):
a. am conducting/leading it "in 4" for the time being - HOWEVER! we need to feel this "in 2" beginning as soon as possible. You need to remember that it does not begin on a downbeat! Remember that the music actually begins BEFORE you start singing! it's BEAT I love the / LORD"
b. The key changes are easy as pie when you remember that Do (final pitch before the key change) becomes Mi (first melodic tone) in the new key - keep that in mind and find your new pitch accordingly.
Inspiration!
Here.
And here.
And here...
Here.
Those who love Chaim Potok's fiction (?) will remember a relevant sub-plot in "My Name is Asher Lev." ("Brooklyn Crucifixion").
I invite you to move more deeply into the "crucifixion" story. What is happening here? Why? And to whom? (the answer to that last question may surprise you - go with what you find).
I like to do etymological searches when I tackle "Big Concept Words" - here are a few, for starters:
sacrifice
paradox
volition
in/justice
burden
suffering
empathy
In search of greater musical and heart-understanding,
Lee
Wednesday, January 11, 2017
CHBR folk: Pergolesi
WOW, an amazing YT post from Rachel Yonek at FB:
Incredible. Absolutely exquisite. Perfection. We MUST do this with strings. We MUST. MUST.
Natalie Stutzmann - what an amazing musician! http://nathaliestutzmann.com/biography/
Natalie Stutzmann - what an amazing musician! http://nathaliestutzmann.com/biography/
Countertenor P. Jaroussky - interview:
http://www.npr.org/…/philippe-jaroussky-and-the-impossibly-…
http://www.npr.org/…/philippe-jaroussky-and-the-impossibly-…
Soprano Emoke Barath (Hungary) began her musical training with different instruments!
http://www.concertsparisiens.fr/…/em%C3%B6ke-bar%C3%A1th-so…
http://www.concertsparisiens.fr/…/em%C3%B6ke-bar%C3%A1th-so…
Lenten Prayer Concert Materials
Hello, everyone!
Google-fu gems re: SOME of our Lenten Prayer concert repertoire:
Javier Busto Ave Maria (Chbr): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Javier_Busto
Transcript of an interview with Javier Busto: http://icb.ifcm.net/en_US/choral-medicine-basque-country-javier-busto/?print=pdf
I Love You, Lord (chbr TB)
Story behind the song: http://staugustine.com/living/religion/2015-02-05/story-behind-song-i-love-you-lord
The King of Love My Shepherd Is - a setting of Psalm 23
in my opinion, the most beautiful English translation of that text is here:
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+23&version=KJV
O Love that will not let me go (story behind the song):
http://www.crichbaptist.org/articles/christian-poetry-hymns/poems-hymns/o-love-that-wilt-not-let-me-go-george-matheson/
Surely, He hath borne our griefs
Scripture text is found here http://www.biblehub.com/kjv/isaiah/53-4.htm
Graun: http://www.bach-cantatas.com/Lib/Graun-Carl-Heinrich.htm
There is a balm in Gilead
Background of the saying: https://www.gotquestions.org/balm-of-Gilead.html
A more musicologically-oriented look at this song: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/There_Is_a_Balm_in_Gilead
Thy Perfect Love
Diligent net-search did not turn up anything definite re: source of the text - but my guess is that it comes from England.
Here is a lengthy but utterly fascinating article about the religious situation in that country during the medieval period: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religion_in_Medieval_England
And here's information about the 15th century in general - always good to have a broader context in which to put the music!
http://www.shsu.edu/~his_ncp/266LecN.html - focus primarily on Europe - see Lectures 3 and 4.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/15th_century - However, the world is a lot bigger than Europe! ;-)
Next post: Cheat sheet for Cantemus (Oh what a Beautiful Morning) and more context info for Spring Concert!
Google-fu gems re: SOME of our Lenten Prayer concert repertoire:
Javier Busto Ave Maria (Chbr): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Javier_Busto
Transcript of an interview with Javier Busto: http://icb.ifcm.net/en_US/choral-medicine-basque-country-javier-busto/?print=pdf
I Love You, Lord (chbr TB)
Story behind the song: http://staugustine.com/living/religion/2015-02-05/story-behind-song-i-love-you-lord
The King of Love My Shepherd Is - a setting of Psalm 23
in my opinion, the most beautiful English translation of that text is here:
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+23&version=KJV
O Love that will not let me go (story behind the song):
http://www.crichbaptist.org/articles/christian-poetry-hymns/poems-hymns/o-love-that-wilt-not-let-me-go-george-matheson/
Surely, He hath borne our griefs
Scripture text is found here http://www.biblehub.com/kjv/isaiah/53-4.htm
Graun: http://www.bach-cantatas.com/Lib/Graun-Carl-Heinrich.htm
There is a balm in Gilead
Background of the saying: https://www.gotquestions.org/balm-of-Gilead.html
A more musicologically-oriented look at this song: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/There_Is_a_Balm_in_Gilead
Thy Perfect Love
Diligent net-search did not turn up anything definite re: source of the text - but my guess is that it comes from England.
Here is a lengthy but utterly fascinating article about the religious situation in that country during the medieval period: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religion_in_Medieval_England
And here's information about the 15th century in general - always good to have a broader context in which to put the music!
http://www.shsu.edu/~his_ncp/266LecN.html - focus primarily on Europe - see Lectures 3 and 4.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/15th_century - However, the world is a lot bigger than Europe! ;-)
Next post: Cheat sheet for Cantemus (Oh what a Beautiful Morning) and more context info for Spring Concert!
Wednesday, January 4, 2017
(insert Star Trek BOLDLY GO theme music)
Hello everyone, and welcome back to the continuation of Flight 2016-17, Winter Quarter!
After a fabulous Christmas concert, we went our separate ways for a brief shore leave, only to reconvene and recombine for our next event: Lenten Prayer!
Saturday - March 4, 2017 - 8 p.m. St. Ignatius
Tell ALL of your friends! Begin inviting people /now/!! We have some wonderful music.
I shouldn't call Lenten Prayer a "concert" - not exactly, not really. It's more of a musical offering or worship concert, offered with no applause before/during/or after. LP provides an hour of engaged listening, contemplation, reflection and meditation. Most of the people who attend LP are Roman Catholics or members of another faith tradition that follows a liturgical calendar. In these traditions, the Ash Wednesday begins a 40-day period (Lent) leading up to Easter (which is always, btw, the first Sunday after the first full moon following the vernal equinox).
Wikipedia article about Lent.
But not everyone is a R.C. - in fact, not everyone who comes to our LP or ChrC concerts is even "religious."
Our choir is as diverse (perhaps more diverse) as our audiences. Some of our choir folk identify with world faith traditions other than Christianity. Others identify as agnostics, seekers, or atheists. Still others are (in Karen Armstrong's delightful self-identification) "freelance monotheists."
This, I say, is a Very Good Thing.
If you find yourself saying to yourself, "I don't know if I can really relate to the text of this song," think again - look at it from a "macro" perspective. I challenge you to determine the Big Story expressed by the music we're singing. What human needs, aspirations, challenges, experiences, etc. are being explored and expressed in this music? If you think of the texts as "particulars," where and what is the "universal??" What's there for everyone to gather and to find nourishment?
Okay, end of sermon.
And now!
Composer of the Week: William Grant Still (1895 - 1978)
Read about him here at the mighty fount of all knowledge, Wikipedia
His surviving family operates a website with biographical material, sources, and other good things.
Here's a link to what is perhaps his best known composition, "Afro-American Symphony" -
Movement 1 What's happening at the beginning of this movement (form)?
Movement 2
Movement 3 scoring includes an instrument not usually found in symphony orchestras - what is it?!
Movement 4
WGS was a very fine pianist and wrote many wonderful piano pieces.
Here's one: "Summerland."
----------
After a fabulous Christmas concert, we went our separate ways for a brief shore leave, only to reconvene and recombine for our next event: Lenten Prayer!
Saturday - March 4, 2017 - 8 p.m. St. Ignatius
Tell ALL of your friends! Begin inviting people /now/!! We have some wonderful music.
I shouldn't call Lenten Prayer a "concert" - not exactly, not really. It's more of a musical offering or worship concert, offered with no applause before/during/or after. LP provides an hour of engaged listening, contemplation, reflection and meditation. Most of the people who attend LP are Roman Catholics or members of another faith tradition that follows a liturgical calendar. In these traditions, the Ash Wednesday begins a 40-day period (Lent) leading up to Easter (which is always, btw, the first Sunday after the first full moon following the vernal equinox).
Wikipedia article about Lent.
But not everyone is a R.C. - in fact, not everyone who comes to our LP or ChrC concerts is even "religious."
Our choir is as diverse (perhaps more diverse) as our audiences. Some of our choir folk identify with world faith traditions other than Christianity. Others identify as agnostics, seekers, or atheists. Still others are (in Karen Armstrong's delightful self-identification) "freelance monotheists."
This, I say, is a Very Good Thing.
If you find yourself saying to yourself, "I don't know if I can really relate to the text of this song," think again - look at it from a "macro" perspective. I challenge you to determine the Big Story expressed by the music we're singing. What human needs, aspirations, challenges, experiences, etc. are being explored and expressed in this music? If you think of the texts as "particulars," where and what is the "universal??" What's there for everyone to gather and to find nourishment?
Okay, end of sermon.
And now!
Composer of the Week: William Grant Still (1895 - 1978)
Read about him here at the mighty fount of all knowledge, Wikipedia
His surviving family operates a website with biographical material, sources, and other good things.
Here's a link to what is perhaps his best known composition, "Afro-American Symphony" -
Movement 1 What's happening at the beginning of this movement (form)?
Movement 2
Movement 3 scoring includes an instrument not usually found in symphony orchestras - what is it?!
Movement 4
WGS was a very fine pianist and wrote many wonderful piano pieces.
Here's one: "Summerland."
----------
Thursday, December 1, 2016
LIFTOFF MINUS 40 HOURS and 20 MINUTES!!
Hello everyone,
Wow - what an absolutely EPIC dress rehearsal!
Thanks to everybody for your patience, focus, care for the space, flexibility, and dedication.
Second dress rehearsal "on-site' is always pretty epic - this one was more epic than some, because we weren't able to cover everything we needed to cover in the first on-site dress.
You all really put forth a mighty and concerted effort, and that effort was well repaid.
Please continue to push ahead to claim the prize - rest tomorrow (Thursday), but don't let the motivation sag. Stay on it! Take care of yourself. Don't put vocal-fold-drying substances into your body (alcohol, tobacco, "herb"). Don't put mucus-forming substances into your body (milk, dairy). Drink a lot of plain tepid water or mix up a thermos of my special Singers Cocktail:
Hot water
Lemon juice
Honey
Yup, this is the hot toddy recipe, minus Jack Daniels ;-) You can complete it on your own time AFTER THE CONCERT ON SATURDAY ;-)
Pamper yourself tomorrow, as much as possible. Spend some time listening to the choral recordings of your pieces with and without the score. Get on the floor! Dance to it, move to it, conduct, sing it mentally as though you were singing ALL of the parts. Really dive into it head-first and let it soak into your heart.
"Dark Day" is for physical replenishment - NOT for mental laxity. Stay active, stay engaged, stay focused!
Also - remember this - WE CAN START EACH PIECE ONLY ONCE AT THE CONCERT. Instruct yourself to immediately get into the "set" you need to begin each piece. Instruct yourself to immediately switch moods/ "set" between pieces. This is part of the challenge of performing - to be able to do those important lightning switches between pieces. Each piece brings a world of its own. Keep training yourself to immediately "beam down" when it's time to begin.
If you're one of those who will be standing "facing the center" on the risers with your head turned to face Doc - PRACTICE THIS POSITION!!!! Practice standing and singing that way.
I am very proud of all of you, and I look forward to serving this delicious, nutritious musical feast on Friday and Saturday. Enjoy your success - you have earned it! Let the audience know that you love their presence and that you are determined to give them what they came for - delight, surprise, heart-felt emotions - something to feed the deep hunger that motivated them to buy a concert ticket and to make time for us ;-)
See you all on Friday. Stay focused - stay enthusiastic - stay positive - stay powerful!
In musical solidarity,
Lee
Wow - what an absolutely EPIC dress rehearsal!
Thanks to everybody for your patience, focus, care for the space, flexibility, and dedication.
Second dress rehearsal "on-site' is always pretty epic - this one was more epic than some, because we weren't able to cover everything we needed to cover in the first on-site dress.
You all really put forth a mighty and concerted effort, and that effort was well repaid.
Please continue to push ahead to claim the prize - rest tomorrow (Thursday), but don't let the motivation sag. Stay on it! Take care of yourself. Don't put vocal-fold-drying substances into your body (alcohol, tobacco, "herb"). Don't put mucus-forming substances into your body (milk, dairy). Drink a lot of plain tepid water or mix up a thermos of my special Singers Cocktail:
Hot water
Lemon juice
Honey
Yup, this is the hot toddy recipe, minus Jack Daniels ;-) You can complete it on your own time AFTER THE CONCERT ON SATURDAY ;-)
Pamper yourself tomorrow, as much as possible. Spend some time listening to the choral recordings of your pieces with and without the score. Get on the floor! Dance to it, move to it, conduct, sing it mentally as though you were singing ALL of the parts. Really dive into it head-first and let it soak into your heart.
"Dark Day" is for physical replenishment - NOT for mental laxity. Stay active, stay engaged, stay focused!
Also - remember this - WE CAN START EACH PIECE ONLY ONCE AT THE CONCERT. Instruct yourself to immediately get into the "set" you need to begin each piece. Instruct yourself to immediately switch moods/ "set" between pieces. This is part of the challenge of performing - to be able to do those important lightning switches between pieces. Each piece brings a world of its own. Keep training yourself to immediately "beam down" when it's time to begin.
If you're one of those who will be standing "facing the center" on the risers with your head turned to face Doc - PRACTICE THIS POSITION!!!! Practice standing and singing that way.
I am very proud of all of you, and I look forward to serving this delicious, nutritious musical feast on Friday and Saturday. Enjoy your success - you have earned it! Let the audience know that you love their presence and that you are determined to give them what they came for - delight, surprise, heart-felt emotions - something to feed the deep hunger that motivated them to buy a concert ticket and to make time for us ;-)
See you all on Friday. Stay focused - stay enthusiastic - stay positive - stay powerful!
In musical solidarity,
Lee
Thursday, November 24, 2016
LIFTOFF IN EIGHT DAYS!!!
Hello everyone,
Well - here we are!
Our Christmas concerts are just eight days away.
From extensive experience giving solo recitals AND 9 years of full-time work as Assistant to Our Leader, I offer the following:
PERSONAL CHECKLIST
First item isn't numbered because it is a given: STUDY PRACTICE KNOW YOUR MUSIC KNOW YOUR MUSIC KNOW YOUR MUSIC BE FOCUSED ON THE CONDUCTOR AT ALL TIMES
After that - make sure that you are:
1. Well-hydrated
2. Eating well - and DO eat a bit more than usual on concert days - performing uses extra energy (blood glucose) - be prepared!
3. SLEEPING WELL
4. Avoiding alcohol, 'herb' and excessive caffeine the week of the concert. Recreational substances can wreak havoc on the vocal folds. The body being your instrument, singing is really an athletic activity. Respect yourself!
5. Lay out your clothes at least 2 days beforehand - that will give you time to mend / clean / complete your outfit. SSAA NOTE: Please be sure that your outfit is properly modest, viewed from /all angles./ Re-read the outfit guidelines in the syllabus and CONTACT ME if you have ANY questions!
TTBB NOTE: I don't have any more spare bowties. Make sure that you have all the "small items" you need RIGHT NOW and tuck them into the pocket of your tux coat, or whatever you need to do in order to keep everything together.
The concert outfits are stipulated according to voice part. Sopranos and Altos wear dresses and quiet shoes. Tenors and Basses wear tuxes and quiet shoes.
6. Everybody: You'll be in close quarters on the risers - please avoid scents and scented products on concert nights. Many people have fragrance sensitivities - I wouldn't want anyone to be unable to sing freely because they're unable to BREATHE. Cologne that can be pleasant at a short distance, can be absolutely LETHAL at close range. NO FRAGRANCE OF ANY KIND, please! And - Biological body odor counts as a fragrance (it is definitely a smell, yes?!)
7. ALERTNESS. Concert week is intense. Be prepared for this intensity. Embrace this intensity. Ride to victory on this intensity.
8. Remember - vocal folds are small. They work constantly, even when you're not singing! it's crucial that they be functioning at 100 percent capability and capacity these final 8 days! Do the "eeeeeeeee" exercise at least 3 times a day. Wear a disposable face mask if you must spend a great deal of time "in public." (Who cares how it looks? This is Seattle!). If people around you are hacking, snorking, sniffling, and/or spewing, GET AWAY FROM THEM!!!! Do not (I repeat!! DO NOT) touch "public" surfaces with your bare hands. Bring germicidal wipes to the computer lab and use them on the keyboard. (Most economical way is to buy a big container of wipes and throw 3 or 4 into a plastic ziplok baggie every day).
Wear a scarf and keep your head / feet/ hands warm and toasty when outside.
Go easy on the "dairy" or avoid it altogether during Concert Week. "Shirley Temple toddies" (honey, lemon, warm or hottish water) are soothing and help keep you hydrated and glucose-d ;-)
Tell your body that you expect cooperation! Insist upon it! You'll be amazed by the power of mind over matter ;-)
AT THE CHURCH:
I commend everyone for their conscientious behavior and respectful adherence to the rules associated with our concert venue. It's important that we continue to be Great Guests! We need to score 100 percent on this one, y'all...Let's continue to set a positive, inspiring example of great guest-ship in our remaining three Christmas Concert-related visits!
that said, it pains me to report that after our dress rehearsal on November 21, I found 4 partially-filled bottles of the "snack-time" water in the nave. One of the bottles was uncapped. Doubly not good! I know you will take care of this. Just a reminder...please look around before leaving and make certain that you pack out EVERYTHING you packed in (either before rehearsal or after snack break).
AFTER THE CONCERTS:
People will love us, and many of them will want to express this verbally. Our crew and section leaders and house team will ALSO need to clean up and inspect the space. Please move towards the "exit" as you talk to people. Crew needs to have the front of the church cleared so that they can take down risers and move a number of things back into the truck. Help them by moving towards the entrance. On your way, look around and retrieve left-over programs for recycling.
SERIOUS REQUEST: Yes, we have our pizza on Friday. Yes, it's delivered around 10:15 p.m. AND, yes, that DOES give us time to pitch in TOGETHER for cleanup!! With over 100 people participating, cleanup would take around 5 minutes (if that!) With only 6 or 7 people, cleanup can take nearly an hour. PLEASE HELP US TO HELP OURSELVES. Ask your section leader what you can do to help with cleanup after BOTH concerts.
Drivers: Best drop-off is off 19th Avenue across from Tully's Coffee; just turn into the church parking lot.
On Saturday 12/3 we must (MUST!!!!!) stay out of the upstairs part of the church (INCLUDING the lobby/narthex) until 7:00 p.m.
Parking: If you are parked on 19th, please avoid parking in front of the church or the parish hall. Move farther down 19th and save close spaces for people with mobility issues, please.
Riders: If you are dropped off on 19th for some reason before 7 p.m. on Saturday, take the outside stairs down to the social hall and go inside. Do not go into the church, please.
This will be my 16th? XC with our group. We get better at some part of this epic, massive undertaking every year. Let's make 2016 another success in every way!
LL&P,
Lee
Well - here we are!
Our Christmas concerts are just eight days away.
From extensive experience giving solo recitals AND 9 years of full-time work as Assistant to Our Leader, I offer the following:
PERSONAL CHECKLIST
First item isn't numbered because it is a given: STUDY PRACTICE KNOW YOUR MUSIC KNOW YOUR MUSIC KNOW YOUR MUSIC BE FOCUSED ON THE CONDUCTOR AT ALL TIMES
After that - make sure that you are:
1. Well-hydrated
2. Eating well - and DO eat a bit more than usual on concert days - performing uses extra energy (blood glucose) - be prepared!
3. SLEEPING WELL
4. Avoiding alcohol, 'herb' and excessive caffeine the week of the concert. Recreational substances can wreak havoc on the vocal folds. The body being your instrument, singing is really an athletic activity. Respect yourself!
5. Lay out your clothes at least 2 days beforehand - that will give you time to mend / clean / complete your outfit. SSAA NOTE: Please be sure that your outfit is properly modest, viewed from /all angles./ Re-read the outfit guidelines in the syllabus and CONTACT ME if you have ANY questions!
TTBB NOTE: I don't have any more spare bowties. Make sure that you have all the "small items" you need RIGHT NOW and tuck them into the pocket of your tux coat, or whatever you need to do in order to keep everything together.
The concert outfits are stipulated according to voice part. Sopranos and Altos wear dresses and quiet shoes. Tenors and Basses wear tuxes and quiet shoes.
6. Everybody: You'll be in close quarters on the risers - please avoid scents and scented products on concert nights. Many people have fragrance sensitivities - I wouldn't want anyone to be unable to sing freely because they're unable to BREATHE. Cologne that can be pleasant at a short distance, can be absolutely LETHAL at close range. NO FRAGRANCE OF ANY KIND, please! And - Biological body odor counts as a fragrance (it is definitely a smell, yes?!)
7. ALERTNESS. Concert week is intense. Be prepared for this intensity. Embrace this intensity. Ride to victory on this intensity.
8. Remember - vocal folds are small. They work constantly, even when you're not singing! it's crucial that they be functioning at 100 percent capability and capacity these final 8 days! Do the "eeeeeeeee" exercise at least 3 times a day. Wear a disposable face mask if you must spend a great deal of time "in public." (Who cares how it looks? This is Seattle!). If people around you are hacking, snorking, sniffling, and/or spewing, GET AWAY FROM THEM!!!! Do not (I repeat!! DO NOT) touch "public" surfaces with your bare hands. Bring germicidal wipes to the computer lab and use them on the keyboard. (Most economical way is to buy a big container of wipes and throw 3 or 4 into a plastic ziplok baggie every day).
Wear a scarf and keep your head / feet/ hands warm and toasty when outside.
Go easy on the "dairy" or avoid it altogether during Concert Week. "Shirley Temple toddies" (honey, lemon, warm or hottish water) are soothing and help keep you hydrated and glucose-d ;-)
Tell your body that you expect cooperation! Insist upon it! You'll be amazed by the power of mind over matter ;-)
AT THE CHURCH:
I commend everyone for their conscientious behavior and respectful adherence to the rules associated with our concert venue. It's important that we continue to be Great Guests! We need to score 100 percent on this one, y'all...Let's continue to set a positive, inspiring example of great guest-ship in our remaining three Christmas Concert-related visits!
that said, it pains me to report that after our dress rehearsal on November 21, I found 4 partially-filled bottles of the "snack-time" water in the nave. One of the bottles was uncapped. Doubly not good! I know you will take care of this. Just a reminder...please look around before leaving and make certain that you pack out EVERYTHING you packed in (either before rehearsal or after snack break).
AFTER THE CONCERTS:
People will love us, and many of them will want to express this verbally. Our crew and section leaders and house team will ALSO need to clean up and inspect the space. Please move towards the "exit" as you talk to people. Crew needs to have the front of the church cleared so that they can take down risers and move a number of things back into the truck. Help them by moving towards the entrance. On your way, look around and retrieve left-over programs for recycling.
SERIOUS REQUEST: Yes, we have our pizza on Friday. Yes, it's delivered around 10:15 p.m. AND, yes, that DOES give us time to pitch in TOGETHER for cleanup!! With over 100 people participating, cleanup would take around 5 minutes (if that!) With only 6 or 7 people, cleanup can take nearly an hour. PLEASE HELP US TO HELP OURSELVES. Ask your section leader what you can do to help with cleanup after BOTH concerts.
Drivers: Best drop-off is off 19th Avenue across from Tully's Coffee; just turn into the church parking lot.
On Saturday 12/3 we must (MUST!!!!!) stay out of the upstairs part of the church (INCLUDING the lobby/narthex) until 7:00 p.m.
Parking: If you are parked on 19th, please avoid parking in front of the church or the parish hall. Move farther down 19th and save close spaces for people with mobility issues, please.
Riders: If you are dropped off on 19th for some reason before 7 p.m. on Saturday, take the outside stairs down to the social hall and go inside. Do not go into the church, please.
This will be my 16th? XC with our group. We get better at some part of this epic, massive undertaking every year. Let's make 2016 another success in every way!
LL&P,
Lee
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)