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
Thursday, December 1, 2016
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
Tuesday, November 8, 2016
COUNTDOWN TO FESTIVAL COMMENCETH
Yes, mein Choir-Posse, countdown to our two concerts has commenced.
Beginning Tuesday 11/8/16 and ending Thursday 12/1/16 ("Dark Day"), there are
23 days until Concert #1.
TWENTY THREE DAYS
Not counting the dress rehearsals, we have:
Bella Voce - 3 rehearsals
Cantemus - 3 rehearsals
Chorale - 7 rehearsals
Chamber - 4 rehearsals
0000000
Having done many, MANY concert/recital countdowns in my career, I offer the following:
One - proper self-care (Eat well and regularly, sleep enough. stay away from excessive white powders - salt and sugar - and DO NOT SMOKE "HERB" OR DRINK ALCOHOL THE WEEK OF THE CONCERTS. Two - incessant obsession with the music (mental, studying, reviewing, chewing chewing digesting digesting). Three - vigilance against viruses. If people are hacking and eructating in your vicinity, GET AWAY FROM THEM AT ONCE. Don't touch public surfaces with bare hands. Wear a face shield if you spend a lot of time in public places or unventilated spaces.
Four - Attitude Adjustment.
Yes, we all have our days when things just seem to hover round the drain from wake-up to put-down, but those are transient phenomena that must NOT affect our resolve. Human nature being what it is, you will likely not 'have time' to study your music, listen to the choral recordings, etc. repeatedly REPEATEDLY REPEATEDLY. You must make time.
YOU MUST MAKE TIME.
MAKE TIME.
MAKE TIME.
FORCE YOURSELF IF NECESSARY. Overcome inertia. Be the master of your fate, the captain of your soul. DO. IT.
See yourself in your concert garb, triumphantly and enthusiastically singing from your very soul. HEAR the immense power of the mighty and puissant Choir Posse shaking the very walls of that cavernous (and bass-devouring!) space. FEEL the satisfaction of a job well done - of having successfully and powerfully communicated the timeless message of glorious music. PUT YOURSELF IN IT. BE IT. LIVE IT.
There will be resistance. There is always resistance. SO WHAT! Comfort yourself with the knowledge that great potential for good is always (ALWAYS!) confronted by great resistance and pull from the opposite direction. Nothing great is EVER achieved without a fight.
Fight for your might! Move from "We can" to "WE WILL."
You have a marvelous opportunity to bring the transcendent and soul-uplifting power of music to yourselves and to many people who may be starving for reassurance that there IS still good in this world. You are ambassadors of hope, life, light, liberty, love, and celebration!
Set your mind for success. Set your body for full function. Set your voice for glorious sound.
EXPECT VICTORY. Settle for nothing less.
EXPECT TRIUMPH. Settle for nothing less.
EXPECT MASTERY. Settle for nothing less.
EXPECT SUCCESS. Settle for nothing less.
EXPECT "OUTSTANDING." Settle for nothing less. "Excellence" is our baseline, our starting point!
AND WORK, WORK, WORK RIGHT UP TO THE LAST SECOND TO MAKE THAT POSSIBLE.
We're positive thinkers, yes - but most importantly, we are POSITIVE DOERS.
End of sermon!
Beginning Tuesday 11/8/16 and ending Thursday 12/1/16 ("Dark Day"), there are
23 days until Concert #1.
TWENTY THREE DAYS
Not counting the dress rehearsals, we have:
Bella Voce - 3 rehearsals
Cantemus - 3 rehearsals
Chorale - 7 rehearsals
Chamber - 4 rehearsals
0000000
Having done many, MANY concert/recital countdowns in my career, I offer the following:
One - proper self-care (Eat well and regularly, sleep enough. stay away from excessive white powders - salt and sugar - and DO NOT SMOKE "HERB" OR DRINK ALCOHOL THE WEEK OF THE CONCERTS. Two - incessant obsession with the music (mental, studying, reviewing, chewing chewing digesting digesting). Three - vigilance against viruses. If people are hacking and eructating in your vicinity, GET AWAY FROM THEM AT ONCE. Don't touch public surfaces with bare hands. Wear a face shield if you spend a lot of time in public places or unventilated spaces.
Four - Attitude Adjustment.
Yes, we all have our days when things just seem to hover round the drain from wake-up to put-down, but those are transient phenomena that must NOT affect our resolve. Human nature being what it is, you will likely not 'have time' to study your music, listen to the choral recordings, etc. repeatedly REPEATEDLY REPEATEDLY. You must make time.
YOU MUST MAKE TIME.
MAKE TIME.
MAKE TIME.
FORCE YOURSELF IF NECESSARY. Overcome inertia. Be the master of your fate, the captain of your soul. DO. IT.
See yourself in your concert garb, triumphantly and enthusiastically singing from your very soul. HEAR the immense power of the mighty and puissant Choir Posse shaking the very walls of that cavernous (and bass-devouring!) space. FEEL the satisfaction of a job well done - of having successfully and powerfully communicated the timeless message of glorious music. PUT YOURSELF IN IT. BE IT. LIVE IT.
There will be resistance. There is always resistance. SO WHAT! Comfort yourself with the knowledge that great potential for good is always (ALWAYS!) confronted by great resistance and pull from the opposite direction. Nothing great is EVER achieved without a fight.
Fight for your might! Move from "We can" to "WE WILL."
You have a marvelous opportunity to bring the transcendent and soul-uplifting power of music to yourselves and to many people who may be starving for reassurance that there IS still good in this world. You are ambassadors of hope, life, light, liberty, love, and celebration!
Set your mind for success. Set your body for full function. Set your voice for glorious sound.
EXPECT VICTORY. Settle for nothing less.
EXPECT TRIUMPH. Settle for nothing less.
EXPECT MASTERY. Settle for nothing less.
EXPECT SUCCESS. Settle for nothing less.
EXPECT "OUTSTANDING." Settle for nothing less. "Excellence" is our baseline, our starting point!
AND WORK, WORK, WORK RIGHT UP TO THE LAST SECOND TO MAKE THAT POSSIBLE.
We're positive thinkers, yes - but most importantly, we are POSITIVE DOERS.
End of sermon!
Thursday, October 27, 2016
Vocal Fold Videos
A few looks at the inside of your instrument!
Vocal folds are small and not indestructible - please take care of yours!!
The last video is of four people in standard vocal ranges: S A T B.
Vocal folds are small and not indestructible - please take care of yours!!
The last video is of four people in standard vocal ranges: S A T B.
WOW!
Hello everyone,
FIRST - let me give kudos, BRAVISSIMO, salutations, two snaps, thumbs up, high five, and shout-outs to EVERYBODY for a fabulous pair of Family Weekend Concerts!
On Monday Oct 24 I was delighted to find three - THREE! messages in my email inbox from people who had come to one of our 10/21 concerts and decided to attend the Christmas concerts.
Ticks will be distributed in about 1 1/2 weeks - Management team will be putting the envies together on November 8, so stay tuned.
-------------
Today in noon Chorale section, a wonderful, inspiring, exciting exchange of musical expertise and group spirit between our choir and Gonzaga's choir - they are performing on Saturday 10/29 at 7 p.m. at St. Joe's! We will all be there to support them and hear an entire hour of splendid singing!
Y'all did yourselves mighty proud this afternoon with some of the very best and most musical, full-bodied singing I have heard you do to date. Onward and upward!
(also, we looked WAY COOL in our T-shirts ;-)
-------------
We still have BIG MUSIC to learn for the Christmas concerts - with just 36 days remaining until Concert #1, it behooves each of us to really get crackin' on the rest of our rep.
To that end, I now offer a few gospel clips that should help get everyone in the groove for my piece ("Glory to the New-Born King").
Choirfolk, listen - be inspired - I know, I am FULLY AND COMPLETELY CONFIDENT that you will do a wonderful performance of my piece. I fully expect you to TEAR IT UP!!!
LL&P,
Lee
FIRST - let me give kudos, BRAVISSIMO, salutations, two snaps, thumbs up, high five, and shout-outs to EVERYBODY for a fabulous pair of Family Weekend Concerts!
On Monday Oct 24 I was delighted to find three - THREE! messages in my email inbox from people who had come to one of our 10/21 concerts and decided to attend the Christmas concerts.
Ticks will be distributed in about 1 1/2 weeks - Management team will be putting the envies together on November 8, so stay tuned.
-------------
Today in noon Chorale section, a wonderful, inspiring, exciting exchange of musical expertise and group spirit between our choir and Gonzaga's choir - they are performing on Saturday 10/29 at 7 p.m. at St. Joe's! We will all be there to support them and hear an entire hour of splendid singing!
Y'all did yourselves mighty proud this afternoon with some of the very best and most musical, full-bodied singing I have heard you do to date. Onward and upward!
(also, we looked WAY COOL in our T-shirts ;-)
-------------
We still have BIG MUSIC to learn for the Christmas concerts - with just 36 days remaining until Concert #1, it behooves each of us to really get crackin' on the rest of our rep.
To that end, I now offer a few gospel clips that should help get everyone in the groove for my piece ("Glory to the New-Born King").
Choirfolk, listen - be inspired - I know, I am FULLY AND COMPLETELY CONFIDENT that you will do a wonderful performance of my piece. I fully expect you to TEAR IT UP!!!
LL&P,
Lee
Wednesday, October 19, 2016
TODAY IS PENULTIMATE DAY TO FWC - ARE YOU READY?!!!
Hello everyone,
Our two Family Weekend concerts are about 50 hours away!
whoooo
I am pleased to inform everyone that a recent email from our contact Ms. Laurie Prince indicates a capacity audience for BOTH CONCERTS!
That's 250 audience members for 7 p.m. and 250 for 8.30 p.m.!
There will likely be a few additional folks in the audience - we don't turn people away.
If I may -
I'm putting on my Aunty Lee hat right now - please consider the following and govern yourselves accordingly, if at all possible!
1. GET ENOUGH SLEEP.
2. GET ENOUGH WATER.
3. GET ENOUGH DECENT FOOD.
4. DO NOT DRINK ALCOHOL.
5. DO NOT USE "HERBAL" PRODUCTS.
6. DO NOT DRINK MILK ON CONCERT DAY.
7. STAY AWAY FROM PEOPLE WHO ARE ILL.
8. DO THE "eeeeeeee" VOCALISE TO KEEP YOUR VOCAL FOLDS TONED AND RELAXED.
9. STUDY YOUR MUSIC!
10. DETERMINE TO HAVE FUN!!!
This is our first real concert of the 2016-2017 academic year. It's a wonderful thing that we do to contribute to Seattle U spirit, welcome parents and family members to campus for the week/end, AND AND AND test-drive some of the more challenging pieces in our Christmas Concert repertoire.
It is not the end!!!!
I know that everyone will do their best to do their best on Friday, and this is a GOOD THING.
However - "the best" is what we hermeneuticists call an ever-receding horizon - there's always something just over the hill - something even better, something even more beautiful, something even more gorgeous - and as musicians, we are committed to continue our relentless pursuit of this something.
SO.
Next week, we'll be working on more of the Christmas concert repertoire - rep that hasn't yet been taken out in rehearsals - rep that you may not have heard or looked over...I encourage everyone to spend a few minutes listening to the next set of pieces on Dropbox over the weekend.
Protect those precious little vocal folds! Enjoy your considerable achievements! STRUT YOUR STUFF! And, get ready to shift it into an even higher gear come Monday.
WE ARE CAPABLE.
WE ARE SMART.
WE KNOW HOW TO WORK SMART.
WE ARE READY.
WE ARE FABULOUS!
See you Friday 10/21/16 at 5 p.m. in the Chapel of St. Ignatius.
1. Choir T-shirt
2. Black pants (not black jeans, please - actual slacks)
3. Black shoes
4. Black socks
5. BIG SMILE!!
LL&P,
Lee
Our two Family Weekend concerts are about 50 hours away!
whoooo
I am pleased to inform everyone that a recent email from our contact Ms. Laurie Prince indicates a capacity audience for BOTH CONCERTS!
That's 250 audience members for 7 p.m. and 250 for 8.30 p.m.!
There will likely be a few additional folks in the audience - we don't turn people away.
If I may -
I'm putting on my Aunty Lee hat right now - please consider the following and govern yourselves accordingly, if at all possible!
1. GET ENOUGH SLEEP.
2. GET ENOUGH WATER.
3. GET ENOUGH DECENT FOOD.
4. DO NOT DRINK ALCOHOL.
5. DO NOT USE "HERBAL" PRODUCTS.
6. DO NOT DRINK MILK ON CONCERT DAY.
7. STAY AWAY FROM PEOPLE WHO ARE ILL.
8. DO THE "eeeeeeee" VOCALISE TO KEEP YOUR VOCAL FOLDS TONED AND RELAXED.
9. STUDY YOUR MUSIC!
10. DETERMINE TO HAVE FUN!!!
This is our first real concert of the 2016-2017 academic year. It's a wonderful thing that we do to contribute to Seattle U spirit, welcome parents and family members to campus for the week/end, AND AND AND test-drive some of the more challenging pieces in our Christmas Concert repertoire.
It is not the end!!!!
I know that everyone will do their best to do their best on Friday, and this is a GOOD THING.
However - "the best" is what we hermeneuticists call an ever-receding horizon - there's always something just over the hill - something even better, something even more beautiful, something even more gorgeous - and as musicians, we are committed to continue our relentless pursuit of this something.
SO.
Next week, we'll be working on more of the Christmas concert repertoire - rep that hasn't yet been taken out in rehearsals - rep that you may not have heard or looked over...I encourage everyone to spend a few minutes listening to the next set of pieces on Dropbox over the weekend.
Protect those precious little vocal folds! Enjoy your considerable achievements! STRUT YOUR STUFF! And, get ready to shift it into an even higher gear come Monday.
WE ARE CAPABLE.
WE ARE SMART.
WE KNOW HOW TO WORK SMART.
WE ARE READY.
WE ARE FABULOUS!
See you Friday 10/21/16 at 5 p.m. in the Chapel of St. Ignatius.
1. Choir T-shirt
2. Black pants (not black jeans, please - actual slacks)
3. Black shoes
4. Black socks
5. BIG SMILE!!
LL&P,
Lee
Monday, October 3, 2016
October 3
This %*&@$^! program just ate my ENTIRE post, which I had put quite a bit of time and effort into.
----------
Highlights
1. 18 days remaining until FWC, hustle to the max and we will again do a wonderful job this year!
2. New people: there are 2 Family Weekend concerts, each under an hour. 7 to 8 p.m., then 8.30 to 9.30 p.m. I suggest that EVERYONE "eat big" around 6 p.m. and pack a little snack to tide over and eat between 8. and 8.30. There won't be enough time to grab and safely ingest something from 12th Avenue eateries - if you try to do that, you'll find yourself getting into position with half your dinner still on its way down to your tummy!
3. Bella Voce: Quickie Trick for learning the Britten Hodie - prepare your own score and write 'neumes' (little markings above syllables that indicate where pitch rises, falls, etc.)
A bit about neumes here (read the first 2 paragraphs): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neume
Easy to do: just copy the text by hand on a sheet of paper or use what I've given below. (Copying by hand will help you memorize the words very quickly, btw).
In the text below, I've maintained syllabification - Copy (or copy and paste, format in 14 point type with double space between the lines):
Ho-di--e-- Chri-----tus na-tus- est---;
Ho-di-e-Sal-va-tor ap--pa-ru--it:
Ho-di--e in ter-ra ca---nunt an-ge-li---
lae-tan--tur arch-an-ge-li:
Ho-di-e------ ex-sul----tant jus-ti--- di-cen-tes
glo-ri-a in ex-cel-sis De-o.
Al-le-lu-ia!
Al-le-lu------ia!
Al-le-lu------ia!
Maintain the dashes between syllables. If there's a melisma (group of notes sung over a single syllable of text), indicate this with a longer dash.
Then, listening to the choral recording, mark or draw a wavy pencil line ABOVE the text to help feel the melodic contour. Mark in breaths!! Use pencil!
Sing with the clip - test yourself
Then using your score and the clip, play 1 phrase / sing it / play it again and check yourself, etc.
Get together with others from B.V. and test each other!!
Here is a nice clip - it's too long to put in DropBox - just follow the link -
it leads to an SATB version of the "Ceremony of Carols," which Britten originally scored for 3-voice treble choir and harp.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXyjrhz5bzs
Here's another clip - also too long to put in DropBox because it is of the entire C of C. DO NOT LISTEN TO WHAT FOLLOWS THE 'HODIE' MOVEMENT - it is not good!!!!! The "Hodie" is the best of this performance, imo.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQyunriE1zg
Bon chance!
Lee
----------
Highlights
1. 18 days remaining until FWC, hustle to the max and we will again do a wonderful job this year!
2. New people: there are 2 Family Weekend concerts, each under an hour. 7 to 8 p.m., then 8.30 to 9.30 p.m. I suggest that EVERYONE "eat big" around 6 p.m. and pack a little snack to tide over and eat between 8. and 8.30. There won't be enough time to grab and safely ingest something from 12th Avenue eateries - if you try to do that, you'll find yourself getting into position with half your dinner still on its way down to your tummy!
3. Bella Voce: Quickie Trick for learning the Britten Hodie - prepare your own score and write 'neumes' (little markings above syllables that indicate where pitch rises, falls, etc.)
A bit about neumes here (read the first 2 paragraphs): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neume
Easy to do: just copy the text by hand on a sheet of paper or use what I've given below. (Copying by hand will help you memorize the words very quickly, btw).
In the text below, I've maintained syllabification - Copy (or copy and paste, format in 14 point type with double space between the lines):
Ho-di--e-- Chri-----tus na-tus- est---;
Ho-di-e-Sal-va-tor ap--pa-ru--it:
Ho-di--e in ter-ra ca---nunt an-ge-li---
lae-tan--tur arch-an-ge-li:
Ho-di-e------ ex-sul----tant jus-ti--- di-cen-tes
glo-ri-a in ex-cel-sis De-o.
Al-le-lu-ia!
Al-le-lu------ia!
Al-le-lu------ia!
Maintain the dashes between syllables. If there's a melisma (group of notes sung over a single syllable of text), indicate this with a longer dash.
Then, listening to the choral recording, mark or draw a wavy pencil line ABOVE the text to help feel the melodic contour. Mark in breaths!! Use pencil!
Sing with the clip - test yourself
Then using your score and the clip, play 1 phrase / sing it / play it again and check yourself, etc.
Get together with others from B.V. and test each other!!
Here is a nice clip - it's too long to put in DropBox - just follow the link -
it leads to an SATB version of the "Ceremony of Carols," which Britten originally scored for 3-voice treble choir and harp.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXyjrhz5bzs
Here's another clip - also too long to put in DropBox because it is of the entire C of C. DO NOT LISTEN TO WHAT FOLLOWS THE 'HODIE' MOVEMENT - it is not good!!!!! The "Hodie" is the best of this performance, imo.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQyunriE1zg
Bon chance!
Lee
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