We had treats again! I had said "no more". We need to work hard now. But, I guess we need to eat nice things and chat with our choir friends just as badly. We just had to celebrate with Melodie that her sister graduated from UofT, a huge accomplishment.
Blair and Marlene, Anna, and the Canon of Hope group all rehearsed before we started. So wonderful that Donna and Lauren have been starting an hour early every week so that we have these special surprises at the concert, and our soloists and most-enthusiastic choristers get the opportunity to give a little more! Big thanks!
We had a very brief warm-up so that we could get straight to work.
1. Winter Song: It's such a beautiful song! Our audience will love this- not a "holiday" song, but a winter song about being a light for your beloved, a light to lead them into your arms. Don't forget to give more volume and confidence at 47. The timing is special and it will feel more powerful, more effective, when you're singing with more power. Watch out for cut-offs. Watch at the end, and we'll all end together. Page 12 is supposed to be a little chaotic. Just keep swimming, swimming, swimming.
2. Somewhere in My Memory: Soft beginning, beloved melody, wistful memories. We spent time on the same section-starting at 30, the oohs, la-las, and the key changes. Tenors and basses, the la-la-la at the page turn is so important! It's actually la-la-la-la-a because it goes right into the next page. Please lean into that. If there's harmony, I won't complain, just come in strong. We spent some time on the very last note, building that chord. It's got a cool sound when we do it right. When we don't, it just sounds pretty, which is not bad, right?
3. One Voice: The soloists worked through break. The tenor and alto parts coming in are tricky. I've got to pick one person for each part. Please work on those, soloists, and come in a bit early next week. This is our concert opener. So dramatic and big! Sopranos, please come in with more confidence on the melody on page 4. We need to hear that melody.
4. Christmas Waltz: Fast and furious- think ballroom full of enthusiastic waltzers, big women's skirts twirling- it's a powerful and fun big ending song. Watch during the tricky timing.
5. Do You Hear What I Hear?! Yes! Fantastic. Just cleaned up that one part where the tenors and basses go into melody and then miss their big moment.At F, on page 6, A Child, A Child is special.
6. Little Tree: Do you know how much I love this song? It transports me to heaven. It's so important for us to be together on this. Hold your notes for the full counts, right up to the next note or to the next rest. There are times when the sections overlap, so you have to hold your note over theirs. There are times when we all hold and stop at the same time. Those are of utmost importance. Look at the rests.
We bought tickets and paid for poinsettias at break. Next week is your last chance, I think. We'll be busy on the 28th at Trinity, our "dress rehearsal". We don't wear costumes or uniforms, but we do go through the whole show, making sure we know when and where to sit and stand (blocking), and making sure our sound is good (microphones?). It's important to be there. If you can't be there make sure you let your neighbours, those who stand near you, know to keep your space and guide you on concert day.
Next week, Tuesday, November 21st
This is our last chance for learning. Bring any questions you have about the music, let me know if there's a song or a part of a song you missed and you want to go over it again. You also have the recordings on the website to go over things yourself, and you can go over and over and over the bits that you have trouble with. Please take advantage of this wonderful resource.
Also on the website will be the Concert Order. For the 28th, you'll need to put your music in concert order in your binders. No crazy flipping during the concert. We sing a lot of music and I don't talk a lot, so there's no time to search. You can use flags or sticky notes, but they cannot stick out for the audience to see.
While you're on the website, sign up for the seniors' performances in Events, three Tuesdays after the concert. There is a limit of 20 on each of these. I highly recommend you participate in these, because you'll feel like a million bucks. Seniors appreciate these visits so much especially during the holidays. A little Grandma and Grandpa love might be something you're missing.
Here's my plan for the 21st:
6:30: Stanley and Mona, then Anna, then One Voice (please), and maybe Treble Group, and Canon of Hope at 7:00.
- Breath of Heaven
- Christmas Waltz
- Mele Kalikimaka
- Shine Hanukkah
- Somewhere in My Memory
- Falalas and Star of Wonders, White Christmas (sing-along selections)
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