WOW! What excellent teamwork!
We were at Curtiss-Wright again, and without an accompanist for the beginning and the end, but with recordings and Lauren's piano skills, we managed!
Thank heaven for Tab! It was so good having her play with us, even though she wasn't feeling well. So many people have colds/viruses right now, but I haven't heard anyone cough or sneeze at choir. Thank you for not coming sick, and please if you do, wear a mask like Tab did. Stay well. Be sure to rest when you need to!
The small groups did great despite having to deal with recordings that weren't perfect. I was up in the night with a thought about one bar in Let it Go where we were messing up the timing, every time. I figured it out. In the segno section, "I am one with the wind and sky"/ "And I'll rise like the break of dawn" gets off by half a beat. And, while it's correct that "one" and "rise" should be longer than the following notes, you can only do that if you start them on the and of 4, the bar before. We land on beat one, and add an extra half beat to that bar. Remind me to go over that next week. There's Still My Joy was excellent, even though we sang along with a slightly different version. It was pretty close, and we reviewed a little and got really good. It shouldn't take us long to get those two small groups all set.
Our warm-up was a dance number again. Well, a sing-and-dance exercise. We danced and sang along with Dolly Parton and "Jolene". What fun! And, it's good for us. Even when we're a little messy, dancing together is very beneficial.
1. The Hockey Song: This is so good! We do have to watch for entries, at each section. So, just before B, I'll hold my arms up and you'll hold that note and wait for beat one. Just before C, arms up for Hello, and you wait for beat one to finish the word "-lo out there". Just before D, arms go up for "Oh!" and you sing "the good" going down to beat one. Just before E, it's the word "Where" that you hold. Just before F, "Oh" is held. Just before G, it's "O" again. Just before H, we're going to add in another "Oh, the" and it's the same story. Keep on watching for me to raise my arms to hold a note and swoop down to beat one.
2. Edelweiss: Excellent! Altos come in with confidence and medium loud, not soft. The softness (p) comes from having only a few voices. Tenors and Basses come in at 19 softly, adding their voices without making it suddenly loud, just a little step up from p. Then, Sopranos, watch that you don't come in too strong at 27. It's still p, just another little step up with everyone singing now. In the next section, the altos can sing loud. It says mf medium loud, but there are too few of you. Everyone else is singing their ahs softly, but there are so many of them. At 88, we finally can all sing loud, but leave a little room to get louder at 104, and even louder at 112 to the end. Big drama! I love it!
3. Little Tree: My favourite. It's very important to watch your timing and stay perfectly together. Watch me for cut-offs throughout. It's crucial that you are together with your section. Your notes and dynamics are excellent, and the timing too got very tight, precise. Thank you.
4. Calypso Christmas: Fun! You're so good! Be sure to feel the jubilance of the holiday party in the sun with palm trees! Whooo!
5. Sing-alongs: Lauren had a folder of lyric sheets for us. O Christmas Tree, Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree, Feliz Navidad, and Frosty the Snowman. These will be the sing alongs on Saturday. Anyone who feels like adding some harmony can go ahead, especially on the last notes.
6. O Holy Night: We sang this with a recording and it worked out really well! I think I'd better announce the soloists and back-ups soon. Every one has been excellent on these solos. It will be difficult to choose, but you'll want to work on and (mostly) memorize your solos, so I will do my best to make those decisions before next Tuesday.
7. Song for a Winter's Night: Another good recording. I made a decision on the introduction. We won't sing those ahs at the very beginning. I don't think many of you will be disappointed, especially when you hear how nice Philip's cello sounds there. The introduction will be the same as last year, 4 bars.
We talked about:
The market on Saturday: We sing at 11 and 12:30. The market runs from 10-2. Set up crew arrives at 9:00. Others can arrive at 10:30 or so. I was thinking of scheduling a warm-up early, but maybe we can just find a spot somewhere 15 minutes before we sing. You'll be done by 1:00, but you might want to stay and listen to the band or do some shopping. You must visit our table! (and buy something) The market team will need to clean up at 2:00. The performance order is on the members-only site and on the Event there too. It's the first four songs we did, above, in that order, plus the sing alongs in-between. I will announce each song for you, and it will be fairly casual. We will wear our casual uniforms: any black bottom, any white top, red scarf. And, some people want to add a Christmas/Holiday/festive element. That will be fun. Market team: comfortable shoes.
Pointsettias: Kim is taking orders. Next week is the last chance to order yours.
Other concerts: I'll post the posters separate from this post. Voices of Joy's concert is Nov. 22 at 2:30 at the Newmarket Seniors Meeting Place. Amy sings in that one. So special! When I say everyone can sing. I think of them. This is an inclusive, neurodiverse group, and each time I hear them, my heart grows another 2 sizes. Trinity United, my church, is hosting a string quartet on the Saturday night before our concert, Dec. 5 at 8:00. The guest artist is a child prodigy, international award-wining pianist Angel Heung, the daughter of our music director. Classical, jazz, hymns, and Christmas music! The Keynotes concert is Nov. 29th, I think. The Aurora band and the Newmarket Citizens Band also have concerts. So much music in the holiday season! I'll post posters with information as I get them from you or Facebook
Next week, Tuesday, November 17th
We'll be back in our room! Alan is coming with his guitar for the small groups.
River and Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree are coming at 6:30. I expect them to get good fast, so Let it Go and There's Still My Joy can rehearse with Donna too, starting at 7:00 I hope.
Philip is bringing his cello!
- Christmas Lullaby with cello
- Song for a Winter's Night with cello
- Nutcracker Jingles
- You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch
- Welcome Christmas
- (Angels Among Us)
- (Shine Hanukkah)
Stanley and Mona, please be ready to go through your song with Philip, but if we don't get to it, we'll definitely do it on the 25th.
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