What a wonderful feeling!
We're ahead of schedule, and sounding excellent. From now on, we're reviewing and polishing, and enjoying our songs. Don't be shy to let me know if you're not sure of what you and your neighbours are singing, or you're singing different things. I said it last night: that's not snitching. We're not pointing fingers, but pointing out where we can use some review. Although, sometimes I'm fine with a little bit of extra harmony ;-)
Our small groups are so good! I can't wait for everyone to hear them. The Circle Game goes round and round in my head all the time now, such a good song, and everyone in the small group is so good. Soloists, please memorize your words. The next small group had their first look at My Life Flows On (How Can I Keep From Singing). I really like the Enya song How Can I Keep From Singing, and I hadn't even heard the Hymn My Life Flows On. We're using the hymn for harmonies and timing (easier timing) and keeping Enya's lyrics, which are also the Pete Seeger lyrics. I keep finding new versions of this song. It's got a very good message, especially in these tumultuous times.
I wasn't in the mood for the warm-ups I had planned, so with Donna's help we managed a beautiful easy physical warm-up as she played The Music of the Night and then we just la-la'd with that for our vocal warm-up. I love when we improvise. Our creativity is something to nourish any time we can. Donna is an inspiration, and we're so lucky she plays with us.
1. I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing: This is another song that reminds us that we're so lucky to be able to sing together like we do. If everyone could sing in a choir, the world would be happier and more peaceful. We cleaned up the echo part at 81. First sopranos will hold that D on the word 'on'. Seconds and Tenors will sing both "that echos on", ignoring the rests. Alto and Bass sing the bottom line as written. And everyone holds that, as if there were a fermata on bar 85 and you need to watch for the next part because it's soft and slower. This is a great song and not too hard. I might change one more thing. Robin was suggesting a greater emphasis on "Peace throughout the land, standin hand in hand." And, I think we can add an echo, a third part. We'll try something next week.
2. Here's to Song: This one gets stuck in my head too. We sang the whole thing with solos and I love it. We worked on dynamics (loud and soft), and we're doing them as written, so watch out for p, mp, mf, and f and watch me. We reviewed the Tenor and Alto parts at C. It's so hard, and our three tenors are doing a great job. It will help them if the rest of you could be softer on your parts. Something we noticed: some people are singing "songs" instead of "song". There's only one time when it's plural. So, this is about song in its abstract meaning, like dance, art, music. So, were not singing about the songs we sing, but about the act of singing songs, our voices raised in song.
3. It's a Grand Night for Singing: This is excellent. We're just unsure of the Interlude, after the first ending, where we go to page 6. It's got some tricky Alto and Tenor bits and a bunch of accidentals (sharps and naturals) but it sounds pretty good, and we'll keep working on it. Remember the drama and sharp pronunciation that the rests provide in the main part. Watch your rests.
4. Canadiana Sing-along: We had a test run of the sing-along of Canadian folk songs, songs that we sang (hopefully) as children and that people still sing (maybe?) around camp fires. I guess that some people didn't grow up here and others are much younger than me (Colby) so a few people will not appreciate this fully, but I hope that the energy of those of us who do will pull them in. Donna was instrumental (ahem) in making this happen. She's got a way with sing-alongs, doesn't she? It's so much fun. We did this in 2017 for Canada's 150th, the Sesquicentennial. I've chosen the shorter one we used for our seniors performances. We might add a few more verses.
5. Canon of Joy: You did it! I am so grateful that you trust me on this. I know it feels boring, but it's really a good song, made of two really popular and beatiful classical pieces. We worked on dynamics and tone (sing the melody like cellos, not trumpets). When we sing page 5 twice, sing the first one softer, get louder on the second, both times. Sing those long notes with an accent on the start, so when you sing "joy" the dj sound is emphasized and then you release and fade on the "oy". And, smile. You are singing the word "joy" so feel and show happiness, pleasure, delight, bliss. The high point, the main message is on page 7. Read those words and feel them. That's the message of the concert. Think of I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing, and Here's to Song. And, we have in the small groups How Can I Keep From Singing which also points to singing as a blessing in the seasons of turmoil in our lives. Also, when things are horrible, joy is not disrespectful or irreverent, but necessary, even if just for a moment or a couple of hours. Because, grace and hope and joy are as constant as struggle and suffering. Whatever I'm going through, it is all forgotten while I'm singing with you on Tuesdays, and I remember who I am.
6. Why We Sing: The new beginning is so good! Just one soprano, one alto, one tenor, and one bass up to the section at 42. Since we have all 4 on the chorus at 26, we'll have the 6 first phrases like this: S, T, S&T, A, B A&B, then chorus SATB. This is going to be our opening song, and it's now perfect, building from one voice to a big, big ending. Awesome.
The tickets are ready. You can purchase tickets for your friends and family at a reduced price and you can pay by credit card. The choir member price is $20, in advance in person only. At the door and website purchases will be $25, the poster price. We're talking about having a reduced advanced and bulk price for our seniors home fans too. We want a nice big audience for this concert.
The poster is ready too, but we need to be sure the website update is functional before sending those out. We have a plan to distribute them all over. Kim (alto) is coordinating the advertising. If you have an idea or a place to post a hard copy, let her know. Do you know how to find the email addresses of other choir members? You have access to the member listing on the website. I encourage you to find your friends and contact them outside of choir time.
Next Week, Tuesday, March 31st: We're at Trinity United in Newmarket again
Remember to give yourself time to find parking. We can use the lift/elevator just inside the Park Avenue doors. If you need it, make sure you let me know, and remind me at the end too. We're in the music room at 6:30 and in the Fellowship Room at 7:00, same as last time.
6:30 My Life Flows On (How Can I Keep From Singing)
- I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing
- Grand Night for Singing
- Hymn to Freedom
- Here's to Song
- Song for Canada
Heads up: Tuesday, April 7th, we're at the other Trinity, Trinity Anglican Church in Aurora, where we perform our concerts, except we're downstairs in Binions Hall. There is a lift/elevator there too if we need it.
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