Show time!

We're good to go! As a reminder, the call is a prompt 6pm next Tuesday. Dress is all-black.

Please ask your guests to enter through the street side of the church (not the parking lot side).

During our warmup, we'll start all choral movements; I'll also touch base with all soloists for tempi.

See you then!

Final Rehearsal!

Thank you for working hard last night to integrate our guest singers to the choir.

On Tuesday, we'll warmup and then run the entire program from top to bottom (minus carols at the end). This means 1) you need to be at rehearsal promptly at 7pm and 2) you need to be ready to work hard and have fun.

See you then!

Program Proof

Please look over the concert program to check for errors.
Click here to view the program!

Agenda for 11/27

I was very pleased with last night's rehearsal! Everything is coming together at the right time, especially as we welcome our soloists on 11/27.

Tuesday's plan is to cover all of the choruses, integrating our guest singers with the choir. All remaining rehearsals are mandatory.

To our FSU soloists: we will review your solos at the end of rehearsal. 

To our guest soloists: we will not cover your solos this week, but I'll check in on tempi. Please bring a black binder. (Concert dress, by the way, is all-black.)

In case you missed it, check out the post (below) about our occasional accompanist/singer who happens to live in Framingham.

Happy Thanksgiving!

An occasional singer...

Some of you know our erstwhile accompanist and substitute singer, Matthew Guerrieri. He appeared on NPR in support of his new book on Beethoven's Fifth. Click here to listen!

Agenda for 11/20

We're just a few weeks away from the concert. This week will be our last rehearsal before the soloists join us.

Our bass soloist, Crosby Goshgarian, wanted me to let you know about a concert he's singing in. Here are the details:

The plan for this week is to review everything and stop/tweak as needed. We're very close to getting everything right, so hang in there and please don't miss this rehearsal. See you then!

AGENDA for 11/13

This is a reminder that the 11/13 rehearsal will take place in Whittemore Library, room 201. For a campus map, look for links in the right column ===========>>>>

Whittemore is #6 on the map, best reached by walking up the hill from our usual rehearsal space and turning left when you reach the top of the hill. (You'll be in front of Dwight, #17, at that point.)

Please plan at least five minutes to get to Whittemore from our usual space.

AGENDA
7-15 warmup
15-35 Glory to God

• a review and troubleshooter

35-55 Hallelujah

• The harder parts that we worked on two weeks ago didn't stick, so we'll look at them again and run the entire piece

55-8pm BREAK

8-15 And he shall purify

• We did some really good work on this, so let's run it and see what's what

15-30 Unto us a child is born

• We'll review all of the melismas and then put it together if there's time

30-45 His yoke

• A quick sing to see where we stand.

45-9pm

• Ed & David: let's look at your solos
• all other choir members may leave

Agenda for 11/6

I keep posting that we're having great rehearsals, and I'm doing it again. You've got to realize that I work with a lot of choral groups, but I come out of each Tuesday with a really good sense of accomplishment. So there! That was a great rehearsal.

I'm going to start doing more work in the chancel (stage) area). We'll be able to set some chairs there, so you won't be standing for the full time. (You won't be standing for the full concert anyhow.)

I think it's time to think about adding some other repertoire to the program--maybe a holiday carol sing? Let me know your thoughts on Tuesday.

I don't think that lighting is a huge issue there, but, just in case,:

• The Mighty Bright Duet Music Light is light enough to clip onto your folder (towards the center). You can position each head for each page. 

• I actually prefer having two single-headed lights. If you have two Mighty Bright XtraFlex Music Lights (one on each side of the folder), you'll have a little more flexibility. 

• Both of these have really good battery life, and they're quite bright. You might find some other options at local music stores, but, in my experience, these light clip-ons are the easiest and brightest to work with.

Here's the plan for Tuesday:

• 7-7:15 warmup
• 15-25 O thou that tellest (read/review)
• 25-45 His Yoke
• We did really good work on this, especially on stage. There's still a bit of insecurity with some of the entrances, so we'll repeat our work on this.
• 45-8pm And he shall purify
• There are a lot of exposed/unaccompanied sections in this movement. We'll work it backwards till break.
• 8-8:05 BREAK
• 5-20 And he shall purify
• Now we'll work it forwards.
• 20-35 And the glory
• We had ensemble trouble on this, especially with the new tempo. Let's see how it goes on stage.
• 35-45 Hallelujah
• Let's run the entire thing, since we just spent some time on the harder parts.
• 8:45 All dismissed--except for Norman & Allie. (Norman, we need to look at your solo a bit.)

Agenda for 10/30

First, we welcome our two (!) new tenors and congratulate our new soloists. This week, we'll look at the choruses we've been neglecting.

7-7:15 warmup
15-35 Hallelujah, all of it, but focusing on B, C, D, F
35-55 Glory to God
55-8pm BREAK
8-8:20 And the Glory
20-40 His Yoke
40-9pm For unto us: F, B, D, E

Audition Results

Thank you to those of you who auditioned last night. Here are the results:

• Juliana: There were shepherds--And lo--And the angel--And suddenly
• Ed: For behold
• Norman: The people that walked
• David: Thus saith the Lord

I'll be scheduling these during regular rehearsals. They are, for the most part, learned, but we'll be doing a few tweaks over the coming weeks. 

Congratulations!

Agenda for 10/23

Thank you for a fantastic rehearsal. We are now ready to start making some music! This week will include some time for soloist auditions. We'll also be focusing on those choral moments when there's minimal accompaniment so that you can be sure of exactly what you're singing.

AGENDA
7-7:15 warmup
15-35 And he shall purify

• beginning to B
• clarifying the bass line in B (p.40)

35-8pm For unto us

• The entire thing has minimal accompaniment, so we need to be able to sing this (more or less) a capella
• More specifically, we'll work A-C, then mid-D to E, then mid-E to F

8-8:20 His yoke is easy

• Let's face it: we need to look at all of this (except D), since there's minimal accompaniment.

8:20 Audition time! Non-auditioners may leave, although auditions are open to all listeners.

I may not hear entire audition pieces, depending on time. Auditions will be heard in order of registration: Ed, Juliana, Norman, Lenell, David

Ed Sawyer: No.11 Air For Bass No 2 Recitative For Tenor No 10 Recitative For Bass

Julianna Coughlin: There were shepherds--And lo, p.79 And the angel--And suddenly, pp.80-81

Norman Dubois: The People That Walked

Lenell Wyman: There Were Shepherds And the angel--And suddenly Rejoice greatly He shall feed his flock

David Keating: Thus Saith the Lord The People Who Walked

Agenda for 10/16

Thank you for another solid, productive rehearsal. A few business items first:

• The deadline to sign up for solo auditions is 10/16. Please see the links to the right for information on solos.
• I am Chorus Master for the New Bedford Symphony Orchestra's November concert of Messiah and Schubert's Magnificat. If you'd like to participate, I can waive rehearsals as needed. You might even want to carpool with other interested members. If you'd like to do this, please let me know by this Sunday, October 14. For information on rehearsals, dates, etc., click here and read the information in the right column. This is a great opportunity to sing with a professional orchestra in a magnificent space! Feel free to email me with any questions.

AGENDA

The basic plan is for us to focus on the more challenging choruses in this order:

• His Yoke is Easy
• And He Shall Purify
• For Unto Us

We'll then look at some of the easier ones:

• O thou that tellest
• And the glory

See you then!

Agenda for 10/9

That was another great rehearsal. Welcome to our new members!

If you haven't already, please start to use the practice files (linked to the right). You can also search for any of the choruses on YouTube just to see how they sound.

Also, we've been starting about 5' late each week. Please be ready to sing at 7pm.

This will be the week where we focus on the more difficult choruses:

7-7:15 warmup
15-40 And he shall purify: work the entire movement in reverse order
40-8:05 For unto us: we'll work the entire movement in reverse order
8:05-8:10 BREAK
10-35 His Yoke is easy
35-55 We'll review Glory to God & Hallelujah

Remember: solo audition information is linked to the right===>>

Auditioning for Solos

Are you interested in singing a solo (or several) from Messiah? Here's what you need to do:

1. Auditions will be during regular rehearsal time on Tuesday, October 23.
2. Look at the list of solos here.
3. Identify which solo or solos you wish to prepare. (See tips on preparing below.)
4. Fill out this form to indicate what you'll be singing on audition day.
5. Note: the deadline by which to indicate your intention is Tuesday, October 16--one week before the audition date.

Tips on preparing solos:

• First, know what you're getting yourself into. If you don't read music and/or don't have a lot of time to prepare, choose one of the short solos.
• I can't use chorus time to coach auditioners. (If you are picked for a solo, there will be some coaching.) So, again, know what you're getting yourself into.
• Use YouTube as a learning tool. Look up your solo there, and listen to help guide your preparation. This is essential if you don't read music.
• Sing your solo for a friend, even if it's with a recording, like those found on YouTube.
• And, finally, not to scare you, but you are not just competing against your classmates. You're also competing against the professional soloists who will be with us for the dress rehearsals and the concert. I don't expect perfection, but I do expect you to take this seriously. In other words,

BE PREPARED!

Agenda for 10/2

What a challenging and rewarding rehearsal last night! We made it through six of the seven choruses, and many of them are quite difficult. But next time we look at them, they'll be easier--and as you get to know them, you'll hear more and more and like them more and more.

Hang in there! This is tough work, but the rewards are really worth it.

Remember, solo information is linked to the right. I'll create an audition signup sheet soon and notify you then. Rather than take on too many solos, I suggest you try to perfect one or two.

Here's the plan:

7-7:15 warmup
15-30 And the Glory: we did up to B yesterday; this week we'll do C to the end
30-50 For unto us: we did F to the end really well. This week we'll do the beginning to F. If there's time, we'll continue to the end.
50-8:05pm Hallelujah: letter C to the end
8:05-10 BREAK
10-30 His Yoke: we did really good work from the beginning to C; this week we'll take C to the end
30-50 And he shall purify: We did B-C. This time we'll take C to the end, but working in reverse order.

Agenda for 9/25

Some of you have been wondering about solos. Click the link to the right or here for information on all of the solos in Messiah. Some are short, some are long. Audition for one, two, or all of them! (or not) It's up to you.

Here's the plan for Tuesday:

7-7:15 warmup
15-30 And the glory: beginning to B, then C-E
30-45 For unto us: F to the end
45-8pm And he shall purify: we did up to B last week; let's do B & E and then review beginning to B
8pm BREAK
8:05-20 read/review O thou (pp. 54-)
20-35 Glory to God: B to the end
35-50 His Yoke: let's review what we did last week: beginning to C

Solos

As I've said in rehearsals, solos are open to anyone in the chorus. (If I can't fill them, our quartet of professional singers will cover them.) If you're interested in a solo, here's the list. I'll be auditioning in mid-October. Try one or try all of them!

Soprano:

• There were shepherds--And lo, p.79
• And the angel--And suddenly, pp.80-81
• Rejoice greatly, p.87
• He shall feed his flock, pp.96-97

Alto:

• But who may abide, p. 27 (this can also be sung by bass)
• Behold! A virgin, p. 47
• O thou that tellest, p. 47
• Then shall the eyes, p.94
• He shall feed his flock, pp.94-95

Tenor:

• Comfort ye, p.7
• Every valley, p. 10

Bass: 

• Thus saith the Lord, p. 24
• But who may abide, p. 27 (this can also be sung by alto)
• For behold, p.60
• The people that walked, p.62

Need help learning these solos or want to hear them to help you make a decision? Go to YouTube and search "Messiah" and the title. There are plenty of interpretations out there!

Agenda for 9/18

Last night was a really good first rehearsal! We are certainly in need of more sopranos and tenors, so please get the word out to your friends and enemies. And don't forget to bring a binder!

Remember: solos are open to all, so look to see what's available. You'll find learning audio files posted to the right ===>>>

As for YouTube, there are a million videos of Messiah out there so simply go to YouTube and search for the title of the movement you wish to hear.

Here's the agenda for next Tuesday:

7-7:15 warmup

15-30 review Hallelujah Chorus (we worked hard up to p. 4 and then read the rest); this week, we'll solidify pp1-6

30-50 O thou that tellest (p. 54)...we'll read the entire movement and do some work on sections

50-8:05 And he shall purify (p.36)...a difficult chorus (many melismas!), we'll begin to read it

5-10 BREAK

10-25 And the glory (p16)...we'll read the entire movement and begin work on it

25-45 His yoke (p98)...we went up to letter A this week. Let's see what you remember, and we'll keep moving forward

45-9pm For unto (p66)...we'll work F to the end

Convocation

Student Convocation is set for Tuesday, September 4 at 11:30am. Our call time is 11:15 in Dwight. Please email me whether or not you can come!

Dress is all-black. Repertoire is the school song and the National Anthem.

Concert program

Please look at the concert program draft to make sure that your name/information is correct. If not, please email: pcienniwa@gmail.com

Click here to view the program.

Agenda for 4/17 and 4/24

What a great rehearsal last night! I know you feel as good about it as I do, so I needn't say more.


Next week, we'll introduce our guest singers and make our way through the entire program, including the baritone (Fauré) and tenor (Gounod) solos. The following week (4/24) we'll review the program for the concert. 


The next two rehearsals are very important. Please do not miss them!


And a reminder: 

• Monday, April 23, 1:20 call for 1:30-2:20 Senior Investiture (we sing the school song)
• Tuesday, May 1, 6pm call for 7pm concert

Agenda for April 10

This is our final rehearsal before we are joined by our guest singers. In preparation for this, we will run everything followed by detailed work on any problems which may arise. Everything is going very well right now, but I have some concern for Offertory (A/T) and In Paradisum (S), for obvious reasons. Please look at those movements before rehearsal.


See you then!

Agenda for April 3

It was so nice to have everyone at rehearsal last night. It was a March miracle! Let's see if we can keep that up for the two more weeks of rehearsal before our guest singers join us.


Since several of you asked about the concert date, I want to remind you to look at the calendar link to the right ====>>>


Here's the plan for Tuesday:


7-7:15 warmup
15-20 run 5th movement
20-35 fix problems in 5th mvt
35-40 sing opening of 1st mvt
40-45 run Gounod Sanctus
45-8pm fix problems in Gounod
8-8:05 BREAK
5-25 sing each of the three sections of Cantique a cappella
25-30 run last movement
30-45 fix problems in last movement
8:45 sopranos & basses may leave
45-9pm 2nd mvt: A/T work on pp.13-16

Agenda for March 27

Well, we were low in numbers but very strong in singing through the entire Requiem last night! Well done. I was very, very pleased with the rehearsal. In spite of low attendance, I had the very strong sense that this is going to be a performance to remember! Bravo!

The full run helped to identify some problems, so now we have something to go by for our remaining rehearsals as we work our way to the concert. (Yes: the concert is coming up fast! Just five more rehearsals.)

Here's the plan:

7-7:15 warmup

15-20 run 1st mvt

20-30 fix problems in 1st mvt

30-35 run 3rd mvt

35-50 fix problems in 3rd mvt

50-8:05 Cantique

• p-13-end
• pp8-13
• pp2-7

5-10 BREAK

10-15 Daniela sings Pie Jesu

15-30 Offertory

• pp 15-16
• pp20-23
• pp13-15

30-35 run 6th mvt

35-45 fix problems in 6th mvt

45-50 run 5th mvt

50-9pm ATB may leave; sopranos work on In paradisum

Agenda for 3/20

Reminder: no rehearsal on 3/13. Happy Spring Break!

First item: sopranos, please listen to this during the break. Listen while following with the music!

On 3/20, we will take stock of the Requiem by going through the entire piece. We'll also do more work on the Gounod Sanctus.


AGENDA
7-7:15 warmup
15-35 review Gounod
7:35-9pm work our way through the entire Requiem (with time for a break); this will include a chance for us to hear Daniela sing the fourth movement.


Make your life easier! Listen to the entire work during break (links to the right). Travel safely and have an enjoyable week off!

Agenda for 3/6

You're probably so used to me telling you that every rehearsal is great that my words don't mean much. But they should! I am constantly pleased with how you've been taking on this wonderful repertoire. Thank you for taking that journey with me!


This is our last rehearsal before spring break. Let's make it a good on!


7-7:15 warmup
15-30 Gounod Sanctus (this is the one piece we haven't worked on at all)
30-50 In paradisum (pp68-end)
50-8:10 Libera me (pp51-)
10-15 BREAK
15-35 Agnus Dei (pp40-)
35-55 Cantique


And before rehearsal, please listen to this!!!!:

Agenda for 2/28

Thank you for another really good rehearsal. Our tenors will be happy to know that another one will be joining us just after Spring Break; two more will join us in the weeks before the performance. And basses, two will be joining us to sing the lower bass part.


Everything is shaping up really nicely. If you haven't listened to the YouTube links yet, take the time to do so. And if you've listened already, keep listening!


By the way, you may be wondering why we looked at the Gounod Sanctus only once--at the first rehearsal. We'll start work on it after Spring Break.


Here's the plan for Tuesday:


7-7:15 warmup
15-25 review text of Cantique
25-35 work on Cantique notes pp.8-13
35-45 run all of Cantique
45-55pm review SATB parts of In paradisum: pp.71-72; 75-78
55-8:05 BREAK
5-20 review Offertory pp.20-23
20-35 review Offertory pp.13-16
8:30-9pm SOPRANO/TENOR SECTIONAL (all others may leave)

• pp3-6
• pp24-35
• pp40-41
• pp45-46 (sopranos only)
• pp68-78 (tenors may leave)

SOPRANOS & TENORS: In preparation for your sectional, please look/listen in advance of our rehearsal. The more prepared you are, the happier things will go!

Agenda for 2/21

Knowing about so many absences, I was a bit trepidatious before the rehearsal began. But I have to say, I left campus last night feeling very, very good about the work we did. It was a very good rehearsal!


I really have the sense that you've been listening to the YouTube videos. Keep doing it! And if you haven't, do so now! (All are linked to the right =====>)


Here's the plan for this week:


7-7:15 warmup
15-35 pp6-12
35-40 pp3-6
40-55 review Sanctus (p24-)
55-8:05 BREAK
5-20 review SATB parts of Agnus (p.41-)
20-30 review all Cantique texts we've worked on (pp2-13)
30-50 Cantique pp13-end
8:50 Dismissed (except Daniela D'Angelo)

Agenda for 2/14

Ah, our next rehearsal will be filled with love on Valentine's Day. Here's the plan:


7-7:15 warmup
15- 30 review pp.20-23 (Movement III)
30-50 Cantique, pp.8-13
50-55 review Cantique pp. 2-7
55-8:05 BREAK
5-10 pp56-61 (Movement VI) (I'll give you the breathing cues)
10-30 Movement V
30-45 Movement I (pp.3-11 only)
45-9pm (sopranos may leave) pp.13-16 (Movement III)


And just in case you're not listening to the video links to the right (you should!!!), I'll embed this one right here:

Agenda for 2/7

Thank you for a wonderful rehearsal last night! This is especially hard work right now, so I really appreciate your patience. (I'll try to be patient, too.)


Before this rehearsal, try to listen to the works we'll be rehearsing. YouTube links are to the right =============>>>>>


7-7:10 warmup
10- 25 review Cantique, pp2-7
25-7:55 Offertory (pp13-23)
7:55-8:05 break
5-20 Sanctus (pp.24-35)
20-30 review pp. 1-3 & pp. 49-51
30-50 pp.56-61
50-9pm sing through Cantique, pp. 2-7

Agenda for 1/30

Last night was an excellent reading session. I can't believe that we made it thorough everything (minus a few measures)! This is challenging music, and you might even be turned off at first. But I encourage you to stick with us, as this music has great, great rewards.

Please, please, please talk up the chorus to your friends and see if we can build the membership this semester. I've contacted the missing singers from the fall, but, if you see them, please encourage them to join. For our community members, please also see if you can bring in someone from off-campus.

As a reminder, all of the music (audio and video) is posted here to the right ====>>>>

Here's the agenda. Please use it to review your music before Tuesday's rehearsal. Use the video/audio to help you review!
7-7:10 warmup
10-25 Requiem pp1-3 & pp49-51
25-40 Requiem pp13-16
40-55 Requiem pp20-23
55-8:05 BREAK
5-20 Cantique pp2-7
20-40 Requiem, movement VII
40-50 Requiem, pp62-67
50-9pm Requiem, pp32-35

Spring 2012

This blog has been updated! Look in the right column for syllabus, calendar and links to music, audio and video.

Rehearsals begin on Tuesday, January 24 at 7pm in Heineman!