Converting YouTube to audio files

Click here: http://www.youtube-mp3.org/

Enter your video link in the box. The video will be converted to an audio file, and then you be prompted to download the file. Presto!

Dido & Aeneas: score, audio/video, roles

It's official! We'll be doing Henry Purcell's 3-act opera Dido & Aeneas this spring. Why an opera? Normally I wouldn't make this choice, but Dido has extensive choral parts, and we also have the right people for all of the roles. We'll be performing this with period string quartet and theorbo. 

A score is here: http://javanese.imslp.info/files/imglnks/usimg/1/17/IMSLP36466-PMLP05472-Purcell-Z626vsNov.pdf

You can download audio here (scroll down), but please note that the performance is a 1/2-step lower than the pitch that we'll be using: http://paulcienniwa.com/shop

Video is here: http://youtu.be/jweNnjeY-Q0 (There are better performances on YouTube, but many of them are at so-called "baroque pitch," a half-step lower. If learning from recording, be sure that the pitch is modern.)

Chuck from the bass section has indexed the video so that you can jump around by timings. To see his index, click here.

Please note that our performance will be a concert version with no staging. (Soloists may wish to act somewhat, but it won't be part of my planning.)

Roles: I've already made decisions about roles. There's much too much solo music in this opera to leave to mid-semester auditions. The two open roles (First Witch/Second Witch) will be filled be audition or covered by the doubles (see below).

Dido: Cynthia 
Aeneas: Raymond 
Belinda: Julianna
Sailer: Ed Sawyer
Second Women: Vanessa
Sorceress: Pat
First Witch: open
Second Witch: open
Spirit: Sadie

(Why so many women's roles? Purcell wrote the opera for a girls' school.)

First Witch and Second Witch are open to audition, and I'd rather not have those roles doubled.

Finally, witches? sorceress? Dido? Aeneas? What's this all about?! Read a synopsis here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dido_and_Aeneas#Synopsis

Afterword

Thank you for a great semester and for all of your hard work. Last night was the best singing of the season, and I hope you had as much fun as I did.

I'm working with the administration to bring on more singers, but I can always use your help. Please let your friends and enemies know about the Chorus. We can always use more--male or female.

I wish you the best for the winter holidays, and I look forward to seeing you when we resume rehearsals: January 20.

-Paul

Show time!

Just a few items before our concert:

• dress is all-black
• call time is 6pm
• concert is at 7pm
• please invite your friends/family
• (Thank you, Molly, for hanging the promotional posters!)

Above all: MAKE SURE TO LOOK OVER THE MUSIC AT LEAST ONCE BEFORE TUESDAY NIGHT!

We are on the verge of a great concert, so please keep the music fresh in your mind and ear. See you on Tuesday!

Agenda for next week

We have one more rehearsal after this! Time flies, right?

During our first hour of rehearsal, we'll go through the program in order. Before starting, though, we need to work out a few problem spots in St. Francis:

• p.6, mm. 33
• final page divisi

During our second our, we'll address any trouble spots as we get ready for our final rehearsal on Dec. 2.

Reminders:

• The concert is Dec. 9.
• Dress is all-black.
• Call time is 6pm, concert is at 7pm. (If you can't get there precisely at 6 due to school/work, it's ok. Just let me know.)

Finally, please look over your music before each of our remaining rehearsals. It does a lot of good to have everyone aware of each piece before rehearsal, and we can save a lot of time this way. 

See you next week!

Audition results

Thank you to all who auditioned last night. I realize that this was outside of the comfort zone for many of you, so I especially appreciate your courage and enthusiasm for the process. It's never easy to make these decisions, but they have to be made. Here goes:

Imagine: Sam
Let there be peace #1: Sadie
Let there be peace #2: Cynthia
Handel: Pat
Mozart: Kimberly, Sadie, Ed/Todd, Raymond
Schubert: Vanessa, Chelsea, Ed/Todd, Raymond

Soloists: please send me a c. 100 word bio written in the third person. I need this before our next rehearsal. Here's an example:

Cindy Nelson is currently a Freshman Spanish major at Framingham State. She has been singing in choruses since middle school, and this is her first semester performing with the Framingham State Chorus. She has also performed in numerous musical theatre productions, her favorite roles being Johanna in Sweeney Todd and Yonah in Children of Eden. She is also an active member in the FSU Craft Club and a participant in the technical crew for the Hilltop Players. She would like to thank all of the members of the Framingham State Chorus, including the wonderful director and accompanist, for this beautiful celebration of music.

(Todd, since you're a cover, you don't need to send one.)

Program order

Please put your music in order before the next rehearsal:

Dona nobis (round)
I've got peace like a river
Schubert
Bach Nun danket
I heard the bells on Christmas Day
Let there be peace on earth
Imagine
Bach Dona nobis
St. Francis
Mozart
Stille Nacht/Silent Night
Handel (recitatives--Glory to God--Hallelujah)

Tonight's rehearsal and audition schedule

Now that the audition deadline has passed, I'm posting tonight's audition schedule. Auditions may be attended by all choir members, although choir members are also welcome to leave early. Auditioners will be accompanied by Allie and conducted by me. Quartets will be auditioned as ensembles. (The quartet auditions will feel more like a rehearsal as I try to find the best blended voices who also know the parts the best.)

7-7:10 warmup
10-15 Dona nobis round
15-25 St. Francis (review)
25-40 Bach Dona
40-50 Glory to God
50-55 I've got peace
55-8pm BREAK
8pm Sam: Imagine
8:05 Sadie: Let there be peace (both solos)
8:10 Molly: Let there be peace (1st); Imagine
8:15 Cynthia: Let there be peace (both solos); Imagine
8:20 Pat: Messiah (both)

8:25-40 Schubert Quartet

• S Kimberly, Pat, Vanessa, Cynthia
• A Sadie, Chelsea
• T Ed? Todd?
• B Raymond

8:40-9pm Mozart Quartet

• S Kimberly, Pat, Vanessa
• A Molly, Sadie, Chelsea
• T Ed? Todd?
• B Raymond

upcoming

Good work last night. Each week is sounding better and better, and I think we'll end this semester with some of the best choral sound we've had in my eight years. Huzzah!

A few date reminders:

• no rehearsal next week, Tuesday Nov. 11, Veterans Day
• deadline to submit an audition request: Monday, Nov. 17

I'll post the Nov. 18 agenda and audition lineup on the morning of Nov. 18, once all of the audition requests have come in. Auditions will take place during the second half of rehearsal, so some of you will be free to leave early.

Enjoy the week off!

Next week, etc.

First, I've moved the audition sign-up deadline to Nov. 17, the day before the actual auditions. To sign up, please follow the link to the right===>>>

This week, we'll continue to work on our choral sound. Since you all know the notes more or less, vocal quality is something that we can really focus on. I'm looking forward to that work!

(Sorry, Pat, but I can't find an online recording of the Prayer of St. Francis.)

Some of you asked how my recent performances went. Click here for a review of one performance.

Here's the plan:

7-7:10 warmup
10-15 Stille Nacht as part of warmup
7:15-8pm go over all of the solos in and out of context, including quartets
8-8:05 BREAK
5-15 assign divisi in St. Francis
15-30 sing through Bach Dona nobis (gently!)
30-40 review Nun danket (text, too)
40-55 Hallelujah

Audition update and next week's agenda

First, I have decided to change the solo audition date to Nov. 18. This gives you a little more time to prepare. I will schedule a review session for potential soloists on Nov. 4. (There is no rehearsal Nov. 11, Veterans Day.)

It's still not too late to sign up to audition, however the deadline to sign up is Nov. 3. A sign-up form is located in the right column of this blog=====>>>

Here's the plan for Oct. 28:

7-7:10 warmup
10-15 review I heard the bells
15-30 work through St. Francis, stopping for any trouble spots
30-45 Glory to God
45-55 Hallellujah
55-8:05 BREAK
5-25 Bach Dona nobis: working each letter in reverse order, SATB
25-40 Mozart, incl. quartet parts
40-50 review Schubert
50-9pm review Let there be peace

Agenda for 10/21

7-7:10 warmup
10-15 continue warmup w/ Dona nobis round
15-45 read new music
45-8pm Bach dona SA and TB letter B to end
BREAK
8:10-30 Bach dona SA and TB beginning to letter B
30-50 Schubert, incl. solos
50-9pm review Imagine

Solos and soloist auditions

Soloist auditions will take place on Tuesday, November 18 during our regular rehearsal.

The following solos are available:

• Let there be peace (any voice type)
• pp4-9
• pp10-end
• These solos can be combined for one soloist
• Imagine (any voice type)
• p2 to top of 3
• m.17-middle of p.4
• These solos can be combined for one soloist
• Messiah (soprano only) (you will receive this music next week)
• There were shepherds, And lo
• And the angel, And suddenly
• These can be combined for one soloist

In addition to these solos, there are two quartets to be assembled:

• Schubert pp63-64
• Mozart pp48-50, 53

If you are interested in auditioning, please click here to fill out an online form.

Agenda for 10/14

As you know, we are still missing a few pieces from the program. The remaining music is coming, but I want to take this one more week to solidify what you already have. We'll devote a big chunk of this rehearsal to Bach Dona nobis. Don't forget to listen to the piece and use the audio learning files.

Soloist auditions are coming up, too. I'll post a list of available solos and the audition date in a few weeks.

AGENDA
7-7:10 warmup
10-15 I've got peace
15-35 Schubert
35-50 Nun danket: review text & sing
50-8:05 Let there be peace (review)
5-10 BREAK
10-30 Bach Dona nobis: working SA and TB
30-40 St. Francis (review)
40-50 Hallelujah: B, C, D, F
50-9pm Imagine (review)

Agenda for 10/7

7-7:10 warmup
10-15 continue warmup with Dona nobis round
15-35 Mozart, both solo section and choral section
35-8pm Bach: Dona nobis
8-8:10 BREAK
10-25 Imagine
25-35 Go over Nun danket text
35-50 Schubert
50-55 I've got peace

Agenda for 9/30

Nice work last night!

First, a repertoire update. I've decided to cut Henning and Beethoven. (I'm sure that none of you will be crying over that decision.) Mid-semester, I'll find some more fun repertoire to fill out the program. Please pull those two pieces from your binder and send them to the land of recycling.

Please also pull the first page of the Schubert. (This is page 56-57.)

Here's the plan for next week:

7-7:10 warmup
10-15 continue warmup with Peace Like a River
15-30 Bach Nun danket: work text and read entire piece
30-45 Let there be peace: pp6-9, then sing through
45-8pm Prayer of St. F: pp 8-11, sing through if time
8-8:10 BREAK
10-30 Bach Dona nobis: C, then B, and review beginning if time
30-45 Mozart: sing through SATB solos pp48-50
45-9pm Hallelujah: D, C, B, F

See you then!

Agenda for 9/23

7-7:10 warmup
10-15 Dona nobis round (as part of warmup)
15-30 Let there be peace (read entire piece)
30-45 Schubert (read entire piece)
45-8pm Mozart (read entire piece)
8-8:10 BREAK
10-20 St. Francis (pp6-8, O Divine section)
20-30 Bach (letter C to end)
30-45 Henning (18-20; 12-14; read 5 onwards)
45-9pm Imagine (p.6-end, then beginning)

Fall 2014

The school year is just around the corner. Please visit the calendar link to the right for the full schedule of chorus rehearsals.

The theme of this fall's concert is "Dona nobis pacem"--Latin for "grant us peace." The program will feature various settings of that text, from long ago through today, along with other musical works based on the concept of "peace." And, boy, we sure need peace right now!

I haven't settled on all of the repertoire yet, but I can assure you that a program of music based on "peace" isn't at all sleepy and peaceful. There's some lively and fun stuff on the program!

See you soon.

Concert time!

The concert is upon us. Please make sure to listen to each piece before we meet on Tuesday. Remember: concert call is 6pm for the 7pm concert.

Concert dress is all-black. You must have a black binder.

Our 6pm call will only be a warmup, during which we'll start and stop every piece. That said, it's really important for you to keep this music in your head before the concert so that the concert itself isn't the only time you're thinking of this music during the coming week. So, make sure to listen to each piece before we meet on Tuesday!

Last night's rehearsal was a little weak at times--but that's usually a sign that we're going to have a great concert. I am confident that everyone will be really focused and ready to sing really well!

Have a good week, stay healthy, and look forward to having some fun next Tuesday night!

Agenda for OUR LAST REHEARSAL

Last night was a total blast. I hope you had as much fun as I did. There was a bit of fatigue factor going on at the end of rehearsal, so we'll begin our review work next week from the second half of the program and then work our way forward.

Please listen to all of the music at least once this week!

7-7:10 warmup
10-15: It's my desire: how can we sustain the phrases?
15-25 We are one

• This is still sloppy and feels too unfamiliar
• Watch for cutoffs

25-35 This little light: went quite well!

35-45 Give me Jesus: went well, need to coordinate soloists

45-8pm Leaning: quite sloppy, this needs the most work in all parts!

8-8:05 BREAK

5-10 Didn't it rain: review

10-15 Sometimes I Feel: the only issue is the beginning

15-25 Happy Day: need to work the soprano-to-alto parts

25-35 All my trials: review all refrains

35-45 Order my steps: transitions need to be smoother

45-50 Walk in the light: review

Agenda for 4/15

What a fantastic rehearsal last night! I arrived at FSU in a pretty glum mood, and you all lifted me up out of the depths. Thank you.

It's pretty obvious that some of you have already been listening to the recordings. It's also pretty obvious that some of you still need to do some listening. Please do so before 4/15, since we'll be running the entire program non-stop for this rehearsal.

All recordings are linked to the right====>>>>>

We missed three pieces yesterday, so we'll start by working them:

• Walk in the light
• Didn't it rain
• All my trials

After that, we'll run the entire program non-stop. Be ready to sing!

Till Tuesday...

Agenda for 4/8

As requested, here's the video of the Indian choir. They've received the music I sent and send along their greetings! Ring those Christmas bells!



With only three rehearsals left, I ask you all again to not miss any more rehearsals. It's almost game time! This is our last week to work on minor details; the following week, we run the program; then we have one more week to tweak the music.

Please use this week to listen to the music, all linked to the right===>>>>

Here's the plan:

7-7:10 warmup
10-20 We are one, working in reverse order

• 10-end
• 8-10
• 6-8
• beginning to 6

20-25 It's my desire

• sing through, working dynamics & form

25-35 Give me Jesus

• sing through with soloists

35-45 O Happy Day

• pitches are a problem, work them in reverse order
• 10-end
• 7-10
• beginning to 7, w/o soloist

45-55 Order my steps

• needs dynamics!

55-8pm Didn't it rain: review

8-8:05 BREAK

5-15 Sometimes I feel

• working in reverse
• 11-end
• 7-11
• beginning to 7

15-25 Leaning

• dynamics & enthusiasm are lackluster!
• review this w/ dynamics

25-35 All my trials

• sing through w/ soloist

35-45 This Little Light

• review

45-end Walk in the Light

• dynamics!

Agenda for 4/1

Thank you for your patience with last night's rehearsal in the lousy venue. Fortunately, we're back to home base next week. (Or so we think!)

I also thank you for your patience with my rehearsal style. We had a lot to cover last night, especially after spring break, and it was necessary for me to check in with the status of a number of pieces--instead of teaching every note.

As it is, we have only four more rehearsals till the concert. That said, please do not miss any upcoming rehearsals.

Regarding questions about notes, I would much prefer that you raise your hand to ask a question about a note while we're on that particular section than, instead, to ask a question after I've already moved on to another piece or another section. If you raise your hand while we're singing/working, I'll see it and address it ASAP instead of not being able to once we've already move on. If you have note questions, it's easiest to address them in the context of all of the voices--and that's hard to do if I've already moved on.

By the way, how do I know it's time to move on? Because I publish this weekly agenda, and I try to follow the timings. That all said, please try to come to rehearsal with questions, especially about the works that we'll be working. Of course, this requires that you look at your music and the agenda before Tuesday rehearsals. That's not a bad idea, considering we have only four rehearsals to go!

I'm still getting questions about the concert date. There is a calendar linked in the right column of this blog. The syllabus is also linked there. Both indicate the concert date: April 29 at 7pm (6pm call). The concert dress is also in the syllabus: all-black. Please bring any questions to rehearsal. It's best if you ask them during break!

Here's the plan. We're going to touch on each piece:

7-7:10 warmup
10-20 Order my steps

• p. 6-7 bass part
• sing through

20-30 Walk in the light

• sing through, check descant on p7

30-35 Oh Happy Day

• sing through, hoping that the altos will be happy

35-55 This little light

• review all parts & run

55-8pm We Are One

• sing through, check top of p7

8-8:05 BREAK

5-10 It's my desire

• sing through, noting form

10-20 Give me Jesus

• work through with soloists

20-30 Leaning

• check alto/sop parts p.7-10
• review vamp p.14

REVIEW:

30-40 All my trials

40-50 Didn't it rain

50-9pm Sometimes I feel

Agenda for 3/25

Next Tuesday is Spring Break, so we will meet on next on March 25. Here's the plan:

7-7:10 warmup
10-25 We are one

• work p.7-end, then top-p.6

25-35 Its my desire

• pp.4-6 & CODA

35-50 Didn't It Rain

• review

50-8pm Leaning on the Everlasting Arms

• review

8-8:05 Break

5-10 fix any issues with Leaning

10-25 Sometimes I Feel w/ soloist

25-40 All my trials w/ soloist

40-55 Oh Happy Day w/ soloist

55-9pm conclude by reading thru Order My Steps

(skipped tonight: Walk in the light; Give me Jesus; This little light)

Audition results

Thank you to everyone who auditioned. It's so good to hear each of you individually and to know that you really care about this. I am honored by your effort!

Obviously, this wasn't an each choice (it never is), and I hope the results don't discourage anyone from trying again next time. My original intention was to divide up some of the solos, but a couple of them fit certain voices so well that I chose to assign entire pieces to those voices.

The results:

O Happy Day: Cynthia Nelson

Sometimes I Feel: Chelsea Hastbacka

Give Me Jesus: Kimberly Marcum (v. 2); Raymond Hanna (v. 3); Raymond Hanna (p.7 solo)

All My Trials: Juliana Coughlin (incl. mm.9-16)

Congratulations!

Agenda for 3/11

7-7:10 warmup
10-25 All my trials

• working each page in reverse order
• then run

25-40 Sometimes I feel

• pp11-12
• pp 9-10
• pp 6(bottom)-8
• pp4-6
• then run

40-8pm This little light

• confirm all parts pp8-end
• top to 8

8-8:05 BREAK for Soloist Auditions

5-10 Juliana

10-20 Sam

20-25 Marlena

25-30 Ed

30-35 Buffy
35-40 Kim
40-45 Raymond
45-50 Chelsea

50-55 Cynthia

Soloists: There are many auditioners this semester for a limited number of solos. You are expected to be prepared. Your audition is open to anyone in attendance; it is not private. You will be asked to sing a minimum of two of the excerpts you've picked, starting with your preference followed by my request(s). Allie will accompany you with the piano or choral parts, but she will not play the notes of your solo (beyond the starting note) unless they already appear in the score. I will conduct you and Allie for your selections.

If you need to cancel, please let me know before Tuesday.

Agenda for 3/4

Auditions for solos will be held during rehearsal on March 11. If you wish to audition, you must sign up by Wednesday, March 5. Click here for the sign up form. You will need to specify what you'll be singing, so please plan accordingly.

Here's the plan for March 3:

6:40-7pm I'll be on hand to work any solos with anyone who wants to.

7-7:10 warmup
10-25 Walk in the Light

• review descant p.7 and ending
• then work through piece

25-45 Sometimes I Feel

• pp. 6-8
• pp. 8-11

45-55 O Happy Day

• pp. 8-10 (w. p. 7 pickup)

55-8:00 BREAK

8-8:20 Give me Jesus

• p. 2
• then work through everything

20-35 Didn't It Rain

• middle of p. 35 to end

35-50 This Little Light

• we'll work our way through

50-8pm We Are One

Agenda for 2/18

You can now find audio and video of all of the concert music! Look for the link to the right ===>>>

All solo opportunities have now been listed! Look for the link to the right ===>>>

Here's the plan for Tuesday:

7-7:10 warmup
10-25 Walk in the Light

• review descant p.7 and ending
• then work through piece

25-35 O Happy Day

• work pp.8-10 (w/ p. 7 pickup)

35-50 All my trials

• pp.5-7

50-8pm Order my steps

• work through piece

8-8:05 BREAK

5-20 Sometimes I Feel

• pp. 6-8
• pp. 8-11

20-30 Give Me Jesus

• p. 2

30-45 Didn't it Rain

• middle of p. 35 to end

45-9pm We Are One

• pp. 10-end
• pp. 8-9
• p. 7
• then run it!

Solo Opportunities

O Happy Day

• any voice type
• pp. 8-10
• pp. 12-end

All My Trials

• soprano or tenor
• p. 4
• p.7

Sometimes I Feel

• any voice type
• pp. 3-6
• pp. 8-end

Give Me Jesus

• any voice type
• v. 2
• v. 3

Agenda for 2/11

What a nice rehearsal last night! We've still got a long way to go, but we'll get there...

If your music is a mess and are confused about program order, please find it here: http://fsuchorus.blogspot.com/2014/01/agenda-for-24-program-order.html

If you don't know when the concert is, look at the calendar. You'll find it linked to the right ===>>>

If you don't what the concert dress is, look at the syllabus. You'll find that linked to the right ===>>>

Here's the plan for Tuesday:

7-7:10 warmup
10-20 We are One, pp.7-end
20-30 It's my desire, pp.4-6
30-50 This little light, pp.8-end
50-8pm O happy day, pp.10-end
8-8:05 BREAK
5-25 Leaning on the everlasting: working backwards, then run full piece
25-35 Give me Jesus, pp.5-end
35-45 Didn't it rain, pp.1-2
45-9pm All my trials, pp3-4; 1-2; 5-6

Agenda for 2/4 & program order

Last night's rehearsal was a really good reading session. This week, we'll continue to read and then do some serious work.

In case your copies got out of order, here's the program order:

Walk in the Light
Oh Happy Day
All my trials
Order My Steps
Sometimes I Feel
Leaning on the everlasting arms
Didn’t it rain
Give Me Jesus
It’s My Desire*
We Are One*
This little light of mine*

*these are from the fourth packet, not yet handed out

As a reminder, please make sure to have a binder and a pencil. For the concert, you'll need a black binder, so you might as well get one now.

Here's the plan for Tuesday:

7-7:10 warmup

10-40 read remaining three items

40-8pm work on All my trials, pp5-7

8-8:05 break

5-15 Sometimes I feel, mm.43-62

15-25 Walk in the Light, pp6-8, adding descant

25-35 Leaning on the, pp.12-end, incl. vamp

35-45 Didn't it rain, mm.14-19

45-9pm Order my steps, pp.8-end, then run whole thing

Here's the video for Sometime I Feel. (This is my church choir.)

Rehearsals resume Tuesday, January 21!

Welcome back from winter break (almost). We resume rehearsals on Tuesday, January 21 in the same old place at the same old time.

This semester's program is a mix of some really great spirituals and gospel music, and that means that you can all look forward to some really cool music with a good amount of swing. And it's all in English! There are a number of solo opportunities, too.

As ever, it's hard to get the word out about the Chorus, so please, please, please spread the word.

See you next week!