Music Notes – December 6

Once again, you all worked very well last night.  Now that you have had two days to get used to the stage, it is time to get re-focused on connecting to the music. So, here is a reminder of the points that I listed in yesterday’s music notes (with a couple of additions):

1. What’s next… – while you need to be 100% in the moment during each song that you sing, once you finish, you need to know “what comes next”.  Please review your running orders, and scripts, so that you know whether more music immediately follows, or you know what dialog, or scene follows.
2. Diction, Diction, Diction… (more, more, more…) – please continue to review your cutoffs and focus on “over-pronouncing” at ALL times.
3. Think about what kind of energy drives each song… everything you sing requires energy — but is it lively, or smooth, or boisterous, or sturdy, or lively, or peaceful?
4. Cutoffs – please review final cutoffs and be clear and distinct for each one!
5. Vowels – please make sure that your vowels are not spread, especially in your upper registers.  Take note of the shape of your mouth.

Here are some specific notes from last night’s rehearsal:

Wayfaring Stranger

Meaning of this song – while dramatically, Matt is speaking the human condition of “self” (I am a poor wayfaring stranger), the overall message of this song (and our role as chorus) is that of connection to each other and to our ancestors, both in this world, and “in the next.” You all represent the importance of community and connection. When the chorus really takes over in verse 3, you are proclaiming the unfathomable joy of “salvation” and of finding our “home.”

• Important – we are going to remix the group (this will happen tonight); if you need to be next to someone singing your part, please make sure that I know that when we reposition you. I already know that I need to keep Jan and Diana next to each other.
• All – measures 35 through 40: Listen to each other and count to make sure we are together.
• Section Duets – Look at/communicate visually with the sections you have duets with.

Star in the East

• Liz – You can be even more “out of tempo” on your initial phrases.  By the last phrase, we need a clear and slightly faster tempo.
• S/A ONLY on the first refrain. Please make it more buoyant and light; more bounce on the first half; more smooth on the second half.
• T/B ONLY on the second refrain. This should feel energetic and triumphant.
• Jane and Jim – please pick up the tempo, if you feel it is lagging
• ALL – the last note of every refrain should be held for two full beats.

Peace Round

• Bell – I need someone to play an E bell for the start of this round
• All – we will sing the round one time through in UNISON, then as a round three more times (sorry to take so long to get this clarified).
• Group 4 (in back) – you will end the round
• Alleluia Bells – start the singing bells before the round ends

Alleluia

• Bells – enter onto platform in order
• Bells – please start the singing bells early
• All – volume increases through the piece with each sequence of Alleluias. Keep lifting and lilting with high energy and joy. This is our transition into the new day.
• Basses – You are hanging over into rests in a couple of places (mm. 14, 22, and 30) and you need to lift on the eighth note rest with everyone else.  Please review.

While By My Sheep

• Germans – Sweep into place quickly.
• All – keep it light.
• Balance between brass, chorus and small group seemed to be good.

Auld Lang Syne – choral version

• Text – “And there’s a hand..” and “We’ll tak a right guid willie waught” the first time; “We’ll tak a cup o’ kindness” the second time.

Rorate

• Altos – Make sure you are carrying through (no breath) the descending eighth notes on beats 3 and 4 of measures 18 (“air sing”), 22 (“fair be”), 37 (“height re-“) and 40 (“flight be”).
• Sopranos, Altos, Tenors – In consultation with section leaders, I would like you all to “lift” at mm. 22 and 40. We will practice this tonight.
• All – the words we very “mushy” in this song (and, they are strange) so please OVER-PRONOUNCE! Work on words – there are lots of words and phrases we don’t typically use so they are hard to remember.