Chorus week 3
Sep. 23rd, 2008 10:56 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
billeylerThis is very like being in a different chorus in a different city. None of it is very familar, although we HAVE sung a couple of this concert's songs in the past couple of years. New rehearsal venue, fairly new director, lots of new singers.
Last night was the director's 41st birthday, so one of his posse wheeled in cake and ice cream for us all.
The major change that's happening this term is that we are memorizing all our music! For the first several years I was in the chorus, we memorized everything. Although we weren't necessarily spot on by concert time, we were able to use our bodies and our hands, rather than holding books or having them on reading stands. I like memorizing; keeps us from being lazy*.
We actually worked through two of the songs with quick read throughs then memory work. I think the guys were surprised how much they did remember. When we got to the Spanish lullaby, "A La Nanita," it wasn't QUITE as nice sounding, but it worked. Lots of murmuring and missing of notes.
Rehearsals are short now. 1 3/4 hours, which includes the warmup and a 20 minute break.
We're still at 30+ singers -- probably closer to 40 if everyone showed up all at once!
For the 3rd week in a row, it's rained a bit during rehearsals. Don't know what THAT is all about!
* and I won't have to wear these freaking reading glasses!
Last night was the director's 41st birthday, so one of his posse wheeled in cake and ice cream for us all.
The major change that's happening this term is that we are memorizing all our music! For the first several years I was in the chorus, we memorized everything. Although we weren't necessarily spot on by concert time, we were able to use our bodies and our hands, rather than holding books or having them on reading stands. I like memorizing; keeps us from being lazy*.
We actually worked through two of the songs with quick read throughs then memory work. I think the guys were surprised how much they did remember. When we got to the Spanish lullaby, "A La Nanita," it wasn't QUITE as nice sounding, but it worked. Lots of murmuring and missing of notes.
Rehearsals are short now. 1 3/4 hours, which includes the warmup and a 20 minute break.
We're still at 30+ singers -- probably closer to 40 if everyone showed up all at once!
For the 3rd week in a row, it's rained a bit during rehearsals. Don't know what THAT is all about!
* and I won't have to wear these freaking reading glasses!
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Date: 2008-09-23 06:30 pm (UTC)We were working on this sort of plainsong/african piece last night and our director taught almost the entire thing by rote. He made us all sing the melody (my part-yay!) and then kept singing parts and having people sing back. Actually very confusing, I think, and kept going back to phrases of music (no text yet, just LAs) so that many were lost. But, 30 minutes later, we sang it pretty well. We still have 3 months, so I guess it is working.
We have an all day rehearsal this Saturday where we are getting new music.
When is your concert? Maybe I'll be in town this year.
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Date: 2008-09-23 06:43 pm (UTC)Immanuel Presbyterian Church, Nob Hill
Saturday December 13, 2008 - 7:30 pm
Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Santa Fe
Sunday December 14, 2008 - 3:00 pm
Keller Hall, University of New Mexico
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Date: 2008-09-24 04:20 pm (UTC)It bugs the hell out of me that I have to miss this Saturday. But there's nothing to be done. I'll start catching up on Monday, I guess! I'll get there as early as I can, in case there's a chance to put my head together with Charlie and find out some things ahead of time so as not to appear a total fool.
Hey, Bill E: I'm excited for you! It sounds like a change for the better for your chorus. I hope it goes well! (And I hope your new director keeps the gay mariachistas in the mix for occasional guest appearances, too...!!)
Kisses to both of you!