Hello singers! Tomorrow is the big day! Please arrive at the Willow Community Center such that you are ready to sing at 2:30. If you’d like extra time to rehearse your solo or small group piece, please arrive at 2:00.
Here are a few notes following last night’s rehearsal. Overall, I think we are in good shape.
Song of the Lark: needs to be lighter and bouncier; we slow down and lose the airy feel that we start with. Watch carefully at the end; the part after the fermatas is a tempo and does not slow down until the last two measures.
Cantan Las Flores: Watch for the ritards at mm. 22, 38, and 44. We need to hear the accents of the rhythms, especially the 1 & 4 of 6/8 measures and the 1, 4, & 6 of 7/8 measures. Listen for the other parts on the last page so that we end together.
The Road Not Taken: Overall very good. Watch cutoffs, especially during the last verse. Dynamics on the p/pp sections could be a little quieter.
Who Has Seen the Wind: Watch ritards at the ends of the phrases when we have a 4/4 measure leading into a 3/4 measure. More volume on the forte sections.
Misty Morning: Be prepared for the D.S. and the coda! Watch the balance of the “oohs” against words, especially when the altos are singing part 3 on their own.
The Lion & the Tiger: Please double check your notes! Tenors, “mild” in your melody was often a step too low, which throws off the rest of the phrase. Watch for entrances, as the piano is all over the place.
The Heavens Are Telling: Be prepared for entrances after solos. Remember to emphasis the marked words to give shape to the phrases.
Songs of Nature: We’re doing quite well with this overall. The transistions between pieces could be a little more solid.
Melodies Steal: Tenors, sing confidently on your exposed lines!
Vesper Bells: more volume on the forte parts so we get a better dynamic contrast
Golden sunlight: ritards in both verses! Watch!
Slender Young Birch: keep it light & dancing
This Day: watch on ritards; tenors, confidence on your exposed lines. Very quiet when we start the ending section at m. 79 and get all the way to forte at 85.
For the Beauty of the Earth: Watch cutoffs on “praise” – very short “s” and all together. Rhythm on last page and watch carefully for the ritard at the end.
Africa: Please double check your rhythms. “Hundred men” in the refrain especially is different from the recording you’re familiar with. Be ready for the repeat and the coda. We need a few brave souls to do some ad libbing art m. 93!
Stormy Weather: Make sure we’re all ready to go on the “oohs” at the very beginning. Breathe early. Otherwise, this sounded great!
Afternoon on a Hill: I am really pleased with this as our closer. It will leave an excellent impression! The only note is to watch very carefully, and double check your entrances on page 5.
Alaska is a Rainbow: Don’t stress about this, it’s meant to be a fun, sentimental ending. Enjoy it!