NOVA Community Chorus

From Admin: Those wishing to submit picnic pictures for posting on this site, please contact the Admin. Click on “Contact” at the top of the page. Thank you.

(5/13/2010) Dear Singers-

We have been invited by the Alexandria Symphony to join in their performances of Carmina Burana. Due to space limitations, we can only have about 30 singers. Our first rehearsal was last night and not all our spaces were filled. We presently have space for:

1 soprano, 3 altos, 2 tenors, 2 basses

If you would like to participate in this great opportunity, let me know ASAP. First come-first served.

You must be available for all rehearsals and performances:

Rehearsals are 7:30-10:00 pm in Schlesinger
Wed. May 12, piano rehearsal with conductor
Mon. May 17, orchestra and chorus
Wed. May 19, dress rehearsal

Sat. May 22, concert 1 at 8 pm
Sun. May 23, concert 2 at 3 pm

Dear Singers-

We meet tonight in Schlesinger at 6:30 pm. When you arrive, quietly take your places in the audience seats. We will take photos of the band first, then we’ll take the stage for photos and a brief warm-up.

Congratulations to Shellie Grant is graduating in Music this month! Is anyone else graduating? If so please let me know right away.

As you know the 2010 Honor’s Recital is this Thursday, May 6, at 7:30 pm in AT130. This year’s event honors some of our finest music students (including Brandon and Sam) and concludes with a reception honoring Dr. Barbara Ryland for her 38 years of faithful service to the college and 10 years of leadership of the Music Program. I hope that you can attend.

Please plan to attend the Annual Chorus picnic this Saturday at 3 pm at the Wulff’s place. It is always great fun.

Dear Singers- Here is a seating chart (3-page .pdf) for Carmina.

Dear Singers- Here are sit-stand instructions (3-page .pdf) for Carmina. Please mark your scores. At the bottom you will find standing charts for Piccolo, Ragazzi and Men’s Sextet. Yours-DrW

Forwarded from Fred:

We are looking for a few non-carmina performers to help as ushers and donation takers at the concert. Ushers (can be family members, teenagers, etc) will need to be there at 6:30 and done at 7:30. We need two adult donation takers to count money. They will need to be there at 6:30 and finish about 7:45. Any volunteers need to RSVP me. Thanks -Wendy Matthews, band director wmatthews [at] nvcc [dot] edu

(4/28/10) Forwarded from Fred:

Hi Fred:

Can you pass on to the chorus my appreciation for their work tonight? The chorus worked very hard and sang beautifully. I appreciate everyone’s generosity, talent, and professional attitude. The concert is going to be wonderful. -Wendy

From Dr. Whitmire: Details (2-page .pdf) regarding Carmina Burana standing directions, Coro Piccolo #3, #7, #8, #20 “nazaza”; Ragazzi #15, #22; Men’s Chorus #19.

From Fred: All members and families of NOVA Chorus, present and past; its director, band director, orchestra director, soloists and teachers are invited to the annual Chorus Picnic.

It is “Pot Luck.” Bring food and drinks to share. We will provide: picnic tables, hot dogs, gas grill, paper plates, utensils, volley ball court and a croquet set. We have a few old benches and chairs but you might bring your folding picnic chair in case we run short.

It is at 6551 Columbia Pike, Annandale, VA 22003 – near the intersections of Sleepy Hollow Road and Whispering Lane – both of which have traffic lights. Other large landmarks: it is directly across Columbia Pike from Belvedere Elementary School and just west of Mason District Park. As you will see from the attached map, our access road, Fitzhugh Drive, connects to Ancient Oak Court via an access road along Columbia Pike. There is additional parking along Sulky Lane which ends right at the volley ball field (not a court) and is the shortest distance to the picnic area next to our “guest house.”

Start time, Rain or Shine, is officially 3 PM but we welcome your help in setting up the tables and games any time after 2 PM. It is rain or shine because the yard is already booked on Sunday and the following weekend. We have had only one stormy chorus picnic. We just moved tables into the breezeway and garage and sang campfire songs.

We look forward to seeing you then.

Map: Picnic Map (.pdf)

(4/26/10) Dear Singers-

-Our Carmina Burana Dress Rehearsal is tomorrow at 7:30 pm in Schlesinger. Be in your seat on the risers at 7:25 pm for a warm-up.

We will rehearse the band movements first. At 8:45 you will take a five minute break and the band will be dismissed. Then we will rehearse the remaining movements with piano and percussion. We will rehearse until 10:00 pm.

-Carmina posters are here. Take some tomorrow and post them in prominent places around the community. We only printed 200 so make them count.

-Spread the word! This is going to be a very exciting concert!

From Fred: Some of us are having trouble finding the John Adams School with Mapquest and yahoo maps.

Google maps nailed it first try, placing the building complex in dead center but placing the words “John Adams Elementary School” way off among the apartment complex.

Go to: maps.google.com. Where it says “Search Maps” type in: John Adams Elementary School, 5651 Rayburn Ave, Alexandria, VA 22311

More info:

On Beauregard Street from our School headed toward Annandale

Pass Seminary (stoplight); Clydes (stoplight); Rayburn (stoplight)

Giant Food Store is right there. Turn right on Rayburn.

The school is on the right side of Rayburn Ave. and Giant Food is on the left side.

Turn right at the first intersection. The school is hidden way back there. Park anywhere.

From Annandale on Beauregard Street headed toward Seminary Road.

When you get to the top of the hill, Shopping Cntr on your left w/Giant Food Store.

Turn left at the next stoplight and you are on Rayburn.

From Fred: We will rehearse (sing) with the band tonight at John Adams Elementary School at 7:30.

The good news is that Wendy has arranged for ALL of us to use the school’s large cafeteria instead of crowding into the small rehearsal room. (This elementary school’s chorus performed Mozart’s Magic Flute there last year with their Orff instruments as well as piano + professional soloists donating their time – much of it in German. Unbelievable!)

Initially, use the same chorus arrangement as we did in our last two performances if space/tables/time permit. I don’t have a special provision for the Coro Piccolo; Ragzzi and Men’s Chorus #19 and so will let Mark dictate that in our next rehearsal. The important part of this rehearsal is the we become accustomed to Wendy’s style and she becomes accustomed to at least twice as many complications.

REMEMBER – DON’T TALK!

Dear Singers- Thanks for all the auditions. Here is what (.pdf) I have worked out. Have a great rhearsal tonight. I know you will make me proud.

(4/20/2010) Dear Singers – As the rock song says,

Dear Singers-

Tonight is our 12th rehearsal of Spring 2010!

Tonight- Carmina Burana! The whole banana!

Thanks to all who attended rehearsal on Sat at noon with Wendy Matthews. I heard good comments.

This Thursday, April 22

Rehearsal with Band

John Adams Elementary School

5651 Rayburn Ave, Alexandria

This Saturday, April 24

Full Rehearsal (SATB)

12 – 1:30 pm

AT130

Next Tuesday. April 27

Band/Chorus Dress Rehearsal

7:30 pm

Schlesinger Center

Saturday, May 1

Full Rehearsal (SATB)

12 – 1:30 pm

AT130

Tuesday. May 4

Chorus/Band Concert

7:30 pm

Schlesinger Center

Saturday, May 8

Annual Chorus Picnic

3:00 pm at the home of Fred and Judy Wulff

6551 Columbia Pike, Annandale

Dear Singers – Attached is our Carmina Burana poster. If you can

(4/19/2010) From Fred:

John Mason sends us his wonderful “Cheat Sheet” (3 page .pdf) for In Taberna.

Try it out before Tuesday night. We might actually end up with all the si la bells in the right order.

Thanks, John.

(4/13/2010 Delayed posting) Dear Singers-

Tonight to our 11th rehearsal of Spring 2010!

Brava!/o! for your even-more-wonderful opera choruses concert. You were awesome!

Tonight- Carmina Burana!

This Sat at noon – Women

(4/12/2010 Delayed posting) From Fred:

It was a Great performance. We came on and off the stage professionally, sang well and even took down some of the risers in a limited time and space.

Several singers asked if it was like herding cats but not hand ever seen that great, award winning, cat herding commercial from 3 years ago. Well, here it is: www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_MaJDK3VNE

From Peggie:

Here is info (.pdf) that my agency has forwarded about the nuclear summit that starts on Monday, and closures starting on Sunday, EVENING. Closures don

From Fred: Our chorus picnic will be on Saturday, May 8 beginning around 3 pm.

It is a great opportunity to complete our class/concert year by spending a few hours outdoors getting to know and enjoy the wonderful people you’ve been singing with. Bring your family or friend.

It is a “pot luck” affair. Bring your favorite food and/or drink to share. Place it on the long table and spend the rest of the day resting, playing (croquet, volley ball, horseshoes, etc.), munching, whatever. Mason District Park is next door if you want to go for a really long walk in the woods.

Map and pictures attached.

Map: Picnic Map (.pdf)

Croquet 1: Link to Photo

Croquet 2: Link to Photo

[Admin Repost] From Fred: See: http://www.novachorus.org/gallery/v/picnic2009/ for a LOT of good pictures.

Dear Singers-

Welcome to our 10th rehearsal of Spring 2010!

I hope that you enjoyed a wonderful Holiday weekend!

Tonight we will sing through our opera choruses, then focus on Carmina Burana

Tonight second half (12-25)

Next Rehearsal