NOVA Community Chorus

[May 19] From Fred: The NOVA Chorus Picnic is cancelled this Saturday. The weather forecast keeps saying that there is a 90% chance of rain.

Perhaps we can try in the fall when classes begin.

[May 13] From Fred: Our chorus picnic, scheduled for this Saturday, has been rescheduled for NEXT Saturday, May 21, same time, same place.

The weather forecast has increased to a 70% probability of rain this Saturday afternoon.

[May 2] From Fred: DIRECTIONS TO THE CHORUS PICNIC ON SATURDAY, MAY 14:

Head toward Annandale on Columbia Pike.
Go 2 ½ miles from Bailey’s Crossroads. Pass the traffic light at Whispering Lane and turn left into Ancient Oak Court when you are across from Belvedere Elementary School.
Turn toward Annandale on the short service road and turn left at the white fence with 6551 on it. Park on the right side of the road when headed inward and also on the right side of the road when you are headed outward.
We have picnic tables but very few benches, so bring some chairs.
Bring a dish to share and your favorite libation. We will have paper plates, cups, forks and a grill.
“Start Time” is around 2 PM

6551 Columbia Pike
Annandale, VA 22003

From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Singers-

-I look forward to seeing you at 6:30 pm in the Chorus Room (AT 130).
-I loaned out several copies of Chichester. Please return the scores to me or Bernie Cohen after the concert.
-Tell your friends and family to applaud following the final “Amen” pronounced ‘Ah-maine.” It is a very quiet ending and some of our audience won’t know its over.

Yours-DrW

From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Singers-

Tomorrow night is our final rehearsal, the last before this Friday’s concert. Please don’t miss it. We meet in the Chorus Room (AT130).

We’ll finish rehearsal by 9:00 pm tomorrow night. Let’s go to Clyde’s for refreshment.
UNDER 30s – If you come and sit together, I will pick up the tab for your table—food and drinks.

MUSIC MAJORS – Please send me your recording of you singing movement I of Chichester Psalms. You may sing along with your CD. As we discussed last Tuesday, it is due tomorrow.

On Friday the call is 6:30 pm IN THE CHORUS ROOM (AT130).

YOURS-DRW

From Dr. Whitmire:

Hello Singers- Thanks for a great rehearsal tonight. Once again, here is a flyer for the concert. Yours-DrW

Click image for Flyer PDF

From Dr. Whitmire: Welcome to our 13th rehearsal of Spring 2016! Please sign in.

What an excellent concert on Sunday night! Honestly, I can’t remember when we have given such a flawless performance. Your focus, excellent rhythm andbeautiful sound made my job so very easy. And once again, Brava/o! to our outstanding soloists.

Please turn in any outstanding ticket money tonight.

Tonight is our last Tuesday rehearsal before our Dress Rehearsal in Schlesinger. Please do not be absent.

Schedule
Saturday, April 23 – Full Rehearsal SATB (attendance required)
Tuesday, April 26 – Dress Rehearsal, Schlesinger, 7:30 pm
Saturday, April 30 – Full Rehearsal SATB (attendance required)
Tuesday, May 3 – Last Rehearsal. AT130
Friday, May 6 – NVCC Spring Concert, Schlesinger; 6:30 pm call

Annual Chorus Picnic
Saturday, May 14, 2:00 pm at the home of Judy and Fred Wulff
Good food, good company, good fun!

Sing Well- DrW

From Chorister Alan: A while ago I typed out our lyrics as a learning exercise and to give to Barbara and friends who come to the concert. Since the words printed in the program aren’t quite what we sing, I’ll print them for my people I spoke with Mark and he agreed it might be good to email our words to everyone. Here they are.

Alan

——————-

Springtime in Funen (Fynsk Forar)
English lyrics

1. Chorus

Like a patch of green as snows disappear,
Like a broad lily leaf lying on the mere,
Funen awakens and Spring is here!

Now blossoms the old wizened apple-tree
On hills that are round as a maiden’s knee
And spreads forth its flowers for all to see, for all to see.
In gardens where snowflakes once did lie
Are trellises stretching towards the sky.
The hops will be growing both straight and high.

And village folk say that the days are fine
From morning to dusk now the sun will shine.
And they shiver, and they shiver, and they shiver
To think of their fireside suppertime.

2. Soprano solo

Oh see, the spring is coming, The garden is a-humming,
And now the air is thin and clear, so take your cap off father dear.
So many thoughts come into my heart, I hardly dare my feelings impart.
And pussy cat is prowling, no longer stays in growling,
While winter winds were awful she stayed with Mother’s ball of wool
And Grandpa sitting by the door was pondering the Bible lore.
See, the spring is coming. Oh hear, the garden humming
The kitchen is no place to be when hearts are full and souls are free.
What is this sudden burning? What is this strange, this strange and sudden yearning?

3. Tenor solo and tenors

The tender day is light and long and full of sun and blackbirds’ song
And yet I wish, I wish, I wish the neighbor’s daughter Isobel
Who long has held my heart in spell would kiss my cheek–
I would not tell – my darling Isobel.

She’d offer me her little hand, in sweet contentment we would stand,
She’d lower eyes and give to me her lips so willingly,
Ah yes! The days are light and long and full of sun and blackbirds’ song
But Isolbel my darling dear, she loves me not, I fear.

Behind the hedge I see her there. Is it for me, her smile so fair?
She carries milk, she feeds the cat, it’s her she’s smiling at!
Oh see, she smiles! She smiles and now, my Isobel, I know not how
My heart can bear this gentle pain. Such beauty! Such disdain.

4. The Old Bachelors.

The sun once again now his warmth does send,
Come into the farmyard you welcome friend.
You come with the dust, you come with the breeze,
You breathe on the buds and they turn into leaves.

No longer you come after shower and squall,
My heart now is peaceful whate’er may befall.
My heart was a cold and deserted place
Till springtime arrived with its smiling face. (Repeat)

The maidens are dancing now arm in arm
And one of them’s hot and the other is warm.
They give one another a playful slap
The others have often to give them a rap.
Have often to give them a rap.

I light up my pipe in the twilight haze,
The sun has gone down in the western blaze.
I peer at the moon o’er the rim of my glass,
For wine and the pipe make the time soon pass.

5. The Blind Musician

Today my eyelids can feel the sun, and scorching weather has now begun.
I smell the dampness of field and wood; there must be flowers and colors good.
I go my way with a wary foot. I must not stumble on stone or root.
I hear the noises from far and near; a cow who lows in the pasture here.

I always carry my clarinet. In times of grief it consoles me yet;
Behind its cold metal keys are found so many tunes and such magic sound.
And children follow me everywhere. Their warm soft cheeks and their silken hair,
They reach for my hand with a gentle touch, the very spirit of springtime is such.

6. Boys and Girls

Now is the time for playing with our new spinning top,
Its twists and turns displaying, for we can make it hop.
And we will gather flowers and make such fine bouquets
And dance away the hours, these bright and sun-filled days.

Hey, Hans, If you will play now, you’ll get yourself a treat.
I say now. I say now. Now, now, now I’ve got us two bits of cake to eat.
Yeah, hans. If you will play now and girlish games enjoy, and curtsey low,
Well hey now, that makes you a big … soft … Mommy’s boy!
Now is the time for playing, and we will have a treat,
And we will gather flowers, and we’ll have cake to eat.
Now is the time for playing. Now is the time for playing.

7. The Old Folks

We hang up our pipes by the fireside and number our blessings at eventide,
For springtime is here, no more frosts and rains.
It helps us forget all our aches and pains.
We take our companions by the hand. Our fingers are crooked but still we
Stand together, as always, through wind and sun. It comforts us each and every one.
But when we have wandered a little way, we long to go home at the end of day,
For old folks have seen much adversity and now long to rest in Eternity.

8. Dance Song

Come here! Come here! Come play your clarinet!
Our winter hearts are longing, come here and play a dance.
We’ll make the island tremble yet where happy folk are thronging.
Come here and lay your clarinet. Come here and play your clarinet!
We’ll make the island tremble yet where happy folk are thronging.
Tra la la-la la-la la-la, tra la la-la la-la la-la
Now take your partner by the hand and join us in our dancing. Tra-la la-la etc.
Come on for Spring is in the land, its spell is quite entrancing.
Come here and play your clarinet. Tra-la la-la etc.
Come here! Come here! Come here!

And if no partner you have found, take Sophie from the bench.
She may be just a wee bit round but she’s a jolly wench.
For dancing is the highest bliss; our coats we now unbutton.
And now my sweet I want a kiss – for kissing I’m a glutton.
We dance all through the springtime day and drive the winter far away
Come here! Come here! Come here! Come here! Come here!
Come play your clarinet!

9. See, apple blossoms falling on the pathway.
See, see, see apple blossoms falling on the pathway.
(The night belongs to us. Apple blossoms falling.)

10. Dance reprise

Come here! Come here! Come play your clarinet.
Our winter hearts are longing, come here and play a dance.
We’ll make the island tremble yet where happy folk are thronging.
Now take your partner by the hand, come on for spring is in the land,
For dancing is the highest bliss. Our coats we now unbutton.
We dance all through the springtime day and drive the winter far away.
Come here! Come here! Come play your clarinet! Come play your clarinet!
We’ll make the island tremble yet where happy folk are thronging.
Come here! Come play your clarinet! Come play your clarinet!

From Dr. Whitmire: Welcome to our 12th rehearsal of Spring 2016! Please sign in.

What a fabulous concert we had on Sunday night! You filled the room with such joy and beauty! Wonderful rhythym, wonderful smiles. We had only a couple of bobbles which will we fix tonight. Brava/o! to our soloists who were outstanding.

Here is a link to some of the PR we are getting on campus
http://blogs.nvcc.edu/aloutreach/2016/03/29/nova-alexandria-music-students-to-perform-with-the-washington-metropolitan-philharmonic-orchestra

Please turn in all ticket money tonight. Support the orchestra by selling your 5 tickets. Sell your five tickets to your friends or buy them for gifts. Cash or check to WMPA.

This Saturday at 11:00 am is Men. We will work mostly on Chichester Psalms.

This Sunday, April 17, is our 3:00 pm Concert with WMPO at GW Masonic Memorial (101 Callahan Dr, Alexandria, VA). Call is 2:00 p.m. It is important that everyone is on time so that we can find our places on the risers.

Annual Chorus Picnic
Saturday, May 14, 2:00 pm at the home of Judy and Fred Wulff
Good food, good company, good fun!
Schedule
Sunday, April 17 – Concert with WMPO (Masonic Memorial) Springtime, 2:00 pm call
Tuesday, April 26 – Dress Rehearsal, Schlesinger, 7:30 pm
Friday, May 6 – NVCC Spring Concert, Schlesinger: Chichester Psalms; 6:30 pm call

Saturdays
4/16 Men
4/23 Full Rehearsal SATB (attendance required)
4/30 Full Rehearsal SATB (attendance required)

Sing Well- DrW
–

From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Singers-
What a fabulous concert we had last night! You filled the room with such joy and beauty! Wonderful rhythym, wonderful smiles. We had only a couple of bobbles which will we fix tomorrow. Brava/o! to our soloists who were outstanding.
See you all tomorrow. Yours-DrW

From Dr. Whitmire:
Dear Singers-

Here is a wonderful opportunity:

D.C. Lute Song Workshop (April-22-24). There will be a lecture on rhetoric, a masterclass, individual lessons and coaching, and a performance opportunity for students who are interested. Voice students will be paired with lute students and so they will get to learn to work together as a duo over the course of three days. More information can be found at the website: https://dclutesongworkshop.wordpress.com/ . The cost is low and includes lunches. If you have questions contact Laudon Schuett .

From Dr. Whitmire: Welcome to our 11th rehearsal of Spring 2016! Please sign in.

Thanks for a great Dress Rehearsal. You sounded fabulous.

Please support the orchestra by selling your 5 tickets.
For our October concert we paid $3000.00 for an orchestra of 10 players. You can figure how much it would cost to hire and orchestra like the one we have for Springtime in Funen. It is very much in our interest to help keep them afloat. And what could be a more worthy cause? Sell your five tickets to your friends or buy them for gifts. Cash or check to WMPA.

This Saturday at 11:00 am isWomen. We will work mostly on Chichester Psalms.

This Sunday, April 10, is our 3:00 pm Concert with WMPO at Church of the Epiphany (1317 G Street, N.W., in Washington, D.C). Call is 2:00 p.m. It is important that everyone is on time so that we can find our places on the risers. In the event the traffic makes me run late, Ul will conduct the rehearsal.

This Thursday at 7:30 pm is NOVA Idol. Two members of our chorus – Bree Verrill and Matt Cook – are finalists! Come support them if you can.

Annual Chorus Picnic
Saturday, May 14, 3:00 pm at the home of Judy and Fred Wulff
Good food, good company, good fun!
Schedule
Sunday, April 10 – Concert with WMPO (Epiphany); Springtime in Funen, 2:00 pm call
Sunday, April 17 – Concert with WMPO (Masonic Memorial) Springtime, 2:00 pm call
Tuesday, April 26 – Dress Rehearsal, Schlesinger, 7:30 pm
Friday, May 6 – NVCC Spring Concert, Schlesinger: Chichester Psalms; 6:30 pm call

Saturdays
4/9 Women
4/16 Men
4/23 Full Rehearsal SATB (attendance required)
4/30 Full Rehearsal SATB (attendance required)

Sing Well- DrW

From Dr. Whitmire: Welcome to our 10th rehearsal of Spring 2016! Please sign in.

A Wonderful concert coming up! Flyer is attached. E-mail your friends.

You should have 5 Tickets. If not, see your Section leader. They are half price. Sell your five tickets to your friends or buy them for gifts. Cash or check to WMPA.

This Saturday, April 2, is our very important Full Rehearsal here in the chorus room

This Sunday, April 3, is our 6:00 pm Dress Rehearsal at Immanuel Church on the Hill (3606 Seminary Road, Alexandria)
correction: This Sunday, April 3, our Dress Rehearsal is at our 5:00 pm.

Annual Chorus Picnic
Saturday, May 14, 3:00 pm at the home of Judy and Fred Wulff
Good food, good company, good fun!

Schedule
Sunday, April 3 – Dress Rehearsal with WMPO (Immanuel Church on the Hill), 5:00 pm
Sunday, April 10 – Concert with WMPO (Epiphany); Springtime in Funen, 2:00 pm call
Sunday, April 17 – Concert with WMPO (Masonic Memorial) Springtime, 2:00 pm call
Tuesday, April 26 – Dress Rehearsal, Schlesinger, 7:30 pm
Friday, May 6 – NVCC Spring Concert, Schlesinger: Chichester Psalms; 6:30 pm call

Saturdays
4/2 Full Rehearsal SATB (attendance required)
4/9 Women
4/16 Men
4/23 Full Rehearsal SATB (attendance required)
4/30 Full Rehearsal SATB (attendance required)

Sing Well- DrW

From Dr. Whitmire: Please publish the following:

NOVA – Alexandria Music Students to perform with the Washington Metropolitan Philharmonic Orchestra

NOVA Community Chorus (Dr. Mark Whitmire, Director) will join the Washington Metropolitan Philharmonic Orchestra to present a concert of music to celebrate the arrival of Spring. The concert will in include Appalachian Spring Suite by Aaron Copland, Springtime in Funen by Carl Nielsen, and Spring Symphony by Robert Schumann. There will be two performances: Sunday, April 10 at 3:00 p.m. at Church of the Epiphany (1317 G Street NW, Washington DC) and Sunday, April 17, at 3:00 p.m. at George Washington Masonic Memorial (101 Callahan Drive, Alexandria, Virginia 22301). This extraordinary opportunity for NOVA music students is made possible by a college/community partnership designed to give students experience performing with full orchestra. While tickets are $20 at the door, free tickets are available to NOVA students, faculty and staff. Phone: 703-845-6097 or e-mail: mwhitmire@nvcc.edu.

NOVA Community Chorus is a one hundred-voice ensemble that combines singers from the NVCC Music Program and the surrounding community. The chorus has distinguished itself both locally and internationally, performing regularly with the Washington Metropolitan Philharmonic, as well as at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, the National Theater, and the Kennedy Center. The chorus toured Spain and performed at the 1992 World’s Fair in Seville. Other international performances include Gloucester Cathedral (2003), Westminster Abbey and Canterbury Cathedral (2006), the Leipzig International Choral Festival (2008). Chartres Cathedral and Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris (2010) and St. Mark’s Basilica, Venice, and St. Peter’s Basilica, Rome (2013).

From Dr. Whitmire: Welcome to our 9th rehearsal of Spring 2016! Please sign in.

A Wonderful concert coming up! I rehearsed the orchestra on Springtime in Funen on Sunday. It sounded fabulous. This will be a wonderful concert.

Flyer is attached. E-mail your friends.

Tickets will be here tonight. See your Section leader. They are half price. Sell your five tickets to your friends or buy them for gifts. Cash or check to WMPA.

There will be no sectional or Vocal Seminar this Saturday. Enjoy the holiday weekend.

Saturday, April 2, is our very important Full Rehearsal.
Sunday, April 3, is our Dress Rehearsal.

Annual Chorus Picnic
Saturday, May 14, 3:00 pm at the home of Judy and Fred Wulff
Good food, good company, good fun!

Schedule
Sunday, April 3 – Dress Rehearsal with WMPO (Immanuel Church on the Hill), 5:00 pm
Sunday, April 10 – Concert with WMPO (Epiphany); Springtime in Funen, 2:00 pm call
Sunday, April 17 – Concert with WMPO (Masonic Memorial) Springtime, 2:00 pm call
Tuesday, April 26 – Dress Rehearsal, Schlesinger, 7:30 pm
Friday, May 6 – NVCC Spring Concert, Schlesinger: Chichester Psalms; 6:30 pm call

Saturdays
3/26 Men
4/2 Full Rehearsal SATB (attendance required)
4/9 Women
4/16 Men
4/23 Full Rehearsal SATB (attendance required)
4/30 Full Rehearsal SATB (attendance required)

Click image for Flyer PDF

From Dr. Whitmire: Tonight at 7:30 pm there is a concert you might be interested. Wonderful organist, wonder organ, FREE.

Organist Marilyn Keiser in Concert
Friday, March 18, 2016
7:30 PM to 9:00 PM
Location: Immanuel Chapel
Contact: Lifetime Theological Education

The public is invited to a recital by organist Marilyn Keiser. Dr. Keiser is Chancellor’s Professor of Music Emeritus at Jacobs School of Music, Indiana University, Bloomington.

She has appeared throughout the U.S. in concerts sponsored by churches, colleges, and chapters of the American Guild of Organists as well as playing internationally, and has been heard in performance on NPR. In May 1995, she was awarded a Doctor of Humane Letters (honoris causa) from Virginia Theological Seminary. Free admission. No tickets or registration required. This event is part of the Immanuel Chapel Dedicatory Year of Celebration. www.vts.edu/chapel

From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Singers- I am thinking about the possibility of the first-ever NOVA Community Chorus Reunion. Wouldn’t that be fun? Peggy has put together a roster (attached to email) of more that 500 singers already!. I’d like everyone to think of anyone who is missing and send me or Peggy their name and contact information (this may take some work). I know some of my long-time choristers can fill in the years 1987-2003. I think this will be a helpful data base. I’ll need help putting together a distribution list and contacting former singers. If you are willing to help with this project, please let me know.
Yours-DrW

PS- I look forward to seeing WOMEM tomorrow at 11:00 am.

From Dr. Whitmire: Welcome to our 8th rehearsal of Spring 2016! Please sign in.
I hope you enjoyed a nice Spring Break.

Absences- As you will recall, at our last rehearsal we had the highest number of absences of the semester.
Please do not be absent tonight. We have important work to do.

Please don’t forget to bring sheet music for Springtime in Funen and Chichester Psalms (in the bookstore).

Please focus on the Hebrew diction of Chichester Psalms. It is on your CD and at novachorus.org.

This Saturday at 11:00 am – Women

Annual Chorus Picnic
Saturday, May 14, 3:00 pm at the home of Judy and Fred Wulff
Good food, good company, good fun!
Schedule
Sunday, April 3 – Dress Rehearsal with WMPO (Immanuel Church on the Hill), 5:00 pm
Sunday, April 10 – Concert with WMPO (Epiphany); Springtime in Funen, 2:00 pm call
Sunday, April 17 – Concert with WMPO (Masonic Memorial) Springtime, 2:00 pm call
Tuesday, April 26 – Dress Rehearsal, Schlesinger, 7:30 pm
Friday, May 6 – NVCC Spring Concert, Schlesinger: Chichester Psalms; 6:30 pm call

Saturdays
3/19 Women
3/26 Men
4/2 Full Rehearsal SATB (attendance required)
4/9 Women
4/16 Men
4/23 Full Rehearsal SATB (attendance required)
4/30 Full Rehearsal SATB (attendance required)

From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Singers,
Thanks for your good work on Tuesday. We accomplished a great deal on Springtime in Funen and got a good start on Chichester Psalms.
However, we had the highest number of absences of the semester. I was especially disappointed at the number of singers who did not notify me or their section leader on their absence. As you know, If you have missed more than twice this semester you will need to audition to perform with the Washington Metropolitan Philharmonic next month. I will announce addition times next week.

Basses will meet tomorrow at 11:00 am. Tenors have not reached a quorum and will not meet tomorrow.

Everyone- Please work on you own or (preferably) with others in your next over break. I next concerts will be here before you know it.

Yours-DrW

PS- Here is a event that you may be interested in.

The College Music Society

CMS Presents:
A talk with Chris Betts
Tuesday 3/15, 2pm AT 130
What is it like being a professional organist and musician?
Come and learn from Washington Cathedral’s organist from 2012- 2015, Christopher Betts, who will be talking about his 20+ years of experience in the U.K and U.S performing concerts, directing, recording, and playing organ for church services.

Before coming to Washington National, he directed the 5,000-member First United Methodist Church in Lubbock, Texas, where he served for eleven years, overseeing the church’s extensive and acclaimed music program. Originally from the United Kingdom, Christopher graduated from Oxford University. He also studied the organ at Magdalen College, Lichfield Cathedral and St.
Alban’s Cathedral. He has appeared in concerts and on recordings, radio, and television in both the United States and the United Kingdom.

From Dr. Whitmire: Welcome to our 7th rehearsal of Spring 2016! Please sign in.

Bravo! Last Tuesday’s Black History Month Celebration was over-the-top! Far and away the best ever! Thanks to everyone for the hard work. The Ellington Sacred Concert came took shape at just the right moment. You sounded wonderful.

Please do not be absent tonight. We have important work to do.

Please don’t forget to bring sheet music for Springtime in Funen and Chichester Psalms (in the bookstore).

This Saturday at 11:00 am -Men

Next week is Spring Break. No Rehearsal. Please rehearse with your CD, preferably with other singers in your section. Focus on the Hebrew diction of Chichester Psalms. It is on your CD and at novachorus.org.

From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Singers-
I look forward to seeing Women tomorrow at 11:00 am. We would work on Springtime in funen and Chichester Psalms.

ALSO- I’d like to put together a roster of NOVA Community Chorus Alums for possible use this Fall. Peggy is already starting to compile recent rosters. We need your help in gathering names and contact numbers. Put your thinking caps on.

From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Performers-
Last night’s Black History Month Celebration was over-the-top! Far and away the best ever! Thanks to everyone for the hard work. The Ellington Sacred Concert came took shape at just the right moment. You sounded wonderful. Our readers were excellent. Our guest artists Lisa Edwards Burrs, Wade Beach and Roxanne King and her dance company, each gave world-class performances. BRAVO!

Chorus
I see WOMEN at 11:00 am this Saturday. Bring your Chichester Psalms and Springtime in Funen.

From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Singers-

Saturday 2/20
Tomorrow at 11:00 am we have a Full rehearsal SATB. It is our last rehearsal before Tuesday’s concert, so I hope everyone will be there.

Tuesday 2/23
Call is 6:00 pm in the Choir Room for Under 30s to rehearse Come Sunday and Singer about Love. (If you are in Music Theory, Dr. Kolm has excused you to attend rehearsal)
Call is 6:30 pm for everyone to be on the risers in Schlesinger.

If you missed last Tuesday’s dress rehearsal for any reason, please contact me immediately. If you have already explained your absence, please remind me.

I’ll have more printed posters tomorrow. Here is another digital copy as well. Spread the word. Let’s have a great crowd on Tuesday.digital

Click image for Flyer PDF