Two performance videos have recently been posted. These links are also listed on the Performances Page at http://www.novachorus.org
Annual Chorus Benefit Concert
October 25, 2016:
Video: https://youtu.be/_8E7L7XE1ac
John Ireland: These things shall be
April 9, 2017:
Video: https://youtu.be/nIAvViasXkg
From Chorister Ray Lombardi:
In response to a couple of requests, I’m sending the gist of what I said at Mark’s farewell, recreating as best I remember, the ad-lib part
—–
In the Fall of 1986, I had just retired and was looking around for someplace to sing – having had a brief time with a small chorus in Paris.
Having no training and not knowing enough music to audition with anyone,, I stumbled upon a NOVA catalog which listed “MUSIC 137 Chorus”.
Said to myself – this course could teach me something about being in a chorus and maybe help me find one.
On the appointed night I turned up at the Tyler building (late) and knocked on the door. after a while the director (Cathy Price) answered – a little irritated.
I asked if this was the chorus room and she replied “are you a tenor or a bass?” I said I thought I was a bass and she said “Stand over there!”
and I’ve been standing over there for thirty-one years.
The next year, when Mark took over the group I observed that he was just a patient as Cathy had been, especially with neophytes.
From careful watching, I began to see the signs in Mark’s behavior which showed plainly when we in the chorus had gone too far and backing off was essential.
YOUR PATIENCE WAS USUALLY AMPLE
WHEN IT WASN’T, THE SIGNS THEY WERE SIMPLE.
OUR BEHAVIOR ABYSMAL, WOULD MAKE YOU LOOK DISMAL
AND THAT VEIN WOULD THROB IN YOUR TEMPLE.
FOR NOW, IT’S FAREWELL, DR. MARKIE
WITH A HO -A- DINKUM -LARKEE
YOU GAVE US ALL SUCH WONDERFUL STUFF
AND WE CAN’T THANK YOU ENOUGH.
From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Singers-
Friday night was a wonderful night. Everything I had hoped it would be and more. My deepest thanks to all who played a part in organizing the party, and thanks to all who were able to attend. The speeches were beautiful. The photos were fabulous. I can’t count the times I heard, “He had hair?” My gifts (the golf trip, the cash, the engraved divot too, the framed “Mark my Words” and other items) were fantastic. The loveliest of all was the bag of personal notes from so many of you. I have just become to read them and, of course, they make me miss you already. I appreciate all the happy reminiscences of good times and great music.
Until we meet again, my love to you all – DrW
From Chorister Bernie Cohen:
Mark, My Words
Click image for PDF
From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Singers,
What a perfect night. Thank you.
Seminar- We will have a normal class tomorrow. I can’t stay after for potluck, though you guys are welcome to stay.
Yours-DrW
From Dr. Whitmire: Welcome to our 15th and rehearsal.
This Friday 5/5 is our 7:30 pm Concert in Schlesinger. The call is 6:30 pm in the Choir Room (AT130).
The concert order is Jazz -Chorus-Intermission-Band
What an incredible year this has been! Can you believe how much music we have been privileged to sing?
Nachtlied, Robert Schumann
Miriam’s Song of Triumph, Franz Schubert
How Lovely is Thy Dwelling Place, Johannes Brahms
Gloria, Francis Poulenc
Earth is our Mother, Dave Brubeck
Water Nights, Eric Whitacre
Wade in the Water, Moses Hogan
Sicut cervus, Palestrina
Old American Songs (PS-This is the order)
The Boatman’s Dance
Long Time Ago
I bought me a cat
Simple Gifts
Zion’s Walls
Ching-A-Ring Chaw
At the River
Don’t dare miss our May 12 Celebration!
Yours-DrW
From Dr. Whitmire:
Welcome to our 14th rehearsal of 2017.
Next Tuesday 5/2 is our Dress Rehearsal in Schlesinger
Next Friday 5/5 is our 7:30 pm Concert in Schlesinger. The call is 6:30 pm
in the Choir Room (AT130).
The concert order is Jazz Band-Chorus-Intermission-Band
A Flyer is attached. Spread the word about our concert.
What an incredible year this has been! Can you believe how much music we have been privileged to sing?
Nachtlied, Robert Schumann
Miriam’s Song of Triumph, Franz Schubert
How Lovely is Thy Dwelling Place, Johannes Brahms
Gloria, Francis Poulenc
Earth is our Mother, Dave Brubeck
Water Nights, Eric Whitacre
Wade in the Water, Moses Hogan
Sicut cervus, Palestrina
Old American Songs (PS-This is the order in which we’ll sing them)
The Boatman’s Dance
Long Time Ago
I bought me a cat
Simple Gifts
Zion’s Walls
Ching-A-Ring Chaw
At the River
Don’t dare miss our May 12 Celebration!
Yours-DrW
Click image for Flyer PDF
From Dr. Whitmire: Welcome to our 13th rehearsal of 2017.
Please see the Roster for our May 5 Concert. Check the box that corresponds to the number of years you have been in the chorus.
After tonight we have only 1 rehearsal before our May 2 Dress Rehearsal. Please don’t be absent. We want to go out with a bang! Go here for the notes: http://parischoralsociety.free.fr/spring12.html
This Saturday 4/22 I see Women at 11:00 am.
Next Saturday 4/29 I see everyone (Full Rehearsal) at 11:00 am.
Don’t dare miss our May 12 Celebration!
Yours-DrW
From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Singers-
Several of you have expressed interest in the trip to Germany with composer/conductor Paul Leavitt. Attached are the trip details (.pdf). Looks really fun!
Yours-DrW
From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Singers –
The pollen has gotten the best of me. I do not feel well and have laryngitis and will not be in the weekend (Friday or Saturday).
May 5 program – I would like to ackowledge those singers who have been with me for 10, 20 and 30 years in the program on May 5. Please see the attched roster and let me know if you years of serivce is correct.
Have a wonderful weekend.
Yours-DrW
From Chorister Annette: There is a free concert (no tickets, donations accepted), with chorus and orchestra, Friday, April 28, and Saturday, April 29, at 8 p.m. The program includes Paul Leavitt’s Cantata Emmanuel and Poulenc Gloria.
This is at Church of the Reformation, 212 East Capital Street, NE, Washington, DC (just behind the Supreme Court, convenient to Metro).
NOVA chorus members may recall singing another work by Leavitt, his Requiem, a couple of years ago, as well as the Poulenc work last winter.
Flyer attached (.pdf).
From Dr. Whitmire:
Welcome to our 12th rehearsal of 2017.
“Transcending All” I am still holding on to the wonderful, sublime musical experience that you created on Sunday at the Masonic Memorial singing These things shall be. I can’t remember being more moved by any music we have sung together.
Hard Bargain Farm on Saturday was a great event. Thanks to all who were able to participate. I particularly loved having so many children with us. They will make a difference long into the uture.
Please get any remaining ticket money to section leaders tonight.
Please see the Roster for our May 5 Concert. If you haven’t done so, check the box that corresponds to the number of years you have been in the chorus.
After tonight we have only 2 rehearsals before we sing Copland on May 5. Please don’t be absent. We want to go out with a bang! Go here for the notes: http://parischoralsociety.free.fr/spring12.html
The Chorale of the Friday Morning Music Club (Paul Leavitt, Director) is taking an October trip to Germany and Lithuania where they will be sing Paul Leavitt’s Requiem, which we performed two seasons back. If this trip is of interest, let me know and I’ll send you details
Don’t dare miss our May 12 Celebration!
Yours-DrW
World Water Day Concert
On Tuesday, March 21, the NOVA Community Chorus (Dr. Mark Whitmire, Director) presented A World Water Day Concert in Schlesinger Concert Hall. The event was co-sponsored by The Federal Water Quality Association, Water For People, and The Alice Ferguson Foundation, a local non-profit organization that focuses on cleaning up the Potomac River. In attendance were Dr. Scott Ralls (NVCC President), Mr. Rob Johnson (NVCC Director of Sustainability), and Michael Deane, former Associate Assistant Administrator for Water in the Environmental Protection Agency. The event featured water-themed music by NOVA Community Chorus, music students Margaret Bisulca and Riley Baisch, and music faculty member Christine Hagan. There was also a dance performance by the Metropolitan Youth Tap Ensemble. Original poems on the theme of water were read by poetry contest winners Martha Evans, Bernie Cohen, Conrado Muluc and Shannon Nelson. Winners were selected by a faculty panel from among more than thirty submissions by NVCC students
29th Annual Potomac River Watershed Cleanup
On Saturday, April 8th, thirty members of the chorus, friends and family and other NOVA students participated in the 29th Annual Potomac River Watershed Cleanup. They gathered to pick up trash and marine debris along the shoreline of the Potomac River at Hard Bargain Farm, located on the Maryland side of the Potomac, across from Mt. Vernon. Last year the Alice Ferguson Foundation, organizer of the cleanup, picked up over 950,000 pounds of trash from the river. These NVCC students picked up approximately 20 thirty-gallon bags of trash.
Click image for PDF
From Dr. Whitmire: To keep the lot open for patrons, please car pool and to park at the west end of the parking lot beyond the fence on the side of the road.
Video from the World Water Day Concert on Tuesday, March 21 has been posted: https://youtu.be/GRRiGj0TR3A
[Compiled information]
ACTION
Save the date – On Saturday, April 8th, 2017
The Chorus invites and students, faculty and staff from across the campus to join us in the
29th Annual Potomac River Watershed Cleanup with
the Alice Ferguson Foundation
On Saturday, April 8th, 2017 we will pick up trash and marine debris along the shoreline of the Potomac River. Join us for this regional, watershed-wide event, with more than 9,000 volunteers taking action for clean land, safe water and healthy lives. Please wear weather appropriate clothing and closed toed shoes. Bring a reusable water bottle.
Where: 2001 Bryan Point Road Accokeek, Maryland 20607… Follow the signs to the parking area by Piscataway National Park. (located on the Maryland side of the Potomac, across from Mt. Vernon)
When: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Why: To protect the source of our drinking water, the Potomac River. To get outside and have fun with family, friends, and community members!
Information about registration will be available soon.
Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/1808166592777905/
February 14 Update:
What to bring:
– Wear clothes and shoes that you don’t mind getting dirty and please dress for the weather! We will be outside.
– We will be on dry land along the shoreline. There are opportunities to wade in the
water, so bring rain boots if that is of interest.
– Please bring a reusable water bottle (filled) and any snacks you may want.
– Let’s plan to picnic together following the clean-up. Even if cleaning-up is not for you, join us for the picnic.
– AFF will provide gloves, trash bags, and a safety introduction.
Let’s carpool from NOVA! It is 36 minutes (21 miles) from NOVA. We will depart NOVA at 8:00 am.
Address is 2001 Bryan Point Road Accokeek, MD 20607.
You can follow the directions (HBF day groups) on the AFF webpage [http://fergusonfoundation.org/directions/]
The event will take place about 1 mile down the road from the Alice Ferguson Foundation, on Bryan Point Road. There will be signs on Bryan Point road. The GPS coodinates are 38.692718, -77.068818.
April 4 Update:
Dear Singers, here is
Clean-up info
Meet at NOVA at 7:45 am on Saturday 4/8. We will leave at 8:00 am.
Alice Ferguson Foundation
2001 Bryan Point Road
Accokeek, Maryland 20607
Once we arrive, there will be signs to direct us to KEEP GOING down the road until we reach the parking at Piscataway.
Come dressed for the weather! Clothes that you don’t mind getting a little muddy and dirty are preferred. Wear closed toed shoes and bring a reusable water bottle.
There are only two tables for the picnic, so pack a blanket to sit on too.
My cell is 804-467-3039.
Yours-DrW
From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Singers-
Chorus
-Words cannot express how awesome you were on Sunday night. In the ZONE! Beautiful tone. Perfect eye contact. Excellent rhythm. I hope that it was a transporting for you as for me.
-Lots of you were out sick. I hope that you have recovered and will be a rehearsal tonight and at the concert on Sunday at GW Masonic Temple. I don’t want anyone to miss this experience.
-We meet at NOVA this Saturday morning to go to the clean-up at Hard Bargain Farm. We depart at 8:00 am. As of now, only 11 are signed up. Come on singers! This is our chance to do something real! Sign up tonight.
-The call at GW Masonic Temple this Sunday is 2 pm. I will be there this time!
-Tickets- We have a very poor crowd last Sunday. Please get us a good crowd for this great piece. Turn in ticket money today.
Class Voice
I am sorry our class was cancelled without notice last night. I could tell on Sunday that I was coming down with something (mostly related to pollen) so I engaged Dr. Gori to sub for me. I sent the administration a message on Sunday notifying them that I was sick and was engaging Rex as a sub. I ask that them notify me asap if there was a problem. They didn’t. Instead, they cancelled the class via signs posted on the door on Monday night. Rex drove down from Kensington , MD for nothing (I will pay him anyway). I had twenty students miss the chance to take a class with a master teacher who taught on our campus with great success for twenty years. I am sorry for the total disregard for the interests of students. Tax payers deserve better.
Vocal Seminar
As you know, our class will meet this Friday 5-7 pm. Afterwards we will dine at Clyde’s instead of having a potluck. We have a reservation. Don’t miss it.
Yours-DrW
From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Singers,
-I look forward to seeing everyone tomorrow at Church of the Epiphany. Our rehearsal begins at 2:00 pm. The concert begins at 3:00 pm; we are last on the program.
-Men had a great rehearsal today. Basses had a great turnout. Kudos to Tom Donlan who was our only tenor.
-Everyone- Please listen to this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mvV2a0pkcE4&t=605s twice today and twice tomorrow. The first time just listen to get a clear idea of how we want to sound. The second time sing your part to make sure you are secure in all the entrances. If everyone will do this, it will make a big difference.
Yours-DrW
From Dr. Whitmire: Thanks to all who attended our World Water Day Concert. We had a great crowd.
PEACE – MW
From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Singers-
Last night
Thanks so much for you excellent work at last night’s Dress Rehearsal with orchestra. The second time through you gave me just what we needed. We will work out the weak spots (mostly the unaccompanied spots) tomorrow night. If you missed the Dress Rehearsal for any reason, please let me know asap. If you told me previously of a schedule problem, please remind me.
Tickets
Section leaders have your five tickets half-priced tickets. Please sell them or buy them and give them as gifts.
Flyer
A flyer is attached. Please spread the word. We want our last concert with the orchestra to have a great crowd.
Copland
We’ll sing through a few of the Copland choruses tomorrow. Please bring your music.
April 8 Cleanup
There will be a sign-up sheet tomorrow where participants will give their name and whether you will car-pool with us or meet us at Hard Bargain Farm. Halina has posted sign-ups for the noon pot-luck picnic. I hope that many of you will join us and lend a hand. No rehearsal on April 8.
Fall 2017
I have talked to many of you about where you will be singing in the Fall. While some of you will remain at NOVA, others have said they will not, given all that has happened. I think that the Chorale of the Friday Morning Music Club might be a good fit for many of you. http://www.fmmc.org/performance-opportunities/vocalopportunities/. I am having lunch with Director Paul Leavitt http://paulleavitt.com/ftp.paulleavitt.com/Welcome.html tomorrow. I know this transition is difficult for many of you. It is very, very difficult for me as well. I can’t express how much I appreciate and love every one of you.
May 12 Celebration Committee
If you want to help with the planning/execution of our party (even if you have not previously signed up) please plan to meet for a few minutes at the end of tomorrow’s rehearsal.
Yours-DrW
Click image for Flyer PDF
From Dr. Whitmire: Here is a site to help you learn the Copland Old American Songs.
From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Singers-
Thanks for making last night such a wonderful event. Sicut Cervus set the stage perfectly for a night full of purpose and meaning. Several people said that the fact that you sang it by memory made all the difference. I really enjoyed getting to sit in the audience and enjoy Wade in the water. Brava/o to our soloists and conductor Jon DeHart. You took Earth is our Mother to a whole new level. It was a very transcendent experience for me–I hope for you too.
I hope you took today off from music study. But there’s no rest for the weary, and I need tyou to get back to work tomorrow. We have a full rehearsal on Saturday at 11:00 am. We had a great turnout last Saturday, and that made all the difference. Our Dress Reheasal with orchestra These things shall be is Sunday at at 5:00 pm at Immanuel Church. If everyone spends time practicing on on both Thursday and Friday, we can do another great job.
I hope to send you the poems from last night soon. I understand that most of you weren’t able to hear them. We hope to have a video up soon as well. Section Leaders will hand out tickets after rehearsal on Sunday night.
Yours-DrW
P.S. FYI, The address for Immanuel Church on the Hill is 3606 Seminary Rd, Alexandria, VA
From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Singers- Let’s use black folders for the concert. We’ll sing Sicut cervus and Wade in the water without music.
Thanks for the excellent rehearsal today- DrW
[Admin Reposting] Please review the concert performance attire guidelines as listed in the Performance Advice (.pdf) document, always posted to the right.
Men’s Concert Dress
A tuxedo, white dress shirt or formal shirt with black bow tie, black shoes and socks. If you don’t own a tux and don’t wish to rent one, a black or dark blue suit is permitted in this chorus. You can often pick up used tuxedos at rental stores or secondhand locations.
Women’s Concert Dress
Dress Options
Floor length dresses or separates (top with floor length skirt or formal dress slacks)
Floor length means to the ankle/top of the shoe.
Color
Black matte finish
Neckline
Modest, unadorned “V” neckline. No ruffles, no flounces, no collar, no cleavage
Sleeves
Long sleeves or 3/4 sleeves
Footwear
Black shoes with black hosiery
Accessories
Jewelry should be unobtrusive–modest, not flashy.
[Purses should not be brought on stage. Options are to lock it in your car or in a room identified for such use at the performance venue. If you choose a skirt or slacks with pockets, you may be able to carry all you need there. If you are using a ring binder for your music, a pencil case clamped in with your music can hold keys, a comb and lipstick.]
The following are NOT be acceptable:
Slacks: Leggings, chinos, denim jeans, khaki-style, any pant that would expose the midriff
Fabrics: Velvet, satin/shiny fabrics, sheer/see-through fabrics like chiffon or lace, sequined fabrics, heavily patterned fabrics
All
Please refrain from wearing scented products, including perfumes, some hair sprays, etc. Also be mindful of oral hygiene.
We often do not have changing or secure storage facilities backstage. Bring only what you intend to have with you onstage.
When filing onto stage, climb the risers at the end, and then walk to your place.
Keep your music at your side while walking.
While standing, do not lock your knees. If you feel faint, alert the singers on both sides and sit down on your own riser with their help.
Be careful when stepping off risers. You can easily trip and fall.
When filing off of the stage, do not walk to one end and jump off.
Listen carefully for the location of the post performance party. Follow someone there.
Caution: water is not allowed on stage during performances. Cough drops in your pocket are a good emergency measure for performances.
Chorus members are encouraged to look at websites of vendors specializing in outfitting ensembles to get an idea of the overall look of formality we are trying to achieve. If you need to purchase garments to fit the profile, the following websites are just a few we looked at that have appropriate clothing choices. The profile is basic enough that you may be able to find “the right stuff” at a local department store. You may already own an outfit that fits the profile, or you may be able to borrow one from a friend or family member.
http://www.formalfashionsinc.com/
http://www.formalwear-outlet.com/
