Archive for the ‘Summer 2012’ Category

2013 Spring Semester

Saturday, December 22nd, 2012

Regular NOVAConnect registration for all 2013 Spring semester sessions is under way. Classes begin on Monday, January 14. The first chorus rehearsal is on Tuesday, January 15.

Chorus is MUS 137 001A (subject MUS, catalog number 137, section 001A).

For previous postings regarding Spring 2013, under Archives on the right-hand side of the page, click on “Spring 2013”

For archived Summer or Fall 2012 information, please see to the right-hand side of the page, also under Archives.

Reminder: Frequently Used Documents are always linked on the right side of the page:
Info for New Members (Great refresher for current members, too)
Dr. W’s Choral Singing Tips
Performance Guidance (includes concert dress guidelines)
Join the Chorus


First Rehearsal Preview

Monday, August 20th, 2012

From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Singers-
I look forward to seeing you at our first rehearsal next Tuesday, August 28.

We have three concert wonderful concert programs this semester.
With regard to sheet music and rehearsal CDs you have two options: you can download all that you need at www.novachorus.org for FREE or you can purchase sheet music and CD for $30 ($10 per concert).

Concert One-Tuesday 10/02
Choral Fantasy sheet music and Four Scottish Folksongs sheet music ($5)
Rehearsal CD ($5)
Total -$10

Concert Two-Thursday 12/06
Jubilate Deo, Diligam te Domine, Lauda Jerusalem Dominum, Christe adoramus te, Sicut cervus sheet music ($5)
Rehearsal CD ($5)
Total -$10

Concert Three-Sunday 12/9
Magnificat in D sheet music ($5)
Rehearsal CD ($5)
Total -$10

Semester Total-$30
Cash or check to NVCC Foundation

[I prepared this music in order to save you money. To buy the sheet music would have cost $75. Commercial rehearsal CDs (Cyberbass, etc) are $25 each.]

Quartets-Earlier this summer, I suggested that we learn our Concert Two repertoire in quartets. How is that working? If you are in a quartet that has rehearsed and has made good progress, please let me know.

If you know good singers who would like to join us this season, let me know or just bring them on Tuesday. See you then.


Christe adoramus te

Monday, August 20th, 2012

For Christe adoramus te, sheet music, rehearsal tracks and a recording are now posted on the music files page.


Pronunciation Files

Sunday, August 19th, 2012

From Dr. Whitmire: Here are some pronunciation files.

3 more pronunciation files

[8 attachments on the music files page]


New Music Files

Friday, August 17th, 2012

Please note that additional music files have been posted. From Admin: As rehearsal tracks, recordings and sheet music files become available, they are posted to the music files page, listed on the tab above.


Sicut cervus

Friday, August 17th, 2012

From Dr. Whitmire: Here is an additional piece for our 12/6/12 program.
From Admin: As rehearsal tracks, recordings and sheet music files become available, they are posted to the music files page, listed on the tab above.


Choir 2 Practice

Friday, August 17th, 2012

From Chorister Jane: I will host a rehearsal for the Chorus 2 Gabrielli and Monteverdi choruses on Mon, Aug 20 at 7:30.
Please let me know if you are coming (no need to reply if not) so I know how many chairs to put out.
Please bring all three pieces of music:  Lauda Jerusalem Dominum,  Jubilate Deo, and Diligam te Domine.
Arlington VA (Please contact Jane for directions jane.roningen [at] gmail [dot] com)


Office Hours

Wednesday, August 15th, 2012

From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Singers- For those who want to pick up music and or/CDs, I will be at my office around 4 -6 pm today.


Choir 1 Practice

Wednesday, August 15th, 2012

From Chorister Ellie: My quartet has been unable to practice together, for a variety of reasons.
I hereby offer to host a Choir I practice for all four parts, for any quartet member who wants to come.
Monday August 27, 7:30 to 9 pm, at my house. Allergy warning: I have cats.
Alexandria 22304 [Contact Ellie for details]
Let me know if you need directions.
Please let me know if you plan to come so I know how many chairs to put out: ellie [at] briscoe [dot] com.
Do not reply to the chorus list, just directly to me, please.


Updated Sheet Music

Sunday, August 12th, 2012

From Chorister Ellie: Could you please look at the words for the altos in Chorus I of Lauda Jerusalem?
At about measure 8, it starts not to make sense, as if a syllable got dropped, and then all the way through it’s off. By the end, we’re missing a whole word (eis.)

From Dr. Whitmire: You are right. Here is a corrected version.
From Admin: As rehearsal tracks, recordings and sheet music files become available, they are posted to the music files page, listed on the tab above.


Revised Files

Tuesday, August 7th, 2012

Please note two updated sheet music files on the music files page:
Four Scottish Folksongs. Beethoven.
Lauda Jerusalem Dominum. Claudio Monteverdi.


Duncay Gray Translation

Sunday, August 5th, 2012

From Chorister Ellie: Translation (.pdf) for “Duncan Gray.” I’m guessing most of the chorus isn’t familiar with Burns’ broad Scots…


From Dr. Whitmire

Saturday, August 4th, 2012

From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Singers-

I hope that you are having a wonderful summer. I am just back from my sojourn to Texas to visit family. I had a good visit, but it’s good to be home and to get back to preparations for the upcoming year.

As you know our first concert is the Chorus Fundraiser Concert on Tuesday, October 2. It will be an all-Beethoven program. We will sing the Choral Fantasy and Four Scottish Folksongs, arranged by Beethoven. Once again we are thrilled to have Chris and David Hagen, who will play a Beethoven symphony on the first half. It will be a very exciting program!

Kate posted the Choral Fantasy back in June. Attached is a slightly improved version (.pdf). (For those who have already printed your copy, I simply added a translation on the cover and numbered the pages.)

Also attached is Four Scottish Folksongs.

In the following messages I will attach rehearsal tracks for Choral Fantasy and Four Scottish Folksongs.

Of course, Kate will have all this at www.novachorus.org in the twinkling of a eye.

From Admin: As rehearsal tracks, recordings and sheet music files become available, they are posted to the music files page, listed on the tab above.

I will have printed copies and rehearsal CDs at our first rehearsal. I will be in my office on Wed. 8/15 in the afternoon and Thurs. 8/16 in the morning if you want to pick up materials. Music is $10. CD is $5.

Yours-DrW

PS- Register soon.


Senior Registration

Thursday, July 26th, 2012

From Chorister Fred: Senior registration is on Wednesday, August 22, according to the Dean of Students. That is the first day of classes and therefore when seniors may register.


Sheet Music

Monday, July 23rd, 2012

From Admin: All of the sheet music required for the Fall semester is available as PDFs on the music files page (see tabs above).

If you choose to purchase, there is a discount available from SheetMusicPlus.com: Save $2.00 on any order of $10.00 or more. Code s12-gjn-fvw. Offer expires September 17, 2012.


Bach Magnificat

Thursday, July 19th, 2012

From Dr. Whitmire: Regarding the Bach Magnificat, I expect that most people will use the music that… has [been] put online… Many singers already have the Peters edition and they’ll want to use them, so let’s have Peters be the recommended edition rather than Boosey. I hope this is clear. Yours- DrW


Fall 2012 Semester

Monday, July 16th, 2012

Regular NOVAConnect registration for all 2012 Fall semester sessions is under way. Classes begin on Wednesday, August 22. The first chorus rehearsal is on Tuesday, August 28.

Chorus is MUS 137 001A (subject MUS, catalog number 137, section 001A).

For previous postings regarding Fall 2012, under Archives on the right-hand side of the page, click on “Fall 2012”

For archived Spring or Summer 2012 information, please see to the right-hand side of the page, also under Archives.

Reminder: Frequently Used Documents are always linked on the right side of the page:
Info for New Members (Great refresher for current members, too)
Dr. W’s Choral Singing Tips
Performance Guidance (includes concert dress guidelines)
Join the Chorus


Berkshire Choral Festival

Saturday, July 14th, 2012

From Chorister Grace: …I just returned from a fabulous week in Edinburgh – conductor Joseph Cullen is one of the leading choral conductors in Great Britain and it was a tremendous privilege and pleasure to spend a week working with him.  Our 158-member chorus – from half a dozen countries and 20+ states – did Mozart’s “Great Mass” and Handel’s “O Sing unto the Lord” – performing at Greyfriar’s Kirk in Edinburgh with the Scottish Festival Orchestra.

The 2013 schedule is posted at http://www.choralfest.org/hear/performance_schedule_2013.php, and includes a week in Sonoma, California (a new venue for BCF) and a week in Edinburgh, both of those in June, as well as four one week vacations in Sheffield, Massachusetts in July.  Music for the various weeks includes the Mozart Requiem, the Bach Mass in B Minor, works by Vaughn Williams, Britten, and Vivaldi.  The final week in Sheffield is a week of blues and spirituals and the performance will also feature Sweet Honey in the Rock.

BCF offers scholarships for those who may not be able to afford full tuition and also offers a “young scholar” program as well as a apprentice conductor program.

I should also mention that this year’s week in Salzburg in September is still open for registration.  The conductor is Gary Thor Wedow, who is a lot of fun to sing with (I did the Bach Mass in B Minor with him several years ago).  Information about this remaining 2012 week is at https://www.chorus.org/salzburg.php.

See you soon!


Chorus Schedule

Saturday, July 14th, 2012

From Dr. Whitmire: Greetings from Texas! I hope you are having a great summer. Please note the following schedule changes:

Concerts with WMPO
12/2, 2 pm, Epiphany, Bach Magnificat
12/9, 3 pm, Ireton, Bach
3/17, 2 pm, Epiphany, Britten Cantata Academica (celebrating his 100th birthday)
3/24, 3 pm, Ireton, Britten

It is going to be a very exciting year! See you on August 28.

Yours-DrW


WMPA Summer Music Series

Saturday, July 14th, 2012

From Fred: WMPA Summer Chamber Music Series – FREE Concerts

Each summer, Washington Metropolitan Philharmonic Association sponsors a Summer Chamber Music Series (more info), held at The Lyceum in historic Old Town Alexandria. These weekly performances are free and open to the public. The performances feature small ensembles and soloists, primarily from Washington Metropolitan Philharmonic and the local arts community.


Music Learning Materials

Wednesday, June 27th, 2012

From Admin: As rehearsal tracks, recordings and sheet music files become available, they are posted to the music files page, listed on the tab above.

From Dr. Whitmire: (1) Dear Singers- I hope you are having a great summer. I know that by now you need a choir fix. So here is the music to Gabrielli’s Jubilate Deo. This message will include sheet music and a recording. The next will have Choir I rehearsal tracks, then Choir II rehearsal tracks. Enjoy.

(2) Choir I rehearsal tracks

(3) Choir II rehearsal tracks

(4) Dear Singers- Here is the music to Monteverdi’s Lauda Jerusalem Dominum. This message will include sheet music and a recording. The next will have Choir I rehearsal tracks, then Choir II rehearsal tracks. Enjoy.

(5) Choir I rehearsal tracks

(6) Choir 2 rehearsal tracks. (Tenor is the same as Choir I)

(7) Dear Singers- Here is the music to Gabrielli’s Diligam te, Domine. This message will include sheet music and a recording. The next will have Choir I rehearsal tracks, then Choir II rehearsal tracks. Enjoy.

(8) Choir I learning tracks

(9) Choir 2 learning tracks


Jubilate Deo

Wednesday, June 20th, 2012

From Chorister Estee: …while checking out the Youtube for Jubilate Deo  I discovered something that you might already know if not, you go into the Youtube Jubilate Deo  and put the voice type you want to hear predominant.  Then  you can just hear that voice part sticking out.  I found my part under Youtube Jubilate Deo Tenor 2 Predominant.  So I am assuming that you can put in any voice part that you want to hear. Makes it a tad easier to hear


Bach Magnificat

Monday, June 18th, 2012

From Dr. Whitmire: New pdfs of Bach Magnificat
Magnificat 1, 4
Magnificat 7, 11, 12


Quartets

Monday, June 18th, 2012

From Dr. Whitmire:  Dear Singers-
Our Fall music is quite wonderful, but quite challenging (anyone surprised?). I’ d like to try something new: quartets. It’s a system that I experienced in both high school and college and it proved very helpful. It’s pretty simple—you learn your music so well, that you are able to perform in a quartet. You get together periodically and work as a quartet to make sure you are solid. If each quartet is solid, you can imagine how music easier the music will be for everyone.

I can tell already (not really) that many of you like the idea, so let’s get started. As a start, I have created ten quartets below. Don’t worry—If you are in a quartet and don’t want to be, let me know and I will take you out. If you are not yet in a quartet and want to be, let me know and I will put you in.

Some of our most challenging music will be the double choruses by Gabrielli and Monteverdi so that’s where we’ll begin. I have created five chorus I quartets and five chorus II quartets (.pdf).

The sheet music (.pdf) and a recording (.mp3) are attached. Also, here is a great site where you can hear (and see!) the music.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1KCj3SDrpG8

If you like the idea I’ll send the other double choruses later. If the system works, all the quartets will know the music by our first rehearsal on August 28.

We have made great musical strides recently. I think this may help take us to the next level.

Yours-DrW


Early Material

Saturday, June 16th, 2012

From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Singers- I know many of you like to get an early start, so here is some material for you. As you know, I am moving away from CDs, since everyone has a computer. (Besides, the planet has too much plastic, right?) I ordered music in the bookstore, but this music is public domain. So here are PDFs. In this message you get sheet music, note learning sites, and Youtube links. Enjoy.
Yours-DrW

Bach Magnificat
music
Magnificat 1 (.pdf)
Magnificat 2 (.pdf)

learning tracks
http://www.cyberbass.com/Major_Works/Bach_J_S/bach_js_magnigficat.htm

performance
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bo1x-62WmrI

Beethoven Choral Fantasy
music
Choral Fantasy (.pdf)

learning tracks (this site sounds a little harsh, but you can get your notes)
http://www.learnchoralmusic.co.uk/Beethoven/Choral-Fantasy/choral-fantasy.html

performance
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kCsNlSMAq44