Welcome. This site provides information to chorus members. The official webpage is located at the Northern Virginia Community College site.

Sixth Rehearsal Preview

October 1st, 2013

From Dr. Whitmire: Welcome to our 6th rehearsal of Fall 2013! Please sign in.

Tonight is our last Brahms rehearsal in the chorus room.

This Saturday (10/5) will be a combined (SATB) rehearsals at noon with piano. Please make every possible effort to attend.

Next Tuesday (10/8) is our 7:30 pm Dress Rehearsal in Schlesinger. Do not miss next week.

Next Saturday (10/12) will be a combined (SATB) rehearsal at noon with piano. Please make every possible effort to attend.

Flyers are here (attached) (.pdf). Invite your friends and family to our Tuesday 10/15 Concert.

Pick up a copy of our encore piece: It was a lover and his lass.

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Flyer

September 28th, 2013

From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Singers- Attached is our 10/15 concert flyer (.pdf). Please bring your friends. If each of us brought 6 people, we would have a nice crowd. If each of us brought 12 people, we would have a full house.
I hope to see you today at noon.
Yours-DrW

Click image for Flyer PDF

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Program

September 24th, 2013

From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Singers— Our Art Department has made a beautiful poster for our Oct. 15 concert. I hope to have it to you digitally by the weekend and printed copies next Tuesday. In the meanwhile, start spreading the word. Chris and David have chosen some fantastic music. See you tonight. -DrW

from Souvenir de Russie, Op. 151, No. 3 Johannes Brahms
(1833-1897)
Romance de Warmaloff
(published under the pseudonym G. W. Marks)

from Divertissement à la Hongroise
Franz Schubert
(1797-1828)
Allegretto

Hungarian Rhapsody No. 14
Franz Liszt
(1811-1886)

Neu Liebeslieder Waltzer, Op. 65 Johannes Brahms

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Fifth Rehearsal Preview

September 24th, 2013

From Dr. Whitmire: Welcome to our 5th rehearsal of Fall 2013! Please sign in.

Tonight
-All the Brahms choruses
1-count-singing; 2-on neutral syllable du; 3-with German text
-Haydn Sanctus

I will dismiss at 9:10, except soloists and small groups
#3b alto Ellie, Debbie, Carol P, Annette, Jane, Carol U
#4 bass DeMarcus, John, Mike, Bill R, Francisco, Miguel, Matt
#5 alto Ellie, Debbie, Carol P, Annette, Jane, Carol U
#6 sop Jessi, Peggy, Michelle, Terri, Amanda
#9 sop Jessi, Peggy, Michelle, Terri, Amanda
#10 ten DeMarcus, John, Mike, Bill R, Francisco
#11 sop Michelle
#13 sop/alto Amanda/ Carol U

Attendance
All singers must either (1) be present, or (2) have notifoed your Section Leader in advance of your unavoidable absence. If you miss more than two rehearsals during preparation for a concert, you will be asked to audition to demonstrate preparedness.

Our 2nd Saturday Rehearsal was another great success. Thanks to the Section Leaders for their invaluable help. Everyone is encouraged to attend this Saturday at noon.

Yours-DrW

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Saturday

September 19th, 2013

From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Singers-
Please plan to attend our noon rehearsal on Saturday. I will be away leading a choral workshop. Section leaders and Chris will be in charge.
Altos meet n the Choir room, sopranos next door in Rm 131, tenors in a practice room and basses in a practice room (code 186). I’d like you to work on the Haydn mass from 12 noon until 12:45 pm. Then all gather in the choir room and sing through the Brahms with Chris. My CD player is on the computer table in Rm 131. There is a player in the Choir Room. I need several of you to bring boom boxes and CDs so that we are sure to have what we need. Let me know if you have any question.
Yours-DrW

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Fourth Rehearsal Preview

September 16th, 2013

From Dr. Whitmire: Welcome to our 4th rehearsal of Fall 2013! Please sign in.

Tonight
-Worksheets (these can be found on Blackboard or www.novachorus.edu; bring them them every class.)
-All the Brahms choruses; learn German text to # 8, 12 and 14. Please prepare by listening to the diction on your CD.
-Haydn Credo, Sanctus

Auditions
Thanks to all who auditioned last week. Here is my plan:
#3b alto Ellie, Debbie, Carol P, Annette, Jane, Carol U
#4 bass DeMarcus, John, Mike, Bill R, Francisco, Miguel, Matt
#5 alto Ellie, Debbie, Carol P, Annette, Jane, Carol U
#6 sop Jessi, Peggy, Michelle, Terri, Amanda
#9 sop Jessi, Peggy, Michelle, Terri, Amanda
#10 ten DeMarcus, John, Mike, Bill R, Francisco
#11 sop Michelle
#13 sop/alto Amanda/ Carol U

Attendance
All singers must either (1) be present, or (2) have notifoed your Section Leader in advance of your unavoidable absence. If you miss more than two rehearsals during preparation for a concert, you will be asked to audition to demonstrate preparedness.

Our first Saturday Rehearsal was great success. Thanks to the Section Leaders ( and subs) for their invaluable help. Everyone is encouraged to attend this Saturday at noon.

Yours-DrW

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Saturday Rehearsal

September 13th, 2013

From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Singers-
-I hope to see as many of you as possible tomorrow at noon for our first Saturday rehearsal. Each section will meet in a separate room and rehearse with CDs. Chris and I will come around and help with problem spots.
-Attached is a Worksheet (.pdf) for Brahms #15. We had a hard time counting is 9/4. This will help.
Yours-DrW

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Second Rehearsal Recap

September 7th, 2013

From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Singers-
-Thanks for another very good rehearsal on Tuesday. The Haydn Agnus Dei sounded wonderful, as did the Brahms 15. Zum Schluss (In Conclusion).
-On Tuesday we will work on all the Brahms choruses. We will add the German text to # 1, 2 and 7. Please prepare by listening to the diction on your CD.
-At 9:15 pm we will have auditions for the small groups and/or solos in the Brahms (#3 4 5 6 9 10 11 13). Learn the piece that you would enjoy singing. All Music Majors are required to audition.
-We have a great group this season. Good numbers and nicely balanced. But we must do better with attendance. Of our roster of 86, there were 22 absences on Tuesday. I know some were still on vacation. All singers must either (1) be present, or (2) notify your Section Leader in advance of your unavoidable absence.
-We are a team. We count on every player every week.

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Second Rehearsal Preview

September 3rd, 2013

From Dr. Whitmire: Welcome to our 2nd rehearsal of Fall 2013! It is going to be a great season.

Please sign in. If you are new and weren’t here last week, give your phone and e-mail. Be sure to write clearly.

Registration. If you are registered as a senior, please consider making a donation to NVCC Foundation in lieu of tuition. Donations of any amount are appreciated.

Attendance
Please try not to be absent. If you miss more than two rehearsals during preparation for a concert, you will be asked to audition to demonstrate preparedness. Please notify Section Leaders of absences:
Soprano-Peggy Harrison, peggyh @ ix.netcom.com, 703-609-6540
Alto-Debbie Peetz, peetz @ rand.org, 703-931-2872
Tenor-Larry Goldschmidt, lgold2 @ comcast.net, 703-527-7447
Bass-Ray Lombardi, rayjoyce2408 @ verizon.net, 703-524-5761

Tonight
Worksheets
Liebeslieder 14, 15
Haydn Agnus Dei

Materials
If you do not have the materials handed out at rehearsal 1, please go to novachorus.org and print them for tonight’s rehearsal.
1. Count-singing
2. Worksheets
3. Schedule

In the Bookstore
Haydn: Mass in time of war

Inside the Choir Room
Choral score Brahms Neue Liebeslieder Waltzer ($5)
Rehearsals CD for Haydn and Brahms ($10)
Cash or check payable to NVCC Foundation

You can still sign up for my Vocal Seminar. First Class is September 14. Let me know if you might be interested.

Don’t forget, our Saturday noon rehearsals begin September 14.

Yours-DrW

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First Rehearsal Recap

August 30th, 2013

From Dr. Whitmire:  Dear Singers-

Thanks for a good first rehearsal on Tuesday. A special welcome to our new members.

I hope you like the music as much as I do. It’s challenging of course, but equally rewarding.

Be sure to work with your CDS before rehearsal # 2 on this Tuesday.

The Alto Haydn Mass CD has an error. It has the bass track for Agnus Dei instead of the alto track. I have attached the alto track (.mp3) to this message, and it will be posted on novachorus.org. I will also make some new alto CDs for those who need them. I’ll have them at NOVA tomorrow 10 am-4:00 pm.

Have a great weekend. See you on Tuesday.

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First Rehearsal

August 28th, 2013

Handouts from the first rehearsal on Tuesday, August 27 (all .pdfs):

1) Welcome
2) Schedule
3) Exercises: Chords | Count-singing | Intervals | All
4) Worksheets: Haydn Agnus Dei | Haydn Kyrie | Liebeslieder 1 | Liebeslieder 2 | Liebeslieder 7 | All

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Saturday Rehearsals

August 24th, 2013

From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Singers-
I would like to have rehearsals every Saturday 12 noon – 1:15 pm beginning September 14 (except Nov. 30). We will divide by section S-A-T-B with the Section Leaders leading the rehearsal using rehearsal CDs. When a Section Leader is absent, he or she can appoint someone to lead or Chris or I will step in. We’ll meet in the classrooms and practice rooms. We’ll try it this way at least until we havelearned the notes. We used this format this summer and it seemed to be veryproductive. As you know, Saturday rehearsals are optional. I know you can’t come every week–just come as often as you can. We will evaluate thisplan mid-semester, and make changes as necessary. I look forward to seeing you all on Tuesday.

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Mailing Lists

August 24th, 2013

From Peggy to the (old) Yahoo Groups mailing list:
Dear NOVA Community Chorus member:

We are likely going to move the NOVA Chorus email list from Yahoo Groups to Google Groups. This is because of some changes Yahoo made that will make it harder to add new chorus members to the mailing list.

I have added all of last semester’s chorus members to the Google Groups list and have sent a message with TEST in the subject line.

1. If you sang with us last semester and did NOT get the Test message, please check your spam filter and make sure the new email address (novachorus@googlegroups.com) is on your approved senders list.

2. If you did NOT get the test email and want to be added to the new list, please reply to this message and say you want to be added to the Google Groups list mailing and I will add you.

3. We will add new Fall Semester NOVA Community Chorus members to the Google Groups mailing list only.

3. For a short period Dr. Whitmire will send chorus messages to both the Yahoo and Google Groups mailing lists. However, once we’re confident the new list is working properly, chorus messages will be sent only to the Google Groups list.

From Peggy to the (new) Google Groups mailing list:

Dear NOVA Chorus member:

This is a test of the new google groups email list. If there are any problems please email me directly at the address below.

Between now and the first week of the semester, Dr. Whitmire may send emails to both the new list and the old list, until we’re sure all chorus members are on the new list. We apologize in advance for the duplication, but promise it won’t last long!

Please make sure this email (novachorus@googlegroups.com) is on your spam filters approved senders list.

See you next week!

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Vocal Repertoire

August 21st, 2013

From Dr. Whitmire:
SINGERS

PLEASE NOTE THIS 12-WK FALL CLASS

If you are a singer who would like to improve your performing skills, register for Vocal Repertoire.

Mus19801a Seminar and Project: Vocal Repertoire
(74673) Saturdays 2:00-4:30 pm

Topics will include vocal technique, musical style, and expression.

The course will include one individual 25-minute coaching session with Dr. Whitmire.

Class will meet
Sept.14, Sept.21, Sept.28, Oct.5, Oct.12, Oct.19, Oct.26, Nov.2, Nov.9, Nov.16, Nov.23, Dec.7 (10:00 am until 12:30 pm on 12/7 only)

The course will be limited to twelve students.
Register now.

Christine Hagan will be the accompanist.

If you have any questions, contact
Dr. Mark Whitmire
703-845-6097 or mwhitmire@nvcc.edu

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Shuttle Service

August 21st, 2013

From Peggy: A new service for those who travel to campus via public transportation. You need a student ID which you can get at Bisdorf when you register if you don’t already have one. See this link to the college web site for more info.
http://www.nvcc.edu/about-nova/maps-directions/shuttle/

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Beginning Class Voice

August 20th, 2013

From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Singers- I need about ten folks to sign up for Mus131o1a Beginning Class voice. They need to be paying students. This is an important class and I don’t want it to be cancelled. If you decide you don’t like the instructor (me) you can drop and get a refund. If you can do it, act immediately.

Also, I have received the ok to offer my vocal seminar as a 12- wk class. This is for more experienced singers who would enjoy coaching and working with an excellent accompanist (Chris). More info to come.

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Haydn Mass

August 16th, 2013

From Fred: If you were not able to buy CDs from Mark of this mass on Friday you can at least listen to a performance of it on line.

I downloaded the audio of this mass a few weeks ago from youtube.com and edited it into 1 file per movement (.mp3 files). I found it very useful to listen to it while reading through the score, especially how the solos are woven into the choral parts. So – I sent it to Kate who loaded them onto our chorus web site at: http://www.novachorus.org/music-files/

This is from a performance directed by Bernstein.
There are 6 movements = 6 files. The entire work is 45 minutes long.

From Admin: Movement Kyrie | Gloria | Credo | Sanctus | Benedictus | Agnus Dei

[Admin: All music files will be posted to the music files page (see menu bar above) as they become available.]

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Office Hours

August 14th, 2013

From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Singers- My schedule has changed. I will not be in tomorrow. I will be in on Friday. If you plan to come get materials let me know so we can make arrangements. Yours -DrW

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Brahms Music

August 13th, 2013

From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Singers-

Here is a PDF of Brahms’ Liebeslieder Waltzer. If you plan to print for yourself, use this so you will have translations. measure numbers and other markings.

Please be sure to get your Haydn Mass in time of war at the bookstore. We will rehearse it at our first rehearsal.

[Admin: All music files will be posted to the music files page (see menu bar above) as they become available.]

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Lyric Diction for Singers

August 12th, 2013

From: Cara Cammaroto, Voice Faculty
Subject: Lyric Diction for Singers this Fall!

This Fall we are very happy to be offering Lyric Diction for Singers!

The desire to have a diction overview course has been expressed by many voice majors past and present as well as the voice faculty.

Currently, NVCC voice students “parrot” the pronunciation given to them by their private teachers.

Voice departments teach lyric diction in order to train singers on just how to handle the major languages for the art song, opera & oratorio repertoire.

But….we need your help for this to become a reality. We need to get 8-10 students enrolled prior to the start of the fall semester, or the class will be dropped.

I know many of you wait to register or register late for a variety of reasons, but please register early for this course, so we can keep it as an offering that you all need and want whether you are working towards a  AA, AAA or both.

Please see the overview below for a course description. In addition to learning the IPA and pronunciation rules,  will have several performance days with an accompanist for each of the languages.

Lyric Diction for Singers MUS 195 Section 002A    Mondays 5:15-7:05 PM Tyler Building 131

Lyric Diction for Singers

This is an overview course designed to teach voice students the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) symbols and rules of pronunciation.

IPA is a phonetic alphabet used for all languages by singers. Emphasis will be placed on Italian, German & French lyric diction.

The course will focus on the specific rules for singing, which can differ from that of spoken dialogue.

Students will learn how to use this crucial skill in preparing and performing pieces in the above mentioned languages.

Please feel free to contact me should you have any questions or concerns.

Looking forward to working with you !

Cara Cammaroto
Voice Faculty, NVCC/Alexandria
cara@caracammaroto.com
ccammaroto@nvcc.edu

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Fall Music

August 12th, 2013

From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Singers-

I hope that you are enjoying the final days of a great summer.

I will be on campus this Thursday from 1-4 pm. I will have rehearsal CDs of

Brahms: Neue Liebeslieder Waltzer (including German pronunciation, and a great recording) -$5

Haydn: Mass in Time of War (including a great recording)-$5

I will also have sheet music for Neue Liebeslieder Waltzer (including translations) -$5

Sheet music for Haydn: Mass in Time of War is in the campus bookstore.

If you want to learn your music online instead go to

Neue Liebeslieder Waltzer
http://www.cyberbass.com/Major_Works/Brahms_J/brahms_neue_liebeslieder.htm>

Mass in Time of War
http://www.cyberbass.com/Major_Works/Haydn_J/haydn_war_mass.htm

If you want to print Neue Liebeslieder Waltzer for yourself, go to
Sheet music (.pdf)

Neue Liebeslieder Waltzer has 7 choruses and 8 solo movements. I plan to use an auditioned group for the solo movements. This will give experienced singers a small group- or possibly solo opportunity, and make the task of learning the music and German more manageable for newer singers. Altos may audition for soprano solos and vice versa; tenors may audition for the bass solo and vice versa. All Music Majors must audition. 3-sop, 4-bass, 5-alto, 6-sop, 9-sop, 10-ten, 11-sop. 13-sop/alto

Please note the Revised Fall Schedule:

Tues, 10/15/13, 7:30 pm
Chorus Concert with Christine and David Hagan
Schlesinger
Brahms: Neue Liebeslieder Waltzer

Sunday, 12/01/13, 5:00 pm
Dress Rehearsal with Washington Metropolitan Philharmonic
Bishop Ireton High School
Haydn: Mass in Time of War (Paukenmesse)
(This is Thanksgiving weekend; please make every effort to adjust you plans so that you are present)

Saturday, 12/07/13, 3:00 pm
Concert with the Washington Metropolitan Philharmonic
Bishop Ireton High School
Haydn: Mass in Time of War (Paukenmesse)

Sunday, 12/08/13, 3:00 pm
Concert with the Washington Metropolitan Philharmonic
Church of the Epiphany
Haydn: Mass in Time of War (Paukenmesse)

Tues 12/10/13, 7:30 pm
Chorus/Band/Jazz Band Concert
Schlesinger

Please register now if you have not done so. If, for any reason, you cannot sing this semester, please let me know. If you know good singers who would like to join us for this great season, please invite them. I look forward to seeing all of you at our first rehearsal on Tuesday, August 27.

Yours-DrW

[Admin: All music files will be posted to the music files page (see menu bar above) as they become available.]

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Brahms Files

August 8th, 2013

From Fred: Chorus, here is some info I found useful and answers some questions that came my way:

1. We will sing the “New Love Songs” by Brahms, not his Love Songs that we sang a few years ago. There are 15 love songs in total, 7 for chorus and 8 for solos or duets.

2. I have attached the songs for chorus. All are in MP3 format. I downloaded them from youtube.com and have enjoyed listening to them and rehearsing them.
Chorus 1 | 2 | 7 | 8 | 12 | 14 | 15

3. The sheet music for this is NOT in the campus bookstore at this time (but the Haydn Mass is).

4. Details about the following information is available on our web site, novachorus.org. It is in the Email that Mark sent us on 6/13/13. There is a PDF file of the Brahms sheet music attached to his Email. You can either download and print the file yourself or buy it from Mark for $5. You can also buy it from Sheetmusicplus.com for $7 plus shipping (about $5). Mark also included links to youtube to hear a performance and cyberbass.com to get your note learning files. The Haydn Mass info is also in his Email.

[Admin: All music files will be posted to the music files page (see menu bar above) as they become available.]

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Chorus T-shirts

August 6th, 2013

From Chorister Ellie: If anyone has been meaning to get a NovaChorus tee shirt, now is a good time because CafePress is offering a 15% discount. Use the promo code “AUG15.” New products: 3/4-sleeve shirts for women, and a luggage tag! The chorus gets $1 from any purchase under $20.

http://www.cafepress.com/novachorus or link from novachorus.org

Ellie

PS: if you see another product on Cafepress that you’d like to get with the NovaChorus logo, just let me know and I’ll add it.

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Senior Citizen Registration

August 2nd, 2013

From Fred: Senior Citizen Registration is on the first day of classes, Wednesday, August 21.
First class for chorus, MUS 137, is Tuesday, August 27 at 7:30 PM in Tyler 130.
Alexandria Campus info # is 703-845-6200.

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Music Files

June 18th, 2013

From Jane: I downloaded an mp3 of Haydn’s Mass in Time of War (Paukenmesse) for $7.99 from www.songlearning.com.  You can also get Brahms Neue Liebeslieder for $15.99 (postage included)–no mp3 of this one.  I really like these learning CD’s/mp3’s from Hammond Music Service.

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