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

From Dr. Whitmire

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.

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Senior Registration

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.

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Sheet Music

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.

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Bach Magnificat

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

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Fall 2012 Semester

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

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Berkshire Choral Festival

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!

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Chorus Schedule

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

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WMPA Summer Music Series

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.

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Music Learning Materials

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

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Jubilate Deo

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

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Bach Magnificat

June 18th, 2012

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

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Quartets

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

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Early Material

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

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2012-13 Season

June 16th, 2012

From Dr. Whitmire: Hello Singers- I hope you are having a great summer. I have been working on our exciting 2012-13 season, and want to get you the latest info regarding repertoire and dates.
NOVA Community Chorus Calendar (.pdf)

FALL MUSIC
Magnificat in D, BVW 242, By J.S. Bach, Boosey & Hawkes (#M051321407)
I will provide Antiphonal Choruses by Gabrielli and Monteverdi
Fantasy, Opus 80, By Ludwig Beethoven, Edition Peters (#8723)

If you know good singers who would like to join us, bring them! Its going to be a great year.

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Ode to Joy

May 27th, 2012

From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Singers- Here is a great opportunity to sing Ode to Joy with orchestra and to be a part of Maestro Dingwald Fleary’s 40th anniversary season as conductor of The McLean Symphony. Contact Felicia Kesse-Crawley [703.725.5042 or fkcrawley [at] gmail [dot] com} if you would like to participate.

Urgent Request for Choral Singers in All Voice Categories, with a special call for Tenors and Basses . . . to perform Next Saturday, June 2nd (.pdf)

Flyer attached (.pdf)

Yours-DrW

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Summer 2012

May 21st, 2012

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

For archived Fall 2011 or Spring 2012 information, please see to the right-hand side of the page, also under Archives.

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Chorus Picnic

May 11th, 2012

From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Singers-
Please don’t miss our Chorus Picnic tomorrow Saturday, May 12, at 3:00 pm at Barcroft Park. Barcroft Park is on Four-Mile Run between George Mason and Walter Reed. Park in the lot and take the footbridge over the creek. We are in the shelter near the playground and volleyball court. If you bring beer or wine, be very discreet, i.e. have a plastic up.

I will have CDs of Chichester Psalms, Jazz Mass and Songs of Sunset. $5 each. Cash or checks to NVCC foundation.
I will also have DVDS of Jazz Mass. $10 each. Cash or checks to NVCC foundation.

Yours- DrW

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Chorus Picnic

May 7th, 2012

From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Singers-
Please don’t miss our Chorus Picnic this Saturday, May 12, at 3:00 pm at Barcroft Park. Barcroft Park is on Four-Mile Run between George Mason and Walter Reed. Park in the lot and take the footbridge over the creek. We are in the shelter near the playground and volleyball court. A map is attached (.pdf). Bring meat for yourself and a side dish to share. If you bring beer or wine, be very discreet, i.e. have a plastic up. Please let me know if you are coming so we can make sure our ducks are in a row.

I will have CDs of Jazz Mass and Songs of Sunset. $5 each. Cash or checks to NVCC foundation.
I will also have DVDS of Jazz Mass. $10 each. Cash or checks to NVCC foundation.

Yours- DrW

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Fourteenth Rehearsal Preview

April 24th, 2012

From Dr. Whitmire: Welcome to our 14th and final rehearsal of Spring 2012!  Please sign in.

This has been a great year. Chichester Psalms, Civil War, Liturgy of St. John, Jazz Mass, Songs of Sunset and now Bernstien Barber and Sondheim. We have really made music this year!

Next Fall will include Mozart’s Mass in C minor, Antiphonal choruses by Gabrielli and Monteverdi, and more. Dates will be announced soon.

Sponsor WMPO– For the past several years the chorus has been a benefactor of the Washington Philharmonic Orchestra. I hope we can support this most worthy organization again this year. If you would like to contribute, please bring you contribution this week. Make checks to NVCC Foundation and we will write a single check from us to the WMP.

Youtube – Our first performance of Songs of Sunset is on Youtube. Check it out:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDvI5rB1E_8

Photos – As you may have noticed, we had a professional photographer at the concert. His photos are available for viewing and purchase at http://stevebarryphoto.smugmug.com/

CDs – I will have CDs of Chichester Psalms, Jazz Mass and Songs of Sunset next week. They will be only $5 each (cash or checks to NVCC Foundation).

The Spring Concert music files are posted at http://www.novachorus.org/music-files.  I have CDs for those who prefer ($5 – cash or checks to NVCC Foundation).

Order of Music for our April 26 concert
Sure On This Shining Night
Not While I’m Around
Send in the Clowns
Life Is Happiness Indeed
Make Our Garden Grow

This Thursday, April 26 – Spring Concert, 6:00 6:30 pm Call, 7:00 7:30 pm concert

Other calendar items

Friday, April 27

4:00 pm – Voice Master Class by Dr. Karen Murphy, Professor of Collaborative Piano at Mississippi State University; Singers: Michelle McHugh, Terri LaGoe,
Jon DeHart, Brandon Homayouni

7:30 pm – Voice Recital by Jonathan Price, tenor, Masters candidate at New England Conservatory (son of former NVCC faculty Kathy Price)

Saturday, April 28, 3:00 pm
Graduation Voice Recital by Stacy Dumas, soprano (former chorus member)

Saturday, May 5, 5:00 pm
Applied Voice Recital

Saturday, May 12, 3 pm
Annual Chorus Picnic at Barcroft Park

Sing Well-DrW

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Performance Flyer

April 24th, 2012

From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Singers-Several of you have requested a flier.

Here it is! (.pdf)
See you soon.

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Saturday Rehearsal

April 21st, 2012

From Dr. Whitmire:  Dear Singers-
I look forward to seeing everyone at today’s important full rehearsal (satb) at 1:00 pm.
For the past several years the chorus has been a benefactor of the Washington Philharmonic Orchestra. I hope we can support this most worthy organization again this year. If you would like to contribute, please bring you contribution this week. Make checks to NVCC Foundation and  we will write a single check from us to the WMP.

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Summer Sings

April 19th, 2012

From Chorister Fred:  This might be the best year for the Summer Sings program at Western Presb. Church.
(.pdf Flier attached)

Sing THE four great requiems without a rehearsal. None! It’s a wonderful experience.
Be surrounded by hundreds of good singers who know each work at performance quality.
Professional soloists, and directors of the best known choruses in this area.

Carpool with a seasoned chorus member if you can, go early and park under the church.

Only $10 entrance fee and $2 for score rental if it is not already in your library.

June 5:   Faure’ Requiem and Cantique de Jean Racine
June 12: Brahms Ein Deutsches Requiem (in German)
June 19: Verdi Requiem
June 26: Mozart Requiem

Details at:  www.newdominion.org/summersings.php

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Master Class

April 18th, 2012

From Chorister Mary:  Dear Chorus,
Dr. Karen Murphy from Mississippi State University will be conducting a master class on Friday, April 27, with selected music majors from NVCC.  I came across Dr. Murphy’s bio on-line and thought I’d share it with you.  You can find her bio at  http://www.music.msstate.edu/faculty/ .
Dr. Murphy is known as a “collaborative pianist”; this is a term about which you may not be familiar.  A collaborative pianist is not just a superb accompanist.  He or she is also knowledgeable about the vocal performance practice of all classical music styles (e.g., Baroque, Romantic) and is familiar with a wide range of classical vocal repertoire.  The collaborative pianist coaches the singer on interpretation and presentation of an aria, oratorio, or art song – not so much on the singer’s vocal production technique.  (As many of you know, for the latter, the singer works closely with his or her voice teacher to identify vocal issues and to improve technique.)
So, you might ask why you should attend the master class if you were not one of the four lucky souls selected by Dr. Whitmire to be coached next Friday afternoon.  First, because there is a lot to be learned from watching a master work with each of those students (a tenor, a baritone, and two sopranos), no matter what their voice type, repertoire, or skill level.  Second, because opportunities to observe master classes taught by guest artists don’t come along that often.  And third, because the master class is free.  😉
The master class starts at 4:00.  Later that evening, at 7:30, you can enjoy Dr. Murphy’s skillful accompanying in Jonathan Price’s recital.  (Also free! )
Lastly, a reception will be held immediately after the recital.  You guessed it — free.   😉  (As Fred Wulff would say, “Wow.”)

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Photo Discount

April 18th, 2012

From Chorister Mary: Dear Chorus, in case you would be interested in ordering pictures of the Songs of Sunset concert at the Church of the Epiphany, here is a discount coupon.

There is a 15% off coupon available on the stevebarryphoto.smugmug.com website. Available for the first 20 people who use it.  Use the code 15OFFx20

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Song of Sunset Performance

April 17th, 2012

From Dr. Whitmire:  Hello Dr. Templin, Dr. Maphumulo, Dr. McClellan and Dr. Matthews-
I recently conducted two performances of Songs of Sunset by Frederick Delius, performed by the Washington Metropolitan Philharmonic and the NOVA Community Chorus (AL) with soloists Grace Gori and Aurelius Gori. The concert was given as a part of the international celebration of the 150th anniversary of the composer’s birth, and was featured in the Delius Society’s Journal, published in the UK. A professional photographer took this shot that I thought you might enjoy seeing. One of the performances can be seen on Youtube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDvI5rB1E_8
Sincerely,
Mark

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