From Dr. Whitmire: Reminder: men’s rehearsal today at 1:00 pm
Correction to my last message: Our April 26 Concert begins at 7:30 pm, 6:30 pm call (as printed on your schedule)
To View PDF Files:
Welcome. This site provides information to chorus members. The official webpage is located at the Northern Virginia Community College site.
Reminder
April 14th, 2012
Reception
April 10th, 2012
From Chorister Mary: Dear NOVA Chorus members,
Dr. Mark Whitmire has invited guest artists to perform at NOVA on Friday, April 27. Dr. Karen Murphy of Mississippi State University will be conducting a master class whose participants include members of our chorus. The master class is scheduled for 4:00 pm, while at 7:30 pm a voice recital will be given by Jonathan Price, a tenor originally from Virginia who is completing work for his masters from the New England Conservatory. The master class and the recital are open to everyone, and you are encouraged to come and bring your friends. We will want to cheer on our chorus mates, learn from the master class, and enjoy a performance by an up and coming young tenor who has already performed with regional and international opera houses.
(Jonathan’s surname may ring a bell. Two years ago, about half the women in the chorus participated in a doctoral study by Kathy Kessler Price, a former professor at NOVA, on the topic of women’s vocal issues. Last February Kathy presented the results of her study at NOVA, and shortly after received her doctorate in Vocal Pedagogy from Kansas State University. Jonathan is Kathy’s son. Dr. Price now teaches at Mississippi State University and is a colleague of Dr. Murphy.)
We will have a reception for our guest artists immediately following Jonathan Price’s recital. Carol Pellenberg, Pat Connors, and Mary Yee are coordinating the reception which will feature “finger foods”. This message is a call for donations. Below is a list (.pdf) of suggested food, drinks, and serving items.
Would you like to contribute to the reception? More information (.pdf)
Photos
April 10th, 2012
From Dr. Whitmire: 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/
They are beautiful.
Twelfth Rehearsal Preview
April 10th, 2012
From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Singers- Welcome to our 12th rehearsal of Spring 2012!. Please sign in.
Too many absences – This has been a great year. Let’s end strong. Don’t miss rehearsal.
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. He will have photos available soon.
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).
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
Thursday, April 26 – Spring Concert, 6:00 6:30 pm Call, 7:00 7:30 pm concert
Save the date– Our Annual Chorus Picnic will be Saturday, May 12, starting at 3 pm. We are planning to have it at Barcroft Park on four Mile Run, just minutes from NVCC. (We’re not having it at the Wulff’s this year so that Fred can rest and get well.) More details to follow.
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)
Sing Well-DrW
Songs of Sunset
April 9th, 2012
From Dr. Whitmire: Check this out:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDvI5rB1E_8
Yours-DrW
—–
[April 7, 2012] An amateur recording of the March 31 performance is posted on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDvI5rB1E_8
Women’s Rehearsal
April 7th, 2012
From Dr. Whitmire: Reminder: women’s rehearsal today at 1 pm
Performance Recording
April 5th, 2012
From Dr. Whitmire: Here is a the finale of Songs of Sunset (.mp3) from Sunday afternoon. We will have CDs available.
Yours-DrW
Eleventh Rehearsal Preview
April 3rd, 2012
From Dr. Whitmire: Welcome to our 11th rehearsal of Spring 2012! Please sign in.
Thanks for your magnificent singing on Saturday and Sunday. You really captured the warmth and longing of the music. Moreover, thanks for keeping faith while we brought to life a piece of music that is not easily accessible. It could not have been more rewarding for me—I hope the same for you.
If you missed the either concert for any reason, please contact me immediately. If you have already spoken to me about your absence, please remind me.
Tickets– Be sure to turn is your checks and cash or tickets to your section leader. Basses, you may give any outstanding checks and cash or tickets tom me as Ray will be out tomorrow night.
The Spring Concert music files are now posted at http://www.novachorus.org/music-files. Hurray Kate.
I have CDs for those who prefer ($5 – cash or checks to NVCC Foundation).
Please bring your music for our April 26 concert.
Make Our Garden Grow
Life Is Happiness Indeed
Not While I’m Around
Send in the Clowns
Sure On This Shining Night
Late Spring 2012 Schedule
Thursday, April 26, 7:30 pm Band/Chorus Spring Concert, Schlesinger Center
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)
Donate Music
April 2nd, 2012
From. Dr. Whitmire: Dear singers- If you would be willing to donate of loan a copy of Chichester Psalms or the Rutter Gloria, please bring the music tomorrow night.
Thanks. -DrW
After Concert
April 2nd, 2012
From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Singers-
Thanks for your magnificent singing yesterday. You really captured the warmth and longing of the music. Moreover, thanks for keeping faith while we brought to life a piece of music that is not easily accessible. It could not have been more rewarding for me—I hope the same for you.
Be sure to turn is your checks and cash or tickets to your section leader. Basses, you may give any outstanding checks and cash or tickets tom me as Ray will be out tomorrow night.
The Spring Concert music files are now posted at http://www.novachorus.org/music-files. Hurray Kate.
I will bring more CDs for those who prefer ($5).
Yours-DrW
Practice
March 30th, 2012
From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Singers-
Please find a couple of hours between now and 2:00 pm tomorrow to practice Songs of Sunset. It will make all the difference.
Tomorrow I will give Kate the rehearsal tracks for our 04-26-12 concert and she will post them at novachorus.org/music-files. I will bring CDs tomorrow for those of you who prefer CDs. $5 cash or check to NVCC Foundation.
Yours-DrW
Summer Class
March 27th, 2012
From Dr. Whitmire: SINGERS
PLEASE NOTE THIS SUMMER CLASS
If you are a singer who would like to improve your performing skills, register for my Vocal Repertoire.
MUS 198 | Seminar And Project Vocal Repertoire | 1.00 cr | Six Week – First
11299 | 040A | T 7:30PM – 9:55PM | AT-0130 | Alexandria | Whitmire, Mark A
Topics will include vocal technique, musical style, and expression.
The course will include one individual 25-minute coaching session with Dr. Whitmire to be arranged before and after the class meeting time.
Class will meet May 15, May 22, May 29, June 5, June 12, June 19
The course will be limited to twelve students.
Christine Hagan will be the accompanist.
If you have any questions, contact
Dr. Mark Whitmire
703-845-6097 or mwhitmire@nvcc.edu
Tenth Rehearsal Preview
March 27th, 2012
From Dr. Whitmire: Welcome to our 10th rehearsal of Spring 2012! Please sign in.
Thanks for a great Dress Rehearsal on Sunday night. I hope you enjoyed the opportunity to hear our excellent soloists, Grace and Rex Gori.
If you missed the Dress Rehearsal for any reason, please contact me immediately. If you have already spoken to me about your absence, please remind me.
Thanks also for your patience and professionalism in dealing with the crowdedness. At our Saturday concert at Church of the Epiphany there will be much more room, since we will bring the sopranos and altos around the sides of the stage. At our Sunday concert at Bishop Ireton. I would like to have the first six sopranos go beyond the riser and stand on the floor. Likewise we’ll have six altos stand on the floor next to the risers. The timpani will move over.
Tickets for Songs of Sunset are here. See your Section Leader. I hope that each singer will sell five tickets. You might consider buying them and giving them to friends. Our tickets are half the price at the door.
Please bring your music for our April 26 concert.
Make Our Garden Grow
Life Is Happiness Indeed
Not While I’m Around (not the same version as in years past)
Send in the Clowns (not the same version as in years past)
Sure On This Shining Night
We will not sing Under the Greenwood Tree. Hold on to it and I will try to program it for a future concert.
Late Spring 2012 Schedule
Saturday, March 31, 2:00 pm Call; 3:00 pm Concert at Church of the Epiphany
Sunday, April 1, 2:00 pm Call; 3:00 pm Concert at Bishop Ireton HS
Thursday, April 26, 7:30 pm Band/Chorus Spring Concert, Schlesinger Center
Other Calendar item
Friday, April 27
4:00 pm – Voice Master Class by Dr. Karen Murphy, Professor of Collaborative Piano at Mississippi State University
7:30 pm – Voice Recital by Jonathan Price, tenor, Masters candidate at New England Conservatory (son of former NVCC faculty Kathy Price)
Performance Attire
March 25th, 2012
[Reposting] Please review the concert performance attire guidelines as listed in the Performance Guidance (.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
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/
Dress Rehearsal
March 20th, 2012
From Dr. Whitmire: PLEASE NOTE
This Sunday, March 25, our Dress Rehearsal will be 7-9:00 pm.
THIS IS A TIME CHANGE
More Info
March 20th, 2012
From Dr. Whitmire: More info
Tickets for Songs of Sunset are here. See your Section Leader. I hope that each singer will sell five tickets. You might consider buying them and giving them to friends. Our tickets are half the price at the door.
I will bring copies of our flyer and bring them on Saturday for those who don’t have color printers.
Ninth Rehearsal Preview
March 20th, 2012
From Dr. Whitmire: Welcome to our 9th rehearsal of Spring 2012! Please sign in.
Once again, thanks for your outstanding performance of Jazz Mass last Tuesday. It was a great night. I have seen the video that looks great. I haven’t heard the recording, but hope to very soon.
Also, I have just received the recording of our Chichester Psalms from last Fall. I hope to make copies available to you very soon. Sounds awesome!
Please bring your Barber, Sondheim and Bernstein choruses tonight.
Spring 2012 Schedule (no changes)
This Saturday, March 24, 1:00 pm – Full Rehearsal (SATB)
This Sunday, March 25, 5:00 pm – Dress Rehearsal: Songs of Sunset, Bishop Ireton
Saturday, March 31, 3:00 pm – Concert: Songs of Sunset, Church of the Epiphany
Sunday, April 1, 3:00 pm Concert: Songs of Sunset, Bishop Ireton HS
Thursday, April 26, 7:30 pm Band/Chorus Spring Concert, Schlesinger Center
Saturdays
3/24 Full Rehearsal (SATB)
4/7 women
4/14 men
4/21 Full Rehearsal (SATB)
Other Calendar items
This Friday, March 23, 5:30 pm – My choir from Richmond will sing Evensong at Washington National Cathedral. I hope you can attend.
Friday, April 27
4:00 pm – Voice Master Class by Dr. Karen Murphy, Professor of Collaborative Piano at Mississippi State University
7:30 pm – Voice Recital by Jonathan Price, tenor, Masters candidate at New England Conservatory (son of former NVCC faculty Kathy Price)
Performance Promotion
March 19th, 2012
From Dr. Whitmire: Please publicize this concert by the NOVA Community Chorus (AL).
A flyer (.pdf) is attached. (This is the corrected flyer.)
SONGS OF SUNSET By Frederick Delius
NOVA Community Chorus
Dr. Mark Whitmire, Director
with The Washington Metropolitan Philharmonic
FEATURING
Grace Gori, Mezzo-Soprano
& Aurelius Gori, Baritone
Saturday, March 31, 3pm
Church of the Epiphany
1317 G St, NW
Washington DC
Sunday, April 1, 3pm
Bishop Ireton High School
201 Cambridge Rd.
Alexandria, VA
Tickets
$10 advance
$20 at the door
703/845-6097
mwhitmire@nvcc.edu
This concert is presented as a part of the Delius Society’s international celebration of the 150th anniversary of the birth of the composer.
Performance Feedback
March 15th, 2012
From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Singers-
Tuesday
What an unbelievably exciting performance of Jazz Mass. It was so much fun. Thanks for all your smiles.
Today
Now please turn your attention to Songs of Sunset. Jazz Mass is a good piece of music. This is a great piece. Let’s do it justice.
This Saturday (3/17) is Men’s rehearsal at 1:00 pm. Green beer, anyone?
Next Tuesday (3/20) we will look briefly at some of the pieces for our April 26 concert ( Barber, Bernstein, Sondheim), so be sure to have your music. I hope to get rehearsal CDs prepared soon.
Next Friday (3/23) at 5:30 pm my church choir (St. James’s, Richmond) will sing Evensong at Washington National Cathedral. The service will include a piece for the Rachmaninoff liturgy that we sang in the fall. I hope that you can attend.
Next Saturday (3/24) is a very important Full Rehearsal (SATB). I need everyone to be there.
Next Sunday (3/25) is our 5:00 pm Dress Rehearsal with the orchestra at Bishop Ireton HS. This rehearsal in mandatory.
And then,
Saturday, March 31, 3:00 pm – Concert: Songs of Sunset, Church of the Epiphany
Sunday, April 1, 3:00 pm Concert: Songs of Sunset, Bishop Ireton HS
Thursday, April 26, 7:30 pm Band/Chorus Spring Concert, Schlesinger Center
Performance Promotion
March 13th, 2012
From Dr. Whitmire: We got promoted here. Spread the word!
Vocalise for March 13, by Singer Source
This Week in Alexandria, by Musical Alexandria
Performance Guidance
March 13th, 2012
Getting ready for tonight’s performance? Be sure to review the document:
Performance Guidance (PDF always linked on the right side of the page >>> )
Details include (but not limited to):
* 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.
* Caution: water is not allowed on stage during performances. Cough drops in your pocket are a good emergency measure for performances.
Performance Call
March 10th, 2012
From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Singers- The call on Tuesday is 6:30 pm on stage in Schlesinger. I look forward to seeing you then.
Orchestra Rehearsal
March 9th, 2012
From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Singers- I will be rehearsing Songs of Sunset with the orchestra this Sunday (3/11) at 6:00 pm at Bishop Ireton High School cafeteria. If you want to get a preview of what it sounds like, please drop by.
Messiah Singalong
March 9th, 2012
From Fred: The rarely performed Easter parts of “The Messiah” will be performed on Easter Sunday night as a singalong at the Clarendon United Methodist Church. This is a great chance to sing it once again or to try and sing it for the first time or… just go listen from the middle of the 300 + voice chorus. … in English. Here is some of the info on the attached press release:
“On April 8, 2012, Dr. Lewis will lead full orchestra, harpsichord, organ, guest soloists, and the audience in Parts Two and Three of George Frideric Handel’s Messiah. The program will begin at 7:00 p.m. with a brief pre-concert recital. There is no admission charge for the performance; however, a $20.00 donation is suggested. A reception will follow the evening’s events. The church is handicapped accessible and nursery care is provided.
Conductor:J. Reilly Lewis
Guest Soloists: Kara Morgan, soprano
Sarah Mesko, mezzo-soprano
Devin Mercer, tenor
Steven Combs, baritone”
Go early to find a good parking place, check in, find your friends, listen to the pre-concert recital. Press Announcement (.pdf), Concert Flyer (.pdf)
Dress Rehearsal Audio
February 29th, 2012
From Dr. Whitmire: Here is This is the day (.mp3 file) from last night’s rehearsal. Enjoy.