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

Sublime Music

August 31st, 2011

From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Singers- What an unbelievably great start to the season. You made sublime music on the first night. I was stunned! I have set a challenging goal for us, but your focus and skill last night made me know we can get there. Our rehearsal brought to mind a poem by John O’Donohue. I can’t wait to see you next Tuesday. Yours-DrW

May your new work excite your heart,
Kindle in your mind a creativity
To journey beyond the old limits
Of all that has become wearisome.

May this work challenge you toward
New frontiers that will emerge
As you begin to approach them,
Calling forth from you the full force
And depth of your undiscovered gifts.

May the work fit the rhythms of your soul,
Enabling you to draw from the invisible
New ideas and a vision that will inspire.

Remember to be kind
To those who work with you,
Endeavor to remain aware
Of the quiet world
That lives behind each face.

Be fair in your expectations,
Compassionate in your criticism.
May you have the grace of encouragement
To awaken the gift in the other’s heart,
Building in them the confidence
To follow the call of the gift.

May you come to know that work
Which emerges from the mind of love
Will have beauty and form.

May this new work be worthy
Of the energy of your heart
And the light of your thought.

May your work assume
A proper space in your life;
Instead of owning or using you,
May it challenge and refine you,
Bringing you every day further
Into the wonder of your heart.


Altos: Optional note learning sessions

August 31st, 2011

Where: Chorister Ellie’s home, about ten blocks from NVCC campus
When: 7:40 – 9:00 pm on four Mondays: Sept. 5, 12, 26 and Oct. 3.
We’ll focus on Chichester Psalms, at least to start with.
Allergy Warning: I have cats.
Contact Ellie for more details.


Rehearsal Handouts

August 31st, 2011

Here are the handouts from the August 30, 2011 rehearsal (.pdf files):
Schedule, 2 pages

Exercises: Chords, Count Singing, Intervals, Note Names, Key Signatures OR All 4 pages

Chichester Psalms: I – Rhythm (changing meters), II – Rhythm, III – Pitch (changing key center), III – Rhythm and Harmony OR All 4 pages

Rachmaninoff: #3 Rhythm (simple meter) and Harmony (2 pages), #4 Rhythm, Compound Meter, #12 Pitch OR All 4 pages

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


Chichester Psalms

August 28th, 2011

Dear Singers- Here is a link to a Youtube performance of Chichester Psalms. Enjoy.  -DrW

Leonard Bernstein: Chichester Psalms
Slovenian Philharmonic Orchestra & Choir
George Pehlivanian, conductor
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UEnYf_aQUnc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7QowBKFzSlM


Campus Closed

August 26th, 2011

From Dr. Whitmire:  Dear Singers- As you may know, the college has closed for the weekend, so we will not be able to have our make-up rehearsal. I look forward to seeing you on Tuesday.  Yours-DrW

—–

From: Flagler, William Jr.
Sent: Friday, August 26, 2011 3:23 PM
To: All Faculty and Staff; All Adjunct Faculty
Subject: College Closed Saturday, August 27th & 28th
Attention Faculty & Staff:
The College will be closed Saturday, August 27th  and Sunday, August 28th due to the impending Hurricane.  All Classes and College activities are cancelled.
We have taken this action to ensure the safety of our faculty ,staff, students, and visitors.  We would like to also remind you to take this time and opportunity to prepare you and your families.
More information can be found here – http://www.ready.gov/america/beinformed/hurricanes.html
Thanks, William Flagler, Director, Emergency Management and Planning

—–

From:     Emergency Alert #1293 <emergency1293@alert.nvcc.edu>
Subject:     Important message from NOVA Alert-Hurricane Irene Closing
Date:     August 26, 2011 3:25:42 PM EDT
To:     NOVA Alert Users <rsan@alert.nvcc.edu>

All NOVA classes & college activities are cancelled Sat/Sun 27th/28th because of Hurricane Irene.

Sent by William Flagler to All users (E-mail accounts, Pagers, Cell phones) through NOVA Alert
… powered by the Roam Secure Alert Network–
You received this message because you registered on NOVA Alert.  To change your alerting preferences go to http://alert.nvcc.edu/mygroups.php

Tell a friend/co-worker about NOVA Alert! Forward this message to them and have them register for this free service at http://alert.nvcc.edu


Saturday

August 24th, 2011

Dear Singers-
I have not yet recovered from my disappointment at the cancellation of our first rehearsal last night.  Please plan to attend our make-up rehearsal this Saturday, August 27, 1-3 pm. We have a great deal of work to do before our October 9 Dress Rehearsal with the Washington Metropolitan Philharmonic. Please make every effort to attend.
Yours-DrW


Campus Closed

August 23rd, 2011

From Dr. Whitmire:  Dear Singers- In their infinite wisdom, the college has closed for the remainder of the day and evening. Anyone know this tune, “who can explain it, who can tell you why?” So, practice with you Cds if you have them. See you next week.  Yours-DrW


Emergency Message from NOVA Alert

August 23rd, 2011

From:     Emergency Alert #1277 <emergency1277@alert.nvcc.edu>
Subject:     Important message from NOVA Alert
Date:     August 23, 2011 3:15:32 PM EDT
To:     NOVA Alert Users <rsan@alert.nvcc.edu>

Tues, 8/23/11–Due to the earthquake, NVCC is closed for the rest of the day and evening.

Sent by Steven Sachs to All users (E-mail accounts, Pagers, Cell phones) through NOVA Alert
… powered by the Roam Secure Alert Network

You received this message because you registered on NOVA Alert.  To change your alerting preferences go to http://alert.nvcc.edu/mygroups.php

Tell a friend/co-worker about NOVA Alert! Forward this message to them and have them register for this free service at http://alert.nvcc.edu


Judas Maccabaeus Video

August 18th, 2011

These two entries have been added to the Performances Page.

Sunday, May 29, 2011 – St. James Church, Richmond, Virginia
Recording
G. F. Handel, Judas Maccabaeus
Performed by St. James’s Parish Choir and members of the NOVA Community Chorus, Alexandria (VA) with members of the Richmond Symphony
Dr. Mark Whitmire, conductor

“Sing Unto God” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5IWlGLhI2y4
“Hallelujah, Amen” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2IDgIXZjg


Vocal Seminar

August 18th, 2011

From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Singers-
-Sadly, Vocal Seminar is being cancelled (the guitar players win). But there is still time to join Basic Musicianship or Beginning Class Voice.
-Also, tt would be a big favor if several of you could move your chorus registration to MUS 23702a. This is the section that allows us to have Saturday rehearsals. Its just a book-keeping matter, but would be helpful if its not to much trouble.
-Since there will be no Vocal Seminar, our Saturday Rehearsals will move back to the old time slot:
1:00-2:15 pm.
See you soon!-DrW


Senior Registration

August 16th, 2011

From Fred: Reminder:
Registration as a Senior (over 60 years of age) begins on Monday, Aug. 22.
I have found that lines are much shorter after noon on Monday but the assistants who sign us up begin to go home around 3 or 4 PM.
Info (somewhat confusing) on this can be found at: www.nvcc.edu/wdce/loudoun/registration/information.htm

See you on Tuesday.

Fred Wulff, Stage Mgr., etc.
NOVA Chorus


Fall Semester

August 16th, 2011

Regular NOVAConnect registration for all 2011 Fall semester sessions is under way. Classes begin on Monday, August 22. The first chorus rehearsal is on Tuesday, August 23.

Chorus is MUS 137 001A (subject MUS, catalog number 137, section 001A, class number 12973).

For previous postings regarding Fall 2011, under Archives on the right-hand side of the page, click on “Fall 2011”

For archived Spring or Summer 2011 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


Office Hours

August 15th, 2011

From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Singers- I plan to be in my office tomorrow 2-6 pm. Please drop by and pick you rehearsal CD is you get a change. Yours-DrW


Chichester Psalms I.mp3

August 4th, 2011

From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Singers- Listen to this! Super exciting! See you soon.

Chichester Psalms I.mp3, .mp3 file. For most systems, click to play file, right-click to download


Fall Update

July 28th, 2011

From Dr. Whitmire:  Dear Singers-Just a note to let you know that our music has arrived  in the campus bookstore. I have also updated our Schedule as you see below (4-pg .pdf). I will be in my office again on Tuesday, August 16. if you want to drop by to pick up a rehearsal CD. Let me know. In the meanwhile, use www.cyberbass.com to work on Chichester Psalms. See you on August 23. Enjoy the rest of the summer.


Vocal Seminar

July 21st, 2011

From Dr. Whitmire:  Dear Singers- We had an excellent Vocal Seminar this summer, albeit short-only 6 weeks. Several of the students asked if we could continue Vocal Seminar this Fall. I hadn’t intended to teach it but due to an administrative error it is listed in the Fall Schedule. As it turns out, I can can get them to let me teach it if there is sufficient enrollment (more than guitar or piano classes). As you know, it is one of my favorite classes, so I would love it if we had the class. It will be 2 credits and will meet Saturdays 2-4 pm. If you would like to improve your singing and performing skills this is a great class: Mus 198 001a Seminar and Project. Please spread the word to anyone you think might be interested.


From Dr. Whitmire

July 17th, 2011

From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Singers-
-I hope you are enjoying a great summer.
-I have finished rehearsal CDs for Fall. If a sufficient number of you would like to pick one up,
I will be on campus this Thursday, July 21, 2-8 pm. Please let me know. Bernstein is $5. Rachmaninoff (2 CDs) is $10. Cash or check made to NVCC Foundation.
-The music will be in the bookstore in two weeks. If you are ready to get started now, you can always order from www.sheetmusicplus.com.

Chichester Psalms
By Leonard Bernstein (1918-1990). Vocal Score. BH Large Choral. Book only. 48 pages. Boosey & Hawkes #M051321407. Published by Boosey & Hawkes (HL.48002894)
The Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom
By Sergei Rachmaninoff (1873-1943). For SATB Choir (Mixed Voices). General. Choral. 152 pages. Published by Galaxy Music Corporation (EC.1.3100)
[Admin note: SheetMusicPlus is currently offering a 20% discount on all choral titles, through July 26]

-I look forward to seeing you at our first rehearsal on August 23.
Yours-DrW


Fall Sheet Music

July 13th, 2011

According to the NVCC Alexandria Campus Bookstore online, the sheet music for the Fall semester is:

CHICHESTER PSALMS # M 051321407. By BERNSTEIN. Publisher: LEONARD H. ISBN: 2818590090664

Link to Sheet Music Plus.

Link to Hal Leonard Publishing

LITURGY OF JOHN CHRYSOSTOM NO 1.3100. By RACHMANIOFF. Publisher: SCHIRMER M. ISBN: 2818590090671

Link to Sheet Music Plus

Link to ECS Publishing

Please note that Sheet Music Plus’ prices are often less than the bookstore, and may also offer discounts on all choral music. This information has not been confirmed. Order items at your own risk.


List of Performances

July 1st, 2011

Thanks to Chorister Jane, a list of works previously performed by the chorus is now permanently posted on the Performances Page.


From Dr. Whitmire

June 22nd, 2011

From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Singers-
I hope this message finds you enjoying a wonderful summer.

There have been some changes in our schedule (.pdf) for the upcoming season that you will want to know about.

-As you will see, I have postponed Songs of Sunset to the Spring. That’s because our soloists, Grace and Rex Gori, are expecting a baby girl! (Their due date is October 24.)

-We will sing Chichester Psalms (one of my all-time favorite pieces) in the Fall.

-I am also very excited about the Rachmaninoff Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom. It is sublime music that will be especially beautiful when we sing it at St. Katherine Greek Orthodox Church on December 2.

This is music that any seasoned chorister will want to sing. It is fabulous and challenging in both music and language (Hebrew and Old church Slavonic). If you know skilled singers (especially low basses) please have them join us. So spread the word—email, Facebook, Twitter, Morse code, smoke signals.

I have finished the Bernstein CDs and am hard at work on the Rachmaninoff. The CDs will include both notes and pronunciation. The Bookstore says music will be in mid-July.

I look forward to seeing everyone in the Fall. If for any reason you are unable to sing with us this Fall, please let me know. I don’t want anyone to slip away silently.

In the meanwhile, have a great summer!

Yours-DrW

[Admin: Two new music files can be found on the Music Files page.]


Beethoven Found presents: A Tribute to the Wounded Warriors

June 14th, 2011

(June 14, 2011)  Update:  From Fred:    Here is your chance to have fun singing five well known songs in the Kennedy Center as part of a special, two hour long Tribute to the Wounded Warriors. If you have never sung in the Kennedy Center, consider this to be a golden opportunity to be on stage and back stage in this huge venue. Don’t expect another like it.

37 members of NOVA Chorus have already signed up to join a large number of other choristers to sing for 15 minutes in this large concert. It is on Monday, June 27 at 8 PM. The only REQUIRED rehearsal is 3 – 5 PM at Kennedy Center (the morning rehearsal was canceled). There is an additional, optional, rehearsal on Monday, June 20, 7:30 PM, at the McLean Bible Church, which has taken on the daunting task of assembling, teaching and directing all of the singers.

I have attached all of the music we will sing in PDF format and the program for the entire concert. All of us are using the sheet music we printed from our own computers. (welcome to the new world)

Standard concert dress (all black for women, Black Tux for men) and your own black music folder are required.

Here is the list of our singers so far [see e-mail]. If you signed up earlier, check to be sure your name is on this list.

If you plan to sing in this concert and have not yet registered with me, send an Email to me ASAP at  f.wulff [at] yahoo [dot] com. Marci Ward, who is the top level organizer of singers and I will only send out additional details to singers on my list (which she will add to her list).

(June 13, 2011) Update. From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Singers-
-Reminder: If you want to sing at the Kennedy Center on Monday, June 27, please let me know by tomorrow. If you have never sung at the Kennedy Center, you should try to do this. It is a thrill.
-Fred has sent PDF copies of most of the music. I will have copies that you may pick up at NVCC tomorrow between 6 and 10 pm outside the Choir Room.
-There is an optional rehearsal on Monday, June 20, at 7:30 pm at McLean Bible Church. There is a required dress rehearsal at the Kennedy Center, at 3:00 pm on June 27. I suggest you come to the dress rehearsal in concert attire.
-Fred will be in charge of the NOVA Community Chorus for this event. My mother arrives from Texas on the 27th, so I cannot attend.
-If you have any questions let me or Fred know.
Yours-DrW

PS- There have been some exciting changes in our Fall 2011-Spring 2012 schedule. I will give you the details soon.

(June 9, 2011) Update. From Fred: Mark asked me to keep records for him until he returns to the Alexandria Campus on Tuesday. I have attached “God Bless America” in PDF format.

Here is the list of names and addresses that I have so far. [See email] Almost all of these names were taken from Email replies to NOVAChorus-owner. If you responded directly to Mark I did not get a copy. If you intend to sing in this event and you are not on this list, reply to NOVAChorus-owner or to f.wulff [at] yahoo [dot] com so that I can add you to the list.

Conversely, if you are on the list and don’t plan to sing, let me know that, too.
Question marks indicate conditions and I made note of them.

I will begin using a special address list of just the participants in the next day or two.

(June 9, 2011) Update. From Fred: I have attached the first shipment of music that we will sing from Ul James. It is in PDF format.
Next is a copy of the entire program (.pdf) that will be presented on the 27th. This was taken from the Kennedy Center web site.
VARIOUS – Patriotic American Songs (our first shipment)
CONTI – Rocky- Lyrics by Carol Connor
CLEMENT – The Warrior’s Hymn
GERSHWIN – Summertime
Mark will pass more information to us as he receives it.

(June 7, 2011) From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Singers – You may have heard about this event on NPR. Our friend Ul James is conducting Beethoven Found Presents: A Tribute to the Wounded Warriors. He would like us participate. The concert will take place on Monday, June 27th at 8:00 PM at the Kennedy Center Concert Hall in Washington, DC. There are two rehearsals for the concert on the same day June 27: 10-12:30 am and 3-5 pm.

It should be a wonderful event. The concertmaster and assistant concertmaster of Baltimore Symphony, the principal trumpet, trombone and horn of the National Symphony and other musicians from Philadelphia Orchestra and NY Phil are participating. There are four patriotic pieces with chorus.

If you would like to participate, please let me know by Tuesday, June 14.

Easy reference links:
Copy of the entire program (.pdf)
Program on Kennedy Center web site
All five pieces of music, in order (.pdf)


Summer Sings

June 7th, 2011

(4/12/2011) From Fred: The summer sings are really enjoyable. There will be 200 – 300 of the best choral singers in this area, seated by section in the sanctuary of this church. Be really early if you want to park under the church (no vans). Sometimes you can find on street parking 3 or so blocks away and there are commercial parking garages in the area.
For more info, see this Schedule (.pdf), or http://www.newdominion.org/summersings.php

(5/10/2011) Update:  From Fred:
Fellow singers:  Here is the Summer Sings schedule for this year (see above). I ALWAYS enjoy singing in this event.

Usually, there are about 300 singers who participate solely because they love to sing these well known works or to experience one they don’t know – with NO rehearsal. The directors of the best known choruses in this area and professional soloists donate their time so that you can have a lot of fun.

(6/7/2011) Reminder.


Photos on Flickr

May 10th, 2011

From Fred: Mary Yee, with the help of Kate, has placed 72 photos of the picnic on Ficker. cajunjoel placed 9 of our performance of the Verdi Requiem in the Schlesinger Center.  Our thanks to both of them. NOVA Community Chorus Photo Group.  Hint: click on “Slideshow”

Debbe has posted photos of Saturday’s picnic (main page) picnics in 2009 and 2006 (Click on Chorus Picnic on the right side), performances in 2011 and 2008 in Bishop Ireton, and 19 photos of the Verdi Requiem by Mary Yee.  NOVA Community Chorus Flickr account.

[Admin] NOVA Community Chorus Flickr account.
Already have a Flickr account? Feel free to add your photos to the Photo Group.

Please note that both Flickr links have been permanently added to the “Helpful Links” section, to the right of the page. Flickr is a free and easy tool to share photos online.


Fall Repertoire

May 8th, 2011

From Fred:  Here is the last part of Mark’s reminder on Tuesday, 4/19/11.

(4/19/2011) From Dr. Whitmire:  This has been the most rewarding year ever for our chorus!
We have moved steadily upward into the ranks of the finer choruses in Metropolitan Washington. Next year we will continue to grow, improve and excel. But I need everyone one of you back. I have planned excellent repertoire for the Fall:

Sundays, October 16 and 23: Concert with the Washington Metropolitan Philharmonic. Frederick Delius: Songs of Sunset, featuring Grace Gori (Mezzo-soprano) and Aurelius Gori (baritone).

Friday, November 11: Civil War Commemoration Concert with the Alexandria Band, Schlesinger

Thursday, December 1: Spring Concert. Rachmanov, Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom, Schlesinger

[Admin] From April 26: Schedule, Fall 2011, Spring 2012 (.pdf)


From Dr. Whitmire

May 6th, 2011

Dear Singers-

You knocked my socks off on Tuesday night! Everyone else’s too! It was a glorious concert! Your singing was a perfect balance of beauty and power. Our accompanists Ms. Koo and Ms. Hagan really brought it, didn’t they? And how about our awesome soloists Stania, Dorothea, Francisco and Brandon. I have never known a 4-year college that could better these four on the Ninth.

Please don’t miss tomorrow’s picnic. It is always great fun. As it turns out I will not be there as I have my daughter’s graduation in the morning, and she has made it known that I have engagements in the afternoon as well. Have a refreshing beverage for me.

You have been the greatest this year. I must have every one of you back in the Fall. In the meanwhile, have a great summer.

Peace-DrW