NPR’s On Point and Beethoven’s Ninth Posted on March 30, 2011March 31, 2011 From Chorister Mary: Last June Tom Ashcroft aired an entire episode devoted to Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony on his NPR show On Point. In this broadcast he interviews Harvey Sachs, music historian and author of the book, “The Ninth: Beethoven and the World in 1824.” They discuss the oppressive political environment…
Dress Rehearsal Posted on March 30, 2011March 31, 2011 From Stage Manager Fred: New information about our dress rehearsal this Sunday. From Archie Doering, Building Superintendent: Everyone should enter through the doors marked 4. They are on the side of the building next to the big parking lot. Go to the right, once inside, to areas 150A and 150B….
Eleventh Rehearsal Preview Posted on March 29, 2011 From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Singers- Welcome to our 11th rehearsal of Spring 2011! Please sign in. Beethoven– Ul James is here to work with you tonight at 8:15 pm. We will work without a break and dismiss a bit early (no later than 9:30 pm). Then I will work with…
Rehearsal Update Posted on March 28, 2011March 29, 2011 From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Singers- The location of this Sunday’s (April 3) 5:00 pm Dress Rehearsal with the Washington Metropolitan Philharmonic has been changed: New location: First Baptist Church 2932 King St. Alexandria, Virginia The church is 2.6 miles from the college on King Street toward Old Town. The rehearsal…
Beethoven Solos Posted on March 26, 2011March 27, 2011 From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Singers- Thanks to all who auditioned for solos in Beethoven Ninth (May 3 performance). It was wonderful to hear such a well-prepared and capable group of singers. The soloists will be: Stania Shaw, soprano Dorothea Kamara, alto Francisco Robles, tenor Brandon Homayouni, bass Today at 1…
Slavic Male Chorus Posted on March 23, 2011March 24, 2011 From Peggy: Bernie Cohen of our Bass section sings with this group, and it doesn’t conflict with our rehearsal!! The Slavic Male Chorus of Washington Monday, March 28. 6:00 PM and 7:30 pm The National Theatre, 1321 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20004 Information available at 202-783-3372: Seating is limited. …
Remembrance Posted on March 22, 2011March 22, 2011 (3/18/2011) Dear Singers- Barbara Lowrey’s husband, Tom, passed away last night. Barbara is a long-time member of the chorus. We are sending flowers on behalf of the chorus. Please share a smile or a hug with someone in Tom’s memory. Peace-DrW (3/22/2011) Update: From Chorister Carol: There will be a…
Tenth Rehearsal Preview Posted on March 22, 2011 Welcome to our 10th rehearsal of Spring 2011! Please sign in. Beethoven-We have only 1 rehearsal until Ul James is here to work with you on March 29. We have only 2 rehearsals until our Dress Rehearsal with orchestra on April 3. Brahms Love Song Waltzes # 1-6-You can find…
Rehearsal Recap Posted on March 17, 2011March 17, 2011 Music Handout (large .pdf) from March 15 rehearsal. Brahms files have been added to the Music Files page. Beethoven files are also located on the Music Files page. Photos provided by Mary Yee have been added to the NOVA Community Chorus Flickr account. Feel free to add your photos to…
From Dr. Whitmire Posted on March 15, 2011 From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Singers, Brava/o on your wonderful performances this weekend! It was a treat to get to sit in the hall and hear you sing. Saturday was a good performance and Sunday was GREAT! You had an excellent tone-full of both strength and beauty-and a fine sense of…
Chorus Photos on Flickr Posted on March 13, 2011 Taken Sunday, March 13, there is a small set of performance photos on Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/cajunjoel/sets/72157626135756563 Feel free to add your own photos to this Flickr Group: http://www.flickr.com/groups/novacommunitychorusphotogroup/
Washington Post Posted on March 13, 2011March 13, 2011 Washington Post review: Alexandria Symphony and joint chorus produce a powerful Verdi Requiem – direct weblink, or PDF of article.
Staging Notes Posted on March 12, 2011March 12, 2011 (3/10/2011) From Fred: I will back up this note from Barry Hemphill and his stage manager, Marsha Glover (2-page .pdf), with 2 or more Email notes of my own. Your “performance” during last night’s demanding rehearsal was superb. Everyone had black folders or covers. All were early enough for us…
Verdi Media Posted on March 11, 2011March 12, 2011 From Fred: Mary Yee has discovered the following for us: Professional photos of our last rehearsal: http://cascadesphotography.smugmug.com/Clients/ACS/Verdi-Requiem/16138124_8VRA2#1211624130_rSftJ Youtube interview with Maestro Klugi on the requiem: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WhLLwvGVE1M and the tenor soloist: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=47Y_gMRq_40 Thanks, Mary
Verdi Seating Posted on March 11, 2011March 12, 2011 From Fred: NOVA Chorus was tasked with providing at least their share of singers who must stand alongside the seated singers during our two concerts. Mark is away at a conference in Chicago, so we are on our own with this. Make your reply to your section head rather than…
Performance Attendance Posted on March 10, 2011March 11, 2011 (3/10/2011) From Fred: To all singers who were at orchestra rehearsals this week: We have a problem because we can not squeeze enough chairs on stage to seat everyone at the performance. We are working on solutions but need some information Send me a return message only if: 1. You…
Rehearsal Notes Posted on March 8, 2011March 8, 2011 From Fred: Chorus, Black folders or black covers for your music are required for the next rehearsal – Wednesday, March 9 and the two performances. Black chorus folders are usually available at Foxes Music: 416 South Washington Street, Falls Church. Phone 703-533-7393. http://foxesmusic.com An alternative is to have your music…
ASO Tickets Posted on March 4, 2011March 5, 2011 (2/24/2011) From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Singers The ASO will provide 2 complimentary tickets per NOVA Community Chorus member. If anyone wants more tickets, you can offer further tickets at a 50%-off discount. Comps can be reserved by emailing [email protected] with name, performance desired, and whether its 1 or 2 tickets. …
Rehearsals Posted on March 4, 2011March 5, 2011 From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Singers- Thanks for your good work last night. I understand that it was a very productive rehearsal. At our women’s rehearsal tomorrow at noon 1:00pm we will focus on Libera me. Logistics for next week’s rehearsals: Choral warm up will be in the lobby area. Logistics…
Rehearsal Notes Posted on March 2, 2011 From Stage Manager Fred: Steve Shetler, manager of the Schlesinger Center received a note from the ASO’s stage manager that we choristers will be seated in the auditorium rather than be on stage. I’ll be in the auditorium early to stake out our place in the center. Early arrivals can…
Concert Promotion Posted on March 2, 2011 From Dr. Whitmire: Please publish/announce this event. Photo attached. The NOVA Community Chorus (Dr. Mark Whitmire, Director) will perform the Verdi Requiem with the Alexandria Symphony on Saturday, March 12, at 8:00 p.m. and Sunday, March 13, at 3:00 p.m. Both performances will be in Schlesinger Concert Hall. The 110…
Eighth Rehearsal Posted on March 1, 2011 Welcome to our 8th rehearsal of Spring 2011! Please sign in. Tonight- Verdi 1-46; Beethoven 29-47 I will dismiss all except music majors at 8:45 pm Tonight at 9:00 pm Music Majors 1st Exam (Verdi pp. 186-205) Tomorrow (Wednesday, March 2) 7:30 pm Verdi Rehearsal in Schlesinger Be sure to…
Upcoming Rehearsals Posted on February 25, 2011February 27, 2011 From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Friends- We are very much looking forward to the upcoming Verdi Requiem rehearsals and performances. I will not be at rehearsals on 3/2 (I am tied up with rehearsals in Richmond) or 3/9 (I am in Chicago at the ACDA Convention). My assistants Peggy Harrison and…
Agnus Dei Posted on February 23, 2011February 27, 2011 From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Singers- Thanks for your excellent work at last night’s rehearsal. Your positive energy and commitment are an inspiration to me. Driving home last night, it occurred to me that I have seriously neglected the Agnus Dei (track 10 on your rehearsal CD). Mea culpa. We will…
Verdi Measure Numbers Posted on February 22, 2011February 28, 2011 (2/15/2011) From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Singers- Please number each measure in the Verdi Requiem. The attached chart (.pdf) shows the number of the first measure of each page. (2/15/2011) Update: Verdi measure number errata: p50-m300 (not 301); p127-m19 (not 18) (2/22/2011) Update: Verdi Measure number corrections: P50 300 P100 695…