From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Singers- Here is our beautiful Black History Month poster. Spread the word!
Click image for Flyer PDF
Yours-DrW
To View PDF Files:
Welcome. This site provides information to chorus members. The official webpage is located at the Northern Virginia Community College site.
Black History Month Poster
January 27th, 2016
Third Rehearsal, part 2
January 26th, 2016
From. Dr. Whitmire: Dear Singers-
From what I hear, you folks still have lots of snow on the ground. Please stay home and warm tonight. But please dedicate the evening to practicing, especially the Eliington Sacred Concert since it is so close
Cantanti sotto i trent’anni (Singers under Thirty)
– Come Sunday showed possibilities but most of you did not have the right notes. I will post new learning tracks on Blackboard and novachorus.org.
If we are to do this (and I really hope so), you have to do your homework. I will also post a new song-Sing about Love- that might be good for us.
I look forward to seeing everyone (SATB) on Saturday at 11:00 am.
Yours-DrW
Third Rehearsal
January 24th, 2016
From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Singers –
-I hope you are all enjoying the snow day and the return of sunshine.
-As you may know, NVCC is closed tomorrow and Tuesday. (Most of you know how I feel about this, so I will refrain from commenting.) This puts us in a huge bind regarding our concert preparations. For now, please practice on your own. As we get a better understanding of the condition of the roads, we’ll consider the possibility of section rehearsals at people’s homes on Tuesday. This Saturday at 11:00 am we will have a make-up rehearsal for EVERYONE.
-Women- Still I rise sheet music is not on Blackboard, but the learning tracks are. Kate will put the sheet music up on www.novachorus.org
– Today is Fred Wulff’s 80th birthday! [f [dot] wulff [at] yahoo [dot] com]. Happy Birthday Fred!
Yours-DrW
Second Rehearsal Preview
January 19th, 2016
From Dr. Whitmire: Welcome to our 2nd rehearsal of Spring 2016! It is going to be a great season.
Please sign in. If you are new, give your phone and e-mail. Be sure to write clearly.
Please proof the roster
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 [at] ix [dot] netcom [dot] com
Alto-Debbie Peetz, peetz [at] rand [dot] org
Tenor-Larry Goldschmidt, lgold2 [at] comcast [dot] net
Bass-Ray Lombardi, rayjoyce2408 [at] verizon [dot] net
Sheetmusic
Inside
Carl Nielsen: Springtime in Funen
Duke Ellington: Sacred Concert
Please order Sacred Concert online from Sheetmusicplus ($31.40)
http://www.sheetmusicplus.com/title/sacred-concert-korpartitur-sheet-music/19879987
Use photocopy until your copy arrives.
In the Bookstore
Chichester Psalms (We will not begin rehearsing it until March 1)
On Blackboard (Please print your own music)
Still I Rise (sheet music and learning tracks) [Women only]
Lift every voice
Inside at the table
2 Note learning CDs: Sacred Concert (5$) and Springtime in Funen/Chichester Psalms ($5). Cash or check to NVCC Foundation
Women (except under 30) will be dismssed
Tonight
7:30 pm All
9:00 pm Men
9:20 pm Under 30
Sing Well- DrW
Videos
January 15th, 2016
New:
Video, Sunday, December 6, 2015. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vf3-A6wE8xY
Video, Thursday, December 10, 2015. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CdYm6zew_mA
As photo albums, recordings and programs become available, they are posted to the Performances page, listed on the tab above.
Tuesday Thanks
January 15th, 2016
From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Singers-
Thanks for a fabulous first rehearsal on Tuesday. We are off to a great start!
I look forward to seeing all of my Men tomorrow at 11:00 am for our section rehearsal.
Tenors- As you will have noticed, your Springtime in Funen rehearsal CD is actually a soprano CD. I will bring the right ones tomorrow.
Yours-DrW
Leavitt’s Magnificat
January 15th, 2016
From Chorister Annette: Please publicize this free concert, Jan. 15 and 16. A couple of Nova Chorus members are singing with the Friday Morning Music Club for Bach Cantata 140 and Paul Leavitt’s Magnificat. You may remember we sang Leavitt’s Requiem in a recent season and perhaps will do his Magnificat someday.
The Chorale of
The Friday Morning Music Club
Paul Leavitt, Director
Presents
A Free Concert with chorus, soloists, and orchestra
Johann Sebastian Bach
SLEEPERS AWAKE (WACHET AUF, RUFT UNS DIE STIMME)
Paul Leavitt
MAGNIFICAT
FRIDAY, JANUARY 15, 2016 AT 8:00 P.M.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 16, 2016 AT 8:00 P.M.
CHURCH OF THE REFORMATION
212 EAST CAPITOL ST.
WASHINGTON, DC 20003
For further information, email chorale@fmmc.org, or visit us at www.fmmc.org
Other Opportunities
January 13th, 2016
From Chorister Grace: Info for all –
The Cathedral Choral Society will be hosting a community sing-along at the Cathedral on Sunday, January 24th at 7:30 pm. They will be singing 3 pieces – Handel, Zadok the Priest; Handel, The King Shall Rejoice; Mozart, Coronation Mass, K. 317. Tickets are $10 – scores provided. More info at http://www.cathedralchoralsociety.org/events/cathedral-sings-music-kings-and-queens
Info for music majors —
Berkshire Choral International – www.berkshirechoral.org – offers opportunities for young musicians through their scholarship and apprentice programs. The scholarship program provides undergraduate music students a full scholarship – tuition, room and board, choral score – to one of the BCI summer choral weeks. Only cost is travel to get there and back. The deadline for applications is April 1. Additional information on the scholarship program is at http://www.berkshirechoral.org/sing-with-us/young-adult-programs/berkshire-scholar-program. Information on this summer’s choral works, conductors, etc. is at http://www.berkshirechoral.org/sing-with-us/.
The Berkshire apprentice program is a paid 3 week program for undergraduate and graduate students. Apprentices may be singers, conductors or accompanists. Apprentices receive room and board, a stipend of $200/week and all the vocal scores. The deadline for apprentice applications is March 1st. Apprentice program applies to the 3 weeks at Sheffield, MA and the week in Vienna, Austria. More information about applying to the apprentice program is at http://www.berkshirechoral.org/sing-with-us/young-adult-programs/apprentice-program/.
Berkshire also offers limited scholarships for regular singers, as well as a tuition discount for singers under the age of 40. The deadline for applications to sing this summer was the end of last month. However, they are still accepting applications for all voice parts for all weeks except Vienna, where all voice parts are waitlisted. Information about which weeks have openings in which voice parts is at http://www.berkshirechoral.org/apply/openings/.
This year will be my 12th year with Berkshire Choral and highly recommend it!
Thanks!
First Rehearsal Handout
January 13th, 2016
Spring 2016 Schedule (.pdf)
Cathedral Sings
January 8th, 2016
From Chorister Jane: Cathedral Sings on Sunday, January 24 at 7:30 PM. You are invited to come and sing for this. The theme is “Music for Kings and Queens,” and will include Handel’s Zadok the Priest and The King Shall Rejoice and Mozart’s Mass in C Major, “Coronation.” Tickets are $10. Scores are provided. Washington National Cathedral. Sponsored by the Cathedral Choral Society.
MUS 237
January 4th, 2016
From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Singers- Last semester 24 of you registered for MUS 237 as a paying student. Last month I asked you to do so again, but only 6 of you have done so. This puts our Saturday rehearsal in jeopardy. If you plan on registering, please do so now. Thanks-DrW
Office Hours
January 4th, 2016
From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Singers-
I will be in my office (AT 108) tomorrow, January 5, from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. I will have
Ellington Sacred Concert music
Ellington Sacred Concert rehearsal CDs ($5)
Springtime in Funen music
Springtime in Funen/Chichester Psalms rehearsal CDs ($5)
Let me know if you can’t come during those hours and I will leave materials for you on the door. Your can pay for the CDs later.
I realize that it will take 4-6 weeks to receive your copy of the Ellington Sacred Concert music from Sheetmusicplus. I request that you purchase the music anyway so that (1) we respect the right of the arranger to be paid for his work, and (2) we abide by copyright law.
Yours-DrW
Welcome
January 3rd, 2016
From Dr. Whitmire (via Blackboard): Welcome to NOVA Community Chorus.
Music for this semester is
Duke Ellington: Sacred Concert
Carl Nielsen: Springtime in Funen
Leonard Bernstein: Chichester Psalms
Check out “Syllabus” for our schedule.
I will furnish music for Springtime in Funen.
order Sacred Concert online from Sheetmusicplus ($31.40)
http://www.sheetmusicplus.com/title/sacred-concert-korpartitur-sheet-music/19879987
I will furnish Sacred Concert music until your copy arrives.
Chichester Psalms will be in the campus bookstore soon. (We will not begin rehearsing it until after Spring break.)
I have note learning CDs for all of our music. There are 2 CDs ($5 each).
Check out www.novachorus.org for more info.
Be sure to like us on Facebook.
I look forward to seeing you on Tuesday, January 12, at 7:30 pm. IN the meanwhile, let me know if you have any questions.
Yours-DrW
Senior Registration
January 2nd, 2016
From Peggy: For seniors who are registering for free classes, here is info as a reminder.
The day for online senior registration is SUNDAY, January 10, which is the day before the Monday, January 11 SESSION starts. If you stay up late Saturday night, you can register 12:01 am. You have until 11:59 PM on Sunday to complete your registration and submission of tuition waver form.
If you don’t have computer access, or you anticipate any problem, I was told by seniors last year to go to the Bisdorf Building on the Monday the session starts, 1/11/16.
Make sure several days BEFORE January 10 that you have a user id and password that works. If you haven’t been in the system since last registration try to log in, and you will get a prompt to change your password if it has expired. Then allow the system time to update your password, which can be 15 or 20 minutes.
After you register, give the system a day or two know you’re there, and you should be able to get your free parking pass online.
If you have problems logging in, etc., contact the nova IT Help Desk:
Toll Free: 855.259.1019
Phone: 703.426.4141
ithelpdesk@nvcc.edu
Senior Citizen Registration Info:
https://www.nvcc.edu/admissions/apply/seniors.html
Credit Courses for Audit (receive no credit) — eligible regardless of income
Regardless of income, you may audit up to three credit courses per term for free using the tuition waiver.
Sixty years of age or older.
If you haven’t registered in three years, or have never registered, Apply online to the College.
As soon as possible, make sure your NVCC password is current. It takes some time for the change to “take”, so recommend you do this at least two days prior to Sunday.
Per college policy for on-time registration, you may register online for any open course the day before the session starts between the hours of 12:00 a.m. – 11:59 p.m.
Link to Registration Procedures, where you register for the class. Make sure to select that you are auditing the class, or option for non-credit.
1 Submit the tuition waiver form immediately after registering.
For verification purposes the College reserves the right to ask for proof of income and/or photo identification (ID).
Tuition waiver form link: https://dashboard.nvcc.edu/Forms.aspx?type=AcademicServices
The Senior Citizen Tuition Waiver will not be applied if the class is closed.
Registration is not complete until the senior tuition waiver form has been successfully completed and submitted within the same timeframe as registration. Submit the tuition waiver form immediately after registering.
Link to “myNOVA”: https://nvcc.my.vccs.edu/jsp/home.jsp
Good luck and hope to see you in chorus on January 12!
Edit: Tuition waiver form link: https://dashboard.nvcc.edu/Forms.aspx?type=AcademicServices
Spring Semester
January 1st, 2016
Classes begin on Monday, January 11. The first chorus rehearsal is on Tuesday, January 12.
Chorus is MUS 137 001A (subject MUS, catalog number 137, section 001A).
For previous postings regarding Spring 2016, under Archives on the right-hand side of the page, click on “Spring 2016”
For archived Summer or Fall 2015 information, please see to the right-hand side of the page, also under Archives.
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 Advice (includes concert dress guidelines)
Join the Chorus
As rehearsal tracks, recordings and sheet music files become available, they are posted to the music files page, listed on the tab above.
Duke Ellington Sacred Concert
December 29th, 2015
From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Singers-
The Duke Ellington Sacred Concert will not be in the campus bookstore.
Please order yours from Sheetmusicplus.com
It is pricey, but the Neilsen piece we are doing in April is public domain and most of you already own Chichester Psalms that we are singing in May- so your overall cost for the semester won’t be too high.
http://www.sheetmusicplus.com/title/sacred-concert-korpartitur-sheet-music/19879987
I will have working copies for our first rehearsal, but is important that we purchase the music so that the arranger gets paid. It is only fair.
Yours-DrW
Next Semester
December 23rd, 2015
From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Singers-
One more time, let me thank you for a great semester of music-making. Bach and Handel–how good does it get?
Chorus
Please register for Spring now. If you registered for MUS 237 as a paying student last term, please do so again so that we can have our Saturday rehearsal. As of now there is only 1 registered. If you are senior who normally registers from MUS 137, there is no need to pay as we will have enough paying students. If you are not a senior please register now. As of now there are only 10 registered.
Vocal Seminar
If you are an intermediate or advanced sing, please sign up for MUS198 Vocal Seminar.
Class Voice
If you are a beginning singers or need a refresher course, sing up for MUS 131 Class Voice.
If you have any questions, please let me know. Please do not delay as under enrolled classes are subject to cancellation on January 5.
I wish you all a wonderful holiday season. I look forward to seeing at our first rehearsal on January 12.
Yours-DrW
Till ringing, singing on its way,
The world revolved from night to day
A voice, a chime, a chant sublime,
Of peace on earth, good will to men.
-Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Performances Page
December 13th, 2015
As photo albums, recordings and programs become available, they are posted to the Performances page, listed on the tab above.
Post Concert
December 11th, 2015
From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Singers,
Thanks for an awesome concert last night and for a great semester. I really enjoyed having you in chorus.
Very important: Go to http://nveval.com and complete the course evaluation. Please do it now. The last possible day is this Sunday 12-13.
If you didn’t get a recording of our Bach concert, I will have CDs when I return to campus on Monday and Tuesday.
I look forward to seeing everyone in January, Have a great holiday!
Yours-DrW
More Concert Info
December 10th, 2015
From Dr. Whitmire: Call tonight is 6:30 pm in Schlesinger. (Not 6:00 pm)
I have 25 CDs of our Bach Concert. They are $10 each. I was only able to copy part 1 of the concert. You will get part 2 in January at no additional cost.
At 7 pm tonight I’d like to meet with the 12/13 VTS Messiah group to rehearse “And he shall purify.”
I need more of my “Under Thirty” singers to join me for the 12/13 Messiah!
See you soon.
-DrW
Concert Info
December 8th, 2015
From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Singers-
Words cannot describe how proud I was of your performance on Sunday. Awesome in every way! Joel got good video. I am on my way now to pick up the audio files.
Speaking of audio – I may be able to have recordings of our Bach Concert this Thursday. If I do they will be $10.
The call on Thursday is 6:00 pm in Schlesinger. We are on first. Please plan to stay for the remainder of the concert.
Here is December 13 Messiah at VTS info
Immanuel Chapel at Virginia Episcopal Seminary
3737 Seminary Road, Alexandria, Virginia 22304
Sat. 12/12 10:00 –11:30 am am chorus rehearsal
Sunday 12/13 2:30 pm call
3:00 pm Concert
There is parking at
Beth El Hebrew Congregation
3830 Seminary Road
Attire is same as WMPO concerts.
Yours – DrW
Final Tuesday Rehearsal Preview
November 30th, 2015
From Dr. Whitmire: Welcome to our final Tuesday rehearsal of Fall 2015! Please sign in.
Thanks for a great dress rehearsal with the orchestra last night. You sounded wonderful!
Tickets- Every singer should have 5 Messiah tickets. If not, see your section leader. Sell them for $10 each (half-price!) or buy them and give them as gifts. Cash or checks made to WMPA. It is important that we support the orchestra by selling tickets.
This week we rehearse in Schlesinger. We will run Messiah, all movements twice-once in seats and once on risers. At the end I will rehearse basses on the fast passages of For unto us and His yoke is easy.
Schedule
Tuesday, December 1 – 7:30 pm Dress Rehearsal, Schlesinger
Saturday, December 5 – 3:00 pm Concert, 2:00 pm Call
G. W. Masonic Memorial, 101 Callahan Dr, Alexandria
Sunday, December 6 – 3:00 pm Concert, 2:00 pm Call
Church of the Epiphany, 1317 G St. NW Washington DC
Tuesday, December 8 – No Chorus Rehearsal
Thursday, December 10 – 7:30 pm NVCC Holiday Concert, Schlesinger. 6:30 pm Call
Sunday, December 13 – 3:00 p.m. Messiah Sing-along at Virginia Episcopal Seminary (3737 Seminary Rd, Alexandria, VA 22304). If you would like to participate, please send me an e-mail with “optional Messiah” in the subject line. You must attend the Saturday 12/12 10:00 am rehearsal. I’d like more of my “Under 30” singers to sign up!
Next Semester we have some wonderful music coming up: Duke Ellington’s Sacred Concert, Carl Nielsen’s Spring in Funen and a reprise of Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms (written the same year NVCC was founded). If you know good singers who want to join us, let me know. I need all of you back. If you are not able to sing with us in the Spring, please let me know. I don’t want anyone to slip quietly away.
Spring 2016 Calendar
Tuesday, February 16 – Dress Rehearsal, Schlesinger
Tuesday, February 23 – Black History Month Celebration, Schlesinger
Sunday, April 3 – Dress Rehearsal with WMPO
Sunday, April 10 – Concert with WMPO (Epiphany)
Sunday, April 17 – Concert with WMPO (Masonic Memorial)
Tuesday, April 26 – Dress Rehearsal, Schlesinger
Friday, May 6 – NVCC Spring Concert, Schlesinger (NVCC 50th Anniversary Concert)
Let’s be our best. In order for us to be the best chorus we can be, each of us must be the best singer we can be. Toward that end, please consider taking Class Voice (Mon 4:30 –7:15 pm) or Vocal Seminar (Saturday 12:30-2:30 pm) with me.
Another very cool class I am teaching is MUS 121 Music Appreciation (Friday 9:;00 am – 12:15 pm). Our topic is World Music. Ellie Briscoe, Larry Goldschmidt, Marion Mangus or Tom Munger can tell you about it . It is fascinating. I would love to have more choristers in the class.
Message to my current Vocal Seminar Students who may not check Blackboard
December 5 – class meets 10 am to 12 noon
December 12 – 2:00 pm Final Recital – Sing 2 songs (All are invited! How about we go have a refreshing beverage and toast a great year?)
Yours-DrW
Twelfth Rehearsal Preview
November 24th, 2015
From Dr. Whitmire: Welcome to our 12th rehearsal of Fall 2015! Please sign in.
Tonight-Messiah, all movements
This Sunday, Nov. 29 is our 5:30 pm Dress Rehearsal with WMPO. Don’t miss it!
Schedule
Sunday, November 29 – 5:30 pm Dress Rehearsal with WMPO (note time change)
Immanuel Church-on-the-Hill, 3606 Seminary Rd, Alexandria, VA 22302
Tuesday, December 1 – 7:30 pm Dress Rehearsal, Schlesinger
Saturday, December 5 – 3:00 pm Concert, 2:00 pm Call
G. W. Masonic Memorial, 101 Callahan Dr, Alexandria
Sunday, December 6 – 3:00 pm Concert, 2:00 pm Call
Church of the Epiphany, 1317 G St. NW Washington DC
Tuesday, December 8 – No Chorus Rehearsal
Thursday, December 10 – 7:30 pm NVCC Holiday Concert, Schlesinger. 6:30 pm Call
Sunday, December 13 – 3:00 p.m. Messiah Sing-along at Virginia Episcopal Seminary (3737 Seminary Rd, Alexandria, VA 22304). If you would like to participate, please send me an e-mail with “optional Messiah” in the subject line. You must attend the Saturday 12/12 10:00 am rehearsal. I’d like more of my “Under 30” singers to sign up!
Message to my Vocal Seminar Students who may not check Blackboard
November 28 – no class
December 5 – class meets 10 am to 12 noon
December 12 – 2:00 pm Final Recital – Sing 2 songs (All are invited! How about we go have a refreshing beverage and toast a great year?)
PS- Everyone who is taking Voice Lessons would benefit and enjoy my Vocal Seminar. Please consider joining us in the Spring.
Yours-DrW
Leavitt Magnificat
November 17th, 2015
From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Singers- Thanks for a great rehearsal tonight. In case you want to sing after all our Messiahs and before Spring semester starts, here is a great opportunity. Many of you will remember the beautiful Requiem by Paul Leavitt that we sang last Spring. Paul is giving 2 performances of his Magnificat with the chorus and orchestra of the Friday Morning Music Club on Friday & Saturday, Jan. 15 &16, 2016. They rehearse Sunday afternoons, 1:30 – 4 PM at Church of the Reformation on Capital Hill. If you are interested, send Paul an e-mail. pdleavitt0918@gmail.com
Yours-DrW
Messiah Flyer
November 17th, 2015
From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Singers- Here is a flyer for our Messiah concerts. As usual, we will have half-price tickets. Start telling you friends about it.
Yours-DrW
Click image for Flyer PDF