From Dr. Whitmire: Thanks for a GREAT rehearsal tonight. Here is a a flyer (.pdf) that you can send to your friends.
Yours-DrW
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Posts Tagged ‘performances’
Performance Flyer
Thursday, April 28th, 2011
Final Rehearsal Preview
Tuesday, April 26th, 2011
From Dr. Whitmire: Welcome to our Final rehearsal of Spring 2011! We rehearse in Schlesinger,
Please sign in.
Please take a course evaluation form, fill it out, and return it to this envelope tonight.
Flyers are here. The college web and e-mail has been down all day. When it come you I will send these flyers.
Tuesday 5/3 -7:30 pm Band Chorus Concert, Schlesinger Center
The Call is 6:30 pm in the Chorus Room.
Saturday 5/7 – 3:00 pm Annual Chorus Picnic at the Wulff’s
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.
Sing Well- DrW
Schedule, Fall 2011, Spring 2012 (.pdf)
Fourteenth Rehearsal Preview
Tuesday, April 19th, 2011
From Dr. Whitmire: Welcome to our 14th rehearsal of Spring 2011! Please sign in.
You were amazing on Sunday! It was surely the highest rung on our ladder of musical excellence. Your tone was excellent, diction was superb, entrances were secure. It was a stunning performance in every regard. I was very proud.
If you missed the concert for any reason, please see me tonight.
Contribution to WMPO – As you know, our relationship with the WMPO is priceless. I would like the NOVA Community Chorus to become a Sponsor again this year. If you are able to make a contribution, please make a check to NVCC Foundation.
Tonight – all of Brahms and all of Beethoven
This Saturday 4/23 – No Rehearsal
Next Tuesday 4/26 – Rehearsal in Schlesinger Center
Tuesday 5/3 -Band Chorus Concert, Schlesinger Center
Saturday 5/7 – 3:00 pm Annual Chorus Picnic at the Wulff’s
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
Sing well- DrW
Performance Notes
Monday, April 11th, 2011
From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Singers- Bravo! I couldn’t have been more pleased and proud last night. Your sound was rich and beautifully in tune. You had excellent eye contact and stayed with the conductor very well. We’ll work hard on the Ninth again on Tuesday and give an even more exciting performance next Sunday. I am hoping that we have a much better crowd next week. This is an excellent concert, so invite your friends.
Rehearsal Reminder
Friday, April 8th, 2011
From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Singers-
Reminder: No Rehearsal Tomorrow (Saturday).
Be sure to invite all your friends to Sunday’s performance. I love the sound in Church of the Epiphany. Everybody loves Beethoven’s Ninth!
I’ll see you on Sunday at I:45 pm. Be on the risers and ready to sing at 2:00 pm sharp.
Yours-DrW
Twelfth Rehearsal Preview
Tuesday, April 5th, 2011
Welcome to our 12th rehearsal of Spring 2011! Please sign in.
Thanks for your excellent work at Sunday’s Dress Rehearsal with the orchestra. I’ve heard many good reports.
If you missed the Dress Rehearsal for any reason, please see me tonight. If you have already spoken to me or your section leader about your absence, please see me again.
Tonight
We will rehearse all of Brahms and all of Beethoven (especially the tempo change on p 46). Rehearsal will end at 9:15 pm.
Also tonight- Music Majors 2nd Exam (Beethoven pp 28-36)
Brahms Love Song Waltzes # 1-6-You can find your notes at www.novachorus.org
Rehearsal CDs- I still have CDs for any singers who are unable to download your parts.
This Saturday 4/09– No Rehearsal
This Sunday 4/10 – 2:00 pm call, 3:00 pm concert
Concert: Beethoven Ninth
Church of the Epiphany
1317 G Street NW, Washington DC
Please review the following guidelines regarding concert dress.
[Admin: These are always posted to the right in Performance Guidance document (.pdf)]
Women’s Concert Dress
Dress Options
Floor length dresses or separates—top with floor length skirt or dress slacks
(Floor length means to the ankle/top of the shoe)
Color
Black matte finish
Neckline
Modest, unadorned “V” Neckline–no ruffles, flounces, collar, or cleavage
Sleeves
Long sleeves or 3/4 sleeves
Footwear
Black shoes with black hosiery
Accessories (when allowed)
Jewelry should be unobtrusive–modest, not flashy.
Men’s Concert Dress
Tuxedo
White shirt
Black bow tie
Black shoes and socks
Calendar (.pdf)
Black Folders
Monday, April 4th, 2011
From Fred: You must have black folders for our performances the next two Sundays and for our final concert. Only about half of our singers had black folders Sunday afternoon. A 3-ring binder is perfect to hold both the Brahms Waltzes and the Beethoven. If you go this route, be sure the black covers are rigid and not slippery.
It appears that only the FedEx-Office aka “Kinkos” store has sturdy enough equipment to drill through the Beethoven choral music. (It is a tough piece of music.) It is 3 rotating drill presses spaced exactly for a 3-ring binder and took about 2 seconds to get through my book.
This store is in the shopping center across Rt. 7 from the big Target store near our campus. It is next door to the Radio Shack store about half way back in the shopping center. Go all the way to their back counter.
Chorus Photos on Flickr
Sunday, March 13th, 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
Sunday, March 13th, 2011
Washington Post review: Alexandria Symphony and joint chorus produce a powerful Verdi Requiem – direct weblink, or PDF of article.
Staging Notes
Saturday, March 12th, 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 to improve the seating arrangement several times. I kept wishing that we were wearing chorus tee shirts so our competence would get proper credit. Keep it up and always be early.
One thing needs improvement: Chatter. It was always the same few individuals. Your commentary and opinions are unwelcome and prevent the rest of us from hearing important instructions from our several bosses. If someone needs to know the page & measure number, show them your book, don’t tell them. Set the example for those other chorus members.
(3/12/2011) Update: From Fred: I’ve annotated and in one case corrected (.pdf) the sit/stand instructions from Marsha Glover
Verdi Media
Friday, March 11th, 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
Friday, March 11th, 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 reply to this note. Note: Debbie P. is not available on Email on weekends.
18 of our Altos will organize themselves into 9 pairs of singers. Each pair will split the task of standing by swapping during the intermission. Your list is at the end of this note.
I need volunteers on a similar scale for the rest of our sections (.pdf). Work with your section leader now so that we can make our selections during the 10 minutes BEFORE the Call on Saturday. That’s at 6:50 PM Saturday. Be early. Remember – coats upstairs or in your car.
Performance Attendance
Thursday, March 10th, 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 will NOT be singing Verdi on Saturday
2. You will NOT be singing Verdi on Sunday.
Keep it simple. For example:
“I will not sing Verdi on Saturday.
(Update 3/10/2011) From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Singers- Greetings from Chicago! I am hearing some wonderful choirs, and the weather isn’t too bad!
There were a number of singers who missed an orchestral rehearsal this week. Most absences were not excused. I am very disappointed. If for ANY reason you missed both rehearsals, you may NOT sing the concert.
Also- As you know, the logistics of this concert have become very difficult. Therefore, I must request that all singers who cannot sing BOTH concerts opt out altogether. Divising two different seating plans is not tenable. I know this is very disappointing and I am sorry, but I have no choice.
Fred and the section leaders will let me know to whom this applies.
Rehearsal Notes
Tuesday, March 8th, 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 bound in a black folder. Check with your section leader for advice on this.
Be on stage, ready to sing before the following times:
7:00 PM Wednesday for rehearsal with orchestra and soloists.
7:00 PM Saturday for the performance, in concert dress
2:00 PM Sunday for the performance, in concert dress
I will look for a place for us to store our coats on Saturday and Sunday. In any case, it will probably not be secure. Be sure to leave valuables in your locked car if you cannot keep them on your person.
[More] You can have your music spiral bound with black covers at Staples, Office Depot and at what was once called Kinkos off Rt. 7 in the Leesburg Pike Plaza. A stiff cover is better than a flimsy cover if you have an option.
Arrive early at rehearsals and the performance to get the best seat – or any seat at all.
Turn pages silently. Stand and sit silently. You can paperclip together those places where we do not sing such as pgs. 65-80; 101-124 and 157-166. Just smile while enjoying the paid singers performance.
Remember to set your clocks ahead on Saturday night or Sunday morning because of the change to Daylight Savings. (you will get sooo tired of hearing this)
You can exit the stage via the stage right and stage left wings as an alternative to plowing through the audience, should there be an emergency or you just want to get home quickly. There is a hall off the stage right wings that will wisk you back to the restrooms in the lobby or onto the loading dock in an emergency. There is an emergency exit door in the back hall off the stage left wings.
Do we have a party at Clydes after the performance(s)?
ASO Tickets
Friday, March 4th, 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 alex@alexsym.org with name, performance desired, and whether its 1 or 2 tickets. If anyone wants 2 comps and additional tickets it is best to call 703-548-0885 between 10am and 5pm.
Yours-DrW
(2/25/2011) Update: Dear Singers- Please note: Comps may be reserved by emailing alex@alexsym.org. Please do not call the box office unless you are purchasing additional tickets.
Yours-MW
(3/4/2011) Update: From ASO: We believe we are in receipt of all requests (meaning anyone who had problems emailing probably called when they got an error message back). I know we have about 6 or 7 requests still to enter and email tickets.
I would propose this: If an individual requested tickets by email and has not received print-at-home tickets yet, they should check their spam folders first. Print-at-home tickets have been emailed and appear as a pdf attachment to an email. If anyone who requested tickets has definitely not received them, they should email alex@alexsym.org or call 703-548-0885 on Monday, 3/7.
Rehearsals
Friday, March 4th, 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 for next week’s performances:
Choral warm up will be in the Seminar room upstairs at Schlesinger.
There will be an intermission at both performances, after the Lacrimosa movement.
On-stage notes:
On-stage seating will provided only to those who are not be able to perform otherwise. Please send Fred a message if you require a chair.
Yours-DrW
Concert Promotion
Wednesday, March 2nd, 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 voices of the NOVA Community Chorus will be joined by three other leading regional choruses to form a combined chorus of more than 300 voices to sing this masterpiece of the choral-orchestral repertoire. ASO conductor Kim Allen Kluge will lead the chorus, orchestra and vocal soloists. For tickets call 703-548-0885 or email alex@alexsym.org.
Click to enlarge.
Alexandria Band Concert
Sunday, February 13th, 2011
From Wendy K. Matthews, Ph.D., Assistant Dean and Assistant Professor of Music: The Alexandria Campus Band and Special Guests to Perform at Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center on Friday, February 18, 2011 at 7:30 pm.
The Alexandria Campus Band will present a family concert featuring the music of American composers on Friday, February 18 at 7:30 pm. in the Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center on the Alexandria Campus. The concert will feature two guest soloists, retired Army band trumpeter, Dr. Dennis Edlebrock, performing a fantasia on an authentic Civil War cornet and Ms. Lucy Holsonbake, Alexandria campus CST faculty, performing the historic poem Casey at the Bat.
Special guests will also include the acclaimed John Adams Elementary School Orff Ensemble, a group of young musicians playing a full range of unique Orff instruments and over fifty young instrumentalists from Arlington, Alexandria, and Fairfax Elementary schools will perform side by side with the Alexandria Campus Band.
Admin: Concert Flyer (.pdf)
Verdi Ticket Discount
Friday, February 11th, 2011
From Chorister Ellie: For half price tickets to the Verdi Requiem (full price ranges from $35 to $65), use the discount code “BOOK” online at www.alexsym.org or call 703 548-0885.
WMP Performances
Tuesday, February 8th, 2011
From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Singers- Thanks for a very productive rehearsal tonight. It was very hard work, but you kept focused and had a wonderful energy and attitude.
The WMP is performing Jonathan Kolm’s orchestra piece Prophecies. Dr. Kolm is our piano and composition professor. Please attend if you can. We are trying to stack the deck in his favor since audience members get to vote.
3pm Sunday, February 13, 2011 – Church of the Epiphany (1317 G St, NW Washington, DC 20005)
3pm Sunday, February 20, 2011 – Bishop Ireton High School (201 Cambridge Road, Alexandria, VA 22314)
Also on the program:
– Antonin Dvorak – Piano Concerto, op. 33, G minor, with solo pianist Stephen Bertino
– Samuel Barber – Capricorn Concerto, with soloists Emily Bentgen (oboe), Lynn Ann Zimmerman (flute), and Brett Lemley (trumpet)
– Unique works by top three finalists of the WMP 2010-11 Composition Competition
Fifth Rehearsal Preview
Tuesday, February 8th, 2011
From Dr. Whitmire:
Welcome to our 5th rehearsal of Spring 2011!
Please sign in.
Tonight-Verdi 182-211 and 124-156, Beethoven 22-28
Next week– Verdi 124-156, 167-181; Beethoven 29-47
This Saturday at 1 pm – men
Women– It is now just a month until our concert with the ASO. If you are going to order clothing from one of the costume sites, you should place your order soon. It is fine to where something you already have, but be sure to look at the guidelines.
Verdi Sanctus– it has been requested that we split on the Sanctus. Therefore:
Chorus I – S1, A1, T1, B1
Chorus II- S2, A2, T2, B2
We will look at this tonight
Conflicts-If you are going to miss any part of the Verdi, rehearsal or concert, please send me a message. If you are a Music Major and will be away during Spring Break you may be excused from the rehearsals and concert only if you inform me now. If you do not inform me now and miss the rehearsals or concerts, you will receive a failing grade for the semester.
For your Calendar
-Saturday, February 19, 3:00 pm, AT130
Lecture/Recital: Kathy Kessler Price
-Tuesday, March 1, 9:00 pm
Music Majors 1st Exam (Verdi pp. 186-205)
-Tuesday, March 22, at 9:15 pm.
Auditions for solos in Ode to Joy (May 3 performance)
-Saturday, March 26, 3:00 pm, AT130
Graduation Voice Recital: Steven Rich
-Saturday, April 2, 3:00 pm, AT130
Graduation Voice Recital: Francisco Robles
-Tuesday, April 5, 9:00 pm
Music Majors 2nd Exam (Beethoven pp 28-36)
-Saturday, April 16, 3:00 pm, AT130
Graduation Voice Recital: Nicole Derksen
-Saturday, April 30, AT130
2:00 pm Applied Voice Recital
3:00-5:00 pm Applied voice Juries (required of Voice Majors)
-Saturday, May 7 ¬ note date change
3:00 pm Annual Chorus Picnic at the Wulff’s
Women’s Concert Dress
Tuesday, February 8th, 2011
From Dr. Whitmire: Dear NOVA Community Chorus Women-
This is a follow-up to the message I sent two weeks ago about concert dress. It is now just a month until our concert with the ASO. If you are going to order clothing from one of the sites below, you should place your order soon. It is fine to where something you already have, but be sure to look at the guidelines below. I am grateful to the women who have helped put these guidelines together and very thankful for the spirit of cooperation that I have seen.
[Admin] Links to original post, or .pdf file, January 23.
Verdi Publicity
Sunday, February 6th, 2011
From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Singers- While I continue to be informed (and annoyed) of ASO publicity that has not listed us as participants in the Verdi Requiem, we are listed on the ASO website (see below). Yours-DrW
Symphony Concert 4 http://www.alexsym.org/concert4.shtml
Saturday, March 12, 2011 at 8 pm
Sunday, March 13, 2011 at 3 pm
Schlesinger Center
Verdi
With Jan Cornelius, soprano; Stacey Rishoi, mezzo; Scott Six, tenor; Gus Andreassen, bass-baritone; Alexandria Choral Society; The Metropolitan Chorus; Heritage Signature Chorale, NOVA Community Chorus
Women’s Concert Dress
Sunday, January 23rd, 2011
From Dr. Whitmire: Dear NOVA Community Chorus Women-
I want to bring the appearance of our chorus women in line with the formality and uniformity of our chorus men. I asked a group of women to work on this, and they developed the following profile (.pdf) of appropriate concert dress. I think it will be a big improvement and I thank them for their good work.
Yours-DrW
Judas Recording
Monday, January 10th, 2011
From Chorister Al: Yes, the CD sounds great. The march No. 57 and Sing Unto God No. 58 weren’t on the disc. I guess these recordings didn’t come out correctly? Too bad, as Sing Unto God was one of the best ones, I think.
Admin note: Sing Unto God is available on the Performances page.