From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Singers- The best solution for the Schlesinger stage occupancy limits that we talked about on Tuesday will be for us (or most of us) to be seated in the adjacent balconies and in the first few rows of the side audience seating. It will be interesting..maybe fun. So, we’ll pass out the tickets this week. Don’t let you friends and family miss this Flash Mob style concert.
I look forward to seeing Men today at 3.
From Dr. Whitmire: Welcome to our 13th rehearsal of Spring 2013! Please sign in.
We have 2 rehearsals before our Monday April 29 Dress Rehearsal with the Annandale Orchestra in Schlesinger.
Please note this new rehearsal (posted 4/9)
Saturday 4/27, 1:00 pm, Combined Choruses
St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, 5800 Backlick Rd, Springfield
Tonight
I will dismiss Women (except music majors) at break (8:40 pm)
Men will rehearse Pilgrim’s Chorus until 9:10 pm
I will rehearse Music Majors until 9:40 pm
Saturday I see Men at 3:00 pm.
Mark your calendars-Our Annual Chorus Picnic will be Saturday, May 11, noon until 3:00 pm at the Wulff’s. More info will follow. I hope you will plan to attend
Tickets for our May 3 concert with the Annandale Symphony are here. It would be great if everyone could sell at least three tickets ($15 adults; $10 students).
– Try to come tonight at 7 pm and organize your tickets. This is a rare opportunity to sing in Schlesinger with a full orchestra. It will be a treat for our audience.
Chorus Schedule
Saturday 4/20, 3:00 pm, Men in AT130
Saturday 4/27, 1:00 pm, Full Chorus New item (added 4/9/13)
St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, 5800 Backlick Rd, Springfield
Monday 4/29, 7:30 pm
Dress Rehearsal with the AN Orchestra, Schlesinger
Tuesday 4/30, 7:30 pm
Chorus Dress Rehearsal, Schlesinger
Thursday 5/02, 7:30 pm
Chorus/Band/Jazz Combined Concert, Schlesinger
Friday 5/03, 7:30 pm
Concert with the AN Orchestra and Chorus, Schlesinger
Saturday, 5/11, noon until 3:00 pm
Chorus Picnic at the Wulff’s
From Dr. Whitmire: Welcome to our 12th rehearsal of Spring 2013! Please sign in.
We have 3 rehearsals before our Monday April 29 Dress Rehearsal with the Annandale Orchestra in Schlesinger. Be sure this rehearsal in on your calendar.
There are a few more Opera Choruses CDs. No charge. There are also at novachorus.org. Please practice your German and Italian diction.
Tonight
I will dismiss Women (except music majors) at break (8:40 pm)
Men will rehearse Pilgrim’s Chorus until 9:10 pm
I will rehearse Music Majors until 9:40 pm
Saturday I see Women at 3:00 pm.
Mark your calendars-Our Annual Chorus Picnic will be Saturday, May 11, noon until 3:00 pm at the Wulff’s. More info will follow. I hope you will plan to attend.
From Dr. Whitmire: Welcome to our 11th rehearsal of Spring 2013! Please sign in.
We have 4 rehearsals before our Monday April 29 Dress Rehearsal with the Annandale Orchestra in Schlesinger. Be sure this rehearsal in on your calendar.
Opera Choruses CDs are here. No charge. Kate will have them up on the website in the twinkling of an eye. They include German and Italian diction.
Tonight
I will dismiss Women (except music majors) at break (8:40 pm)
Men will rehearse Pilgrim’s Chorus until 9:10 pm
I will rehearse Music Majors until 9:40 pm
Saturday I see Men at 3:00 pm.
From Fred:
Pilgrim’s Chorus (with some additional choral music) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=coLxM2hq_gA
Bride’s Chorus http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-HwBGgBRFk
Anvil Chorus http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tssCXwtAYkw
operatic version: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZN01_pAxro
Think we could do a flash mob of that?
From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Singers-
-Thanks for a wonderful concert yesterday! The sounds of Cantata Academica are still ringing in my ears. I hope that most of you learned to like (if not love) this music.
-I am so thankful for your hard work and commitment. I realize that the past week (Sunday-Tuesday-Saturday-Sunday) has been very demanding. Tomorrow’s rehearsal will end at 9:00 pm.
-We have 5 rehearsals before our Monday April 29 Dress Rehearsal with the Annandale Orchestra in Schlesinger. Be sure this rehearsal in on your calendar.
-I will get Opera Chorus rehearsal files up as soon as I can. In the meanwhile, work on Triumphal Scene from Aida which is already up at novachorus.org. It is by far the most challenging of the group.
-If you missed our March 17 or our March 24 concert for any reason, please contact me asap. If you have already discussed your absence, please remind me.
-If you have any tickets or ticket money, please get it to your section leader tomorrow. The WMPO has to pay the bills and we must do our part.
Yours-DrW
From Dr. Whitmire: Welcome to our 9th rehearsal of Spring 2013! Please sign in.
Once again, I was so happy with your music-making Sunday night. You really nailed the big picture— beautiful tone, joyful rhythm, wonderful spirit. And, our soloists were fabulous!
Thanks to all who arranged and attended special rehearsals last week. You made Sunday’s success possible. Special thanks to Chris Hagan for her above-the-call-of duty service.
Tonight
7:30-8:15 – Opera Choruses
8:15- 9:00 – Britten
Dismiss full chorus
9:00 pm – Small Chorus
9:20 pm – Britten soloists
Important Dates (no changes from your original schedule)
Saturday 3/23 – Full Rehearsal (attendance required)
Sunday 3/24 – 2:00 pm Call; 3:00 pm Concert with the WMPO
From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Singers-
I was so happy with your music-making last night. You really nailed the big picture— beautiful tone, joyful rhythm, wonderful spirit. And, our soloists were fabulous!
We’ll focus on tidying some some of the details tomorrow night. Bring your Opera Choruses as well.
Yours-DrW
From Fred: We will hold a full chorus rehearsal on Tuesday, March 12, at 7:30 PM. Chris Hagan will be our leader and accompanist (thank you Chris).
It will be in my church, John Calvin Presbyterian Church, instead of in the Tyler Building since NVCC is closed this week. The address is 6531 Columbia Pike, Annandale, VA; at the intersection of Whispering Lane.
The parking lot will fill up because two other groups are meeting upstairs. We will meet downstairs in the sanctuary. I’ll have the lights on at 7 PM. The parking lot entrance road is very close to the traffic light and the exit is down hill from there.
http://www.johncalvinpres.org/
The church parking lot may fill up. You are welcome to park on the upper side of the entrance and exit road. After that, please park on the church side of Whispering Lane. Be especially nice to our neighbors. We seek their support in licensing our renovation so we can house an excellent co-op nursery school. You can also come as early as 7 PM.
The light level is low. Come back this summer and see the changes.
Seat yourselves as we do in our regular rehearsals:
-Tenors and Altos to the conductor’s right
– Basses and Sopranos to the conductor’s left
We can move the piano wherever Chris wants it. It’s ok to move the communion table and put it back when we are finished.
A note from Chris: Sounds great! Let’s just say we’ll have a fine Britten singalong note bash – musically speaking, of course. Thanks Fred
From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Singers- I need a few able-bodied folks to set up chairs for the rehearsal. 2 rows of twenty for those who need to sit. Those who are able will stand behind.
Thanks-DrW
From: Washington Metropolitan Philharmonic Association
Date: Friday, March 8, 2013 10:31 AM
Subject: WMP BI Rehearsal Sunday March 10
From Ulysses S. James: Because alternative rehearsal space was not available, and percussion instrument logistics, we will be rehearsing in Bishop Ireton’s cafeteria on Sunday. The space has been scheduled for another group until 5 PM. We may not be able to setup until that time. However, I will be at the school at 4:15 PM in case we can get into the cafeteria to set up prior to the planned rehearsal time. I’d appreciate help setting up from anyone willing to take a chance of being able to setup at that time.
I am planning on extending the rehearsal time 3 hours from the time we actually begin rehearsing. I sincerely hope that you will stay after 8 PM if that is the case.
If the cafeteria is still occupied prior and up to 5 PM, please congregate in the hallways, but do not enter the cafeteria until 5 PM.
Schedule:
5 PM: Britten with chorus, Mark conducting
6:15 PM Mac Dowell
7:15 PM Kazik
7: 45 PM Beethoven
See you Sunday!
From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Tenors and Basses-
Here is the music from X. (pdf) that we rehearsed on Saturday. Please listen to your recording and learn how it fits in beneath the soprano solo.
From Dr. Whitmire: Welcome to our 8th rehearsal of Spring 2013! Please sign in.
Once again, thanks for a great Black History Month Celebration. It was everything I had hope.
Thanks to those who were able to attend Sunday night’s rehearsal with the orchestra. Brava! to our soprano soloist, Lika, who was amazing!
Tonight I will dismiss at 8:55 pm (no break)
9:00 pm – Small Chorus
9:20 pm – Music Majors Mid-term ( # 8 starting at reh sq 27)
9:40 pm – Britten soloists- Lika, Claire, Francisco, Matt
Small Chorus
Soprano- Peggy, Terri, Jamaica, Judy R
Alto- Annette, Debbie, Jane, Pat
Tenor- John, Bill R, Kris
Bass-Larry C, Bill B, Mike, DeMarcus
This Saturday 3/9 is Women at 3 pm.
This Sunday 3/10 is our 5:00 pm Mandatory Dress Rehearsal
Bishop Ireton High School (301 Cambridge Rd., Alexandria)
We will be in the cafeteria. I know you will make this best of a less that perfect situation.
From Dr. Whitmire: Important Dates (no changes from your original schedule)
Saturday 3/9 – 3:00 pm Women
Sunday 3/10 – 5:00 pm Mandatory Dress Rehearsal
Bishop Ireton High School (301 Cambridge Rd., Alexandria)
Tuesday 3/12 – No Rehearsal, College Closed
Saturday 3/16 – No Sectional, College Closed
Sunday 3/17 – 2:00 pm Call; 3:00 pm Concert with the WMPO
Church of the Epiphany (1317 G St. Washington, NW)
Sunday 3/24 – 2:00 pm Call; 3:00 pm Concert with the WMPO
Bishop Ireton High School (301 Cambridge Rd., Alexandria)
From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Singers-
Last night was all that I hoped for, and more. Your singing was superb. I hope that the evening was a meaningful one for each of you.
I look forward to seeing Men on Saturday at 3 pm.
Matt and Francisco- Let’s work on your Britten solos following rehearsal.
I will be rehearsing the orchestra in the Bishop Ireton High School cafeteria this Sunday 3/3 at 6:00 pm. Please come if you are able. Lika, Claire Matt and Francisco- please do your very best to be present.
Yours-DrW
From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Singers-
Please attend tomorrow’s Voice Master Class at 2:00 pm.
Please be in Schlesinger by 7:15 pm tomorrow night.
We did these five opera choruses several years ago, Fred has recovered the alto CD. It would be a big help if we could find the others. Let me know if you can.
Yours-DrW
From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Friends- I am looking forward to our Dress Rehearsal this Tuesday, 2/26, at 7:30 pm in Schlesinger. It’s a big show to put together, but I know that everyone will muster all the focus and creativity that is necessary. I have begun to sketch the staging (.pdf)–we will fill in the blanks as we go. Let me know if you have ideas or questions. Yours-DrW
Stage Managers: Ken Kunec, Hannah Andres
House Managers: Sharon Darnell, Ben Sanford
From Dr. Whitmire: Welcome to our 6th rehearsal of Spring 2013! Please sign in.
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
Alto-Debbie Peetz
Tenor-Larry Goldschmidt
Bass-Ray Lombardi
Tonight we will rehearse the 5 spirituals and Britten # 7 & 8 with text.
9:30 pm – Small Chorus Women on #5
9:45 pm – Music Majors
Small Chorus
Soprano- Peggy, Terri, Jamaica, Judy R
Alto- Annette, Debbie, Jane, Pat
Tenor- DeMarcus, John, Bill R, Kris
Bass-Larry C, Bill B, Mike, Tom M
This Saturday 2/23 is Full Rehearsal at 3pm (attendance required). Joyce Garrett will be here.
From Dr. Whitmire: Cantata Academica Errata
II
Men-at mm 11-12 the word should be ar-ca-na (not a-re-a-na)
Women at 17-18 the word should be ar-ca-na (not a-re-a-na). It should look like
XIII
Alto- at M24 (2 before square 45) the notes should be G – A (not B – A)
All- rehearsal square 46 should be moved five measures forward, to m. 38
All- At rehearsal square 46 (m. 38) the syllable is “-lus” (not –lis)
All- Add one measure before the final “saeculorum”
VII
Bass:
M. 53-55. <EN-DAE-SA-NI-TA-TI-SA-NI-TA-TI-CON-SU>
Tenor and Bass:
M. 72-73. < FLO-REAT-STU-DI-UM>
Bass:
M. 81-83. <EN-DAE-SA-NI-TA-TI-SA-NI- TA-TI-CON-SU>
M. 155. <TA-TI-TU-U>
Tenor M.52; ALTO M81, 86, 87
<CO-PI-IS-LO-CU-P(I)ES> (in the music).
<CO-PI-IS-LO-CU-P(L)ES > (in the translation)
XIII
Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass
M.12-13:
<VI-GE-AT>
M. 15:
Alto, Tenor, Bass
<DE-MIA>
M. 36-38 Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass
<AT-QUE-O-CEL-LUS>
Cantata Academica Notes
Structural elements in #8
-The opening melody employs all 12 notes of the chromatic scale. (Britten tips his hat to serialism)
-The successive fugal entrances starting with the basses at reh square 27 begin on each note of the chromatic scale: G F Eb E F# A D Bb C Db Cb (B) Ab
-beginning at rehearsal square 29 the exact same series of pitches reappears, now in stretto (close succession).
-Moreover, opening 12-tone theme of #8 dictates the overall structure of Cantata Academic, as each movement has as its key or tonal center the successive notes of the theme.
I-G, II-F, III-Eb, IV-E, V- F#, VI-A, VII-D, VIII-Bb, IX- C, X-Db, XI-Cb, XII-Ab, XIII-G
One of my singers said, “the notes seem so random.” I know what she means, but, as your see, thev are systematically structured and actually couldn’t be less random.
#13
At the end we are using optional words (saeculis saeculorum) that Britten provided to make the piece less specific to Basle University, who commissioned the piece.
From Dr. Whitmire: Welcome to our 5th rehearsal of Spring 2013! Please sign in.
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
Alto-Debbie Peetz
Tenor-Larry Goldschmidt
Bass-Ray Lombardi
Tonight we will rehearse the 5 spirituals and Britten # 1 & 2 with text.
Thanks to those who auditioned for the Small Chorus in Cantata Academica.
I heard some well-prepared singers, but not enough. (Someone said that the Saturdayrehearsals scared folks away). So I have added additional singers (Music majors and others whose voices I know well) that did not audition for the Small Chorus. To make it easier, we will rehearse on Tuesdays at the end of rehearsals, starting March 4. Let me know if you do not want to be a part.
Soprano- Peggy, Terri, Jamaica, Judy R
Alto- Annette, Debbie, Jane, Pat
Tenor- DeMarcus, John, Bill R, Kris
Bass- Alan B, Bill B, Mike, Tom M
Our four soloists Cantata Academica will be Lika Bozhich, Claire Dubas, Francisco Robles, Matt Relton
Music Majors plan to stay after to rehearse.
Saturday is women’s rehearsal at 3 pm.
Please remember: Saturday 2/23 is Full Rehearsal (attendance required). Joyce Garrett will be here.
From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Singers-
-I look forward to seeing Men tomorrow at 3 pm.
-Auditions for the Small Chorus will be at 4:15 pm. Subsequent Small Chorus rehearsal will take place on Saturdays.
-Thanks to Peggy, Jane , Larry, Bill and others for helping me ferret out errors in my Cantata Academica chorus part. I look forward to more corrections.
Cantata Academica Errata
II
Men-at mm 11-12 the word should be ar-ca-na (not a-re-a-na)
Women at 17-18 the word should be ar-ca-na (not a-re-a-na). It should look like
XIII
Alto- at M24 (2 before square 45) the notes should be G – A (not B – A)
All- rehearsal square 46 should be moved five measures forward, to m. 38
All- At rehearsal square 46 (m. 38) the syllable is “-lus” (not –lis)
All- Add one measure before the final “saeculorum”
From Dr. Whitmire: Welcome to our 4th rehearsal of Spring 2013! Please sign in.
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
Alto-Debbie Peetz
Tenor-Larry Goldschmidt
Bass-Ray Lombardi
Tonight we will rehearse the 5 spirituals and Britten # 12 & #13 with text.
Auditions for the Small Chorus in Cantata Academica is this Saturday 2/9, following the Men’s Rehearsal. The audition selection will be #12 mm 1-35 plus #5 for women. I will select the Small Chorus from those singers that are able to rehearse on Saturdays. The Small Chorus will rehearse 4:15-4:45 pm on 2/16, 2/23, 3/2, 3/9.
Starting March 4 you will also need Opera Choruses, edited by John Rutter.
Order online a sheetmusicplus.com. We will sing
21. Anvil Chorus
23. Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves
28. Triumphal Scene
30. Bridal Chorus
31. Pilgrim’s Chorus
Music Majors plan to stay after to rehearse.
Saturday is Men’s rehearsal at 3 pm.
Attached is our Black History Month poster (.pdf). Start spreading the word!
From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Singers (women)-
We will also work of #7 tomorrow using this track. Try it out please.
From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Singers-
Small Chorus Audition
I wrote previously that the audition for the Small Chorus in Cantata Academica would be Tuesday, February 5. I have moved the audition to Saturday 2/9, following the Women’s Rehearsal. The audition selection will be #12 mm 1-35 plus #5 for women. I will select the Small Chorus from those singers that are able to rehearse on Saturdays. The Small Chorus will rehearse 4:15-4:45 pm on 2/16, 2/23, 3/2, 3/9.
Cantata Academica Analysis (feel free to ignore if this sort of thing is not your cup of tea)
I have talked about some of the structural elements in #8
-The opening melody employs all 12 notes of the chromatic scale. (Britten tips his hat to serialism)
-The successive fugal entrances starting with the basses at reh square 27 begin on each note of the chromatic scale: G F Eb E F# A D Bb C Db Cb (B) Ab
-beginning at rehearsal square 29 the exact same series of pitches reappears, now in stretto (close succession).
-Moreover, opening 12-tone theme of #8 dictates the overall structure of Cantata Academic, as each movement has as its key or tonal center the successive notes of the theme:
I-G, II-F, III-Eb, IV-E, V- F#, VI-A, VII-D, VIII-Bb, IX- C, X-Db, XI-B, XII-Ab (G#), XIII-G
One of my singers said, “the notes seem so random.” I know what she means, but, as your see, thev are systematically structured and actually couldn’t be less random.
Muscles
I am expecting a load of donated books to be dropped off this Saturday at 2:50 pm. If there are able-bodied women who could help me transport them, I would appreciated it.
From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Singers-
-Thanks for a good rehearsal last night. It was great to add some musical moments to our pieces.
-Our February 27 concert has only 5 pieces. You should know them securely by now. If not, please learn them this week.
-Here is a link to a performance of We shall walk in peace that demonstrates what I was talking about last night. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZ7TRqB46V8
-We have Women’s rehearsal this Sat. at 3. We will work on # 8 beginning at reh square 27.
-Chris will not be there, so we will spend part of our time working with these tracks. There are 3 tracks, each progressively faster. Have fun!
[Admin: Number 8 Slow, Medium, Fast]
From Dr. Whitmire: Tonight is our 3rd rehearsal of Spring 2013!
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
Alto-Debbie Peetz
Tenor-Larry Goldschmidt
Bass-Ray Lombardi
Music
The Bookstore has 3 of the Spirituals is stock. In the meanwhile you must go to
www.novachorus.org and print them out. Please do not come with out all your music. (My Lord what a morning, Soon-ah will be done, We shall walk through the valley, Ain’t-a that good news!, I’m gonna sing till the spirit moves in my heart)
Starting March 4 you will also need Opera Choruses, edited by John Rutter.
Order online a sheetmusicplus.com. We will sing
21. Anvil Chorus
23. Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves
28. Triumphal Scene
30. Bridal Chorus
31. Pilgrim’s Chorus
Tonight I will dismiss at 9:30 pm to meet with Music Majors.
Saturday is Women’s rehearsal at 3 pm.
Admin: All music files are posted to the Music Files page.