Friday, October 18, 2013

Rehearsal Blog Update 10/16/2013

Dear Ensemble and Vocalise Parents and Singers,

Exciting things are happening in rehearsal as we get closer and closer to our performances!

In addition to our big Holidays With Cantabile concert on December 7th, here is a summary of our upcoming optional performing opportunities:

1.     Montalvo Arts
When: Sat., Oct. 26th, 7:30pm
Where: Montalvo Arts Center
What: Premier of new choral work, Everything That Happens, by NY composer Roberto C. Lange in collaboration with visual artist Nene Humphrey.
Who: Vocalise singers who have been previously assigned to this project
Rehearsals: Oct. 21st, 6:30-8:15pm, regular location; Oct. 26th, 3-5pm, Montalvao

2.     Pier 39 Tree Lighting Concert
When: Sun., Nov. 24th - call time 1pm, concert @ 2:15pm.
Where: SF, Pier 39, open stage
What: 30-minute performance of holiday music
Who: all available Vocalise/Ensemble singers
Attire: “holiday-inspired”
Tickets: free!

3.     Holiday Family Concert with Palo Alto Chamber Orchestra and Pacific Ballet Academy
When: Sun., Dec. 15th, call time 12:30pm for run-through, concert @ 3:00pm. Rehearsal with orchestra Fri., Dec. 13th, evening (TBC)
Where: Menlo-Atherton Auditorium
What: 20 minutes of Cantabile holiday favourites: When Christmas Comes to Town, Seal Lullaby, How Many Christmases, Jingle Bells, etc.
Who: all available Vocalise/Ensemble singers
Attire: “holiday-inspired”
Tickets: free!

Also, a friendly reminder that the Fall Workshop and Family Potluck is coming up fast on Nov. 2nd! Be sure to check the SCOOP for instructions on what to bring.

What to Practice

ENSEMBLE

Ensemble A: This week’s homework is pages 1-3 in your A Young Singer’s Journey workbook. If you don’t have a CD player at home, please email cassie@cantabile.org right away. Also feel free to email questions about the work.

If you were given a green Book IV, please email cassie@cantabile.org asap and let me know whether the material is still too easy for you, and whether you can switch to the 7-7:30pm musicianship time slot.

Ensemble B: As you may know, this is the first year that Cantabile is beginning an Online Musicianship Program. Sonicfit.com was developed by theory instructor and choral conductor Dr. Jeff Morton, who teaches here in the Bay Area. On the website you can read/watch theory lessons and complete related assignments and tests. Vocalise has already begun with their first few assignments and now it's your turn! Each week there will be a new, small assignment or test to complete. 

By Monday, October 21st, all members of Ensemble B must register on sonicfit.com by clicking on this link:


It will only take a minute. You will need a "join code": ensembleb2013

Please be sure to register by the end of the week. Your first assignment is due on Friday, October 25th. Instructions on how to complete the assignment will be sent in a subsequent email.

What to Practice

VOCALISE

Mass: Listen to the recordings posted last week. Go over the first three movements (leave the Agnus Dei alone for now – we may leave it out). Focus specifically on pages 13-20 (in the Gloria). Page 16 is where we stopped in rehearsal, in order to give you more time to go over the notes at home. Speak the text a few times before you review the notes – you will want to master the rhythm within all of those time signature changes (from 2/4 to 3/4 to 5/8 to 4/4!) before you secure the pitches.

Memorized for next week: The Angel and Seal Lullaby

ENSEMBLE

Notes, and tone colour are coming along beautifully for all repertoire. Your next project is memorization. How much of your repertoire can you have memorized by next week? Do your best with Jingle Bell Swing, The Angels Will Guide You Home, and Agnus Dei. I bet you already remember more of it than you realize! :)



Happy Practicing!

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