11/17/14 Rehearsal Notes

11/17/14 Rehearsal

Elaine, Sherri, Susan Clay, Susan Chandler, and Scott

We made a note to use the pitch matching exercise during our warm ups each time.

We worked out the following schedule: 11/30 Benedictus, 12/7 Lo How a Rose, 12/14 Hosanna (Moravian Fanfare) and possibly Give Light as the congregational hymn, 12/21 Pachebel|First Noel.

We agreed not to plan anything for 12/24 or 12/25.

We then rehearsed the November/December songs. For the Pachebel, which we all agree is an odd arrangement, the voicing we landed on was Susan Clay on coloratura-soprano, Susan Chandler on mezzo-soprano, Sherri on contralto when there's a contralto line and countertenor when there's not, and Scott on dramatic tenor. Elaine, if she sings it, is welcome to sing countertenor. Regarding the contralto line, the clearest explanation seemed to be that it gets its own staff but has the lead in notes from the mezzo-soprano part.

We closed with Heart of the Mother, which we agreed makes a good warm up song.

rehearsal notes 10nov14

Present were:
Elaine
Scott
2 Susans

We practiced:
Heart of the Mother
Benedictus
Pachelbel/Noël
Lo how a rose
Winter Lullaby

Upcoming possible Sundays …
11/30 - we will sing Benedictus - this will now just be Scott and 2 Susans b/c we have shifted parts in order to cover for those unable to come the last two weeks in a row and we will continue simply to rehearse it as a trio - Elaine will accompany

12/7 - Lo how a rose - Scott and Sclay

12/14 - probably Pachelbel/Noël - as this approaches we might have to limit this to those who are able to come to rehearsal also (like with Benedictus) - we are shifting some parts just in case altho of course the hope is that Paula will be back and that Sherri can join us as well

12/21 - hopefully Heart of the Mother - this will depend on whether Paula and Sherri can come to rehearsal…

On stand-by if possible/necessary - the Hosanna if Sherri is able and game

Anyone in town on 12/25 the joint Christmas svc with Peace Church will be that eve at 5pm - we have not planned for any definite pieces yet but might be able simply to do something from one of the services between now and then - or more if nec/poss….

Paula and Sherri were greatly missed (and of course Sara but we understand her situation and missing her at rehearsals goes without saying). We could not remem. when Paula was due back. Please let us know Paula if you read this.

11/3/14 Rehearsal

In attendance: Susan Chandler, Susan Clay, Scott Jaeschke

Songs worked on: Pachebel/First Noel, Benedictus, Winter Lullaby, Heart of the Mother, and Lo How a Rose E'Er Blooming.

That seems like it...anything else Susans?

10/28/14 Rehearsal Notes

Thank you to Susan Clay for hosting this evening.

In attendance: Susan Clay, Susan Chandler, Elaine, Sherri, Scott (and Jay for moral support).

Sympathies extended to Sara on her departure; decision made not to pursue a dedicated winter concert but, instead, to rehearse a stable of songs and present them during the Sunday services between now and the new year. Emphasis placed on highlighting duets, trios, or solo works with basic accompaniment that can be individually rehearsed and flexibly voiced as people come and go throughout the holiday season.

Nine spiritual songs suggested for this: Lo How a Rose E'er Blooming; Benedictus; Benedicta Es; The First Noel (Pachebel); Let the Spirit Come to You; Deep in the Dark; Winter Night/Lullaby; Hosanna; and In Stiller Nacht.

The ladies rehearsed Benedicta Es. The whole group worked on Benedictus and the First Noel/Pachebel. Susan Clay and Scott paired for Lo How a Rose E'er Blooming. Collectively, these four songs were agreed to be the ones to pursue for performance first.

Additionally, secular songs such as Sleigh Ride, White Christmas, I'll be Home for Christmas, and Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas were discussed but left alone for the moment. Consensus appeared to be that we could move on these fairly quickly at a later date.

It was agreed that we will meet at our regular place and time next week.

Have I left anything out or (worse) misrepresented something?

-Scott

Next Flash Mob Song with more people

Here's a list of the people Susan Clay and I thought  about.  Feel free  to add more:
The Spouses:
Jorge
Jay
Scott's wife-- forget her name---

and others
Scott Templeton
Linda Law
Kathy Gilchrist
Andi Nelson
 Heidi
Jeff Christmas
Ken Marsh
Bob S

POssible songs:

Give a little bit  ( of my life to you)

Rehearsal notes 10/20

In attendance:

Elaine

Sherri

Sara

Scott

Paula

Clay

We missed you Susan - hope you're feeling better - please let us know if you need anything!

And so…….

Elaine not here 11/3 - we are tentatively scheduled to sing on 11/9 so we might want to meet anyway…

Terre had suggestions but stressed that she does not want to stress us out: Possibly moving the Christmas/Winter night thing to a Sunday…? Possibly make it into a service? We could probably do as much or as little music as we want/ be in charge of the service as much or as little as we wanted… 

Possibly 12/7 or 12/21…

(Reminder: our Saturday night event tentative date was for 12/13)

Possible fallback or in addition to the Saturday event: do just a song or two from our Christmas/Winter list each Sunday as the holidays approach...

Completely up to us.

Last idea… work towards 12/13, as time goes on and we get closer to that date, we can see what pieces might be ready for any Sundays prior to 12/13 and to let Terre know what they are and that if she can work them in cool… maybe a couple of the more challenging pieces after 12/13… depends too on who is leaving when for any Christmas plans. 

Next week is Monica's concert - please attend if possible. We will not meet for rehearsal due to time conflict… Susan Clay's house Tuesday 10/28 6h15 instead. Susan will send out directions to those who need them via email.

Potential flashmob idea for February…

rehearsed:

Pachelbel Noël

Lo, How a rose e'er blooming

grey hymnal #256  Winter Night

I think that's all but if I can't for the life of me remem. any others. DOH!

Please advise/edit if any additions/corrections.

See you Tuesday if not before.

BTW I'll have red wine and fizzy water for anyone who cares for some. 

Of course don't forget that there are cats; they aren't shedding much just now but still you might opt for wearing something other than your new black velvet pantsuits :)

Christmas music evening brainstorming dinner/soirée

New date for Christmas event, hopefully: Dec 13

Tentative name of event: We Sing Winter


Potential songs which we had loads of fun playing with:

• Benedicta Es  (Sara Susan Susan)
• Deep in the Dark
• Song of the Angels
• Lo how a rose e'er blooming
• I saw three ships come sailing in
• Hosannah (Sherri and Susan Clay)
• Pachelbel's 1st Noël
• Christmas Song (Chestnuts) (Sherri)
• White Xmas (Sherri and Scott)
• I'll be home for Christmas
• Sleigh Ride.. Scott?

and don't forget we need sing-a-long songs - some of these could be singalongs…

Those not in attendance were much missed - not least because we had such good vittles to share.

Monday we will work on some more of these and "Song of the Angels" in particular b/c we're not singing again for UU Service until Nov. 9 or so….