Hi all, I hope you’ve had a good start to the week? We’ve been enjoying the start of our half-term by going and visiting family up north, including spending some quality time with our new nephew!
A reminder that, as it’s half term this week, we don’t have a rehearsal on Thursday 26th October.
What we did – 19th October
We began with the Matin Responsory, during which we solidified some notes and worked on a blended and flowing chant sound in order to get all of the text together. We also made sure all of the rhythms were correct, particularly in the tenor part. And remember, a lot of it is the same! After this we sang through the Mendelssohn, reminding ourselves of what we did in the week before. Altos, we had 2 attempts at the start, and the second was significantly better than the first – well done! Some really good things in here, so make sure you keep it fresh in the mind over the half-term break. We just did a spot of work on the confidence and power of the entries from bar 40 to 48, helping all the parts get their starting notes with confidence and sing through the long notes.
After this we split into sectionals to learn and confirm the notes in the Agnus Dei and the Sanctus. Very good work here. When we put it all together at the end we looked at the phrasing of each section, and began to make real music with it! Just keep on top of the notes at home.
Again, a massive thank you to Fiona for helping run these sectionals!
To Catch Up: If you missed this rehearsal, please make sure you’re happy with your notes and the text in the Matin Responsory, and make sure you know the notes to the Sanctus, Agnus Dei, and How lovely are the messengers – all of which can be found below.
What we’ll do – 2nd November
Again, a reminder there’s no rehearsal on the 26th October!
We’ll begin with our AGM at 7pm. Please do make sure you come to this! In the break of the rehearsal, I’ve been told the lovely Christine Booth will be singing for us as we have our tea and biscuits, but only if you come to the AGM… haha!
In the rehearsal, we’ll begin with This is the Truth, then the Kyrie from the Mass. We’ll then split into sectionals to tidy up the notes in the Kyrie and Credo, and then come back to sing it together. We’ll end with Archer’s The Angel Gabriel.
S/A you’ll be with me, T/B will be with Fiona.
Marked Score
Attached is the marked score for this term. I ask that you please put in the markings into your parts. Having things like where to breathe already marked in the score will save so much time in rehearsals. Thank you all for your time with this!
Learning Resources
The Spotify playlist HERE contains most of the pieces. To get an idea of the programme, this is your best place to start.
The main work of the concert, the Haydn Missa Sancti Nicolai, has two places you can find learning tracks to help you out, so pick your poison.
The first is Choralia – a little tinny, but you can slow it down and add other parts to help, so it’s quite useful. It’s available HERE
The second is Cyberbass – again, not the best quality, but is certainly useful. It’s available HERE
The Palestrina Matin Responsory has learning tracks available HERE
Mendelssohn’s How lovely are the messengers is from his piece St Paul. On this link it’s number 26, available HERE
Finally, the Vaughan Williams This is the truth is available on YouTube. Here are the links: Soprano – Alto – Tenor – Bass
I’m putting together tracks for the other pieces, so they should be available soon. I hope this helps.
Contacting Me
As I’m sure you all know, I’m very happy for you to contact me directly, however I ask that you don’t phone me as quite a lot of the time I’m fairly busy, especially in the evening when I have rehearsals and events on. I’ve had a few phone calls recently which I’ve not been able to deal with at the time due to other things. The best way to contact me is at ben.j.goodall@gmail.com if you do have any questions or concerns, or email a member of the Committee. Thank you all for understanding.
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That’s it for now, have a good week off and see you on the 2nd November.
Ben
Cumnor Choral Society 