11 November 2025
Dear Singers,
'Are we having fun yet?' Answers on a postcard please......!!
Good work this week, thank you.
LOOKING AHEAD:
Saturday's Workshop - Great that so many are coming (75!) Rehearsals after the workshop - We will sit in concert formation for the remaining three rehearsals. Non-performers are welcome, but sitting to one side please.
Spring Concert update - Saturday 9 May at the United Reform Church, Southernhay, Exeter. VERDI REQUIEM and a great line up of keyboard players, and hopefully some (or all?) of the young soloists from the Mozart concert
WHAT WE DID ON 11.11.25
Venezuelan Carol - We learnt most of this, only verse 3 (page 2) was left unsung. I couldn't locate a recording of this online - if anyone discovers one, please share!
Navidad no 4 - We sorted the 'geography' of this movement. Please make sure you all have anynote changes and which lines you sing as follows:
Sops & altos: See last week's MD notes where I set out what you sing in bars 12 to15 (instead of going down to the low notes). This happens every time (bars 30-33, 48-51, 66-69).
Sopranos at these moments all sing the top line ('Ah')
Tenors: Entry at bar 7 - You all sing tenor 2 (soloist takes 1) Same in bars 43 and 61
Basses: Bar 15 - sing the bass line!! The bottom E in bar 17 should be sung an octave higher. Do this again at bar 69
Navidad no 6 - All voice parts have now been divided into 1st & 2nds. STAY ON THESE PARTS, balance is essential.
What do the tenors sing? In the chorus, when everyone sings, (e.g. the opening) you divide into 1st & 2nds. In the verses which are sung by all T & B, just sing 2nd T. DO NOT sing when it's tenors alone (ie bars 6-9 & 31-34), the soloist will take T1.
Niño lindo - Nice end to the rehearsal with a gentle sing to remind us how this goes.Basses beware: Bars 1 & 5 have a dotted rhythm which you weren't unanimous about! Same again in 9 & 10.
The evening ended with a sublime tenors' 'Dios' when everyone watched!
YOUR PRACTICE - A good use of practice time is paying attention to THE WORDS. Reading phrases - out LOUD, slowly, gradually getting them up to the right tempo and rhythm will be very productive. Rehearsals will include this from now on.
WHAT WE WILL DO AT THE WORKSHOP ON SATURDAY:
The aim is to enjoy singing as much as we can, stopping to work on detail and enabling our guest workshoppers to have a fulfilling experience too. We may not get through everything, but this is the ambition:
Starting with warms ups and La Huayno
Misa Criolla: Kyrie and Gloria - possible look at Credo
Navidad: Movts 1, 2 (pages 24-28), 3, 5 & 6
WHAT WE WILL DO IN REHEARSAL ON 18.11.25
Criolla: Sanctus - not a lot to do, see page 30 Agnus dei (p 32 to end)
Navidad: No 2 & no 6
Venezuelan Carol
CHORAL CLINIC - Treatment is available again next week at 6.30, all welcome!
¡Feliz práctica!
Pedro