14 April 2026
Dear Singers,
Just a workshop and three rehearsals to go before the big day! I can confidently predict that, like Artemis 2, we are on course to make a safe and precise 'splashdown' as planned, on May 9th. I don't see the need for any course corrections, and hopefully no 'Houston we've had a problem' moments.
The 'stage crew' had a final visit to the URC venue and we now have a seating plan which will be set up for next week's rehearsal, giving us time to tweak, and meet everyone's needs, so that the dress rehearsal goes smoothly.
TICKETS: There are precisely 259 available, owing to the capacity H&S regulations. At Christmas we welcomed over 300 to the St David's concert, so don't delay, purchase today (well, Saturday or next week).
WORKSHOP ON SATURDAY: Doors open at The Mint at 13.00, so that we can get sorted and start singing by 13.30. There will be a good break for refreshments (thanks to everyone bringing something) and we will end with a 'sing through' of key choruses by 17.30. Friends are welcome to drop in after 17.00 and listen.
WHAT WE DID ON 14.04.26
Tenors are now sorted for their divisi on p41, and they were excellent!! We carefully put pages 41-51 together, and noted the following points:
Bar 336 et al - Salva me - full length last note each time (SAT)
Strong accents in bars 342-344 (same again on page 47/8)
Page 50, tutti singing apart from sops dividing in bars 365/6
Page 68: Again tutti and not divided.
We explored precisely how to manage the staccato passages - the notes need to be short but not too detached or 'spikey' in sound. Give them a full sound and bounce as you sing, and contrast this with the legato lines surrounding them (eg bars 681-683).
We did careful work on pages 127-129. Tuning was excellent and the ensemble sound was very good. For this section the choir needs to be expressive and supportive to the soloist, without drawing attention to itself! BIG crescendo required on page 129!
Over the rehearsal there was some excellent singing, and real contrasts in dynamics, well-handled. Nice work, well done!
WHAT WE WILL DO AT THE WORKSHOP
We will focus on the Kyrie, Dies irae (main choral chunks) and the Agnus. The Sanctus & Libera, both still need some work.
WHAT WE WILL DO ON 21,04.26
Kyrie, and any follow up to the workshop.
Looking forward to seeing most of you on Saturday, thank you.
Peter