23 September 2025

Dear Singers,

Blessed are the cakemakers! Thank you everyone who baked, brought, bought, and consumed cake last night, likewise committee and Barbara for organising the feats and the raffle. The valuable ££ contribution to choir funds is very welcome, and your generosity is much appreciated. Either side of our nice nibbling we did some useful work too!

I have now received a definitive score of the Misa Criolla from Francisco. It features the instrumental breaks etc and definitive choir parts, which match the recording recommended in my notes of 09.09.25 (soloist: Mercedes Sosa). There will some minor changes to what you sing - more of that very soon.

WHAT WE DID ON 23.09.25

We got into the groove of the Argentinian Chacarera trunca dance rhythm by singingAmerica from West Side Story! The characteristic alternating six-eight / three-four rhythm is the basis of the Credo movement. 

We riffed on pages 26 & 27 of Criolla, which is a repeating 4-bar phrase. The words are:

Par-dre (the 'e' as in echo) To-do-po-de-ro-so (all the 'o' as in top, and the 'e' as in echo)

Cre- (echo) a- (as in act) dor (as in top)

de (echo) see-eh - loy (as in 'loin') tee-airrr - ra (roll 'r' if you can!)

The words must be staccato (short) to emphasise the rhythm, particularly the last two syllables of each line (in red!)

Agnus Dei (page 59) - In complete contrast, this movement is slow and sustained. ALTOS - Keep your wits about you as you change music staves for the 2nd phrase!! Everyone take a crotchet (one beat) rest at the end of each paz, except the last one.

Navidad no. 3 - Well done! This is making good progress. You can enjoy being very sustained and lyrical here, like adoring angels, overcome by the birth of a very special baby, bringing God among us etc. We agreed to take a good breath at the end of each phrase,  basically the joins between 'OOh' and text (eg as in the end of bar 2). Well done sopranos - the top 'g' is beginning to float nicely.  

Navidad no. 5 - We tidied up some notes  (basses bars 4/5 & 18/19) and got everything a bit tighter and together.

WHAT WE WILL DO ON 30.09.25 (Week 5 of 14)

Sopranos - 2nd sops please sit in the front row again and we will cover your angelic bit on page 38 of Navidad

Navidad no. 1 - Run through this as part of warming up (with words)

Navidad no. 5 - Start work on the words

Criolla Kyrie

Followed by the AGM

This important part of the choir's year has been included in a rehearsal so that everyone will be there to participate please. It will be short (40 mins) and business-like. Apart from being a legal requirement as part of our charity status to report and approve committee members, it is an opportunity to be reminded of last year's musical successes and the growth and development of ECS, and for new members to be brought up to speed. Yvonne (Treasurer) will share the optimism about our finances and we will be able to show our thanks to the committee for their work. Most importantly, members can contribute too.

Inspiration corner.....

If you are interested in experiencing some of the more contemporary and well-known music of Latin America, a good place to start is with Astor Piazzolla, an incredible bandoneon player from Argentina. There is plenty to select on youtube or spotify - do some exploring....

Happy singing and listening. Thank you all for your commitment and hard work.

Peter Hunt