18 March 2025

Dear Singers,

Great session this week, thank you. We discovered the joy and many advantages of singing in a circle - we'll do it again!

VERY IMPORTANT UPDATE RE THE HUMMEL
Some bars have been CUT as follows:

*** QUONIAM (p20) bar 119 - There will be a pause on the first beat, and the orchestra will hold a chord lasting a whole bar (where it says 'Fuga') 
We do not sing the Amen at this point, but cut straight to p26, bar 173, and you sing the Amen from bar 174. Please mark this and paper clip pages 19 to 26 together for easy turning.

***CREDO (p45) bar 240 - After this bar turn straight to p51, bar 333 and sing 'Amen' to the end. Clip pages 45-50 together to make the turn easy, and quick! This section is what I had asked the soloists to take, but have scrapped it altogether.

Please sort these changes out for next week and we will sing them to be sure everyone's got it. Thank you.

WHAT WE DID ON 18.03 25
Very encouraging work on Mozart Domine Jesu (p45). Important to make 'Rex' in bar 2, very strong - it's quick, and can be late. Note the contrasting dynamics p and f - essential to look ahead and  prepare, particularly for the pianos so they keep their tone.
Sopranos beware in the last 4 bars to keep the tuning and strong tone for the repeated Gs. Snatch a quick and GOOD breath in bar 75 to support it.
Opening  Requiem & Kyrie - This was very good and reflects last rehearsal's hard work; it was much improved when we sang in a circle because you were more aware of the other voices. Essential to sing you part and listen to others (oh, and be aware of the conductor too!).

Hummel: Dona nobis (p74) This is a very delicate movement with a 'chamber' feel rather than 'large chorus'.Sopranos, sing the grace notes (the small quavers in the first bar, bar108 and bar 125) as two equal quavers)Tenors - You have a similar grace note in bar 108 AND THERE SHOULD BE ONE IN THE FIRST BAR TOO! - please add it. 
Sopranos again - your large leaps in bars 71, 74/5, 76/7 need to be checked out please - we will rehearse this.
We finished this session by singing the Lacrymae in a circle - lovely and scrummy!

WHAT WE WILL DO ON 25.03.25
Hummel: 
Credo, spending some time on pages 36-40, plus checking out the cut highlighted above.
Sanctus

Mozart: Lux aeterna (p76 to end). The 'Requiem' section is a repeat of the first movement, and the 'Cum sanctis' (p79) is the same as the first Kyrie but with different text.

We might check out another movement or to as a surprise.

WORKSHOP ON APRIL 5 - Numbers are looking good! 

We are making good progress, there is light at the end of the tunnel - or is it a train coming the other way?!! Keep up the good work and practise your particular challenging bits. We will soon be singing through movements more frequently in rehearsal to get some flow and continuity.

Well done everyone, thank you.

Best wishes,
Peter