4 February 2025
Dear Singers,
WHAT WE DID ON 04.02.25
I really enjoyed this week's rehearsal, thank you. We motored through a lot of music. A huge thank you to Matt for taking a sectional rehearsal - this enables us to cover twice the ground, and we will do a lot more!
We got the notes of Hummel Kyrie sounding confident. Sopranos - it would be helpful to have a look at the following bars: 14/15, 25, 54 and 65 (all bars containing semiquavers!). Use scat syllables ('da da da') to make it easier and keep it rhythmic.
Mozart Hostias (p54) and Sanctus (p62) - This needs to dance along (like the Lacrymae). Dynamics are a feature (contrasting p & f) and the quiet phrases must not lose their tone and pitch - we will work on this.
Quam olim Abrahae (from p57 bottom) must bounce along lightly (leggiero)
Sanctus (p62) - On Tuesday the opening three bars were very impressive - strong and commanding - excellent!
Finally we polished the last 8 bars of the Hosanna until we could sing them from memory.....
WE WILL SING THESE TWO MOVEMENTS (PAGES 54-64) FOR THE MUSIC FESTIVAL
For our 'check out' we sang through Confutatis, Rex tremendae (a dinosaur of a movement),Lacrymae and Dies irae. Hard and rewarding work - well done everyone, thank you.
It was pub night! ECS members took up 3 tables. Good to have extended chats with lots of people (also, cheap!)
Notices for this week:
Attendance: I reminded everyone about the importance of full attendance and supporting your learning by practising (or at least being familiar with..) your notes. The guideline is 75% attendance (13 rehearsals this term). I made the following specific points, which are for clarity, and not due to any particular concerns:
Please mark the registers every week
If possible give us a heads up for known absence approaching (mark the register, tell your section rep, email us atexeterchoralsociety@gmail.com)
What matters most is how 'performance ready' the choir is. YOU know how confident you are, let this be your guide. Talk to me if necessary.
Those not singing in the concert are welcome to attend the last two rehearsals but should 'sit aside'.
ECS is a welcoming and inclusive choir and we never want to exclude anyone from participating. We have a flexible approach to everything, with enjoyment and quality performances as our goals. We love having you and you're all doing a great job! Thank you
Music festival: We have entered the festival which is on Saturday 8 March in the afternoon, in our rehearsal place. The programme is Hostias & Sanctus from the Requiem; Gaudete and Masters in this Hall (from Christmas) - Music for these will be available next week.
Singing Workshop - Saturday 5 April - 1.30-5.30 @ St David's Church, Exeter
Everyone is encouraged to come along, and bring singing friends too. This is a great opportunity to have some extended time exploring our voices and getting deeper into our programme plus other fun stuff. Details coming soon.
WHAT WE WILL DO ON 11.02.25
Hummel: Gloria p8 and Kyrie at the checkout
Mozart: Sectionals on Hosanna (p63), Hostias (p54) & Quam (p57) then tutti
After the break: Mozart Agnus dei (p72) and opening chorus at the checkout.
Here is a Spotify link to the Hummel Gloria:
https://open.spotify.com/track/233ectPXgyGFyEdm1EJRrs?si=3a357e407eac43ba
Happy singing, and welcoming more light into our days...
Peter