8 April 2025
Dear Singers,
Excellent rehearsal last night, thank you for your hard work and concentration. The new seating arrangement is proving successful too - you can hear each other, and the balance for me is helping with 'diagnosis'! I am looking forward with confidence to a great concert - we have three rehearsals left which I intend to run as follows:
22.04: See below
29.04: Run both works, spot-checking as required
06.05: Revisit any sections as required, running as much as we can for continuity and confidence.
The best practice and preparation you can do now is keep listening and singing along (or using practice tracks). Also - LOOK AT THE WORDS! They are still catching some people out, particularly in quick passages.
WHAT WE DID ON 08.04.25
Hummel: Quoniam (p19 inc cut), Qui tollis (P16) - Bars 88-89 NO breath!
BASS ALERT..... Bar 93, the first note is a C natural and not a flat
Sanctus (p52) Rhythm - We are making the rhythm 'double dotted' to match the accompaniment.
Dona nobis (p74) Sopranos - bar 71 Text underlay has been changed, remove 'cem, pa-' and make the whole phrase one 'pacem' bars 70 & 71. ALSO note changes: Last note of bar 71 (E natural) sing it an octave higher, one note up from the D. The same applies in bars 75, 77 & 78. This keeps all of this section in the same part of your voice - therefore easier!
Mozart: Confutatis (p39). We did detailed work on the notes, tuning and shaping of the quiet ending. TENORS & SOPRANOS pick up your notes from the orchestra in bar 25. This section must be very smooth - glue the notes together and 'chew' the text. At this point you are singing:
I kneel with submissive heart,
my contrition is like ashes,
help me in my final condition.
Agnus dei (p72) A useful gentle sing through to finish.
WHAT WE WILL DO ON 22.04.25
Hummel: Finish pages 75 to 79 from the Dona nobis. Gloria and Credo (focus on crucifixus)
Mozart: Hosanna (p70), Domine Jesu (p45) and Hostias (p54)
IMPORTANT INFO RE CONCERT DAY:
On Saturday May 10 the Dress rehearsal in St David's will begin at 1.45, and you will finish at 4.30.
The concert starts at 7.00 and will be finished by 9.15
NEXT SEASON
I am still putting together ideas for our December '25 concert, and as promised/threatened I am keen to try something different and am still considering the Navidad Nuestra by Argentinian composer Ariel Ramirez. A folk version of the Christmas story.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJ-NPydrsak
We hope to be as authentic as possible with some instruments and musicians familiar with the Latin music style. This 15-minute piece will be mixed with more familiar Christmas music, possibly including Rutter and Chilcott, celebrating 2025 as an anniversary year.
I have an exciting idea for Spring 2026.......
Have a great Easter break, see you in a fortnight. Thank you.
Best wishes,
Peter