Thursday, November 06, 2008
Anne's rehearsal notes, 5th November
1. Claire 1 got us in the mood and warmed-up with combat lunges, deep breathing, and arms in interesting positions with our eyes closed [oh, the poor knees!]. We then focused on nice clear consonants [for use in Run toboggan run words] in that famous little ditty sung as a round, "Cheesy whatsits are all I eat" [well if that's true no wonder we can't remember our Russian words]. This was followed by baby boo and poos, sorry you really had to be there to understand. Anyway well warmed-up, thanks Claire.
2. AMUWORO
We did this with no folders , Ollie gives us 12,12 before we come in. Pretty good and well-remembered he thought, some entries are a bit awkward so men in particular, [and altos we have to admit!], check you know your solo bits or it will all crumble. Dynamics too, it isn't all forte, remember the quiet bits which Ollie indicates very clearly, so watch him. Keep the beat going in your head and then remember that it's often an off-beat entry. We finished with one sing-through at break-neck speed, and when you've been swaying in time to the music it was pretty break-knees too!
3. IN DULCI JUBILO - the octet went into the other room with Ollie to practise this, so basically practise it, I suppose! I have no notes from this. Meanwhile I was asked as a BIG FAVOUR to go over the new Tallis [Audivi...] with the duodectet left in the room [yes, I know that word probably doesn't exist but it sounded a good word for a 12-some if that's what we were]. A lot of note-bashing, and no basses as they were both octetting.
4.IN DULCI JUBILO
All back together we sang this. Remember it's not a dipthong "Ohoo" but a crisp one syllable "O".. that we were there.., and he wants a nice rich tone. Look up A LOT MORE he said, as it started to drag and also so you can see Ollie showing us the dynamics, including all the crescendos/diminuendos. It's pronounced "Princheps" not "ceps" as in the fungi. Sopranos in choir 2, verse 2, bar 47, "My" in "my prayer let it reach thee" is an A, someone was trying to sing a B flat as though it was a scale up from F, it isn't! The trio and octet were beautiful [well I thought so!]
5. AUDIVI VOCEM DE CAELO -TALLIS
We then all went through this and it was a lot easier with all 4 parts together. The main thing is to try to do some note-bashing at home, and write in the beats, remember it's 4 minims to the bar, and watch Ollie, sometimes he beats 2 to the bar. The penultimate note in the plainchant bits is a bit slower, watch him. Page 4, sopranos, altos and tenors put a circle round the B natural, by the end we had all got this. Like Amuworo the strong beats come on beat 1 and 3, so he said DO SOMETHING PHYSICAL [ no, Chris, Jenny] on those beats to remind yourself. This was more practice for those knees, all good stuff.
6. BOGORODITSE [commonly known as B...off, purely to remind you of the consonant order, I am not trying to copy a certain Mr Ross and Brand].
We did this from memory and we've nearly got it.
7. APPLE TREE WASSAIL
Similarly, a run-through without copies. A second reminder that we start stamping with our LEFT FEET.
NOTICES
1. Next Thursday, 13 November, Merchants' Hall, 22 Hanover Street, it's on the left about the 3rd building you come to from Princes Street, a nice old-looking building, about opposite Lothian bus shop. As per my email last week, be there ready to try out the room and warm up at 6:30.
We start singing at 7 for about 20/30 mins. Ollie will email a list of music to bring. Practice for all doing this event next Wednesday will be EARLY, ie 7PM or as near to that as you can once babies are fed and watered.
I have the following people down as coming:
Sops: Kay, Susan, Helen. [Alison and Claire 1 as standby in case of illness].
Altos: Anne, Claire 2, Jenny [Natalie only if needed]
Tenors: Douglas, Chris, Ollie [Robin only if required]
Basses: John, Sebastian.
The following cannot make it even as standbys: AnnaLauren, Arno, Elaine.
Obviously I'll let the standbys know if they are needed so please check emails daily in case, or I'll give you a call. If anyone gets ill and can't make it, please let me as well as Ollie know ASAP.
2. CANONGATE AND CHRISTMAS CONCERTS
Susan will soon be ready to send out a mailing, and will do an email publicity thing. Chris has posters and flyers in hand for next week, tickets are now available for Canongate. So please start to warm up your potential audience, we need a good turnout particularly for Canongate or we'll look very lonely in that big church! I will contact Rosslyn to tell them to pass on info re our concerts to anyone who asks expecting us to be at Rosslyn Chapel as usual. The new CD will be on sale there.
3. SEBASTIAN'S TO SEE TOUR VIDEO, SATURDAY, 6PM
Time changed to 6pm, easier for some than the original 5pm. Bring food, savoury, salads etc. and a very good sense of humour [actually make sure you are not sober if possible when you watch it!]
