Dear Singers
We have been moving right along! We will be able to sing all of he Vivaldi straight through at the workshop and much of the Bernstein. Lullabye sounds scrumptious! We can look forward to wonderful concerts!
Sopranos and Altos First on Tuesday
We will switch things up on Tuesday. Sopranos and Altos will arrive at the normal time for rehearsal and do their own sectional rehearsal. Tenors and Basses need to arrive by 7:40. Tenors and Basses will be responsible for their own warmups. They are welcome to join us at 7 for warmups and then lie around for a half hour.🙂
Workshop October 5
The workshop runs from 9 – 3 on Saturday, Oct. 5. and will be held at the 1st Presbyterian Church. The church is located at 1615 Clark Ave in Ashland. Continue south on Siskiyou Blvd. past the university and you will see it on the right.
This time provides us the opportunity to explore many musical things in more depth including background on the pieces and their composers. We will have the opportunity to spend extra time on our voices with a somewhat extended warmup time. We will also be able to run longer sections of the music to get the sense of the true flow.
Most importantly, though, is the chance to get to know each other better. We will play a fun, non-threatening game which might give you a chance to learn about what an interesting, intelligent bunch of people you sing with! We will have a social time at 9 AM with healthy snacks, a hot beverage (as Sheldon would say) and, yes, donuts!
Be sure to bring:
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Your own lunch
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A water bottle and a straw (if you have one)
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“Holiday Jazz Trio”, “Christmas Jazz Trio”, “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” to use. If you don’t have the Christmas pieces we will have copies available to you.
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An attitude of fun!
Short Rehearsal November 5
I am aware that there is something else going on on that date. I really think it is important for us to rehearse, but we will end by 8:30 at the latest. Since west coast polls do not close until about then, all you will miss is the speculation by commentators. Besides, you might need a distraction…
Special Solos/Ensembles
I would really encourage you to prepare a solo or an ensemble for one of our concert series. We need light, fun holiday music for the concert on Dec. 14 and interesting pop music for the January 18 and 19 concerts. I would love to here about what you are planning and give input if you would like. The auditions will be scheduled at 6:30 on Oct. 29 and Nov. 5. I would prefer you talk to me about an audition time (we have one group already scheduled).
Recording Session
We will be doing a recording of Vivaldi 1 at the Oct. 29 rehearsal. This will be used for publicity spots on SOPBS and JPR. The ads make a big difference in our audience size (we think).
Berkshire Choral Institute
Discover fresh choral adventures!
Berkshire Choral creates fun and inspiring opportunities to expand your choral horizons. Think of BCI as the elevated music camp experience for adults. Join one of our 2025 programs (from Tanglewood to Washington National Cathedral to Berlin) and sing amazing repertoire with world-class conductors, sharpen your skills, and bond with new friends who love to sing as much as you do. Learn more: https://www.berkshirechoral.org
If you love choral music, we create one-of-a-kind experiences for singers with inspiring conductors in stunning locations around the US and the world. Our choristers call BCI a fantasy camp for choral musicians that’s enriching, immersive, and energizing!
Laura Barlow (tenor) is a person to ask about this. She has attended and enjoyed it many times! BTW, you could travel to Berlin and perform Chichester this coming summer!
See you Tuesday!
Mark
Rehearsal Schedule
Warmups
Bernstein 2 – Sopranos and Altos
Blackbird – Sopranos and Altos
Vivaldi 12
Baba Yetu, to 47
Break
Bernstein 1 to 44
Lullabye
Vivaldi 1