SCS Newsletter 09-10-2024
Howdy all! Who was looking for my email last night??? Sorry for the delay in sending out to everyone, but we had a Board meeting today and I wanted to wait to include some updates from our meeting.
BOARD NOTES
Budget – Don Stuart has our annual budget ready to share with you, but he will not be at rehearsal this week. Expect the budget to be emailed to you all early next week, and we will discuss and vote to approve at the Sept 19 rehearsal.
Website Information –
* The Rehearsal Notes button now links to notes for all four sections! If you miss a rehearsal, please make sure to check the notes for your section and get all new markings in your music before the next rehearsal. Here’s a link right to the Rehearsal Notes Folder
* Who are my people? Did you know that there is a chart that lists all of the jobs that people do to support the choir? Check it out! SCS Board & Committee List
* Absence Form – Great job everyone on reporting your upcoming absences using THIS FORM. Polly says it’s been very helpful to know in advance!
Concert Attire – We are moving right along in getting everyone outfitted for the November concerts. If you have concert attire, but need to order new – this is your LAST CALL. We will be placing the order within the next week. New women – We have gathered enough attire from retired members that most of you will get one ‘recycled’ piece (dress or jacket), and you will buy the other piece. Mary Wynn will bring your recycled piece to rehearsal this Thursday for you to take home. Pam will work to get the new pieces ordered. Josh W is working with our new men to get tuxes.
PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES
SCS has been invited to perform for THREE community outings during the Christmas season! We need your feedback pronto! Please fill out THIS FORM (by Sep 24) and let us know of your ability/desire to perform for Holidazzle (Nov 30 evening), Cincinnati College Club (Dec 14 afternoon), and Findlay Market. Polly will make the final selection as to who WILL perform on Dec 14, but she needs to know who is AVAILABLE to perform that afternoon.
FROM POLLY
I am THANKFUL I get to resume rehearsing with you this week and GRATEFUL to all who pitched in to carry the load while I was recovering. Can’t wait to see you all soon! ~Polly
HOW TO BE A SUCCESSFUL CHOIR MEMBER
Step 1. COME PREPARED with the correct SUPPLIES.
Please bring a pencil, water to keep those vocal cords hydrated, and a copy of EVERY piece listed below:
For the Beauty of the Earth*
Grateful*
Home
I’ll Be Home for Christmas (WOMEN ONLY) (Sheet music is in this song’s learning tracks folder if you need to print a copy.)
It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year
Masters in This Hall
Mele Kalikimaka (MEN ONLY)*
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel*
Ocho Kandelikas*
Proclamation of Gratitude*
Rise Up!
Thankful* – ensemble opportunity m.17-44
The Twelve Days of a Regifted Christmas
ALL MEMBERS: Please print at home the yellow highlighted pieces (“Grateful” and “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel”)
E-prints of songs with an * can be accessed here: SCS digital eprint folder If you are missing ANY of the other pieces, PRINT YOURSELF A COPY BEFORE THURSDAY NIGHT so you are personally able to learn, participate, and contribute to our choir rehearsal effectively. If you do not have access to a printer, ask a friend to print the music for you. IF you still need something AND if there is no e-print available , email Peggy Platz (theplatzfamily@gmail.com). Thank you.
Step 2. COME PREPARED MUSICALLY. Please review what was covered at your sectional, read any notes that were taken by your section’s note taker, and sing along with tracks at home as you reinforce what has already been covered.
Step 3. Come READY for what is being taught NEXT. Please look over the upcoming “LESSON PLAN” to have a solid understanding of what we’ll be working on this coming rehearsal. A little work BEFORE a rehearsal is so much more effective than trying to play “catch up” during or after a rehearsal.
LESSON PLAN for SEPT 12
1. O Come, O Come, Emmanuel – Be prepared to sing the entire piece as a warm-up.
LISTEN to this full performance recording BEFORE THURSDAY NIGHT: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel full performance from JWPepper If you do not have a copy, PRINT ONE BEFORE THURSDAY NIGHT: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fG-E7NTFM7mIPyerBXJYcPEntm2sDrdN/view?usp=sharing
2. Ocho Kandelikas – Be prepared to correctly sing the Ladino lyrics in m 21-29. Know your Ladino VOWEL sounds as well as the consonants. (Pronunciation guide here)
LISTEN to this full performance recording BEFORE THURSDAY NIGHT: Ocho Kandelikas – quality full performance w/ instruments
If you do not have a copy, PRINT ONE BEFORE THURSDAY NIGHT: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1omIqo0-wc9Xl2msTCH_dazxLUUu2N27D/view?usp=sharing
3. Proclamation of Gratitude – This piece needs to be MEMORIZED by October 10, as it is our processional for our concerts. So yes, you must be able to sing AND walk at the same time for this one! (no back steps this time, though, lol) My hope is to learn the entire piece this week. I expect mm 35-50 will need some drilling, but m 3-32 are straightforward. If we can master m 3-50, then m 55 to the end should fall into place easily enough. If EVERYONE LISTENS to it ahead of time, we will learn it that much faster this Thursday night.LISTEN to this full performance recording BEFORE THURSDAY NIGHT: Proclamation of Gratitude full performance from JWPepper
If you do not have a copy, PRINT ONE BEFORE THURSDAY NIGHT: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1IOegVhuHrICj2VYn7NuxD9OjafJJOccY/view?usp=sharing
4. Home – Be prepared to sing mm 14-20 in small groups of SSAAATBB.
FYI: You should be getting rehearsal tracks for this piece before the week is through. Yay!LISTEN to this full performance recording BEFORE THURSDAY NIGHT: Home full performance from JWPepper
5. Thankful – Be prepared to review/sing from pickups to m 45 “so for tonight” thru m 59. We will also spend time while split men/women learning m 60-72. LISTEN to this full performance recording BEFORE THURSDAY NIGHT: Thankful full performance from JWPepper
If you do not have a copy, PRINT ONE BEFORE THURSDAY NIGHT: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TJuAFJjrJCN6QtRefhv_YT0riBn2WGMc/view?usp=sharing
6. Grateful – This piece will be our concert closer. As you LISTEN to the tracks, please focus on feeling (& counting!) the syncopated rhythms. As a full choir, we will practice the rhythms in m 43-58, then split into men/women to learn our pitches for m 17-58. Again, if EVERYONE LISTENS to it ahead of time, we will learn it that much faster and have more success right out the the gate.LISTEN to this full performance recording BEFORE THURSDAY NIGHT: Grateful full performance from JWPepper
If you do not have a copy, PRINT ONE BEFORE THURSDAY NIGHT: https://drive.google.com/file/d/15YZUTLpqURdfcIRrJHo4brXqNiu15ZYH/view?usp=sharing
See you all Thursday evening!
Mary Wynn