SCS Newsletter 10-28-2024

Happy Peak-Leaf-Color Week!  Lots of great info here – let’s get right to it!

 CALENDAR 

TONIGHT Mon, Oct 28 – 7:00 Ticketing/Usher training at Haupt household – 8220 Glenmill Ct 
Thu Oct 31 – NO REHEARSAL!
Sat Nov 2 – 8:30 am Matthew 25 Hunger 5K  (see below)
Thu Nov 7 – 7:00 rehearsal, 6:30 for the Thankful ensemble
Thu Nov 14 – 7:00 rehearsalFri Nov 15 – Childrens’ Concert at SPC (see below)
Wed Nov 20 – 8:00 AM – Riser Set-up (Contact Paul Inderhees if you plan to help)
WED Nov 20 – 6:30-9:30 MANDATORY DRESS REHEARSALTHU/FRI Nov 21/22 – CONCERTS! Call time is 6:30; Concerts start at 7:30
Fri Nov 22 – After-concert party at Rosenbergs’ RSVP HERE
Sat Nov 23 – 8:00 AM – Riser Tear-down
Sat Dec 14 – 11:45 am – 2:00 pm – Performance at CWC (see below)
Sat Dec 21 – 11:00am-1:00pm  Caroling at Findlay Market (more info later)

 M25M HUNGER WALK The 5K walk is THIS SATURDAY, 11/2, 8:30AM   

You can still register to join us!HUNGER 5K – Matthew 25 Ministries | Matthew 25: Ministries (m25m.org)
Team name is SYCAMORE COMMUNITY SINGERS  Tip: When registering, click on the dropdown and look for our team.  People who have already registered should have received a separate email from Paul Alexander.  Please contact Paul if you didn’t get his message, since it has more information that what is provided here:
Since we don’t have rehearsal this week, you will need to pick up your own packet before the race (unless you contact Paul before Wednesday).  
Pre-Race Packet Pickup Hours are:Wednesday October 30th: 4:00pm – 7:00pm @ Matthew 25: Ministries
Thursday October 31st: 11:00am – 2:00pm @ Matthew 25: Ministries
Friday November 1st: 11:00am – 2:00pm @ Matthew 25: Ministries
You may also pick up your packet before the race Saturday morning starting at 7:00 am.

 TICKETS 

As of Monday noon (10/28), we have sold 138/900 tickets total; 78 for Thursday and 60 for Friday.  Who have YOU gotten to attend???  Who can you reach out to???  Performing to a full audience is SO much more enjoyable!  Send any questions about the new ticket ordering to Mary Wynn 

Choreography video 

The choreography for Twelve Days… is now posted in the song folder along with the learning tracks.  You can also go directly to the video here:  

When you watch/listen, you’ll see that your tempo slowed down A LOT!  Therefore, I’d suggest watching the video only to remind yourself of the movements.  Once you have the motions down, practice movement (and singing the WORDS!!!) with the accompaniment only track or a version of the song where your part is NOT predominant.  Prove to yourself that you really have it memorized and can sing/dance at the correct tempo! 

Concert at SPC – An Invitation 

From former SCS member Rick Rogers:  “I wanted to share the following announcement and associated link to promote attendance by the members of Sycamore Community Singers and their families. Recognizing that the gift of song is an in-common element with both organizations, I am anticipating members from SCS, and their families, would have interest in attending.”

On Friday evening, November 15, beginning at 7:00 PM Sycamore Presbyterian Church will  host a 75 minute concert presented by the Watoto Children’s Choir. All the way from Uganda, East Africa, the Watoto Children’s Choir will be performing songs from their brand-new album, “Better Days—There Is Hope”. Come join us as they sing, dance, and share their stories of restoration and hope.  No tickets or reservations required.  A Free Will offering will be available. https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/5nnah6ya4jjzsfbzbsm4t/h?e=2&preview=BETTER+DAYS+-+PROMO+1.mp4&rlkey=82f9ftlj9e6kuobctwap1ftgi&dl=0 

Dec 14 SCS Performance 

If you previously indicated that you would like to perform on Dec 14, you should have received this email from Polly.  Make sure you RSVP to confirm your participation!

“You are receiving this message because you said you were available & interested in performing at the College Club of Cincinnati’s December meeting. Below you will find details for the day. Please use THIS LINK to confirm your commitment to this performance or to let me know you are no longer available. Thank you!”
Date: Saturday, December 14, 2024
Location: The Cincinnati Woman’s Club, 330 Lafayette Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45220
Call time: 11:45 AM
Performance time: 1:00 PM
Anticipated completion time: 2:00 PM
Attire: Women – Black dresses & sparkle jackets 
Men – Tuxedo pants, jackets, white shirts, black bow ties      

 FROM POLLY 

Thank you to all who participated in our COSTUME CONTEST! It was fun and a much needed silly relief from all the hard work you’ve been putting in!

Collectors of “TWELVE DAYS…” Props:

If you have anything looking like an Apple iPod and large headphones, please bring them to rehearsal and Jackie Miranda-Klein will keep them through Nov 22. Thanks!

Peggy Platz has 11 feather boas and 7 pink flamingos. She will store them thru Nov 22.

The 10 tenors should bring their own (ideally holiday-themed) “tins of popcorn”.

NOTE: All other items are the responsibility of each individual. If you personally don’t have the item assigned to you, ask a friend!

NEW concert order BELOW! Time to prepare those performance folders!

Helpful Hints to Prepare for November 7

Proclamation of Gratitude

€       Practice walking to the beat while singing this song by memory.

€       ENUNCIATE.

€       Note: I will only conduct you for the final phrase.

For the Beauty of the Earth

€       Use the TALLEST vowels you can muster.

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

€       Focus on accurate/clean cuts that end with a “s” or “z” sound. (Praise=Pray -z, Rejoice=Re-joy -s)

€       TALL vowels (flight=flah -t, nigh=nah)

Home

€       Congratulations to Merrie Jackson, who will be singing the solo at mm 17-20.

€       Be ready to put it ALL together.

Masters in this Hall

€       Be comfortable at full speed this week!

€       Make note of dynamic CONTRAST from section to section.

Thankful

€       Remember dynamics are a level lower when the choir enters at m45 thru m59.

€       Review mm 60-72; it sounded great last Thursday, but we don’t want to backslide!

Ocho Kandelikas

€       Try singing with this version that uses guitar, percussion & trumpet: Ocho Kandelikas – Flory Jagoda, arr. Joshua Jacobson – Harmonium Choral Society

It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year (with Sycamore Singing company)

€       KNOW your cuts offs. (I am NOT conducting this.)

€       Dotted rhythms: m41 Holiday, m61 caroling, m65 scary ghost, m67 tales of the VERSUS m52-53 (sea)-SON of all VERSUS m69 Ho-LIH-days m70 long long a-(go)

€       Practice looking UP and SMILING while you sing this.

Frosty & the Hand Jive – Sycamore Singing Company performs alone

€       Men, you will exit the risers before this piece begins to prepare for Mele Kalikimaka.

Mele Kalikimaka – MEN

€       PLEASE review your parts; our last run-through had some made-up parts that weren’t great.

€       Practice singing mm 22-52 while walking.

€       GOALS à NO folders, NO director, accompanied by ukulele & piano.

I’ll Be Home for Christmas – WOMEN

€       GOALS à NO folders, NO director, stay IN TUNE.

The Twelve Days of a Regifted Christmas

€       These spots still sound shaky: m24-25, m30-31, m39-41, m47-48, m52-56, m76-77, m89-90. Please give them extra attention.

€       Practice lifting and lowering your item(s) at the right time. Remember, only days 1-5 keep theirs up longer. Everyone else will lift up and then bring it down when the next number begins.

€       GOALS à clear DICTION so audience understand the humor, MEMORIZED.

Rise Up!

€       GOALS à TALL vowels, more dynamic CONTRAST, keeping IN TUNE.

Grateful

€       Practice finding your pitch in m17 from hearing soloist on performance track.

€       GOALS à Facial EXPRESSION, TALL vowels, clear DICTION.

 Mens’ shoes 

Gaynelle brought in a very nice pair of Bostonian men’s dress shoes.  They are size 10 Medium.  Would anyone like them?