Director’s Notes 

Hi Everyone,

Great work last week at sectionals! We’ve made a lot of progress in rehearsals, and that’s a testament to your hard work and dedication over the past few weeks.  We’ll continue working through our final selections and, hopefully, start on the guys’ and girls’ songs!

I know some of you have already signed up for auditions. Please continue to sign up for available slots. A few of you have asked for the scores to practice the solos in “Defying Gravity” and “We Rise Again.” Just a heads-up: the “We Rise Again” score I’ve linked is TTBB, but it’s in the same key as SATB, so you can use it for auditions. We’ve got the correct copies on the way, so please hold off on printing them for now unless you are auditioning.  (Note from MW:  The pdfs are also in the learning track folders.  Learning tracks for “We Rise Again” have been added!)

As always, let me know if you have any questions. See you on Thursday!

~Caleb

 Admin Notes 

Help keep our ROSTER up to date!  Please check this file for your personal information.  Reply to this message with any corrections or additions.

As previously stated, we will be wearing our casual attire for the April concerts.  I am linking the spreadsheets that we sent out last year that describe in more detail what you should wear.  You should plan to purchase all items (except scarves and ties) for yourself (or find them in your closet).  The scarves and ties will be provided.  See attached photo.

Attire guidelines for the April concerts:
Women’s Attire
Men’s Attire

Blast from the Past!!!  This video should help you hear what the song sounds like when it switches into 4/4 time. (Disco, baby!)

What the World Needs Now – Video from 2019  
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1My7lxR5x_hP0GsIuinFAuNRF9i2s7j2z/view

 Music in the Community 

Sunday, March 9, at Rhinegeist Brewery, 1910 Elm St.  12:30-2:30 pm
Voices on Tap: Sip, Sing, Repeat!  Bockfest Singalong  No tickets required.  Part of the Bockfest schedule of events.  https://www.facebook.com/events/9160320267395928/

Saturday, March 15, Northern Kentucky Community Chorus All Sing – https://www.facebook.com/share/p/153ksK4uDq/

Saturday, March 22, 4:00 at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church.  May Festival Chamber Choir and May Festival Youth Chorus concert.  You will need to reserve a ticket for admission, but they will be free!  Link coming soon…

Hey gang!  I was so happy to hear that rehearsal went well last week.  I can’t wait to join in this week!
A reminder that I will post these emails on our website member page should you need to refer back to anything, or if you fear you missed getting a message!

 FROM CALEB 

Hello everyone!
It was such a joy making music with you all last Thursday—I’m truly encouraged by the progress we’re making as a choir!
For those who couldn’t join us on 1/23, here’s a quick recap of what we worked on: we sang through “You Are Light,” parts of “It Takes a Village,” and “I Love You/What A Wonderful World.” You can find more detailed information in the Rehearsal Notes on our Members Page!
This Thursday, we’ll pick up where we left off with “I Love You/What A Wonderful World” and work through to the end of the piece. Important note: at measure 44, we’ll all sing the “Chorus” part at the top of page 7. The “Ensemble” part will be sung by a small group, selected later. This will carry through to the end of the piece.
We’ll also dive into “Dream On” and “Turn, Turn, Turn.”
Can’t wait to see you all again this Thursday

 From Mary Wynn 

We have some rehearsal tracks!  What we have so far should all be linked and available by 5:00 today –  accessible through the member page, or this direct link to the Google Drive.

New members – Thanks to those that have sent a selfie/headshot to use on our photo directory page.  Please continue to send those in.  Established members – I’m happy to update your photo at any time.  Just email or text a photo over to me!

 SUPPORT an SPC Outreach Program! 

Sycamore Presbyterian Church has a community outreach to Symmes Elementary and Loveland Elementary that prepares bags of non-perishable food for needy kids.  Sycamore Presbyterian has asked for donations of food items on the attached shopping list by February 2.  

If you feel so led, pick up some items while shopping and bring them to rehearsal.  There are bins under the SERVE sign in the lobby for donations to be placed.  A small cost for SCS members that would do much to help strengthen the relationship between SCS and Sycamore Presbyterian.  

Questions about this program can be answered by SPC/SCS members Don and Lorie Stuart, Jill Yust, or Bob Young.  Julie Ferron is the school nurse at Symmes Elementary and may also lend additional information about the needs.

 Music in the Community 

I’d love to continue to share other arts opportunities that our members are a part of or events that could be fun social outings!  Please send any upcoming concerts, etc my way by Sunday evening for that week’s email out to the choir.

Sunday, February 16, 5:00 pm at Music Hall:  “All Together Now”  A concert to celebrate the new alliance between the May Festival and the Cincinnati Boychoir.  Tickets are only $10 each ($5 for children) at https://mayfestival.com/concerts-and-events/buy-tickets/2025-season/all-together-now/.  
Sunday, March 9, 12:30-2:30 at Rhinegeist Brewery, 1910 Elm St.

Voices on Tap: Sip, Sing, Repeat!  Bockfest Singalong  No tickets required.  Part of the Bockfest schedule of events (even though I don’t see it on the Bockfest or Rhinegeist websites yet…)

See you Thursday night!

Mary Wynn

Happy Veteran’s Day!  Many thanks to all who have served our country!

CALENDAR

Thu Nov 14 – 6:00-6:50 Soloists and Instrumentalists, 7:00 FULL rehearsal                     Soloists/Instrumentalists – Contact Polly to schedule a 10-minute rehearsal.
Nov 15-17 – Concerts in our Community! (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 REHEARSAL
Thu/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 Nov 23 – 2:00 & 7:00 Cincinnati Sound Concerts  (See below)

Thu Dec 12 – 7:00-9:00 in SPC Chapel – Rehearsal for participants in Dec 14 concert 
Sat Dec 14 – 11:45 am – 2:00 pm – Performance at Cincinnati Women’s Club
Sat Dec 21 – 11:00am-1:00pm  Caroling at Findlay Market

Concert Program/Donations

For our Program this time, we will be printing a half sheet that will include the Concert Title, the list of songs, and a QR code to the full program.  The full online program will also include the choir roster, SSC and Bell Choir rosters, Donors, Thank you’s, etc…)  If you are considering making a donation to the choir (especially with the end of the year coming) and you wish to be included in the program, please make your donation by TOMORROW NIGHT (11/12) if possible!  

Donate

TICKETS

We’re making definite progress – Keep going!  As of this morning, we have sold 482/900 tickets; 249 for Thursday and 233 for Friday.  We’re over the half-way mark!

DEC 14 Participants – CWC- UPDATES

There have been some changes to the roster for this concert since last Monday’s email.  THE UPDATED LIST is attached.  Please contact Polly ASAP if your plans have changed.  Note that a rehearsal has been added for Thursday, Dec 12! https://drive.google.com/file/d/1UjkHoM0JE_durMs3PalITUp3bVrue_Ic/view?usp=sharing

DEC 21 Participants – Findlay Mkt Caroling

Here is THE LIST of “Yes” and “maybe” for Caroling on Dec 21.  There were many of you who were a “Maybe” when first asked.  Please confirm with Mary Wynn

FROM POLLY

Twelve Days – You looked great last Thursday! At least my peripheral vision thought so. 

We are still gathering Apple iPods &/or large headphones. If you have something we can use, please bring it to rehearsal with your name taped or Sharpie’d on it and give to Jenn Rollins. (Makes more sense for an alto assigned to that item to be our collector.) Jenn & Polly will assess this Thursday to see if we have what we need.

Peggy Platz has 11 feather boas and 7 pink flamingos; she’s storing them thru Nov 22.

All other items are the responsibility of each individual.

CHOREO REMINDERS:

€       Days 1 thru 5 keep your prop UP until AFTER “…by the Par-tridge Fam-ily–” (then DOWN).

€       Days 6 thru 12 lift up ON your #, then bring DOWN when the next # is sung.

€       Day 11 Boa Sopranos: Begin your shimmying to the RIGHT for measures 62-68.

€       Day 12 iPod ALTOS: I was asked to provide some clarification on your moves.

MM 69-70 – Put headphones over (or near) ears and have iPod in RIGHT hand at side.

MM 71-72 – Head bops R, L, R, L.

M 73 – Beat 1 hold “iPod” straight up with RIGHT hand; keep bopping head R, L, R, L.

M 75 – Beat 1 bring iPod down. (on the first of the 3 big chords Brenda plays)

M 76 – Beat 1 hold iPod straight up. (“Twelve”)

M 77 – Beat 1 bring iPod down. (“’Leven”)

Songs in RED are first priority this week, since we did not run them last week.

CONCERT OUTLINE:

CHOIR MEMBERS ENTER SANCTUARY TO PROCESSIONAL MUSIC (either hand bells or recording) with closed folders down at LEFT side.

CHOIR MEMBERS take their places IN THE AISLES.

Proclamation of Gratitude – with handbells (SPC)

All members will be INSIDE the sanctuary and standing STILL in the aisles BEFORE singing begins. We’ll resume walking/moving at m13.

For the Beauty of the Earth – with flute (Anika)

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel – with viola (Carolyn) and handbells (SPC)

Home – a cappella – Don’t worry; we will run it several times this Thursday.

Masters in this Hall

Thankful

EVERYONE should turn their music to the choir’s m45 entrance. Carissa gets the mic, Brenda will play the intro, and Carissa will begin her solo. Ensemble members will start coming off the risers at m8.

è Brenda plays transition music as instrumentalists prepare and get situated for Ocho.

Ocho Kandelikas – with guitars (Paul A & Peggy), castanets (Jesse Callahan), trumpet (Joel), & vocal solo (Kathryn)

è Brenda plays transition music as instrumentalists move things out of the way and SSC kids get ready to take their spots.

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

è Someone will speak about Singing Company while several things happen:

~MEN exit risers after “It’s the Most” to prepare for Mele Kalikimaka. Take folders with you.

~WOMEN move to center of risers after the men have left. Folders DOWN at LEFT side.

~ALL folders STAY CLOSED for the next FOUR musical numbers.

Frosty & the Hand Jive – Sycamore Singing Company performs alone

Mele Kalikimaka – MEN

John will come out from behind the risers first and begin his solo. Paul Alexander will take his place with the ukulele during this time, too.

As soon as John’s solo ends, ALL MEN will start walking out from behind the wall and move to formation on the steps. ALL men should be in place on steps BY measure 54.

è Brenda plays “Mele Kalikimaka” transition music as men go back behind the wall to remove leis/sunscreen/Hawaiian shirts and get props for 12 Days. This will include the women’s props, too. (Will explain further this Thursday.)

I’ll Be Home for Christmas – WOMEN

~Women return to ends of risers.

~Men return to center of risers with props “hidden” as much as possible and folders w/ them.

~Everyone puts folders down by their feet.

The Twelve Days of a Regifted Christmas – Remember to SMILE!

è Erica will talk to the audience and present contribution to SPC. The Pastor will then share a few words. Meanwhile…

~Designated people will silently gather props and put them away (behind the wall with the cross).

~ALL will pick up folders and OPEN them to Rise Up!

Rise Up!

Grateful

CLOSE FOLDER and hold it down at LEFT side.

CHOIR WILL PROCESS OUT OF SANCTUARY to accompaniment track of “It’s the Most…”

 ARTS in OUR COMMUNITY 

Lots of great opportunities to enjoy music by other groups!  If you know of a special performance coming up, please share with Mary Wynn by Sunday to include in next week’s communication.

FridayNovember 15, 7:00 PM at Sycamore Presbyterian Church:  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

Saturday, Nov 16 and Sunday, Nov 17 – SCS members Scott Nesbitt and Mary Wynn Haupt will perform with the CSO and May Festival under the direction of Marin Alsop.   The chorus will perform Leonard Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms.  More information HERE.  We have access to tickets at 25% off so please contact one of us if you’d like to attend!

Also Saturday, Nov 16:  The Cincinnati Early Music Festival presents a special fall event:
Early Music Sing-A-Long: Advent & Christmas Edition
Saturday, November 16th, 10am – 12:30pm
Knox Presbyterian Church
PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED
Come and have an early Christmas music-making experience with guest conductors Earl Rivers, Krista Cornish Scott, and Reina Dickey! You’re sure to know some of these favorites but also leave with knowledge of some “new-to-you” early music gems. When you register, we’ll provide the repertoire list ahead of time along with scores of works in the public domain so you can take a peek, but this friendly learning atmosphere welcomes both the long-time fan and the “early curious.” This event is free of charge but requires pre-registration. Sign up here: https://www.cincinnatiearlymusicfestival.org/events/early-music-sing-a-long-christmas-2024

November 23 at 2P and 7P   Cincinnati Sound Chorus presents our 4th Annual – Yuletide Celebration – Home for the Holidays

We’re bringing back all your favorite Yuletide traditions, festive tunes and incredible performances by our chapter quartets and the Cincinnati Sound Chorus
The Carnegie-Covington
Call 859-957-1940 for tickets
Members are Liz Sabo Johnson, Nancy Werden and Jill Yust