Dear all
We covered a lot of ground in tonight’s rehearsal – well done to all present, you sang a lot of notes today!
We first looked at Battle of Jericho, specifically at the last 2 pages. These are short, but technically very challenging – syncopate3d rhythms and lots of awkward intervals. If you do any work on music this week, make it checking your notes on this last page, especially the 2nd sopranos – that minor 9th from the C to Db at the end is very hard to pitch!
We next spent some time on Linden Lea, which we’;be not looked at for a couple of rehearsals, but was generally well remembered. This is one piece we need to start bringing to life a little more – the notes are there, but it needs a bit more energy and commitment to make it a piece people would stop and listen to. It’s partly familiarity with the notes, but also about being brave and not being scared of getting something wrong!
Next we looked at Danny Boy, paying particular attention to the section at the start of page 5 where the key changes. This was sounding very good by the end, well done! We then spent more time on the first verse, which has very difficult corners, especially for the tenors. Again, familiarity with the notes will help make this an exciting piece to listen to.
Finally, we looked again at the first verse of Ellen Vannin, which was not as well remembered as I had hoped. We managed to get a very enjoyable performance out of this by the end of the rehearsal – that’s the point I’d like to start at next time please!!
Many thanks again to all whom came, it was very enjoyable to conduct you this evening. Please remember that we do have a rehearsal next week, but not on the 19th as that will be our half term.
Thanks again,
Dave