Dear All
We had an excellent run through of the whole Requiem on Tuesday. Ben is very pleased with how it’s going!
And here are his specific notes to work on (three weeks and two remaining rehearsals before the concert!).
- Find space in e and i vowels – get the yawn in the sound so it doesn’t get tight, especially in the upper register
- Confutatis – place more importance on the semiquavers – it’ll help things line up better. “con-FU-tatis ma-LE-dictis flam-MIS” etc
- Sopranos and altos – “Voca me” – you can put tone and pitch through the V – do this and get in early to make sure we’re not scooping up to the note.
- Altos throughout: you’re probably musically the most secure, I’d love you all to show off a little bit more in the juicy bits
- Tenors: I know you’re having a sectional this week, thank you! Things are improving ALL THE TIME. I know Robert will have thoughts too: from me, just Rex and the Osannas could do with a zoom in, if you get a chance.
- Sopranos – lux aeterna – in the phrases where you imitate the soloist, can you accentuate the contrast between what you’re doing and the angular stuff in ATB by being as legato as possible – leave the consonants (think of them as like the necessity like flour in a cake batter) as late as possible, and spend as long as possible on the vowels (cream and butter) to make the contrast, and the sound as luxurious as possible.
- Have a general look over the opera bits please, these will be the focus on the first rehearsal back, then 11th June is a full run through.
I’m still searching for a version of Placido with more legible Italian. As soon as I find it, it’ll be with you! Homeward straight!
Half term this week so next rehearsal (still at St Mary’s) will be 4th June.
Ticket Sales:
Keep spreading the word about the concert – flyer here.
We will be collating ticket sales after half term. We ask every member to sell at least 3 tickets. This is vital to cover our costs.
Please encourage tickets to be bought in advance. If choir members are buying on behalf of friends/family then please pay direct to choir bank account as that avoids Sum-Up fees, and include name and ‘tickets’ in reference. Otherwise it’s very easy for guests to pay via the link or QR code on flyer (remind guests to include their email address – they’ll also see this request when they pay). Tickets will also be available on the door.
Tickets £15 per person (under 16s free)
Choir Bank Details:
Account Name: Sheen Gate Choir
Account Number: 47107324
Sort: 60-01-39
Music for 4 & 11th June (bring all music & a pencil!):
Bring ALL music to remaining rehearsals:-
June 4th focus will be 3 opera choruses, June 11th full run through
- Mozart, Requiem
- Mozart, Tito -Che del ciel
- Mozart, Magic Flute – Finale
- Mozart, Idomeneo – Placido è il Mar
Summer & Autumn Term Dates (also see Calendar tab):
Summer Term:
16th April – 25th Jun inclusive, except half term 28th May & 18th June when we’ll have a week’s break post-concert.
- Concert Sat 15th June
Autumn Term:
10th Sep – 10th Dec, except 2 week half term 22nd & 29th Oct.
- Come & Sing: Sat 28th Sep, 10:30am – 4pm, Christ Church
- Concert: Sunday 15th Dec