Dear All
We had a spirited rehearsal last night including Penny gamely recapping some of what we did last week….some of which had not stuck too well in the memory! Nothing that a bit of work at home on the practice tracks won’t put right (even a run through of the trickier bits makes a world of difference – and makes the rehearsals even more fun!) and Penny was very positive about where we are with our preparation at this stage.
Detailed recap of parts covered can be found below as usual, but before I come to that I wanted to let all those who weren’t there last night know about the announcement made after rehearsal.
We’re sorry to say Penny will be stepping down as Music Director after our summer concert. We are incredibly lucky to have had Penny directing us this year. We were enormously grateful when she took the reins of the choir last September which she did seamlessly and in style. That was no small feat, taking on an existing programme of music, especially seeing what preparation she puts into our rehearsals. She has brought an energy and precision to our practice which we have greatly benefited from and which I hope will be reflected in our performance in the summer. I’m confident this news will help us all focus our efforts over the next few weeks so we do Penny proud on June 7th. (Get those practice tracks and recordings out!) I’m delighted to say Penny would love to come back as one of our soloists in future. After hearing her beautiful singing during rehearsals that really is something to look forward to. Thank you Penny.
We will be advertising for a new Music Director over Easter with the aim of holding auditions at the end of next term (which we hope as many people as possible will be able to attend), the position to be taken up from September. Details below.
Rehearsal recap:
If you have time do have a look at what we covered this week as well as new parts scheduled. It really helps fix it in the mind. Chord Perfect links on repertoire page & Cyberbass.
Sections looked at on 25/3:
Aber (II): p25-37, b198-303
Ewige (II): p37-40, b305-337
Haben (VI): p84-88, b3-78
Run whole of Movement (II), p14-40 don’t forget double speed p26 b206
Sections scheduled for 1/4 (don’t be put off – some bits are very short!):
Ach (III): p51-52, b164-173 (the bit not yet covered)
Gerechten (III): p56-60 ,b191-208 (the bit not yet covered)
Ich Will (V): p81-83 , b62-79
Wird (VI): p89-97, b82-207
Du Hast(VI): p104-113, b267-349
Finale (VII): p124-129, b103-165
If time, run through:
Movement (III)
Sections looked at so far:
Movement (I): p1-13
Movement (II), p14-40
Herr (III): p41-45, b17-93
Ach (III): p47-50, b129-161 (p51-52, b164-173 of this section not looked at yet)
Gerechten (III): p52-56,b173-190 (end of this section, p56-60 ,b191-208, still to be looked at )
Movement (IV)
Ihr Habt (V): p76-80 , b18-49
Du bist (VI): p98-104, b208-266
Haben (VI): p84-88, b3-78
Toten (VII): p114-123 , b1-100
Appointing New Music Director:
We plan to follow a similar recruitment process to that used the last time we did this. Outline as follows:
- Advertise
- Committee draw up short list of candidates for audition
- Audition in front of choir
- Choir vote at end of audition evening for preferred candidate.
More details will follow as necessary but for the moment the most important thing for members to be aware of is making themselves available on audition day(s).
We will aim to audition all candidates on Tuesday 10th June (already in the calendar as last rehearsal of term). If that date proves impractical for candidates we may add the following Tuesday 17th June.
Please keep audition days free so you are able to attend if at all possible:
Tuesday 10th June
Tuesday 17th June
Calendar:
Spring Term:
7Jan-1April (NO half term break), 13 weeks
Two week Easter break (not the usual 3 weeks) 8/4 & 15/4.
Summer Term:
22 Apr-10 Jun except 1 week half term 27 May, 7 weeks
- 7th Jun Summer Concert, Brahms Requiem & RB performance (Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue)
- 10th Jun, possibly plus 17th Jun, audition dates for new MD
Subs:
£90/term to be paid into choir bank account:
Account Name: Sheen Gate Choir
Account Number: 47107324
Sort: 60-01-39