Welcome. This site provides information to chorus members. The official webpage is located at the Northern Virginia Community College site.

Third Rehearsal Preview

January 24th, 2012

From Dr. Whitmire: Welcome to our 3rd rehearsal of Spring 2012!

Please sign in.

Please proof the roster.

If you are registered as a Senior, please consider making a donation to NVCC Foundation in lieu of tuition. Donations of any amount are appreciated.

Attendance
Please try not to be absent. If you miss more than two rehearsals during preparation for a concert, you will be asked to audition to demonstrate preparedness. Please notify Section Leaders of absences:
Soprano-Peggy Harrison, peggyh [at] ix [dot] netcom [dot] com
Alto-Debbie Peetz, peetz [at] rand [dot] org
Tenor-Larry Goldschmidt, lgold2 [at] comcast [dot] net
Bass-Ray Lombardi, rayjoyce2408 [at] verizon [dot] net

Thanks to the fine group of Men who came to rehearsal on Saturday.
This Saturday 2/28 we have Women’s rehearsal at 1:00 pm.

Two new pieces for Jazz Mass
For those who purchased Jazz Mass I have made copies of the two new pieces: The Lord’s Prayer and Come Sunday (no charge). If you downloaded Jazz Mass from novachorus.org, please download and print the new pieces as well.

All music, worksheets and music learning files can be found at novachorus.org/music-files (Hurray Kate!)

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Second Rehearsal Post

January 20th, 2012

From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Singers- Thanks for another great rehearsal on Tuesday. We are beginning to find the beauty in Songs of Sunset. We have men’s rehearsal tomorrow at 1 pm.

I have decided to add two pieces to Jazz Mass: The Lord’s Prayer and my arrangement of Duke Ellington’s Come Sunday. I hope you like them. Kate will have them up at novachorus.org/music-files soon (because she is awesome).

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Second Rehearsal Handouts

January 18th, 2012

Handouts from the January 17 rehearsal (.pdf files):
Worksheet #1 (revised)
Worksheet #2 (previously posted)

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Delius Worksheet

January 16th, 2012

From Dr. Whitmire:  Dear Singers- Attached is Delius Worksheet #2 (.pdf). Last week we began to learn to identify the sounds of certain chords: major, minor, diminished, augmented , etc. With Worksheet #2 I hope to continue that process. If all this seems confusing or overwhelming, just relax. It takes time. See you tomorrow.
Yours-DrW

PS- If anyone had trouble opening the mp3s I sent earlier, go to novachorus.org/music-files

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Songs of Sunset

January 16th, 2012

From Dr. Whitmire:  Dear Singers- We had an excellent Women’s Rehearsal on Saturday. We found the beginnings of some beautiful moments in Songs of Sunset. Tomorrow we will work on Delius mm 130-187. Attached is the first  movement for those of you who did not purchase the Rehearsal CD. The remaining movements will follow. Listen to how lush and beautiful this music is. See you tomorrow.
Yours-DrW

Delius
mm 1-48
mm 130-187
mm 358-412
mm 469-end

[Admin note:  Music files are listed on the music files page.]

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First Rehearsal Post

January 13th, 2012

From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Singers- Thanks for a great first rehearsal on Tuesday. Starting new music is always hard work, but you stayed focused and accomplished a lot.  As you know, we have rehearsal tomorrow at 1:00 pm for Women. We will rehearse Delius mm 1-48, plus Jazz Mass Introit, Sanctus, and Offertory. I hope to see you then.
Yours-DrW

Delius
mm 1-48
mm 130-187
mm 358-412
mm 469-end

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First Rehearsal Handouts

January 11th, 2012

Two handouts from the rehearsal on January 10 (.pdf files):
Schedule, Worksheet #1

Please note: As previously posted: Free sheet music and rehearsal tracks for Songs of Sunset and Jazz Mass are posted at novachorus.org/music-files. (Including Jazz Mass as one file.)

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First Rehearsal

January 7th, 2012

From Dr. Whitmire:  Dear Singers,
Happy New Year! I look forward to seeing you at our first rehearsal this Tuesday. Please bring all your friends who are good singers. Where else will they get to sing a Jazz Mass and a concert with full orchestra in the same season?

Free sheet music and rehearsal tracks for Songs of Sunset and Jazz Mass are posted at novachorus.org/music-files. I will also have sheet music and rehearsal CDs at our first rehearsal on Tuesday.
Songs of Sunset sheet music – $5
Songs of Sunset CDs – $5
Jazz Mass sheet music – $5
Jazz Mass CDs – $5
Cash or checks made payable to NVCC Foundation.

All singers must have sheet music at our first rehearsal on Tuesday. If you have not gone to the website and printed your music, please be prepared to purchase music on Tuesday. Please bring a black 3-ring binder for your music.
Music for our final concert of the season -Barber, Bernstein and Sondheim-is in the bookstore now, but we will not begin rehearsing it until March.
See you soon!
-DrW

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Chorus Sheet Music at Campus Bookstore

January 5th, 2012

From Stage Manager Fred: The 6 selections for our chorus, listed below, are in the bookstore, but they are NOT on the shelves where we usually find our music. All 6 are neatly packaged in brightly colored UPS “Express Envelopes.” These envelopes are downstairs, stacked in a wire basket on the wall to your right and beyond the desk where students are renting and returning books.

The envelopes are plainly marked, “MUS 137 $15.00 660.” Ask one of the clerks to get it for you by this description. (There were only 2 customers in the bookstore this morning and no checkout line at all.)

I plan to 3-hole punch mine and put them in a 3-ring binder – today. See you Tuesday night.

MAKE OUR GARDEN GROW 450070. By BERNSTEIN.

LIFE IS HAPPINESS INDEED 450026. By BERNSTEIN.

NOT WHILE I’M AROUND 8621703. By SONDHEIM.

SEND IN THE CLOWNS. By SONDHEIM.

SURE ON THIS SHINING NIGHT OP13 NO13. By BARBER.

UNDER THE GREENWOOD TREE. By JARRETT.

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Registration

January 3rd, 2012

From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Singers,
Happy New Year to all!
I know it’s early, but please register as soon as you can.
Also, I will need at least 15 paying singers to register MUS 237O2a so that we can have our Saturday rehearsals. If you have registered for MUS 237O2a in the past, please do so again.
I need every singer back next week. If, for any reason, you will not be returning, please let me know. Please do not try to slip away silently.
I look forward to seeing you next week.
Yours-DrW

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Songs of Sunset

December 23rd, 2011

From Dr. Whitmire:  Dear Singers-
As you know from the Mp3 I sent, Songs of Sunset is a beautiful, lush, wonderfully romantic piece. But, like most musical impressionism, it is quite chromatic (moving by half step) and therefore difficult for singers. For that reason, I have prepared the music and rehearsal CDs far in advance in hopes that many of you will get started. Here is a pdf of the music. The next two messages will have mp3s of the women’s and men’s parts. Undoubtedly, our wonderful webmaster Kate will have all this at novachorus.org in the twinkling of an eye.
This is modern music, so you may not like it at first, but you will warm up to it (the way you did to Chichester Psalms, Judas Maccabeaus, Sea Symphony, etc).
I look forward to seeing you on January 10. In the meanwhile, have a wonderful holiday.
Yours-DrW
Rehearsal Tracks (.mp3 files): Soprano | Alto | Tenor | Bass

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Songs of Sunset

December 21st, 2011

From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Singers- Rather than have you all purchase Songs of Sunset (Delius) I am going to edit and print your parts. The score is a little expensive and much of the music is sung by the soloists (Rex and Grace Gori). However, many of you will prefer to have the complete vocal score, including piano accompaniment. If so, here is the link so you can order it. Better order now, since it takes 2-3 weeks.
Peace-DrW

Songs of Sunset, Vocal Score

By Frederick Delius (1862-1934). Arranged by Thomas Beecham. Standard notation. Published by Universal Edition (PR.UE018449)

Usually leaves our warehouse: Within 2 to 3 weeks $22.95

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From Dr. Whitmire

December 20th, 2011

From Dr. Whitmire:  Dear Singers,
I hope you are enjoying a wonderful holiday. I have spent the last few days working on your scores and CDs for Songs of Sunset. It is a rich, wonderful piece in a harmonic idiom that we have never explored. Some have referred to Delius as an English Debussy. The text is by the English writer Ernest Dowson (1867–1900). Interestingly, the phrase “days of wine and roses” is originally from his poem:

They are not long, the days of wine and roses:
Out of a misty dream
Our path emerges for a while, then closes
Within a dream.

I have attached an mp3 to whet your appetite. It will be a challenge, but by now you expect that, right?
And for a (big) change of pace, I have also attached the opening piece to my Jazz Mass.
I think the semester will have something for everyone, and it’s all in English. So bring all the good singers you know to our first rehearsal on Tuesday, January 10. In the meanwhile,
Peace-DrW

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Spring Semester Sheet Music

December 19th, 2011

According to the NVCC Alexandria Campus Bookstore online, the sheet music for the Spring semester is:

MAKE OUR GARDEN GROW 450070. By BERNSTEIN. Publisher: LEONARD H. ISBN: 2818590100707

Link to Sheet Music Plus.

LIFE IS HAPPINESS INDEED 450026. By BERNSTEIN. Publisher: LEONARD H. ISBN: 2818590100714

Link to Sheet Music Plus

NOT WHILE I’M AROUND 8621703. By SONDHEIM. Publisher: LEONARD H. ISBN: 2818590100721

Link to Sheet Music Plus

SEND IN THE CLOWNS. By SONDHEIM. Publisher: LEONARD H. ISBN: 2818590100738

Link to Sheet Music Plus

SURE ON THIS SHINING NIGHT OP13 NO13. By BARBER. Publisher: LEONARD H. ISBN: 2818590100745

Link to Sheet Music Plus

UNDER THE GREENWOOD TREE. By JARRETT. Publisher: BOURNE CO. ISBN: 2818590100752

Link to Sheet Music Plus

Please note that Sheet Music Plus’ prices are often less than the bookstore, and may also offer discounts on all choral music. Some titles may require minimum order quantities – coordination with other choristers is advised. This information has not been confirmed. Order items at your own risk.

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Spring 2012 Semester

December 19th, 2011

Regular NOVAConnect registration for all 2012 Spring semester sessions is under way. Classes begin on Monday, January 9. The first chorus rehearsal is on Tuesday, January 10.

Chorus is MUS 137 001A (subject MUS, catalog number 137, section 001A).

For previous postings regarding Spring 2012, under Archives on the right-hand side of the page, click on “Spring 2012”

For archived Summer or Fall 2011 information, please see to the right-hand side of the page, also under Archives.

Reminder: Frequently Used Documents are always linked on the right side of the page:
Info for New Members (Great refresher for current members, too)
Dr. W’s Choral Singing Tips
Performance Guidance (includes concert dress guidelines)
Join the Chorus

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Chichester Psalms

December 7th, 2011

From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Singers- Here is a link to our Chichester Psalms, Mvt II recorded at Church of the Epiphany. Enjoy.
Yours –DrW

http://youtu.be/VkVNx8nZW1o

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From Dr. Whitmire

December 3rd, 2011

From Dr. Whitmire:  Dear Singers-
-Thanks for a wonderful concert last night. The beauty of the concert was a testimony to your hard work and commitment. I felt a transcendence in the room that was exactly what we talked about and what I had hope for. The audience was enraptured by your singing. We did justice to Rachmaninoff and I am very proud of our work together.
-Thanks for a wonderful season. I set a very high bar, both in the amount of music and in the difficulty of the music. You kept the faith, worked very hard, and your investment paid generous artistic rewards.
-As I have said many times lately, I am amazed and impressed by the growth of NOVA Community Chorus as an ensemble. Few other groups could have performed the music that you have performed with more mastery and beauty. As the old ad said, “You’ve come a long way baby!”
- I look forward to another great season that begins on Tuesday, January 10. Register now. I can’t do without a single one of you. Don’t worry, every piece will be sung in English.

I’ll be on campus for two more weeks, but in case I don’t see you, I wish each of you a wonderful, joyous, and peaceful holiday.

Yours-DrW

PS- I neglected to hand out course evaluation sheets. If you see me around, please get one and fill it out.

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Performance Feedback

December 3rd, 2011

From Chorister Ellie:  My friend Andrea who goes to the Russian Orthodox church said she enjoyed it a lot, could understand almost all of the words, in awe of the soloists, gave high praise for the musicality of it. She’s a singer and former choir director too.

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Stage Instructions

December 1st, 2011

From Stage Manager Fred:  Rehearsal starts at 6:00 PM Friday – not 6:30 PM – in the church. Leave your “stuff” in your car.

Park behind the church. Go up the stairs that are between the domed church and the square building next to it. There should be an open door near the top of the stairs. (The front doors will probably be locked.)

We will take a break from around 7:00 to 7:30 in the beautiful hall in the nearest building. It has bathrooms and water fountains. We will go into the church and up onto the risers around 7:30 using the same scheme as Thursday night.

The concert should be finished around 8:45 or a little later.

In general, when we are not singing, your music is closed, in your right hand, down at your right side.

Do this when you are:
- moving into or out of the auditorium or church and when going on or off the risers
- not singing (Choir II when Choir I is singing Mov. 5 & 6). Rest your arms when you can. This a long concert and the music becomes heavy.

Clip #9 through #10 together.
if you are in Choir II: clip #5 through # 7; plus #13 & #18

Tricks of the trade:
- bring up your music and open it when the conductor raises his hands the first time
(unless the conductor wants it happen when he opens his music)

- lower your music at the appropriate place when the conductor finally lowers his hands. Don’t leave it open while the audience applauds. Close it.

Singers on the top row of risers stand toward the back. Everyone else stands at the front edge. This gives everyone enough room to open their music folder without having to rest it on the head of the person in front of them.

See you there.

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Performance

December 1st, 2011

From Dr. Whitmire:  Dear Singers-
-I look forward to seeing you at tonight’s rehearsal and concert.
Small Chorus meets in the Choir Room (AT130) at 5:45 pm.
Full Chorus meets in the Choir Room (AT1430) at 6:30 pm.
-Tonight we will sing #1, #3, #5 (small chorus), #6 (small chorus), # 8, #19, #20.
-Fred and I visited St. Katherine’s today. It is a stunning church that will sound fabulous. Please spread the word. The church seats 400 and it should be filled.
-We need several folks to act as ushers tonight and tomorrow. If your spouse or significant other can help, that would be great.
Yours-DrW

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Saint Katherine’s

December 1st, 2011

From Fred:  Helpful directions from Bernie Cohen

From Rt 50 to St Katherine Church

West on 50: after passing exit for Carlyn Springs Rd, you will go over a hill.  Next left is Manchester, which runs into the church.

East on 50: Manchester is the second light after Patrick Henry (Home Depot, McDonald’s on right).

—

From Fred:  I have a few requests to help find St. Katherine for our performance on Friday night.

Plug in the address to your favorite map:
3149 Glen Carlyn Road, Falls Church, VA

From Baileys X-Road:

Go west on Leesburg Pike (Rt. 7) toward 7- corners.

Turn right at the 2nd stop light onto Glen Carlyn Rd.
(St. Anthony’s Catholic Church/school/bell tower/ is on your right at the corner)

Go 1/2 mile north on Glen Carlyn.

St. Katherine Greek Orthodox Church is on your right (large white dome)
Parking lot is behind the church.

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Chorus info for Thursday and Friday

November 30th, 2011

From Stage Manager Fred:
- Remember to use black folders to hold your music and to wear concert dress.

- Please use a paper clip to hold the movements together that you will NOT sing. That way it all flips at once. For example, clip movements 5, 6 & 7 together if you are in Choir II. Bring extra paper clips to the Thursday rehearsal at 6:30 to identify whatever needs to be skipped during our first performance.

Friday:
- St. Katherine seats 400 so there should be enough seats for all our guests.

- I counted 140 parking places on the church’s grounds. Warn your  guests that they may have to park along Glen Carlyn Road as is done during the annual Greek Festival. Car pools will help the parking situation.

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Rehearsal

November 30th, 2011

From Dr. Whitmire:  Dear Singers-Thank you for the excellent rehearsal tonight. It was the best possible birthday present.
The call on Thursday is 6:30 pm in the Choir Room (AT130). Small Chorus call is 5:45 pm.
If I change the concert order, I will let you know.
The call on Friday is 6:00 pm at St. Katherine’s.
Yours-DrW

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Dress Rehearsal

November 29th, 2011

From Dr. Whitmire:  Dear Singers- I look forward to seeing you in Schlesinger tonight at 7:30 pm. Please be on time. If you are able, please join me at Clyde’s for a refreshing beverage after rehearsal.
Yours-DrW

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Tenor Rehearsal on Monday

November 25th, 2011

From Dr. Whitmire:
Hello Tenors-
Chris has generously offered to hold a sectional on Monday night at her place. Please let her know if you can attend.
christine [dot] hagan [at] comcast [dot] net
As you know, we need the practice time.
Yours-DrW

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