From Dr. Whitmire: Here is the text of Songs of Sunset (.pdf). The words are as romantic as the music. Enjoy!
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Posts Tagged ‘dr. whitmire’
Sixth Rehearsal Preview
Tuesday, February 14th, 2012
From Dr. Whitmire: Welcome to our 6th rehearsal of Spring 2012! Please sign in.
Thanks to the Tenors who rehearsed last Saturday at noon.
And to the large group who came Women’s Rehearsal at 1:00 pm.
Men’s Rehearsal this Saturday at 1:00 pm.
There only one more rehearsal before our Tuesday, February 28 Dress Rehearsal in Schlesinger for Jazz Mass. Are you ready?
Please remember we have an important Full Rehearsal for Jazz Mass on Saturday, February 25. Please plan to be there.
Spring 2012 Schedule [no changes]
Tuesday, February 28, 7:30 pm – Dress Rehearsal, Schlesinger Center
Tuesday, March 6 – Spring Break, No Rehearsal
Tuesday, March 13, 7:30 pm – Concert: Jazz Mass, Schlesinger Center
Sunday, March 25, 5:00 pm – Dress Rehearsal: Songs of Sunset, Bishop Ireton HS
Saturday, March 31, 3:00 pm – Concert: Songs of Sunset, Church of the Epiphany
Sunday, April 1, 3:00 pm Concert: Songs of Sunset, Bishop Ireton HS
Thursday, April 26, 7:30 pm Band/Chorus Spring Concert, Schlesinger Center
Saturdays
2/18 men
2/25 Full Rehearsal (SATB)
3/3 women
3/10
3/17 men
3/24 Full Rehearsal (SATB)
4/7 women
4/14 men
4/21 Full Rehearsal (SATB)
Sing Well-DrW
The Delius Society
Monday, February 13th, 2012
From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Friends- The Delius Society in the UK is leading effort to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the composer’s birth. I am happy to say that our concerts featuring Songs of Sunset are listed. Our’s appear to be the only American performances listed. Scroll down to 31 March and 1 April or go to this link.
http://www.delius.org.uk/forthcomingconcerts.htm
Yours-DrW
Rehearsal Reminder
Saturday, February 11th, 2012
From Dr. Whitmire: Reminder:
Tenor Rehearsal today 12:00 noon-12:45 pm
Women’s Rehearsal 1:00-2:15 pm
-DrW
Fifth Rehearsal Preview
Tuesday, February 7th, 2012
From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Singers,
Welcome to our 5th rehearsal of Spring 2012!
Please sign in.
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 Basses who got together on their own last Saturday in my absence. I appreciate your commitment.
If there are Tenors who would like to rehearse this Saturday, I can work with you at 12 noon. Please let me know.
Women’s Rehearsal is this Saturday at 1:00 pm.
Thanks for all the good wishes and kind words regarding my mother who I visited in Texas last week. She is in a rehabilitation hospital and is in good physical health and fair mental health.
Sing Well-DrW
Fourth Rehearsal Preview
Tuesday, January 31st, 2012
From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Singers,
Welcome to our 4th rehearsal of Spring 2012!
Please sign in.
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 Women who came to rehearsal on Saturday.
We will not have Men’s Rehearsal this Saturday, as I will be in Texas caring for my mother. Please get together among yourselves and practice.
Music – All music, worksheets and music learning files can be found at novachorus.org/music-files.
Haiti Video
Friday, January 27th, 2012
From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Singers-
As you will recall, I went on humanitarian trip to Haiti last November. One of the participants put together this video that I think you will enjoy.
I look forward to our Women’s rehearsal tomorrow at 1:00 pm.
Yours-DrW
Third Rehearsal Preview
Tuesday, 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!)
Second Rehearsal Post
Friday, 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).
Delius Worksheet
Monday, 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
Songs of Sunset
Monday, 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.]
First Rehearsal Post
Friday, 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
First Rehearsal
Saturday, 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
Registration
Tuesday, 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
Songs of Sunset
Friday, 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
Songs of Sunset
Wednesday, 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
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
From Dr. Whitmire
Tuesday, 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
Chichester Psalms
Wednesday, 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
From Dr. Whitmire
Saturday, 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.
Performance
Thursday, 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
Rehearsal
Wednesday, 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
Dress Rehearsal
Tuesday, 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
Reminder
Tuesday, November 22nd, 2011
From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Singers-
Please do not miss tonight’s rehearsal. We had an alarming number of absences on Saturday. We can have a great concert only if everyone is present.
Yours-DrW
Rachmaninoff Documents
Thursday, November 17th, 2011
From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Singers-
Attached is the 1st draft of the program (.pdf). Please proof for errors/omissions.
I have also attached Translations (.pdf) and a Flyer (.pdf) suitable for e-mail.
I look forward to seeing everyone at our Saturday, 1:00 pm rehearsal.
Yours-DrW
November 29
Wednesday, November 16th, 2011
From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Singers- As some of you may know, Tuesday, November 29, is my 60th birthday. I know—it shocks me , too. Just think—I was 33 years old when I started teaching at NOVA. I had hair! I won’t be able to be with my family on my birthday, but I am delighted I’ll be able to spend the evening with my Chorus Family. After our Dress Rehearsal, I plan to go to Clyde’s and enjoy some of my favorite oysters and a refreshing beverage. I hope you can join me.
Yours-DrW