Archive for the ‘Spring 2008’ Category

From Dr. Whitmire

Tuesday, February 17th, 2009

Dear Singers –

* Tonight is our 5th rehearsal of Spring 2009!

* We have only 3 Tuesday rehearsals before our March 22 Dress Rehearsal with the orchestra: 2/24, 3/3, 3/17

* Please note these changes in our Saturday schedule (posted 02/10): 3/7-women; 3/14-everyone (SATB)

* Choer d’enfants – As per the composer’s suggestion, the following sections will be sung by a small group of women (soprano or alto) who are able to make a child-like tone: III 34-36; VIII 93-94; IX until 101. Auditions will be this Saturday at 1:15 pm. If you cannot attend this Saturday, I will hear you after chorus on Tuesday.

* 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. Audition will be Tuesday, March 24.

* This Saturday at noon-women


From Dr. Whitmire

Friday, February 13th, 2009

Tuesday, March 24, 9:15 pm Absentee audition – for all who have missed more than two rehearsals – be prepared to sing any selection from the Durufle Requiem

Tuesday, March 24, 9:30 pm Music Majors Chorus Exam – be prepared to sing any selection from the Durufle Requiem


Performance Guidelines and Schedule Changes

Wednesday, February 11th, 2009

Schedule Changes (2/9/09)

Saturday, March 7. 12:00 pm – 1:15 pm women only (was everyone)

Saturday, March 14. 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm full rehearsal (new addition)

Need to know concert dress guidelines? What to expect at dress rehearsals? See the Performance Tips. It is recommended that all members review this document.

Reminder: Performance locations. including maps, are listed on the Performances page.


From Dr. Whitmire

Tuesday, February 10th, 2009

From Dr. Whitmire (2/9/09) – Dear Singers: Today I learned that a member of our chorus and his family were evicted from their home. Of course, I cannot share the name. I am going to give the family some money, just because it feels right. If you would would like to help, give me the cash and I will pass it along. These are tough times for many. Yours-DrW


Newsletter

Monday, February 9th, 2009

Chorus Newsletter, February 2009


Links to iTunes

Friday, February 6th, 2009

UPDATED: Thank you to chorister Ellie for the suggestion:

iTunes allows users to preview songs for free by offering 30 second samples of each track. Users can also purchase individual songs and albums.

Please note: When a user clicks on an iTunes link, the web browser will try to detect whether the user already has iTunes installed on their computer. If they do, the user will go directly to your intended destination on the iTunes Music Store. If they don


Rehearsal Track Added

Wednesday, February 4th, 2009

A Durufle rehearsal track for No. 4 Sanctus for Soprano 2 has been added to the Music Files page.


Rehearsal Track Added

Monday, February 2nd, 2009

A Durufle rehearsal track for No. 7 Lux Aeterna for Basses has been added to the Music Files page.


Rehearsal Policy

Monday, February 2nd, 2009

From Dr. Whitmire (1/31/09) – Dear Singers: The forecast for Tuesday shows the possibility of snow showers. Since we can not afford any more missed rehearsals, I would like to institute the following policy: If the college is closed on any Tuesday due to weather, we will have a full (SATB) make-up rehearsal the following Saturday at noon.

I trust that you are working with your CD regularly. If we are to reach our potential as as chorus, every singer must know their part. There can be no followers.


Alto Sectional Rehearsals

Thursday, January 29th, 2009

From Section Leader Debbie:

Dear NOVA Chorus Altos – Ellie, Alto extraordinaire, has offered to host alto sectionals at her home on the following Monday evenings, 7:30 – 9:00 pm : February 2, 9 and 16

We will sing along with the practice CD and the Durufle recording, plus there is a keyboard for “note issues.” Please let me or Ellie know if you will be attending one of these extra rehearsals. (For more details, please contact Debbie or Ellie.)


Snow Closing

Monday, January 26th, 2009

From NVCC: ALERT — SNOW Update

Tuesday January 27, 2009, Northern Virginia Community College will be canceling afternoon and evening classes at 2:00 p.m. The college will close at 3:00 p.m. for faculty and staff. All evening activities are cancelled.

From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Singers – The college has closed. There will be no rehearsal tonight. Please spend tonight and the rest of the week mastering the movements from the worksheet: 1, 3, 7, 9. Next week we will begin 2, 4, 6, 8. Listen to the recording for guidance with the Latin diction. Please work diligently with your CD. I encourage you to get together in groups. We cannot afford to fall behind in our preparation. Stay safe – DrW

Saturday’s rehearsal will remain as scheduled: men


Music Files and More…

Friday, January 16th, 2009

Durufle rehearsal tracks, along with an updated CD track listing printout, for Alto have been added to the Music Files page.

From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Singers – Thanks for a great rehearsal on Tuesday! It was truly amazing. And what a wonderful group of new singers we have. This is going to be the best season ever. You are going to adore the Durufle Requiem. I have decided to cancel Saturday’s Women’s Section Rehearsal. I am feeling a bit under the weather; besides, I am hearing that I95 North is going to be impossible on Saturday due to Inauguration traffic. As most of you know, this is something that I almost never do. I know you will all work hard with your CDs, and I encourage you to get together with members of your section and work. Start with the movements that appear on your Durufle worksheets. This makes our Saturday, January 24, 12 noon make-up rehearsal all the more important, so be sure to attend.

From Dr. Whitmire: Here is a reminder about Friday’s appearance by Jonathan Vassar and the Speckled Bird (NOVA Coffeehouse) at the Kennedy Center in D.C. this Friday evening, January 16, at 6:00 pm. Flyer here.

    Jonathan Vassar and the Speckled Bird will be playing at the Kennedy Center in D.C. this Friday evening, January 16, at 6:00 pm!

    We will be appearing for an hour-long set on the Millennium Stage in the Grand Foyer of the Kennedy Center. It’s a free show, no tickets required.

    We are excited about the opportunity to play in such a prestigious venue. If you plan to be in D.C. this weekend before the Inauguration, we hope you’ll stop by the Kennedy Center for an hour on Friday evening.

    Likewise, if you have friends in the D.C. area, we hope you will send this e-mail on to them and encourage them to start their weekend with us on Friday at 6:00 p.m.

    Here’s the official blurb on the Kennedy Center website: http://www.kennedy-center.org/programs/millennium/artist_detail.cfm?artist_id=JNVSRSPCBR

    If you can’t get there in person on Friday night, don’t worry — you can watch the show through the magic of the internet. The concert will be streamed live at 6:00 p.m. on the Kennedy Center Millennium Stage website, and will also be archived on their site. You can find the link to the live webcast here: http://www.kennedy-center.org/programs/millennium/

    Thank you so much for all of your support!

    Jonathan Vassar and the Speckled Bird (Jonathan Vassar, Chris Edwards, & Antonia FD Vassar) http://www.myspace.com/jonathanvassar


Music Files

Wednesday, January 14th, 2009

Rehearsal Tracks for the Durufle and the Shearing have been added to the Music Files page.

Please note that the Durufle alto tracks will be posted once available.

Corrected Shearing CD track listings have been posted for Alto and Bass.


Info from first rehearsal

Wednesday, January 14th, 2009

Rehearsal Schedule, handout from Dr. Whitmire, 1/13/09

Durufle Worksheets, handout from Dr. Whitmire, 1/13/09

Need to acquire the Durufle sheet music? Buy online from SheetMusicPlus.com: Direct link to Durufle Requiem

or call ahead to local shops, including:

    Foxes Music; 416 S. Washington St; Falls Church, VA 22046; (703) 533-7393; foxesmusic.com

    Musical Source; 1409 15th St NW # B1; Washington, DC 20005; (202) 387-7401; musicalsource.com

    Dale Music Company; 8240 Georgia Ave; Silver Spring, MD 20910; (301) 589-1459; dalemusic.com

Music files, along with a corrected Alto track listing printout, will be posted shortly.


Newsletter

Monday, January 12th, 2009

Chorus Newsletter, January 2009


Mendelssohn

Wednesday, June 4th, 2008

Dear Singers-

For those of you who just can’t wait until Mendelssohn’s Lobgesang get in at the bookstore, here it is at the Choral Public Domain Library.

http://www.cpdl.org/wiki/index.php/Hymn_of_Praise_(complete)_(Felix_Mendelssohn)

For those of you who want to get a head start learning it, here is a site with the MIDI files.

http://s119247422.websitehome.co.uk/midimusic/Mendelssohn/Hymn-of-Praise/hymnpraise.html

Enjoy!

Yours-DrW


West Side Story Rehearsal Tracks

Wednesday, April 30th, 2008

West Side Story and CD Order Form

Wednesday, April 23rd, 2008

v

Tuesday, April 22nd, 2008

Summer Sings Schedule

Monday, April 21st, 2008

Chorus Schedule

Wednesday, April 16th, 2008

Schedule

Wednesday, April 16th, 2008

Chorus Schedule, for Fall 2008 – Spring 2009, from Dr. Whitmire.


Schedule

Wednesday, April 16th, 2008

Chorus Schedule, for Fall 2008 – Spring 2009, from Dr. Whitmire.


Chorus Newsletter

Tuesday, April 8th, 2008

Rehearsal Schedule

Monday, March 17th, 2008
    Rehearsal Schedule Change from Dr. Whitmire:

    Dear Singers-

    Please note this very important change: Our rehearsal on Sunday, March 30 will be in our normal room in Tyler, from 6 to 8 pm. (not at Bishop Ireton as stated on your schedule). Unfortunately the orchestra has a scheduling snafu and cannot rehearse. This will be a very productive rehearsal; please do not be absent.