Archive for the ‘Spring 2013’ Category

Course Evaluations

Saturday, May 11th, 2013

From Peggy: Dr. Whitmire referenced course evaluations to be completed. For those of us who don’t access NVCC’s information systems very often, here are some detailed instructions:

· Go to the NVCC web site: http://www.nvcc.edu/index.html

· Click on the “My Nova” tab

· Click on the “Log into My NOVA” button

· Enter your NVCC user name – looks like your first initial-last name-four digit number, and enter your password. If you don’t know these, click on either “Look up my username” or “I cannot access my account” and follow instructions.

· Once logged in, click on Gmail

· Look for an email with the following subject line: “Course Evaluation – 8 Wk 2 and 16 Wk Onsite – NOW OPEN!”

· Follow instructions in the email. When it asks for a student ID use your all-number ID. If you don’t know it, go to this page and click on the appropriate item. https://my.vccs.edu/jsp/user.jsp

Good luck!


Picnic Delayed

Saturday, May 11th, 2013

From Fred: Heavy rain is forecast on the Weather.com radar from 12 noon today until 1 PM. After that it is sunny weather for several days.
I am delaying the picnic start until 1 PM or whenever the rain stops. Be sure to wear your rubber shoes because the grass will be wet.


Picnic Weather

Thursday, May 9th, 2013

From Fred: Our chorus picnic will still be on Saturday 12- 3 PM. The weather report for our hilltop says that showers will be more likely after 2 PM.

We’ve cut the grass short so it will dry better in time for the picnic. We expect to have the croquet game set up but not the volley ball.


Glorious Year

Wednesday, May 8th, 2013

From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Singers-

-My sincerest thanks to each of you for a most glorious year. The amount of music you learned and the number of concerts you performed is incredible: Beethoven’s Choral Fantasy, Gabrieli and Monteverdi double choruses, Bach Magnificat, Black History Month Celebration, Britten’s Cantata Academica, and five opera choruses by Verdi and Wagner. It is truly an amazing accomplishment!

-Also, my deepest thanks for your kind words and condolences at the death of my mother. The roses you sent are beautiful. My daughter Elizabeth returned to her work at Wings of Hope orphanage in Haiti last week. She has resumed her blog. If you didn’t get a chance to meet my mom, Elizabeth can give you a sense of the wonderful mother she was.

http://sedeleveale.blogspot.com/2013/04/my-girl.html?m=1

-Don’t forget about the Chorus Picnic this Saturday at noon at Fred and Judy’s place.

-I missed hearing you last night and am already looking forward to the Fall semester. In the meanwhile,

Peace-DrW

PS- You should have received information about online course evaluations. It is very important that you complete yours.


Chorus Picnic

Saturday, May 4th, 2013

From Fred: Chorus Picnic, Saturday May 11, Noon to 3 PM, earlier than previous years.

Yes there will be a chorus pot-luck picnic this year at the Wulff’s home. Map attached.

6551 Columbia Pike
Annandale, VA 22003
703-256-1687

We encourage you to park on Sulky Lane because our driveway, Fitzhugh Drive, fills up quickly

We provide the basics:

land (4.3 acres); trees & shade, picnic tables, plates, utensils, gas grill, hot dogs.
ice chest with ice – bring your favorite beverage
cabin with hot & cold running water, refrigerator, toilet, stove.

This is pot-luck. Bring some food to share.

We will need help moving the tables, coolers, gas grill if you can come early.
We  have a few old wooden benches. If you have a folding chair handy, please bring it.

I will supply the materials for croquet.

Dress for the weather: temperature, wet or dry grass, etc.


Thanks

Wednesday, May 1st, 2013

From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Singers-

Thanks for a great rehearsal last night. Music truly does soothe the soul.

I need four chorus spouses to serve as house managers tomorrow night. They mainly are responsible for the donation bowl. Let me know if you have someone who can help. See you at 6:30 pm.


Monday Rehearsal

Monday, April 29th, 2013

From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Singers-

As many of you will have heard, my mother died on Wednesday. She lived a joyous life that ended peacefully. I am doing OK.

As you know, we meet in Schlesinger tomorrow night. Please arrive by 7:10 pm. We’ll put men on the first two levels of side boxed seating: tenors 0n the right as you face the stage; basses on the left as you face the stage. Sopranos on the first four rows of the right side audience seating; altos on the first four rows of the left side audience seating. We’ll make adjustmetn as necessary. I know you will be in your most quiet, efficient, problem-solving mode, as the rehearsal must start on time.


Monday Night Rehearsal

Monday, April 29th, 2013

From Peggy: Here us some info repeated from the Saturday rehearsal as best I could record it.

Orchestra conductor wants us ready to sing exactly at 7:30 pm, so please plan to arrive a little earlier.

The following two items apply ONLY to the Monday night rehearsal and the Friday night concert.

1. Last sung note of Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves (Va pensiero):

Add a whole note plus an eighth note to the existing note and change to a hum at start of added whole note.

Triumphal March:
Cut from the beginning of measure number 71 to letter E (beginning of measure number 90).

At letter J. Sing  the written note (an E for all voices) on a whole note, and that’s the end of the piece.


May 2 Concert

Wednesday, April 24th, 2013

From Lisa Eckstein, NOVA Alexandria Band Director: Come celebrate Music at NOVA and Commemorate the 200th birthdays of Richard Wagner and Giuseppe Verdi!

Who: The NOVA Community Chorus, Jazz Ensemble, and Alexandria Band
What: A Spring Concert and A Commemoration of the 200th birthdays of Richard Wagner and Giuseppe Verdi
When: May 2, 2013, 7:30-9:00pm
Why: Hear a fantastic concert that features the NOVA Alexandria music ensembles. Selections will include pieces written by Wagner, Verdi, and many other composers!
Where: Rachel M. Schlesinger Hall, NOVA Alexandria Campus, 3001 N.Beauregard St., Alexandria, VA

The concert is FREE, but parking is $6 in the Beauregard Parking Garage. Donations to the NOVA Music Department are welcome and appreciated. For more information about the concert, contact the NOVA Alexandria Band Director, Lisa Eckstein, at leckstein [at] nvcc [dot] edu or 703-845-6252.

Thinking of studying music or playing in an ensemble? The NOVA Alexandria Music Department is a vibrant and energetic program designed to meet the needs of a diverse student body. A variety of topnotch music courses and ensembles are offered, all at an affordable price! For more information, please visit our website at http://www.nvcc.edu/depts/alexandria/libarts/music/

Click for PDF


Rehearsal Location

Tuesday, April 23rd, 2013

From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Singers –
Tonight’s rehearsal will be in Schlesinger. Not in the Concert Hall, but in the upstairs Seminar Room. We will sing “Happy Birthday” to Chris Hagan, whose birthday is today!
Yours-DrW


Tyler Building Closed

Monday, April 22nd, 2013

From Dr. Whitmire: Tyler will be closed tomorrow due to flooding. We will rehearse. I will let you where tomorrow. i have requested Schlesinger and Fred is working on John Calvin Presbyterian. Yours-DrW


Stage Limits

Saturday, April 20th, 2013

From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Singers- The best solution for the Schlesinger stage occupancy limits that we talked about on Tuesday will be for us (or most of us) to be seated in the adjacent balconies and in the first few rows of the side audience seating. It will be interesting..maybe fun. So, we’ll pass out the tickets this week. Don’t let you friends and family miss this Flash Mob style concert.

I look forward to seeing Men today at 3.


Thirteenth Rehearsal Preview

Tuesday, April 16th, 2013

From Dr. Whitmire: Welcome to our 13th rehearsal of Spring 2013! Please sign in.

We have 2 rehearsals before our Monday April 29 Dress Rehearsal with the Annandale Orchestra in Schlesinger.

Please note this new rehearsal (posted 4/9)
Saturday 4/27, 1:00 pm, Combined Choruses
St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, 5800 Backlick Rd, Springfield

Tonight
I will dismiss Women (except music majors) at break (8:40 pm)
Men will rehearse Pilgrim’s Chorus until 9:10 pm
I will rehearse Music Majors until 9:40 pm

Saturday I see Men at 3:00 pm.

Mark your calendars-Our Annual Chorus Picnic will be Saturday, May 11, noon until 3:00 pm at the Wulff’s. More info will follow. I hope you will plan to attend

Tickets for our May 3 concert with the Annandale Symphony are here. It would be great if everyone could sell at least three tickets ($15 adults; $10 students).

    Section Leaders

– Try to come tonight at 7 pm and organize your tickets. This is a rare opportunity to sing in Schlesinger with a full orchestra. It will be a treat for our audience.

Chorus Schedule

Saturday 4/20, 3:00 pm, Men in AT130

Saturday 4/27, 1:00 pm, Full Chorus New item (added 4/9/13)
St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, 5800 Backlick Rd, Springfield

Monday 4/29, 7:30 pm
Dress Rehearsal with the AN Orchestra, Schlesinger

Tuesday 4/30, 7:30 pm
Chorus Dress Rehearsal, Schlesinger

Thursday 5/02, 7:30 pm
Chorus/Band/Jazz Combined Concert, Schlesinger

Friday 5/03, 7:30 pm
Concert with the AN Orchestra and Chorus, Schlesinger

Saturday, 5/11, noon until 3:00 pm
Chorus Picnic at the Wulff’s


May 3 Flyer

Friday, April 12th, 2013

From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Singers- Attached is a flyer for our May 3 concert. Please invite you friends. I have tickets as well.

Click for PDF


Video

Tuesday, April 9th, 2013

Amateur footage of the Black History Month concert has been posted to YouTube:
http://youtu.be/tbKWvze0pqs
The video is not great, but the audio is decent.


Twelfth Rehearsal Preview

Tuesday, April 9th, 2013

From Dr. Whitmire: Welcome to our 12th rehearsal of Spring 2013! Please sign in.

We have 3 rehearsals before our Monday April 29 Dress Rehearsal with the Annandale Orchestra in Schlesinger. Be sure this rehearsal in on your calendar.

There are a few more Opera Choruses CDs. No charge. There are also at novachorus.org. Please practice your German and Italian diction.

Tonight
I will dismiss Women (except music majors) at break (8:40 pm)
Men will rehearse Pilgrim’s Chorus until 9:10 pm
I will rehearse Music Majors until 9:40 pm

Saturday I see Women at 3:00 pm.

Mark your calendars-Our Annual Chorus Picnic
will be Saturday, May 11, noon until 3:00 pm at the Wulff’s. More info will follow. I hope you will plan to attend.


NOVA choristers in recital Sunday, April 14 at 4PM

Friday, April 5th, 2013

From Peggy: NOVA Tenor Mike Jarvis and Alto Jane Roningen, along with Soprano Anna Phillips-Brown and Bass John Bohman, will sing a series of secular Haydn quartets in a recital at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington at 4PM on Sunday, April 14.  4444 Arlington Blvd (southwest corner of George Mason Drive and Arlington Blvd).  Entrance to  church is on South George Mason Drive.


Eleventh Rehearsal

Tuesday, April 2nd, 2013

From Dr. Whitmire: Welcome to our 11th rehearsal of Spring 2013! Please sign in.

We have 4 rehearsals before our Monday April 29 Dress Rehearsal with the Annandale Orchestra in Schlesinger. Be sure this rehearsal in on your calendar.

Opera Choruses CDs are here. No charge. Kate will have them up on the website in the twinkling of an eye. They include German and Italian diction.

Tonight
I will dismiss Women (except music majors) at break (8:40 pm)
Men will rehearse Pilgrim’s Chorus until 9:10 pm
I will rehearse Music Majors until 9:40 pm

Saturday
I see Men at 3:00 pm.


Gavert Dedication

Tuesday, April 2nd, 2013

From Dr. Whitmire to Bill Gavert: Dear Bill- It is almost time for Ray’s service. I have a class this morning and am sad that I cannot be there. I just want you to know that I am thinking about Ray at this time. I wish peace for your and your family. I hope that you are celebrating a life well lived.  At our concert next month we will dedicate a song – The Pilgrim’s Chorus – to Ray. I have included the words below.
Ray always had a smile and I know he would want you all to have one now.
Sincerely, Mark

Opera Choruses Celebrating the 200th Birthday of Richard Wagner Giuseppe Verdi

Bridal Chorus (Lohengrin)                                                       Richard Wagner (1813-1883)

Pilgrim’s Chorus (Tannhäuser)                                                                                  Wagner

In memory of Raymond Gavert, tenor

September 27, 1932 — March 25, 2013

Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves (Nabucco)                                 Giuseppe Verdi (1813-1901)

Anvil Chorus (Il trovatore)                                                                                            Verdi

NOVA Community Chorus

Dr. Mark Whitmire, Director

Christine Hagan, accompanist

Triumphal Scene (Aida)                                                                                                 Verdi

Combined Band and Chorus

Pilgrim’s Chorus

Once more with joy O my home I may meet
Once more ye fair, flowr’y meadows I greet
My Pilgrim’s staff henceforth may rest
Since Heaven’s sweet peace is within my breast.

The sinner’s ‘plaint on high was heard
On high was heard and answered by the Lord
The tears I laid before His shrine
Are turned to hope and joy divine.

O Lord eternal praise be Thine!

The blessed source of Thy mercy overflowing
On souls repetant seek Ye, all-knowing
Of hell and death, I have no fear
For thou my Lord are ever near

Alleluia!
Alleluia!
Alleluia! For evermore


Opera Choruses

Monday, April 1st, 2013

From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Singers- I will arrive on campus today at 5:30 pm with the long-awaited Opera Choruses CDs.

Update 6:30 pm: Not there yet. In traffic for 4 hours!


Raymond Gavert

Sunday, March 31st, 2013

From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Singers- On this day of springtime and renewal I  am sorry to bring you sad news. Ray Gavert, a longtime member of the NOVA Community Chorus, died on Monday. He sang with us at Epiphany on March 17. After the concert he worked out. Later in the evening he began to feel poorly and went to the ER. He had a viral infection that he was unable to shake and he died on Monday, March 25. I spoke last night to Ray’s son Bill who told how much Ray loved being in the chorus. He wanted us all to know that there will be a  wake for Ray at Demaine Funeral Home (520 S. Washington St., Alexandria VA) tomorrow from 6-8:00 pm. An 11:00 am service will be held on Tuesday at Aldersgate Church, 1301, Collingwood Drive, Alexandria, VA. I know Ray is singing with the choir of angels now.
Yours-DrW

From Tenor Section Leader Larry: Message to the tenor section:
I happened to glance at the obituaries in The Washington Post this morning.  I was surprised and saddened to see that Ray Gavert died this past Monday, March 25, 2013.  Ray had been a second tenor in the Nova Community Chorus since 2003.  He last sang with us on Sunday March 17 at the Church of the Epiphany.  Ray was not present at the following Tuesday rehearsal or at last Sunday’s performance at Ireton.

If interested, you can read Ray’s obituary at http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/washingtonpost/obituary.aspx?n=raymond-b-gavert&pid=163934810. This includes information about the wake on Monday evening, April 1, and funeral on Tuesday morning.  Unfortunately, I cannot attend the wake.

I know nothing of the circumstances of his death.  Information about his life is contained in the obituary.  For all his accomplishments and interests, Ray is known to us as a quiet, unassuming person, always with a friendly smile.  He will be missed.

From Peggy: Please see the email from Larry with sad news about longtime chorus member Ray Gavert. I’ve taken the liberty of sending flowers to the funeral home from NOVA Community chorus.


YouTube Versions of Choral Works

Wednesday, March 27th, 2013

From Fred:
Pilgrim’s Chorus (with some additional choral music) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=coLxM2hq_gA
Bride’s Chorus http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-HwBGgBRFk
Anvil Chorus http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tssCXwtAYkw
operatic version:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZN01_pAxro

Think we could do a flash mob of that?


Wonderful Concert

Monday, March 25th, 2013

From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Singers-
-Thanks for a wonderful concert yesterday! The sounds of Cantata Academica are still ringing in my ears.  I hope that most of you learned to like (if not love) this music.
-I am so thankful for your hard work and commitment. I realize that the past week (Sunday-Tuesday-Saturday-Sunday) has been very demanding. Tomorrow’s rehearsal will end at 9:00 pm.
-We have 5 rehearsals before our Monday April 29 Dress Rehearsal with the Annandale Orchestra in Schlesinger. Be sure this rehearsal in on your calendar.
-I will get Opera Chorus rehearsal files up as soon as I can. In the meanwhile, work on Triumphal Scene from Aida which is already up at novachorus.org. It is by far the most challenging of the group.
-If you missed our March 17 or our March 24 concert for any reason, please contact me asap. If you have already discussed your absence, please remind me.
-If you have any tickets or ticket money, please get it to your section leader tomorrow. The WMPO has to pay the bills and we must do our part.
Yours-DrW


Sunday’s Chorus Lineup

Saturday, March 23rd, 2013

From Stage Manager Fred: Arrive in the main hall of Bishop Ireton HS auditorium before 2:00 PM on Sunday.

We will line up in four (4) rows in the main hall of Bishop Ireton HS at 2:00 PM facing toward the stage. We will arrange ourselves just as we intend to lineup on stage. Sopranos will be to your right, altos to your left, men in the center with tenors in the first two rows and basses in the back two rows.

There will be a fifth row of singers who will be seated in chairs in front of the risers with sopranos, men and altos in the same layout. I plan to have these singers process on ahead of the four standing rows.

We will go up on the risers at 2:10 PM according to our plans.

Remember that we will be dressed in formal wear. If you have any questions as to what to wear, contact your section leader.

Lock up your valuables in your car or otherwise keep them on your person (fanny pack, etc.). We do not have lockers for secure storage. You can leave coats in the rehearsal hall behind the stage.


Black History Month Celebration

Friday, March 22nd, 2013

From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Colleagues-

I must report that the Black History Month Celebration on February 27 was one of the most compelling events of my 28 year tenure at NOVA. There were many musical, artistic and spiritual reasons that I was moved by the event. It is always gratifying to see so many students pouring out their hearts to celebrate the richness of our diverse culture. But the most meaningful thing of all for me was working so closely with my faculty colleagues. Each of them was 100% committed to making the event successful. My thanks to

Joe Windham  (History) who brought Frederick Douglass to life
Lucy Holsonbake (Communications Studies and Theater) who served as MC and read Maya Angelou
Angela Terry (NOVA Studio) who worked with students on the program, poster and projection
Kathy Harty Gray who choreographed the dancers
Elizabeth Bull (French) and Agnes Malicka (ESL) who sang in the chorus
Britt Conley who took photographs
John Kocur (Music) who directed NOVA Jazz Ensemble and played the sax
Christine Hagan (Music) who played piano

Please take a moment to open the attachment (.pdf).