Archive for the ‘Spring 2015’ Category

Rehearsal

Friday, February 20th, 2015

From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Friends-
-I look forward to seeing everyone at tomorrow’s 11:00 am rehearsal in Schlesinger. Please arrive early so that we can start promptly at 11:00 am.
-Upon arrival, take a copy of the program (.pdf attached) so that you will know the order. We’ll save our color programs for the audience.
-Musicians may take a seat on the stage: Choirs on the risers–Alfred Street stage left, NOVA Chorus stage right. Jazz Band in chairs downstage left. Dancers and actors may sit in the audience chairs.
-My goal is that we have a show that flows smoothly and that everyone feel totally comfortable with their performance.
Yours-DrW


Rehearsal

Monday, February 16th, 2015

From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Friends-
As you know, the weather looks bad for tomorrow night and it is a near certainty that the college will close. Therefore, I have moved our dress rehearsal to Saturday morning 2/21 at 11:00 am in Schlesinger Center. Please make every possible effort to be there (with all your participants). In the meanwhile, use your time to make sure you perform your role as well as you can.
Yours -DrW


Concert Program

Sunday, February 15th, 2015

From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Singers-
We are first on the program. We sing:

Great Day
Motherless child
In that great gettin’ up mornin

At the end of the program we sing Lift every voice.

The auditioned group sings Wake up, my soul just before Lift every voice.

I have attached the complete program (.pdf) for your perusal.

I need some folks to fold and staple programs. Let me know if you around campus Tomorrow or Tuesday and can help.

Spread the word! E-mail, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Telephone, Smoke-signals. We want to have a great crowd for a great program!

Yours-DrW

Click image for Flyer PDF


Concert Promotion

Friday, February 13th, 2015

From Dr. Whitmire: This year’s Black History Month Celebration (dedicated to the memory of our friend and teacher Dr. Joseph Windham) is on Tuesday, February 24, at 7:30 pm in Schlesinger. It will be an exciting and moving event, as you can see from the line-up of performers. I hope you are able to attend and bring your students.

Black History Month Celebration
Tuesday, February 24, 7:30 p.m.
Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center, Alexandria

Dedicated to the Memory of our Friend and Teacher
Dr. Joe Windham

featuring music by

Joyce Garrett and the renowned
Choir of Alfred Street Baptist Church

NOVA Jazz Ensemble (John Kocur, Director)

NOVA Community Chorus (Dr. Mark Whitmire, Director)

Dr. Lisa Edwards Burrs, soprano

DEM Vocal Trio

The Metropolitan Youth Tap Ensemble

Prose readings by Maya Angelou
Read by NOVA Drama Students of Dr. Kate Al-Shamma

Art work by NOVA Studio (Angela Terry, supervisor)

No tickets are required. A donation is requested.

For more information: 703-845-6097; mwhitmire@nvcc.edu

Click image for Flyer PDF


Fifth Rehearsal Preview

Tuesday, February 10th, 2015

From Dr. Whitmire: Welcome to our 5th rehearsal of Spring 2015!

Please sign in.

In the Leavitt Requiem we rehearse #8 and #9 tonight.

More Leavitt scores are here. If you haven’t got one, get one tonight. ($20 cash or check payable to me)

Next week (2/27) we rehearse in Schlesinger at 7:30 pm.

Auditions for the Great Day marchers will be tonight.
I’d like the marchers to meet in Schlesinger at 7:15 pm next week.

Chamber Singers for Wake Up, My Spirit
S – Jennifer, Jesse, Michelle, Peggy, Rachael, Terri
A – Carol P, Ellie, Halina, Jane, Joy, Kaylee, Mary, Carol U
T – Estee,Francisco, Frank, Jimy, John, Kris K
B – David, Matt, Richard F, Sasha, Will, James
We will rehearse tonight at 9:20 pm.

Attached is our BHM Celebration Poster for e-mailing your friends. Spread the word!
I will have printed copies on Saturday.

Yours-DrW

Click image for Flyer PDF


Black History Month Celebration

Monday, February 9th, 2015

From Dr. Whitmire: Please publicize this event:

Black History Month Celebration
Tuesday, February 24, 7:30 p.m.
Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center, Alexandria

Dedicated to the Memory of our Friend and Teacher
Dr. Joe Windham

featuring music by

Joyce Garrett and the renowned
Choir of Alfred Street Baptist Church

NOVA Jazz Ensemble (John Kocur, Director)

NOVA Community Chorus (Dr. Mark Whitmire, Director)

Dr. Lisa Edwards Burrs, soprano

DEM Vocal Trio

The Metropolitan Youth Tap Ensemble

Poetry by Maya Angelou
Read by NOVA Speech Drama Students of Dr. Kate Al-Shamma

Art work by NOVA Studio (Angela Terry, supervisor)

No tickets are required. A donation is requested.

For more information: 703-845-6097; mwhitmire@nvcc.edu

Photos are attached.

Thanks-MW


Amazing Singing

Friday, February 6th, 2015

From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Singers- I am sending this to everyone because my Vocal Seminar students don’t always check Black board. Amazing singing. Enjoy.
Yours-DrW

Mozart
Così fan tutte

recit. Temerari! Sortite fuori di questo loco!
aria: Come scoglio

Christine Goerke
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hrm3OLsBYDU

Renee Fleming
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrVRed0BQhI

Leontyne Price
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-yFWF6DcYko

Carol Vaness
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DD6u3RVEeU8

Elizabeth Schwarzkopf
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fDptrX8AZgo

You audacious person, leave this place!
You cannot profane, with these infamous words,
our hearts, our ears and our affections.
It is useless for you to seek to seduce our souls;
our faithfulness is intact and is pledged to our lovers
until death, in the face of misfortune, everlasting.

Like a rock, we stand immobile against the wind and storm,
and are always strong in trust and love.
From us is born the light that gives us pleasure and comfort,
and the power of death alone can change the affections of our hearts.
Respect, ungrateful spirit.
We are examples of loyalty against your primitive hopes,
so do not make yourself bold.


Song of America

Friday, February 6th, 2015

From Dr. Whitmire: Hello Singers-

Many of you are probably familiar with the Thomas Hampson’s Song of America project.

http://www.songofamerica.net/radio

Under links-programs
click on one of the 13 programs
I just listened to the Langston Hughes and the Harlem Renaissance. Fabulous!

Yours -DrW


Lift Every Voice

Tuesday, February 3rd, 2015

From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Singers- We will end the BHM Celebration with Lift every Voice” -same as last year. If you were with us then, please bring your music tonight. If not, please print a copy from the attached pdf. I have also put it on Blackboard.
Yours-DrW


Fourth Rehearsal Preview

Tuesday, February 3rd, 2015

From Dr. Whitmire: Welcome to our 4th rehearsal of Spring 2015!

Please sign in.

Please proof the roster. Correct any errors or omission.

In the Leavitt Requiem we rehearse #6 and #7 tonight.

Next week we rehearse #8 and #9.

Thanks to all who auditioned last week
Here is the Small Group for Wake Up, My Spirit
S – Jennifer, Jesse, Michelle, Peggy, Rachael, Terri
A – Carol, Ellie, Halina, Jane, Joy, Kaylee, Mary
T – Estee, Francisco, James, Jimy, John, Kris K
B – David, Matt, Richard F, Sasha, Will
We will rehearse tonight at 9:20 pm.

FREE rehearsal tracks are available at http://www.novachorus.org/music-files.

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@ix.netcom.com
Alto-Debbie Peetz, peetz@rand.org
Tenor-Larry Goldschmidt, lgold2@comcast.net
Bass-Ray Lombardi, rayjoyce2408@verizon.net

Tonight is our long-awaited refreshing beverage at Clyde’s. Don’t miss it!

Yours-DrW


Technical Notice

Wednesday, January 28th, 2015

From Admin: Updates will be temporarily delayed until further notice. Thank you for your patience.


Third Rehearsal Preview

Tuesday, January 27th, 2015

From Dr. Whitmire:
Welcome to our 3rd rehearsal of Spring 2015!

Please sign in.

Please proof the rosters. Correct any errors or omission.

In the Leavitt Requiem we rehearse #4 and #5 tonight.
In #4 we sing the bottom 4 staves always.

Next week we rehearse #6 and #7.

Auditions for Wake up my Spirit (required for music majors) are tonight.

FREE rehearsal tracks are available at http://www.novachorus.org/music-files.

Donations. 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. Make checks to NVCC Foundation.

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@ix.netcom.com
Alto-Debbie Peetz, peetz@rand.org
Tenor-Larry Goldschmidt, lgold2@comcast.net
Bass-Ray Lombardi, rayjoyce2408@verizon.net

Yours-DrW


Auditions

Saturday, January 24th, 2015

From Dr. Whitmire: Reminder- Auditions for Wake up my soul are this Tuesday at the end of the rehearsal. All Music Majors are required to Audition. Others are encouraged to audition. Notes are on the Rehearsal CD and at nova chorus.org. Sheet music is on Blackboard.
Yours-DrW


Saturday Rehearsal

Saturday, January 24th, 2015

From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Singers-
I look forward to seeing Men today at 11 am.
On Tuesday will work on Requiem 4 and 5. For those who do not have music, please go to Blackboard- Course Documents and print a copy for rehearsal. Hopefully the scores will be here soon.
Yours-DrW


Wake up, my spirit divisi

Tuesday, January 20th, 2015

From Dr. Whitmire: Wake up, my spirit

Women divisi
when there are 3 parts it is always divided Alto, except
m 77-83 div S
m 95 div S
m 109-122 div S
mm 152-157 div S
mm 173-176 div S

Men divisi
when there are 3 parts it is always divided Tenor.


Second Rehearsal Preview

Tuesday, January 20th, 2015

From Dr. Whitmire: Welcome to our 2nd rehearsal of Spring 2015!

Please sign in. If you are new, give your phone and e-mail. Be sure to write clearly.

Donations. 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. Make checks to NVCC Foundation.

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@ix.netcom.com
Alto-Debbie Peetz, peetz@rand.org
Tenor-Larry Goldschmidt, lgold2@comcast.net
Bass-Ray Lombardi, rayjoyce2408@verizon.net

You should have the following music tonight, either purchased from the Bookstore or printed from Blackboard. I will have a few copies for those who are unable to print.
Four Spirituals
Motherless Child
Wake up, my spirit (this will be sung by an auditioned group including all music majors)
Leavitt Requiem

I still have a few Rehearsal CDs for Black History Month Concert and the Leavitt Requiem $10 (5$ each). Cash or check payable to NVCC foundation.

FREE rehearsal tracks are now available at http://www.novachorus.org/music-files.
Kate is AMAZING!!!

Yours-DrW


Rehearsal 2 and Salzburg

Monday, January 19th, 2015

From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Singers-

Thanks to the fine group of women who came in on Saturday. Special thanks to Christine who directed the rehearsal in my absence.

I look forward to seeing everyone for Rehearsal 2 tomorrow night. We will rehearse all the spiritual and movement 1 and 2 of the Requiem.

I have gotten a good response regarding Salzburg Festival, July 1-7, 2015. This will be the final message about this trip to the whole chorus. I just want to make sure I did not leave out anyone who is interested. Each person of the list should have received trip details. Those who are definitely committed to going are noted. If you have expressed an interest or committed but are not listed, let me know. [See email for list]


Requiem, Saturday Rehearsal, Salzburg

Thursday, January 15th, 2015

From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Singers-
-For Saturday (women) and Tuesday (all ) we will rehearse movements 1 and 2 of the Requiem. Thereafter, we will move along 2 at a time – 3 and 4, 5 and 6, etc.
-I have attached movements 1 and 2 of the Requiem for those who didn’t get music. It will be on Blackboard as well.
-A dear friend and chorister has died and the funeral is this Saturday. Christine Hagan will lead the 11:00 am Women’s rehearsal as well as my 12:30 pm Vocal Seminar.
-I have had good response about my possible trip to sing in Salzburg, Austria July 1-6, 2015. If anyone else is interest, let me know asap.
Yours-DrW

As rehearsal tracks, recordings and sheet music files become available, they are posted to the music files page, listed on the tab above.


Sheet Music

Thursday, January 15th, 2015

From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Singers- If you didn’t get music, here are two spirituals. Two more to follow. I will also post them on Blackboard. Print them out and go to work.
Yours-DrW

As rehearsal tracks, recordings and sheet music files become available, they are posted to the music files page, listed on the tab above.


First Rehearsal Preview

Tuesday, January 13th, 2015

From Dr. Whitmire: Welcome to our 1st rehearsal of Spring 2015! It is going to be a great season.

Please sign in. If you are new, give your phone and e-mail. Be sure to write clearly.

Donations. 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. Make checks to NVCC Foundation.

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@ix.netcom.com
Alto-Debbie Peetz, peetz@rand.org
Tenor-Larry Goldschmidt, lgold2@comcast.net
Bass-Ray Lombardi, rayjoyce2408@verizon.net

In the Bookstore (Please have your music at all rehearsals)
Four Spirituals (we will sing Great Day and In dat great gittin’ up)
Wake up, my spirit (this will be sung by an auditioned group including all music majors)
Motherless Child
The Settling Years
I Will Be Earth
Still I Rise (Women only)

In the room
Leavitt Requiem. ($20 cash or check to WMPA)
Rehearsal CDs for Black History Month Concert and the Leavitt Requiem $10 (5$ each). Cash or check payable to NVCC foundation.
Links to FREE rehearsal tracks will be available at http://www.novachorus.org/music-files.

Yours-DrW


Under enrolled classes

Friday, January 9th, 2015

From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Singers- Today is the day when under enrolled classes get the axe, and many music classes are on the block. If you were ever thinking of taking a music class, now is the perfect time.

MUS 137 and 237 Chorus are OK. I appreciate those singers who are seniors, but elected to register as paying students.

These classes are in trouble:
Mus 131/2 Class Voice – learn to how to be the best singer you can be
Mus 163 Beginning Guitar – have fun learning to play guitar
Mus 164 Intermediate Guitar – have more fun learning to play guitar
Mus 198 Vocal Seminar – learn how to improve your solo singing

I am busy working on rehearsal CDs for Tuesday, and looking forward to seeing you then.
Yours-DrW


Registration

Wednesday, January 7th, 2015

From Peggy: I have been asked to send the class number, etc, needed to register for chorus.

Sections available for MUS 137
Course: 13801
Section: 001A
Days: T
Time: 7:30PM – 10:20PM
Room: AT-0130
Campus: Alexandria


Senior Registration

Monday, January 5th, 2015

From Peggy:  I’ve been asked to share info from last semester.

First, here’s the official NOVA page of instructions and links:

Senior citizen info:  http://www.nvcc.edu/future-students/admissions/senior-citizens/

Step-by-Step registration procedures:  http://www.nvcc.edu/future-students/admissions/senior-citizens/registration.htmls

Second:   As soon as possible, whether online or in-person, make sure you know your 7-digit student id.  Mine looks like 066xxx89, with the x’s being numbers.  Then make sure you know your password and that it’s working, as they make you change it every so many months.  AND, if you do change it, there’s a little lag time before the system lets you use it to sign in, so I recommend you do any updating some hours before you need it.  When you register for your classes, which you do just before completing the senior tuition waiver form, I recommend always starting through MYNOVA.  I find when you try to do different tasks inside the applications, things are less user friendly, so if you run into a problem, I suggest you exit and then reenter through MY NOVA.

[Additional note: I forgot to add there is another user ID that you use for MY NOVA.  Mine looks like mharrison00xx (with the X’s being numbers). ]

Here’s a link to instructions on how to find your NOVA “username”: http://www.nvcc.edu/current-students/technology/novaconnect/tutorials/id/index.html

Here’s a link to instructions on changing your password or resetting if you’ve forgotten your password:  http://www.nvcc.edu/current-students/technology/novaconnect/tutorials/pw/index.html

Also, the telephone help desk is pretty good for problems with the system.
The phone number is 703.426.4141, and here’s a link to more info:  http://www.nvcc.edu/about-nova/directories–offices/administrative-offices/ithd/index.html

Good luck!!!

Peggy Harrison

Tip from last semester:

From Barbara Lowrey (I personally did not experience this problem, but several did.)
I went first, and it took me over half an hour to get through the process.  I got hung up on the senior tuition waiver form.
The hang up was the “number of credits” field.
The sample above the box showed “3 crs” and so I typed in “1 cr”.
It would only show “1”
When I submitted the form, it said the entry was invalid.
You must enter the credits as a two digit number.
It took me over 15 minutes to figure this out–NO HELP from the screen.
So type in “01” and you are good to go.

It may want you to upload a photo ID. I made a pdf of my drivers license with my home printer.  However, I understand others were able to successfully do the senior tuition waiver form without uploading the photo ID.

Info from last semester:

The “ Senior Tuition Waiver Form” mentioned in your email is called the “Senior Citizen Enrollment Tuition Waiver Form” on the instruction sheet (attached). This form will  be available beginning August 19, and can only be completed after registering online. There are two options for obtaining this form.

Option 1:  The form can be found on the NOVA Website at:http://www.nvcc.edu/future-students/admissions/senior-citizens/index.html beginning [day before start of session, i.e., January 11, 2015].

Option 2:   The form can be accessed from the NOVA Forms Library beginning [day before start of session, i.e., January 11, 2015].  While all computer browsers are compatible for submitting theSenior Citizen Enrollment Tuition Waiver Form (Internet Explorer, Chrome, Firefox, Safari, etc.), you may need to use another browser other than Internet Explore).  The instructions are for obtaining the form from the Forms Library are below.

1.     Go to  http://www.nvcc.edu/forms/.

2.     Scroll down toForms For Students.  Click – Forms Sorted by Name or Forms Sorted by Number.

If you selectForms Sorted by Name, scroll down to theSenior Citizen Enrollment Tuition Waiver Form.

If you selectForms Sorted by Number,scroll down to form 105-088.

3.      Click the “On Line” form link  (This link is to the right of the name of the form).

When prompted to sign in, EnterYour MyNOVA/username and password.

4.     Read the terms and agreement.

a.      Verify your mailing address for accuracy.

b.     Clickthe agreement box under each statement.

c.      Click continue.

5.     Click on the Academic and Student Services Icon.

6.     Click on the Form Name.

7.     Complete the Form.

Important Note:   Some information will already be on the form.  In places where there are blank fields with an asterisk, information must be entered.

8.     Complete, sign, and submit the form.


Senior Registration

Monday, January 5th, 2015

From Peggy: To follow up on Dr Whitmire’s email. I was just at Student services and [got] the same answer he [did], and the staff member hit the info from the registrar’s office:

if you are unable to senior register online Sunday you can come up student services on Monday to register with assistance.

I recommend you tell them you tried on Sunday but couldn’t figure it out, or something like that.

—–

From Elizabeth: Latest as of this morning, per the provost:  don’t go to Student Services, come to the Liberal Arts Division, AA252.


Happy New Year

Monday, January 5th, 2015

From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Singers-
-Happy New Year! I am looking forward to seeing you at our first rehearsal on Tuesday, January 13.
If you know good singers looking for a place to sing, please have them join us.
-Senior online registration will be Sunday, January 11.
For those unable to register online, in-person registrations will be accepted on Monday, January 12.
-Music is in the bookstore
Bundled in an envelope together are
Four Spirituals
Wake up, my spirit
The Settling Years
Separate are
Motherless Child
I Will Be Earth
Women only need
Still I Rise
-I am in today and have more copies of the Leavitt Requiem. ($20 cash or check to WMPA)
Yours-DrW