Concert Choir Practice Instructions
All of the music listed here will be performed on October 28th! Please do not wait until the last minute to study. Rehearsals and performances are much more enjoyable when each participant does their very best to practice regularly!
Folk Songs of the Four Seasons (We will sing all five of these pieces on our October 28th concert):
For each of the following pieces, the priority is to practice the texts in rhythm. Drill difficult phrases 5-10 times in a row. I suggest first speaking in rhythm followed by singing.
To the Ploughboy (p. 2) – This piece is in G Major so G is ‘Do.’ You will sing the “all voices” part throughout this piece. You do not sing the descant part.
An Acre of Land (p. 55) – This piece is in F Major so F is ‘Do.’
John Barleycorn (p. 41) - B-flat is ‘Do.’ Concert Choir sings the full chorus refrain throughout this piece.
A Sprig of Thyme (p. 31) and The Green Meadow (p. 38) – Review singing the melody of each of these on the solfege syllables we worked on during rehearsal.
Jubilate!:
Memorize. Voice 1: Marquita, Wills and Keziah. Voice 2: Maria, Chadwick and Cornelia. Carefully study m. 54 to the end.
Sing You Now:
Memorize. Part 1: Marquita, Wills and Keziah. Part 2: Maria, Chadwick and Cornelia.
Hine Ma Tov: Continue working out solfege syllables through the end of the piece.
We are in F Major, so F is ‘Do.’
Part 1: Marquita, Wills and Keziah. Part 2: Maria, Chadwick and Cornelia.
Regarding the key signatures and how the solfege syllables relate, it can be helpful to sing the scale that matches the key signature on the syllables (do, re, mi, etc.) before working on the piece. Refer to the scale sheet I handed out. Remember, music making is a process and learning music takes time. These instructions are a guide. Do the best you can! The more regularly you practice, the more rewarding our rehearsals and performances will be.
Pro Arte Practice Instructions
All of the music listed here, except the Da Pacem, will be performed on October 28th! Please do not wait until the last minute to study. Rehearsals and performances are much more enjoyable when each participant does their very best to practice regularly!
Folk Songs of the Four Seasons (All five of these will be performed on October 28th.):
For each of the following pieces, the priority is to practice the texts in rhythm. Drill difficult phrases 5-10 tiimes in a row.
To the Ploughboy (p. 2) and An Acre of Land (p. 55) – These are the most secure. Review once before rehearsal. In “An Acre of Land,” check notes in the 5th measure of rehearsal
letter L.
John Barleycorn (p. 41) – Make it a priority to secure pitches. B-flat is ‘Do’
A Sprig of Thyme (p. 31) – Keep learning notes on solfege. Learn how the text of each stanza relates to the rhythm. Dominique, Matilde and Molly, drill each descant 5-10 times in a row. Be certain you have learned the pitches accurately.
The Green Meadow (p. 38) – Drill text!
Messe Basse:
Agnus Dei is the priority, particularly mm. 44-end! Be sure to study this each day.
Review Sanctus and Benedictus
Kyrie – A-flat is ‘Do.’ Be sure to secure your assigned part at the end. Lilly and Molly learn the middle note of the final two chords.
Agnus Dei – G is ‘Do.’ Lauren, Siara, Katherine, Kamirra – soprano 2; Molly, Lillian, Matilde and Dominique – soprano 1. When there is divisi; Molly, Lillian and Kamirra sing the middle notes. This is the same assignment of parts as the Kyrie.
Simple Gifts:
Memorize. Molly and Lilly sing the Soprano II notes at the bottom of p. 2
I Believe in the Sun:
Memorize. Be certain to correctly learn pitches on solfege from mm. 43 to the end.
Da Pacem:
Review you part through m. 12. Learn your part through m. 19.
S I: Dominique and Matilde
S II: Molly and Lily
AI: Kamirra and Lauren
AII: Siara and Katherine
Treble Practice Instructions – October 9th
Part 1 - Caleb, Star, Lydia, Chris, Zari
Part 2 - Evan, Othniel, Jailyn, Aiden
O Music - Sing through entire melody on your own. Remember all vowels should be pure and round.
Traveler’s Tale - Sing through the song and remember - sing to something in your hands that is soft and cuddly! Continue working on memorizing this piece. Practice bouncing your tone and singing in your head voice! No one should be speak-singing. Place the sound in between the back of your throats and the roof of your mouth.
Good Night – Sing through entire song on your part. Part II – Be very careful about your counting when you separate into your own part. Make sure the timing is right and keep a nice pure tone on all of your tall notes.
Do - Re - Mi - Practice middle sections and later sections where you are in two parts. Maintaining your "head voice", make sure you don't sing it with your chest voice throughout the whole song. Sing all the way through the song. Begin memorizing this piece.
America the Beautiful – Sing through the entire song with clear words and pure tone.
Additional Notes: Everyone - Work specifically on singing in your head voice. Start by yawning and singing an “A” in the same space. Try recording yourself singing and listening back. When you do this, you can hear what I hear and it may help you to work on it at home.
