Noteworthy News, March 20, 2020
Up-to-the-moment reminder dates/times: In consideration of the public health, no group rehearsals are scheduled at this time. Watch this space for updates since all future Choir activities will be announced here as they are known.
Recap of earlier news: The decision was made to postpone our concert with OMF that had been scheduled for June (Kodaly & Bruckner) due to health concerns and the limitations on public gatherings for the next several weeks. This severely impacts everyone's ability to prepare for the concert. OMF and PSC are actively exploring/discussing reschedule dates for both this concert and the Beethoven Missa Solemnis. No specific dates are available to announce at this time.
Rehearsal Plan: In the meantime... As Wendy took the lead on the preparation for the Beethoven, Alissa has that role for the Kodaly and Bruckner. Here are some activities that Alissa asks each of us to invest some time to do while we avoid exposure to the coronavirus. Remember her earlier comments that the language(s) will be a challenge for these two pieces. (Alissa promises to have tid-bits such as these for us to study while we await word on the resumption of group rehearsals).
Zvonimir's preferred recording of the Kodaly, Psalmus Hungaricus: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-fIeyNYwtHk
Saying "Good Day" in Hungarian:
"Jó napot kívánok" Learn to pronounce it here
"Jó napot" means good day, and "kívánok" means I wish you.Try a traditional Hungarian goulash recipe here
From our librarians: Since we are not rehearsing as planned on the 30th, we need to utilize a different method in returning the Beethoven scores since they don't belong to us. It is your responsibility to return the score to the Choir. First, be sure your name is written (in pencil) on the top right corner of the cover so it can be returned to you later for the rescheduled rehearsals and performance. Ideally, please mail the score to the Choir office using the address below. Be careful to use an appropriately-sized envelope without folding the score. Is should cost less than $2 in postage.
Portland Symphonic Choir
1907 NE 45th
Portland, Oregon 97213
As an alternative, you may drop-off your score at Helen's house: 6905 SE Woodward, Portland, 97206. Set the music inside the screen door at the front of the house. You may let Helen know when you leave your score (or to otherwise communicate with her): helendeitz@mac.com. Please do not take your score to the Choir office since the church is locked and their personnel are working from home.
If you have not yet checked out the music for the Kodaly and Bruckner, please contact Helen so we can make that happen. You will need to have the music right away so future Alissa study requirements can be achieved.
Upcoming Choral Events of Note: (pretty much everything and everyone is taking a break!)
The goal of the Noteworthy News is a weekly communication via email to all current members of the Portland Symphonic Choir. The cutoff for information being submitted is Thursdays at noon. Reminders, special singing gigs, conductors or singers needed, that sort of information. Send to president@pschoir.org. Please limit the information to a paragraph or two. All items will be edited for brevity and clarity.