Noteworthy News, May 8, 2020

mportant Wendy Note: The ALC (Artistic Leadership Team - Wendy and Alissa) want to assure you that we are involved in all sorts of webinars and conversations about the future of singing and most importantly the future of safely singing together. Just this week, I attend a webinar presented by the ACDA (American Choral Directors Association), Chorus America, and NATS (National Association of Teachers of Singing) about the future of singing in addition to another week long webinar presented by the League of American Orchestras regarding the future of the arts. There is so much to learn and we are getting new information every day. Please know that your safety is foremost in all of our thoughts and plans. We will keep you informed as strategies unfold. Alissa and I miss seeing you in person and so look forward to working together “virtually” on Monday nights.

Virtual Sing: Monday, May 11 at our usual start time of 7 pm. We will be using Zoom with the access code https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82530842970 (Meeting ID: 825 3084 2970). Remember, if you have the option, you will want to use a device with the largest screen. If you plan on using a Tablet or Smartphone, please download the app before our meeting. You will also want to create an account with Zoom before the meeting. Most of us are using the free version.  

Alissa is loving the audio/video files being sent to her:  Please keep them coming! We would love to have more of you participate in the fun on Monday evenings. We are building a product that will be forward-facing to the online community. It will include video clips of you making music at home and we want as many of our members as possible represented in that footage. (see details below to create a short video of yourself singing, in most cases using a smartphone (iPhone). 

And from Alissa: Now that we have some momentum with our Monday meetups and the Ave Maria is going so well, we are going to start work on a new piece, Abendlied by Rheinberger. It's a lovely piece and you can listen to it here. A copy of the music is attached to the Noteworthy News as are markings, a pronunciation guide, and a little history. You will want to download and print a copy of the music before rehearsal on Monday. All of these materials have been added to our new MEMBERS page within the Choir's website (pschoir.org). (the password is pschoir)

The Biebl Ave Maria Virtual Choir Project: During this time of social distancing, making music as a group has its challenges. These particular circumstances offer a unique opportunity to chronicle our efforts to stay connected through our project.

The project has two components: 1) A video montage of PSC singers making music outside of our normal choir experience and 2) An audio recording of Biebl’s Ave Maria to accompany the video montage. 

The Video: We need 20 seconds (or so) of video showing you making music as we all shelter in place — this could be you singing with the rest of us during our Monday night meetups, practicing while you wash the dishes or work in your garden, teaching an online lesson, playing the piano… wherever you find yourself making music, we would appreciate your sharing it with us via a video recording. You can start submitting your video recording now. Video Recordings need to be emailed to Alissa (alissa@pschoir.org).  

The Audio: We will be recording the audio separately from the video in three chunks: Part 1 (mm. 1-22), Part 2 (mm. 1-40), and the Amen Coda (mm. 41-end). Anytime this week/weekend: create a VERY brief recording of any old thing (Happy Birthday, Dona Nobis Pacem, etc) so we can hear what your recording sounds like in case suggestions are needed to help improve the quality. Generally, you do not need a fancy microphone for good results. Singing toward the microphone area of your iPhone/smartphone usually works surprisingly well. Be sure to stay within a few feet of the mic and find a room with limited background noises. More instructions will be forthcoming for "the real" audio recordings that will be uploaded to Alissa the last week in May.

Practice with the accompaniment tracks located on the members page of our website in “Virtual Rehearsals” (scroll to the bottom portion of the page). Of course, you may join your colleagues in our Virtual Sing on Monday nights at 7:00 p.m. When you practice your individual part, rehearsal tracks are available in the Listening Lab on the Members Page of the website. Check in Study Resources for breath marks and other conductor notes. Some of you have mentioned that you would prefer singing along with an actual voice rather than a piano track. We will have that ready for you in the next week or so. In the meantime, please give the accompaniment tracks a go!

From Choir Vice President, Morgan Roe: I know not everyone is in a position of abundance at the moment. If you are struggling or worried financially, I hope you are able to take solace in making music and "singing the darkness to light," even if it's different than we are used to. We are here for you in spirit and song! If you ARE in a place where you have even $10 to spare (received your stimulus check/deposit?) our Choir could REALLY use your help. We are committed to keeping our organization running and relevant. There is currently an amazing challenge opportunity with the Miller Foundation so your financial contribution is doubled. The $10 becomes $20 ($100 becomes $200). Multiply that by a few dozen people and we are able to keep the ALC on staff plus the incredible Jayde AND look forward to some innovative projects instead of spinning round and round in financial fear for the summer. Carmina at the Schnitz? Yes please! Defiant Requiem? An exciting possible future project. What happens in our pockets between now and our fiscal year end (June 30) will have a positive impact on the quality of those projects and others. In a time when many choirs are falling to pieces, PSC is being a leader and innovator. We are doubling down on our commitment to being a value to our community and singing great works with excellence. Whether or not you can donate personally, please share on Facebook or any other social networks that you connect with. Perhaps you have a friend who will donate $10 or $100 or maybe their entire stimulus check! Every bit helps.

Upcoming Choral (musical) events of Note: This week's edition of The Shows Must Go On YouTube Channel will feature the production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's By Jeeves. This show is based on the series of novels and short stories that center around the character of Bertie Wooster and his loyal valet, Jeeves. It's available to view free on Friday beginning at 11 am, Pacific Time for a limited 48-hour period online. LINK

ALSO, Choir member Zarya Rubin-Fogelson recently participated in a special online project with The King Singers and their "Stay at Home Choir." You can listen/watch it here: LINK. Zarya commented, "this was the coolest thing I've ever done as a choral singer" and that she “can be seen three squares below the dude in the turquoise shirt near the bottom center of the screen!"