Noteworthy News, October 16th


PS Choir President <president@pschoir.org>

Fri, Oct 16, 5:04 PM (3 days ago)

to Members

Important upcoming dates:

  • Monday, October 19, Rehearsal (Zoom) 7 - 8 pm

  • Wednesday, October 21, Trivia Night (Zoom) 7 - ?

  • Monday, October 26, Rehearsal (Zoom) 7 - 8 pm

  • Thursday, October 29, All Classical Radio FM 89.9 Fall Into The Arts Program 7 pm

  • Monday, November 2, Rehearsal (Zoom) 7 - 9 pm

Here's the LINK for Monday's rehearsal. Several clever folks have noticed that it's the same link / code for all our Zoom rehearsal gatherings. The website resources have been updated (PSCSINGERS/Members or Guests & Alumni (pswd: wintersong2020)/Study Resources), with several additional materials to help everyone prepare for rehearsal (hint, hint).

(editor comment: I neglected to include Wendy's Notes in the email earlier this week. Here they are now! "Sorry about that, chief.") 

This week’s additions are in purple

  • Gaudete: We will record the piece in E minor (not in D minor as written). E minor is the key of the recording.

  • The two phrases in the chorus (m 1-4 and 5-8) end on a half note which we will change to a quarter note followed by a quarter rest.This repeats throughout the piece.

  • Page 4, Top stave - S/A

    • Next stave (middle stave) – T1/T2

    • Bottom stave – B1/B2

  • For now, all sing tenor solo m.18-21

  • There is an added repeat from the end of m.30 back to m.22

  • B2 there is an error in m.24 last quarter note should be a D not a C

  • Page 6, Top stave is S/A (stave 1)

    • Next stave is T1 (stave 2)

    • Next stave is T2 (stave 3)

    • Next stave is B1/B2 (stave 4)

  • Lift between m.34 and m.35

  • Repeat from the end of m.43 back to m.35 but the choir is TACET (brass soli)

  • M.43 missing a beat, second time in recording. We will do it as printed not as on the recording.

  • M.50 T2 second note should be a C (not an E as printed)

  • Repeat from the end of m.56 back to m.48

  • Lift between m.60 and m.61

  • Page 10 sops divide on the repeat

  • Last chord – sing as written (no Picardy 3rd)

Updates to the pronunciation guide have been uploaded to the Study Resources section of our website. Watch for the red type.

Trivia night is upcoming and will feature 6 or 7 teams competing for the title of Portland Symphonic Choir know-it-all(s). Even if you didn't sign up to be on a team (deadline was last Saturday), it promises to be a fun time of "I didn't know that" for general audience members and a more than welcome break from the serious news all around us these days.

Please note the calendar entry (above) for a special program on local radio station, All Classical (FM 89.9 and worldwide,  allclassical.org) highlighting several performing groups from the Portland area. Our organization will be featured on Thursday, October 29th.

From Alissa: Please check the website for study resources. Also, any soprano or alto interested in the I Wander solo, please send a recording to me of the first verse by the end of day, this Sunday, October 18. (alissa@pschoir.org)

From Wendy: It has been so great to see you at our Monday rehearsals. I am glad you are singing and keeping your voices in shape. We only have a few more weeks until we start recording so keep practicing your music. Gaudete is challenging because those words fly by. The text can be mastered with slow repetition. Start memorizing the verses so you will not be glued to your music for your recording. On Monday, November 2, Cantor Ida Rae Cahana from Temple Beth in Portland will be joining our rehearsal to help us with the Hebrew for Mi’ Zeh Hidik. If you are interested in singing the alto solo in this piece in this small group piece, please send me an audio file of the opening solo by October 22. (wendy@pschoir.org)

Alissa Deeter