Dear friends,
Thank you for two hours and 32 minutes of joy today! I am overwhelmed with appreciation for what you are bringing to this collaboration, and you are continuing to more fully inhabit this amazing piece that Brahms has written for us. Tomorrow will be a wonderful day to be together!
For those who are willing to continue working with your scores (which I hope and trust is ALL of us!), here are a VERY few notes I can share from today's recording.
GENERAL:
1. WHAT AN IMPROVEMENT in terms of not pushing and forcing our singing-- WORLDS BETTER! Keep focusing, trusting the process and preparation, even when the spotlight is on tomorrow.
2. The two choirs are sounding like one-- that is a small miracle, and one we should all be proud of and grateful for! We must also stay vigilant and focused, even when the spotlight is on to protect the boundaries of our ensemble.
SPECIFIC:
Movement I
ms. 34-- let's have a first-class Abendmusik Chorus N' at the end of mourN! That gives that word such meaning and makes the crescendo so much more passionate.
ms. 52-- basses, even though this is a high note, be gentle, stay in the sonority-- you are tempted to push here. Be expressive but BEAUTIFUL!
letter C-- remember the 'h' before Who in this section as your parts enter, and exploit the hairpins of "weep" in the middle of the page...don't miss an opportunity to communicate!
Movement 3
ms. 137-- fully engage in the V of vanity as you melt into the cadence.
p. 34-35-- put a capital K on every Comfort that you find here...Also, capital D at the end of lorD. Practice this in your Julia voice!
Movement 6
a beat before L and a beat before M-- don't forget the D-- anDIH might
top p. 78-- first measure-- sopranos and altos-- lots of F to start this phrase.
OTHER DETAILS FOR TOMORROW:
1. Please don't smell particularly good or bad-- take a shower, use deodorant, but avoid perfumes, colognes, and fragrances
2. Please wear ALL black...if you have a question about it, reread it again! : )
3. Please use black folders
4. We will meet in Mayflower Hall downstairs at 3:00 p.m. to gather our voices and spirits.
5. If your mobility is good, please park in one of the far parking lots tomorrow so that those who need to park close can.
6. If you wish to sing in the morning for worship, all are welcome! We will sing movement IV and a few small pieces of service music, and we will assemble in the choir room at 9:45 a.m. to prepare for that.
WHEW! I'm exhausted, but in the best possible way. I hope you get a lot of rest and space before what will be an awesome tomorrow. I am so thankful we get to share it together!
Grace and peace,
TT
