Dear friends,
It is our big week-- HOORAY! I look so forward to making the final preparations for WELCOME ALL WONDERS, our Abendmusik Christmas celebration. Here are a few notes about this week:
Rehearsal schedule:
Wednesday, 7:00-9:30 (start in the choir room)
Thursday, 7:00-9:30 (start in the choir room)
Friday, 7:00-9:30 (start in the choir room)
Sunday, 2:45 warm-up (start in the choir room); concert at 4:00 p.m.
Tickets:
Please encourage your family and friends to come to the concert. Think about offering them tickets as an early Christmas gift-- remember choir members can receive Buy-one-get-one-free tickets if you call Becky in the ticket office by Friday night. Think about purchasing in person from Becky on Wednesday night!
Concert Dress:
We will all wear bright solid colored (jewel tones are the best!), long-sleeve shirts and long black pants/skirts and shoes. Try to avoid any eye-catching jewelry, hats, broaches, all neckties, etc.
Concert Smell:
Please use deodorant but not any fragrances (no perfume, cologne, smelly shampoo, etc.)
Folders:
Our music must be held in black folders. If you do not have one, see us Wednesday before rehearsal, or purchase one of your own before Sunday.
Practicing on your own:
Please listen to Welcome All Wonders, Wake Awake, and No Small Wonder on the blog, particularly, as these are our most challenging and least familiar pieces.
Order and logistics for concert:
We will assemble in the choir room before the concert and proceed to the narthex:
Jeremy welcomes and prays
We process prayerfully as we sing: Love Divine (pink sheet): vs. 1- women in unison; vs. 2 men in unison; vs. 3 harmony; vs. 4 all in unison
we remain standing
Zuri solo verse of I Wonder as I Wander
reflection
The Lord is the Everlasting God
please be seated for reading
please stand for Unexpected and Mysterious (white sheet to be handed out on Wednesday)
be seated for reading
please stand for O Little Town of Bethlehem (purple sheet to be handed out Wednesday)
reamin standing for reading, French horn solo verse of I Wonder as I wander
O Magnum Mysterium
please be seated for scripture reading
please stand excitedly and randomly cheering phrases of your choice: Glory to God in the Highest! Peace on Earth! Good Will to All!
excerpt from Dona nobis pacemremain standing for scripture collage
Wake, Awake
O Come All Ye Faithful (blue sheet to be handed out Wednesday)
please be seated for reflection
please stand for Before the Marvel
during introduction to Silent Night, please begin recessional to surround congregation.
Silent Night (Yellow sheet)
after this carol, gently recess to choir room for intermission
Intermission
brass plays For Unto Us a Child is born (choir gathers in narthex; small group gathers in balcony)
small group sings Behold the Child
we process joyfully (following the dancers, beginning procession as we sing stanza 1) We Three Kings (orange sheet)
remain standing as French horn plays solo verse of I Wonder as I Wander
No small wonder
please be seated for reflection and Becky's solo verse of I Wonder as I wander
please stand as introduction begins for And the Word Became Flesh
And the Word Became Flesh...segue immediately into:
O Day Full of Grace (gold sheet-- to be handed out Wednesday)
remain standing for closing prayer
Welcome All Wonders
Joy to the World (green sheet)
CELEBRATE! : )
Thanks to each and all of you for the many contributions you areoffering to our shared experience of wonder, awe, and mystery. : ) Welcome all wonders in one sight!
Grace and peace,
TT
