Rochester Concert

Hey everyone! As promised, here is the Rochester building address:

2300 Viola Heights Dr. NE
Rochester, MN

For everyone who is involved in a carpool, I just want to remind you all to please arrive at your designated meeting spots by 2:30 so we can get to Rochester on time. Also, this goes without saying, but I'll say it anyway, please please please be courteous of the other people you are riding with and the person driving. Also, if you feel so impressed, contributing to the cost of gas would be greatly appreciated by those who are driving. I'm so excited to see you all on Saturday! Let me know if you have any additional questions. I am happy to talk to anyone about any concerns.

~Laura

Thank You!

I just wanted to thank everyone for doing such a great job last night at our concert! I especially wanted to thank everyone who came early and stayed after to help set up and take down everything. I am so grateful for you all. We filled almost every box with food last night, which is so amazing! See you all on Thursday!

~Laura

November 3, 2011 Rehearsal Notes

Sorry it has taken me a few days to get on here to update with the latest rehearsal notes.

It sectionals we worked on mm.49-end of What Shall We Give. We focused on which words were emphasized and how the phrasing should sound. If you want to hear how Barb wants it, check out the youtube link on the side of the blog. We also worked on the crazy part of I Saw Three Ships. We are definitely improving, which is encouraging. We still need to make sure we know our parts through there so that we sound amazing at our concert in December. So please take the time to go over your parts at home before practice next Thursday.

In SATB, we ran through Come Thou Fount and Peace Like a River, which are two of the songs that we will be performing on Friday, the 11th. We went through the crazy part once again in I Saw Three Ships over and over several times. We reviewed The First Noel. Then we ran through What Shall We Give.

Next was True Light, and congrats to Nicole Bator and Adam Woodward, our soloists for this piece! We added choreography (which I would encourage everyone to practice at home, simple as it seems). Then we went through Homeland. True Light and Homeland are the other two pieces we will be performing at our Nov. 11 concert.

I want to thank all of the people who volunteered family members to be ushers. I am very grateful for your help! I also want to remind everyone as well that we need to be publicizing our concert as much as possible, so email your friends and family, post it on Facebook, bring it up in conversations, etc. We want lots of people there to support Second Harvest and honor our Veterans. Thanks so much for everything you do!

~Laura

October 27, 2011 Rehearsal Notes

Those of you who were not able to make it to last night's rehearsal missed out! We heard some awesome solo auditions, learned some choreography and had an amazing Halloween spread after rehearsal, thanks to the altos!

In sectionals we first worked on True Light. We reviewed the beginning section making sure to darken our tonal quality (the women had fun with that), made sure to have a short s on the word "this", and make an ah sound in the words "mine" and "shine." We also worked on making the words "true light" more staccato and separate. Next we worked on Judah's Land, the women ran through mm. 32-49 and the men worked on mm. 25-32, 44-49. The women worked on getting their phrasing and notes right in mm.35-39. Finally we worked on Letter C of Go Tell It On the Mountain. The women worked on coming in at the right spot on the right note and accenting the right words.

In SATB we first did a run through of Homeland. This is one of the pieces we will be singing at our concert on Nov. 11. We then worked on memorizing Betelehemu and added the choreography. That was a lot of fun. We also did some solo tryouts for the ad lib section. We then worked on letters B & C for Go Tell It On The Mountain, making sure all of our entrances were correct. We moved on to For Unto Us a Child is Born, where we reviewed mm. 30-72 and Erin decided to have half of each section sing the runs on da da da (ex. alto 1s sing born and alto 2s sing da da da during the runs). Then we went over mm 25-49 of Judah's Land. Erin added some points where we need to watch her so she can take some liberties with the feeling of the song. We worked on adding movement to the phrases. In True Light we had several solo auditions, which were fun to hear! We also worked on our phrasing in that song as well. Then we ran through What Shall We Give? and Barb wants us to watch the MoTab version on Youtube so we can see how she ultimately wants us to perform it.

Just a reminder to use Facebook or email to publicize our Nov. 11 concert. Word of mouth is the greatest way to get people to come. Also, we need ushers still and I emailed everyone about that, so hopefully I hear from some of you soon. Let me know if you have any questions or concernt. I hope you all have a great week!!

~Laura

Concert Music (and a long side note)

I wanted to point out for anyone who was wondering that the Thanksgiving collaboration concert on Friday, November11th we will be singing just four songs. They are:

1. Peace Like A River
2. True Light
3. Home Land
4. Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing

And while I have your attention, I want to talk about the last one. Come, Thou Fount has been one of my favorite choral works for many years. I first sang it just after my voice changed. As a new tenor I felt keenly that I was prone to wander! Also, the second verse by the men is a cappella until a little after the women come in and the men tended to go flat so that when the organ came back in there was an instant key change in the middle of a phrase. The whole 1st half of the verse was prone to wander! I also made a strong connection with the idea presented throughout this song of dedicating our past good works, and our whole selves to God. At the end of every performance I felt a little more committed to letting the Lord guide my life. I trusted that with His help I could become more than a foolish awkward teenager who was prone to forgetting the Lord and neglecting his ways. If singing this song doesn't have a similar effect on you then you are singing it wrong. Come, Thou Fount has been and continues to be one of the few songs that have truly changed my life.

Best Regards,
Albin Dittli

October 20, 2011 Rehearsal

In sectionals last night we worked on mm.92-end of "My Soul Doth Magnify the Lord." We also went over O Holy Night in the "Carols of the Night" piece.

In our SATB time, we mapped through Betelehemu. We WILL be memorizing this piece and we started to learn the choreography for it as well. It is similar to the choreography found on the Betelehemu link.  We then worked on "Go Tell it On the Mountain." We had to work through the rhythms again. It is very important for everyone to be practicing their music outside of rehearsal. Next we worked on mm. 1-37 of "For Unto us a Child is Born." We worked on building intensity when we say "us a child is born."We also need to remember to cut off on the second beat where the rests are when we say "Unto us...a son is given, etc." We then ran through "Judah's Land." We worked on putting proper crecendo and decrecendos in the proper spots. Next was "True Light." Erin had solo auditions and we worked on having a deeper sound, and not sounding like a high school glee club :)  With our last few minutes we worked with Barb on "Peace Like a River."

I would like to remind everyone that we still need ushers for our Nov. 11 concert. Please email me (Laura) or call me if you know of someone who can do this for us. Also, our first makeup rehearsal is next week with Barb from 9:00-9:30pm, so if you need to makeup lost time, that would be a good time to do that.

I would also like to thank my "poster people" for being so willing to get the concert posters put up in their buildings. You are awesome! Have a great week!

~Laura

October 13, 2011 Rehearsal Notes

Hey there! We had a great rehearsal last night! Whew!

When we all met together in the chapel we reviewed "I Saw Three Ships," and Barb finalized where all of the breathing points were in the song. So the phrasing looks like this during each verse: I saw three ships come sailing in (breath) on Christmas day (breath) on Christmas day (breath) I saw three ships come sailing in (breath) on Christmas day in the morning - emphasizing "morn" and not "ing". The only place where we don't breathe in the same spots is at measure 66 and we carry through from "on Christmas day" to "O, they sailed into Bethlehem."

Then we reviewed "The First Noel" and "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing." We were able to get through "Homeland" which was very exciting for me. That song builds and builds until we all say Homeland! It gives such an amazing feeling every time we reach that point.

We went over "Betelehemu" and quickly ran through "Peace Like a River"

Just a reminder that we need ushers for the November 11 concert, so if anyone knows of a person who is available to do that, please let me know as soon as possible. Also, if you are available to drive for a carpool to our Rochester concert, let me know as well and where you would be leaving from so the people in your carpool can know where to go.

Last night we also found out that we will be doing the Mission Home Fireside on December 11 for sure. Call time is 6pm at the Bloomington building.

Also, I forgot to mention this week's birthday which was Sarah Johnson on the eleventh! So happy birthday, Sarah! Have a great week everyone!

~Laura

October 6, 2011 Rehearsal Notes

This week we reviewed the following:

In sectionals we worked on mm. 111-end of "I Saw Three Ships." We reviewed notes since this is the most difficult section of the song. Barb showed us how to pronounce Christmas using a light tone. We are not flipping the R in Christmas as well as not saying Chreestmas.

We worked on mm. 53-end of "For Unto Us A Child is Born." We started out taking the runs slowly and worked up to a little faster speed. Erin had us emphasize the first note in each grouping within the runs.

We reviewed all of "Go Tell it on the Mountain." We just made sure that we have all of the rhythms right and the dynamics as well.

In SATB we reviewed "I Saw Three Ships," "Peace Like a River," "Homeland," "True Light," "Betelehemu," and "Go Tell it on the Mountain."

Just a reminder that we need soloists for "True Light," so be brave and go to youtube and learn the solo! We need you!!

I would also like to rewish Amy Dierhising a happy birthday and welcome back Christy Holt! Have a great week! See you all next Thursday!

P.S. Remember to review your music at home. This is very important!

~Laura :)

YouTube Links

Dear Choir Members,

I have made a search for YouTube videos of our songs for this semester. There are 3 that I couldn't find, but here are the rest. I'll post the best ones in the side bar. The missing songs are Go Tell It On The Mountain, My Soul Doth Magnify the Lord, and Carols of the Night. * indicates links that are not in the side bar.

Homeland
O.C.M.E.A 2007 Senior High All-County Chorus in Onondaga County, NY*
Buffalo State College Chorale

I saw three ships
Mormon Tabernacle Choir*
Bob Jones Academy Combined Choirs

Come, thou fount of every blessing
BYU Combined Choruses from 1994

Peace Like A River
Roanoke College
Mormon Tabernacle Choir*

True Light
The University of Utah Singers & guest choir Bingham H.S. Madrigals
Texas Two Year College All State Choir*
Massachusetts All-State Choir 2011*

Betelehemu
Mormon Tabernacle Choir

In Judah's Land
The Philharmonic Chorus of Madison

What shall we give?
Mormon Tabernacle Choir

The First Noel
The University of Utah Singers
San Francisco School Of The Arts Vocal Department's Concert Choir*

Albin Dittli

Choir Retreat

The retreat was wonderful! It was so great to see so many people willing to come together for two days to learn music and learn to sing together as one. We are so blessed to have Erin and Barb as our directors! Below are links to our skits we performed as well as when we did the vocal improv around the campfire. For those of you who couldn't make it, hopefully this will make you want to come next time! :)

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Congrats to the Bass section for winning the skit competition! See you all on Thursday!
~Laura

Choir Retreat! Save the date!

Hey everybody!

I'm excited to let you know about our first-ever choir retreat scheduled for September 9th and 10th at Camp Salie in Lindwood Township. It's going to be a BLAST!

Think s'mores, campfire, water sports, yummy breakfast/lunch and of course some good 'ol fashioned rehearsal time to get a jump on our music for the new season. There is no charge to you for lodging or food. Just come and have a good time!

We will have our first rehearsal for the 2011-2012 season on Thursday, September 8th as usual from 7-9 pm.

Please help us get the word out about auditions....they are on Thursday, August 25th from 7:30-9:00 at the St. Paul Stake Center.

See you all in September!!!

Erin and Barb

New Choir President!

I am pleased to announce that our new choir president is Laura Michels who sings in the alto section! Laura grew up in Woodburn/Canby, Oregon. She attended BYU-Idaho and was a technical theatre major. After her first semester she became the lead scenic artist for the theatre program and had the privilege to help design sets and teach students painting techniques. Laura sang in several choirs growing up all the way through high school. She has been ward choir director in several of her wards and loves all sorts of different music. Her favorite musician, however, is Weird Al...she says you can laugh if you want! :) She is married to her awesome husband Johnny and has two boys, Ben and JJ, as well as her angel daughter Ramona.

Welcome, Laura, to the choir presidency! We are so excited to work with you!!!

2011 Spring Concert - Maplewood

Witness & Balm in Gilead

Click on the links if you can't see the full screen...it's best viewed in HD full screen.

Witness: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=biz1iUJHlGA">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=biz1iUJHlGA



Balm in Gilead: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uuYfyzqpcwM&feature=related">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uuYfyzqpcwM&feature=related

Videos of Rehearsal

Please watch the video below and see if there are any changes or improvements you need to make to your stage presence and/or singing: (Disclaimer: Some of the staging was corrected after this was filmed. Click on the "full screen" button to view videos properly.)

MAY 5 REHEARSAL

Announcements

Rehearsal on May 12th will be at the Maplewood Community Center from 7 to 9:30.

There will be a choir social after the concert at the Thibaudeau's home.

Please help get the word out about our concert.

The music order for the concert will be:

1. It's a Grand Night for Singing
2. How Can I Keep From Singing
3. Sure on this Shining Night
4. Red Red Rose
5. Circle of Life (Chamber Singers)
6. Witness
7. Balm in Gilead
8. Bring Him Home (Men)
9. Boogie Woogie (Women)
10. Sing Sing Sing
11. Oklahoma

Rehearsal Notes

SATB - Witness

Sopranos should cut off quickly in measure 58. Basses should sing louder in measures 37-42, and 70. The entrance in measure 32 should be soft. At measure 65 the basses should be watching Erin.

SATB - How Can I Keep from Singing

In measure 63 the word "When" in the Alto, Tenor and Bass line should be stronger. In measure 65 accent "un" instead of "de". Sing tall vowels at measure 72.

TB - Sing Sing Sing

No notes.

TB - Bring Him Home

The opening lines are sung by tenor 2 and baritones. At 12 the other voices join. Erin added back breaths in most places where we were previously not allowed to breathe (for example measures 31, 38,40,56,58 to name a few).

SATB - Oklahoma

We worked on the choreography. Sing while you move to maintain stage presence. You should be facing the audience most of the time (sometimes you have to move a direction you aren't facing). The last move is when we move into the inverted pyramid shape while we spell Oklahoma. We need to start moving immediately on the "O" so that we are all in place in time for the fermata. The men need to come in strong on the first note.

SATB - It's a Grand Night for Singing

The piece opens the concert. We will be walking in as we sing it. Hold out our hand to the audience on "with you" in measure 82-83.

SATB - Sure On This Shining Night
Replace sure with shure. Get very soft at measure 47. In 48 the basses need to be stronger. In measure 53 for sopranos and in measure 56 for sopranos and altos the G must be right on pitch.

See you at the final rehearsal this Thursday.

Albin Dittli

APRIL 28 REHEARSAL

SA / TB SECTIONALS:

SA: SING SING SING. We reviewed measures 56-end and memorized the second half of the song. The "dings" in measures 33-40 need to be crisper. BOOGIE WOOGIE BUGLE BOY. Choreography added. Measures 36, 37 1st and 2nd sopranos sing both "A toot"s. WITNESS. Reviewed. OKLAHOMA. Reviewed trouble spots. Memorized first half of the song. Choreography.

TB: SING SING SING. Reviewed measures 56-end. Memorized second half of the song. OKLAHOMA. Measured 165 - end. Memorized the first half of the song. Choreography. BRING HIM HOME. Reviewed. WITNESS. Reviewed.

SATB: GRAND NIGHT FOR SINGING. Reviewed. RED RED ROSE. Measure 12 sing an "h" before "as". Measure 48 sing an "h" before "I".

Announcements: Next two rehearsals will go until 9:30 p.m. May 12th rehearsal will be at the Maplewood Community Center. There will be an after concert party at the Thibeaudeau residence on May 14th. Please RSVP.

Have a great week!

APRIL 21 REHEARSAL

Hello fellow MMC members!

We started our rehearsal tonight by turning in 5 pieces of music: Every Knee Should Bow, Hosanna, Saints Bound for Heaven, This is the Christ, and Gloria.

Announcements: Feedback about Easter Fireside with BYU-I and stake choirs. Makeup Rehearsal tonight. Publicity for Spring Concert 5/14 is needed. Ideas contact Kendra. May 12 rehearsal will be at the Maplewood Community Center. Party at Barb's house after the 5/14 concert-Please RSVP.

The rest of the evening went as follows:

SECTIONALS: SING SING SING measures 1-27. We need to make our notes crisper and sing with accents on notes. SA: BOOGIE WOOGIE BUGLE BOY-reviewed. TB: BRING HIM HOME-reviewed. OKLAHAMA was reviewed and then we added choreography. We practiced the choreography SATB in the primary room.

SATB: SURE ON THIS SHINING NIGHT worked on measure 19. Watch timing and ritard. Also reviewed measures 38-end. GRAND NIGHT FOR SINGING. We need to make sure we are using a round, full sound. HOW CAN I KEEP FROM SINGING measures 46-66. Crescendo on held notes. Emphasize "can". Inunciate consonants.

We held our Easter party and enjoyed treats from the tenors and the makeup rehearsal attendees. Thanks to all who brought something:)

Hope these notes help in your practice this week. Happy Easter to all!

See you Thursday:)

--Marilyn

Easter Fireside

Wow! Thanks everyone for sharing your amazing talents last night! The Spirit was so strong as you sang like heavenly angels. So many lives were touched and edified by your efforts. Thank you JoAnne for this beautiful picture!