Select Past Blue Notes December 2, 2003 January 6, 2004 January 13, 2004 January 27, 2004 February 3, 2004 February 10, 2004 February 17,2004 February 28,2004 March 8,2004 March 16,2004 March 23,2004 March 30,2004 April 6, 2004 April 13,2004 April 20,2004 April 27.2004 May 4, 2004 May 11.2004 May 18,2004 May 21,2004 August, 2004 September 7, 2004 September 14, 2004 September 21, 2004 September 28, 2004 October 19, 2004 October 26,2004 November 2, 2004 November 9, 2004 November 16,2004 November 23,2004 November 30.2004 December 4, 2004 December 14, 2004 January 4, 2005 January 11, 2005 January 18, 2005 February 1, 2005 February 8, 2005 February 15, 2005 February 22, 2005 March 1, 2005 March 10, 2005 March 29,2005 April 5, 2005 April 12, 2005 April 19,2005 April 26,2005 May 3, 2005 May 17, 2005 May 24, 2005 May 25, 2005 August 23, 2005 September 6, 2005 September 13, 2005 September 20, 2005 October 4, 2005 October 11, 2005 October 18, 2005 October 25, 2005 November 1, 2005 November 8, 2005 November 15, 2005

BLUE NOTES FOR TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2005

 

Please

•  read each Tuesday's Blue Notes carefully so valuable rehearsal time isn't wasted on unnecessary and sometimes hard-to-understand announcements.

•  save those parking places north of the Unitarian Church entrance for church members.

•  check to see if you have all six pieces of holiday music.

•  help yourself to posters for the holiday concert and distribute them wisely and widely.

•  check the back table for things you don't have but might want: current membership lists , program notes for three concerts, translations of Carmina Burana , last week's Blue Notes.

•  sign up for juice detail-and pay for what you drink.

•  turn in any last-minute program ads (and money!) to Debbie Geismar.

•  hand any donations to Len Barker tonight so credit can be given in the December 4 program. (Forms are on the back table.)

•  consider being a host/ess for the December 6 listening party .

•  buy tickets and buy tickets and buy tickets and buy tickets and buy ti

 

 

UPCOMING SCHEDULE:

*On Tuesday, November 29 , we meet at Faith, Hope & Charity at 7:30 P.M. Plan to arrive earlier in order to locate seats so we can begin singing as soon as possible. If you don't know or have forgotten how to get there, maps are available on the back table tonight.

**On Saturday, December 3 , our "dress" rehearsal call is for 9:30 A.M. to 12:30 P.M. At 12:30, we strike our chairs, and the Agape Ringers continue to rehearse on their own.

***On Sunday, December 4 , our call is for 1:15; the concert begins at 2:30 and lasts (without intermission) for about 90 minutes.

For all of these sessions, help is needed to set up and tear down. More information will be available next Tuesday.

 

 

Yes, there will be a rehearsal for Carmina Burana on Tuesday, December 13, at the usual time and place.

 

Please let Len Barker know of anyone(s) who should receive complimentary tickets for our December concert.

 

Sing-along Messiah s:

Sunday, November 27 , 4:00, Trinity Episcopal Church, Highland Park . Donald will conduct, with full orchestra and audition-winning soloists.

Saturday, December 10 , 2:30, St. Lawrence Episcopal Church, Libertyville, and Sunday, December 11 , Gorton Community Center , Lake Forest . Contact Michael Poulos, 847/492-9800 or mIchael@poulos.law for information.

 

A preview of the December concert can be heard at www.agaperingers.org . And Gwyneth Walker's Rejoice! can be heard on our website-though not in the newly re-orchestrated version that we will perform.

 

The North Wave Chorus (a recently-formed men's a cappella chorus to which our own Phil Martin belongs) hosts its first annual holiday show at 3:00 P.M. on Saturday, December 10, at Edgewater Presbyterian Church, 1020 West Bryn Mawr in Chicago. Entitled "This is Christmas 2005--and Home for the Holidays," the program includes not only the North Wave Chorus but also the Edgewater Presbyterian Ensemble and Choir, the Evanston Township High School Bell Ringers, and visits by Santa Claus and magician Terrence Francisco--all for $15. For more information or tickets, call Phil at 847/475-3562 or visit the website, www.northwavechorus.com.

 

Once again the opportunity comes to purchase the perfect gift for a music lover and support NSCS at the same time. It's Enchanted Remembrances , Susanne Schmaltz's story (translated by Inge Kistler) of growing up in the 19 th century world of Brahms, Clara Schumann, Jenny Lind, Liszt, and other prominent artists. (The author once turned down a request to sing the role of the maiden in Part II of Das Paradies und die Peri .) Copies are available at the back table for a reduced price of $20.00--$10.00 of which becomes a contribution to NSCS.

Elaine Mensinger , a regular usher at our concerts for many years, recently passed away. A memorial service is scheduled at the Unitarian Church this Saturday at 11:00 A.M.

 

Think on this: What about beginning our rehearsals at 7:00 and ending and 9:30?

 

For an item in next Tuesday's Blue Notes , contact Len Barker at 847/272-2351 or lenpbarker@comcast.net.

 

A Choral Singer's Guide to Keeping the Conductor in Line

 

* Complain about the temperature of the rehearsal room, the lighting, the lack of space, or a draft. It is best to do this when the conductor is under pressure.

* Bury your head in the music just before an important cue.

* Ask for a re-audition or seating change. Ask often. Give the impression you're about to quit. Let the conductor know you're there as a personal favor.

* Loudly clear your throat during pauses. Quiet instrumental interludes are a good opportunity for blowing your nose.

* Long after a passage has gone by, ask the conductor if your low C was in tune. This is especially effective if you didn't have a low C or were not singing at the time.

* Wait until well into a rehearsal before letting the conductor know you don't have any music.

* Look at your watch frequently. Shake it in disbelief occasionally.

* If your phrasing differs from that of others singing the same phrase, stick to your guns. Do not ask the conductor which is correct until backstage just before the concert.

* Tell the conductor, "I'm not sure of the beat." Conductors are always sensitive about their "stick technique," so challenge it frequently.

* If you're singing in a language with which the conductor is the least bit unfamiliar, ask him as many questions as possible about the meaning of individual words. Occasionally, say the word twice and ask his preference for pronunciation, making certain to say it exactly the same both times. If he remarks on their similarity, give a look of utter disdain and mutter under your breath about "subtleties of inflection."

* Remember - softer means slower.