Week of September 14

GRCC rehearsals on September 21-22 will be held at Westover Hills Methodist Church for this week only, to stay out of the way of the bike race.

(Rehearsals will resume at Grace & Holy Trinity Episcopal Church the following week.)

Monday 4:30-6:15 Concert Choir - Meet in sanctuary

Monday 5:15-7:30 Cavalieri Choir - Meet in chapel

Monday 6:30-8:30 Pro Arte Choir - Meet in sanctuary

Tuesday 4:30-6:00 Treble Choir - Meet in sanctuary

Home practice and rehearsal preparation for Sept. 21-22

Learn YOUR assigned part BEFORE you arrive at rehearsal.

Rehearsal time should be used to put the music together.

Concert Choir Memorize the following 4 songs:

Me Nyame Ye - Ghanaian praise song - Soprano and Alto

We Love Music - Paul Kwami - Learn part marked "Children"

Evening Prayer - Humperdinck - Be prepared to sing one on a part - SA

He's Got the Whole World in His Hands - All sing melody all verses

Learn the first two pages of "Hallelujah Chorus" with solfege & words - SA

Cavalieri Choir

Lord Don't Move the Mountain - sing from memory

Pro Arte Choir

Wade in the Water - Be prepared to sing one on a part from memory.

Evening Prayer - Humperdinck - Be prepared to sing one on a part from memory.

Cantare Choir

Me Nyame Ye - Ghanaian praise song - from memory - SATB as written

We Love Music - Paul Kwami - from memory PA-Soprano/Mezzo/Alto; Cav-Baritone

Living in a Holy City - Hatfield - from memory - Secure pages 6-9! PA-SMA; Cav-TB

Prayer of Desmond Tutu - PA -SA; Cav-TB - Learn parts in solfege and with words.

Hallelujah Chorus - PA-SA; Cav-TB - D is "Do" Learn in solfege first 4 pages to Letter D

Treble Choir

Me Nyame Ye - Ghanaian praise song - Soprano and Alto

We Love Music - Paul Kwami - Learn part marked "Children"

He's Got the Whole World in His Hands - All sing melody all verses

September 9, 2015

GRCC rehearsals begin next week at Grace & Holy Trinity:

Monday Sept. 14th 4:30-6:15 Concert Choir

Monday Sept. 14th 5:15-7:30 Cavalieri Choir

Monday Sept. 14th 6:30-8:30 Pro Arte Choir

Tuesday Sept. 15th 4:30-6:00 Treble Choir

And please mark your calendar. On the second week of rehearsals, Sept. 21-22, to stay out of the way of the bike race, we will hold rehearsals at Westover Hills United Methodist where we just held camp in August. So that means 1st week will be at Grace & Holy Trinity, 2nd week at Westover Hills, 3rd week and on at Grace & Holy Trinity. 

Home practice and rehearsal preparation for Sept. 14 -15

Learn YOUR assigned part BEFORE you arrive at rehearsal.

Rehearsal time should be used to put the music together.

We had an excellent start to the season with camp! If we all keep up on our home practice assignments found on this website, we will enjoy a successful season making great music! Thank you in advance for your best effort.

Concert Choir Review and have memorized from camp:

Me Nyame Ye - Ghanaian praise song

We Love Music - Paul Kwami

Evening Prayer - Humperdinck - Be prepared to sing one on a part.

Those who did not attend camp will receive folders on Sept. 14 and should concentrate the following week on catching up with this assignment.

Cavalieri Choir - Review and have memorized from camp:

Lord Don't Move the Mountain

Pro Arte Choir - Review and have memorized from camp:

Wade in the Water - Be prepared to sing one on a part.

Evening Prayer - Humperdinck - Be prepared to sing one on a part.

Cantare Choir   Review and have memorized from camp:

Me Nyame Ye - Ghanaian praise song

We Love Music - Paul Kwami

Living in a Holy City - Hatfield

Treble Choir

If you were at camp, review "Me Nyame Ye" and "We Love Music".

Those who were not at camp will receive folders at the first rehearsal. 

Week of June 1, 2015

HOME PRACTICE INSTRUCTIONS FOR JUNE 7 SPRING CONCERT.

The rehearsals on Monday and Tuesday June 1 and 2 went well at Holy Comforter Episcopal Church where we will have our concert on Sunday. The church has a lovely live acoustic. Make sure you sing with trumpet-bell mouths and GOOD DICTION so that our audience can understand clear consonants carried by beautiful vowels.

Treble Choir

Practice singing your songs at home in front of your parents standing tall with hands by your side and focused on the music.

How Can I Keep from Singing - You all sang this one-on-a-part on Tuesday. Secure any spots where you were tempted to fall into singing the other part. Make sure you know your words for each verse.

A Hymn of Glory - Continue to review words. Sing beautiful phrases. Enunciate words.

Two Tigers and Sing a Song  - Watch Mr. Pete to keep a steady beat and hold on to your part in these pieces with tricky rhythms. Both of these songs are lively and fun. Show that in your voice and your face and body. Enjoy!

Practice your part in Siyahamba:

top: Zach, Grace, Lila, Mia-Lynn

middle: James, Faith, Wesley, Tani-Marie

bottom: Matthew, Arelis, Brock, Maria

Concert Choir

The Dove and the Maple Tree - You all sang this one-on-a-part on Monday. Secure any spots where you were tempted to fall into singing the other part. Observe breath marks and dynamics. Sing with beautiful tone, phrasing and diction. Watch Ms. Hope for cut-offs and tempo changes.

For Good - Articulate your consonants clearly and sing vowels with beautiful open tone. Review where to breathe and practice carrying over long phrases. Know where the rhythms and notes are slightly different from one verse to another. Watch for tempo changes. Kennedy, William and Lauren sing solo part at measure 60 with open mouths and good breath support. Alto part: Grace, Kelly, William, Clara, Maddie, Chip, Lea, Elisabeth, Cameron, Kennedy

Britten's Begone Dull Care, A Tragic Story, Fishing Song, Jazz-Man - Continue to review words. Sing beautiful phrases. Enunciate words. Watch Ms. Crystal.

Practice your part in Siyahamba:

top: Abbie, Peter, Treva, Anya, Ale, Lillian, Kamirra

middle: Jack, Lauren, Leo, Kennedy, Elizabeth, Clara, Lea

bottom: William, Kelly, Chip, Cameron, Maddie, Grace

Cavalieri Choir - Memorize carefully.

Death Be Not Proud - Secure rhythms and words. Practice where to breathe in long phrases. Open your mouths, sing with good breath support and enunciate! Watch Mr. Pete carefully to stay together with the piano.

Viva Tutti in the key of G - Sing with a blended, energetic sound. Watch! Enjoy!

Old Dan Tucker - Secure words, rhythms and clapping. Yee-Haw! Have fun!

Pro Arte Choir - Memorize carefully.

Banks of Doon - Review your parts for accurate harmony. Know where you are supposed to breathe and where you are not supposed to breathe and sing with beautiful phrases! Enunciate.

Jyoti, your cello part was beautiful on Monday. Keep practicing so it is beautiful Sunday.

Diu Diu Dang! - This piece is still in danger of a having a train wreck. You must practice your intervals and know on which beat the patterns change. No sheet music this time! It is a great piece and lots of fun when you know what you are doing. Study your part, and know what you are doing, so we can ALL have fun with it!

Cantare Choir   

Memorize Silent Silent Night, but we will use the sheet music, so also practice turning pages silently. This very live room is great, but it does eat up consonants. When we listened to the recording, it sounded like you were singing at the end, "Make it anything you chew," instead of "choose" so watch carefully for the cut off of the "s" but DO give us the "s". This song really isn't about eating.

Your noisy acting at the beginning of SSN helped get the message of the words across Monday. You can still do more.

From page 6 to the end, know your intervals and entrances and enunciate your words. Learn dynamics and practice breathing for long phrases. Watch Ms. Hope carefully at all times.

Tenors be secure in your pitch on measure 181. This seems to start on your break, so you need to practice finding the place in your voice that you can sing it accurately.

All voices, know your words in the section starting with the tenors at the bottom of page 13 so you can pass your three notes off to each other seamlessly and also enunciate the words clearly.

Review your part in Siyahamba - usual 3-part division in Pro Arte with Soprano on top, Middle on middle and Alto on bottom. Cavalieri divide into same 3 parts as for Viva Tutti.

Let's all do our best to make this a great concert to end an excellent year!

Week of May 11, 2015

HOME PRACTICE INSTRUCTIONS FOR MAY 11 TO THE JUNE 7 SPRING CONCERT. Please practice a minimum of 20 minutes every day.

All choristers be prepared to sing your part alone from memory.

Treble Choir

Arrive at Grace & Holy Trinity Church Sunday, May 17 at 7:45 AM to sing at the 8:45 AM worship service. (Details are in 5/12 handout and 5/14 email.)

Repertoire for June 7 Concert:

A Hymn of Glory - Continue to review words. Sing beautiful phrases. Enunciate words.

How Can I Keep from Singing, Two Tigers, and Sing a Song  - Be able to hold your part alone while singing in duets.

Learn Siyahamba with the following 3-part division:

top: Zach, Grace, Lila, Mia-Lynn

middle: James, Faith, Wesley, Tani-Marie

bottom: Matthew, Arelis, Brock, Maria

Concert Choir - Repertoire for June 7 Concert:

Britten's Begone Dull Care, A Tragic Story, Fishing Song, Jazz-Man - Continue to review words. Sing beautiful phrases. Enunciate words.

The Dove and the Maple Tree - Observe breath marks and dynamics. Sing with beautiful tone and phrasing. Be able to hold your part alone while singing in duets.

For Good was a good first performance but we still need to work on phrasing, breathing, and enunciation. Be able to hold your part alone while singing in duets. These people sing alto: Grace, Kelly, William, Clara, Maddie, Chip, Lea, Elisabeth, Cameron, Kennedy

Siyahamba - Learn with the following 3-part division:

top: Abbie, Peter, Treva, Anya, Ale, Lillian, Kamirra

middle: Jack, Lauren, Leo, Kennedy, Elizabeth, Clara, Lea

bottom: William, Kelly, Chip, Cameron, Maddie, Grace

Cavalieri Choir - Repertoire for June 7 Concert: Memorize by May 18th Rehearsal!

Death Be Not Proud - Secure correct notes, words & rests to hold it with the piano.

Viva Tutti in the key of G - Aim for a uniform, blended, energetic sound.

Old Dan Tucker - Secure words, rhythms and clapping.

Cantare Choir - Repertoire for June 7 Concert:  Memorize by May 18th Rehearsal!

KNOW your part for ALL of Silent Silent Night and Scarborough Fair!

Review Siyahamba.

Pro Arte Choir - Repertoire for June 7 Concert: Memorize by May 18th Rehearsal!

Diu Diu Dang! - You have never performed this from memory, so you must memorize it!

Banks of Doon - Learn your parts. Sing with beautiful phrases. Cello listen for good tone and intonation and study choir parts to know your entrances.

We are now registering new GRCC members for the 2015-16 Season. Please invite friends and classmates to join and contact us at grcchoir@gmail.com!

Congratulations to the Cantare Choir on two successful performances of Gilbert & Sullivan Iolanthe on May 8th & 9th. The accolades are still coming in. Thank you for your good preparation and good humor!

Congratulations to Concert Choir member Jack Rigdon who was the boy soloist in Bernstein's Chichester Psalms with the Richmond Symphony and Chorus May 9th and 10th. It was a beautiful and moving performance. Many thanks to the Richmond Symphony, Erin Freeman, and to Jack's mom, Rachel Rigdon, who arranged for tickets for a group of about 20 GRCC family members to attend on Sunday. It was a treat for all of us!

Week of April 27, 2015

We are accepting new GRCC members for the 2015-16 Season. Please tell friends and classmates about the information session at GHTC on Tuesday, May 12!

Gilbert & Sullivan Iolanthe performances by the GRCC Cantare Choir and Capitol Opera Richmond will be Friday May 8th and Saturday May 9th. Go to the Capitol Opera website for ticket information. This promises to be a great show! http://www.capitoloperarichmond.com/upcoming-showsget-tickets.html

Concert Choir member Jack Rigdon will be performing with the Richmond Symphony and Chorus May 9th and 10th. If you are interested in attending the Sunday matinee with a group of GRCC members, please contact Jack's mom, Rachel Rigdon. See this link for more information about the RSO concert.

http://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwclassical/article/Richmond-Symphony-to-Join-Forces-with-Chorus-on-BERNSTEIN-CHICHESTER-PSLAMS-59-20150429#

HOME PRACTICE INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE WEEK OF MAY 1- 10. Practice every day following the instructions posted here weekly!

Treble Choir

Congratulations on your successful concert at the Library Saturday, April 25th! Thank you for your wonderful singing and introductions!

For Rehearsal May 5th:

A Hymn of Glory - Sing individually all verses from memory with correct notes and words

How Can I Keep from Singing - Individually hold your part in last verse with the other part

We will hand out service music and hymns for GHTC May 17th 8:45 service. Practice them at home the following week also.

Begin working on Siyahamba with the following 3-part division:

top: Zach, Grace, Lila, Mia-Lynn, Sarah

middle: James, Faith, Wesley, Tani-Marie

bottom: Matthew, Arelis, Brock, Maria

Continue to practice Two Tigers and Sing a Song for our June 7th Spring Concert.

Concert Choir

What a great day we had in Staunton at the School for the Deaf and Blind and at the Frontier Museum on Wednesday, April 22nd! Thank you for your beautiful expressive singing, your outgoing and warm interactions with the visually handicapped children at the school, and your general good humor to make it the perfect day!

For Rehearsal May 4th:

Learn Britten's Fishing Song passed out at the 4/27 rehearsal and be able to sing it solo.

For Good was a good first performance but we still need to work on phrasing, breathing, and enunciation. Be able to hold your part by yourself with the other part. These people sing alto: Grace, Kelly, William, Clara, Maddie, Chip, Lea, Elisabeth, Cameron, Kennedy

We will hand out Siyahamba at rehearsal. Begin learning this with the following 3-part division:

top: Abbie, Peter, Treva, Anya, Ale, Lillian, Kamirra

middle: Jack, Lauren, Leo, Kennedy, Elizabeth, Clara, Lea

bottom: William, Kelly, Chip, Cameron, Maddie, Grace

Continue to practice other Britten songs and Dvorak for June 7th Spring Concert.

CANTARE CHOIR

IOLANTHE REHEARSALS AND PERFORMANCES THIS WEEK:

Have all music and dialogue memorized for Friday, May 1st rehearsal at Bon Air Baptist Church 7-9:30 p.m. Bring scores to take notes on additional staging and practice this with the music at home.

4/30/15 Update to 4/27 handout - Important music changes to #1 and #17 fairy choruses:

We are going to need additional voices for the solo fairy lines in order for those parts to be heard in the rather dead acoustic of Henrico Theater. Please review these parts to sing tomorrow (5/1.) Our soloists are doing a great job and this help on the music lines will take some of the pressure off so they can focus on the spoken lines and staging.

All sopranos sing with Celia in #1 Letter C (p. 15-16) and on the 2nd verse of #17 (p. 155-156.) 

All altos sing with Leila in #1 Letter E (p. 17-18) and on the 1st verse #17 (pages 155-156.)

Act I Finale pages 128-129 - All fairies will sing the parts marked Recit. for Celia and Leila. Follow Elizabeth Levit and use good breath support, trumpet bell mouth, and well-articulated consonants. Remember you are really angry with the lords, so put some fire into it!

All Lords and Fairies! http://www.grcchoir.org/practice-notes/

See GRCC website home practice instructions for additional music notes.

Handout 4/27/15

As the show approaches we have some important reminders and costume updates for you.

1. Costume fittings will be Saturday, May 2nd during rehearsal. Please bring all of the relevant costume pieces listed below.

Fairies:

1. Colorful leggings

-Any bright color is acceptable but please no dark colors

-Note: these should be leggings not tights

-Suggestions: Forever 21, H&M, Target, etc.

            2. Dance shoes, isotone slippers, or socks with grips on the bottom (bright colors preferred)

            3. White/ neutral tone tank top to wear under costume

            Aidan and Sam B.:

            1. Plain white t-shirt

            2. Dance shoes, isotone slippers, or socks with grips on the bottom (bright colors preferred)

            Lords:

            1. Black pants

            2. Black shoes and socks

            3. White undershirt to wear under costume

2. We need dress shirt sizes for all lords ASAP.

3. We still need a few props for the show. If you have any of the following items, please bring them in at your earliest convenience.

            1. Monopoly or Game of Life board game

2. Icicles

3. Giant coins

4. Four leaf clover

5. Flags: France, Greece, and a generic white flag

4. Each member of the cast will receive 2 complimentary tickets; they will be at will call under YOUR name. When the guests arrive they should go to the ticket office and pick up their tickets.

5. Please invite your friends to the event on Facebook.  We do our best to get the word out about the show, but it is much more efficient when you invite your friends and family as well! 

Tickets can be purchased at the Capitol Opera Richmond website:

http://www.capitoloperarichmond.com/upcoming-showsget-tickets.html

Iolanthe choruses see chorus part directory below.

The operetta has been divided into 5 sections for rehearsal purposes:

Part I - #1-5 pages 12-40

Part II - #6-12, pages 41-88

Part III - #13 Finale Act I, pages 89-143

Part IV - #14-19, pages 144-180

Part V - #20-25, pages 181-208

Iolanthe Chorus of Fairies parts - page numbers:

#1 Tripping hither.... 13-20

#2 Invocation... 23, 26-28

#3 Good morrow... 30

#4 Fare thee well 32-34

#13 Act I Finale 107-108, 110-116, 117-118, 120-125, 130-143

#15 Strephon's a Member... 148-149, 151-152

#16 When Britain really ruled... 154

#17 In vain... 156-157

#18 Oh, foolish fay 159-160

#24 It may not be 199-202 (Valkeries)

#25 Finale 206-208

Iolanthe Chorus of Peers (Lords) parts - page numbers:

#6 Loudly let the trumpet bray... 42-54

#7 The Law... 57, 59, 61

#8 My well-loved lord... 63, 64-65, 69-71

#9 Nay, tempt me not... 72

#10 Spurn not the nobly born 74, 76

#11 My Lords, it may not be 77, 79-84

#13 Act I Finale 90-92, 95, 97, 99, 100-101, 104-106, 109-110, 112-116, 120-125, 126, 128, 129, 130-143

#15 Strephon's a Member... 149-152

#16 When Britain really ruled... 154

#25 Finale 206-208

Iolanthe Combined chorus parts - page numbers:

#13 Act I Finale 104-143, #15 Strephon's 148-152

#16 When Britain 154, #25 Finale 206-208

CANTARE PRACTICE INSTRUCTIONS AFTER IOLANTHE

Cavalieri Choir -

Continue to learn Britten "Death Be Not Proud."

Practice "Viva Tutti" in the key of G. Learn "Old Dan Tucker."

Cantare Choir

KNOW your part for ALL of Silent Silent Night!

KNOW your part for ALL of Scarborough Fair!

Pro Arte Choir

"Diu Diu Dang!" must be memorized!

Learn your part in "Banks of Doon."

Week of 4/13/15

Treble Choir

April 21 Mandatory Rehearsal for April 25th Library concert - have all music memorized! New music for this concert is in bold. Know your words and secure your rhythms.

The following people sing 2nd part on pages 6-7 in both "Sing a Song" and "How Can I Keep from Singing"- Maria, Brock, Matthew, Tani-Marie, Arelis, Wesley

Sat. April 25, 2:00 p.m. Lyrics, Laughter & Learning!  Richmond Public Library Gellman Room Concert, 101 E. Franklin St. 23219 -Treble Choir 30-31 min. of music

How Can I Keep from Singing? 2:30min

A Hymn of Glory #218 Hymnal 2:45min

Bernstein Chichester Psalm 23 - solo part - Brock Henderson - 2 min.

Alahu Akbar  2min

Two Tigers, Dilworth 2:45min

Mo Li Hua – 2min - soloist Wesley Buskey - Wesley, review pronunciation and secure words.

Consider Yourself 2:30 min

America the Beautiful  2 min

A Party Game Song: The No Laugh Race 10 min.

Alphaduet Song, Bennighof 2:40min 

Sing a Song 1:30min

The following people have reading parts: Grace, Mia-Lynn, Faith, Wesley, Maria, Tani-Marie, Brock - Practice your readings in front of your family so that you can read fluently with expression. If you have misplaced your paper, email us at GRCC and we will send you another copy by email. 

Concert Choir

April 20 Mandatory Rehearsal for April 22 Day Trip to Staunton VA - have all music memorized! Be sure to secure rhythms, as well as notes and words.

Please return your forms for the April 22nd Staunton field trip if you haven't done so already. Red information sheet, Blue Permission form, White form to give to your teacher or administrator at your school

"For Good" (Wicked) Following people sing alto part: Grace, Kelly, William, Clara, Maddie, Chip, Lea, Elisabeth, Cameron, Kennedy

We will sing the following repertoire. New repertoire is in bold.

Hine Ma Tov 4 min

Bernstein Chichester Psalm 23 - solo part - Jack Rigdon - 2 min.

Dvorak - The Dove and the Maple Tree 2min.

When Will the Scholartree Blossom? 1:30 min.

Follow the Drinking Gourd 3 min

"For Good" from Wicked 4:30 min.
Britten Friday Afternoons 5 min. - #1 Begone Dull Care! #2 A Tragic Story, #10 Jazz-man
Cherokee Welcome to the Day - GRCC and VSDB sing together

 

Cavalieri Choir - See also Cantare below. Rehearsal time April 20 - 7:00-9:00 p.m. to review music and stage part 4 of Iolanthe.

MEMORIZE your part in Iolanthe Chorus #6 #7, #8, #9, #10, #11. Review blocking.

Continue to learn Britten "Death Be Not Proud."

Practice "Viva Tutti" in the key of G. Learn "Old Dan Tucker."

Cantare Choir - Pro Arte and Cavalieri - Rehearsal time April 20 - 7:00-9:00 p.m. to review music and stage part 4 of Iolanthe

7:00-7:30 Choir room - rehearse Iolanthe #15, #16, #17, #18

7:30-9:00 Block Part 4 (#15, 16, 17, 18) in parish hall

MEMORIZE your part in Iolanthe Chorus #13, 15, 16, 25

KNOW your part for ALL of Silent Silent Night!

KNOW your part for ALL of Scarborough Fair!

Pro Arte Choir - See also Cantare above. - Rehearsal time April 20 - 7:00-9:00 p.m. to review music and stage part 4 of Iolanthe

MEMORIZE your part in Iolanthe #1, #2, #3, #4, #17, #18, #24 Review blocking.

"Diu Diu Dang!" must be memorized!

Learn your part in "Banks of Doon."

"Nightingale" has been dropped from the spring concert to spend more time on the other music above. Please turn in your score to "Nightingale."

Iolanthe choruses see chorus part directory below.

The operetta has been divided into 5 sections for rehearsal purposes:

Part I - #1-5 pages 12-40

Part II - #6-12, pages 41-88

Part III - #13 Finale Act I, pages 89-143

Part IV - #14-19, pages 144-180

Part V - #20-25, pages 181-208

Iolanthe Chorus of Fairies parts - page numbers:

#1 Tripping hither.... 13-20

#2 Invocation... 23, 26-28

#3 Good morrow... 30

#4 Fare thee well 32-34

#13 Act I Finale 107-108, 110-116, 117-118, 120-125, 130-143

#15 Strephon's a Member... 148-149, 151-152

#16 When Britain really ruled... 154

#17 In vain... 156-157

#18 Oh, foolish fay 159-160

#24 It may not be 199-202 (Valkeries)

#25 Finale 206-208

Iolanthe Chorus of Peers (Lords) parts - page numbers:

#6 Loudly let the trumpet bray... 42-54

#7 The Law... 57, 59, 61

#8 My well-loved lord... 63, 64-65, 69-71

#9 Nay, tempt me not... 72

#10 Spurn not the nobly born 74, 76

#11 My Lords, it may not be 77, 79-84

#13 Act I Finale 90-92, 95, 97, 99, 100-101, 104-106, 109-110, 112-116, 120-125, 126, 128, 129, 130-143

#15 Strephon's a Member... 149-152

#16 When Britain really ruled... 154

#25 Finale 206-208

Iolanthe Combined chorus parts - page numbers:

#13 Act I Finale 104-143, #15 Strephon's 148-152

#16 When Britain 154, #25 Finale 206-208