Rehearsal Resources
Practice Notes
Tundra
Sections to Practice:
· Rehearsal "A" through Rehearsal "B"
Practice Goals:
· Secure difficult 5–6-part splits - Listen carefully to your part and neighboring parts to ensure clean entries and accurate intervals.
· Measures 1-33: Faint Music Section - Work on consistent tone quality across these long, slow phrases
Focus on breath support to maintain steady, even tone
Practice gentle dynamic control without sacrificing pitch accuracy
Blend vowels carefully for unified sound
Verleih Uns Frieden
Sections to Practice:
· Measures 70 to the end
Practice Goals:
· Learn the text - Familiarize yourself with pronunciation and meaning
· Four-part chorale section - Ensure your part is secure in this SATB texture
· Practice vertical alignment with other voice parts
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
Sections to Practice:
· Measures 1-57
Practice Goals:
· Treble splits - Solidify when the line divides into SSA versus SAA
· Mark these divisions clearly in your music
· Practice transitions between split and unison sections
· Consistent tone across long, slow phrases - Apply same techniques as in "Tundra"
· Focus on connected legato singing
O Come, All Ye Faithful
Sections to Practice:
· Measures 1-35
Practice Goals:
· TB splits and SSA splits - All voice parts have divisi sections to secure
· Diction for forward momentum - Consonants should propel the phrase forward
· Avoid heavy consonants that slow the tempo
· Practice crisp but light articulation
· Keep the energy moving through the text
Glory to God
First Read-Through Preparation:
· Identify any challenging sections (difficult intervals, rhythms)
· Be prepared to discuss potential trouble spots in rehearsal
· Important: Solo auditions will be announced soon - start considering if you're interested!
· Please review these sections and come prepared. The more secure we are individually, the more we can accomplish together in rehearsal!
Verbum caro factum est: Y la virgen le dezia
Practice Goals:
· Third beat of each measure is a spring board to the first beat of the next measure.
· Practice with “dit – dah” to emphasize the third to first beat relationship.
· Ultimately must be felt in one.
· The first beat of each measure is the focal point but should never become too heavy.
· Clean diction and articulation of consonants will take care of rhythmic accuracy.
Durante – Magnificat
We are going to perform the entire work, not just the first movement! I will have the remaining movements for you on Tuesday, including the solos. I already have some who have expressed interest in performing the solos but will wait to make a decision so there is time for anyone who is interested to practice and let it settle in. Please do not wait to express your interest!
· Latin should be familiar to everyone in West Shore Chorale. Please continue to practice with vowels and consonants that are appropriate for the language (no American “R”, plenty of vertical space, placement that is high and forward, and with no uncontrolled, tension vibrato).
· Be aware of when you do not have the primary motive (movt. 1) and adjust volume (not intensity) accordingly.
The Virgin Mary Had a Baby Boy
Practice Goals
· Identify the subtle differences in your part when the section repeats but the notes are different. If you take the time to do this, you should have no problems memorizing this piece.
· I will give you detailed articulations Tuesday.
· I will need someone to play the egg shaker for the performance.
Before the Marvel of this Night
Practice Goals
· Diction, Diction, Diction!
· Every time you take a breath, you must do so in a measured way, knowing where you are going or what it is you will be doing with the phrase.
· S/A – m. 54 to the end must not become heavy and/or overshadow T/B. Clean diction and an awareness of phrasing will create a wonderful duet.
T/B – m. 54 to the end. Articulation and an agile transfer to head voice as you ascend to higher passages will keep you from getting to heavy.