First Soprano rehearsal notes

Rehearsal Notes for January 13

Warm-up

Grown Wild

Hope is the thing with feathers

Universal: Be more British with the “r” (e.g., feathuhs)
Universal: Also note the quick cut-off of “feathers”–don't hang on too long
Universal: Phonate voiced consonants in general
Universal: Question to raise with Jane: Should voicing be as per previous performances, with all sopranos on the top staff and altos split on the bottom staff?
Page 1: Note the tricky syncopated rhythm here
Mm. 7-9: Be aware that, even though the tempo does not accelerate, there's a sensation of more speed because of the 6/8 time signature; communicate that urgency without rushing
Measure 8: Keep the C# high (keeping the soft palate high and the “eh” vowel rounded will help)
lMm. 10-11: Note the change in dynamics
Measure 11: Question for Jane: Is the “And” on the last 1/8 note dropped, per previous performances?
Measure 11 and wherever it occurs: If we are singing the “And,” don't clip it–keep it legato (think “Land” but drop the “L”)
Mm. 19-20 (and wherever it occurs, e.g., mm. 39-40 and 59-60): Pitch doesn't change (G# = A-flat)
Pages 5-7: Note the roadmap; also note that there is a different text underlay for verses 1 and 2

This Sky Falls

I Started Out Singing

Measure 9 and wherever it occurs: Keep the 1/8-note “I” legato; don't clip it
Measure 10: Hold the dotted quarter for its full value
Measure 11: Emphasize the “oh,” not the “yes”
Measure 15: Match the C to the C in measure 14–keep it high; also keep the B-flat and A-flat high; “I started out”–think “aw”
Measure 16: Crescendo
Measure 25: Emphasize “in,” not “time,” and keep the whole phrase legato
Mm. 30-31: Crescendo on the descending notes, and remember that “sea” is the most important word of the phrase
Page 4: Note the 7/8 to 4/4 time signature changes
Measure 52: Give the dotted 1/4 its full value before putting on the “s” of “giggles”
Mm. 66 & 68: Be aware that one “I” is a 1/4 note and the other is an 1/8
Pages 6 & 7: Divisi to be determined by Jane

Shadow River

Measure 5: Drop the “r” of “tender”
Mm. 7 & 23: S1s split; lower S1s, put the “s” of “skies” on the 1/8 rest in measure 7 (similarly the “d” of “land” in measure 23)
Measure 30: Be prepared for the big change coming at the turn of the page