First Soprano rehearsal notes

March 17 Rehearsal Notes

Please note for next week's rehearsal: first sopranos sit in back.

Also, for anyone interested in singing the solo in Always Something Sings: auditions will be held on April 7.

OK, on to today's rehearsal notes.

The Tree House: Orchard (mm. 31-87)

Universal for the unpitched shushing passages: Be aggressive in differentiating the vowels, which are formed by shaping the lips, not the sound. The sound is continuous–don't reiterate the “sh,” but rather keep it moving smoothly, with lots of air and energy. The flowing vowel sounds should naturally create the crescendi/decrescendi that are marked in the score.
Universal: Be scrupulous with the cutoffs. The silences are as interesting as the notes. So is the rhythm of the words, which the cutoffs support.
Universal: NO VIBRATO. Jane indicated lots of specific spots that I'll pass along, but in general, just keep a straight tone.
Measure 36: Keep the F as high as possible, with no vibrato
Measure 43: No vibrato; vowel is “aw”
Measure 44: Observe the accent, and cut off by beat 2; note, too, that everyone has the same pitch on beat 1
Measure 48: No vibrato; vowel is “aw”
Measure 54: Shush before beat 2
Measure 55: No vibrato
Measure 73: Accelerando–watch Jane
Measure 74: No vibrato; vowel is “aw”
Measure 75: Change to a dotted half note with a quarter rest
Measure 77: Give the whole note its full value
Mm. 53, 58, 62-63, 70 & 71: Keep the A-natural in your ear, “no matter what”–internalize it
Pages 16-17: Build to “the biggest climax you can imagine” at measure 83. Jane referenced Diane's presentation: let thoughts of all the women who worked behind the scenes to create our history inform the sound.
Measure 83: The “-to-” of “history” is a schwa

The Tree House: Alder (measure 127-end)

Mm. 127 & 129: Observe the accents
Measure 133: Remember that the F# is a half-step up from the note we just sang
Mm. 136-138: Don't pinch the vowel of “blinks” or close it down too soon–thing “ing”
Measure 138: “In-ksas” (give the vowel its full value and elide the “ks” of “blinks” with “as”)
Measure 142: Minimize (or drop) the “ll” of “you'll”; you might want to practice this measure, too–it will be easier if you don't have to read it
Mm. 142-146: Think “aw”
Pages 34-35: The word is “fawn-tin”
Last 3 measures: We need to listen to each other and gauge as a group how to navigate the decrescendo/crescendo so that no one sticks out

Where the Light Begins (pages 1-7)

Universal: Keep the eighth-note pulse so you know where/how the syncopations occur
Universal: Be aware that the piano is on the beat–don't be swayed
Measure 3: We come in on a 1/16, but don't make it peep–give it energy; give the vowel of “-haps” its full value; and don't sit on “not”–take it on a journey (with no vibrato)
Measure 5: Don't close down the “-haps” of “perhaps” too soon
Page 3 into 4: Turn the page early so you're prepared for the rhythm
Measure 8: Cut off right on beat 2
Mm. 10-11: Be aware that the rhythms of these two measures are not the same (thank you, Bozena!)
Measure 11: Vowel of “house” is “aw” with no diphthong
Measure 17: Be ready for the rhythm change
Measure 18: Vowel is “aw”
Pages 6-7: Practice the rhythms and be ready to sing out

This Sky Falls (various)