Friday, February 22, 2008

Chorus Notes #7 - Chapter Meeting February 19, 2008 and Joe's Vocal Studio Notes

Thanks to Dean Rust for the following notes on our last rehearsal and the recent vocal studios.

Clap Your Hands

A. Joe's introductory notes given to attendees at the vocal studios on February 17 and 21.

- Lead pickup (m 8): "And you will..." not "we". (Bass pickup in m 66 is "and we will" and is correct as written.)
- no dialect: yo=yore, not your; and debble=devil.
- "Pebble" - second syllable is like "oo" in "book", and don't let the "l" creep in.
- Lead note change on "ber" of "remember" (ms 48 and 74): in both cases "ber" is one full step lower than written in the sheet music.
- "don't you lose time, don't you lose time", lead and bari in ms 39-40 and all parts in ms 82-83: use the schwa "ya" instead of "you".
- "Hallelujah, etc."(ms 31...): Not "Hal" but "Hall", use ah vowel.


B. Chapter Meeting February 19, 2008

- General: must know cold the notes, words and breathing plan for this weekend's retreat; stop using learning track; swing all the 1/8 notes.
- "Oh--, whoa--oh, Oh--, whoa-oh" (ms 1-4): Good round "Oh" vowel to start, not loud but not wimpy; "whoa" explodes but lead up to that dynamic, don't drop off on the 2nd "oh", finish it.
- Lead pickups, "And you will" (m 8) and "But you can" (m 16): anticipate them, they're important.
- "CHASE" (m 17): Learn it.
- "Clap-a yore hands" (m 29): Let's hear the "c" in "clap" and get right to the vowel in "clap" which is like "a" of "at", make it tall. Bari: use the entire instrument on the vowel, don't wimp out.

Happy Feet

- Don't move jaw when doing non-durational "doots"
- "Wha-da dance, do we do" (ms 1-2): remember dynamic plan, start at 6, up to 8 on "dance", back to 6 on first "do" and cresc. to 8 on second "do" -
- "Happy Feet" (m 13, etc.): Don't clip "happy", sing "habby" if it helps. -
- Charleston - "Rumba" - roll "r" and make sure the "m" has pitch.

Mona Lisa

- General: watch director; more movement, less waiting; song moves along except when it doesn't; many changes from the learning track.
- "Mona Lisa, Mona Lisa, men have named you, (You're) You're so" (ms 16-20): Don't drag but don't rush either, watch director, break after first "Mona Lisa"; bass take a quick breath before pickup on "You're", other parts cutoff at direction of bass pickup. Remember emotional context from the intro "What does she want? No one knows."
- "Or just a cold and lonely, lovely work of art?" (ms 52-56): break after "lovely", leads take it easy on the octave jump on "art", bass don't plod on "cold and lonely"
- tenor/bari, "Mona Lisa" (ms 61-62, at the end): don't get "swipey" with your moving line.

Music of the Night

- "...my music." (m 9, first "my music"): make a production of "sic" and a slight emphasis on the "c".
- Bass solo, "Night time sharpens...", Non-Basses on "ooh" (ms 11-14): All parts - Be there with confidence on the entrance; Non-basses be like violins, no breaths, stagger if necessary.
- Lead - "Soar" (m 34): don't pinch the sound, and don't lean into the swipe as you come down.
- "the darkness of the music of the night" (ms 44-46): this is the loud one, watch the director, he'll let you know.
- "...where you want to be!" (m 52): strength on "be" and throw the frisbee on the cutoff.
- Lead pickup - "Only" (m 52): With confidence.
- "night." (m 71, last word of song): only section leaders provide the "t" on "night."

We Hope to Go Tonight As Scheduled

Gentlemen,

Our coach was delayed but is now in the air on his way to us. They just reduced the Winter Storm watch to an Advisory and indicated less precip than expected on WTOP. I'm cautiously optimistic we can go forward on a regular schedule this evening, but the reports from the weather channel are not as favorable as WTOP so we'll continue to watch and will provide an update one or more times as the afternoon progresses. Hope to see everyone there this evening, but if there is any problem in your area be very careful...we want you there safely!

Brad

Thursday, February 21, 2008

Retreat Agenda and Snow/Ice Plans

i all.

Given the poor weather forecast we decided to establish a two possibility plan for tomorrow...assuming that a normal evening is not likely to be in the cards given the current expected conditions. Immediately following the snow/ice options are two possible agendas for the weekend depending on conditions.

1. ASSUMING THE ALEXANDRIA GOVERNMENT OFFICES DO NOT CLOSE, DURANT WILL NOT CLOSE. THEREFORE, ON FRIDAY NIGHT IF WEATHER IS BAD BUT DOES NOT PRECLUDE ANY ARRIVALS AT DURANT AT ALL, WE WILL HOLD THE FRIDAY NIGHT PORTION OF THE RETREAT WITH WHOEVER FEELS THEY CAN SAFELY MAKE THEIR WAY TO DURANT. IF FULL ATTENDANCE IS CLEARLY NOT FEASIBLE RISER PLACEMENT WILL AWAIT SATURDAY'S RETREAT. SMALL GROUP COACHING...REMEDIAL SWING TRAINING...ETC. WILL BE CONDUCTED WITH WHOEVER MAKES IT TO FRIDAY EVENINGS RETREAT.

2. IF THE WEATHER IS SO BAD THAT IT IS NOT ADVISABLE FOR ANYONE TO ATTEMPT TO REACH DURANT WE WILL CANCEL AND ATTEMPT TO START SATURDAY'S REHEARSAL AS PLANNED. SINCE THE STORM IS PROJECTED TO END SOMETIME SATURDAY MORNING, IT IS POSSIBLE WE MAY HAVE TO DELAY THE STARTING TIME...BUT IT IS HIGHLY UNLIKELY WE WILL CANCEL ALL OF SATURDAY'S RETREAT.
WE WILL OFFICIALLY ANNOUNCE INFORMATION ON THE ABOVE OPTIONS BY THE YAHOOGROUPS EMAIL AND ON THE HARMOPHONE at (703)836-0969. INFORMALLY WE WILL ALSO ADD IT TO THE HARMOBLOG. My plan is to provide an update sometime tomorrow before 2:00pm and a final determination no later than 5:00pm

Several applicants who are in process have been invited to attend the retreat. If you have contact info for any applicants who may be planning to attend, please forward this information to them.


Friday

7:00 - 7:10 - Physical Warm-Up
7:10 - 7:30 - Vocal Warm-Up
7:30 - 7:40 - Riser Placement
7:40 - 7:55 - Clap Yo Hands Tag
7:55 - 8:30 - Clap Yo Hands Vocals
8:30 - 8:50 - Sectionals
8:50 - 9:00 - I Love You Truly
9:00 - 9:30 - Clap Yo Hands Choreo
9:30 - 10:00 - Clap Yo Hands Vocals

Saturday

9:00 - 9:10 - Physical Warm-Up
9:10 - 9:30 - Vocal Warm-Up
9:30 - 9:45 - I Love You Truly
9:45 - 10:00 - Clap Yo Hands Tag
10:00 - 10:30 - Riser Placement
10:30 - 11:00 - Clap Yo Hands Choreo
11:00 - 12:00 - Clap Yo Hands Vocals
12:00 - 1:30 - Lunch
1:30 - 2:00 - Sectionals
2:00 - 5:00 - Clap Yo Hands

If we cancel Friday and start Saturday late, due to weather, it might look like this:

10:00 - 10:10 - Physical Warm-Up
10:10 - 10:30 - Vocal Warm-Up
10:30 - 10:45 - I Love You Truly
10:45 - 11:15 - Riser Placement
11:15 - 11:40 - Clap Yo Hands Tag
11:40 - 12:00 - Clap Yo Hands Vocals
12:00 - 1:00 - Lunch
1:00 - 1:30 - Sectional
1:30 - 2:30 - Clap Yo Hands Vocals
2:30 - 3:15 - Clap Yo Hands Choreo
3:15 - 3:30 - I Love You Truly
3:30 - 5:00 - Clap Yo Hands Vocals

All of the above will be with the appropriate 5-10 min breaks here and there if needed.

updated sheet music and bari file - I Love You Truly

For those of you who have already downloaded the sheet music, I have uploaded today an updated version of "I Love You Truly" that has the composer, arranger and copyright language added. Please print out a copy with the copyright info on the bottom of each page from the updated file and destroy your prior printed copy. Also, for the Baritones...there was a glitch in transmitting the bari predominant learning track that resulted in an electronically produced modification to key and speed. An intact version has been uploaded. The old sheet music file and the old bari file have been removed. The copies you see on the web page are the updated versions. Also, a few people have indicated that they have problems downloading and making a cd for learning purposes. If you run into that situation please let me know and I will arrange for you to get a cd.

Brad

Looking Back on Feb. 19th Chapter Meeting

Looking Back on Feb. 19th Chapter Meeting

(This message is prepared for your review if you were there, for your information if you had to miss, and as a historical record of the great things going on each week at an Alexandria Harmonizer Chapter meeting. —Ye Ed.)

If you were there, you saw the grin on Director Joe’s face when he stepped up to direct the NINE risers full of singers this week. Guest nite worked and brought out a lot of first timers to our meeting, and a lot of guys we have not seen for awhile. Which is always a treat.

First thing Joe did was have all the members greet the guest next to them on the risers. And then humorously, he said, “Enough greeting. We have a lot of fun singing to do tonite.” And off it went.

The coffee table was loaded with goodies the Harmo-family brought to share with the guests! Roger brought sodas too and Lew brought some ice to cool’em. Everyone looked sharp in the various shirts with logos – especially the new electric blue ones with the kaki pants. Guys who don’t have these new outfits yet should see Tom Kern.

The evening included a strong work out on “Clap Yo Hands” and “Mona Lisa” and “Happy Feet.” There was a promise to roll out the stage presence plan for “Clap Yo Hands” this weekend at the retreat on Fri nite and all day Sat. Joe asked the guys to consider coming to all or even parts of the weekend.

He also encouraged members to take a serious look the chapter calendar and add chapter events to their schedules, as the calendar was done on purpose, far in advance, so we could all plan ahead with family and work.

A crew of guys (Cerutti, Plaag, McKeever, Kujawa) were in NY this past weekend to learn the SP plan from the creator of the plan. They will then teach the front row and quad leaders and us. All of those guys are really excited about the plan and look forward to seeing us in action.

As part of the chapter meeting, Dick Hall promoted the sale of script cards and encouraged guys to plan ahead and buy from other stores where the chapter gets a larger percentage. Michael Calhoun thanked key players (Bibens, Kahler, D. Hall, Mankin, Klinge, B Jones, Dixie Kennett) in the Singing Valentine effort – 86 orders and a nice net income to help the bottom line. Great stories are coming in, from all around, of warm or funny things that happened when the quartets made their presentations.

Past President Wile did some catch-up work on award presentations that were not made at the annual banquet. Jason and Judson Stewart were given Certificates of Appreciation for their hard work at the fall show and the holiday show – back stage, in the kitchen, or working with set construction. Parents Bill and Jean had great smiles too!!!

There was a special recognition for Assistant Director Tony Colosimo for representing the chapter as a member of Gold Medalist Collegiate Quartet ROADTRIP.

The Harmonizer Honor Award (which we were all wondering about that was not presented at the banquet) was given to Bob Rhome for all he does for the chapter. Well deserved. He was on travel for two or three weeks, and thus the delay to make the presentation.

Service Awards went also to Martin Banks for his successful marketing efforts for the chapter and to Bruce Lauther for his successful booking efforts for the chorus.

Secretary Buechler and President Stamps gave a board member-at-large lapel pin to Brian Miller.

Then it was time to meet all the guests. One surprise was Bob Johnson Jr., past chapter president and leader in the ‘80s, visiting from FL. Ken White assisted Roger in presenting the MANY first-time guest pins tonite too.

After the coffee break and social time, Roger invited all the guests to go to another room where they were given a little more info about the chapter, and taught a couple of tags. When they returned, to a rousing welcome back, the guests sang both tags. Sounded darn good too!!

Then it was turn-around and the chorus performed for the guests with staging and all. And Joe taught the whole gang a great tag that really rang the rafters. It was fun for new and old alike.

Hopefully many of these guys will get a chance to stop by the chorus retreat this weekend at Durant, Fri. nite and all day Sat. There is a surprise coach coming to teach a new tag to “Clap Yo Hands” and help get us fired up on this great new uptune. If you are not active these day , why not come by this weekend and see the excitement. Get a cup of coffee and stay a little while.

Until next time – editorjack!

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

M&P meeting canceled

Gents,

Alexandria Public Schools just cancelled all after school and evening activities, so the M&P meeting scheduled for this evening is cancelled. I will try sending out some thoughts on the issues we needed to discuss this evening by email. If any committees have information or reports to convey please do so by email. Perhaps we can meet briefly during a break in the retreat if any of the issues appear to require some live discussion.

Brad

M&P Agenda and snow plan

Gents,

If the weather should cause us to have to cancel tonights M&P meeting, I will send an email notice to all of you and I will also use the new Harmo blog to post a notice for those who may be somewhere where they have internet access but can't see their email. Assuming the weather doesn't hold us we have a lot of issues to discuss tonight. The agenda is:

Agenda for M&P Meeting – February 20, 2008
Update as of 9:30am 2/20


1. Scholarship committee – Jack Shields and Harmony

2. Retreat planning – actions/activities

3. Finale training/experts?

4. MMB Recording Program

5. Youth Festival

6. Valentines Lessons Learned

7. Recording session

8. 60th anniversary proposal

9. Committee reports

Brad