July 10 Mass Rehearsal

Facts and Stats:

• The Getty Choir is 135 voices strong.  
• 47 men and 88 women.
• We represent at least six different denominations.
• Some of us read music but most of us don't.
• We sound good awesome despite all.
• Attending Mass (rehearsals:) strengthens ability and confidence.
• Small group practises are easy to organize and a lot of fun too.

Kyrie Eleison Verse 3 bar 45-51

Some things to remember when singing through this one:

• "Ooh" is not "Oh".  If your lips aren't pursed out like a little guppy, chances are you aren't making the right sound. 
• "Ooh" sounds like Eeewww (think brussel-sprouts for supper and you'll get it).    
• Conversely, a good sounding "Ah" requires a dropped jaw -- I'll be looking for a "drop your jaw" kind of Aw at our next rehearsal.
• Listen to your recording and copy Kristyn for "Kyrie Eleison" and "Christe Eleison"and exaggerate pronouncing all the consonants such as the letters Kand T. 

I interject with a rambling thought...
Beloved choir peeps?  Please keep in mind that we are background vocals.
As such, stressing overmuch about every little musical nuance will only rob us of the pleasure (and the whole point) this unique opportunity presents to us.
For a thousand tongues (or more than TWO thousand + tongues) to sing these wonderful songs together is simply a great gift from a Great Gifter.  Let's not lose sight of it.
My foremost concern is to get you all comfortable enough with your notes to be able to look up from the page more and more and perhaps eventually, even to sing some of this from memory!

When Trials Come starting at Verse 3 to the end.

I had some fun at home playing our score along with the listening CD and realized we practised it way too slow.  Metronome torture here we come.

In fact, I'll post a video of this song (track 9 on your listening CD) playing on my computer and me pointing out where our parts come in.... it'll be as close as we get to singing with Kristyn till concert day.  I won't be able to finish this till tomorrow though so stay tuned.

Hear the Call of the Kingdom    A cappella = without accompaniment

This is good stuff - a little"stiff"perhaps.
(according to the clapper/rapper near the iPad? :)
Wait till you see the choreography she'd like to introduce!  

Hear the Call - conclusion from bar Ch.3 on page 3

There's a rule of thumb in choral singing:  

never ever repeat phrases exactly the same way.

For example, this song closes with "Salvation in Jesus Name" 

three times in a row.

Sung exactly the same way each time is not only boring but worse, will not 

take the words off the page, a critical point if message is important to us!   

One of the ways to remedy that is to add a gradually increasing intensity 

to your voice aka 'timbre'.   

Looking up from your music will draw in those who listen and watch.
I cannot over-state the importance of looking up and into the faces of your audience.
It is an obvious means of connecting.
Ever had a conversation with someone looking elsewhere the entire time?
Yep.  I rest my case.

The more we sing together, the more comfortable we become with our places, the richer our experience, the greater His Glory.  

I'm no mathematician, but I've seen plenty evidence of this type of formula at work and how it ultimately adds up.

Enjoy this summer time.

Keep singing.

See you in a couple weeks D.V.